Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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As Congress considers a major new trade pact with Asia, there is broad public agreement that international free trade agreements are good for the United States. But fewer Americans express positive views of the impact of trade deals on their personal finances.
America is turning gray, with the share of people ages 65 and older expected to rise more than 50% by 2050 – a trend that may burden more families. But Germany and Italy are already there, with a fifth of their population in that age range.
While the least financially secure Americans are more likely to back Democrats, that support is undercut by low political participation. Those who are financially insecure are far more likely to opt out of the political system altogether.
The different direction of economic fortunes since the Great Recession has had a major impact on life satisfaction in countries around the world.
In 2012, a record 69% of the nation’s new college graduates had taken out student loans to finance their education. Graduates from more affluent families are much more likely to borrow today than 20 years ago.
Perhaps surprisingly, not very many people earn minimum wage, and they make up a smaller share of the workforce than they used to.
More people are having trouble keeping up with their student-loan payments than in years past, several studies show.
A record 37% of young households had outstanding student loans in 2010 and a median student debt of $13,000.
