See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization The World’s Top Economies Including U.S. States (1980–2025) See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways California is now the world’s 4th-largest economy, larger than Japan in 2025. Texas and New York also rank among the world’s top 15 economies. China rose from 13th place in 1990 to 2nd globally today. This visualization ranks the world’s largest economies from 1980 to 2025, comparing entire countries alongside major U.S. state economies. The results highlight the enormous scale of the American economy. California alone now ranks as the world’s fourth-largest economy, ahead of countries like Japan. Meanwhile, Texas and New York also rank among the world’s top 15 economies, reflecting the concentration of industries like technology, finance, and energy across America. The data for this visualization comes from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. It compares nominal GDP in current U.S. dollars, with U.S. state GDP figures for 2025 annualized based on Q3 estimates. How U.S. States Compare With National Economies The data highlights the economic scale of major U.S. states. California appears among the world’s largest economies as early as the 1980s and remains a consistent top contender. RankCountry/state2025 GDP% Change (since 1980) 1 United States$30.6T955% 2 China$19.4T6,282% 3 Germany$5.0T483% 4 California$4.3T1,227% 5 Japan$4.3T291% 6 India$4.1T2,104% 7 United Kingdom$4.0T561% 8 France$3.4T389% 9 Texas$2.9T1,315% 10 Italy$2.5T421% 11 Russia$2.5T— 12 New York$2.5T964% 13 Canada$2.3T733% 14 Brazil$2.3T1,475% 15 Spain$1.9T723% 16 Mexico$1.9T685% 17 South Korea$1.9T2,779% 18 Florida$1.9T1782% 19 Australia$1.8T1,004% 20 Türkiye$1.6T1,549% California ranks among the top five economies globally. Texas and New York also appear regularly among the world’s largest economies. This reflects the sheer size of the U.S. domestic market and the concentration of industries such as technology, finance, and energy in specific states. China’s Rapid Rise in the Global Economy One of the most significant trends over the period is China’s rapid economic ascent. In 1990, China ranked 13th globally. Today it is the world’s second-largest economy. This shift reflected decades of industrial expansion, export growth, and urbanization following China’s economic reforms. The Shifting Balance of Global Economic Power Over time, the composition of the world’s largest economies has gradually diversified. In the 1980s, most of the top economies were advanced Western nations. Since then, emerging markets such as China and India have climbed steadily up the rankings. Meanwhile, new economic players—including South Korea and Indonesia—have entered the global top tier. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out How Wealthy Are the Top 1% in Each Major Economy? on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Charted: Where the World’s Oil Comes From, by Region 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 North America is the world’s largest oil-producing region in 2025, generating over 31 million barrels per day, equal to nearly 30% of global supply. The Middle East produces over 29% of the world’s oil, led by Saudi Arabia and Iran. Europe, excluding Russia, produces less than 4% of total oil production, the smallest share by region. The world produced roughly 106 million barrels of oil per day in 2025, according to estimates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Just two regions dominate global supply. North America and the Middle East together produce nearly 60% of the world’s oil, underscoring their outsized influence on energy markets. This graphic breaks down global oil production by region in 2025, based on EIA data. North America Leads Global Oil Production The table below breaks down global oil production by region, including crude oil and other liquid fuels. RegionCrude Oil and Other Liquid Fuels(Million Barrels Per Day 2025)Global Share North America31.829.9% Middle East31.029.1% Eurasia (Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan)13.612.8% Asia-Pacific9.48.9% Central & South America8.98.4% Africa7.67.2% Europe4.03.7% Global Total106.3100.0% North America is the world’s largest oil-producing region, accounting for 29.9% of global output in 2025, averaging 31.8 million barrels per day. Much of this supply is driven by the U.S., where oil production reached record highs in 2025. Output has more than doubled over the past two decades, largely due to the expansion of shale drilling. Canada also hit record levels, producing 5.0 million barrels per day in December 2025. The Middle East’s Massive Oil Output The Middle East is the second-largest oil-producing region, generating 31 million barrels per day in 2025. Saudi Arabia remains the region’s largest producer at 9.6 million barrels per day. However, the country saw its active oil rig count fall to a 20-year low in 2025, as energy investment increasingly shifts toward natural gas production. By 2030, natural gas production is set to expand 60%. Iran produced 3.1 million barrels per day in 2025, still below its peak of 4.0 million in 2007. Even so, the Middle East remains a dominant force in global oil markets. In 2025, it produced more crude oil than Africa, Europe, Central and South America, and Asia-Pacific combined. Global Oil Trade and Strategic Stockpiles The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints, handling roughly 20% of global petroleum trade. While only 7% of U.S. crude exports pass through the corridor, Asian economies depend heavily on these shipments, accounting for nearly 90% of flows through the strait. To protect against supply disruptions, many countries maintain strategic petroleum reserves. Members of the International Energy Agency, including European importers, Japan, and South Korea, must hold reserves equal to at least 90 days of net imports. Meanwhile, China has built some of the world’s largest stockpiles. In short, the global oil market depends on a small number of regions—and a few critical trade routes—while strategic stockpiles help guard against supply shocks. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on all the world’s oil reserves by country.