Published 6 minutes ago on July 30, 2026 By Julia Wendling Graphics & Design Athul Alexander LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Bluesky Reddit Telegram Email The following content is sponsored by New York Life Investment Management Investing Through Financial Distress Financial pressure can make it difficult to think beyond the present. Yet periods of uncertainty have always been part of investing, making a long-term perspective more important than ever. Created in partnership with New York Life Investment Management, this visual examines how financial strain is affecting both the broader economy and American households, while highlighting why staying invested can matter during volatile markets. U.S. Debt-to-GDP Near All-Time Highs America’s debt burden has grown steadily over the past several decades. Household, business, and government borrowing have all contributed to total debt reaching historically elevated levels. While debt has fallen from its pandemic-era peak, it still exceeds 250% of GDP, far above the long-term average of roughly 180%. Higher debt can leave the economy more vulnerable to rising interest rates, slower growth, and persistent inflation. Quarter & YearDebt-to-GDP (ratio) 2025:Q4256.7 2025:Q3256.3 2025:Q2255.8 2025:Q1257.8 2024:Q4257.7 2024:Q3259.1 2024:Q2258.7 2024:Q1260.2 2023:Q4259.6 2023:Q3259.9 2023:Q2261.1 2023:Q1260.7 2022:Q4262.3 2022:Q3264.9 2022:Q2266.3 2022:Q1269.1 2021:Q4268.1 2021:Q3271.5 2021:Q2275.1 2021:Q1277.2 2020:Q4281.0 2020:Q3281.9 2020:Q2302.6 2020:Q1260.5 2019:Q4251.9 2019:Q3251.9 2019:Q2251.6 2019:Q1252.6 2018:Q4252.3 2018:Q3251.2 2018:Q2251.0 2018:Q1249.9 2017:Q4250.0 2017:Q3251.1 2017:Q2251.5 2017:Q1250.5 2016:Q4251.0 2016:Q3252.1 2016:Q2251.6 2016:Q1251.3 2015:Q4249.2 2015:Q3246.9 2015:Q2246.6 2015:Q1246.2 2014:Q4246.3 2014:Q3245.4 2014:Q2247.7 2014:Q1250.0 2013:Q4247.3 2013:Q3247.2 2013:Q2248.4 2013:Q1248.0 2012:Q4248.9 2012:Q3248.4 2012:Q2247.6 2012:Q1246.7 2011:Q4247.5 2011:Q3248.4 2011:Q2247.0 2011:Q1248.4 2010:Q4247.7 2010:Q3248.7 2010:Q2248.9 2010:Q1250.0 2009:Q4249.4 2009:Q3252.6 2009:Q2252.5 2009:Q1249.0 2008:Q4243.7 2008:Q3237.1 2008:Q2232.6 2008:Q1233.3 2007:Q4229.3 2007:Q3227.8 2007:Q2226.1 2007:Q1224.2 2006:Q4222.5 2006:Q3221.1 2006:Q2219.5 2006:Q1216.9 2005:Q4216.0 2005:Q3214.4 2005:Q2213.9 2005:Q1211.6 2004:Q4211.4 2004:Q3210.3 2004:Q2209.3 2004:Q1207.7 2003:Q4200.0 2003:Q3200.1 2003:Q2200.7 2003:Q1198.0 2002:Q4197.1 2002:Q3194.9 2002:Q2193.2 2002:Q1192.1 2001:Q4191.6 2001:Q3190.5 2001:Q2186.7 2001:Q1186.7 2000:Q4185.1 2000:Q3185.5 2000:Q2184.8 2000:Q1187.4 1999:Q4186.5 1999:Q3187.7 1999:Q2187.3 1999:Q1186.9 1998:Q4185.9 1998:Q3186.3 1998:Q2187.0 1998:Q1185.2 1997:Q4184.1 1997:Q3184.0 1997:Q2184.0 1997:Q1184.9 1996:Q4184.7 1996:Q3186.0 1996:Q2186.1 1996:Q1187.1 1995:Q4186.4 1995:Q3187.0 1995:Q2187.4 1995:Q1185.6 1994:Q4185.1 1994:Q3185.7 1994:Q2185.4 1994:Q1186.3 1993:Q4186.8 1993:Q3187.6 1993:Q2186.8 1993:Q1185.9 1992:Q4185.3 1992:Q3186.7 1992:Q2187.0 1992:Q1188.2 1991:Q4188.8 1991:Q3188.1 1991:Q2188.4 1991:Q1188.9 1990:Q4188.2 1990:Q3185.2 1990:Q2184.3 1990:Q1184.2 1989:Q4184.2 1989:Q3182.3 1989:Q2182.0 1989:Q1181.9 1988:Q4182.1 1988:Q3182.2 1988:Q2181.7 1988:Q1181.8 1987:Q4180.0 1987:Q3180.7 1987:Q2179.8 1987:Q1178.6 1986:Q4177.5 1986:Q3174.2 1986:Q2171.5 1986:Q1167.7 1985:Q4166.3 1985:Q3160.6 1985:Q2158.9 1985:Q1156.1 1984:Q4153.0 1984:Q3150.4 1984:Q2148.1 1984:Q1146.6 1983:Q4145.0 1983:Q3145.2 1983:Q2145.3 1983:Q1145.1 1982:Q4144.1 1982:Q3142.2 1982:Q2140.3 1982:Q1139.7 1981:Q4136.2 1981:Q3133.7 1981:Q2134.7 1981:Q1132.8 1980:Q4135.8 1980:Q3138.1 1980:Q2138.0 1980:Q1135.9 1979:Q4135.5 1979:Q3134.9 1979:Q2134.5 1979:Q1133.9 1978:Q4133.0 1978:Q3133.5 1978:Q2132.7 1978:Q1135.8 1977:Q4134.0 1977:Q3132.7 1977:Q2132.2 1977:Q1132.9 1976:Q4132.9 1976:Q3132.9 1976:Q2132.0 1976:Q1130.7 1975:Q4131.7 1975:Q3132.3 1975:Q2134.0 1975:Q1134.1 1974:Q4133.1 1974:Q3133.9 1974:Q2133.5 1974:Q1133.6 1973:Q4132.1 1973:Q3133.1 1973:Q2131.8 1973:Q1132.0 1972:Q4132.7 1972:Q3132.7 1972:Q2132.1 1972:Q1132.9 1971:Q4134.4 1971:Q3132.5 1971:Q2131.8 1971:Q1130.8 1970:Q4134.0 1970:Q3131.8 1970:Q2131.6 1970:Q1131.4 1969:Q4131.6 1969:Q3130.2 1969:Q2130.6 1969:Q1130.8 1968:Q4132.3 1968:Q3131.8 1968:Q2131.4 1968:Q1132.5 1967:Q4135.1 1967:Q3133.4 1967:Q2133.3 1967:Q1132.6 1966:Q4132.3 1966:Q3132.5 1966:Q2133.3 1966:Q1132.4 1965:Q4134.0 1965:Q3135.2 1965:Q2136.8 1965:Q1136.8 1964:Q4138.4 1964:Q3136.9 1964:Q2137.2 1964:Q1136.5 1963:Q4137.7 1963:Q3137.1 1963:Q2138.4 1963:Q1137.6 1962:Q4137.6 1962:Q3135.5 1962:Q2135.6 1962:Q1134.7 1961:Q4135.8 1961:Q3136.4 1961:Q2137.0 1961:Q1137.7 1960:Q4137.5 1960:Q3134.4 1960:Q2134.0 1960:Q1131.7 1959:Q4133.8 1959:Q3132.5 1959:Q2130.5 1959:Q1130.8 1958:Q4131.4 1958:Q3132.0 1958:Q2134.6 1958:Q1133.7 1957:Q4130.1 1957:Q3127.8 1957:Q2127.9 1957:Q1127.6 1956:Q4128.3 1956:Q3129.2 1956:Q2129.2 1956:Q1129.9 1955:Q4129.0 1955:Q3128.6 1955:Q2129.0 1955:Q1129.1 1954:Q4131.5 1954:Q3132.0 1954:Q2131.9 1954:Q1130.7 1953:Q4129.3 1953:Q3126.5 1953:Q2123.8 1953:Q1122.9 1952:Q4123.1 1952:Q3125.3 1952:Q2125.4 1952:Q1123.1 These challenges extend beyond government finances. Higher borrowing costs affect businesses and consumers alike, creating financial pressure that can eventually show up in household budgets. Mortgage Delinquencies Are Rising in Many States Those economic pressures are becoming more visible across the country. As borrowing costs remain elevated, more homeowners are falling behind on their mortgage payments. In the first quarter of 2026, mortgage delinquency rates increased in 31 states compared with the end of 2025. Vermont recorded the largest increase, followed by Delaware, Louisiana, Florida, and Montana. Overall RankStateChange in Average No. Mortgage Loans Delinquent (Q1 2026 vs. Q4 2025) 1Vermont12.3% 2Delaware6.9% 3Louisiana4.4% 4Florida3.9% 5Montana3.7% 6Connecticut3.4% 7New Hampshire3.3% 8Colorado3.3% 9Texas3.0% 10Idaho2.8% 11North Carolina2.7% 12Rhode Island2.6% 13California2.5% 14Illinois2.4% 15Oregon2.1% 16Tennessee2.1% 17Nevada2.1% 18Alabama2.0% 19Alaska1.9% 20South Carolina1.6% 21Massachusetts1.5% 22Kentucky1.5% 23Arizona1.2% 24Wisconsin0.9% 25New Mexico0.7% 26Washington0.6% 27Pennsylvania0.5% 28North Dakota0.3% 29New Jersey0.1% 30South Dakota0.0% 31Michigan0.0% 32New York-0.1% 33West Virginia-0.2% 34Georgia-0.4% 35Kansas-0.4% 36Minnesota-0.6% 37Oklahoma-0.7% 38Arkansas-1.3% 39Ohio-1.4% 40Iowa-1.6% 41Hawaii-1.8% 42Utah-2.1% 43Virginia-2.2% 44Maryland-2.5% 45Indiana-3.2% 46Missouri-3.3% 47Maine-3.4% 48Mississippi-4.3% 49Nebraska-7.9% 50Wyoming-14.4% Conditions vary by region, but the broader trend suggests many households continue to adjust to a higher-cost environment. Financial stress at home can also influence how people approach investing. The Cost of Cashing Out of the Market Periods of market volatility often encourage investors to move into cash. While that may feel like a safer option, it can also mean missing some of the market’s strongest recovery days. On April 9th, 2025, the market gained nearly 10% in a single session. Investors who had already exited the market would have missed that rebound, demonstrating how quickly sentiment can change. Growth of $10k from December 31st, 2010 to December 31st, 2025 InvestmentStarting ValueEnding ValueAnnualized Return Fully Invested$10,000$106,24017.1% Miss the Best 10 Days$10,000$37,4379.2% Miss the Best 20 Days$10,000$25,5686.5% Miss the Best 30 Days$10,000$18,8354.3% No one can consistently predict when markets will recover. Staying invested allows investors to participate in those recoveries instead of trying to time them. Keeping a Long-Term Perspective Economic uncertainty and financial strain can make it tempting to focus on short-term risks. However, history shows that reacting emotionally to market volatility can come at a cost. While every investor’s situation is different, maintaining a diversified portfolio and staying focused on long-term goals may help investors navigate periods of financial stress with greater confidence. Explore more insights from New York Life Investments You may also like Markets2 months ago Top 5 Reasons Private Equity Is Drawing Investor Interest in 2026 Private equity is becoming a core allocation for investors seeking long-term growth and diversification beyond public markets. Investor Education5 months ago 5 Ways Women Are Reshaping Investing Women investors are redefining the investment landscape, driven by entrepreneurial momentum, expanding wealth, and evolving generational influence. 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Mapped: The States With the Most Empty Homes Key Takeaways Maine has the highest home vacancy rate in America, with roughly one in five housing units unoccupied. Vacation destinations rank prominently because seasonal and recreational properties count as vacant in Census data. A low vacancy rate can signal strong housing demand rather than greater affordability. America faces a housing shortage, yet about 14.5 million homes across the country are vacant. How can both be true? Using the latest U.S. Census Bureau data compiled by LendingTree, this map shows the share of vacant housing units in every state. The figures include vacation homes, rentals awaiting tenants, homes for sale, and other unoccupied properties, not just abandoned buildings. Which States Have the Highest Vacancy Rates? About one in 10 U.S. housing units is vacant, but most are not permanently sitting unused. Nearly 4.7 million vacant units are seasonal or recreational homes, 2.6 million are available for rent, and fewer than 800,000 are actively listed for sale. This helps explain why states with large vacation-home markets, including Maine, Vermont, Florida, and Hawaii, record some of the nation’s highest vacancy rates. RankStateVacancy Rate 2024Vacant Housing Units 1Maine20.6%154,717 2Vermont19.4%65,626 3Alaska17.6%57,958 4West Virginia15.4%132,670 5Florida14.7%1,503,660 6Mississippi14.6%195,683 7Alabama14.5%340,018 8Louisiana14.4%304,122 9New Hampshire14.3%92,650 10Arkansas13.5%188,686 11Delaware13.4%62,165 12Hawaii13.3%75,443 13South Carolina13.3%325,050 14Montana13.2%69,560 15New Mexico12.5%119,550 16North Carolina12.5%613,323 17North Dakota12.3%46,218 18Wyoming12.2%33,823 19Oklahoma12.0%212,738 20Michigan11.8%545,867 21Missouri11.2%317,060 22Wisconsin10.8%299,092 23Arizona10.5%336,758 24South Dakota10.5%43,040 25Georgia10.3%467,469 26Idaho10.3%82,009 27Kentucky10.3%208,647 28Tennessee10.2%319,393 29District of Columbia10.1%36,523 30New York10.0%862,595 31Texas9.4%1,135,699 32Minnesota9.3%237,075 33Nevada9.3%123,878 34Kansas9.2%119,575 35Pennsylvania9.2%531,599 36Rhode Island9.1%44,362 37Indiana8.8%260,559 38Virginia8.7%319,024 39Iowa8.5%121,992 40Colorado8.3%214,835 41Massachusetts8.1%245,364 42Ohio8.1%429,200 43Utah8.1%98,646 44Illinois7.7%421,003 45Maryland7.7%197,856 46Nebraska7.6%65,597 47California7.5%1,096,644 48New Jersey7.5%283,653 49Oregon7.5%139,570 50Washington7.3%241,800 51Connecticut7.0%107,815 -- U.S. total10.1%14,547,859 Maine leads the country with a vacancy rate of 20.6%, followed by Vermont at 19.4% and Alaska at 17.6%. At the other end of the ranking, Washington and Connecticut have rates of around 7%, while California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts also sit near the bottom. In these states, available housing is often absorbed quickly, leaving fewer homes unoccupied. A low vacancy rate can therefore reflect strong demand, not necessarily a healthier or more affordable housing market. Why Empty Homes Won’t Solve the Housing Crisis At first glance, millions of vacant homes may appear sufficient to ease America’s housing shortage. In practice, many are not available to year-round buyers or renters. Some are second homes or seasonal properties concentrated in vacation destinations, while others are temporarily vacant between tenants or owners. High vacancy rates and housing shortages can therefore exist at the same time, particularly in expensive metropolitan areas where year-round housing remains scarce. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the salary needed to afford rent across America.

