Financial Surveys & Statistics

Here are some random, but relevant statistics that I’ve collected the past week.

$66 – The average amount surveyed Americans spent per day in April, up 10% from a year ago. Driving the increase was a 13% rise in middle – and lower-income spending, to $59 per day. (Source: Gallup, Inc)

32% – Only 32% of all voters are at least somewhat confident that their representatives in Congress have the voters’ best interests in mind. Sixty-six percent (66%) don’t share the confidence, down 10 points from October 2008. (Source: Rasmussen Reports)

28% – The percentage of American working adults who say they could do their boss’ job better than the boss does it. Fifty-eight percent say they couldn’t and 15% are undecided. (Source: Rasmussen Reports)

$14.2 Million – The average pay of the 16 female chief executives of companies in the S&P 500—43% more than the male average. (Source: Bloomberg)

66% – The percentage that people are increasing their risk of heart attack, angina and death from heart disease as a result of working 10 or more hours a day when compared with those working a “normal” seven-hour day, according to a study of more than 10,000 British civil servants. (Source: Reuters)