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization The Best Places to Work in America, According to Employees 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 Trader Joe’s ranks #1 among large U.S. employers, beating companies like Google (#3), Microsoft (#4), and Apple (#12). Major technology firms—including Nvidia, Adobe, and Salesforce—all appear in the top 20 large employers. Toll Brothers tops the midsize company ranking, with the homebuilder ahead of Patagonia and United Community. What makes a company one of the best places to work in America? Each year, Forbes surveys hundreds of thousands of employees across the U.S. to evaluate workplace satisfaction, compensation, culture, and career opportunities. The results reveal a mix of household-name corporations and mission-driven institutions. In the 2026 ranking, companies like Trader Joe’s, Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia appear among the top large employers, while Toll Brothers and Patagonia lead the midsize category. This graphic shows the top-ranked large and midsize employers in the U.S., based on the latest data from Forbes. Ranked: The Top 20 Large Employers in 2026 Here are America’s best employers across companies with 5,000 or more employees: RankNameScoreIndustry 1Trader Joe's100.0Consumer Goods 2St. Jude Children's Research Hospital99.5Healthcare 3Google97.2Technology 4Microsoft97.1Technology 5Stanford University96.6Education 6In-N-Out Burger94.8Consumer Goods 7NVIDIA94.7Technology 8American Express93.6Financials 9hoag93.3Healthcare 10Houston Methodist93.1Healthcare 11Carhartt92.5Consumer Goods 12Apple92.3Technology 13Delta Air Lines92.2Transportation 14Washington University in Saint Louis92.2Education 15Adobe91.9Technology 16MD Anderson Cancer Center91.6Healthcare 17Navy Federal Credit Union91.5Financials 18Salesforce91.5Technology 19Boston Scientific91.1Healthcare 20Samsung Electronics91.1Technology With a score of 100, grocery chain Trader Joe’s ranks first nationally, a company known for its high employee satisfaction. Not only does it offer the potential for wage increases, averaging 7% annually, it also provides health and retirement plans. Along with prioritizing employee development and advancement opportunities, the chain refuses to use self-checkout systems in its stores. Following next in line are St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Google, and Microsoft. Nvidia, ranked seventh, fell from fourth place in 2025. According to Glassdoor reviews, 90% of employees would recommend the company to a friend, with the highest scores in corporate values and culture. Among the lowest ratings were in work-life balance. Overall, technology companies accounted for seven of the top 20 large employers, followed by five in healthcare. America’s Top 20 Midsize Employers For employers with 1,000 to 5,000 employees, Pennsylvania-based homebuilder Toll Brothers ranked first. RankNameScoreIndustry 1Toll Brothers100.0Industrials 2Patagonia98.5Consumer Goods 3United Community97.1Financials 4Medical Mutual of Ohio95.6Financials 5Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation95.4Industrials 6Businessolver95.3Technology 7OPENLANE95.0Consumer Goods 8Spotify Technology94.9Technology 9Green Bay Packaging94.6Industrials 10New York Power Authority94.4Utilities 11Universal Music Group94.1Consumer Goods 121st Source Bank93.8Financials 13Vanderbilt University93.8Education 14Milton Hershey School93.4Education 15Maury Regional Medical Center93.3Healthcare 16ITT93.1Industrials 17Epic Games93.1Technology 18ABC Technologies93.1Industrials 19SoFi93.0Financials 20Vizient92.9Healthcare As a Fortune 500 company operating in over 60 markets, Toll Brothers employees report that they are given a significant amount of responsibility, while also reporting that management is ethical and honest. Patagonia ranks second and is known for its low turnover and emphasis on work-life balance. In addition to offering warehouse employees 15 different schedule options, it also offers on-site childcare and tuition reimbursement. Financial firms United Community and Medical Mutual of Ohio follow in the rankings, meanwhile, music-streaming platform Spotify Technologies ranks eighth. As we can see, the best large employers are dominated by the tech and health sectors, yet the top midsize companies represent a more diverse mix of industries—ranging from industrials and consumer goods to financials and education. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on revenue per employee in the world’s top 20 companies by sales.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Ranked: The Brands That Lost the Most Value Last Year 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 Tesla recorded the largest drop in brand value among the world’s top brands, falling by about $15 billion year-over-year. Automakers dominate the list, reflecting pressure on the global automotive sector and shifting consumer sentiment. This visualization ranks the brands that saw the largest year-over-year declines in brand value among the world’s top 100 brands. From automakers to banks and luxury houses, the list highlights which global giants lost billions in brand value over the past year. The data for this visualization comes from the 2026 Global 500 report from Brand Finance. The firm evaluates brand value using a combination of marketing investment, brand strength, and financial performance. Tesla Sees the Largest Brand Value Drop Tesla recorded the biggest drop in brand value in the 2026 rankings, dropping roughly $15 billion. The automaker’s brand value fell from about $43 billion in 2025 to roughly $28 billion in 2026. Ongoing controversies and trust concerns contributed to the decline. Brand perception plays a major role in valuation, and even market leaders can see sharp swings if consumer sentiment shifts. RankBrandSector2026 Value ($B)Change ($B) 1TeslaAutomobiles$28B-$15B 2Agricultural Bank of ChinaBanking$63B-$7B 3Mercedes-BenzAutomobiles$47B-$6B 4PorscheAutomobiles$35B-$6B 5XfinityTelecoms$25B-$5B 6Louis VuittonApparel$29B-$4B 7Mitsubishi GroupDiversified$36B-$4B 8ChanelApparel$34B-$4B 9CSCECEngineering$25B-$3B 10CVSRetail$25B-$3B Automakers Dominate the Declines Three automotive brands appear in the top five of the rankings: Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. Together, they account for more than $27 billion in combined brand value losses. The industry is navigating a complex transition toward electric vehicles, while also facing economic uncertainty and supply chain pressures. Luxury automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche continue to maintain strong global reputations, but the data shows that even premium brands are not immune to valuation swings. Banks and Consumer Brands Also Feel Pressure Outside of autos, several other sectors also experienced notable brand declines. Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) lost about $7 billion in brand value, the second-largest drop on the list. China’s decision to cut mortgage rates to support the economy weighed on bank profitability. Because ABC has a large retail and rural loan business, the policy shift had a significant impact on its financial outlook and brand valuation. Meanwhile, consumer-facing brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and CVS also saw multi-billion dollar declines. