Who Is The Head of Your Household?1 In 11 of 16 countries where people were asked this month’s question, Dad took the prize as head of household over Mum, grandparents and kids. Only five countries, including Australia, picked Mum. Was it just tradition talking? We did a little digging: overall, the pro-Mum nations have less income disparity between men and women. About half of the pro-Dad results came from countries with Catholic majority, such as the Philippines and Italy. Nations where kids earned higher scores tended to have the lowest fertility rates. Finally, across borders, more men than women think Dad’s in charge, and more women than men are certain that Mum is – which just goes to show that the biggest factor in who wears the pants may be who you ask.
The Weight of the World1 Obesity has gone global. Here, the world’s riskiest habits, crankiest spouses, dumbest excuses – and the best ways to send those kilos packing.
How Often Do You Pray?This month’s global survey shows that where you live influences how you pray.
Ask the World a QuestionEvery month Reader's Digest asks people around the world a question and then we compare the responses from each country. Come back each month to review results and suggest some new questions.
Do You Want to Live Forever?So much for eternal youth! Most respondents to our latest global survey are satisfied with their limited shelf life on earth. Not even younger people consistently choose immortality. In fact, more than 50% of those 45 and under in seven countries say they don’t want to live forever. Brazilian youth bucks the trend, with 74% preferring no expiration date. Two surprises, however: in the Philippines, over 45 wants life to be everlasting; in China, not a single older survey-taker does.
Lose 5kg or Gain $10kThe world agrees on this at least: Cash is king. Russians voted for money over weight loss by the steepest margin- not surprising when in a country experience the most extreme econoic decline (after Singapore) of all those surveyed. Still we were counting on a few other countries- such as Australia, to be tempted by permanent, effortless weight loss. After all, 54% of Australian adults are overweight or obese, and we spend millions a year on weight loss programmes.
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