Main content

Does the average American have fewer than three friends?

Plus, skilled migrants, preventing Alzheimer’s and Robert Prevost on God and probability.

Tim Harford is here to sprinkle a refreshing shower of statistical insight over the parched lawns of misinformation.

This week, we try to unpick the confusion over a claim made by London Mayor Sadiq Khan about the contribution skilled immigrants make to the nation’s finances.

Mark Zuckerberg says that the average American has fewer than 3 friends. Is he right?

Two doctors claim that up to 90% of Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented. Are they wrong?

And Tim interviews an American, Catholic, philosopher of religion called Robert Prevost. Is he the pope?

If you’ve seen a number in the news you think we should look at, email the team – moreorless@bbc.co.uk

More or Less is produced in partnership with the Open University.

Presenter: Tim Harford
Reporter: Lizzy McNeill
Producers: Nicholas Barrett and Nathan Gower
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound mix: Nigel Appleton
Editor: Richard Vadon

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Wed 4 Jun 2025 09:00
  • Fri 6 Jun 2025 16:30

Unlock the history and truth behind the data with The OU

OU Connect: Meet the unexpected figures that have influenced modern statistical research.

When can you trust statistics?

When can you trust statistics?

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Ideas discovers three easy ways to help make sense of statistics.

Download this programme

Download this programme

Subscribe to the More or Less Podcast or download individual episodes.