We have compiled some statistics from the approximately 5000 people who had pledged by January 11, 2010.
The largest number of people pledging are from the United States, but in proportion to population, Canada
and Sweden have a pledging rate about three times that of the U.S., and Australians are pledging at an even higher rate. (This could be due to the fact that Peter Singer is Australian and is better known there than anywhere
else.) In addition to Sweden, European countries, especially those in which the book has already been published (or is to be published in the case of Germany) are also well represented and include Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Outside North America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand, there are also pledges from Asia and a rapidly growing number from Latin America. There are some from Africa too. The extensive areas of the former Soviet Union have so far yielded few pledges, but there are some from Kazakhstan.
More than half of those pledging left us some further information about themselves. This will be useful for further research into giving. In respect of the amount that they earn, those pledging seem to
mirror the population as a whole.
Unsurprisingly, the great majority is from the first income bracket, that is, below $US 105,000 or its equivalent. So far no one who has pledged has indicated that they are in the highest income bracket, but we have had one from the 2nd highest bracket, which means an annual income of over $US 1.9 million or its equivalent. Most of those pledging have a university degree, and a considerable number have a postgraduate qualification. About 50% more women pledge than men. Those who pledge list many kinds of occupations. People who have retired or are on disability pensions have also pledged, as have some clergy. So too have people who are not yet at the stage of life in which they can earn a normal salary, including high school students and university undergraduates. We are especially happy to report that even some philosophers have taken the pledge.
For previous data click here.
The youngest “reader” of the book.
At 90, perhaps the oldest reader of the book.