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Charted: Why U.S. Employers Are Cutting Jobs in 2025 on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Which U.S. States Gained the Most Residents in 2025 See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways South Carolina saw the largest net migration gain per 10,000 residents in 2025. The South and Mountain West attracted the most new residents overall. Meanwhile, high-cost states like California and New York continued to see net population outflows. Nearly 15 million Americans moved in 2025, with many relocating across state lines in search of lower costs, job opportunities, and warmer climates. This map shows net migration per 10,000 residents across all 50 states in 2025, revealing where population inflows were strongest and which states saw the biggest outflows. The data comes from HireAHelper. Southern and Mountain West states dominated the rankings for inbound migration, while several high-cost coastal states continued to lose residents. The data reflects large-scale shifts happening in the country’s population distribution, both from the Eastern half to the Western half, as well as shifts away from more expensive states to cheaper, often inland ones. The Mountain West Over the West Coast In 2025, the Western half of the U.S. saw a continuation of post-COVID trends as people left behind coastal states like Washington (-10.7) and Oregon (-9.0) in favor of more inland Mountain West states like Wyoming (+26.0), Utah (+7.3), and especially Idaho (+63.2). The data table below highlights the net migration loss/gain per 10,000 inhabitants in 2025: RankStateNet migration (per 10,000 residents) 1South Carolina79.7 2Idaho63.2 3Delaware54.5 4Tennessee43.6 5Alabama36.6 6Maine35.7 7Arkansas33.3 8Oklahoma26.4 9Wyoming26.0 10Montana23.4 11Texas23.0 12West Virginia19.3 13New Hampshire18.8 14Mississippi17.9 15Georgia13.4 16Minnesota12.5 17South Dakota9.3 18Utah7.3 19Wisconsin7.2 20Arizona7.1 21Kentucky7.0 22Florida6.9 23Nevada6.5 24New Mexico6.0 25Indiana5.3 26Louisiana3.0 27North Dakota-0.1 28Vermont-1.7 29Hawaii-2.3 30Iowa-3.3 31Ohio-4.1 32Colorado-4.6 33Missouri-5.0 34Michigan-5.5 35Connecticut-7.9 36Oregon-9.0 37Washington-10.7 38Pennsylvania-11.1 39Nebraska-13.3 40Virginia-13.7 41Rhode Island-14.0 42Illinois-14.5 43Alaska-16.9 44New Jersey-17.6 45Kansas-19.6 46California-25.1 47Maryland-27.4 48New York-28.2 49North Carolina-29.2 50Massachusetts-37.9 The more populous coastal states, which have long been hubs for key economic sectors like tech and aviation, have seen a number of moves in recent years owing to jobs either relocating or shifting to remote work. Nowhere on the West Coast saw a bigger drop than California, which saw a net migration loss of -25.1, as nearly 100,000 residents left behind the increasingly unaffordable state in favor of cheaper neighboring states like Nevada, which lacks a state income tax. The Cost of Living Factor California is not alone in losing people over affordability issues. If net migration trends are any indication, other high cost of living states such as New York (-28.2) and Connecticut (-37.9) also increasingly shed residents. A majority of the Northeast fared similarly, with all states but Delaware, Maine, and New Hampshire seeing more people leave than arrive in 2025. And in the immediate region surrounding the nation’s capital, the states of Maryland (-27.4) and Virginia (-13.7) also saw negative net migration, likely reflecting in part the large reduction in the federal workforce seen over the course of the year. The Rise of the Sunbelt If one region is seeing across-the-board growth, it’s the South, led by states like South Carolina (+79.7), Tennessee (+43.6), and Alabama (+36.6). Long one of the more economically depressed regions of the country, a combination of lower costs of living and nicer weather has led to rapid growth for southern “Sun Belt” states such as Arkansas and Oklahoma, to say nothing of massive favorites like Texas and the Sunshine State of Florida. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The Decline of Housing Affordability in the U.S. on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The Top Buyers of U.S. Oil in 2025 See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The Netherlands imported 419 million barrels, making it the world’s largest buyer of American crude, ahead of much larger economies like China, India, and Japan. Mexico fell to second place, importing 398 million barrels. China’s imports of U.S. oil declined 34% in 2025, while India’s rose 35%, highlighting diverging demand trends between the world’s two most populous countries. The Netherlands became the world’s largest buyer of U.S. oil in 2025, importing more American crude than much larger economies such as China, India, and Japan. Nearly 4 billion barrels of U.S. oil were shipped abroad last year, underscoring the country’s growing role as a global energy exporter. Much of the Netherlands’ imported crude passes through the Port of Rotterdam, one of the world’s largest energy hubs, where oil is refined or redistributed across Europe. Using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration via USAFacts, this graphic ranks the largest buyers of U.S. oil in 2025. The World’s Biggest Buyers of U.S. Oil Below, we show the largest importers of U.S. crude oil and petroleum products: RankCountryRegionTotal Imports (Millions of Barrels 2025)Share of Total 1 NetherlandsEurope41910.7% 2 MexicoNorth America39810.2% 3 CanadaNorth America3248.3% 4 South KoreaAsia-Pacific2576.6% 5 JapanAsia-Pacific2476.3% 6 ChinaAsia-Pacific2386.1% 7 IndiaAsia-Pacific2215.7% 8 BrazilCentral & South America1333.4% 9 United KingdomEurope1243.2% 10 SpainEurope952.4% 11 TaiwanAsia-Pacific822.1% 12 FranceEurope711.8% 13 ChileCentral & South America691.8% 14 SingaporeAsia-Pacific651.7% 15 EcuadorCentral & South America631.6% 16 PeruCentral & South America631.6% 17 ThailandAsia-Pacific601.5% 18 IndonesiaAsia-Pacific571.5% 19 PanamaCentral & South America481.2% 20 ItalyEurope481.2% 21 NigeriaAfrica481.2% 22 ColombiaCentral & South America461.2% 23 GuatemalaCentral & South America451.2% 24 Dominican RepublicCentral & South America431.1% 25 SwedenEurope431.1% 26 GermanyEurope421.1% 27 BelgiumEurope411.0% 28 MoroccoAfrica381.0% 29 HondurasCentral & South America300.8% 30 NorwayEurope300.8% The Netherlands led global imports with 419 million barrels, after purchases surged by roughly 31 million barrels in 2025. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, U.S. crude has played a growing role in replacing Russian energy across Europe. A large share flows through the Port of Rotterdam, where roughly 1.1 million barrels of oil pass through each day. Canada ranked third, importing 324 million barrels, a modest increase from the previous year. Despite its vast oil reserves, Canada lacks sufficient refining capacity and east-west pipeline infrastructure, leading it to rely heavily on crude imports from the United States. Meanwhile, China’s imports of U.S. oil fell by 81 million barrels in 2025, pushing the country down to the sixth-largest buyer, from third place a year earlier. Amid escalating trade tensions, China increasingly turned to discounted sanctioned crude from Iran, Venezuela, and Russia. India, meanwhile, increased U.S. crude shipments in 2025. Overall, U.S. crude exports jumped by 57 million barrels, rising 35% over the year. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s biggest oil producers.

