See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: Where Birth Rates Are Highest in the U.S. See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Utah ranks first for babies born per capita, reflecting its younger population and family-oriented culture. Western and Southern states dominate the top of the rankings, while much of the Northeast falls behind. Birth rates in the U.S. have been declining for decades, but that decline has hit some states faster than others. The projections in this visualization are from SmartAsset, who analyzed results from U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 1-Year American Community Survey. The number shown for each state represents births per 1,000 people, and is based on most recent fertility rate data and state demographics. Utah’s Demographic Advantage Utah ranks first in the nation, with an estimated 9.7 babies born per 1,000 people each year. The state’s relatively young population plays a major role, as younger adults are more likely to be in childbearing years. Cultural and religious influences also contribute, with larger family sizes remaining more common than in many other states. RankStateBabies Born per YearBabies per 1K (2025) 1Utah34,1199.7 2Colorado54,7589.2 3North Dakota7,1319.0 4Texas278,2328.9 5Massachusetts63,4188.9 6Washington70,0088.8 7California344,3958.7 8New York172,7978.7 9Georgia97,1228.7 10Alaska6,4268.7 11Tennessee62,2908.6 12Arizona65,2068.6 13Rhode Island9,5518.6 14North Carolina94,7618.6 15Illinois108,2688.5 16Indiana58,5208.5 17Oklahoma34,5498.4 18Michigan84,6088.3 19Kansas24,7788.3 20Missouri52,0148.3 21Nevada27,1888.3 22Nebraska16,6808.3 23Virginia73,0228.3 24Idaho16,5378.3 25Oregon35,1888.2 26Alabama42,3658.2 27Kentucky37,6838.2 28Louisiana37,7318.2 29Ohio97,3918.2 30New Mexico17,4358.2 31Arkansas25,1548.1 32Iowa26,3908.1 33Connecticut29,9158.1 34Mississippi23,9098.1 35Maryland50,6188.1 36Wisconsin48,0318.1 37South Carolina44,0768.0 38New Jersey76,3818.0 39Minnesota46,3168.0 40Pennsylvania104,3998.0 41Delaware8,2127.8 42Montana8,8627.8 43Hawaii11,2167.8 44Florida180,8807.7 45New Hampshire10,8567.7 46South Dakota7,0807.7 47Wyoming4,4917.6 48West Virginia13,4007.6 49Vermont4,8847.5 50Maine10,4367.4 Large States, Strong Numbers Texas and California rank near the top both in absolute and relative terms. California is projected to see more than 340,000 births per year, while Texas exceeds 278,000. On a per-capita basis, both states are driven by younger populations and higher shares of immigrants. Where Birth Rates Lag States in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest tend to rank lower. Maine, Vermont, and West Virginia sit near the bottom, with fewer than eight babies born per 1,000 people annually. Older populations, higher living costs, and delayed family formation all play a role. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Countries With the Biggest Gains in Life Expectancy on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: Which European Countries Pay the Highest Salaries See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Luxembourg has Europe’s highest average full-time salary, at nearly €83,000. Nordic and Western European countries dominate the top of the ranking. Salaries in many Eastern and Southern European countries are less than half those seen in the highest-earning countries. Salaries across European countries vary widely, with the contrast especially apparent between Eastern and Western Europe. While some European workers earn salaries comparable to those in the United States, others take home less than €20,000 (roughly $23,700) a year, highlighting the wide income gap within Europe’s economy. This visualization shows the average annual full-time salary in every European country in 2024, using data from Eurostat and the OECD. OECD figures have been converted to euros using 2024 exchange rates. Europe’s Highest-Paying Countries Luxembourg ranks first in Europe, with an average full-time salary of around €83,000, also placing it among the highest-paying countries in the world. Besides being driven by high-paying industries such as IT and finance, Luxembourg also uses a wage indexation system that automatically adjusts salaries in line with inflation to maintain purchasing power. Here’s a look at average full-time salaries across 31 European nations: RankCountryAverage full-time salary in 2024 (euros) 1 Luxembourg€82,969 2 Iceland€77,189 3 Switzerland€75,062 4 Denmark€71,565 5 Norway€64,029 6 Ireland€61,051 7 Belgium€59,632 8 Austria€58,600 9 Netherlands€58,248 10 Germany€53,791 11 United Kingdom€51,657 12 Finland€49,428 13 Sweden€46,525 14 France€43,790 15 Slovenia€35,133 16 Spain€33,700 17 Italy€33,523 18 Malta€33,499 19 Lithuania€29,104 20 Cyprus€27,611 21 Estonia€26,546 22 Portugal€24,818 23 Czechia€23,998 24 Croatia€23,446 25 Latvia€22,262 26 Poland€21,246 27 Romania€21,108 28 Slovakia€20,287 29 Hungary€18,461 30 Greece€17,954 31 Bulgaria€15,387 Iceland ranks second among Europe’s highest-paying countries with the average worker taking home just over €77,000. The country has also has strong union coverage, with around 90% of all employees covered by a trade union—potentially allowing for greater leverage in wage negotiations. Several Nordic and Western European countries also rank highly. Switzerland, Denmark, and Iceland all report average salaries above €70,000 per year. Meanwhile, Germany and France—Europe’s two largest economies—sit near the middle, with average full-time wages of €53,791 and €43,790, respectively. The East–West Divide in European Salaries Moving south and east within Europe, average salaries drop significantly. While Southern European countries such as Spain, Italy, and Portugal cluster closer to the €30,000 mark, Eastern European nations sit at the bottom of the ranking. Bulgaria reports Europe’s lowest average full-time salary at just €15,387, preceded by Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. However, while headline salaries are useful for comparison, they don’t tell the full story. Countries with higher wages also tend to have higher living costs, especially for housing, childcare, and services. Meanwhile, lower-wage countries often benefit from cheaper housing and everyday expenses, partially offsetting income gaps. Learn More on the Voronoi App How have median incomes changed in the world’s largest economies from 1994 to 2024? Find out in this visualization on Voronoi.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Charted: Silver Price Rallies Over Time (1965–2026) See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Silver has experienced several rallies over the past 60 years, often driven by supply shocks and macroeconomic stress. The 2025–2026 rally stands out as the strongest on record in nominal terms, with prices temporarily surpassing $120 per ounce. At time of publishing, silver has recently been trading within the $80 to $90 range, still well over a double of where it was just months ago. Unlike gold, silver plays a dual role as both a monetary metal and an industrial input, making it especially sensitive to shifts in supply, demand, and investor sentiment. This chart highlights four major silver price rallies between 1965 and 2026, showing how quickly prices can surge during periods of economic stress or market disruption. Prices shown are not adjusted for inflation, and 2026 figures reflect data as of February 2, 2026. The data for this visualization comes from Macrotrends and Kitco. The Hunt Brothers and the 1980 Silver Spike Maybe the most notorious silver rally occurred between 1979 and 1980. During this period, billionaire brothers Nelson and William Hunt attempted to corner the silver market by amassing physical silver and futures contracts. Period / RallyStart Price (USD)Intrayear Peak PricePercentage Gain 1979–1980 Hunt Brothers$7.69$49.45543% 2009–2011 Post-Financial Crisis$12.59$49.47293% 2020 Pandemic Rally$14.16$29.26107% 2025–2026 All-time High$29.00$121.67320% At their peak, the Hunts controlled nearly one-third of global silver supply. Prices surged from $7.69 to $49.45 per ounce in just one year, a gain of 543%. The rally ultimately collapsed after regulatory intervention, leading to sharp losses and long-lasting market reforms. Post-Financial Crisis Momentum (2009–2011) Silver’s next major rally followed the 2008 global financial crisis. As central banks introduced aggressive monetary stimulus and interest rates fell, investors sought hard assets as a hedge against currency debasement. Between 2009 and 2011, silver prices climbed from $12.59 to $49.47 per ounce, a 293% gain over two years. The Pandemic and the 2025–2026 Breakout The COVID-19 pandemic sparked another sharp rally in 2020, with prices rising 107% in a single year. However, the most dramatic move came this year, when silver surged from $29 at the beginning of 2025 to a new all-time high above $121 in February 2026. China’s tighter controls on silver exports constrained global supply, while escalating geopolitical tensions increased demand for safe-haven assets. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out All of the World’s Silver Reserves by Country, in One Visualization on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Countries Spending the Most on Research and Development See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways China spent $785.9 billion in research and development (R&D) in 2024, surpassing the U.S. for the first time ever. Global R&D spending reached $2.9 trillion that year, with 45% driven from countries in Asia. For decades, the U.S. stood as the global leader in research and development (R&D) spending, however, China is increasingly challenging the scientific balance of power. Backed by rapid growth and strategic investment, China’s share of global R&D has surged from 4.0% in 2000 to 27.4% in 2024. South Korea and India are also increasing their R&D presence, helping push Asia to the forefront of global innovation. This graphic shows R&D spending by country, based on data from the World Intellectual Property Organization. The Global Leaders in R&D Spending Below, we rank countries by their R&D spending (in purchasing power parity-adjusted constant 2015 U.S. dollars): RankingCountryR&D Spending 2024Global Share R&D Spending(% of GDP) 1 China$785.9B27.4%2.7% 2 U.S.$781.8B27.2%3.5% 3 Japan$186.0B6.5%3.5% 4 Germany$132.2B4.6%3.1% 5 South Korea$126.4B4.4%5.3% 6 UK$86.5B3.0%2.8% 7 India$75.7B2.6%0.7% 8 France$65.8B2.3%2.2% 9 Türkiye$43.2B1.5%1.4% 10 Brazil$38.4B1.3%1.2% 11 Russia$38.1B1.3%0.9% 12 Canada$33.2B1.2%1.8% 13 Italy$32.5B1.1%1.3% 14 Spain$29.0B1.0%1.5% 15 Israel$26.5B0.9%6.3% 16 Australia$25.1B0.9%1.9% 17 Netherlands$23.0B0.8%2.2% 18 Switzerland$20.8B0.7%3.3% 19 Belgium$19.9B0.7%3.3% 20 Sweden$19.9B0.7%3.6% 21 Egypt$16.4B0.6%1.0% 22 Austria$15.6B0.5%3.3% 23 Thailand$15.1B0.5%1.2% 24 Singapore$11.7B0.4%1.9% 25 UAE$11.4B0.4%1.5% 26 Denmark$10.4B0.4%3.0% 27 Malaysia$10.2B0.4%1.0% China ranks first globally, spending $785.9 billion on R&D in 2024. Much of that investment is shaped by China’s centralized funding model, where a large share of research flows through government labs aligned with national priorities such as energy, biotech, and frontier technologies. The U.S. ranks second at $781.8 billion. Unlike China, American R&D is driven primarily by the private sector, with Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta among the world’s largest corporate R&D investors. Together, China and the U.S. R&D investment account for 54.7% of the global total. Japan ranks a distant third, investing $186.0 billion in 2024. Since 2000, its share of global R&D has fallen by 7.2 percentage points, the second-largest decline after the U.S. Toyota has long led corporate R&D spending in Japan, with Honda also investing heavily. Europe also places three countries in the global top 10, including Germany (#4), the UK (#6), and France (#8). However, each has seen its share of global R&D shrink since 2000. Still, there are bright spots. In 2024, EU corporate R&D investment rose 13.0% in healthcare, while energy surged 19.8%, outpacing growth in China, the U.S., and Japan. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the Global Innovation Index in 2025.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: Which Countries Rely Most on Imports See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Globally, imported goods and services are equal to 28% of GDP. Despite importing $3.4 trillion of goods, the U.S. has one of the lowest import-to-GDP ratios because of its massive and diverse economy. Several small island economies have extremely high import-to-GDP ratios, including Cuba (82%) and Taiwan (49%), given limited domestic production. Global imports are valued at approximately 28% of GDP, with trillions of dollars in goods and services moving across borders each year. In dozens of countries, imports exceed 50% of GDP, especially in trade-oriented nations and smaller economies. While elevated ratios are common in major trade hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong, they can also signal a heavier reliance on imported food and commodities. This graphic shows import reliance by country, based on data from the World Bank. Import Reliance Amid Global Uncertainty Import dependence has become a central issue in foreign policy, as many countries work to de-risk their supply chains. Among the biggest focus areas are critical minerals and advanced semiconductors. Beyond this, European countries have ramped up renewable energy to reduce reliance on Russian oil. As a whole, imports account for 46% of GDP across EU countries. Below, we show goods and services imports as a share of GDP by country, with data as of 2024 (or the latest data available): RankCountryImports as a Share of GDP (%) 1 Hong Kong SAR178 2 Luxembourg160 3 San Marino155 4 Singapore144 5 Djibouti115 6 Nauru111 7 Seychelles103 8 Ireland102 9 Kiribati102 10 Malta100 11 Somalia99 12 Lesotho99 13 Cyprus93 14 UAE92 15 Slovak Republic86 16 Timor-Leste85 17 Kyrgyz Republic84 18 Vietnam84 19 Cuba82 20 Marshall Islands82 21 Palau80 22 Belgium80 23 Mauritius78 24 Maldives78 25 Armenia76 26 Aruba76 27 Estonia75 28 Slovenia75 29 North Macedonia75 30 Lebanon74 31 Cambodia72 32 Kosovo72 33 Micronesia71 34 Netherlands71 35 Hungary71 36 Solomon Islands71 37 Bahrain70 38 Mongolia70 39 Lithuania69 40 Namibia68 41 Latvia67 42 Belarus67 43 Thailand67 44 Montenegro66 45 Malaysia66 46 Tonga65 47 Czechia63 48 Switzerland62 49 Denmark61 50 West Bank and Gaza60 51 Brunei Darussalam58 52 Serbia58 53 Nicaragua58 54 Honduras58 55 Moldova57 56 Jordan57 57 Libya57 58 Guinea56 59 Tunisia56 60 Georgia56 61 Croatia55 62 Bosnia and Herzegovina54 63 Cabo Verde54 64 Bulgaria54 65 Belize54 66 Eswatini54 67 Bhutan53 68 Austria53 69 Mozambique53 70 Mauritania52 71 El Salvador52 72 DR Congo52 73 Sweden52 74 Faroe Islands51 75 Greenland51 76 Afghanistan51 77 Morocco50 78 Macao SAR50 79 Taiwan49 80 Samoa49 81 Oman49 82 Tajikistan48 83 Ukraine48 84 Poland48 85 Greece48 86 French Polynesia46 87 Portugal44 88 Botswana44 89 Iceland44 90 Senegal43 91 Albania43 92 Puerto Rico (US)43 93 Romania42 94 Finland42 95 Bahamas41 96 Congo40 97 South Korea40 98 Philippines40 99 Paraguay40 100 Panama39 101 Rwanda39 102 Kuwait38 103 Uzbekistan38 104 Mexico38 105 Germany38 106 Azerbaijan37 107 Comoros34 108 Ghana34 109 France34 110 Norway34 111 Gambia33 112 Iraq33 113 Nepal33 114 Spain33 115 Costa Rica33 116 Canada33 117 Qatar32 118 Burkina Faso32 119 United Kingdom32 120 Madagascar32 121 Guatemala31 122 Central African Republic31 123 Malawi31 124 Italy30 125 Chile30 126 South Africa30 127 Dominican Republic29 128 New Caledonia29 129 Iran29 130 Zambia28 131 Gabon27 132 Mali27 133 Turkiye27 134 Guinea-Bissau27 135 Ecuador27 136 New Zealand26 137 Israel26 138 Uganda26 139 Kazakhstan26 140 Saudi Arabia26 141 Bolivia26 142 Equatorial Guinea25 143 Cote d'Ivoire25 144 Uruguay24 145 Japan24 146 India23 147 Zimbabwe23 148 Sierra Leone23 149 Egypt,23 150 Bermuda23 151 Kenya23 152 Peru23 153 Niger23 154 Australia23 155 Sri Lanka23 156 Benin22 157 Tanzania22 158 Colombia21 159 Indonesia20 160 Algeria20 161 Angola19 162 Haiti19 163 Cameroon19 164 Chad18 165 Brazil18 166 Russia18 167 Pakistan17 168 China17 169 Bangladesh16 170 United States14 171 Argentina13 172 Ethiopia12 173 Turkmenistan11 174 Venezuela9 175 Sudan1 Hong Kong has the highest import-to-GDP ratio in the world at 178%, driven largely by its role as a major re-export hub. More than half of these re-exported goods originate in China, passing through Hong Kong before being shipped to the rest of the world. In total, the value of Hong Kong’s re-exports exceeds half a trillion dollars. Singapore, with an import-to-GDP ratio of 144%, is similarly a key re-export—or entrepôt—economy. Meanwhile, island nations such as Cyprus, Cuba, and Taiwan tend to be more import-dependent due to limited domestic production. In Cuba, up to 80% of food is imported, mainly from the Netherlands and Spain. Moreover, Taiwan is heavily reliant on imported energy, with most of its oil shipped from the Middle East. The country also imports billions of dollars’ worth of oil derivatives from Russia, which are essential inputs in semiconductor manufacturing. In North America, Mexico has the highest import-to-GDP ratio at 38%, followed by Canada at 33%. Despite recording $3.4 trillion in imports in 2024, the U.S. has the sixth-lowest import dependence globally, at 14%, given the sheer size of its economy and diverse domestic production. Also sitting at the bottom are Sudan (1%) and Venezuela (9%), where ongoing crises and corruption have severely disrupted trade flows. