The U.S. ranks 2nd in alfalfa exports

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, in 2010 the United States exported 258,983 metric tonnes of alfalfa meal and pellets, or 19.8% of the world’s exports of that item. That was enough to make the United States rank  second out of eighty-six countries ranked in that category. Spain ranked first, exporting 473,004 tonnes, or 36.2% of the world’s exports.

The U.S. ranks 72nd in girls going to grade school

According to the World Health Organization’s 2010 World Health Statistics, between 2000 and 2009, the United States had a net enrollment rate for girls in primary school of 92%, which makes the United States tied for seventy-second with several other countries, including the Bahamas, Brazil, Egypt, Latvia, Nicaragua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Slovakia, Syria, and Turkey. Several countries tied for first, at 100% enrollment. Among these are Canada, Greece, Seychelles, Spain, and Sri Lanka.

One country, Afghanistan, reported 0% of girls attending primary school.

The U.S. ranks 85th in boys going to grade school

According to the World Health Organization, between 2000 and 2009, the United States had a net enrollment rate for males in primary school of 91%, which makes the United States tied for eighty-fifth in that category with several other countries–Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, India, Samoa, Slovakia, Suriname, and Uzbekistan. Several other countries–Burundi, Georgia, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania–tied for first, with 100% of boys going to primary school.

The country with the lowest reported enrollment rate for boys in primary school is Sudan, at 43%.

The U.S. ranks 2nd in lettuce and chicory exports

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, in 2007 the United States exported 380,907 metric tonnes of lettuce and chicory, or 22.9% of the world’s total lettuce and chicory exports. That is enough to the make the United States rank second out of 125 countries ranked in that category. Spain ranks first, exporting 531,394 tonnes, or 32.0% of the world total.

The U.S. ranks 3rd in orange exports

According to FAOStat, the United States exported 341,914 tonnes of oranges in 2007. This was 6.5% of the world’s total orange exports and was enough for the United States to rank third in that category. Spain ranks first, exporting  1,414,220 tonnes of oranges or 26.8% of the total world exports.

Entry prepared by Katie Mibaum.

The U.S. ranks 9th in satisfaction in family life

According to the Pew Global Attitudes Survey, 89% of people in the United States are satisfied with their family life, which makes the United States tied for ninth with Spain, out of fifty-three countries surveyed. India ranks first with 96% of people satisfied with their family life.

Entry prepared by Emily VanSickle.

The U.S. ranks 26th in employment growth rates

According to the OECD, the United States had an employment growth rate of 2.7% between 1998 and 2007  for college graduates, which makes the United States rank twenty-sixth out of the 30 member nations of the OECD. Spain ranks first, at 8.2%.

The U.S. ranks 5th in unemployment

According to the OECD, the United States had an unemployment rate of 9.6% in the third quarter of 2009, which made the United States tied with Hungary for fifth out of 25 OECD member nations  in that category. Spain ranked first, with an unemployment rate of 18.9%.

The U.S. ranks 13th in human development

According to the United Nations 2009 Human Development Report, the United States ranks thirteenth in human development, which is a drop of one place from last year. Norway ranks first. Here are the top 15 countries:

1) Norway

2) Australia

3) Iceland

4) Canada

5) Ireland

6) Netherlands

7) Sweden

8 France

9) Switzerland

10) Japan

11) Luxembourg

12) Finland

13) United States

14) Austria

15) Spain

The U.S. ranks 13th in happy life years

According to the Happy Planet Index, Americans have 61.2 “happy life years” (HLY), which makes the United States tied for thirteenth with Spain in that category. Costa Rica ranks first, with an HLY score of 66.7.