Ranked: The World’s Biggest Mineral Producers Key Takeaways China produced 5.3 billion metric tons of minerals in 2024—26.9% of the global total. The top five producers accounted for 61% of global mineral production. Asia-Pacific generated just over half of the world’s mineral output. Minerals are essential to energy systems, construction, manufacturing, and advanced technologies. Yet production is highly concentrated among countries with large resource endowments and major fossil fuel industries. This visualization ranks global mineral production by country in 2024, measured by total production in metric tons. The data comes from the Austrian Ministry of Finance and includes all metals, industrial minerals such as bauxite and diamonds, and mineral fuels such as coal, crude oil, and natural gas. Because this analysis is based on production volume, the rankings reflect total tonnage rather than the value of mineral output. This means bulk commodities such as coal carry much more weight than precious metals like gold. China Leads Global Mineral Production With Coal China led global mineral production by a wide margin in 2024, producing 5.3 billion metric tons, or 26.9% of the global total. Most of this volume came from coal production, which reached nearly 4.8 billion metric tons. RankCountry2024 Production (million metric tons)Share of global mineral production 2024 (%) 1 China5,341.426.9 2 United States2,397.412.1 3 Russia1,566.67.9 4 India1,413.87.1 5 Australia1,332.46.7 6 Indonesia941.94.7 7 Saudi Arabia620.03.1 8 Canada570.22.9 9 Iran540.32.7 10 Brazil529.82.7 11 South Africa295.81.5 12 Kazakhstan253.81.3 13 UAE238.31.2 14 Iraq226.61.1 15 Qatar215.21.1 16 Norway199.01.0 17 Kuwait156.20.8 18 Algeria151.30.8 19 Mexico147.20.7 20 Türkiye144.40.7 21 Guinea141.80.7 22 Germany122.80.6 23 Nigeria115.10.6 24 Mongolia109.20.5 25 Colombia108.80.5 The United States ranked second with 2.4 billion metric tons, or 12.1% of the global total, less than half of China’s output. Its high ranking reflects substantial fossil fuel production, particularly its world-leading crude oil and natural gas output. Russia, India, and Australia rounded out the top five. Russia is a major producer of fossil fuels, gold, and base metals, while India is the world’s second-largest coal producer. Australia leads global production of bauxite, iron ore, and lithium. Several other major energy producers appear in the top 10. Saudi Arabia produced 620 million metric tons, while Iran produced 540.3 million metric tons, reflecting the inclusion of mineral fuels in the dataset. Indonesia ranked sixth and is both a major fossil fuel producer and the world’s leading nickel producer. Asia-Pacific Produces Half of the World’s Minerals Asia-Pacific accounted for 50.3% of global mineral production in 2024, equal to nearly 10 billion metric tons. The region’s total was driven by China, India, Australia, and Indonesia. Even excluding China, Asia-Pacific produced 4.7 billion metric tons, or 23.4% of the global total, showing that its lead extends beyond a single country. North America ranked second with 15.9% of global production, followed by Europe at 12.0% and the Middle East at 11.6%. Region2024 Production (million metric tons)Share of Global Mineral Production 2024 (%) Asia-Pacific9,998.750.3 North America3,149.815.9 Europe2,378.312.0 Middle East2,311.911.6 Africa1,084.25.5 South America934.14.7 World Total19,857100.0 Africa accounted for 5.5% of total output despite being a major producer of lower-volume commodities such as cobalt and platinum-group metals. South America, a leading region for copper and lithium, represented 4.7%. Global Mineral Production Is Highly Concentrated The top 25 countries accounted for nearly 90% of global mineral production in 2024. On a volume basis, most of the world’s output therefore comes from a relatively small group of producers. This concentration reflects differences in geology, energy reserves, industrial capacity, and the scale of domestic demand. It also means that major producers remain central to global supply chains for energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: Which Countries Produce the Most Silver? on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Charted: The World’s Shift to Cities (1950–2050) 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 Just 20% of the world’s total population lived in cities in 1950, a share projected to increase to 48% by 2050. Cities overtook the global rural population in 1975 and the global town population in 1997. The world’s rural population is expected to peak at 1.65 billion in 2046 before gradually declining. The world has become steadily more urbanized over the last century, reshaping where people live, work, and build communities. This visualization tracks the global population by degree of urbanization from 1950 to 2050, showing the shift between cities, towns, and rural areas. The data comes from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. In this dataset, cities are defined as areas with at least 50,000 people and high population density. Towns have at least 5,000 people and moderate density, while rural areas have fewer than 300 inhabitants per square kilometer. The figures from 2025 to 2050 are projections. A Global Shift Toward City Living In 1950, city living was relatively uncommon, with just 500 million people, or about 20% of the global population, living in cities. At that time, both towns and rural areas made up much more of the global total, with each home to nearly one billion people, or roughly 40% of the world’s population. YearWorld City Population ShareWorld Town Population ShareWorld Rural Population Share 195020%40%40% 197531%38%31% 200039%37%24% 202545%36%20% 2050P48%35%17% That balance changed quickly. Cities overtook rural areas in 1975, when the global city population reached 1.27 billion compared with 1.25 billion in rural areas. By 1997, cities had also surpassed towns and have remained the world’s largest population category ever since, growing faster than both towns and rural areas in absolute and relative terms. As of 2025, an estimated 3.69 billion people live in cities, representing roughly 45% of the global population. Cities are now the most prevalent settlement type in 104 countries. Rural Populations Are Expected to Peak Mid-Century Although the world’s rural population growth has not kept pace with growth in cities and towns, the rural population has continued to rise, from 997 million in 1950 to an estimated 1.61 billion in 2025. However, as a share of the world total, rural areas fell from 40% in 1950 to 20% in 2025 and are projected to decline to 17% by 2050. Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where rural populations have substantially increased over the past 75 years. All other regions have mainly experienced growth in cities and towns. As a result, the global rural population is projected to peak at 1.65 billion in 2046, making it the first of the three settlement categories expected to begin declining in absolute terms. After that point, rural population totals are projected to edge lower, even as the overall global population continues to rise. Nearly Half the World Could Live in Cities by 2050 By 2050, the world’s city population is projected to reach 4.67 billion people, more than nine times the city population recorded in 1950. This unprecedented degree of urbanization reflects several converging factors, including a reduced need for rural farm labor due to agricultural mechanization, alongside greater access to jobs, education, goods, services, and entertainment in cities. City dwellers are expected to account for two-thirds of projected global population growth by 2050, with most of the remaining growth concentrated in towns. By then, cities are expected to be the main settlement type in 127 countries worldwide. The full year-by-year dataset is available below. By 2050, the global town and rural populations are projected to reach 3.34 billion and 1.65 billion, respectively, compared with 4.67 billion people living in cities. YearWorld City Population (millions)World Town Population (millions)World Rural Population (millions) 1950500.3995.8997.0 1951518.61,013.41,004.9 1952537.41,032.51,014.1 1953556.81,052.91,024.4 1954576.61,073.91,035.4 1955596.91,096.01,047.3 1956622.11,116.31,057.0 1957647.71,137.51,067.4 1958673.61,159.21,078.4 1959699.11,178.61,088.3 1960723.61,195.21,096.6 1961751.41,210.61,102.8 1962780.61,230.81,112.0 1963811.61,256.41,124.7 1964843.71,282.81,138.0 1965875.61,308.31,150.7 1966911.61,332.21,160.2 1967947.11,356.31,170.0 1968983.31,381.31,180.7 19691,020.51,407.21,191.9 19701,057.91,433.31,203.4 19711,099.81,457.01,213.1 19721,141.71,480.41,222.8 19731,183.71,504.21,232.9 19741,225.71,527.71,243.0 19751,267.41,550.41,253.0 19761,300.61,578.21,265.5 19771,333.81,605.91,278.2 19781,367.21,633.71,291.2 19791,401.31,662.31,305.0 19801,436.11,691.91,319.6 19811,473.51,725.61,329.6 19821,511.51,760.61,340.6 19831,549.71,795.81,351.9 19841,587.91,831.01,363.3 19851,626.61,867.11,375.3 19861,671.01,903.91,383.1 19871,716.21,941.81,391.8 19881,761.41,980.01,400.6 19891,806.62,018.31,409.6 19901,851.52,057.31,419.0 19911,908.22,085.81,424.7 19921,963.92,112.41,429.7 19932,018.82,138.31,434.5 19942,073.72,162.91,439.0 19952,128.22,187.31,443.4 19962,188.52,206.71,446.9 19972,248.62,226.01,450.2 19982,308.82,244.71,453.6 19992,369.02,263.11,456.9 20002,429.42,281.71,460.6 20012,480.42,306.91,467.7 20022,530.92,331.91,475.0 20032,581.32,356.81,482.3 20042,631.92,381.71,489.8 20052,682.72,406.71,497.6 20062,735.82,432.61,503.1 20072,789.52,458.91,509.0 20082,843.62,485.61,515.3 20092,898.22,512.71,521.9 20102,952.82,540.21,528.8 20113,009.22,567.11,534.7 20123,066.12,594.41,540.8 20133,123.32,621.61,546.9 20143,180.42,648.31,552.9 20153,237.02,674.41,559.0 20163,288.12,705.31,565.2 20173,338.32,736.01,571.4 20183,387.02,765.71,577.2 20193,434.22,794.41,582.7 20203,478.62,821.21,587.2 20213,519.22,843.51,591.7 20223,559.92,865.41,596.2 20233,602.12,888.31,601.4 20243,644.22,911.21,606.6 20253,686.02,933.91,611.7 20263,730.12,954.81,615.8 20273,773.82,975.51,619.8 20283,817.02,995.91,623.7 20293,859.83,016.01,627.5 20303,902.13,035.81,631.2 20313,944.93,055.51,633.7 20323,987.33,074.91,636.0 20334,029.33,093.91,638.2 20344,070.83,112.61,640.3 20354,111.93,130.91,642.3 20364,153.73,147.51,644.5 20374,195.03,163.71,646.4 20384,235.93,179.51,648.2 20394,276.23,194.81,649.9 20404,316.03,209.81,651.4 20414,354.63,225.41,652.3 20424,392.53,240.51,653.1 20434,429.93,255.11,653.7 20444,466.63,269.21,654.1 20454,502.63,282.81,654.2 20464,538.13,295.51,654.3 20474,572.93,307.51,654.2 20484,606.83,319.01,653.7 20494,640.03,329.81,653.1 20504,672.23,340.01,652.1 Together, cities and towns are projected to account for more than 80% of the global population by 2050. This marks one of the defining demographic shifts of the modern era, as a world that was once largely rural becomes increasingly urban. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out How Urbanization Has Reshaped Asia Over the Last 50 Years on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Mapped: U.S. Oil Production by State in 2025 Key Takeaways Texas and New Mexico produced a combined 8.0 million bpd, accounting for 58.8% of national output, largely due to the Permian Basin they share. The Gulf Coast supplied 73.7% of U.S. crude, while the East Coast, home to more than a third of Americans, produced just 0.4%. America pumped more crude oil in 2025 than any country has ever produced in a single year. National production averaged a record 13.6 million bpd, up 3% from the previous year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s annual Crude Oil Production table. This map shows crude oil production across 27 states and producing areas, along with the five Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts, or PADDs. Created in 1942 to support gasoline rationing during World War II, the districts remain the standard geography for U.S. petroleum statistics. Texas Produced 42% of U.S. Crude Oil in 2025 Texas led the country with 5.75 million bpd in 2025, equal to 42.3% of national production. New Mexico ranked second at 2.24 million bpd, or 16.5%. The table below ranks all 27 states and producing areas by average 2025 output, measured in thousands of barrels per day. Together, they accounted for 99.9% of national production, with the remainder coming from producers too small for the EIA to list separately: RankState or Producing AreaCrude Oil Production (Thousand Barrels per Day)Share of U.S. Production (%) 1Texas5,75142.3 2New Mexico2,24416.5 3Gulf of Mexico1,89814.0 4North Dakota1,1548.5 5Colorado4673.4 6Alaska4213.1 7Oklahoma4053.0 8Wyoming2892.1 9California2571.9 10Utah1851.4 11Ohio1391.0 12Montana780.6 13Louisiana710.5 14Kansas690.5 15West Virginia410.3 16Mississippi270.2 17Illinois180.1 18Pennsylvania110.1 19Arkansas110.1 20Michigan100.1 21Alabama80.1 22Kentucky50.0 23Indiana40.0 24Nebraska40.0 25Florida20.0 26South Dakota20.0 27New York10.0 Texas and New Mexico produced a combined 8.0 million bpd, or 58.8% of the U.S. total, largely because of a single geological formation. The Permian Basin spans West Texas and southeastern New Mexico and accounted for 48% of all U.S. crude output in 2025. The scale becomes clearer in a global context. If Texas were a country, it would rank as the world’s fourth-largest oil producer, ahead of Canada and Iraq. New Mexico would rank around 11th, just behind Kuwait. This graphic compares the world’s top crude oil producers with America’s leading oil-producing regions. Four Areas Supplied 81% of America’s Oil Below the top two, the ranking reflects three major shale regions and one offshore production area. The offshore Gulf of Mexico ranked third at 1.90 million bpd, or 14.0%, while North Dakota, driven largely by the Bakken formation, ranked fourth at 1.15 million bpd, or 8.5%. Combined with Texas and New Mexico, these four areas supplied 11.05 million bpd, equal to 81.3% of national output. The drop-off after the top four is steep. Each of the remaining 23 areas produced less than 500,000 bpd, led by Colorado at 467,000, Alaska at 421,000, and Oklahoma at 405,000. The 16 lowest-ranked states produced a combined 362,000 bpd, less than Oklahoma produced on its own. Few states illustrate the shift in U.S. oil production better than Alaska. In 1988, at the peak of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska outproduced Texas to become the country’s leading oil-producing state. Today, Texas produces roughly 14 times as much crude as Alaska. The Gulf Coast Produced Nearly Three-Quarters of U.S. Crude Grouped into PADDs, production is even more concentrated than it appears at the state level. The Gulf Coast, or PADD 3, produced 10.01 million bpd in 2025, almost three times as much as the other four regions combined. The region’s name understates its geographic reach. PADD 3 includes Texas and landlocked New Mexico, along with the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Those three producing areas alone account for almost 99% of the region’s output. PADD RegionCrude Oil Production (Thousand Barrels per Day)Share of U.S. Production (%) Gulf Coast (PADD 3)10,01073.7 Midwest (PADD 2)1,81113.3 Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)1,0207.5 West Coast (PADD 5)6905.1 East Coast (PADD 1)550.4 At the opposite end is the East Coast, or PADD 1, which is home to more than a third of the U.S. population but produces just 0.4% of the country’s crude oil. Its entire output of 55,000 bpd comes from four states, with Pennsylvania and West Virginia contributing 52,000 bpd. Those two states rank second and fifth, respectively, in U.S. natural gas production. The Marcellus and Utica shales beneath them are enormously productive, but they yield primarily natural gas rather than oil. Compare the two maps in our look at where America produces natural gas. This level of concentration is relatively recent. U.S. output has nearly tripled since 2008, when the country produced about 5 million bpd. The Permian alone contributed 280,000 bpd of the 350,000 bpd increase recorded in 2025, accounting for four-fifths of national growth. That expansion helped transform the U.S. from the world’s largest oil importer into a net exporter, a reversal charted in America’s shift from import giant to net exporter. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out America’s Hottest Oil State? New Mexico on Voronoi.

Ranked: Where Senior Populations Will Grow Fastest by 2040 Key Takeaways Countries with relatively young populations today are projected to see the fastest growth in residents aged 65 and older through 2040. Saudi Arabia leads the selected economies with projected senior population growth of 115%, followed by the UAE at 80%. Japan ranks near the bottom at 7% because it already has one of the world’s oldest populations. Population aging is accelerating, but not where many people might expect. While countries like Japan already have large older populations, much of the fastest growth is projected to occur in younger economies such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Falling fertility rates and rising life expectancy are rapidly reshaping their age structures. Based on World Economic Forum analysis of the UN’s World Population Prospects 2024, this graphic compares projected growth in the population aged 65 and older across 21 selected economies between 2025 and 2040. The Fastest Growth Is Happening in Younger Countries Saudi Arabia has the fastest growth in its senior population, followed by the UAE, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Each is projected to see growth of at least 77% through 2040. Below we list the 21 select countries, growth in their 65-and-older population, and the current median age: CountryProjected Increase (2025–2040F)Median Age 2025 Saudi Arabia115%29.6 UAE80%31.6 Malaysia78%31.0 Vietnam77%33.4 Colombia77%32.5 Indonesia75%30.4 Mexico74%29.6 China69%40.1 India68%28.8 Singapore59%36.2 Brazil59%34.8 Nigeria58%18.1 South Korea58%45.6 Thailand55%40.6 Canada32%40.6 Netherlands28%41.5 U.S.28%38.5 UK26%40.1 France22%42.3 Croatia7%45.3 Japan7%49.8 World Average53%30.9 Looking at median age reveals the story behind the data. Many countries with relatively young populations are entering the early stages of population aging, leading to rapid growth in their 65-and-older populations. By contrast, older societies such as Japan have already undergone much of this demographic shift. Diverging Trends in Growth Saudi Arabia has a median age of roughly 30, yet its senior population is projected to more than double over the next 15 years. Nigeria, which has a median age of just 18, is also expected to see its senior population grow by nearly 60%. The same trend is emerging across Africa. Although it remains the world’s youngest continent, its older population is projected to reach 235 million by 2050, exceeding North America’s total. Japan presents the opposite picture. Its median age is approaching 50, but its senior population is projected to grow by just 7%, largely because older adults already account for such a significant share of the population. Globally, the population aged 65 and older is projected to grow by 53% through 2040. This exceeds the projected increases in the U.S. (28%), the UK (26%), Canada (32%), and China (40%). Why Younger Countries Are Aging Faster Rapid growth in a country’s senior population does not necessarily mean it will become one of the world’s oldest societies. Instead, it shows how quickly the country’s age structure is changing. Many younger economies are experiencing declining fertility rates as life expectancy continues to rise. At the same time, large working-age generations are moving toward retirement, causing the number of older adults to increase rapidly from a relatively small base. Older societies went through this transition decades earlier. Countries such as Japan now have slower senior population growth not because aging has stopped, but because much of the demographic shift has already occurred. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the countries with the biggest gains in life expectancy since 1965.