Timeline: A Century of White House Renovation Costs 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 Most White House renovations over the past century have cost under $10M (in 2025 dollars). The 2008 East & West Wings renovation ($561M) and the proposed ballroom addition ($200M–400M) stand out as major outliers. Major upgrades often followed structural concerns, modernization needs, or expanding media and security demands. The White House is both a family residence and the operational nerve center of the U.S. executive branch. Over the past century, it has undergone dozens of renovations, some cosmetic, others structural, and a few extraordinarily expensive. The visualization above, created by USAFacts using a wide variety of government records, tracks major renovation projects since 1920. All figures are adjusted to FY2025 dollars, offering a clearer comparison of how costs have evolved over time. YearProjectTypeFunding 2008East & West Wings renovationFederal$561M 2025Ballroom additionPrivate$200M - $400M 1949Residence renovationFederal$72M 1927Residence roof renovationFederal$6.9M 2004East & West Wings upgradesFederal$6M 2006Situation Room upgradesFederal$5.3M 1930West Wing reconstructionFederal$3.8M 1933Indoor swimming pool additionPrivate$561K 1973Bowling alley additionPrivate$299K 1948Truman balconyFederal$202K For most of the last 100 years, upgrades to America’s most famous address have remained relatively modest. But a small number of projects—particularly in 2008 and again in 2025—stand dramatically apart from the rest of the timeline. Early Structural and Functional Additions In the early 20th century, renovations focused on expansion and functionality. The 1930 West Wing reconstruction ($3.8 million) and the 1942 East Wing addition helped modernize operations as the executive branch grew. Other updates were smaller but culturally notable. Franklin D. Roosevelt added an indoor swimming pool in 1933 (about $561,000 in today’s dollars), while Harry Truman approved the Truman Balcony in 1948 for roughly $202,000. By 1949, however, structural deterioration forced a far more serious intervention. The residence renovation that year cost $72 million (in 2025 dollars), effectively gutting and rebuilding much of the interior to prevent collapse, serving as a reminder that even historic landmarks require periodic overhauls. Cold War to Late 20th Century: Media and Modernization As the presidency evolved, so did the building. The 1969 Press Room addition reflected the growing role of television media, while a bowling alley was installed in 1973 for about $299,000. Through the late 20th century, most projects remained relatively contained in scope and cost. Compared to today’s federal budget, now in the trillions annually, these upgrades were fiscal footnotes. 21st Century: Security and Scale The 2000s marked a turning point. In 2004 and 2006, East and West Wing upgrades and Situation Room improvements ranged from $5-6 million. Then came the 2008 East & West Wings renovation, totaling $561 million, which was the largest confirmed project in the past century. The scale reflected heightened security requirements, aging infrastructure, and expanded operational needs in the post-9/11 era. Most recently, a proposed 2025 ballroom addition is estimated at $200–400 million. If completed at the upper end, it would rank among the most expensive White House projects ever recorded. Over a century, the data suggests a clear pattern: while the White House regularly evolves with the presidency, only rare moments, such as structural crises or sweeping modernization efforts, produce nine-figure price tags. Learn More on the Voronoi App For more historical comparisons on federal outlays, check out Comparing U.S. Government Spending (1980 vs Today) on Voronoi, and explore how priorities and price tags have shifted over time.

Mapped: How Europe’s Economic Center Has Shifted Since 1950 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 Europe’s economic “center of gravity” has shifted steadily east since 1950, moving from Cologne toward Munich. The calculation tracks GDP-weighted locations of European economies, showing how regional economic power evolves over time. While Eastern Europe’s growth has pulled the center eastward, Germany continues to exert a strong economic pull. Europe’s economic balance point has been slowly drifting east for decades. This map traces the continent’s GDP-weighted “center of gravity” from 1950 to 2022, showing how Europe’s economic core has shifted from near Cologne toward Munich over time. The visualization, created by The European Correspondent using data from the Maddison Project Database, reveals how decades of growth in Central and Eastern Europe have gradually reshaped the continent’s economic geography. What Is an Economic “Center of Gravity”? The economic center of gravity is a geographic point calculated by averaging countries’ locations weighted by their GDP. In simple terms, it marks the location where Europe’s economic activity would balance if GDP were distributed like weight on a map. As economies grow or shrink relative to each other, the center moves accordingly. When western economies dominate, the center shifts west; when eastern or southern regions grow faster, the point moves in their direction. This method provides a simple but powerful way to visualize long-term changes in regional economic influence. Postwar Europe: Western Dominance In the decades following World War II, Europe’s economic core sat firmly in the northwest. Industrial powerhouses like Germany, France, the UK, and the Benelux countries drove most of the continent’s output. This concentration kept the center of gravity near Cologne in the mid-20th century. Western Europe’s rapid reconstruction and integration—through institutions like the European Economic Community—reinforced this geographic economic core. Germany in particular has long played an outsized role in Europe’s economy. In fact, the country’s output rivals that of dozens of its neighbors combined. The Rise of the East Since the end of the Cold War, the center has gradually shifted eastward. The collapse of the Soviet bloc opened Central and Eastern European economies to global trade and investment. Countries like Poland, Czechia, and Hungary integrated into EU supply chains and saw rapid economic expansion. More recently, fast-growing economies in Southeastern Europe and Türkiye have added additional pull. Together, these changes nudged Europe’s economic center toward Bavaria, landing near Munich by 2022. Germany Still Anchors Europe’s Economy Despite this eastward movement, the center remains firmly inside Germany. This reflects Germany’s continued role as Europe’s industrial engine. Its manufacturing sector, export strength, and central location keep it at the heart of the continent’s economic geography. In other words, while Eastern Europe is rising, Germany’s gravitational pull still holds the balance point nearby, at least for now. Learn More on the Voronoi App See where workers in Europe generate the most GDP per hour on the Voronoi app.