A look at the world in numbers

7

Percent increase in the number of inmates at federal prisons in 2009

1,403,091

Number of inmates in state prisons as of Jan.1, a six percent drop, due in part to budget cuts

1972

The last time there was a drop in the number of inmates in state prisons

15

Number of years that U.S. crime rates have been falling

9.5

Percent, the economic growth forecast for China for 2010 by the World Bank

4

Percent, the economic growth forecast for the world economy in 2010 by the World Bank

1990

The year cancer deaths peaked in the U.S. Cancer deaths have dropped largely due to preventative measures such as mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies, and lower smoking rates.

Sources: New York Times; BBC; Ars Technica