Ranked: The World’s Biggest Lumber Producers Key Takeaways The U.S. is the world’s largest lumber producer, accounting for 17% of global output. Just five countries produce more than half of the world’s lumber. China’s lumber production has more than tripled since 2004, making it the second-largest producer. From home construction and renovations to furniture and shipping pallets, lumber is one of the world’s most widely used building materials. This graphic ranks the world’s biggest lumber producers by sawnwood output in 2024, using data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The World’s Top 30 Lumber Producers The United States produced roughly 2.7 billion cubic feet of lumber in 2024, making it the world’s largest producer. RankCountryCubic Feet (2024)Global Share 1 U.S.2.7B17.0% 2 China2.1B13.7% 3 Russia1.3B8.4% 4 Canada1.2B7.9% 5 India847M5.4% 6 Germany820M5.2% 7 Sweden632M4.0% 8 Finland388M2.5% 9 Brazil344M2.2% 10 Austria343M2.2% 11 Türkiye333M2.1% 12 Japan281M1.8% 13 France271M1.7% 14 Chile249M1.6% 15 Mexico241M1.5% 16 Vietnam203M1.3% 17 Thailand198M1.3% 18 Czechia167M1.1% 19 Belarus162M1.0% 20 Poland148M0.9% 21 New Zealand147M0.9% 22 Romania138M0.9% 23 Australia133M0.8% 24 Argentina132M0.8% 25 Ukraine113M0.7% 26 UK113M0.7% 27 Latvia105M0.7% 28 Norway95M0.6% 29 Spain92M0.6% 30 Indonesia78M0.5% -- World total$15.7B (Market Value)100% China ranked second with 2.1 billion cubic feet, followed by Russia and Canada. India rounded out the top five with nearly 847 million cubic feet. Together, the top five producers account for more than half of global lumber output. Their scale reflects extensive forest resources, large sawmill industries, and steady demand from construction and manufacturing. Europe has a deep bench of major lumber producers, with Germany, Sweden, and Finland leading the region. Sweden and Finland benefit from extensive managed forests and export-oriented sawmill industries, while Germany’s timber resources support its construction and manufacturing sectors. Austria and France also rank among the world’s top 15, underscoring Europe’s importance to the global lumber supply. China’s Lumber Industry Has Tripled Since 2004 Although the United States remains the world’s largest producer, China has recorded some of the fastest long-term growth. Since 2004, the country’s lumber production has more than tripled as rapid urbanization fueled demand for housing, commercial buildings, and infrastructure. China has also become the world’s largest processor and consumer of wood products, supplying everything from furniture to engineered wood used in manufacturing. A Critical Global Building Material Lumber demand is closely tied to housing construction, infrastructure spending, and manufacturing activity. As countries continue investing in new buildings and industrial capacity, a relatively small group of producers will remain central to the global wood supply. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s 4.1 billion hectares of forest by region.

The Most Valuable Squads at the 2026 FIFA World Cup 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 48 squads at the 2026 FIFA World Cup were worth a combined €17.2 billion, with the top four accounting for more than €5.1 billion in player value. France, England, and Spain were the only national squads valued above €1.2 billion. Europe accounted for 15 of the 16 most valuable squads, while Brazil and Argentina ranked highest outside the region. The 2026 FIFA World Cup brought together many of the world’s most valuable soccer players. This visualization, created by Harris Saleem, ranks all 48 qualified national squads by estimated market value using player valuations compiled by Yahoo! Sports, based largely on Transfermarkt estimates. Transfer value does not determine tournament success, but it offers a snapshot of where the world’s most expensive soccer talent was concentrated. These estimates reflect factors such as age, club performance, and long-term potential. Which World Cup Squads Were Worth the Most? The table below ranks all 48 teams by their estimated squad values at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. RankTeamSquad Value (€ Millions)Continent 1 France1,520Europe 2 England1,360Europe 3 Spain1,220Europe 4 Portugal1,010Europe 5 Germany947.0Europe 6 Brazil928.2South America 7 Argentina807.5South America 8 Netherlands754.2Europe 9 Norway589.9Europe 10 Belgium547.5Europe 11 Ivory Coast522.1Africa 12 Senegal478.1Africa 13 Türkiye473.7Europe 14 Morocco447.7Africa 15 Sweden406.1Europe 16 Croatia387.3Europe 17 U.S.385.6North America 18 Ecuador368.7South America 19 Uruguay359.3South America 20 Switzerland332.5Europe 21 Colombia302.4South America 22 Japan270.9Asia 23 Algeria256.9Africa 24 Austria245.2Europe 25 Ghana234.5Africa 26 Canada198.7North America 27 Mexico191.9North America 28 Czech Republic188.2Europe 29 Scotland170.3Europe 30 Paraguay153.7South America 31 Bosnia & Herzegovina146.4Europe 32 DR Congo143.9Africa 33 South Korea139.1Asia 34 Egypt116.5Africa 35 Uzbekistan85.3Asia 36 Australia77.5Oceania 37 Tunisia70.0Africa 38 Haiti55.9North America 39 Cape Verde49.3Africa 40 South Africa49.3Africa 41 Saudi Arabia40.7Asia 42 Panama34.6North America 43 New Zealand34.5Oceania 44 Iran32.1Asia 45 Curaçao25.8South America 46 Iraq21.2Asia 47 Jordan20.3Asia 48 Qatar19.9Asia France led the field with a squad valued at €1.52 billion, followed by England at €1.36 billion and Spain at €1.22 billion. Portugal was the only other team valued above €1 billion, while Germany, Brazil, and Argentina rounded out the next tier of highly valued squads. Why France Ranked First France’s €1.52 billion valuation reflected years of investment in player development and one of soccer’s deepest talent pools. According to Transfermarkt, the national team featured many highly valued players competing for leading European clubs. That depth helped France rebuild around another generation of elite talent following its 2022 World Cup disappointment, reinforcing its position as one of the sport’s leading national teams, as detailed by the Los Angeles Times. Results from the 2026 tournament also reshaped the global hierarchy, with FIFA rankings changing after the World Cup. Market Value Did Not Guarantee World Cup Success Player valuations reflected the transfer market’s assessment of age, club performance, and future potential rather than likely results in a single tournament. FIFA’s official rankings, by contrast, reward competitive performance over time by assigning points based on match outcomes and competition importance, according to FIFA and LiveScore. The distinction helps explain why experienced or tactically disciplined teams can outperform more expensive squads in major tournaments. It also shows why countries with fewer globally marketable stars can still compete for international honors. Historically, the nations with the richest squads have not always matched those with the most FIFA World Cup titles. Europe’s Financial Advantage Europe’s dominance was clear, with 15 of the top 16 squads by market value coming from UEFA. This reflected the region’s concentration of elite domestic leagues, major club academies, and financial power in countries including England, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy. Brazil and Argentina remained South America’s most valuable teams, while Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Japan, and the United States ranked among the strongest squads from their respective regions. Together, the tournament’s 48 teams represented more than €17.2 billion in player value, highlighting both the global reach of soccer talent and the continued financial concentration of the sport’s elite. Learn More on the Voronoi App Want more data-driven sports insights? Check out The Highest Earning Football Clubs on the Voronoi app, where you can discover thousands of visualizations covering sports, business, technology, and much more.

Charted: 75 Years of America’s Electricity Transition Key Takeaways Natural gas overtook coal in 2016 to become the nation’s largest electricity source, supplying 40.8% of generation in 2025. Renewable generation reached a record 1,064 billion kWh in 2025, exceeding both nuclear and coal. Total U.S. electricity generation reached 4,430 billion kWh in 2025, more than 13 times the 1950 level. Over the past 75 years, the U.S. electricity system has shifted from one dominated by coal to one in which natural gas and renewables supply nearly two-thirds of generation. This visualization shows annual U.S. electricity generation by source from 1950 to 2025 using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It tracks output in billions of kilowatt-hours and each source’s share of the electricity mix over time. Natural Gas and Renewables Lead U.S. Electricity Generation Coal supplied 46.4% of U.S. electricity in 1950 and remained the country’s largest power source for decades. By 2025, however, its share had fallen to 16.6%. Natural gas moved in the opposite direction, rising from 13.5% to 40.8% and overtaking coal in 2016. The table below shows each energy source’s share of total U.S. electricity generation at 15-year intervals from 1950 to 2025. Energy SourceShare of U.S. Electricity Generation 1950196519801995 2010 2025 Natural Gas13.5%21.0%15.1%14.8%24.0%40.8% Renewables30.2%18.6%12.4%11.4%10.2%24.0% Nuclear0.0%0.4%11.0%20.1%19.6%17.7% Coal46.4%54.0%50.7%51.0%44.8%16.6% Petroleum and Other10.2%6.1%10.7%2.8%1.5%0.8% Renewables reached a 24.0% share in 2025 and have remained ahead of coal since 2022. Together, natural gas and renewables supplied 64.8% of U.S. electricity that year. Coal peaked at 56.9% of the electricity mix in 1988. By 2025, no single source accounted for a majority of U.S. generation. Coal Declined as U.S. Electricity Generation Surged Coal generation peaked at 2,016 billion kWh in 2007. By 2025, it had fallen to 737 billion kWh, a decline of 63.4%. Meanwhile, natural gas generation expanded rapidly with the growth of efficient combined-cycle power plants and abundant shale gas, rising from 45 billion kWh in 1950 to 1,807 billion kWh in 2025. The table below shows U.S. electricity generation by source at 15-year intervals, measured in billions of kWh: Energy SourceElectricity Generation (Billion kWh) 195019651980199520102025 Natural Gas452223464969881,807 Renewables1011972853824221,064 Nuclear04251673807785 Coal1555711,1621,7091,847737 Petroleum and Other3465246936137 Total Electricity Generation3341,0582,2903,3534,1254,430 Over the same period, total U.S. electricity generation rose from 334 billion kWh to 4,430 billion kWh. Natural gas accounted for about 43% of the overall increase, illustrating how it absorbed much of the system’s long-term growth. The national shift is also visible at the regional level. A recent Visual Capitalist map of what powers each U.S. state and Canadian province shows natural gas as the leading electricity source across much of the United States. Renewables Set a New Generation Record in 2025 Renewable generation rose to a record 1,064 billion kWh in 2025, equal to 24.0% of total electricity production. That was 93 billion kWh more than in 2024 and nearly twice the 539 billion kWh generated in 2015. The complete dataset for U.S. electricity generation by source from 1950 to 2025 is available below: YearNatural Gas (Billion kWh)Renewables (Billion kWh)Nuclear (Billion kWh)Coal (Billion kWh)Petroleum and Other (Billion kWh)Total Electricity Generation (Billion kWh) 195045101015534334 195157105018529375 195268110019530404 195380110021938447 195494112023932476 195595117030137550 1956104125033936604 1957114134034640635 1958120144034440648 1959147141037847713 1960158150140348759 1961169156242249797 1962184172245049858 1963202169349452920 1964220181352657987 19652221974571651058 19662511986613791148 19672652268630891218 1968304227136851041333 1969333254147061381445 1970373252227041841535 1971374270387132201616 1972376278547712741753 1973341278838483141864 19743203071148283011870 19753003071738532891921 19762952911919443202041 19773062282519853582127 19783052872769763652209 197932928725510753042251 198034628525111622462290 198134627027312032062298 198230531828311921472244 198327434229412591442313 198429733332813421202419 198529229538414021002473 198624930641413861372490 198727326545514641182575 198825323852715411492707 198935332552915841762967 199037335457715941403038 199138235361315911363074 199240432361916211173084 199341535361016901293197 199446033364016911233248 19954963826731709933353 19964554206751795993444 199747943062918451103492 199853139667418741463620 199955639372818811363695 200060135175419661303802 200163927976919041463737 200269133578019331203858 200365034776419741493883 200471034378919781513971 200576135178220131494055 20068163797871991914065 20078973468062016914157 20088833758061986704119 20099214137991756613950 20109884228071847614125 201110145077901733564100 201212264907691514494048 201311255177891581544066 201411275327971582564094 201513355397971352554079 201613796038061239514078 201712986808051206474035 201814727018071149524181 20191589723809965444131 20201627778790773424010 20211579810780898434110 20221687895772832464231 20231806889775675384183 20241870971782652344309 202518071064785737374430 Renewables first edged above coal in 2020, fell back below it in 2021, and moved ahead again in 2022. They remained the larger source through 2025. Renewables also surpassed nuclear in 2021 and have stayed ahead since, while nuclear generation held relatively steady at about 785 billion kWh in 2025. As U.S. electricity demand records its strongest three-year growth stretch since before the global financial crisis, natural gas and renewables are supplying much of the increase, including demand linked to AI data centers. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out this map, What Powers Each U.S. State and Canadian Province?, on Voronoi.

