Global instant ramen consumptionUS self-published books per year
Between 2015 and 2023, global instant ramen consumption and American self-published book output grew together with a correlation of 0.9717 across just six data points — which is either a meaningful insight or what happens when you compare any two things that go up during a period containing a global pandemic.
Global instant ramen consumption grew from roughly 97 billion servings in 2015 to over 121 billion by 2023. U.S. self-published books grew in parallel. Six data points is a small sample for a correlation this high.
Instant ramen and self-published novels occupy the same cultural niche: accessible, inexpensive, and surprisingly satisfying given low expectations.
As an Amazon Associate, getspurious.com earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Want to learn more about why correlations like “Global instant ramen consumption” vs “US self-published books per year” don't prove causation? Read our guide to statistical thinking.
