Averaged out

Many people like to describe themselves as “average” but some might be in for a surprise when faced with the real, statistically proven average.

A European woman can only really call herself average if she is 42, has an upper secondary level of education, works in public or social services for about 33 hours a week, has fewer than two children and was about 28 when she had her first child, at least according to official statistics.

If you fall within this category, you might also be pleased to know that you can reasonably expect another 41 years of life.

The male average is 39 years old. He should have studied at least up to secondary level and works about 40 hours a week in the market services industry. The life expectance here is two years shorter than women.

The above were examples used by statistics offices all over Europe yesterday to drive in the point about the importance of their work in everyday life, as World Statistics Day is marked worldwide today.

Statistics are moving towards a more holistic view of human activity, NSO director general Michael Pace Ross said, pointing to topics like social exclusion, culture and the environment gaining importance.

“In the future, we’re seeing statistics on energy, resources and the environment gaining importance, as well as the social aspect of the environment. While, before, the gross domestic product was considered as the most important, now other indicators have to be considered more closely along with the GDP with respect to the EU’s 2020 targets,” Mr Pace Ross said.

Malta’s application and accession to the EU and has also put more importance on the NSO’s operations, which has to release statistics that comply with the Eurostat’s submission schedule.

“I think we’re becoming more relevant day by day,” Mr Pace Ross said.

Next year, a new population census would be launched in all EU member states and the results would be vital, for example, at national level in decisions on the location of public infrastructure as well as at European level in the determination of voting weight in the European Council, the European Statistics Service said.

The NSO will be marking World Statistics Day with a half-day seminar today at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julians, starting at 8.30 a.m., when it will also launch Malta in Figures 2010.