Ranked: Top Sectors for Global Foreign Direct Investment Key Takeaways Companies announced nearly $1.1 trillion in global greenfield investment in 2025. Communications attracted $346 billion, overtaking renewable energy as the leading sector. Semiconductors ranked third with a record $138 billion in foreign investment. Despite heightened trade tensions and turbulence in international markets, companies announced more than $1 trillion in greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in 2025. This visualization ranks the top 10 sectors for global FDI in 2025 based on project announcements from fDi Markets. The figures include only greenfield FDI involving fresh capital investment. Mergers and acquisitions and intercompany loans are excluded. Communications and Renewables Communications became the largest destination for greenfield FDI in 2025, attracting $346 billion in capital investment. Renewable energy followed with $200 billion. Together, the two sectors accounted for half of all greenfield FDI announced during the year. The following table ranks the top 10 sectors by total capital investment attracted in 2025. RankSectorCapital Investment in 2025 (billions $) 1Communications346 2Renewable energy200 3Semiconductors138 4Real estate112 5Metals64 6Coal, oil & gas61 7Transportation & Warehousing58 8Software & IT services39 9Chemicals35 10Automotive Manufacturing32 Communications recorded 88% year-over-year FDI growth across 812 projects. This included 57 megaprojects valued at more than $1 billion in capital expenditure. Renewable energy fell to second place after leading all sectors in FDI for six consecutive years from 2019 to 2024. Investment in the sector declined by about one-quarter from $264 billion in 2024 as major industrial powers, including the U.S. and European Union, shifted their policy priorities. Semiconductor Investment Hits a Record Semiconductors attracted $138 billion in 2025, the sector’s highest total on record and an increase of more than 10% from 2024. New semiconductor foundries are cropping up as companies seek to diversify their supply chains. Major chipmakers such as Intel and TSMC were among the firms making large capital expenditure pledges. However, investment remained highly concentrated. North America and the Asia-Pacific region received 97.5% of all greenfield semiconductor FDI. Other Sectors Attracting FDI Real estate was the only other sector to attract more than $100 billion in 2025. Investment reached $112 billion, its highest level since 2018, following five consecutive years of growth. The sector’s 2025 total was roughly 15.7% higher than in 2024. Meanwhile, foreign investment in coal, oil, and gas declined 31.3% to $61 billion. This marked the sector’s second consecutive annual decline. Transportation and warehousing attracted $58 billion following modest growth, with announced projects expected to create nearly 145,000 jobs. Learn More on the Voronoi App To see how each sector’s investment changed from 2024, read The Top 10 Sectors for Foreign Direct Investment on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Published 7 minutes ago on July 28, 2026 By Ryan Bellefontaine Graphics & Design Abha Patil Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email The following content is sponsored by The National Public Utilities Council U.S. Battery Capacity Growth Forecast: 2026–2031 Key Takeaways U.S. battery capacity is projected to more than double between 2025 and 2028. Growth slows after 2028, which creates a opportunity for needed storage development. America’s power system needs more flexibility as electricity demand climbs and renewable generation expands. Battery capacity helps meet that need by storing power, shifting load, and supporting reliability. This graphic, in partnership with The National Public Utilities Council, shows projected U.S. battery capacity growth from 2026 to 2031 using data from the EIA. Why Battery Storage Matters Battery storage is one of the grid’s most useful balancing tools. EIA research shows batteries can move midday solar generation into evening peak-demand hours. For sunny-state utilities like Southern California Edison, that flexibility can reduce pressure during high-demand evening periods. It can also improve the value of daytime solar output. Here is a table that shows projected cumulative U.S. battery capacity from 2025 through 2031. YearCumulative U.S. Battery Storage Power Capacity (GW) 202544 202668 202791 2028104 2029110 2030111 2031112 Methodology × Methodology Cumulative U.S. battery storage capacity was calculated from EIA Form EIA-860 energy storage data by filtering for Technology = Batteries and using Nameplate Capacity (MW). The 2025 starting value reflects all listed operable battery storage capacity: 43,556 MW, rounded to 44 GW. For each later year, proposed battery projects were added based on their planned operating year and carried forward cumulatively. The near-term buildout is steep. U.S. battery capacity rises from 44 GW in 2025 to 68 GW in 2026, then reaches 104 GW by 2028. That represents about 60 GW of added capacity in only three years. Meanwhile, utilities gain more room to manage peaks, integrate renewables, and strengthen local reliability. The Future Plateau Creates Opportunities After 2028, the growth curve begins to flatten. Capacity rises to 110 GW in 2029, 111 GW in 2030, and 112 GW in 2031. However, this slower pipeline creates an opportunity rather than a dead end. Utilities can still advance new projects before power needs accelerate further after 2028. For example, California regulators approved 620 MW of Southern California Edison storage contracts in 2025, with projects scheduled to come online between 2026 and 2028. Moreover, the EIA generally collects planned operating dates for these generators only within a five-year window, so later projects may not yet appear in the current pipeline. What Comes Next The timing of a coming plateau matters, as U.S. data center electricity demand is projected to rise sharply. New storage can help utilities respond without sacrificing reliability. Therefore, the next phase will depend on proactive planning, faster procurement, and durable investment signals. Utilities that move early can secure flexibility before demand pressure intensifies. Overall, the forecast points to a strong market for the next wave of battery capacity. That outlook supports utilities, regulators, developers, and grid resilience. Related Topics: #power #batteries #electricity #data centers #grid storage You may also like Energy4 weeks ago Ranked: Countries Building the Most Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Small Modular Nuclear Reactors are moving from concept to siting, with the U.S. leading at 28 announcements as power demand surges. Energy10 months ago Ranked: The Top 10 Cleanest Operating Utilities In The U.S. Just four U.S. utilities operate with over 80% carbon-free generation. This graphic ranks the top 10 cleanest utilities by their fuel mix. Subscribe Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Join 375,000+ email subscribers: *Sign Up

Mapped: Where Innovation Is Thriving Across America 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 California ranks first by a wide margin, driven by its strength in patents, venture capital, and R&D spending. Six Western states place in the top 10, forming an “Innovation Belt” from the Pacific Coast to the Mountain West. The ranking combines patents, venture capital investment, and research spending to measure innovation activity across all 50 states. Innovation shapes where new companies are built, breakthrough technologies emerge, and high-paying jobs are created. Across the U.S., however, that activity is concentrated in a relatively small group of states. This map ranks all 50 states using a composite score based on patents per capita in 2025, venture capital deal value per capita in 2025, and research and development expenditures per capita in 2023. The data for this visualization comes from SmartAsset. California Leads by a Wide Margin California tops the ranking with a composite score of 95.2, nearly 20 points ahead of second-place Massachusetts. RankStateMost Innovative (0-100) 1California95.2 2Massachusetts75.2 3Delaware57.3 4Washington51.8 5Oregon37.2 6Colorado33.6 7Connecticut32.6 8Wyoming31.9 9Minnesota31.1 10Idaho29.8 11New Hampshire29.4 12Michigan28.1 13New York27.1 14Vermont25.0 15Utah24.1 16North Carolina23.5 17Maryland22.2 18Illinois21.8 19Wisconsin21.4 20Virginia20.6 21New Jersey19.8 22New Mexico18.6 23Arizona18.4 24Rhode Island18.2 25Iowa17.7 26Texas17.7 27Ohio17.6 28Pennsylvania17.4 29Nevada16.5 30North Dakota15.4 31Indiana14.6 32Montana13.6 33Missouri12.0 34Kansas11.8 35Georgia11.4 36Florida10.5 37Tennessee8.8 38Nebraska8.2 39South Carolina6.7 40Alabama5.4 41Oklahoma5.2 42South Dakota5.1 43Kentucky4.7 44Maine4.7 45Arkansas3.0 46Hawaii2.8 47Louisiana1.9 48West Virginia0.5 49Alaska0.4 50Mississippi0.1 The state produces 129 patents per 100,000 residents, attracts nearly $5,000 in venture capital investment per person, and spends more than $7,100 per capita on research and development. California’s advantage extends beyond Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. Southern California’s technology, aerospace, and biotech hubs also contribute to the state’s innovation ecosystem. Together, these regions bring major technology companies, leading research universities, and venture-backed startups into close proximity, reinforcing investment and new business formation. Most InnovativePatents per 100K residentsVC deal value (per capita)R&D expenditures (per capita) California129$4,920$7,105 Massachusetts106$2,324$9,688 Delaware63$3,772$5,796 Washington80$938$7,443 Oregon75$320$2,675 Massachusetts ranks second, supported by exceptional R&D spending and a dense concentration of universities, biotech firms, and research institutions around Boston and Cambridge. Delaware rounds out the top three, boosted by unusually high venture capital investment relative to its population. The West Forms America’s Innovation Belt Six Western states rank in the top 10: California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. Their strong performance reflects expanding startup ecosystems, skilled engineering workforces, and close ties between universities and private industry. Some neighboring states have also attracted companies seeking lower operating costs while retaining access to talent and venture funding. Washington’s fourth-place finish is supported by major employers such as Microsoft and Amazon, while Oregon stands out for its patent activity and technology manufacturing base. Innovation Gaps Remain Across the Country Mississippi, Alaska, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Hawaii record the lowest composite scores in the ranking. Least InnovativePatents per 100K residentsVC deal value (per capita)R&D expenditures (per capita) Hawaii8$78$748 Louisiana8$18$422 West Virginia5$2$413 Alaska4$12$581 Mississippi4$2$435 These states tend to lag across all three measures, producing fewer patents while attracting less venture capital and research investment per resident. As industries such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing expand, states that strengthen their innovation ecosystems may be better positioned for future economic growth. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the jobs most exposed to AI.

