More or Less

BBC Radio 4

Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

1,133 episodes
Updated Saturday

Episodes1133

Newest first

January 10 · 8 min
Does Venezuela really have the biggest oil reserves in the world?
We investigate if there are actually 300 billion barrels of oil in Venezuela's reserves
January 9 · 28 min
Immigration, Benefits and Inequality
Tim Harford explores the stats on some of the UK’s most potent political debates.
January 8 · 28 min
Older People, Education, Prisons and the Weather
Tim Harford explores the stats on pensioners, exams, justice and climate change.
January 7 · 29 min
Sex, Drugs and Empty Homes
Tim Harford explores the numbers that help explain fertility, pharmaceuticals and crime.
January 6 · 28 min
Health
Tim Harford explores the numbers that help explain the state of health and the NHS.
January 5 · 28 min
The Economy
Tim Harford explores the numbers that help explain the state of the UK economy.
January 3 · 8 min
Numbers of the year 2026
From passenger numbers to world cup travel, we cast our eye forwards into 2026
Dec 31, 2025 · 27 min
Numbers of the Year 2025
A plethora of interesting numbers you may not know about.
Dec 27, 2025 · 8 min
Numbers of the year 2025
From tariffs to comets, we look back at the numbers of 2025 across the world
Dec 24, 2025 · 28 min
Were there really Three Wise Men?
From counting people to measuring housework - we explore.
Dec 20, 2025 · 8 min
The shocking world of US health costs
Can the same pill cost $3 in a pharmacy and $750 in a hospital?
Dec 17, 2025 · 28 min
Do we really have ‘superflu’?
The NHS is warning of an unprecedented flu season - we check.
Dec 13, 2025 · 8 min
RCP 8.5: Why did the climate change model get it wrong?
How an important climate model was too pessimistic about the future
Dec 6, 2025 · 8 min
Is RFK right about US sperm counts?
Do US teens have 50% lower sperm and testosterone counts than 65 year old men?
Nov 29, 2025 · 8 min
Richard Thaler and The Winner’s Curse
Richard Thaler on two of his most famous observations in behavioural economics
Nov 22, 2025 · 8 min
Is there a stock market crash coming?
Can data tell us if a stock market crash is coming?
Nov 15, 2025 · 8 min
Has there been a $50 trillion wealth transfer to the richest Americans?
Bernie Sanders says vast riches have moved to the wealthiest in the US. Is he right?
Nov 8, 2025 · 8 min
Is RFK Jr right about China's diabetes rate?
Investigating if 50% of people in China really have diabetes
Oct 31, 2025 · 8 min
Halloween special: How many people did the real Dracula impale?
Looking at the math's behind the myth
Oct 25, 2025 · 8 min
Is your housework split sexist?
Corinne Low explains the economics of women, men and housework