American Jobs Act: full breakdown
Last week President Obama unveiled the American Jobs Act, the latest plan intended to spur the economy and create employment. First estimates point to a 1-3% economic growth lift in 2012, and over one million jobs creation. But what measures does the plan contain to achieve this challenging outcome?
Minimum wages in United States (2011)
As of July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour. However, that year 3.6 million workers with wages at or below the minimum made up 4.9 percent of all hourly-paid workers. What are the minimum wages in the US and how do they compare to those in the EU?
US debt breakdown (2011): where does the current debt come from?
S&P lowered last Friday the US government’s credit rating for the first time to AA+ from AAA provoking panic in markets. The downgrade took place despite the US Congress agreement on raising the nation debt ceiling. The richest country in the world is the one with the largest debt. Where does the US debt come from?
World’s largest proven crude oil reserves by country (2010)
Venezuela has surpassed Saudi Arabia as the country with the world’s largest crude oil proven reserves. The South American country’s known reserves grew between 2009 and 2010 by 40 percent, compared with the stagnation of Saudi Arabia’s. Saudi Arabia remains as the largest oil producer.
European banks stress test results by country (July 2011)
The 2011 EBA’s EU wide stress test had the objective of assessing the resilience of a large sample of banks in the EU against an adverse but plausible scenario. Who did the homework and who didn’t? Let’s find out on this post.
Youth outraged unemployment rate in Spain
The so-called “indignados” (Outraged) demand social and political enhancements. The scourge of joblessness in Spain is one of the topics most widely focused upon: Spain’s youth unemployment rate stood at 43.5% percent as of February, the highest such statistical rating in the 27-nation European Union.
 demand social and political enhancements. The scourge of joblessness in Spain is one of the topics most widely focused upon: Spain's youth unemployment rate stood at 43.5% percent as of February, the highest such statistical rating in the 27-nation European Union. "Pin It")
Remittances are the most resilient economic inflows
Worldwide remittance flows are estimated to have exceeded $440 billion in 2010, of which developing countries received $325 billion. Why remittances have remained more resilient than private debt and equity flows and foreign direct investment? Which effects do remittances have on development?
Reading habits: How often do students read for enjoyment?
According to PISA, better readers tend to read more because they are more motivated to read, which, in turn, leads to improved vocabulary and comprehension skills. The last PISA reading assessment reveals that 37% of 15-years-old across OECD countries does not read for pleasure, though.
Where are we spending the money? EU Budget 2011
The 2011 EU budget (€ 141.9 billion) emphasizes the need to accelerate the European economic recovery. Administration costs are still a controversial figure however, absorbing € 8.2 billion of the amount.
 emphasizes the need to accelerate the European economic recovery. Administration costs are still a controversial figure however, absorbing € 8.2 billion of the amount. "Pin It")
The price of oil: taxes make the difference
Most consumers don’t know that most of the money paid for petroleum products such as gasoline does not go to oil producers. If oil were not so heavily taxed, then it would cost a fraction of its current price in some countries. Which effects does it have?
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