Mapped: Every Country in the World by Income Group Key Takeaways China has moved from low income to upper-middle income over recent decades, while Russia is once again classified as a high-income economy. Of the countries analyzed, 64 are classified as high income, 59 as upper-middle income, 46 as lower-middle income, and 25 as low income. The World Bank classifies economies using gross national income (GNI) per capita, with the high-income threshold set above $14,375 for fiscal year 2027. This map shows how the World Bank classifies countries into four groups based on gross national income per capita. The World Bank calculates GNI per capita using its Atlas method, which converts local currencies into U.S. dollars while smoothing some short-term exchange-rate fluctuations. Economies are classified as low income at $1,175 or less, lower-middle income from $1,176 to $4,635, upper-middle income from $4,636 to $14,375, and high income above $14,375. Where High-Income Economies Are Concentrated High-income economies are concentrated across North America, Europe, parts of East Asia, and Oceania. This group includes the United States, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. CountryIncome Group (2025) AfghanistanLow income AlbaniaUpper-middle income AlgeriaUpper-middle income AngolaLower-middle income Antigua and BarbudaHigh income ArgentinaUpper-middle income ArmeniaUpper-middle income AustraliaHigh income AustriaHigh income AzerbaijanUpper-middle income BahamasHigh income BahrainHigh income BangladeshLower-middle income BarbadosHigh income BelarusUpper-middle income BelgiumHigh income BelizeUpper-middle income BeninLower-middle income BhutanLower-middle income BoliviaLower-middle income Bosnia and HerzegovinaUpper-middle income BotswanaUpper-middle income BrazilUpper-middle income BruneiHigh income BulgariaHigh income Burkina FasoLow income BurundiLow income Cabo VerdeUpper-middle income CambodiaLower-middle income CameroonLower-middle income CanadaHigh income Central African RepublicLow income ChadLow income ChileHigh income ChinaUpper-middle income ColombiaUpper-middle income ComorosLower-middle income DR CongoLow income Republic of the CongoLower-middle income Costa RicaHigh income Côte d'IvoireLower-middle income CroatiaHigh income CubaUpper-middle income CyprusHigh income CzechiaHigh income DenmarkHigh income DjiboutiLower-middle income DominicaUpper-middle income Dominican RepublicUpper-middle income EcuadorUpper-middle income EgyptLower-middle income El SalvadorUpper-middle income Equatorial GuineaUpper-middle income EritreaLow income EstoniaHigh income EswatiniLower-middle income EthiopiaLow income FijiUpper-middle income FinlandHigh income FranceHigh income GabonUpper-middle income GambiaLow income GeorgiaUpper-middle income GermanyHigh income GhanaLower-middle income GreeceHigh income GrenadaUpper-middle income GuatemalaUpper-middle income GuineaLower-middle income Guinea-BissauLow income GuyanaHigh income HaitiLower-middle income HondurasLower-middle income HungaryHigh income IcelandHigh income IndiaLower-middle income IndonesiaUpper-middle income IranUpper-middle income IraqUpper-middle income IrelandHigh income IsraelHigh income ItalyHigh income JamaicaUpper-middle income JapanHigh income JordanUpper-middle income KazakhstanUpper-middle income KenyaLower-middle income KiribatiLower-middle income North KoreaLow income South KoreaHigh income KosovoUpper-middle income KuwaitHigh income KyrgyzstanLower-middle income LaosLower-middle income LatviaHigh income LebanonLower-middle income LesothoLower-middle income LiberiaLow income LibyaUpper-middle income LiechtensteinHigh income LithuaniaHigh income LuxembourgHigh income MadagascarLow income MalawiLow income MalaysiaUpper-middle income MaldivesUpper-middle income MaliLow income MaltaHigh income Marshall IslandsUpper-middle income MauritaniaLower-middle income MauritiusUpper-middle income MexicoUpper-middle income MicronesiaUpper-middle income MoldovaUpper-middle income MonacoHigh income MongoliaUpper-middle income MontenegroUpper-middle income MoroccoLower-middle income MozambiqueLow income MyanmarLower-middle income NamibiaLower-middle income NauruHigh income NepalLower-middle income NetherlandsHigh income New ZealandHigh income NicaraguaLower-middle income NigerLow income NigeriaLower-middle income North MacedoniaUpper-middle income NorwayHigh income OmanHigh income PakistanLower-middle income PalauHigh income PanamaHigh income Papua New GuineaLower-middle income ParaguayUpper-middle income PeruUpper-middle income PhilippinesUpper-middle income PolandHigh income PortugalHigh income QatarHigh income RomaniaHigh income RussiaHigh income RwandaLow income SamoaUpper-middle income San MarinoHigh income São Tomé and PríncipeLower-middle income Saudi ArabiaHigh income SenegalLower-middle income SerbiaUpper-middle income SeychellesHigh income Sierra LeoneLow income SingaporeHigh income SlovakiaHigh income SloveniaHigh income Solomon IslandsLower-middle income SomaliaLow income South AfricaUpper-middle income South SudanLow income SpainHigh income Sri LankaUpper-middle income St. Kitts and NevisHigh income St. LuciaUpper-middle income St. Vincent and the GrenadinesUpper-middle income SudanLow income SurinameUpper-middle income SwedenHigh income SwitzerlandHigh income SyriaLow income TaiwanHigh income TajikistanLower-middle income TanzaniaLower-middle income ThailandUpper-middle income Timor-LesteLower-middle income TogoLower-middle income TongaUpper-middle income Trinidad and TobagoHigh income TunisiaLower-middle income TürkiyeUpper-middle income TurkmenistanUpper-middle income TuvaluUpper-middle income UgandaLow income UkraineUpper-middle income United Arab EmiratesHigh income United KingdomHigh income United StatesHigh income UruguayHigh income UzbekistanLower-middle income VanuatuLower-middle income VenezuelaLower-middle income VietnamUpper-middle income West Bank and GazaLower-middle income YemenLow income ZambiaLower-middle income ZimbabweLower-middle income Several oil-producing economies in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, are also classified as high income. In Latin America, Chile, Uruguay, Panama, Guyana, and Costa Rica are among the economies above the threshold. Russia is classified as high income, with Atlas GNI per capita reaching $15,960 in 2025. This contrasts with the 1990s, when it was generally classified as an upper-middle-income economy. Much of the World Is Middle Income The two middle-income categories include many of the world’s most populous economies. China, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Türkiye, South Africa, and Argentina are classified as upper-middle income. India remains lower-middle income, alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt. China’s rise through the World Bank’s income classifications is particularly notable. Since its economic reforms began in 1978, the country has moved from low income to upper-middle income, supported by decades of rapid growth, industrialization, and integration into global trade. Because many of these countries have large populations, the middle-income groups account for a substantial share of the global population. Low-Income Economies Are Concentrated in Africa Most low-income economies are located in sub-Saharan Africa. They include Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Afghanistan, North Korea, Syria, and Yemen are also classified as low income. Many of these economies face overlapping challenges, including conflict, weak infrastructure, limited industrial capacity, and vulnerability to climate and commodity shocks. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Charted: Where People Live the Longest vs. Shortest on Voronoi.

Use This Visualization Ranked: Which Brands Gained the Most From the FIFA World Cup? Key Takeaways Aramco recorded the largest estimated brand value gain from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, at roughly $1.1 billion. The 21 sponsors analyzed added an estimated $7.2 billion to their combined brand value. Lenovo’s $295 million gain was smaller than those of many larger companies, but represented an estimated 4.2% increase from its January brand value, the highest percentage uplift in the analysis. The FIFA World Cup gives brands access to one of the largest global audiences in sports. For official sponsors, that exposure can translate into greater awareness, stronger consumer perceptions, and measurable financial value. This graphic ranks 21 sponsors by their estimated brand value gains during the 2026 World Cup. The data for this visualization comes from Brand Finance. Aramco and Verizon Lead in Dollar Gains Brand Finance defines brand value as the net economic benefit a company could achieve by licensing its brand on the open market. According to the company, Aramco recorded the largest estimated increase, adding approximately $1.1 billion to its brand value. This lifted its estimated value from $47.3 billion at the beginning of 2026 to about $48.4 billion in July. RankBrandJan 2026 Value (USD millions)Estimated Brand Value Uplift (USD millions) 1Aramco47,3001,100 2Verizon73,0001,000 3Hyundai24,800836 4Coca-Cola46,100733 5Bank of America47,600631 6Visa44,000532 7Home Depot73,400402 8Kia10,400365 9McDonald's42,600309 10Lenovo7,000295 11Lay's15,100254 12adidas18,900232 13Budweiser7,700130 14DoorDash3,80065 15Michelob Ultra3,70063 16Mengniu6,00059 17Airbnb5,90057 18American Airlines8,50043 19Marriott4,50020 20Hisense88519 21Globant1,2007 Verizon followed closely with a gain of roughly $1.0 billion, taking its brand value to an estimated $74.0 billion. Hyundai ranked third with an $836 million uplift, while Coca-Cola added $733 million. Together, the four leading companies accounted for more than half of the combined gains among all 2026 World Cup sponsors analyzed. Global Consumer Brands Capture Major Value Several widely recognized consumer and financial brands also recorded significant gains. Bank of America added an estimated $631 million in brand value, followed by Visa at $532 million and Home Depot at $402 million. Kia gained $365 million, while McDonald’s and Lenovo added $309 million and $295 million, respectively. Smaller Brands Saw Strong Percentage Uplifts Ranking sponsors by dollar gains tells only part of the story. Lenovo’s $295 million gain was smaller than those of many larger companies, but represented an estimated 4.2% increase from its January brand value, the highest percentage uplift in the analysis. Kia and Hyundai also stood out, with estimated gains of 3.5% and 3.4%, respectively. Hisense gained only $19 million in absolute terms, yet its estimated 2.1% uplift exceeded the average among the sponsors studied. At the lower end of the dollar ranking, IT and software developer Globant added an estimated $7 million, while Marriott and Hisense gained $20 million and $19 million, respectively. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The Global Draft: Which World Cup Squads Are Built on Foreign-Born Talent on Voronoi.

