GITNUX REPORT 2024

Key Insights: Most Important Jobs in Healthcare, Education, and Safety

Unveiling the most impactful professions: healthcare, teaching, law enforcement, firefighting, and software development. Vital roles revealed.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

There are approximately 570 million farms worldwide

Statistic 2

Small farms (less than 2 hectares) operate about 12% of the world's agricultural land

Statistic 3

Agriculture accounts for 4% of global GDP

Statistic 4

About 26% of the global workforce is employed in agriculture

Statistic 5

Farmers, on average, feed 155 people per year

Statistic 6

The average age of farmers in the US is 57.5 years

Statistic 7

Only 36% of farmers are women globally

Statistic 8

The average farm size worldwide is 2.5 hectares

Statistic 9

Agriculture uses 70% of the world's freshwater withdrawals

Statistic 10

About 1 in 9 people employed globally work in agriculture

Statistic 11

Teachers influence more than 3,000 students during their career on average

Statistic 12

The global pupil-teacher ratio in primary education is 23:1

Statistic 13

44% of teachers leave the profession within the first five years

Statistic 14

Teachers work an average of 54 hours per week

Statistic 15

The global literacy rate has increased from 12% in 1820 to 86% in 2015

Statistic 16

The average class size in US public schools is 24 students

Statistic 17

About 3.2 million teachers work in public schools in the US

Statistic 18

The global average years of schooling has increased from 3.2 years in 1950 to 8.4 years in 2010

Statistic 19

Finland, consistently ranked as having one of the best education systems, has a teacher attrition rate of only 10%

Statistic 20

Teachers in OECD countries work an average of 1,001 hours per year

Statistic 21

Firefighters respond to a fire every 24 seconds in the US

Statistic 22

The average response time for fire departments in the US is 7 minutes

Statistic 23

There are approximately 1.1 million firefighters in the US, with 67% being volunteers

Statistic 24

Emergency medical services respond to 240 million calls per year in the US

Statistic 25

The average career span of a firefighter is 20-25 years

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The average age of career firefighters in the US is 39.4 years

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Only 8% of firefighters in the US are women

Statistic 28

The average salary for firefighters in the US is $52,500

Statistic 29

Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than the general US population

Statistic 30

The average response time for ambulances in urban areas is 7 minutes

Statistic 31

Healthcare workers make up 12% of the global workforce

Statistic 32

Nurses account for 59% of the healthcare workforce

Statistic 33

The global shortage of healthcare workers is projected to reach 18 million by 2030

Statistic 34

Physicians spend an average of 16 minutes per patient encounter using electronic health records

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The global median doctor-to-population ratio is 1.5 per 1,000 people

Statistic 36

The average age of nurses in the US is 51 years old

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Approximately 90% of the world's nurses are female

Statistic 38

The global physician density is 1.56 per 1,000 population

Statistic 39

The average medical school debt for US doctors is $200,000

Statistic 40

Nurses walk an average of 4-5 miles during a 12-hour shift

Statistic 41

There are approximately 10 million police officers worldwide

Statistic 42

The average response time for police in the US is 10 minutes

Statistic 43

Only 2% of police officers in the US are involved in a shooting incident during their career

Statistic 44

The clearance rate for violent crimes in the US is about 45%

Statistic 45

The average annual turnover rate for police officers is 10.8%

Statistic 46

The average age of police officers in the US is 40 years old

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Only 12.8% of police officers in the US are women

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The average salary for police officers in the US is $67,600

Statistic 49

There are approximately 18,000 police agencies in the US

Statistic 50

About 1 in 4 local police officers work in agencies that require a college degree

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Software developers are projected to grow 22% from 2019 to 2029

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There are approximately 26.9 million software developers worldwide

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The median annual wage for software developers was $107,510 in May 2019

Statistic 54

75% of developers learn a new technology at least every few months or once a year

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JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language, used by 67.7% of developers

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The median age of software developers is 31 years old

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Only 8% of software developers are women

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The average software developer works 40-44 hours per week

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92.1% of developers are employed at least part-time

