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Brookings Data Now: Nicaragua’s 278 km Transoceanic Canal

In this edition of Brookings Data Now: Transoceanic canal in Nicaragua would boost jobs; anti-Obamacare backfires; interventions could boost children’s prospects; three years later, Sudanese still suffer; how the Ex-Im Bank affects the American economy. 

278 km

Length of the proposed transoceanic canal bisecting Nicaragua

Once operational, the canal would generate 200,000 jobs or about 10 percent of the current Nicaraguan workforce.

$1

Approximate amount spent on anti-Obamacare advertisements per resident in Washington D.C.

Despite this spending, over 11 percent of D.C.’s eligible population signed up for a health insurance plan via the Affordable Care Act.

$20,000

Estimate cost per child of targeted intervention programs that would improve life chances

Such interventions can greatly increase social mobility. The lifetime income of the average person benefiting from these programs would increase by more than $200,000.

1.5 million

People forced from their homes as a result of the conflict between South Sudan and Sudan

In addition to this number, 4 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

205,000

U.S. jobs supported by the Export-Import Bank in 2013 alone

In addition to creating jobs, the Ex-Im Bank has earned a $2 billion surplus since 2009.


Elina Saxena contributed to this post.