Stéphane Rapelli released a study on the socio-demographic characterisation of I-Pros across Europe. I-Pros are defined as self-employed workers, without employees, who are engaged in an activity which does not belong to the farming, craft or retail sectors. They engage in activities of intellectual nature and/or which come under the service sector.
The study shows that the number of I-Pros has grown by 82% between 2000 and 2011, with the biggest concentration of I-Pros in Italy (1,688,894), the UK (1,608,436) and Germany (1,533,050).
For more details see the study itself: EFIP report English
In the United States, two-thirds of college graduates leave school with student loan debt, an average of $25,000 each. Debt rates have increased 500 percent since 1999, and there are more and more of us across the country facing six-figure loans who will make monthly payments for the rest of our lives.
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Indeed, the debt explosion has brought students and families to a grim milestone: on April 25, 2012, total student debt in the US will surpass one trillion dollars.
http://uninomade.org/april-25th-is-1t-day-occupy-student-debt/
This data visualisation by Sara de Bondt and Merel van der Berg says it all about the gender divisions within graphic design today.

See more on their blog: Feminism and Graphic Design
“The (US) government defines affordable housing as housing that costs no more than 30% of your income.”
Centre for Urban Pedagogy, The envisioning development toolkit

Seen at the Tent City University, London, December 2011.
Link to the chart on-line.
According to a recently published figure by the Carrotworkers’ Collective in their Counter-Internship Guide, cultural workers earn 60% less than the national median of all UK employees. Moreover, 75% of cultural sector employees have no pension.
The calculation of the income poverty threshold is generally based on the average national income. If your income is below 60% of the average national income, then you are considered below the poverty line.
Here a few samples of average incomes in Europe:
Germany (2007): €27,083 (60% = €16,249.8)
Italy (2008): €18,873 (60% = €11,323.8)
United Kingdom (2004-2005): £22,800 (60% = £13,680)