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: U.S. States With the Highest Diabetes Rates 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 West Virginia has the highest diabetes prevalence in the U.S., with 15% of adults diagnosed. Vermont reports the lowest rate at 7.7%, nearly half the level of the highest states. Many Southern states report rates well above the national average of 10.3%. West Virginia has the highest diabetes prevalence in the U.S., with 15% of adults diagnosed, according to the latest data from the CDC. The map above shows how diabetes rates compare across all 50 states using the CDC U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System for 2023. Several Southern states rank among the highest in the country, while parts of the Mountain West and New England report some of the lowest prevalence levels. The South Has the Highest Diabetes Rates Many of the states with the highest diabetes prevalence are located in the U.S. South. West Virginia leads the nation, with 15% of adults diagnosed with diabetes, followed by Mississippi (14.7%) and Louisiana (14.5%). Other Southern states—including Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and South Carolina—also report rates well above the national average. These patterns are often linked to higher rates of obesity, lower physical activity levels, and socioeconomic disparities. StatePercentage (%) West Virginia15.0% Mississippi14.7% Louisiana14.5% Alabama13.7% Arkansas13.0% Tennessee12.7% South Carolina12.6% Texas12.0% Indiana11.5% Georgia11.4% Ohio11.3% Delaware11.1% Oklahoma11.1% Illinois10.8% Maryland10.8% North Carolina10.8% Michigan10.7% New Mexico10.7% Missouri10.6% Nevada10.6% California10.5% South Dakota10.5% Median of States10.3% Kansas10.3% Virginia10.3% Florida10.0% Rhode Island10.0% Arizona9.8% Iowa9.8% Nebraska9.6% Hawaii9.5% Oregon9.5% Wisconsin9.4% Wyoming9.4% Minnesota9.3% New York9.3% New Jersey9.1% Maine8.9% North Dakota8.8% Idaho8.7% Washington8.6% Massachusetts8.5% Alaska8.3% Connecticut8.3% District of Columbia8.2% Colorado8.0% Utah8.0% Montana7.9% New Hampshire7.9% Vermont7.7% KentuckyNo data PennsylvaniaNo data Texas also ranks among the higher-prevalence states, with 12% of adults diagnosed with diabetes. Most States Cluster Near the National Average Despite large differences at the extremes, many states fall close to the U.S. average of 10.3%. States such as Kansas and Virginia sit almost exactly at this level. Several populous states—including California, Illinois, and North Carolina—also report prevalence rates slightly above the national average. This clustering suggests that while regional trends exist, diabetes remains a widespread health challenge across the entire country. Public health initiatives focusing on prevention, early screening, and lifestyle changes remain central to reducing these rates. Lower Rates in the Mountain West and New England Some of the lowest diabetes prevalence rates appear in the Mountain West and parts of New England. Vermont reports the lowest rate at 7.7%, followed by Montana and New Hampshire at 7.9%. Colorado and Utah also report relatively low rates at around 8%, while several Northeastern states—including Massachusetts and Connecticut—remain below the national average. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Mapped: Alcohol Spending Per Capita, by U.S. State on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization The Countries Producing the Most Geothermal Power See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways The U.S. produces the most geothermal power globally, with 3,734 MW of installed capacity. Indonesia and the Philippines rank second and third, highlighting Asia’s strong geothermal resources. Most leading geothermal producers sit along volcanic and tectonic zones, especially around the Pacific Ring of Fire. Electricity demand is rising as artificial intelligence, manufacturing reshoring, and electrification drive new power needs worldwide. That is putting renewed focus on geothermal power, a renewable energy source that can run around the clock. Unlike solar or wind, geothermal plants generate electricity using heat from beneath the Earth’s surface, making them a reliable source of always-on clean power. This treemap visualization ranks countries by installed geothermal power capacity, based on data from Global Energy Monitor, showing where this underground energy resource is most developed today. Geothermal Power By Country Dive into the data, which considered geothermal sites with one megawatt of operating capacity or more, below: RankCountryOperating Capacity (MW) 1 United States3,734 2 Indonesia2,432 3 Philippines1,937 4 Türkiye1,726 5 New Zealand1,377 6 Mexico941 7 Italy834 8 Kenya817 9 Iceland779 10 Japan618 11 Costa Rica253 12 El Salvador211 13 Nicaragua159 14 Chile81 15 Russia50 16 Guatemala46 17 Croatia36 18 Honduras35 19 Papua New Guinea30 20 Portugal24 21 Germany19 22 Guadeloupe15 23 Taiwan5 24 Canada5 25 Iran5 26 Hungary3 27 France2 The U.S. dominates geothermal production with a capacity of 3,734 megawatts, topping the next largest producer by 1,300 megawatts. That said, Asia as a region leads in production. While sitting in second and third place, Indonesia and the Philippines surpass the U.S. when counted together, at 2,432 and 1,937 megawatts, respectively. Their position on the “Ring of Fire,” where three tectonic plates collide and create volcanic activity, means they have vast geothermal potential. The Americas also sit on major geothermal resources, though many fields remain underdeveloped. Some countries have developed their resources more quickly. Mexico ranks sixth globally with 941 MW of capacity. Italy, the home of geothermal, and Iceland are Europe’s biggest producers at 834 megawatts and 779 megawatts respectively. Though Europe leads on renewables more broadly, geothermal is physically limited to these few volcanic countries. Iceland has a large capacity relative to its population and has one of the more developed geothermal industries globally, heating around 85% of houses in the country. Kenya is the only African country to make the list, with its 817 megawatts of power capacity. Appetite to exploit geothermal in the Great Rift Valley, a tectonic trench spanning several countries on the continent, has increased in recent years but the industry remains young. The Growing Potential of Geothermal Globally, geothermal makes up just 1% of global electricity demand, but more and more sites are becoming viable thanks to advances in technology. Existing geothermal plants harness energy from sites with highly permeable rocks, often under a thin layer of crust, making it easier to extract. Newer techniques, known as enhanced geothermal, include fracturing rock to unlock heat and push it to the surface by using a fluid. Next generation geothermal could account for 15% of global electricity demand growth to 2050, per the IEA. As re-shoring industries and the build out of AI continues at pace, the availability of energy will dictate where manufacturing hubs emerge. Geothermal can operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week, making it particularly compelling as a base load power that is currently serviced by fossil fuels. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more energy, check out this graphic which charts which countries generate the most electricity.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: The States With the Most U.S. Military Bases 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 There are 335 domestic military installations in the United States. Over a third of these facilities are housed in just six states: California, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Maryland, and New York. North Carolina is home to Fort Bragg, one of the world’s largest military bases. The United States operates 335 military installations across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., forming the domestic backbone of the world’s largest military force. This map shows how those bases are distributed across the country, revealing which states host the most U.S. military infrastructure. California leads the nation with 34 installations, while just six states account for more than one-third of all bases nationwide. Data comes from Military OneSource (2026). California and the San Diego Hub As the largest state in the country, California unsurprisingly hosts the most military installations (34) of the country, with close to 10% of all official U.S. bases being located in the state. San Diego County, in