The Average Person Earns Just Over $22 a Day
Six in ten people own a smartphone. Eight in ten do not own a car.
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell · The World’s Most Average PersonThe world's most average person earns just over $22 a day, or about $660 monthly.
He owns a smartphone, as do six in ten people around the world. He owns no car, as is true for eight in ten people around the world.
That makes him part of the majority in both cases: among those who carry a smartphone, and among those who get around without owning a car.
Questions people ask
Is $22 a day adjusted for what things cost in different countries?
These kinds of global averages are usually calculated in nominal dollars, not adjusted for local prices. That means $22 buys much more food and housing in rural India than in New York. Economists often use a separate measure called purchasing power parity to even that out.
What does the average smartphone look like?
It is most likely an inexpensive Android phone, often costing less than $200 and bought used or on installments. In India, Africa, and Southeast Asia, brands like Xiaomi, Samsung, and Transsion dominate. For many owners, the phone is their only computer.
Who are the one in five people who do own cars?
Car ownership is heavily concentrated in richer countries and cities. The United States has more than 800 vehicles per 1,000 people, while India has fewer than 100. Globally, most cars are owned in North America, Europe, China, and Japan.