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s biggest exporters.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Charted: Political Affiliation by Generation in the U.S. See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways More than half of Gen Z and Millennials identify as politically independent. Older generations are far more likely to affiliate with the Republican or Democratic parties. Political identity in the U.S. is changing, and the divide is increasingly generational. Younger Americans are stepping away from traditional party labels, while older generations remain more closely tied to the two-party system. This visualization shows how political affiliation varies across generations, highlighting the growing role of independents in American politics. The data comes from Gallup. It is based on annual averages from Gallup’s telephone interviews, asking respondents whether they identify as Republican, Democrat, or independent. “No opinion” responses are excluded, and figures may not total 100% due to rounding. Younger Generations Favor Being Independents A majority of both Generation Z and Millennials identify as independents. Among Gen Z, 56% say they are independent, compared with just 17% identifying as Republican and 27% as Democrat. Millennials show a similar pattern, with 54% identifying as independent. Political AffiliationRepublicanIndependentDemocrat Generation Z (born 1997-2007)17%56%27% Millennials (born 1981-1996)21%54%24% Generation X (born 1965-1980)31%42%25% Baby boomers (born 1946-1964)34%33%32% Silent Generation (born before 1946)37%30%32% Party Loyalty Rises With Age Political affiliation becomes more evenly split among older generations. Generation X shows a more balanced distribution, with 31% Republican, 25% Democrat, and 42% independent. Among Baby Boomers, party identification nearly overtakes independence altogether. The Silent Generation is the most partisan group, with roughly seven in 10 identifying as either Republican or Democrat. This cohort came of age during periods when party affiliation was more stable and closely tied to identity, such as the New Deal era and the Cold War. Implications for U.S. Politics The rise of independents among younger generations has major implications for elections and governance. While independents may still lean toward one party, their lack of formal affiliation makes voter behavior less predictable. It also complicates messaging for political parties trying to mobilize younger voters. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The Distribution of Income in America (2024 vs 1974) on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Published 3 hours ago on February 3, 2026 By Jenna Ross Article & Editing Ryan Bellefontaine Graphics & Design Harrison Schell Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email The following content is sponsored by Terzo Ranking CFO Compensation: The Top Earners     Key Takeaways Vaibhav Taneja at Tesla is the highest paid CFO, with total hourly compensation reaching nearly $49,000        CFOs at the Magnificent Seven tech giants all hold a spot in the top 10 ranking.        Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) juggle high-stakes decisions daily, from financial strategy to risk management. Their compensation reflects this pressure, but how much are the top earners making per hour? This graphic, in partnership with Terzo, highlights the highest paid CFOs in America. It’s part of our Markets in a Minute series, which features quick economic insights for executives. What a CFO’s Hour is Worth Based on the 50 largest companies in the U.S., we’ve compiled a ranking of the 10 highest paid CFOs. Their hourly earnings reflect total compensation including salary, bonuses, stocks, stock options, and other items like retirement contributions.  Here’s how it breaks down, based on a 55-hour workweek. CompanyCFO NameCFO Compensation Per Hour TeslaVaibhav Taneja$48,767 AlphabetRuth Porat, Anat Ashkenazi$13,462 MicrosoftAmy E. Hood$10,308 AmazonBrian T. Olsavsky$8,992 CiscoR. Scott Herren$8,494 MetaSusan Li$8,259 NetflixSpencer Neumann$8,008 NVIDIAColette M. Kress$7,469 Goldman SachsDenis Coleman$7,370 AppleLuca Maestri, Kevan Parekh$7,225 Source: company SEC filings as of January 14, 2025. Based on the latest fiscal year. In cases where a CFO changed mid-year, total compensation was prorated accordingly. Tesla’s Vaibhav Taneja earns the highest hourly compensation in the ranking, at nearly $49,000 per hour. This outsized figure stems largely from a one-time award of stocks and stock options totaling over $139 million, in recognition of Taneja’s promotion to CFO. About 80% was granted in stock options, making the value of Taneja’s earnings heavily tied to Tesla’s stock price. Anat Ashkenazi, CFO at Alphabet and Google, takes the second spot. She was appointed CFO on July 31, 2024, so we’ve prorated her salary along with Ruth Porat, who previously served in the role. Ashkenazi’s negotiated compensation included nearly $39 million in stock awards and a one-time cash sign-on bonus of nearly $10 million.  Trends Among CFOs With the Highest Compensation The two highest earners were new to their roles, highlighting the negotiating power executives have when accepting a promotion or moving to another company. It’s also worth noting that nine of the top 10 highest earners are in the technology space, including all of the Magnificent Seven. Goldman Sachs’ CFO is the sole executive from the financial services space in the compensation ranking.  When your time is valuable, fast access to the right information is critical. 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Politics11 months ago Trade Tug of War: America’s Largest Trade Deficits Trump cites trade deficits—the U.S. importing more than it exports—as one reason for tariffs. Which countries represent the largest deficits? Subscribe Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Join 375,000+ email subscribers: *Sign Up

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization The World’s Most Import-Dependent Countries See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Hong Kong imports goods equal to 178% of GDP, the highest import-to-GDP ratio in the world. The UAE’s imports total 92% of GDP, with the country importing most of its food supply. Geopolitical tensions are pushing trade into the spotlight, with many countries looking to diversify their imports. However, the most import-dependent economies are often small islands or landlocked nations. In Hong Kong, for example, 99% of fossil fuels are imported to meet energy needs. Cuba imports up to 80% of its food, driven by low domestic production. This graphic shows the countries with the highest imports as a share of GDP, based on data from the World Bank. Ranked: The Top 30 Most Import-Dependent Countries Below, we show the countries with the highest import-to-GDP ratios in 2024 (or the latest available data): RankCountry or EntityImports as a Share of GDP (%)Region 1 Hong Kong SAR178Asia 2 Luxembourg160Europe 3 San Marino155Europe 4 Singapore144Asia 5 Djibouti115Africa 6 Nauru111Oceania 7 Seychelles103Africa 8 Ireland102Europe 9 Kiribati102Oceania 10 Malta100Europe 11 Somalia99Africa 12 Lesotho99Africa 13 Cyprus93Asia 14 UAE92Asia 15 Slovak Republic86Europe 16 Timor-Leste85Asia 17 Kyrgyz Republic84Asia 18 Vietnam84Asia 19 Cuba82North America 20 Marshall Islands82Oceania 21 Palau80Oceania 22 Belgium80Europe 23 Mauritius78Africa 24 Maldives78Asia 25 Armenia76Asia 26 Aruba76North America 27 Estonia75Europe 28 Slovenia75Europe 29 North Macedonia75Europe 30 Lebanon74Asia With imports equal to 178% of GDP, Hong Kong ranks first globally. As one of the world’s busiest shipping hubs, many goods enter Hong Kong and are then re-exported elsewhere. Because imports are counted at full value, this inflates its import-to-GDP ratio. Other trade and financial hubs—including Luxembourg, San Marino, and Singapore—show similarly high import shares for the same reason. Beyond these hubs, several small island nations such as Nauru, Seychelles, and Kiribati post import values above 100% of GDP. Moreover, 26 of the top 30 most import-dependent countries have populations under 10 million. The UAE is also heavily reliant on imports—especially food—making it more exposed to supply chain disruptions. Notably, as much as 90% of its food is imported. In Europe, landlocked Slovakia ranks among the most import-dependent. It was also one of the few European countries exempted from the Russia oil ban to mitigate shortages, with Russia supplying 87% of its oil. