Statistical snapshot: Internet overachiever

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Statistical snapshot: Internet overachiever

A look at Korea’s position in several sets of global statistics shows that Koreans are exposed to the Internet and personal computers to a degree that outstrips the country’s national income. The office drew on a wide array of international statistics ― from the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and specialized groups ― to draw a portrait of Korea in the world economy. The Korea National Statistical Office said yesterday that Korea ranked12th in the world in gross domestic product for 2002, at $477 billion. It displaced Brazil, which was 12th in 2001. But in national income per capita, a measure that better indicates the wealth of the average Korean, the country ranked only 26th, with an average income of almost exactly $10,000. But about half of the Korean population used the Internet last year, which put the country third in the world in exposure to the Internet. Koreans also ranked seventh in personal computer use, with 56 computers for every 100 persons here. Korea ranked 27th in subscriptions to cell phone services, with 68 subscribers for every 100 persons. The United States led the world in gross domestic product at $10.4 trillion, about 22 times the output of Korea. Japan was ranked second, at $3.9 trillion, followed by Germany at $1.9 trillion and Great Britain at $1.6 trillion. Norway topped the rankings in national income per capita, at $42,490, about four times the Korean figure This country upped its ranking on the list of the world’s major exporters last year, from 13th in 2001 to 12th. Its import ranking was unchanged at 14th. Korea ranked seventh among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of the world’s advanced economies, in its reliance on international trade. The figures suggested that Korea is growing too much rice. It was 12th in rice production last year, but only 26th in national population rankings. Korea is again at the top of the heap in shipbuilding, overtaking Japan, the world’s largest ship producer in 2001, and China as well. Korean-made ships accounted for about a third of the global ship tonnage produced last year. Korea took fifth place in crude steel production, surpassing Germany and accounting for 5 percent of global steel production. China was the world leader, producing more than one ton in five of global output. Last year Korea built 3.1 million automobiles, 5 percent of global production. China produced 4 percent of the world’s cars in 2001, and upped its share to 6 percent last year, overtaking Korea for fifth place in the rankings. Korea’s labor problems at carmakers last year dampened the country’s output, an official at the agency commented. The United States was the leading carmaker last year, building one in every five automobiles produced. Japan was second, followed by Germany and France. by Song Sang-hoon
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