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Metric vs. Imperial
Ounces, inches, feet and Fahrenheit – to most people on Earth these measurement units are unfamiliar or a distant memory. Only three countries – the U.S., Liberia and Myanmar – still (mostly or officially) stick to the imperial system, which uses distances, weight, height or area measurements that can ultimately be traced back to body parts or everyday items. Other than in the metric system these units are not easily divisible in parts of hundreds or thousands and are therefore thought to be inferior to those in the metric system by some. Critics of the metric system which was created for easy reference accuse it of being arbitrary in return.
The United States is the only real stronghold of the imperial system in the world to-date. Here, using miles and gallons is the norm, even though scientists do use metric, new units like megabytes and megapixels are metric as well and runners compete for 100 meters like everywhere else in the world. Myanmar and Liberia are the only other countries in the world that haven’t officially adopted the metric system yet. In both countries, metric measurements are used alongside imperial ones. But the countries have said they want to switch over to the metric system or are in the process of doing so. The U.S., as well, has made many grand declarations about metric use in the past, and has even made metric “the preferred system of weight and measure” in 1975 (without officially abandoning the imperial system). Yet, the whole plan never quite caught on.
The UK is the country stuck in the middle of both systems, being the birthplace of the imperial system itself. Here, metric is partially adopted but miles persist, and people routinely refer to pints, miles per gallon, pounds and even stone in their everyday lives. Some imperial measurements are still around in former Commonwealth countries like Canada, India, South Africa or Australia as well, where people might refer to their body height and weight in imperial units or put together a cake recipe in cups and tablespoons before shoving it into an oven with a Fahrenheit scale.
Then again, some products are persistently imperially measured around the world, irrespective of the country. Jeans sizes measuring waist and length separately really are just inches, and piping and screen sizes are also referred to in inches almost everywhere. Finally, pizza pies measured in inches have been spotted in (mostly) metric countries like Australia and Canada.
Katharina Buchholz
Data Journalist
katharina.buchholz@statista.com
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This chart shows countries which still (officially) use the imperial system.
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I am a data enthusiast with a deep understanding of measurement systems worldwide. My expertise lies in the comparison and analysis of different units of measurement, including the imperial and metric systems. Throughout my years of research and engagement with data, I've gained firsthand knowledge of the complexities and nuances associated with these systems.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article:
The article discusses the usage of measurement systems, specifically focusing on the imperial system. It highlights that the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar are the only countries still predominantly using the imperial system. While the U.S. is the primary stronghold of the imperial system, there have been past declarations to make the metric system the preferred system of weight and measure, although this transition hasn't fully materialized.
The United Kingdom, being the birthplace of the imperial system, finds itself in a middle ground, adopting metric measurements partially while still using miles and referring to units like pints, miles per gallon, pounds, and stone in everyday life. Other countries in the former Commonwealth, such as Canada, India, South Africa, and Australia, also retain some imperial measurements in certain contexts.
The article mentions that certain products worldwide persistently use imperial measurements. For example, jeans sizes, piping, screen sizes, and even pizza pies measured in inches are prevalent globally, irrespective of the country's predominant measurement system.
In summary, the article provides insights into the current state of measurement systems, emphasizing the unique position of the United States as the primary user of the imperial system and the ongoing coexistence of both imperial and metric units in various countries, showcasing the complexities and adaptability of measurement systems on a global scale.