The U.S. ranks 1st in arms and ammunition exports

According to the International Trade Centre, in 2005, the United States accounted for 47% of the world’s total arms and ammunition exports, making it rank first in that category. The second biggest arms exporting country, France, accounted for only 7% of the total.

The U.S. ranks 2nd in radioactive exports

According to the International Trade Centre, in 2005 the United States ranked second in terms of the export of radioactive materials. France ranked first.

The U.S. ranks 24th in abortions

According to a study by the journal International Family Planning Perspectives, in 1999 (the year the study was published), the United States ranked twenty-fourth in terms of abortion rates. Vietnam ranked first.

The U.S. ranks 4th in Roman Catholics

According to the website catholic-hierarchy.org, the United States ranks fourth in terms of the number of baptized Roman Catholics. Brazil ranks first.

The U.S. ranks 9th for embracing a free market economy

According to a Pew Global Attitudes Project study of 2003, 72% of Americans feel that people are better off in a free market economy, which makes the United States rank ninth in that category. Vietnam ranks first, with 95% of respondents believing that people are better off in a free market economy. Interestingly, the United Kingdom–home to Adam Smith–doesn’t make the top ten.

The U.S. ranks 13th in age of first sex

According to the 2005 Durex Global Sex Survey, the average American has their first sexual experience at 16.9 years of age, which means that it is tied for thirteenth with Portugal and Bulgaria in that category. Iceland ranks first, with an average age of 15.6 years. The global average is 17.3 years.

The U.S. ranks 32nd for built-up land

According to the Global Footprint Network, the United States is tied for thirty-second (with Laos, Macedonia, Peru, Burkina Faso, Kyrgyzstan, Jordan, Latvia, Belarus, Italy, Albania, and Egypt) in terms of global  hectare per capita of built up land. Belgium ranks first.

The U.S. ranks 16th in life satisfaction

According to the Happy Planet Index, the United States is tied for sixteenth (with Antigua and Barbuda, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis, the United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, and Venezuala) in terms of life satisfaction. Denmark and Switzerland are tied for first.

The U.S. ranks 2nd in carbon dioxide emissions

According to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, by 2006 China overtook the United States for the top spot in carbon dioxide emissions. The United States now ranks second in that category.

The U.S. ranks 1st in carbon dioxide emissions

According to the World Resources Institute, five countries (the United States, China, Russia, Japan, and India) contribute more than fifty percent of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions. The United States ranks first, contributing 22% of the total.

Note: see updated information regarding this ranking here.