the southwestern corner of the state, houses 16 such installations for different military branches such as the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps’ major West Coast base at Camp Pendleton. StateNumber of Military Bases California34 Virginia23 Texas19 Florida17 Maryland13 Georgia12 New York12 North Carolina9 Washington9 Alabama8 Arizona8 Illinois8 Ohio8 Oklahoma8 Pennsylvania8 Colorado7 Kentucky7 Mississippi7 New Jersey7 South Carolina7 Alaska6 Tennessee6 Kansas5 Louisiana5 Massachusetts5 Michigan5 Missouri5 Nevada5 New Mexico5 Arkansas4 Hawaii4 Indiana4 Utah4 Wisconsin4 DC3 Maine3 Minnesota3 North Dakota3 Oregon3 Connecticut2 Delaware2 Idaho2 Iowa2 Montana2 Nebraska2 Rhode Island2 South Dakota2 West Virginia2 Wyoming2 New Hampshire1 Vermont1 The Pacific Fleet of the U.S. Navy, while formally headquartered in Hawaii’s famous Pearl Harbor facility, also has as its principal homeport the Naval Base San Diego, which is the world’s second-largest surface ship naval base behind only Virginia’s Naval Station Norfolk. North Carolina’s Bragg Controversy Across the country, the far smaller state of North Carolina houses nine of its own military installations, with the most prominent being Fort Bragg. With over 50,000 soldiers of the U.S. Army, Fort Bragg is one of the world’s largest and most populous military bases. Fort Bragg was established in 1918 during the First World War and was initially named after Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general. In 2023, the base was renamed Fort Liberty owing to controversy surrounding the legacy of Confederate military leaders. By 2025, however, the fort reverted to its original name, this time in honor of Roland Bragg, an Army paratrooper who took part in the Second World War. The various name changes were estimated to have cost the U.S. Department of Defense upwards of $12-14 million. Different Branches in Different States Across the United States, different branches of the military are concentrated in different states based around geographic and strategic needs. Colorado (7), for example, hosts three different Space Force bases, while to a lesser extent Nevada (5) serves as a hub for the U.S. Air Force. Some bases even have highly specialized missions. One of Georgia’s 12 military installations, for example, is the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, which sits on the state border with Florida. This base serves as home port for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet’s ballistic missile nuclear submarines, a core component of U.S. international power projection. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out How Much Land does the U.S. Military Control in Each State? on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Mapped: Where Wild Bison Now Roam Across Europe 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 European bison went extinct in the wild in 1927 after centuries of hunting and habitat loss. Today, reintroduction programs have established dozens of wild and semi-wild herds across Europe. The largest population lives in Poland’s Białowieża Forest, home to roughly 779 animals. Once roaming widely across Europe, the European bison, also known as the wisent, nearly vanished entirely due to centuries of hunting and habitat loss. By the early 1900s, the species had been driven to extinction in the wild. Today, however, conservationists are witnessing a remarkable comeback. Using the latest data from Białowieski Park Narodowy and visualized by The European Correspondent, the map above shows where free and semi-free bison populations now roam across Europe. Europe: Home Again to the Wild Bison Below is a look at the locations and herd sizes of European bison populations across the continent. CountryLocationIndividual Bison AzerbadijanSahdag national park20 BelarusAll locations2385 BulgariaNanovitsa12 BulgariaVoden55 Czech republicMolovice43 Czech republicRokycany3 Czech republicZidlov41 DenmarkBornholm10 DenmarkLille Vildmose11 FranceRéserve Biologique des Monts d'Azur51 GermanyBad Berleburg24 GermanyDöberitzer Heide100 Hungary0 Austria0 Italy0 LatviaLake Pape8 LithuaniaDzukija Region31 LithuaniaPanevezys and Kedainiai districts225 Moldova0 NetherlandsKraansvlak14 PolandBieszczady729 PolandLasy Janowskie9 PolandPuszcza Augustowska20 PolandPuszcza Bialowieska779 PolandPuszcza Borecka125 PolandPuszcza Knyszynska212 PolandPuszcza Romincka9 PolandStada w zachodniej polsce340 Portugal0 RomaniaArmenis102 RomaniaFagaras Mountains6 RomaniaNeagra Bucsani30 RomaniaPoieni4 RomaniaVanatori Neamt5 RomaniaVanatori Neamt50 Serbia0 SlovakiaNarodny Park Poloniny54 SpainEncinarejo17 SpainLa Serreta25 SpainVillaribia de los Ojos12 Sweden0 Switzerland0 UkraineBeregometske35 UkraineKhmilnytske107 UkraineKonotopske64 UkraineStorozhynetske13 UkraineStorozhynetske27 UkraineStyr84 UkraineZvirivske19 UkraineMaidan Myslyvskyi12 UkraineSkole Beskids39 UkraineZalissia21 United Kingdom0 Eastern Europe clearly dominates the map, with Poland, Belarus, and surrounding countries hosting the largest herds. The single biggest group lives in Poland’s Białowieża Forest with roughly 779 animals, making it one of the most important strongholds for the species. What Happened to Europe’s Original Wild Bison? The European bison once roamed forests and grasslands across nearly the entire continent. However, centuries of deforestation, agricultural expansion, and hunting drastically reduced their range. By 1927, the last wild European bison had been killed. The species survived only in zoos and private reserves, leaving conservationists with just a handful of individuals to rebuild the population. All modern European bison descend from a small captive group of only about a dozen founders. This bottleneck created genetic challenges that conservationists still manage today. The Conservation Effort That Brought Them Back The species’ survival is largely thanks to coordinated international conservation efforts. Breeding programs began in captivity during the 1920s before animals were gradually reintroduced into protected landscapes. Organizations such as Rewilding Europe have since helped restore herds in multiple regions, from the Carpathian Mountains to parts of Western Europe. Reintroductions often occur in large forest ecosystems where human disturbance is limited. Countries leading bison recovery efforts include: Poland: Home to the largest population and the historic Białowieża Forest herd Romania: Expanding rewilding programs in the Southern Carpathians Belarus: Hosting several large established populations Germany and the Netherlands: Smaller but symbolically important reintroductions These programs often work in tandem with protected areas. In fact, Europe has significantly expanded conservation zones in recent decades, with countries like Poland having a large share of protected land. Where Could Bison Expand Next? While populations remain concentrated in Eastern Europe, conservationists believe the continent could support far more bison than exist today. Large wilderness corridors—particularly in the Carpathians, Balkans, and parts of Scandinavia—offer suitable habitats for expansion. Even Western Europe is experimenting with smaller rewilding projects. For example, bison now graze in coastal dunes near Amsterdam in the Netherlands, while Spain reintroduced a small herd in the Encinares region in 2020. If these projects continue to succeed, the European bison’s story could become one of the continent’s most notable wildlife recoveries, offering proof that even species pushed to the brink can return with sustained conservation efforts. Learn More on the Voronoi App Explore how conservation projects are helping restore wildlife populations across the continent in Some Wildlife Conservation Efforts Are Working in Europe, available on the Voronoi app.

