At the same time, Ericsson's share plummeted to 20.6 percent from 41.3 percent.

His chances of surviving plummeted from 90 percent to 50, his doctors told him.

Inflation succumbed, plummeting overnight to 2 percent a month from 20 percent.

Things quickly disintegrated, however, with its European market share plummeting from 17.1 percent in 1979 to 11.1 percent five years later.

Brazil's share of the world rubber market plummeted from more than 85 percent in 1910 to less than one-third by 1915.

Between 1950 and 2000, the share of women 15-to-24 who were married plummeted to 16 percent, from 42 percent.

Mr. Walter said gross margins had plummeted from 12 percent in 1979.

Household savings have plummeted to only 1.5 percent of personal income, from 11 percent 20 years ago.

The percentage of preschool children with that lower level has plummeted from 88 percent to 9 percent.

Imports of food have plummeted from 75 to 30 percent, he said, and productivity, particularly in agriculture, has increased as consumption has been forced down.