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on global oil trade flows.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: U.S. Population Growth by State (2020-2025) See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Idaho’s population grew by 10.4% between 2020 and 2025, more than triple the national average. Florida (8.9%) and South Carolina (8.8%) follow next, with Southern states adding more residents than all other regions combined. America’s population has grown by over 10 million people since 2020, with nearly three-quarters of this growth concentrated in the South. With the rise of remote work, many migrated to Florida and Texas thanks to their sunnier climates and favorable taxes. Meanwhile, California has seen net out-migration, with people increasingly heading to more affordable states like Utah and Idaho. This graphic shows population growth by state since 2020, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau. How Population Growth by State Has Shifted Since 2020 Between 2020 and 2025, the U.S. population increased by 3.1% with the South growing the fastest across U.S. regions: South: 6.0% West: 1.9% Midwest: 1.1% Northeast: 0.7% Below, we show how population growth breaks down by state, based on data from April 2020 to July 2025: RankStateAbsolute Population Growth Rate2020-2025Change in Number of Residents 1Idaho10.4%190,610 2Florida8.9%1,924,311 3South Carolina8.8%452,024 4Texas8.8%2,560,323 5Utah8.2%267,303 6North Carolina7.2%756,576 7Delaware7.1%70,002 8Arizona6.5%465,714 9Tennessee5.8%402,757 10Nevada5.7%176,595 11Montana5.6%60,473 12Georgia5.5%588,887 13South Dakota5.5%48,438 14Colorado4.1%237,235 15Oklahoma4.1%163,934 16Maine3.8%51,656 17Washington3.8%293,501 18Arkansas3.4%103,261 19Alabama3.3%167,651 20Nebraska2.9%56,026 21Virginia2.9%248,688 22Indiana2.8%186,728 23New Jersey2.8%259,191 24New Hampshire2.7%37,769 25North Dakota2.6%20,222 26Connecticut2.2%80,746 27Kentucky2.2%100,577 28Minnesota2.2%123,672 29Wyoming2.1%11,881 30Missouri1.9%115,628 31Massachusetts1.7%120,972 32Rhode Island1.6%17,164 33Iowa1.5%47,805 34Maryland1.4%83,707 35Kansas1.3%39,234 36Wisconsin1.3%78,464 37Ohio0.9%101,065 38Oregon0.9%36,304 39District of Columbia0.6%4,101 40Alaska0.5%3,887 41Michigan0.5%48,522 42New Mexico0.4%8,006 43Pennsylvania0.4%56,679 44Vermont0.2%1,586 45Mississippi-0.2%-7,104 46California-0.5%-200,394 47Illinois-0.8%-102,600 48Louisiana-0.9%-39,705 49New York-1.0%-201,269 50Hawaii-1.5%-22,447 51West Virginia-1.5%-27,612 --U.S. 3.1%10,268,744 Idaho witnessed the fastest population growth overall, at 10.4%. Roughly a quarter of this growth is from California, drawn by the state’s lower cost of living, while roughly another 18% came from Washington. The vast majority, equal to about 80% of new residents, are under the age of 55. Florida follows next in line, with 8.9% growth. Since April 2020, the state’s population has swelled by more than 1.9 million people, the largest absolute gain only after Texas. In total, five of the top 10 states by population growth were in the South. In contrast, California and New York top the list for the largest population declines. Both states have lost more than 200,000 residents, with high living costs playing a major role. As of December 2025, the median home price hit $818,000 in California and $501,000 in New York, well above the national median of $446,000. Combined with shifting work opportunities, these affordability challenges are helping fuel the outmigration. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on average home prices by state.

The Countries Driving China’s $1.2T Trade Surplus This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways China’s trade surplus reached $1.19 trillion in 2025, a record-breaking figure despite escalating global tensions. Hong Kong and the U.S. together accounted for nearly half of China’s total surplus. India and Vietnam have emerged as significant contributors, each creating surpluses for China of over $100 billion. A trade surplus occurs when a country exports more goods and services than it imports, resulting in a net inflow of foreign currency. For China in 2025, this surplus has grown to unprecedented levels, topping $1.19 trillion according to the General Administration of Customs. The visualization above, created by Aneesh Anand, maps out which countries contributed most to this surplus. The dataset highlights China’s top 15 surplus partners, showcasing a global pattern of economic interdependence and imbalance. Breaking Down China’s Trade Surplus by Country Hong Kong topped the list with a surplus of $303.9 billion, largely due to re-exports and transshipment trade. RankTrade PartnerChina's Surplus (US$ bn) 1 Hong Kong303.93 2 U.S.280.35 3 India116.12 4 Vietnam100.15 5 Netherlands73.39 6 UK66.44 7 Thailand53.75 8 Singapore46.08 9 Philippines38.87 10 Italy26.31 11 Germany25.42 12 Malaysia15.69 13 France11.63 14 Canada6.21 15 Indonesia3.16 Close behind Hong Kong was the United States at $280 billion, continuing a long-standing trade imbalance. India and Vietnam, at over $100 billion each, underline China’s deepening trade ties in Asia. Why Are China’s Trade Surpluses So High? Despite rising protectionism, tariffs, and diplomatic tensions, China’s manufacturing engine remains robust. Even American tariffs have failed to dent the flow of consumer electronics, machinery, and intermediate goods being exported from China. Part of the explanation lies in global supply chains. Many goods are still assembled or completed in China, especially electronics, before being shipped abroad. This entrenched role as the “workshop of the world” has kept China’s exports high, even in an era of attempted decoupling. Trade Imbalances Remain a Sore Point As the Council on Foreign Relations notes, China’s massive surpluses remain a puzzle to some economists, particularly due to underreported service imports or capital flows that mask the true extent of imbalances. For major partners like the U.S., this imbalance has long been a political flashpoint. A large trade deficit means the U.S. imports significantly more from China than it exports in return, which has raised concerns about domestic job losses, the decline of American manufacturing, and growing economic dependence. Successive U.S. administrations have tried to reverse this pattern, most notably through tariffs, reshoring incentives, and supply chain diversification. However, these efforts have yielded limited results. China continues to dominate in key export sectors like electronics, machinery, and intermediate goods, making it difficult for American producers to compete without incurring higher costs. For policymakers, the trade gap is about more than just numbers. It touches on national security, global influence, and the sustainability of U.S. debt, as trade deficits are often financed by foreign investment in American assets. Reducing the trade imbalance with China remains a central, if elusive, goal in broader economic strategy. Learn More on the Voronoi App For more historical context, check out our related post on Eight-plus years of the US–China trade gap on the Voronoi app.