Charted: China’s Population Is Rapidly Aging (1950–2100) This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways China’s population has shifted from one of the world’s youngest in 1950 to one projected to be heavily skewed toward seniors by 2100. Falling fertility and the one-child policy accelerated China’s demographic aging before it reached high-income status. Beijing is trying to reverse record-low birth rates with subsidies, tax breaks, and pro-natalist messaging. China’s population is aging at a historic pace. The visualization above, created by Oscar Leo of DataCanvas using data from the UN World Population Prospects 2024, shows how the country’s age distribution has shifted from 1950 and how it is projected to change through 2100. In 1950, nearly a quarter of China’s population (24.5%) was aged 0–9. By 2024, that share has fallen to just 9.9%, and by 2100 it’s projected to shrink to 5%. Meanwhile, the population aged 80+ is expected to surge. From Baby Boom to Birth Drought In the mid-20th century, China was a young nation. High fertility rates, exceeding six births per woman in the 1950s, produced a broad-based population pyramid. The table below divides China’s population into three buckets—youth, working-age, and seniors—and shows how dramatically that balance is projected to shift over the 21st century. Year Total (Under-15s)Share (Under-15s)Total (15-64 years)Share (15-64 years)Total (65+ years)Share (65+ years) 195018926886534.8%32734108560.2%274338775.0% 196026410686440.3%36472597755.7%259687674.0% 197033585331640.8%45692889355.5%305265733.7% 198035489152436.1%58505900959.5%432128384.4% 199033220716428.8%75971474765.9%616600675.3% 200031160722724.5%86888139668.4%890879717.0% 201024968814318.5%98480824872.9%1170533428.7% 202025605503018.0%98971655869.4%18029984912.6% 203016974108312.1%97197821169.5%25636096518.3% 20401259015729.4%85947595364.0%35728613226.6% 20501253208289.9%74529085859.2%38929177630.9% 2060991803768.7%61313530254.1%42206494437.2% 2070758181577.6%52442873152.6%39661135039.8% 2080728822168.4%40513670446.7%38997752644.9% 2090623581048.4%33072329544.7%34753104646.9% 2100496319177.9%29347675346.6%28600896145.5% The introduction of the one-child policy in 1980 abruptly changed the country’s demographic trajectory. Intended to curb runaway population growth, the policy accelerated fertility decline well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman. Even after the policy was scrapped in 2015, births continued to fall. China’s population declined for the third straight year in 2025, with new births hitting record lows. Growing Old Before Growing Rich Unlike many Western economies, China’s fertility rate fell to ultra-low levels before the country became fully developed. This means it is aging rapidly without the same per capita wealth cushion seen in places like Japan or Germany. By 2100, projections show that nearly 40% of China’s population could be aged 60 or older. The working-age population will shrink, while retirees expand, which is a dynamic that raises concerns about labor shortages, pension sustainability, and slower economic growth. Can Policy Reverse the Trend? Projections are not predictions. They assume current fertility, mortality, and migration patterns continue, and Beijing is working hard to shift those patterns. In recent years, authorities have rolled out subsidies for parents, tax breaks, housing incentives, and even framed childbirth as a “national duty”. Yet so far, financial incentives have struggled to overcome structural forces: high housing costs, competitive education, urbanization, and shifting social norms. Whether China can meaningfully alter its demographic course remains uncertain. What is clear from the data, however, is that the country’s age structure in 2100 will look radically different from the youthful nation it was in 1950.

