7 Billion: Are You Typical? -- National Geographic Magazine | National Geographic

Summary

In a world of 7 billion people, the most typical person is a 28-year-old Han Chinese man. This individual represents the global median, making less than $12,000 a year, right-handed, with a cell phone but no bank account. While the world's typical person is currently from China, by 2030, this will shift to India. The video highlights the vast differences in typical experiences around the globe, from differing lifespans and heights to varied access to water. It emphasizes how our choices, when multiplied by billions, have a profound impact on the world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world's most typical person is a 28-year-old Han Chinese man.
• 😀 This individual is male, right-handed, and makes less than $12,000 annually.
• 😀 The typical person has a cell phone but no bank account.
• 😀 The median age of the world's population is 28 years old.
• 😀 There are over 9 million people who fit the profile of the most typical person.
• 😀 Researchers created a composite image of the most typical person using 190,000 photos.
• 😀 By 2030, the most typical person will likely come from India.
• 😀 The typical person’s characteristics are always relative, based on different regions and lifestyles.
• 😀 In countries like the Netherlands, the typical man is 5'11" tall, while in Peru, it's 5'4.5".
• 😀 The average life expectancy for women varies greatly, from nearly 86 years in Japan to just 45 years in Afghanistan.
• 😀 Water consumption differs significantly by region: the average American uses 100 gallons per day, while in Ethiopia, it's just 2.5 gallons.

Q & A

What is the most typical trait of the world's most typical person?

The world's most typical person is right-handed, makes less than $12,000 a year, has a cell phone, but does not have a bank account.

What is the gender of the world's most typical person?

The world's most typical person is male, as males outnumber females, but just barely.

What is the median age of the world's population?

The median age of the world's population is 28.

Which ethnic group is the largest in the world?

The largest ethnic group in the world is Han Chinese.

What is the world's most typical person's age and ethnicity?

The world's most typical person is a 28-year-old Han Chinese man.

How many people in the world resemble the world's most typical person?

There are over 9,000,000 people who resemble the world's most typical person.

What did researchers use to create the composite image of the world's most typical person?

Researchers averaged 190,000 photos of Han Chinese men to create a composite image.

When will the world's most typical person come from India?

By 2030, the world's most typical person will come from India.

What is the average height of a typical man in Holland?

The typical man in Holland is 5' 11".

How much water does the typical American use at home per day?

The typical American uses 100 gallons of water at home per day.