​Champagne index to men’s underwear index: Most peculiar economic indicators

Sep 18, 2024

By: Kapil Yadav

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​The champagne index

More consumption of champagne is linked directly to increasing economic wealth levels, as champagne is usually opened during the time of a celebration.

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​The Japanese haircut indicator

According to this indicator, Japanese women tend to cut their hair short during times of economic slowdown to save money on hair care products. As the economy stabilises, they grow it back.

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​The first date indicator

According to the first date indicator, when the market is in trouble, people seek connections to cope with feelings of sadness and isolation. This trend was observed in the U.S. during the 2008 financial crisis.

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​Buttered popcorn index

Typically, people become more conscious about their expenses when the economy declines. However, contrary to this expectation, many seek entertainment to distract themselves, such as watching a good movie. This tendency often results in increased sales of buttered popcorn.

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​The Alligator population index

Alligator skin is a crucial raw material for high-end luxury products, such as purses and belts. During an economic downturn, the demand for alligator skin decreases, leading to a spike in their population.

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​The garbage indicator

The amount of garbage produced by households is a direct indicator of the economy’s health, as people tend to consume more during prosperous times and reduce their consumption during economic slowdowns.

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​The cardboard box indicator

Cardboard boxes are mostly used to deliver non-durable items. So, an increase in the amount of cardboard boxes produced can be an indicator of a healthy economy.

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​Bike fatality rate indicator

When the economy struggles, people tend to use bikes instead of cars because of the higher cost of owning and maintaining them. More bikes on roads result in higher bike fatality rates, especially in third-world countries.

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Men's underwear index

As per this index, an increase in demand and sales of men’s underwear is an indicator of good economic health. Based on this, a drop in sales of men’s underpants signals an economic downturn.

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