Some worrying downward trends are revealed in the latest annual digest of economic and social facts and figures.

But some of the graphs featured in Isle of Man in Numbers 2018 are going in the right direction.

The report, issued by the Cabinet Office’s economic affairs unit, is the most comprehensive statistical publication available relating to the island - and once again makes for interesting reading.

It covers a diverse range of economic, social and environmental information, incorporating the most recent data.

The report was swiftly followed by a second set of economic statistics contained in the Cabinet Office’s quarterly update.

Economic growth, as measure by Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Income fell, by 0.9% and 3.4% respectively, although the latest figures date from 2015-16.

The bank deposit base fell, too, with sterling bank deposits standing at £20.51bn in December last year, down from £24.38bn, and total deposits down from £42.84bn to £35.81bn.

The number of companies registered in the island also shrunk.

At the end of 2017, there were 17,090 companies registered under the 1931 Act (down from 17,958 the previous year) although those registered under the 2006 increased from 9,290 to 9,570.

Education results stalled too.

The Isle of Man pass rate for 2016 for those achieving 5 A* to C grade GCSEs, including English and maths was 62%. But in 2017 it was 57%.

In 2017-18, there were 1,192 students in receipt of grants relating to courses for a degree or an HND, that figure down from 1,259 the previous year.

Last year for the first time, government income topped £1bn, totalling £1,066m for the year to the end of March 2017, compared with £959m the previous year.

For the 12 months to December 2017, the average house price in the Isle of Man stood at £262,688 compared to £271,192 in 2016. The average flat price increased from £139,430 to £151,296.

The number of families in receipt of child benefit fell from 7,853 to 7,742 over the year.

In 2017, a total of 7,990 passports were issued, down from 8,593 issued in 2016.

During 2017 there were 2,047 new permits issued, with 1,438 renewals.

In 2016 there were 1,958 new permits issued, and 1,227 renewals - but the number of new permits has dropped sharply since 2007, a reflection of the move to relax the system in response to a growing skills shortage.

During the year to March 31 last year there were 1,031 immigration applications received, of which 721 were new applicants.

In 2016, the figures were 1,062 immigration applications received, of which 586 were new applicants.

Other more random facts include the statistic that some 960 tonnes of glass were recycled after being collected at Bring Banks in the Isle of Man in 2017.

A total of 2,575 driving tests were taken during the year, with an average pass rate of 45% for men and 39% for women.

There were 38,846 attendances at accident and emergency, 10,263 jobs were advertised through the Job Centre and 39% of applicants for house purchase assistance were under 25 years of age.

During 2017, there were 39 serious injuries, 174 slight injuries, and three incidents that caused fatalities on Manx roads, compared to 49 serious injury accidents in 2016, 203 involving minor injuries and seven that led to fatalities.

Data for the compendium is gathered from a variety of sources including the Census, Passenger Survey and Earnings Survey, as well as from government departments, boards and offices.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas MHK said: ’The report provides an interesting snapshot of life in the Isle of Man.

’It is one of the many statistical resources that helps to inform the development of government policy and is also used by private enterprise to assist business planning.’