Ranked: The Income Needed to Be Happy in 50 U.S. Cities Key Takeaways The estimated income needed to reach peak life satisfaction ranges from $122,480 in Cincinnati to $195,969 in New York. California accounts for five of the 10 most expensive cities in the ranking, led by San Francisco at $191,266. Austin, Houston, and San Antonio all rank among the 10 cities with the lowest income thresholds. How much money does it take before earning more no longer makes people happier? Researchers call this threshold the satiation point, and it varies considerably across the United States. This graphic ranks 50 of the most populous U.S. cities by the annual income at which self-reported life evaluation stops improving, using data from Remitly. Remitly adapted Purdue University‘s income satiation research by adjusting it for purchasing power and inflation, then scaling the U.S. figure to each metro using Numbeo’s cost-of-living index. Coastal U.S. Cities Have the Highest Price of Happiness Nationally, happiness levels off at an estimated annual income of $134,827. In New York City, the threshold rises to $195,969, or 45.3% above the national figure. New York is followed by Honolulu ($192,441) and San Francisco ($191,266). In all three cities, the estimated income threshold exceeds $190,000 a year. The table below shows the price of happiness in each of the 50 cities and how each compares with the $134,827 U.S. average: RankCityStatePrice of Happinessvs. U.S. Average 1New YorkNY$195,969+45.3% 2HonoluluHI$192,441+42.7% 3San FranciscoCA$191,266+41.9% 4SeattleWA$176,960+31.2% 5WashingtonDC$171,081+26.9% 6San JoseCA$169,317+25.6% 7BostonMA$168,925+25.3% 8OaklandCA$166,965+23.8% 9BerkeleyCA$163,634+21.4% 10San DiegoCA$160,694+19.2% 11AnchorageAK$159,715+18.5% 11Los AngelesCA$159,715+18.5% 13MiamiFL$155,795+15.6% 14SacramentoCA$155,207+15.1% 15PhiladelphiaPA$154,423+14.5% 16New OrleansLA$150,092+11.3% 17Jersey CityNJ$149,328+10.8% 18ChicagoIL$148,936+10.5% 19AtlantaGA$147,565+9.4% 20PortlandOR$147,369+9.3% 21DenverCO$147,173+9.2% 22DallasTX$142,861+6.0% 23BaltimoreMD$140,706+4.4% 24PhoenixAZ$140,314+4.1% 25BuffaloNY$140,118+3.9% 25MinneapolisMN$140,118+3.9% 27NashvilleTN$137,766+2.2% 28PittsburghPA$137,570+2.0% 29TampaFL$137,178+1.7% 30CharlotteNC$136,786+1.5% 31ColumbusOH$136,002+0.9% 32RichmondVA$135,218+0.3% 32OrlandoFL$135,218+0.3% 32IndianapolisIN$135,218+0.3% 32MadisonWI$135,218+0.3% 36RaleighNC$132,867-1.5% 37Oklahoma CityOK$132,279-1.9% 38Fort WorthTX$131,103-2.8% 39Salt Lake CityUT$130,711-3.1% 39BoiseID$130,711-3.1% 41AustinTX$130,123-3.5% 42MilwaukeeWI$128,751-4.5% 43ClevelandOH$127,772-5.2% 44KnoxvilleTN$127,184-5.7% 45JacksonvilleFL$126,400-6.3% 46TucsonAZ$125,420-7.0% 47HoustonTX$125,224-7.1% 48AlbuquerqueNM$123,852-8.1% 49San AntonioTX$123,656-8.3% 50CincinnatiOH$122,480-9.2% The upper end of the ranking is dominated by coastal cities. California alone claims five of the top 10 spots: San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley, and San Diego. Seattle ($176,960), Washington, D.C. ($171,081), and Boston ($168,925) also rank among the most expensive cities. Overall, 35 of the 50 cities have income thresholds above the national figure, partly reflecting the higher living costs found in many of America’s largest metropolitan areas. Where Happiness Costs the Least in America Cincinnati has the lowest estimated price of happiness in the ranking at $122,480, or 37.5% less than New York. Put another way, reaching income satiation in New York requires about 1.6 times as much income as it does in Cincinnati. Texas is the most heavily represented state near the affordable end of the ranking. Austin ($130,123), Houston ($125,224), and San Antonio ($123,656) all place in the bottom 10, alongside Albuquerque, Tucson, and Jacksonville. Dallas is the only Texas city in the upper half, ranking 22nd. The pattern closely tracks broader cost-of-living differences between U.S. metros, which also shape the income needed to live comfortably in U.S. cities. Where housing and everyday expenses are lower, the estimated income required to reach the plateau falls as well. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Money Can Buy Happiness After All on Voronoi.

Published 6 hours ago on July 27, 2026 By Jenna Ross Article & Editing Cody Good Graphics & Design Jennifer West Akhila Ayyalasomayajula Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email The following content is sponsored by Terzo New Home Building Permits By State For states attracting new residents, pressure is rising to add housing faster, especially as migration begins to outpace supply. At the top of the list is Idaho which issued the most new home building permits per capita from June 2025 to May 2026. This graphic shows new privately owned housing permits authorized by state. It’s part of our Markets in a Minute series, created in partnership with Terzo, that delivers quick economic insights.  Idaho’s Housing Boom Between June 2025 to May 2026 Idaho authorized 861 permits for every 100,000 of its residents, over twice the national average of 412 permits per capita growth. StateNew Home Building Permits Per 100,000 People Idaho861 South Carolina829 North Carolina773 Utah725 Florida694 Texas620 Arizona608 Delaware595 Tennessee578 South Dakota568 Colorado564 Georgia521 Arkansas512 Nebraska486 Montana485 Washington477 Maine455 Nevada424 Wisconsin423 Indiana411 Iowa394 Alabama393 Kansas393 Virginia386 New Mexico363 Oregon362 Minnesota359 Oklahoma353 Vermont352 Wyoming341 New Jersey334 New Hampshire327 Kentucky314 Louisiana310 North Dakota295 Mississippi293 Missouri285 California279 Ohio273 District of Columbia267 Hawaii235 West Virginia232 Michigan230 New York223 Maryland211 Pennsylvania189 Rhode Island182 Connecticut181 Massachusetts163 Illinois157 Alaska109 United States412 Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Data shows total new privately owned housing permits authorized across all building sizes, from one-unit homes to structures with five units or more. Resident population data is estimated as of July 1, 2025. From 2020 to 2025, Idaho grew its housing stock by 12.3%. This made it the second-fastest rate nationally, as the state caught up with demand from the pandemic-era migration boom. The Southeast U.S. Stands Out Over 30% of the states which ranked above the national average are located in the Southeast. Both North and South Carolina lead the region, each authorized more than 770 new housing permits per 100,000 residents. Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Arkansas all ranked above the national rate, showing how population growth and affordability pressures are reshaping where new housing gets built. Building From Bid to Build: What it Means for Markets Fast-growing homebuilding markets may signal where states are preparing for new residents, expanding workforces, and increased demand for housing-related services. For businesses, these markets may offer new customer bases, while also adding operational complexity through higher costs and larger vendor networks to navigate. 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Use This Visualization Ranked: America’s Most Valuable Farmland by State 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 Farmland values vary more than 30-fold across the U.S., from $725 per acre in New Mexico to $22,500 in Rhode Island. California ranks fifth despite producing more food than any other state, with farmland averaging $13,700 per acre. The Northeast and Corn Belt dominate the upper end of the ranking, while values are generally lower across the Mountain West. The land that grows America’s food is also one of the nation’s most valuable assets, with prices shaped by productivity, scarcity, and competing demand. Using the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this map ranks average farmland values by state in 2025. Why an Acre Is Worth So Much More in Some States Farmland values reflect a combination of agricultural returns, land availability, and demand from residential and commercial development. Rhode Island has America’s most valuable farmland, averaging $22,500 per acre, more than five times the national average. Like much of the Northeast, the state has a limited supply of farmland that competes with other forms of development, placing a premium on each available acre. RankStateValue Per Acre (2025) 1Rhode Island$22,500 2New Jersey$16,600 3Massachusetts$14,900 4Connecticut$14,400 5California$13,700 6Maryland$9,800 7Iowa$9,790 8Delaware$9,500 9Ohio$9,350 10Illinois$8,930 11Indiana$8,850 12Florida$8,700 13Pennsylvania$8,490 14Michigan$6,800 15Minnesota$6,790 16New Hampshire$6,500 17Wisconsin$6,420 18Tennessee$6,150 19Virginia$6,100 20Kentucky$5,480 21North Carolina$5,470 22Missouri$5,000 23South Carolina$4,740 24Georgia$4,720 25Idaho$4,580 26Vermont$4,400 27New York$4,300 28Nebraska$4,250 28Arkansas$4,250 30Arizona$4,180 31Alabama$4,150 32Louisiana$3,850 33Oregon$3,780 34Washington$3,710 35Mississippi$3,580 36West Virginia$3,520 37Utah$3,500 38Maine$3,350 39Kansas$3,100 40South Dakota$2,970 40Texas$2,970 42Oklahoma$2,540 43North Dakota$2,360 44Colorado$2,290 45Montana$1,230 46Nevada$1,200 47Wyoming$1,000 48New Mexico$725 -- U.S. Average$4,350 No data is available for Alaska or Hawaii. Farmland value includes land and buildings. California ranks fifth at $13,700 per acre. High-value specialty crops help make it America’s largest agricultural economy, while fertile soils, extensive irrigation, and a favorable climate support roughly $67 billion in annual farm output. Across the Corn Belt, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana rank among the states with the most valuable farmland, supported by ideal growing conditions and decades of strong corn and soybean production. By contrast, farmland values tend to be lower across the Mountain West and Southwest, where arid conditions and a greater share of lower-valued pastureland reduce average values per acre. America’s Farmland Is a Finite Resource America’s 876 million acres of farmland supply food for the domestic market and support $181 billion in food exports, the highest total in the world. The sector also supports thousands of rural communities. The wide gap between state-level values shows how strongly geography, productivity, and land scarcity shape the economics of American agriculture. With average farmland values reaching a record $4,350 per acre in 2025, America’s agricultural land continues to appreciate as demand competes for a limited supply. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the states with the most farmland.

Use This Visualization Ranked: The Countries That Consume the Most Coal Key Takeaways China accounted for 55.6% of global coal consumption in 2025, using more than the rest of the world combined. China and India together consumed roughly 70% of the world’s coal. Global coal consumption reached a record high for the sixth consecutive year. Coal remains the world’s largest source of electricity generation, even as countries invest heavily in renewable energy. This graphic ranks countries by coal consumption in 2025, revealing the scale of Asia’s influence on global demand. The data for this visualization comes from the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2026. It measures primary coal consumption in exajoules (EJ) during 2025. China and India Dominate Global Coal Demand China remains by far the world’s largest coal consumer, using 92.2 exajoules in 2025—more than four times India’s total. RankCountryCoal consumption (EJ)Share of world (2025) 1 China92.2455.6% 2 India23.0713.9% 3 United States8.735.3% 4 Indonesia5.153.1% 5 Japan4.362.6% 6 South Africa3.652.2% 7 Russia3.562.1% 8 South Korea2.861.7% 9 Vietnam2.571.5% 10 Türkiye1.791.1% 11 Kazakhstan1.570.9% 12 Germany1.490.9% 13 Australia1.460.9% 14 Poland1.340.8% 15 Taiwan1.280.8% 16 Malaysia1.100.7% 17 Philippines0.930.6% 18 Thailand0.590.4% 19 Brazil0.590.4% 20 Pakistan0.480.3% 21 Bangladesh0.420.3% 22 Czechia0.380.2% 23 Ukraine0.350.2% 24 Morocco0.280.2% 25 Canada0.250.1% -- Global Total 166 Exajoules100% China’s outsized demand reflects the scale of the country’s electricity system, industrial base, and coal-dependent manufacturing sectors. India ranks second at 23.1 EJ, accounting for nearly 14% of global consumption. Together, China and India consume roughly 70% of all coal used worldwide, highlighting the central role of coal in powering their growing economies. The United States ranks third with 8.7 EJ, followed by Indonesia at 5.2 EJ and Japan at 4.4 EJ. Combined, these three countries consume less than one-fifth of China’s total. Emerging Asia Continues to Drive Growth Although coal-fired electricity generation in China and India declined for the first time in more than 50 years, overall global coal demand still increased in 2025. Much of the continued growth came from rapidly industrializing economies across Southeast Asia. Indonesia and Vietnam have both more than doubled their coal consumption since 2015 as they expanded coal-fired generating capacity to meet rising electricity demand. Indonesia is now the world’s fourth-largest coal consumer, while Vietnam ranks ninth after another decade of rapid growth. Across much of Asia, coal remains a relatively affordable and reliable energy source for supporting manufacturing, urbanization, and rising electricity needs. Coal Demand Remains Resilient Elsewhere The United States recorded one of the largest year-over-year reversals in 2025. Coal consumption rose 10% as higher natural gas prices prompted some utilities to shift back toward coal generation, reversing two consecutive years of double-digit declines. Meanwhile, coal consumption continues to fall across many advanced European economies as coal plants retire and renewable energy expands. Germany, Poland, and Czechia remain among Europe’s largest coal consumers, but most other European countries account for only a small fraction of global demand. While the long-term energy transition continues, the latest data shows that coal remains deeply embedded in the U.S. energy system and across the global economy. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Mapped: The World’s Biggest Energy Sources by Country on Voronoi.

