Statistical Correlation 101

Bob Choi

31 July 2012

Latest news says women in Hong Kong now enjoy the longest life expectancy, edging out Japan. We also know that Hong Kong has the highest percentage of households with domestic maids in the world. Thus, having a domestic maid is correlated with life expectancy for women.

Conclusion: If a woman has a maid, she will live longer(?)

Of course, this is the wrong conclusion, pure garbage! The truth is: if you live longer (or old enough), you will more likely to need a maid to take care of you.

Correlation indicates a relationship, not causality.