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization All of the World’s Billionaires by Country See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The U.S. remains home to by far the most billionaires, with nearly double the count of China. Europe shows uneven growth, with Germany surging while several peers stagnate. The global billionaire map continues to shift as wealth creation accelerates in some regions and stalls in others. While the United States and China still dominate in absolute numbers, several smaller economies are seeing faster percentage growth in their billionaire populations. This infographic ranks countries by the number of billionaires in 2025. The data for this visualization comes from UBS. The United States Still Leads by a Wide Margin With 924 billionaires, the United States remains the clear global leader. Combined billionaire wealth in the U.S. totals roughly $6.9 trillion, far exceeding any other country. RankCountry or EntityBillionaires 2025Wealth 2025 (USD) 1 United States9246.9T 2 China4701.8T 3 India188888B 4 Germany156692B 5 United Kingdom91456B 6 Switzerland84518B 7 Hong Kong SAR76328B 8 Italy61197B 9 Singapore55259B 10 Taiwan51164B 11 Brazil47126B 12 Canada47211B 13 France46509B 14 Australia43213B 15 Japan41179B 16 Israel36108B 17 Spain32213B 18 South Korea3188B 19 Sweden31132B 20 Indonesia27156B 21 Thailand2594B 22 Mexico22167B 23 Saudi Arabia1981B 24 UAE19169B 25 Philippines1554B 26 Malaysia1441B 27 Norway1130B 28 Austria877B 29 Denmark850B 30 Netherlands816B 31 Finland715B 32 South Africa736B 33 Argentina526B 34 Chile535B 35 Ireland411B 36 Egypt417B 37 Nigeria437B 38 Lebanon26B 39 Colombia18B 40 Peru12B --Other193n/a The country is also home to the world’s richest individual, Elon Musk ($726B). SpaceX has been valued as high as $800 billion in recent secondary share sales, and a potential IPO in 2026 could make Musk the world’s first trillionaire. China and India Anchor Asia’s Wealth Base Mainland China ranks second globally, with 470 billionaires and $1.8 trillion in combined wealth. While growth has moderated compared to past years, the country still added billionaires at a double-digit rate in 2025. India follows with 188 billionaires, reflecting steady expansion driven by technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure investment. In contrast, wealth hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore punch above their weight, with high concentrations of billionaires relative to population size. In China, Zhong Shanshan ($69.4B) remains the country’s richest individual. The founder of Nongfu Spring left school during the Cultural Revolution and later built China’s bottled-water giant after working in construction, journalism, and sales. Europe’s Growth Is Uneven Germany stands out in Europe, recording a 33% year-over-year increase to reach 156 billionaires. This surge contrasts with flatter growth in countries like France and the UK, where billionaire counts remained stable or grew modestly compared to 2024 numbers. The UK still hosts 91 billionaires, while France counts 46. Smaller Markets, Faster Growth Some of the fastest growth rates come from countries with smaller billionaire bases. Saudi Arabia saw its billionaire count surge by 217%, while Malaysia and Argentina also posted strong gains. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The Best Countries at Math on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The World’s Top Economies in 1980 vs. 2025 See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The U.S. has remained the world’s largest economy since 1980, with GDP rising more than tenfold in nominal terms. China’s rapid rise reshaped the global economic order, moving from outside the top five in 1980 to firmly in second place by 2025. Over the past four decades, the global economic landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. While some countries have maintained their dominance, others have surged from relative obscurity into the ranks of the world’s largest economies. This visualization compares the world’s top economies from 1980 through 2025. The data for this visualization comes from the IMF’s World Economic Outlook (October 2025). GDP figures are shown in current U.S. dollars and are not adjusted for inflation. The United States’ Enduring Lead The United States has held the top spot throughout the entire period shown. In 1980, U.S. GDP stood at roughly $2.9 trillion. By 2025, it reached over $30 trillion, far ahead of any other economy. Rank (1980)Country or Entity1980 GDP (Billions, nominal) 1 United States2,857 2 Japan1,129 3 Germany857 4 France695 5 United Kingdom605 6 Italy480 7 China304 8 Canada276 9 Mexico242 10 Argentina234 11 Spain231 12 Netherlands194 13 India186 14 Saudi Arabia165 15 Australia163 16 Brazil146 17 Sweden140 18 Belgium123 19 Switzerland122 20 Iran117 21 Indonesia99 22 Türkiye97 23 South Africa89 24 Austria80 25 Denmark71 26 Venezuela70 27 Congo (DRC)69 28 Korea, Republic of67 29 Norway64 30 Poland57 This sustained dominance reflects a combination of factors, including technological leadership, deep capital markets, strong consumer demand, and the global role of the U.S. dollar. Rank (2025)Country or Entity2025 GDP (Billions, nominal) 1 United States30,616 2 China19,399 3 Germany5,014 4 Japan4,280 5 India4,125 6 United Kingdom3,959 7 France3,362 8 Italy2,544 9 Russian Federation2,541 10 Canada2,284 11 Brazil2,257 12 Spain1,891 13 Mexico1,863 14 Korea, Republic of1,859 15 Australia1,830 16 Türkiye1,565 17 Indonesia1,443 18 Netherlands1,321 19 Saudi Arabia1,269 20 Poland1,040 21 Switzerland1,003 22 Taiwan884 23 Belgium717 24 Ireland709 25 Argentina683 26 Sweden662 27 Israel611 28 Singapore574 29 United Arab Emirates569 30 Austria566 China’s Historic Economic Rise China represents the most dramatic shift in the rankings. In 1980, it ranked well outside the world’s top five, with GDP just over $300 billion. By 2010, China had overtaken Japan to become the world’s second-largest economy, and by 2025 its GDP reached nearly $19.4 trillion. This rise was driven by rapid industrialization, export-led growth, urbanization, and large-scale infrastructure investment. Japan’s Plateau and Europe’s Stability Japan was the world’s second-largest economy throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s, peaking in the mid-1990s. However, slower growth and demographic challenges caused it to slip to fourth place by 2025. Meanwhile, major European economies such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and France have remained consistently near the top of the rankings. While their growth has been steadier than China’s, they continue to play an outsized role in global trade and finance. The Rise of Emerging Markets Beyond China, several emerging markets climbed the rankings over time. India steadily moved upward, entering the top five by 2025, while countries like Indonesia, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia gained prominence as their economies expanded and diversified. At the same time, some economies that ranked highly in 1980—such as Italy and Argentina—fell relative to faster-growing peers. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The World’s $111 Trillion in Government Debt on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Visualized: The World’s Aircraft Orders in One Chart This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways In 2025, Airbus and Boeing received orders for a combined 2,175 aircraft. Nearly 1 in 5 aircraft orders in 2025 came from just three buyers: Qatar Airways, VietJet, and Alaska Airlines. Aircraft lessors made up a significant portion of orders, surpassing even airline groups and military programs. Who’s buying the most aircraft in the world? Aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus released their 2025 order books, highlighting which airlines, lessors, and governments placed orders for commercial planes. The visual above, created by Julie Peasley, breaks down all major buyers of Airbus and Boeing aircraft during the year. The full datasets are available directly from Boeing and Airbus. The graphic also shows whether the customer ordered from Boeing, Airbus, or both, and uses color coding to indicate buyer type, ranging from airlines and airline groups to aircraft lessors and cargo operators. Here’s the full breakdown of aircraft orders by entity in 2025: BuyerCategoryQuantity AirbusQuantity BoeingTotal Abra GroupAirline Group2525 Aegean AirlinesAirline88 Air ChinaAirline6666 Air Europa Lineas AereasAirline2020 Air New ZealandAirline22 Airbus Defence and SpaceMilitary/Gov’t22 Alaska AirlinesAirline122122 All Nippon AirwaysAirline2727 American AirlinesAirline88 AviLeaseAircraft Lessor402060 AvolonAircraft Lessor9090 BOC Aviation LtdAircraft Lessor7055125 British AirwaysAirline63844 Cathay Pacific AirwaysAirline1414 China Aircraft Leasing GroupAircraft Lessor3030 China AirlinesAirline152338 CondorAirline44 Defense, Space & Security (US)Military/Gov’t1010 EgyptairAirline66 EmiratesAirline86573 Ethiopian AirlinesAirline62026 EtihadAirline16622 Eva AirAirline99 FedEx ExpressCargo88 Gulf AirAirline1515 International Airlines Group (IAG)Airline Group2121 IberiaAirline66 IndigoAirline3030 Jackson Square AviationAircraft Lessor5050 Japan AirlinesAirline1717 Korean AirAirline64046 LOT PolishAirline4040 LufthansaAirline55 Mab LeasingAircraft Lessor2020 Macquarie AirFinance LtdAircraft Lessor3030 Mng Airlines CargoCargo22 Norwegian AirAirline3030 Qantas AirwaysAirline2020 Qatar AirwaysAirline161161 Riyadh AirAirline2525 SaudiaAirline1010 Silk Way West AirlinesAirline22 Starlux AirlinesAirline1515 TUI Travel PLCAirline