Statistic 60

70% of software developers are self-taught in a programming language

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Summary

  • Healthcare workers make up 12% of the global workforce
  • Nurses account for 59% of the healthcare workforce
  • The global shortage of healthcare workers is projected to reach 18 million by 2030
  • Physicians spend an average of 16 minutes per patient encounter using electronic health records
  • The global median doctor-to-population ratio is 1.5 per 1,000 people
  • Teachers influence more than 3,000 students during their career on average
  • The global pupil-teacher ratio in primary education is 23:1
  • 44% of teachers leave the profession within the first five years
  • Teachers work an average of 54 hours per week
  • The global literacy rate has increased from 12% in 1820 to 86% in 2015
  • There are approximately 10 million police officers worldwide
  • The average response time for police in the US is 10 minutes
  • Only 2% of police officers in the US are involved in a shooting incident during their career
  • The clearance rate for violent crimes in the US is about 45%
  • The average annual turnover rate for police officers is 10.8%

In a world where every minute counts, healthcare workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters, software developers, and farmers take on roles that shape communities, save lives, and drive innovation. From nurses walking miles during shifts to developers embracing new technologies, and farmers feeding the masses, the statistics paint a vivid picture of the most important jobs that keep society running smoothly. Lets delve into the staggering figures and intriguing insights that underscore the indispensable roles these professionals play in our daily lives.

Agriculture

  • There are approximately 570 million farms worldwide
  • Small farms (less than 2 hectares) operate about 12% of the world's agricultural land
  • Agriculture accounts for 4% of global GDP
  • About 26% of the global workforce is employed in agriculture
  • Farmers, on average, feed 155 people per year
  • The average age of farmers in the US is 57.5 years
  • Only 36% of farmers are women globally
  • The average farm size worldwide is 2.5 hectares
  • Agriculture uses 70% of the world's freshwater withdrawals
  • About 1 in 9 people employed globally work in agriculture

Interpretation

The statistics about the most important jobs in the world paint a complex picture of agriculture's role in society. From the massive number of farms worldwide to the surprisingly few women involved, it's clear that farming is both vast and underrepresented. With farmers feeding a significant portion of the global population while battling issues like aging demographics and resource consumption, it's safe to say that agriculture remains a field where hard work and innovation are essential. It's time to tip our hats to these unsung heroes who truly have the world on their plates.

Education

  • Teachers influence more than 3,000 students during their career on average
  • The global pupil-teacher ratio in primary education is 23:1
  • 44% of teachers leave the profession within the first five years
  • Teachers work an average of 54 hours per week
  • The global literacy rate has increased from 12% in 1820 to 86% in 2015
  • The average class size in US public schools is 24 students
  • About 3.2 million teachers work in public schools in the US
  • The global average years of schooling has increased from 3.2 years in 1950 to 8.4 years in 2010
  • Finland, consistently ranked as having one of the best education systems, has a teacher attrition rate of only 10%
  • Teachers in OECD countries work an average of 1,001 hours per year

Interpretation

Teachers truly are the unsung heroes of our society, balancing the weight of influencing over 3,000 students in a career, grappling with a 23:1 pupil-teacher ratio, and enduring a grueling 54-hour work week. Despite this dedication, 44% of teachers throw in the towel within the first five years, while the global literacy rate has soared from 12% in 1820 to 86% in 2015. As the average class size in US public schools hovers at 24 students and 3.2 million teachers toil in the system, it's clear that educators are the backbone of our evolving knowledge society. With Finland leading the pack at a teacher attrition rate of only 10%, one can't help but ponder the age-old question: who teaches the teachers, and where do they find the time in their 1,001 annual hours of work?

Emergency Services

  • Firefighters respond to a fire every 24 seconds in the US
  • The average response time for fire departments in the US is 7 minutes
  • There are approximately 1.1 million firefighters in the US, with 67% being volunteers
  • Emergency medical services respond to 240 million calls per year in the US
  • The average career span of a firefighter is 20-25 years
  • The average age of career firefighters in the US is 39.4 years
  • Only 8% of firefighters in the US are women
  • The average salary for firefighters in the US is $52,500
  • Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than the general US population
  • The average response time for ambulances in urban areas is 7 minutes

Interpretation

In a country where flames can leap and hearts can falter in the blink of an eye, firefighters and emergency medical services stand vigilant, a force of valor amidst chaos. With a response time that seems near-instantaneous, these modern-day heroes rush headlong into danger with unwavering courage and dedication. Yet, behind the bravado lies a sobering truth: a demanding profession marked by higher risks and sacrifice, often overlooked but ever-present. So let us remember those who race into the inferno, who calm the cries of the injured, and who bear the burdens of their noble duty with grace and strength, for they are the true guardians of our safety and well-being.

