I don’t know if it’s because of the return of good weather or the summer that has just arrived. But it seems to me that it’s time to spread some good news in this section that’s a little too obsessed with millions and compound interest…
It’s just that, despite all our problems, we still live in a pretty good time.
Here are some positive events that have happened recently.
Vaccines have saved more than 150 million children
You already knew this, but your antivax sister-in-law is really on the ball. Over the past 50 years, mass adoption of vaccinations worldwide has saved the lives of more than 150 million children, according to a new study published in the medical journal The Lancet. That’s one child death prevented every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since 1974. All because of vaccines that prevent deadly diseases like measles (94 million deaths prevented), tetanus (28 million), whooping cough (13 million), and tuberculosis (11 million), to name just the most important. Not so long ago, the path from the pediatric hospital to the cemetery was well-traveled: humans buried one in two children. It’s crazy to think of all the suffering that advances in science, including vaccines, have spared us.
Consult the study “Contribution of vaccination to improved survival and health” (in English)
Generation Z richer than ever
It often seems as though today’s young people are in a worse financial position than in the past – not least because house prices have skyrocketed in recent years. The magazine’s analysis “Generation Z is unprecedentedly rich” The Economist shows us that, contrary to popular belief, young people from Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2010) earn more than people from previous generations at the same age, when wages are adjusted for inflation. These young people, who represent 250 million people in rich countries, are on track to surpass the number of baby boomers in the workforce. All that remains is to convince them not to spend it all on tattoos and brunches. I’m trying to do my part.
Check out the article by The Economist “Generation Z is unprecedentedly rich”
The increase in the minimum wage in 2024 exceeds inflation in Quebec
Speaking of good economic news, it has been little noticed, but in May the minimum wage in Quebec rose to $15.75 an hour, an increase of 50 cents. This increase of 3.28% is higher than the anticipated inflation for 2024-2025, which is 2.3%.
Check out the government’s announcement on the minimum wage increase
Ukraine exports massively
Despite the Russian invasion, Ukraine has exported more than 36 million tons of goods through its maritime corridor since August 2023, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Community, Territory and Infrastructure Development. Ukraine exports wheat, grain, vegetable oils and protein meals. These products go to Asia, Africa and Europe, and contribute to global food security.
PHOTO EMILE DUCKE, THE NEW YORK TIMES ARCHIVES
Grain stored in the village of Moloha in preparation for export, near Odessa, Ukraine
25% less area burned
There is a lot of talk about the forest fires raging in Canada and around the world. But did you know that the surface area of the globe affected by the flames has decreased by a quarter in the last 18 years, despite global warming? This is what an article published in the scientific journal Science. This is due to an expansion of agriculture and a decline in the practice of burning land in grasslands and savannahs. CO emissions2 due to forest fires have also been declining for two decades.
Read the journal article Science “A human-driven decline in global burned area”
Life expectancy could reach 80 years by 2050
Human life expectancy could continue to increase, and even reach 80 years on average worldwide in 2050, according to new modeling published in The Lancet. Today, the average life expectancy worldwide is 74 years. The biggest gains will occur in regions currently experiencing the highest rates of premature deaths, such as sub-Saharan Africa, the researchers note. However, they temper this good news by saying that many people will not necessarily spend the last years of their lives in good health, and that chronic diseases will be on the rise due to the greater longevity of the population.
Read the study “Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050”
Homicides down in the United States
At the beginning of June, 2,959 homicides had been reported in major American cities, compared to 3,627 at the same date in 2023. This is a decrease of 19%, according to the Datalytics firm, which compiles data from public services. police. Experts do not agree on the causes of the decrease, but it is clear that it makes less noise and catches the imagination less than when an annual increase is reported.
PHOTO MARY ALTAFFER, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
So far in 2024, homicides are down 19% in major U.S. cities compared to 2023.
Economy at record levels
The unemployment rate in Quebec (5.1%) has been increasing in recent months, but is among the lowest recorded in 50 years. In the United States, the poorest quintile of workers experienced a 50% greater increase in income over the past year than that of the richest workers. The Toronto Stock Exchange hits record highs. The American stock market reaches record highs. Over the past year, a balanced index portfolio of 60% stocks, 40% bonds (VBAL, XBAL) is up 14%, while a growth portfolio of 80% stocks, 20% bonds (VGRO, , including reinvestment of dividends. The economy is not always doing so well. Investing is not always so easy. We talk about it a lot, and rightly so, when things go badly. So it’s worth pointing out when things are going well.