Group1010 Turkish AirlinesAirline5050 United AirlinesAirline4040 USAF Tanker ProgramMilitary/Gov’t1515 Uzbekistan AirwaysAirline2222 Vietjet AirAirline120120 WestJetAirline7474 Unidentified CustomerUndisclosed132328460 While Qatar Airways led all named buyers with 161 aircraft orders, the biggest segment overall is “Undisclosed” buyers, accounting for 469 aircraft combined across both manufacturers. Aircraft buyers are often listed as “undisclosed” to protect strategic plans, pending regulatory approvals, or leasing arrangements where the final airline hasn’t been determined yet. Manufacturers still record these orders to reflect real demand while honoring customer confidentiality. Aircraft lessors like Avolon, BOC Aviation, and Macquarie also played a major role in demand. Who’s Driving Demand? Looking at the categories of buyers, airlines dominated overall, placing more than 1,200 orders. However, aircraft lessors also made a substantial impact, accounting for over 400 aircraft. These entities purchase planes to lease them to airlines, serving as financial intermediaries in the aviation ecosystem. Military and government buyers made a small but notable appearance. The U.S. Air Force and defense departments from Europe and the U.S. made targeted purchases, reflecting ongoing needs for refueling and defense infrastructure. Air Travel Recovery Fuels Orders With global air travel surpassing 2019 levels in many regions, carriers are investing heavily in new, more fuel-efficient aircraft. In Asia, airlines like VietJet, Korean Air, and China Airlines are expanding their fleets rapidly. Meanwhile, American carriers such as Alaska Airlines and WestJet are modernizing for both domestic and transborder routes. As travel rebounds, competition between Boeing and Airbus will remain fierce. However, the surge in demand suggests a strong outlook for the industry as a whole. Learn More on the Voronoi App Explore how Boeing’s business spans beyond commercial jets in Boeing’s Business Is Much More Than Just Commercial Planes.

View the high-resolution version of this infographic. Mapped: The World’s 12 Largest Impact Craters This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The largest known impact crater on Earth is the Vredefort crater in South Africa, measuring 99 miles (160 km) in diameter and formed over 2 billion years ago. Crater size doesn’t always correlate with extinction events. Chicxulub, which caused the dinosaur extinction, is smaller than several other craters. Some ancient craters, like Sudbury and Morokweng, still show unusual geology and economic mineralization due to their cosmic origins. A single asteroid strike can reshape a planet, and Earth’s history is marked by several cataclysmic impacts. This map by Julie Peasley uses data from the Earth Impact Database to showcase the 12 largest confirmed impact craters on Earth, ranging from massive basin-forming events to relatively recent collisions. The World’s Largest Craters by Diameter The following table ranks the top 12 confirmed impact craters based on their estimated rim-to-rim diameter: CraterDiameter (km)LocationAge (Millions Years Ago) Vredefort160South Africa2023 Chicxulub150Yucatan, Mexico65 Sudbury130Ontario, Canada1850 Popigai90Russia36 Acraman90South Australia590 Manicouagan85Quebec, Canada214 Morokweng70South Africa145 Kara65Russia70 Beaverhead60Montana, US600 Tookoonooka55Queensland, Australia128 Charlevoix54Quebec, Canada342 Siljan52Sweden377 While Vredefort in South Africa ranks first at 99 miles (160 km), it formed over 2 billion years ago and has been significantly eroded. In contrast, the second-ranked Chicxulub crater in Mexico retains a clearer structure and is famous for its role in the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that wiped out most dinosaurs. Extinction Events and Impact Size Interestingly, larger crater size doesn’t always mean greater devastation. As scientists have noted, factors like impact velocity, angle, and composition can be just as important. The Chicxulub impactor likely released over 100 million megatons of TNT-equivalent energy, triggering firestorms, tsunamis, and a global winter. In contrast, older impacts like Morokweng or Sudbury were equally massive but occurred long before complex life had evolved, so they did not cause any known mass extinction events. Lasting Geological Signatures Some craters, such as Sudbury in Ontario, have left behind unique geological formations and mineral deposits. The Sudbury Basin remains one of the most economically important mining regions in the world, rich in nickel and copper. Others, like the Morokweng crater in South Africa, have even preserved fragments of the original meteorite thousands of meters beneath the surface. Why So Few Ancient Craters Remain Despite Earth’s long history, many early craters have vanished due to erosion and tectonic activity. Earth’s oldest impact scars are gradually being lost to time—unlike the Moon or Mars, which preserve theirs far better. This is why craters like Vredefort or Beaverhead are so valuable: they offer rare glimpses into planetary-scale violence from billions of years ago. Learn More on the Voronoi App Curious about the cosmos? Explore Every Moon in the Solar System and dive deeper into the celestial bodies orbiting our planets.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization How Melting Ice Is Impacting Arctic Shipping Routes See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Arctic ice loss is thawing rapidly, opening up significant shortcuts in global trade routes. Over the past decade, shipping across the Arctic has increased 37%, with the Greenland ice sheet shrinking by 129 billion metric tons in 2025 alone. Not only does the Arctic hold significant oil and rare earth resources, thawing ice means that shipping routes can be reduced drastically. Since 1980, the Arctic’s minimal ice extent, its smallest point, has shrunk by 39%. At the same time, the Arctic is a strategic priority for Russia, both for freight transport and military security. More recently, President Trump has argued that Greenland—a territory he has threatened to acquire—is critical to U.S. security. This graphic shows how Arctic ice loss is redrawing shipping routes, based on data from multiple sources, including NASA, World Bank, NOAA, and ArcData. The Rise of Arctic Shipping As Ice Thaws Over the last decade, Arctic shipping has increased 37%, with 1,781 unique ships sailing a combined 12.7 million nautical miles in 2024. Ship traffic is increasing as Arctic ice is thawing at a notable pace. For perspective, the loss in minimal ice extent between 1980 and 2025 is greater than the size of India’s land area. Below, we show the annual minimum Arctic ice extent over the past several decades. YearAnnual Minimum Ice Extent (million square miles) 20251.78 20241.64 20231.64 20221.82 20211.84 20201.47 20191.62 20181.80 20171.80 20161.61 20151.71 20141.94 20131.95 20121.31 20111.68 20101.78 20091.98 20081.77 20071.60 20062.23 20052.05 20042.24 20032.32 20022.18 20012.55 20002.31 19992.22 19982.45 19972.56 19962.78 19952.33 19942.69 19932.39 19922.78 19912.43 19902.33 19892.67 19882.75 19872.69 19862.76 19852.51 19842.48 19832.79 19822.77 19812.67 19802.91 19792.67 Among the region’s key shipping corridors are the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage. The Northern Sea Route, in particular, is central to Russia’s strategic ambitions. In 2025, the first vessel completed a China–Europe transit along the route in roughly 20 days, covering 7,850 nautical miles. By comparison, the southern route via the Suez Canal takes about 27 days and spans 11,167 nautical miles. Looking ahead, the even shorter Transpolar Route—cutting directly across the North Pole—could become viable as early as 2059. The Arctic is warming at roughly four times the global average, accelerating ice melt and extending navigable seasons. If realized, the Transpolar Route would further reduce shipping distances and costs, while significantly increasing the Arctic’s geopolitical and economic importance. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this map explainer on the territory of Greenland.