19 Funny Statistics You Won’t Believe Are True

For some people, statistics are just a bunch of boring numbers and mathematics. Sometimes it’s impossible even to comprehend these complex and profound numbers. Most people don’t pay attention to statistics. Well, it turns out that statistics can be fun, interesting, fascinating, and mind-blowing. The world is full of fun facts and stats covering everything from the mundane to the random. Luckily, the record keepers and stat collectors have been busy at work keeping every statistic and record for everything from the small to the major. We’ve gathered some of the funniest and most interesting statistics that will keep you entertained for days. 

1. Americans Eat 13 Pounds of Ice Cream Per Year

Everyone enjoys ice cream around the globe, but Americans love it. Like, really love it. It’s hard to argue against loving ice cream unless you’re lactose intolerant, but when Americans are eating more ice cream than Italians, you know things are serious.

A 2017 study found the average American eats 12.7 pounds of ice cream each year. According to the Dairy Data, that’s an improvement from 2007, when people from North America inhaled 14.8 pounds of ice cream. 

2. 95% of Millennials Are Not Saving for Retirement

The National Institute on Retirement Security defines millennials as people born between 1981 and 1991. According to the NIRS, millennials are doing a terrible job planning for the future. Roughly 66% of millennials have zero saved up in their banks for their retirement. Only 4.8% have sufficiently prepared for retirement. Considering the world is going to hell, it’s no surprise the youth and living their best lives and worried only about the now. 

3. Half a Billion Instagram Accounts Are Active Every Day

Social media is a significant part of every person’s life worldwide. In the last few years, Instagram has become the number one place to share pictures and videos of funny, tender, and sweet moments.

In 2023, Instagram announced an increase of 200 million users, resulting in roughly 2.3 billion active accounts monthly. Throughout the day, 500 million users post and scroll through their timelines on Instagram, demonstrating the power of social media. 

4. Two Out of Five Americans Can’t Name a Freedom Protected by the First Amendment

Americans often discuss their First Amendment rights, which are freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government. It’s one of the backbones of the country’s democracy that people are always ready to pull out when they feel their liberty is being threatened. The surprising thing is only two out of five Americans can actually name any of the freedoms the First Amendment protects.

In 2018, the Freedom Forum Institute conducted the State of the First Amendment Survey, discovering that 40% of participants couldn’t name any of the freedoms. Out of 1,009 adults surveyed, only one person named each freedom correctly, while 3% could name four of the five. 

5. Americans Eat 4.2 Billion Avocados Yearly

Avocados are sweeping the nation, fast becoming the number one vegetable in America. Fun fact: the Hass Avocado Board reported that 4.25 billion Americans enjoy avocados. Considering you the multiple ways you can eat an avocado, it’s plain to see why the little green vegetable is so popular.

6. One-Third of Adults Sleep With a Sentimental Object

Some adults can’t fall asleep without sentimental objects like a blanket, shirt, or stuffed animal. There’s no need to feel shame because one-third of adults sleep with one also. Sleepopolis and OnePoll surveyed 2,000 adults and found that 34% sleep with a comfort object. So don’t feel shame whipping out your favorite childhood teddy bear at the next sleepover. 

7. Americans Produce Nearly 4.48 Pounds of Garbage Each Day

In 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, released data showing that Americans produced roughly 4.48 pounds of garbage daily. That amounts to 1,642.5 pounds per year in the United States alone.

While America creates the most waste, they’re not the only ones. On a global level, the entire world generates 2.6 trillion pounds of garbage yearly. After America; Russia, Brazil, Japan, China, India, and Germany produce the most amount of waste. 

8. One in Seven Americans Receive Food From a Food Bank

According to Feeding America, 46 million people received food from food banks in 2014. That’s roughly one in seven Americans. Those statistics include 12 million children and 7 million seniors turning to their local food banks for help. After the pandemic, Feeding America updated those numbers to 53 million Americans receiving food from food banks, which is a worrying statistic.  

9. Americans Consume Roughly 26.5 Gallons of Beer and Cider Yearly

It’s not a surprise that the beer and cider industry is always booming. It’s safe to assume that Americans love to drink their beer. In fact, the National Beer Wholesalers Association announced that Americans 21 and over consumed 26.5 gallons of beer in 2018. According to the data, adults 21 and over drink about ten ounces daily, equaling one six-pack, weekly. 

