Buzz
Are you aware that the odds of being struck by lightning are higher than encountering a shark attack? Chances are, you’ve heard this before. Such statistics are frequently cited, both online and offline. A quick Google search confirms its validity—1 in 500,000 for lightning compared to 1 in 3.75 million for shark attacks—and reveals nearly 10 million search results on the topic! Clearly, this fact is widely known and searched for.
However, numerous other statistics are equally astonishing yet far less discussed online. If you’ve ever experienced something incredibly rare or heard about an unlikely event happening to someone you know, this list will intrigue you. If you’ve ever witnessed something unusual and wondered, “What are the odds of that?” this list is for you. And if you’re fascinated by how statisticians can quantify improbable events and assign odds to seemingly random occurrences, this list is for you.
Here are ten jaw-dropping statistics you never expected to see quantified and explained!
10. Fireworks Mishaps!
Every year on July 4th, we hear about injuries caused by fireworks. Concerned parents warn their children to handle sparklers and anything that explodes with caution. Yet, most kids ignore the advice and eagerly set off whatever fireworks they can find. Ah, Independence Day! A time when America truly lights up—literally. However, beyond the reckless fun, fireworks can lead to significant harm.
In 2022, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that over 10,000 Americans were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. Most of these cases involved severe burns, with the most extreme incidents including lost fingers and other body parts. Tragically, eleven people lost their lives in fireworks accidents that year—a number that, while small, is still significant. Perhaps parents were right to emphasize safety after all.
The Florida Museum of Natural History examined the likelihood of dying from a fireworks explosion in your lifetime. They compared this data to shark attacks—another rare occurrence—to highlight that festive explosions pose a greater risk. While neither outcome is particularly probable, they calculated the odds of dying in a fireworks accident at 1 in 340,773. This number is extremely low but not zero. So, there’s no need to risk losing a finger or two just to test your luck when July 4th comes around next year.
9. Airplane Fatality Rarity
Whenever an airplane crashes, it inevitably makes headlines. The tragedy of private plane accidents is devastating, and the thought of a commercial jet carrying hundreds of passengers plummeting from the sky is even more horrifying. After all, surviving a 30,000-foot fall at high speed is highly unlikely. But rest assured, the chances of finding yourself in such a situation are extraordinarily slim.
We’re serious about this—the statistic here is “null.” Annually, the National Safety Council releases data showing the likelihood of Americans dying from various causes. In 2021, the top causes were heart disease (1 in 6) and cancer (1 in 7). On the other end of the spectrum, the rarest causes of death included dog attacks (1 in 53,843) and bee stings (1 in 54,516).
When it comes to plane crashes, the likelihood is practically nonexistent. Seriously! The NSC states that there were “too few deaths in 2021 to calculate the odds” of dying in a plane crash. In other words, there isn’t enough data to even provide a statistic. So, saying your chances are slim is an understatement!
Interestingly, in past years, the NSC has been able to estimate the probability of dying in a plane crash. For instance, in 2018, they calculated the odds at 1 in 205,552. Even then, the chances were astronomically low. So, while the odds were measurable in some years, they remain incredibly rare. This should reassure you the next time you’re boarding a flight and help you enjoy your journey with peace of mind.
8. Sharks Taking Their Chance
We’ve hinted at it earlier in this list, so let’s address it directly. When people discuss unlikely events, shark attacks often come up. Here’s the answer: The odds of being attacked by a shark in your lifetime are extremely, extremely low. In fact, they’re far lower than almost any other unlikely event you can imagine happening to an average person.
The International Wildlife Museum states that the likelihood of a shark attack during your lifetime is approximately 1 in 3.75 million. This is an astonishingly low probability, especially considering how many people spend time at beaches and in the ocean. Even if you’re an avid surfer or frequent beachgoer, the risk of a shark encounter is minimal.
Other sources present even lower odds for shark attacks. For example, the International Shark Attack File reports the chance of a shark attack as 1 in 11.5 million—nearly three times rarer than the already slim odds mentioned earlier. Regardless of the exact figure, the message is clear: You have little to fear when enjoying the ocean on your next trip to Hawaii.
7. Toilet Troubles!
If you’ve never been injured by a toilet, you might find the idea surprising. However, many people do experience accidents involving the porcelain throne. The Centers for Disease Control, in their pursuit of scientific research, has even calculated the likelihood of such injuries.
According to the CDC, there are about 22.5 toilet-related injuries per 100,000 people annually in the United States. This translates to roughly a 1 in 10,000 chance of getting hurt in your bathroom. (For comparison, shower-related injuries occur at a rate of 65.8 per 100,000.) However, not all toilet injuries are the same in severity.
Toilet-related injuries, which primarily include slips, falls, and other water or bathing mishaps, don’t affect everyone equally. Elderly individuals are significantly more prone to bathroom accidents than younger, more agile people. However, the CDC highlights that 14% of these incidents occur “while standing up, sitting down, or using the toilet.” So, remember to be cautious and careful in the bathroom!