Use This Visualization The Mammals That Sleep Most and Least 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 little brown bat tops the rankings at 19.9 hours of sleep per day, while the giraffe sleeps just 1.9 hours, an 18-hour difference. Eight of the 10 longest-sleeping mammals in the dataset average at least 16 hours of sleep daily, while most of the shortest sleepers average fewer than 5.5 hours. Large grazing herbivores cluster among the lightest sleepers, reflecting the long hours they spend feeding. How much sleep does a mammal actually need? According to research by Savage & West, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the answer depends on far more than body size. Diet, habitat, metabolism, and even where an animal sleeps all help explain the wide variation in sleep duration across species. Which Mammals Sleep the Most? The table below ranks the mammals that sleep the most by hours per day: RankMammalReported Sleep (Hours/Day) 1Little brown bat19.9 2Big brown bat19.7 3Thick-tailed opossum19.4 4Giant armadillo18.1 5North American opossum18.0 6Long-nosed armadillo17.4 7Owl monkey17.0 8Arctic ground squirrel16.6 9Golden-mantled ground squirrel15.9 10Eastern American chipmunk15.8 10Tiger15.8 12Tenrec15.6 13Greater short-tailed shrew14.9 13Western American chipmunk14.9 15Round-tailed muskrat14.6 The little brown bat sleeps 19.9 hours per day, closely followed by the big brown bat at 19.7 hours and the thick-tailed opossum at 19.4 hours. At the other extreme, giraffes average just 1.9 hours, followed by horses at 2.9 hours and roe deer at 3.0 hours. Why Do Some Mammals Sleep So Much? The longest sleepers tend to be small mammals, including bats, opossums, armadillos, squirrels, and monkeys. According to Savage & West’s analysis, smaller mammals generally have faster metabolisms and accumulate sleep pressure more quickly. Rather than sleeping in one long stretch, many divide their rest into numerous sleep bouts throughout the day, resulting in very high total sleep times. Safety is another important factor. Mammals that sleep in protected locations, such as caves, burrows, or tree hollows, can remain asleep for longer because they face a lower risk of predation. As both Discover Magazine and the original PNAS study note, sheltered sleeping sites are consistently associated with longer sleep durations across mammals. Why Grazers Sleep So Little The shortest sleepers are dominated by large herbivores. Giraffes average 1.9 hours of sleep per day, followed by horses at 2.9 hours, donkeys at 3.1, African elephants at 3.3, sheep at 3.8, Asian elephants at 3.9, and cows at 4.0. RankMammalReported Sleep (Hours/Day) 1Giraffe1.9 2Horse2.9 3Roe deer3.0 4Donkey3.1 5African elephant3.3 6Sheep3.8 7Asian elephant3.9 8Cow4.0 9Brazilian tapir4.4 10Goat5.3 10Tree hyrax5.3 12Rock hyrax5.4 13Genet6.3 13Gray hyrax6.3 15Vesper mouse7.0 One explanation is simple: grass is not particularly energy-dense. Grazing mammals must spend much of the day eating to meet their caloric needs, leaving less time for sleep. Remaining alert in open environments also helps reduce the risk of predation. As Futura Sciences explains, feeding requirements and exposure to predators together place practical limits on how long many herbivores can rest. Sleep Is an Evolutionary Adaptation Like strength, endurance, or migration, sleep has evolved to suit each species’ ecological niche. A tiger can sleep 15.8 hours each day, while an elephant remains active for most of its 24-hour cycle because its lifestyle demands it. These differences highlight the diversity of mammalian evolution. Whether examining the world’s strongest animals or the species that undertake the longest land migrations, each adaptation reflects a distinct solution to surviving in the wild. Learn More on the Voronoi App Want to discover more fascinating animal data? Check out Which Animals Live the Longest? on the Voronoi app, where you’ll find thousands of data-driven visualizations covering nature, science, economics, technology, and much more.

Use This Visualization Mapped: Which Countries Are Best for Women? Key Takeaways: Denmark ranks as the world’s best country for women, while Nordic nations occupy all five of the top positions. Afghanistan remains the lowest-ranked country, with Denmark’s score more than three times higher. Costa Rica and Uruguay enter the top global quintile for the first time, marking notable progress in Latin America. Where is the best place in the world to be a woman? According to the latest Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index, the answer remains Northern Europe, where Nordic countries occupy all five of the top positions. Published by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, the 2025/26 WPS Index ranks 181 countries using 13 indicators spanning women’s inclusion, justice, and security. The results form the basis for this 2026 ranking. The World’s Best and Worst Countries for Women The following table ranks countries based on the Women, Peace and Security Index. RankCountryWPS Index Score 1 Denmark0.939 2 Iceland0.932 3 Norway0.924 3 Sweden0.924 5 Finland0.921 6 Luxembourg0.918 7 Belgium0.912 8 Netherlands0.905 9 Austria0.898 9 New Zealand0.898 11 Australia0.896 11 Estonia0.896 13 Ireland0.891 14 Slovenia0.889 15 Lithuania0.887 16 Canada0.885 17 Latvia0.884 17 Singapore0.884 19 Switzerland0.877 20 United Arab Emirates0.872 21 Germany0.869 22 Japan0.866 23 France0.864 23 United Kingdom0.864 25 Spain0.862 26 Portugal0.861 27 Poland0.854 27 Taiwan0.854 29 Serbia0.844 30 Malta0.841 31 United States0.840 32 Czechia0.832 32 Hungary0.832 34 Costa Rica0.824 35 Uruguay0.822 36 Moldova0.821 37 South Korea0.815 38 Bulgaria0.814 39 Italy0.811 40 Seychelles0.810 41 Hong Kong0.809 42 Barbados0.807 43 Romania0.801 44 Mongolia0.799 45 Georgia0.798 46 Slovakia0.797 47 Argentina0.791 48 Croatia0.788 49 Grenada0.787 49 North Macedonia0.787 51 Suriname0.779 52 Cyprus0.770 52 Guyana0.770 54 Paraguay0.768 55 Bahrain0.765 56 Armenia0.762 57 Thailand0.761 58 Oman0.755 59 Bosnia and Herzegovina0.753 60 Greece0.752 61 Montenegro0.743 62 Cabo Verde0.741 63 Belarus0.739 63 Chile0.739 63 Palau0.739 63 Saudi Arabia0.739 67 Malaysia0.738 68 Albania0.731 68 Fiji0.731 70 Kuwait0.723 70 Qatar0.723 72 Kazakhstan0.722 73 Viet Nam0.721 74 Turkmenistan0.720 75 Russian Federation0.718 76 Puerto Rico0.707 77 Sri Lanka0.706 78 Maldives0.704 79 Jamaica0.703 80 Bolivia0.701 80 Peru0.701 82 Kosovo0.700 83 Lao PDR0.698 84 Israel0.697 84 Kyrgyzstan0.697 86 Panama0.696 87 El Salvador0.691 88 Jordan0.686 89 China0.685 89 Samoa0.685 89 Tajikistan0.685 89 Tonga0.685 89 Trinidad and Tobago0.685 94 Gabon0.679 94 Mauritius0.679 96 Indonesia0.678 97 Dominican Republic0.675 98 Uzbekistan0.674 99 Bhutan0.673 100 Tunisia0.671 101 Marshall Islands0.670 102 Morocco0.668 102 Timor-Leste0.668 104 Belize0.667 104 Cambodia0.667 106 Türkiye0.664 107 Nicaragua0.659 108 Botswana0.658 108 Solomon Islands0.658 110 Senegal0.657 111 Azerbaijan0.653 112 Kiribati0.652 113 Federated States of Micronesia0.648 113 South Africa0.648 115 Vanuatu0.646 116 Ukraine0.645 117 Ghana0.639 118 Venezuela0.638 119 Brazil0.632 120 Nepal0.631 121 Rwanda0.624 121 Tanzania0.624 123 Algeria0.621 124 São Tomé and Príncipe0.620 125 Egypt0.617 126 Lesotho0.614 127 Ecuador0.612 128 Iran0.608 128 Libya0.608 128 Namibia0.608 131 India0.607 131 Philippines0.607 133 Angola0.601 133 Sierra Leone0.601 135 Comoros0.590 135 Zimbabwe0.590 137 Côte d'Ivoire0.589 138 Benin0.587 138 Uganda0.587 140 Congo0.583 141 Lebanon0.575 142 Zambia0.566 143 Togo0.562 144 Guatemala0.561 144 Honduras0.561 146 Djibouti0.560 147 Mexico0.558 148 Eswatini0.556 149 Colombia0.551 150 Malawi0.549 151 Mozambique0.548 152 Kenya0.542 153 Gambia0.528 154 Guinea0.527 155 Bangladesh0.526 156 Ethiopia0.516 157 Liberia0.512 158 Iraq0.510 159 Guinea-Bissau0.508 160 Burkina Faso0.507 160 Papua New Guinea0.507 162 Nigeria0.495 163 Niger0.492 164 Mali0.478 165 Chad0.476 166 Mauritania0.475 167 Palestine0.469 168 Madagascar0.466 169 Pakistan0.462 170 Somalia0.455 171 Cameroon0.451 172 Myanmar0.442 173 South Sudan0.411 174 Burundi0.407 175 Democratic Republic of the Congo0.405 176 Haiti0.399 177 Sudan0.397 178 Syrian Arab Republic0.364 179 Central African Republic0.362 180 Yemen0.323 181 Afghanistan0.279 The rankings reveal a sharp geographic divide. Northern Europe continues to set the global benchmark for women’s wellbeing, while countries affected by conflict and political instability cluster at the bottom. Denmark ranks first with a score of 0.939, followed by Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, and New Zealand round out the global top 10. Afghanistan ranks last, with a score less than one-third of Denmark’s. Why Nordic Countries Continue to Lead Nordic countries occupy all five of the top positions thanks to consistently strong performance across the index’s three dimensions: inclusion, justice, and security. Women in these countries generally benefit from high levels of education, workforce participation, legal protection, financial inclusion, and political representation, alongside relatively low rates of violence. Strong public institutions and broad social safety nets also help support gender equality throughout life. While no country scores a perfect 1.0, the Nordic region remains the global benchmark for women’s wellbeing. Outside Northern Europe, Australia and New Zealand continue to perform strongly. Costa Rica and Uruguay also enter the top global quintile for the first time, reflecting sustained gains in women’s rights and wellbeing and making them notable standouts in Latin America. Conflict Remains the Biggest Divider At the opposite end of the rankings are Afghanistan, Yemen, the Central African Republic, Syria, Sudan, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, South Sudan, and Myanmar. Many of these countries have experienced years of armed conflict, political instability, or humanitarian crises that disproportionately affect women. More than 70% of women living in the 12 lowest-ranked countries reside within 50 kilometers of armed conflict, exposing them to higher risks of displacement and gender-based violence. Countries with greater exposure to conflict also tend to score worse on access to justice and maternal health. This aligns with broader research showing that violence against women rises during periods of instability, while fragile institutions often struggle to provide legal protections and support services. According to the World Health Organization, violence against women remains one of the world’s most widespread human rights violations. Women’s Wellbeing Reflects Broader Society The WPS Index measures more than gender equality alone. By combining indicators across security, economic inclusion, healthcare, legal rights, and political participation, it provides a broader snapshot of how supportive countries are for women to live, work, and thrive. Countries that rank highly typically combine economic opportunity, strong legal protections, accessible healthcare, and low levels of violence. Nations facing prolonged instability, by contrast, often struggle across several dimensions at once. The rankings therefore offer a broader view of social resilience and institutional strength, not just women’s outcomes in isolation. Learn More on the Voronoi App To explore more global demographic and workforce trends, check out This Map Shows Where Women Work on the Voronoi app.