Charts That Have Americans Scratching Their Heads

Recently a series of economic and social statistics were collaborated together and have Americans wondering what exactly is going on. Naturally, as we should always remember, economics are never black and white and there are several factors you can never fully take into account. However, the numbers do not quite add up.

Within the past 35 years (since 1979) worker productivity has gone up 80% and the income of the top 1% has increased 240%. However, (adjusted for inflation) the average American wage has hardly moved, only going up about 8%.

picture via Mother Jones News

So the conversation has begun to float around politics and a more progressive economic agenda could be on the rise. Some will likely argue that the reason could also be a result of government intrusion on the economy. Regardless, the result will indoubtedly vary.

picture via Worthwhile.Typepad.com

Meanwhile, economic growth has picked up following the recession, but job employment has failed to do so. Although economics is no simple matter, those numbers are not deniable. (These numbers are specifically the G7.)

picture via World Policy Forum

Here you can see that 1. America is one of the few countries in the world that does not give its workers a designated amount of available time off a week. Growing up in America that concept may be rather alien to most readers, but America is one of only 15 countries in the world without that worker benefit. 2. American is also one of only 8 countries in the world that does not guarantee its workers paid leave every year. 3. America is one of only 5 countries in the world that guarantees its workers paid maternity leave.

That's not to say that companies do not necessarily provide these benefits (most do not, some do) but it is not required of them.

So although these statistics are shocking, be sure to take them with a grain of salt as much of the world of economics is not as simple as any politician or economic "expert" makes it out to be. Regardless, there is definitely something to be said about the numbers that are at hand.

So, that is all I have to say today, but I'll be back tomorrow.

"Waste no time arguing what a good man should be. Be one." -Marcus Aurelius