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The Most Reliable Car Brands in 2026 See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Toyota, Subaru, and Lexus top the 2026 rankings, reinforcing Japan’s long-standing reputation for vehicle reliability. Tesla recorded the biggest improvement, climbing eight spots compared to 2025, thanks to stronger reliability scores for the Model 3 and Model Y. Who makes the most reliable cars? This visualization ranks the most reliable car brands in 2026 based on predicted reliability scores by Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports calculated predicted reliability scores for nearly every new car, truck, and SUV by analyzing data from its annual member reliability surveys. These surveys collect detailed, self-reported information about problems owners have experienced with their vehicles. For the most recent analysis, CR used responses covering roughly 380,000 vehicles, allowing them to identify patterns in reliability across brands, models, and powertrains. The aggregated results are then used to score and compare vehicles, highlighting trends such as differences between gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric models. Japanese Automakers Lead the Rankings Japanese brands claim six of the top seven spots in 2026. Toyota leads the list with a score of 66, followed closely by Subaru and Lexus. These manufacturers are known for conservative engineering, long model cycles, and a focus on proven technology. RankBrandPredicted reliability scoreCountry 1Toyota66 Japan 2Subaru63 Japan 3Lexus60 Japan 4Honda59 Japan 5BMW58 Germany 6Nissan57 Japan 7Acura54 Japan 8Buick51 U.S. 9Tesla50 U.S. 10Kia49 S. Korea 11Ford48 U.S. 12Hyundai48 S. Korea 13Audi44 Germany 14Mazda43 Japan 15Volvo42 Sweden 16Volkswagen42 Germany 17Chevrolet42 U.S. 18Cadillac41 U.S. 19Mercedes-Benz41 Germany 20Lincoln40 U.S. 21Genesis33 S. Korea 22Chrysler31 U.S. 23GMC31 U.S. 24Jeep28 U.S. 25Ram26 U.S. 26Rivian24 U.S. Toyota vehicles are engineered to last well beyond 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, thanks to rigorous quality control at every stage of production and simplified powertrain designs that reduce potential failure points. In addition to long-term mechanical durability, Toyota’s strong anti-theft reputation places several of its models among vehicles with the lowest theft risk. Honda and Nissan also perform strongly, reinforcing Japan’s dominance in long-term vehicle dependability. European Brands Show Mixed Reliability European automakers cluster in the middle of the rankings. BMW stands out as the top European brand, ranking fifth overall and outperforming several Japanese competitors. In contrast, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo score in the low-to-mid 40s. Tesla’s Big Jump Signals EV Maturation Tesla recorded the largest improvement in the rankings compared to the previous survey, moving up eight spots to ninth place. This gain is driven by strong reliability scores for the Model 3 and Model Y, which now benefit from years of incremental design refinements. Lower-ranked brands such as Jeep, Ram, and Rivian highlight how newer platforms and performance-focused designs can face early reliability hurdles. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out EV Global Market Share by Country on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The Most Valuable Sports Teams in 2026 This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The Dallas Cowboys remain the world’s most valuable sports team, despite not appearing in a Super Bowl for 30 years. NFL teams dominate overall valuations, while NBA franchises post some of the fastest growth rates. This visualization ranks the most valuable sports teams in the world in 2026, highlighting both long-established dynasties and fast-rising franchises. It also shows how financial success does not always align with on-field results. Values are shown in U.S. dollars and include year-over-year percentage changes. The data for this visualization comes from Forbes. The Cowboys Lead—Even Without Recent Titles The Dallas Cowboys top the rankings at $13.0 billion, making them the most valuable sports franchise in the world. Notably, the team has not appeared in a Super Bowl since the 1995 season, when it defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite this long championship drought, the Cowboys’ brand power, national fanbase, and lucrative sponsorships continue to drive unmatched financial success. RankTeamValue (Billions)League 1Dallas Cowboys$13.0NFL 2Golden State Warriors$11.0NBA 3Los Angeles Rams$10.5NFL 4New York Giants$10.1NFL 5Los Angeles Lakers$10.0NBA 6New York Knicks$9.75NBA 7New England Patriots$9.0NFL 8San Francisco 49ers$8.6NFL 9Philadelphia Eagles$8.3NFL 10Chicago Bears$8.2NFL 10New York Yankees$8.2MLB 12New York Jets$8.1NFL 13Las Vegas Raiders$7.7NFL 14Washington Commanders$7.6NFL 15Los Angeles Clippers$7.5NBA 15Miami Dolphins$7.5NFL 17Houston Texans$7.4NFL 18Denver Broncos$6.8NFL 18Los Angeles Dodgers$6.8MLB 20Real Madrid$6.75La Liga Combined, NFL franchises account for 13 of the top 20 teams (65%), including the New England Patriots, who will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. NBA Growth Fueled by Star Power and Ownership NBA teams show some of the fastest valuation growth on the list. The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks both exceed $9 billion in value, reflecting the league’s global reach and star-driven appeal. The Los Angeles Clippers, valued at $7.5 billion, are owned by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, whose investment in a new arena and aggressive spending has helped boost the franchise’s worth. Notably, the Lakers and the current World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, share the same ownership group, underscoring how cross-sport portfolios can amplify brand value. Soccer’s Global Reach, Limited Representation Real Madrid is the only soccer club to make the top 20, valued at $6.75 billion. This is notable given soccer’s global popularity and the presence of superstar athletes, including Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest-paid athlete in the world. It also reflects how the sports business is far more developed in the United States. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Top 10 Sportswear Companies Globally By Market Cap (2025) on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Charted: The Rising Prices of Popular Beer Brands (2015–2025) See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The average price of a 12-pack of beer has risen 41% since 2015. Sam Adams Summer Ale saw the steepest increase, jumping 71% over the decade. Beer prices have risen nearly twice as fast as overall alcohol inflation. Cracking open a cold one has gotten noticeably more expensive over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2025, the average price of a 12-pack of beer climbed sharply across nearly every major brand, outpacing broader inflation. This chart compares the average retail prices for a 12-pack of 12-oz cans or bottles of popular beer brands in 2015 vs. 2025, based on data from FinanceBuzz. It’s worth noting that the data is from a limited sample of one retailer, and prices may vary regionally and across retailers. Beer Prices Have Risen Faster Than Alcohol Inflation While alcohol inflation for at-home consumption has increased by about 16% since 2015, beer prices have climbed by roughly 29% overall, and even more for certain brands. On average, the 15 beer brands tracked saw prices rise from $11.62 per 12-pack in 2015 to $16.39 in 2025, an increase of $4.77 per case. Here’s how individual brands compare: Beer2015 Average Price2025 Average PriceChange Sam Adams Summer Ale$13.99$23.9971% Dos Equis$11.99$18.9958% Miller High Life$8.99$12.9944% PBR$8.99$12.9944% Guinness$12.99$18.4942% Michelob Ultra$10.99$15.4941% Yuengling$10.49$14.4938% Bud Light$10.99$14.9936% Budweiser$10.99$14.9936% Coors Light$10.99$14.9936% Miller Lite$10.99$14.9936% Corona Extra$12.99$17.4935% Modelo Especial$12.99$17.4935% Heineken$12.99$16.9931% Blue Moon$12.99$16.4927% 15 Beer Brands' Average$11.62$16.3941% Craft and imported beers dominate the top of the list when it comes to price hikes. Sam Adams Summer Ale, a seasonal beer that’s only available from March to August, recorded the largest increase, jumping from $13.99 to $23.99, a 71% increase, or an extra $10 per 12-pack. Imported beers like Dos Equis, Guinness, and Corona Extra also posted price increases north of the 35% mark. Furthermore, budget-friendly staples like Miller High Life and Pabst Blue Ribbon both saw prices rise by 44%, climbing from $8.99 to $12.99. Meanwhile, some of America’s most popular beers, including Bud Light, Budweiser, Coors Light, and Miller Lite, all experienced similar increases of around 36%. In other words, even America’s go-to “cheap beers” now cost several dollars more per case than they did a decade ago. Why Beer Prices Have Risen Several factors have driven the rise in beer prices, including rising prices for barley (+15% from 2015–2025) and aluminum (+92% from 2015–2025), as well as overall inflation. Additionally, consumer preferences are shifting toward premium craft and specialty beers, which tend to be more expensive. While beer remains relatively affordable compared to wine and spirits on a per-drink basis, its steady price climb has been hard to miss, especially for frequent buyers. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed this breakdown, explore more consumer price trends and lifestyle data on Voronoi, including NFL Beer Cost Inflation Over the Past Decade

