Life expectancy in South Africa is expected to be about 49 years (over the period 2005-10). In the United Kingdom it is 79 years. (Pocket World in Figures, 2008 Edition, The Economist)

This week’s theme: South Africa vs. England

A Big Mac in South Africa costs R15.50 (January 2007). In the United Kingdom, the price is equivalent to R28. (Pocket World in Figures, 2008 Edition, The Economist)

This week’s theme: South Africa vs. England

On average, each South African makes 1.3 visits to the cinema each year. For the United Kingdom, the figure is 3.0. (France, New Zealand and Australia and all have higher figures). (Pocket World in Figures, 2008 Edition, The Economist)

This week’s theme: South Africa vs. England

On average, a each copy of True Love magazine is read by 18 people. (AMPS2007A)

This week’s theme: The 3 R’s

There are 11 million children aged 6 to 16 in South Africa. 3.8% of them do not attend school. (General Household Survey 2005)

This week’s theme: The 3 R’s

In 2006 351,503 candidates passed matric (out of 528,525 who wrote). A total of 25,217 passed HG maths. (Statement by Naledi Pandor, 28 December 2006))

This week’s theme: The 3 R’s

36% of South African adults (16+) send SMSs daily or weekly. (AMPS2007A)

This week’s theme: The 3 R’s

32% of South Africans over the age of 50 cannot read. For those aged between 15 and 29, this falls to 3%. (LFS 2006)

This week’s theme: The 3 R’s

There are around 960 000 people in South Africa with a university degree. A further 1.6 million have a matric plus a diploma or certificate. (LFS 2006)

This week’s theme: Middle class in South Africa

There are 2.6 million black diamonds in South Africa (UCT Unilever Institute, TNS Research Surveys)

This week’s theme: Middle class in South Africa