Are global birth and death rates roughly consistent over the course of a day/month/year? (Are there are any clear patterns of daily or seasonal spikes?) [more inside]
posted by kalapierson on Apr 30, 2009 - 5 answers

Can someone explain why despite the fact that every one of these incidents occurs at a unique time and place, each involves a complex history of events and personal decisions leading to its very unlikely outcome, that the death toll on the roads year-on-year is so predictable? See here and here. [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on Dec 28, 2008 - 47 answers

I'm trying to figure out what percentage of people born in 1890 were still alive in 1920 and then 1950 and so on, until we can say for certain that every person born in 1890 is 100 percent definitely dead. I've looked at the 1890 and 1920 census, but they don't have mortality tables. [more inside]
posted by melodykramer on Apr 22, 2008 - 12 answers

How would I estimate what percentage of the world dies or has died of "natural causes" or at least in a way that is not unusual? [more inside]
posted by bigtex on Feb 20, 2008 - 11 answers

How much money could be saved if California executed all the prisoners on death row tomorrow? What about the country? [more inside]
posted by sipher on Jul 18, 2007 - 13 answers

I am doing research for a design project into the dangers of mountaineering however I have been unable to find worldwide statistics on the number of people who lose their lives in the mountains each year. Can anyone help with this? Also a breakdown of the causes of death would also be very helpful. Sorry for asking such a morbid question.
posted by knewstubb on Aug 12, 2006 - 6 answers

Which city is safer: San Francisco or Philadelphia? [more inside]
posted by rorycberger on Aug 10, 2006 - 14 answers

Several years ago, I heard, on some TV show that the total number of people who have died up until now is less than the number of people alive today. Then I saw this. (+) [more inside]
posted by arse_hat on Feb 8, 2005 - 23 answers