6. McDonald’s Monopoly Madness
McDonald’s Monopoly is a beloved game worldwide, offering players the chance to win exciting prizes, including the grand $1 million reward. Along the way, participants can enjoy free food and other goodies if they’re lucky enough to collect the right game pieces. But what are the actual odds of winning the million-dollar prize? Unfortunately, as you might guess, they’re incredibly slim.
A Canadian statistician analyzed this question about a decade ago. In 2014, a math enthusiast calculated the odds of winning the $1 million prize in McDonald’s Monopoly at 1 in 451,822,158. Given that the U.S. population is around 330 million and Canada’s is about 38 million, these odds are far from favorable.
Other analysts have examined the game’s individual components. If the overall odds seem overwhelming, perhaps focusing on collecting the rarest pieces might help. Unfortunately, that’s not much easier. For example, in Canada’s version of the game, the odds of getting the Rideau Canal piece are 1 in 4,820,076, and the Château Frontenac piece stands at 1 in 16,066,918. Best of luck!
5. Drunk Driving Statistics
The United States, with its vast population, sees a shocking number of drunk driving accidents annually. Federal agencies report that approximately 37 Americans die each day in alcohol-related crashes, averaging one death every 39 minutes. In 2021 alone, 13,384 lives were lost in accidents involving at least one alcohol-impaired driver.
Beyond the overall numbers, the timing of these accidents reveals significant patterns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that the risk of encountering a drunk driver is four times greater at night than during the day. Additionally, the likelihood of a drunk driving accident doubles on weekends compared to weekdays. So, driving at noon on a Wednesday is far safer than at midnight on a Saturday. While timing alone isn’t a guarantee of safety, it’s a factor worth considering.
4. The IRS Lowdown
Many people fear being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Even those who don’t earn enough to seemingly attract federal attention still worry every tax season about the possibility of an audit. The process is notoriously stressful and time-consuming, making the mere thought of it daunting. So, it’s wise to keep all your receipts and records in order!
In reality, the chances of being audited by the IRS are extremely low. If you earn less than $200,000 and have a straightforward financial situation, your odds of being audited are roughly 1 in 160. This applies to most people! However, if your income exceeds $1 million annually and involves complex business earnings, your audit risk increases significantly. According to Forbes, high earners face audit odds greater than 1 in 8. That’s a stark difference!
3. Extra Digits Discovery
Many of the odds discussed in this list are incredibly low. For instance, finding a natural pearl in an oyster is highly unlikely, and the chance of dying in a plane crash is almost negligible. However, there’s one statistic that some readers may have personally encountered or witnessed in others: being born with extra fingers or toes.
The medical term for having extra digits is “polydactyly,” and it’s surprisingly common. The odds of being born with an additional finger or toe are 1 in 500, or a 0.2% chance per birth. While this may seem rare, it’s far more frequent than events like lightning strikes or shark attacks. Fortunately, babies born with polydactyly are perfectly healthy. The extra digit may be a small appendage or fully functional, but it poses no health risks.
Experts have analyzed polydactyly statistics extensively in the U.S. Boys and girls are equally likely to be born with extra digits, but racial differences exist. Black babies are more likely to have an extra finger on the pinky side, while White babies often have it on the thumb side. Overall, Black babies have a higher chance of polydactyly (1 in 143) compared to White babies (1 in 1,339). Regardless of race, doctors typically recommend removing the extra digit through surgery before the child’s second birthday.
2. Pearl Discovery
In 2022, a New Jersey couple had an unforgettable date night when the man bit into a clam and felt a sharp pain. Assuming he had chipped a tooth, he discovered something unusual in his mouth. To his surprise, it wasn’t a tooth but a real pearl! The pearl had come from the seafood they had ordered, making their meal an unexpectedly valuable experience. Talk about a lucky find!
The couple was thrilled by their discovery and hopeful about the pearl’s potential value. Their story quickly went viral, leaving many diners across the country wondering, “How can I get that lucky?” or, more fittingly, “What are the odds?” Fortunately, we have the answer.
Statistically, the chance of finding a pearl in a wild oyster is approximately 1 in 10,000. This applies to oysters in their natural ocean habitat, where only about 1 in 10,000 produce a pearl. However, the number of pearls suitable for jewelry is even smaller, as most wild pearls are rejected due to imperfections in size, shape, or color.
1. Come on Down!
Have you ever dreamed of being a contestant on The Price Is Right? While the beloved longtime host Bob Barker recently passed away at 99, his successor, Drew Carey, has been carrying the torch admirably. Fans continue to flock to Hollywood, eager to guess the prices of everything from household items to cars and boats.
Did you know your chances of being called down as a contestant aren’t as slim as you might think? If you manage to secure a spot in the studio audience, your odds of hearing “come on down” are 1 in 36. That’s a surprisingly decent chance!
You can even improve your odds beyond 1 in 36 with a few clever strategies. Wearing themed costumes, exuding positive energy, and having a unique or humorous backstory can help you stand out to producers before the show. If you impress them during the pre-show interview, your chances can skyrocket. Of course, you’ll need to travel to Los Angeles, book a hotel, and secure tickets to the taping. But if you’re up for the adventure, your odds of getting on stage are quite promising!