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization The Maximum Extent of the Roman Empire in 117 AD See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways This infographic map shows the Roman Empire’s maximum territorial extent under Emperor Trajan in 117 AD—when Rome controlled more land than at any other point in its history. The geographic shape of the map may look familiar—a famous moment in time—but it was fleeting. Just months after the peak was achieved, Rome’s next emperor Hadrian abandoned many of the gains to consolidate the empire’s position. For any fan of history or of Ancient Rome, our infographic map of the Roman Empire probably looks familiar. It shows the maximum territorial extent ever achieved by the Roman Empire, just after Trajan’s ambitious wars in the East, during which he captured Dacia (Romania), Armenia, Mesopotamia, Assyria, and the Parthian capital of Ctesiphon (in modern-day Iraq). Although Trajan is rated as one of the best Roman Emperors by historians and was considered one of the strongest military leaders in Roman history, the reality is that the peak he achieved was very short-lived. We’ll dig into that and more as we explain this map, which covers one of the most interesting periods in history, leveraging classical and modern sources including Cassius Dio, Plutarch, Cambridge Ancient History, Walter Scheidel, Fergus Millar, Adrian Goldsworthy, Anthony Everitt, and Encyclopaedia Britannica. Trajan: The First Emperor Born Outside of Italy Trajan was born in Italica, Spain, near modern-day Seville. He was a career soldier and became an extremely competent and respected general. He was adopted as the heir to the childless Nerva, and became emperor after Nerva’s passing in 98 AD. Once emperor, Trajan was famous for his civic investment and military expansion. He built roads, harbors, aqueducts, and the Forum of Trajan in Rome—but he also conquered distant lands decisively. The Roman Empire at its Overextended Peak Various limits—cultural, geographical, logistical, and administrative—seem to prevent historical empires from achieving infinite expansion. Trajan tested these limits and eventually came upon the breaking point. Dacia (Romania) was arguably his greatest military achievement and remained a Roman province for almost two centuries after. His experiments to the East, however, were less of a slam dunk. His battles with Parthia (the other Mediterranean superpower at the time) led to quick expansion into Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Assyria. However, these vast territorial gains were fragile: Supply lines were long, exposed, and costly. Massive revolts broke out in Judea and across the Jewish diaspora, in Libya, Egypt, and Cyprus. Parthia remained intact as a power, despite symbolic defeats. In hindsight, the map captures not just Rome’s greatest triumph—but the moment it became overextended. Could Trajan hold it together as the empire came under strain? The End of Trajan’s Reign, and a New Imperial Strategy Conquering territory and holding it are two very different challenges. With troops diverted across multiple fronts, the new gains quickly started unraveling for Trajan. At the same time, now in his early 60s, his health also began to fail. As he was returning to Rome, he stopped in Cilicia (modern-day southern Türkiye), where he passed away. Hadrian, the following emperor, immediately recognized that the empire had tested its limits and now needed to consolidate. He built Hadrian’s Wall in the UK, and abandoned most of Trajan’s eastern conquests to focus on stabilization. Learn More on the Voronoi App What are the best selling books of history? See this visualization on Voronoi.

Charted: Global Attitudes Towards China and the U.S. This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Israel holds the most favorable opinion of the U.S. (90%), while Nigeria leads in positivity toward both superpowers. Western nations like Sweden, Germany, and Canada report low favorability toward both China and the U.S. Positive views of China have risen in many countries, even as U.S. favorability declines globally. How do people around the world feel about the two most powerful countries on the global stage? Drawing from a recent Global Attitudes Survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, this visualization by Iswardi Ishak compares public opinion in 24 countries towards the United States and China. The poll, which was conducted with 28,000 adults between January 8 and April 26, 2025, shows a highly diverse set of sentiments, with some nations expressing strong preference for one power over the other, while others show ambivalence or neutrality toward both. Visualizing Favorability Around the World The scatterplot above breaks down each country’s percentage of favorable opinion of the U.S. (vertical axis) against that of China (horizontal axis). The quadrant structure quickly reveal how widely opinions vary, and which countries lean more towards one global power over the other. Favorable toward U.S. (%)Favorable toward China (%)Difference (%) Israel833350 South Korea611942 Japan551342 India542133 Poland553520 UK503911 Hungary60519 Australia29236 Brazil56515 Argentina52475 Germany33294 Italy47452 Sweden19181 France36360 Canada34340 Netherlands2930-1 Nigeria7881-3 Spain3137-6 South Africa5057-7 Türkiye2535-10 Greece4556-11 Kenya6274-12 Indonesia4865-17 Mexico2956-27 Among the clearest takeaways: Israel stands out with an overwhelmingly favorable view of the U.S. (90%), the highest in the survey by a significant margin. This reflects long-standing U.S.-Israel strategic ties, including military aid, diplomatic backing, and broad bipartisan support within American politics. On the other end of the spectrum, Sweden reports the lowest favorability toward the U.S. at just 18%. On the China side, Nigeria (83%) and Kenya (73%) show the strongest support, making Africa one of the few regions where both powers enjoy relatively high favorability. The Declining Global Image of the U.S. According to Pew’s research (and YouGov’s as well), favorable views of the United States have dropped significantly in Europe, especially in long-time allies like the Netherlands, Spain, and France. The decline is largely tied to ongoing dissatisfaction with U.S. foreign policy, climate change inaction, and internal political dysfunction. Even in countries traditionally friendly toward the U.S.—like Canada, the UK, and Australia—favorable views hover below 50%. Meanwhile, some nations, such as South Korea and Japan, still report strong U.S. support. But across the board, Pew’s latest survey signals a downward shift from previous years. China’s Perception is Shifting, Too Though China’s global image remains mixed, many countries (particularly in the Global South) have reported rising favorability in 2025. Indonesia (69%), South Africa (56%), and Mexico (58%) all lean more positive toward China than the United States. This reflects growing Chinese diplomatic and economic engagement in the Global South, especially through infrastructure initiatives and trade partnerships. That said, in most Western nations, views on China remain decidedly negative, often in parallel with unfavorable views of the U.S. Where Do People Stand on Both? Some countries, like Nigeria and Kenya, are outliers for their high favorability toward both powers. Meanwhile, many European nations express skepticism of both China and the U.S., which hints at a broader disillusionment with superpower politics. For example, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands all fall in the bottom-left quadrant, expressing below-average favorability for both countries. If you’re interested in how global sentiment toward Israel compares, check out our companion post: Survey: What the World Thinks About Israel. Learn More on the Voronoi App Looking for more context? Check out how Americans’ own views on China have shifted over time: US public opinion on China has changed a lot since 2017.