Healthcare

  • Healthcare workers make up 12% of the global workforce
  • Nurses account for 59% of the healthcare workforce
  • The global shortage of healthcare workers is projected to reach 18 million by 2030
  • Physicians spend an average of 16 minutes per patient encounter using electronic health records
  • The global median doctor-to-population ratio is 1.5 per 1,000 people
  • The average age of nurses in the US is 51 years old
  • Approximately 90% of the world's nurses are female
  • The global physician density is 1.56 per 1,000 population
  • The average medical school debt for US doctors is $200,000
  • Nurses walk an average of 4-5 miles during a 12-hour shift

Interpretation

In a world where healthcare workers are the unsung heroes of modern society, these statistics paint a picture of both the crucial role they play and the challenges they face. From the staggering projection of an 18 million healthcare worker shortage by 2030 to the average 16 minutes physicians spend navigating electronic health records, it's clear that the healthcare system is in need of some serious TLC. With nurses walking an impressive 4-5 miles during a 12-hour shift and the average medical school debt for US doctors weighing in at a hefty $200,000, it's no wonder their dedication is unmatched. So next time you encounter a healthcare professional, remember the vital importance of their work and maybe offer them some comfy shoes as a token of appreciation!

Law Enforcement

  • There are approximately 10 million police officers worldwide
  • The average response time for police in the US is 10 minutes
  • Only 2% of police officers in the US are involved in a shooting incident during their career
  • The clearance rate for violent crimes in the US is about 45%
  • The average annual turnover rate for police officers is 10.8%
  • The average age of police officers in the US is 40 years old
  • Only 12.8% of police officers in the US are women
  • The average salary for police officers in the US is $67,600
  • There are approximately 18,000 police agencies in the US
  • About 1 in 4 local police officers work in agencies that require a college degree

Interpretation

In a world where crime rates seem as unpredictable as the weather forecast, the 10 million tireless guardians of justice are tasked with keeping the peace. With an average response time of 10 minutes, they sprint into action faster than most of us can decide what to order for lunch. And fear not, statistically speaking, only a tiny 2% find themselves in a high-stakes showdown during their careers. Despite the inherent challenges of the job, with a clearance rate of 45% on violent crimes, they are a force to be reckoned with. These brave souls have an average age of 40, presumably still youngsters in the crime-fighting world, and they are a predominantly male group, with just 12.8% of them being badass women. So the next time you see those flashing lights in your rearview mirror, rest assured that for an average salary of $67,600, these everyday heroes have your back.

Technology

  • Software developers are projected to grow 22% from 2019 to 2029
  • There are approximately 26.9 million software developers worldwide
  • The median annual wage for software developers was $107,510 in May 2019
  • 75% of developers learn a new technology at least every few months or once a year
  • JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language, used by 67.7% of developers
  • The median age of software developers is 31 years old
  • Only 8% of software developers are women
  • The average software developer works 40-44 hours per week
  • 92.1% of developers are employed at least part-time
  • 70% of software developers are self-taught in a programming language

Interpretation

In a world where technology evolves faster than your favorite TV series, software developers stand as the unsung heroes of the digital realm. With a projected growth of 22% and a median wage that can make your high school math teacher green with envy, these wizards of code are more than just geeks in hoodies. Learning new tech like it's their morning coffee and mastering JavaScript like it's their first language, these developers are the rock stars of the virtual stage. And while the diversity in this realm might need an upgrade, the fact remains clear: in a world where digital is the new black, software developers are the trendsetting designers paving the way for our tech-savvy future. So next time your app runs smoothly or your website loads in a blink, remember to thank a developer - they're the real MVPs of the digital age.

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