I'm in science. I can only speak for my department as far as statistics go - three people out of eleven who started at the same time as me dropped out, one after about a month and the other two after a year and a half. We're in year four now and four have completed, the other four are very close.
So, yes, I think the majority of people complete, but that doesn't mean it's easy, it just means they're not prepared to come away from four years of their life with nothing to show for it (that's me speaking)

H - why not become 'aitch' (or 'haitch' depending on your pronunciation)?

Yeah, I already have the mousemat and post-it notes. Have a celebratory piece of cake (it's in the )

(I meant my last post, not fluffymonster's)

After that post I'm sure no-one will believe I'm NOT staying in academia. But, really, I'm NOT. I guess I just keep looking at the adverts so I can see whether it's even a possibility. Like I keep looking at conferences I have no intention of going to.

That said, if you have work WORTHY of publication then I'm sure a prospective employer would recognise that (assuming that the field you will be entering is similar to your present work). By looking at your unpublished work they would be conducting their own peer review.
Can I ask you a question? I was just thinking of posting it... Regardless of the publications issue, have you found many positions for which you think you are a good match? I mean, something that REALLY fits what you have been 'trained' for? I've been looking at job ads for around 2 years and in that time I've probably seen 3-4 positions that I have the necessary experience for. I've found the ads to be REALLY specific. Maybe this doesn't apply to you if you're hoping to move into a new area...

You (almost) read my mind. I'm nearly writing up, and although I have absolutely NO intention of working in academia - or anything related to my PhD - when I complete, I still keep an eye on current postdoc vacancies. I don't have anything published, and it bothers me to think that even if I pass my PhD, people wouldn't employ me as a postdoc because I don't have a 'proven record of publications'.
I don't know the answer to your question - I often wonder how strict the person specification bit of job adverts is - are they minimum requirements or a profile of the IDEAL (non-existent?) candidate? I guess *someone* would take you on (not meaning to make you sound like a charity case - this is how I would feel about myself if I was applying for jobs), but if there was competition for the post, I'm pretty sure someone with publication(s) would be at an advantage.

I think it's embroidERing...yup.

Oh, this was me too...http://www.postgraduateforum.com/showmessage.asp?thread=1992&cat=3&keyword=anon&newview=1&stype=TM&category=0

This was def. me: http://www.postgraduateforum.com/showmessage.asp?page=2&cat=4&thread=1770&threadpage=&order=1&stype=TM&keyword=anon&category=0

At this rate, I won't be around for post 2000 either.
(1013 - Danes invade England)

Yup Ann, annoyed - but I saw it coming. Approaching deadlines made me choose work over post 1000
Anyway, here's 1012's significant event (courtesy of wikipedia): Mael Morda rebels against Brian Boru (I choose the one I'd vaguely heard of...) We could learn a lot here...

Aaaw thanks Sylvester And congratulations - I think I'd have a bit more trouble locating my first post because I was anonymous until the forum re-vamp. Might give it a go...

I nip out to the library and come back to find my year's been stolen! (1982) And now I've just done it to all the Mr/Ms 1984s