10. 2% of Shoes Sold in the United States Are Made in America

Americans are known for loving products made in America. Unfortunately, there might be a minor problem regarding the majority of clothing and apparel in the United States.

In 2017, the American Apparel & Footwear Association discovered America imports 98% of its shoes from other countries. Plus, a whopping 97% of clothing comes from other countries, meaning Americans produce only 2% of the shoes and 3%of the clothing sold in the country. 

11. Less Than a Quarter of American Adults Meet US Standards for Physical Activity

The Department of Health and Human Services set Physical Activity guidelines for adults. American adults must have at least two days of muscle strengthening combined with 150 minutes of cardio and aerobic training weekly. A 2019 CDC report found that only 24.3% of Americans met those physical standards. No wonder obesity is such a big problem. 

12. Americans Spend Roughly $1,000 on Clothes Each Year

Everyone strives to look their best, but some people will do it no matter the cost. The American Apparel & Footwear Association examined how much Americans spend on clothes yearly. They discovered that Americans spend around $971.87, which sounds like a lot of money, but when you consider the cost of designer labels, it’s not that much. 

13. 9% of Americans Say Baseball Is Their Favorite Sport

There was a time in America when baseball was the most beloved sport in the country. Well, that time has come and gone. Despite being called “America’s pastime,” only 9% of Americans consider baseball their favorite sport based on a 2018 Gallup poll.

Since 1972, football (NFL) has reigned as the country’s favorite sport with a whopping 37%. In recent years, basketball and the NBA have gained immense popularity, but football is still ahead. 

14. Less Than 2% of NCAA Student-Athletes Turn Professional

As noted, sports are a significant part of American culture. Most athletes start training at a young age, hoping to make it to the big time someday. To make it in the NFL, NBA, MLB, UFC, or NHL, requires years of training, skills, talent, and luck.

Before turning pro, high school athletes first go into the NCAA. However, only 6% of high school athletes make it to the NCAA. It only gets tougher from that point. The NCAA says less than 2%of collegiate sports stars turn professional. Only the most talented and skilled stars make it to the next level. 

15. 12,000 Annual Injuries Are Related To TVs Falling in America

Since the 1950s, TV sets have evolved from tiny black-and-white boxes to flat-screen 4k TVs mounted on walls. As all sci-fi movies warn us, technology will one day become aware and fight back. Well, it looks as though that has already started, with Americans across the country suffering injuries yearly due to falling TVs.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission released data revealing that 11,800 Americans suffer injuries yearly from a falling TV That’s only accounting for the individuals that require medical attention. The CPSC website has a section that deals with falling TV, furniture, and other decor.

16. The Largest Horn Spread on a Steer Is Wider Than the Statue of Liberty’s Face

Dedicated on October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty is one of New York’s most famous landmarks. Including the pedestal, Lady Liberty stands 303 feet tall. The statue’s head is 10 feet from ear to ear.

While that might seem impressive, a Texas longhorn, Poncho Via, from Alabama, has the statue beat. The famous steer’s horns have a slight advantage over Lady Liberty as they measure an impressive 10 feet and 7.4 inches.

17. Michael and Mary Are the Most Popular Names

Everyone wants to give their daughter or son a unique name that nobody else in the world has. That’s been made increasingly difficult by celebrities naming their kid’s things like Apple Martin, Blue Ivy, and North West.

According to the Social Security Administration, “Michael” has been the most popular boy name 44 times over the last century. In terms of girls’ names, “Mary” has been the most popular 37 times in the previous 100 years. This goes to show a good old fashioned name is just as relevant today as some weird hybrid name. 

18. Americans Spend Close To $72 Million on Their Pets Annually

Many dogs and cats in America live better lives than most people around the globe. That’s because Americans pamper and spoil their pets. For example, Paris Hilton’s dogs live in a two-story million-dollar dog mansion.

Like many dogs, they go to dog spas and eat the highest quality dog food. Most owners tend to treat their pets like kings and queens. The American Pet Products Association estimated that Americans spent roughly $72.56 billion on their pets in 2018. They ensure their pets live the best life possible. 

19. Americans Get an Average of 0.5 Pieces of Personal Mail Weekly

Americans receive bills and junk mail weekly. It makes up the bulk of the correspondence sitting in the mailbox. The days of getting personal mail are long gone.

In 2017, the US Postal Service delivered an average of 0.5 pieces of personal mail yearly, which includes “household to household” mail such as invitations, greeting cards, announcements, and personal letters. It seems email is the way to go these days.