comparison using than those of

Question

I am comparing two qualities of some countries quantitatively from this figure.

which sentence is correct or maybe both wrong?

(1) Other countries’ figures were around a quarter or less than those of the USA’s.

(1) Other countries’ figures were around a quarter of or less than those of the USA’s.

Answer 1

Both sentences are wrong, because "or less" attaches to "a quarter" and should not connect directly with "those of the USA" (the genitive case is also wrong because you already have an "of"-phrase).

You can say:

• X figures were a quarter of Y figures.
• X figures were less than Y figures.

Considering that "a quarter or less" forms a unit, you could say:

(1) Other contries' figures were around a quarter or less of those of the USA.