Los Angeles, CA -- People who never marry are far more likely to die prematurely than those who get hitched or divorced, say US researchers. Bachelors aged between 19 and 44 were more than twice as likely to die as their married male peers.

Never marrieds were 58% more likely to have died than peers who were married and living with their spouse in 1989. Those who had been widowed were almost 40% more likely to die, and those who had been divorced or separated were 27% more likely to die.

• Download PowerPoint® Slides 

• The nation’s population is expected to reach 300 million in 2006 compared to 1967 (when the population reached 200 million) and 1915 (when it reached 100 million). 
• Price of a new home
  • 2006: $290,600
  • 1967: $24,600 ($149,147 in 2006 dollars)
  • 1915: $3,200 ($64,158 in 2006 dollars)
• Cost for a gallon of regular gas
  • 2006: $3.04 (as of Aug. 7)
  • 1967: 33 cents ($2.00 in 2006 dollars)
  • 1915: 25 cents ($5.01 in 2006 dollars

Between 1985 and 2004, the share of Canadians aged 15 and older reporting no religious affiliation increased by seven percentage points from 12% to 19%.

• Together, the proportion of adult Canadians who either have no religious affiliation or do have a religion but don't attend religious services increased from 31% to 43% over this period.
• The percentage of Canadian-born 15-59 - year olds with no religious affiliation or not attending religious services has increased from 33% in 1985 to 48% in 2004.
• While only about one-third (32%) of adult Canadians attend religious services at least monthly, over one-half (53%) engage in religious activities on their own at least monthly.
  
• Download PowerPoint® Slides