Published 39 minutes ago on March 7, 2026 By Cody Good Graphics & Design Zack Aboulazm Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email The following content is sponsored by Dubai Future Forum Beyond the Atmosphere: Exploring Space and Humanity’s Future Key Takeaways Commercial firms have become the leaders in exploring space by conducting 70% of global spacecraft launches in 2024. Launch costs have fallen dramatically and may decline another 95%, making exploring space more accessible than ever. The space economy is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2032. Exploring space, that final frontier, has become a unifying goal as nations collaborate to extend beyond Earth. A new wave of commercial players and national space programmes are expanding access and reshaping exploration and governance alike In partnership with Dubai Future Forum, the world’s largest gathering of futurists taking place every November in Dubai, this graphic shows how exploration, investment, and innovation are converging to transform our understanding of space. It’s one of four dimensions—Ocean, Mind, Space, and Land—within the Dubai Future Forum’s larger theme, Exploring the Unknown. The data comes from these sources: World Population Review Citigroup BryceTech Government and Commercial Space Organization Websites Space Foundation The Global 50 Report by Dubai Future Foundation. Global Citizens, Galactic Pathways As of 2024, only three countries have the capabilities of independent human spaceflight: China, Russia, and the United states. However, the number of countries with interplanetary probe capabilities has grown to eight, including the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) which successfully launched the Mars Hope Probe in 2020.To see how this breaks down, here is a table of National Space Programmes around the world: CountryHuman Space FlightInterplanetary Probe CapabilitySpace Programme Acronym United StatesYesYesNASA, USSF ChinaYesYesCNSA RussiaYesYesROSCOSMOS IndiaYesISRO PakistanYesSUPARCO JapanYesJAXA South KoreaYesKARI, KASI United Arab EmiratesYesUAESA BrazilAEB IranISA United KingdomUKSA FranceCNES ItalyASI ArgentinaCONAE CanadaCSA/ASC UkraineSSAU PolandPOLSA AustraliaASA and NSP SwedenSNSA IsraelISA New ZealandNZSA IndonesiaLAPAN NigeriaNASRDA BangladeshSPARRSO EthiopiaESSTI MexicoAEM EgyptEgSA, NARSS, EASRT-RSC PhilippinesPhilSA VietnamTTVTVN or VNSC, VAST-VNSC TurkeyTUA GermanyDLR ThailandGISTDA South AfricaSANSA KenyaKSA ColombiaCCE SpainAEE AlgeriaASAL AngolaGGPEN MoroccoCRTS MalaysiaMYSA GhanaGSSTI PeruCONIDA Saudi ArabiaSSA VenezuelaABAE North KoreaNATA TaiwanTASA KazakhstanKazCosmos ChileCSA RomaniaASR, ROSA NetherlandsSRON RwandaRSA TunisiaCNCT AzerbaijanAzercosmos GreeceHSC HungaryHSO AustriaASAL SwitzerlandSSO TurkmenistanTNSA ParaguayAEP BulgariaSRI-BAS, STIL-BAS DenmarkDNSC, DTU Space SingaporeCRISP NorwayNRS NSC MongoliaNRSC LithuaniaLSA BahrainBSA UzbekistanUzbekspace agency SyriaSSA BoliviaABE BelgiumBIRA, IASB, BISA PortugalPTSPACE BelarusBSA El SalvadorESAI Costa RicaAEC LuxembourgLSA Even as the number of national programmes continues to grow, commercial firms now operate 70% of all spacecraft launches into orbit.As a result, launch costs are 40x cheaper than the 1980s and are expected to fall by an additional 95% in the future. Space Stations of the Future With the International Space Station (ISS) nearing retirement after decades of service, the future looks far more commercial. Here is a table that shows the expected timelines for announced space stations: NameFlagEntityProgramLaunch Date International Space StationUSNASA, RosCosmos, ESA, CSA, JAXAGovernment1998 Tiangong Space StationChinaCMSAGovernment2021 Haven-1USVastCommercial2026 Axiom StationUSAxiom SpaceCommercial2027 Lunar GatewayUSGovernment2027 Orbital ReefUSBlue Origin, Sierra SpaceCommercial2027 Russian Orbital Service StationRussiaRoscosmosGovernment2027 Bharatiya Antariksh StationIndiaISROGovernment2028 StarlabUSNanoRacks, Voyager Space, Airbus, MDA Space, MitsubishiCommercial2029 Haven-2USVastCommercial2028 Lunar Orbital StationRussiaRoscosmosGovernment2028 Artificial Gravity StationUSVastCommercial2035 The new generation of space stations signals not just a change in leadership, but the dawn of a new space economy. The Trillion-Dollar Space Economy Space is emerging as one of the fastest growing economic frontiers. By 2032, commercial enterprises will push the value of the space economy beyond $1 trillion by 2032 For a clearer comparison, here is a table comparing commercial to government space budgets in 2024: SectorValue ($ Billions) Commercial Space Products and Services343 Commercial Infrastructure and Support Industries137 U.S. Government Space Budgets77 Non-U.S Government Space Budgets55 Global Space Economy, 2024$613 Billion Commercial budgets currently far exceed government, with commercial space products and services ($343 billion) leading the way. Looking Ahead: The Future of Space The future of space is being fueled by innovations in biohacking, dark energy, and advanced network integration. To continue exploring the space and its biggest emerging opportunities shaping the future, read the Dubai Future Foundation’s Global 50 report. Learn more about the Dubai Future Forum. You may also like Technology1 week ago Visualized: Exploring the Future of the Mind Exploring the Mind: opportunities that could shape the future through discovery, investment, and innovation with the Dubai Future Foundation. Technology2 weeks ago Visualized: Exploring the Ocean’s Future Explore ocean opportunities that could shape the future through discovery, investment, and innovation with the Dubai Future Foundation. Subscribe Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Join 375,000+ email subscribers: *Sign Up

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization The Best-Selling Vehicle in Every U.S. 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 The Ford F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in 29 U.S. states, dominating much of the South and Midwest. Tesla’s Model Y leads in California, Nevada, and Washington, reflecting strong EV adoption on the West Coast. Pickup trucks dominate much of America’s auto market. This map shows the best-selling vehicle in every U.S. state based on 2025 registrations. While the Ford F-Series leads across most of the country, a few states break from the pattern. In California and parts of the West Coast, the Tesla Model Y tops the rankings, highlighting the growing influence of electric vehicles. The data for this visualization comes from Edmunds, based on 2025 new vehicle registration data. Logos on the map represent the top-selling model in each state. Notably, the Ford F-Series grouping includes multiple models such as the F-150, F-250, F-350, and F-450. Why Pickup Trucks Still Dominate America The Ford F-Series remains America’s best-selling vehicle overall and leads in 29 states. It tops the list across much of the South, Midwest, and Mountain West—including Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Wyoming. Its dominance reflects the continued strength of full-size pickup trucks, particularly in states with large rural populations, construction industries, and strong truck culture. The Chevrolet Silverado also performs strongly in several states, including Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota. StateBest-Selling Car (2025) AlabamaFord F-Series AlaskaFord F-Series ArizonaFord F-Series ArkansasFord F-Series CaliforniaTesla Model Y ColoradoFord F-Series ConnecticutToyota RAV4 DelawareFord F-Series FloridaFord F-Series GeorgiaFord F-Series HawaiiToyota Tacoma IdahoFord F-Series IllinoisHonda CR-V IndianaChevrolet Silverado IowaChevrolet Silverado KansasFord F-Series KentuckyChevrolet Silverado LouisianaFord F-Series MaineFord F-Series MarylandToyota RAV4 MassachusettsToyota RAV4 MichiganChevrolet Equinox MinnesotaChevrolet Silverado MississippiFord F-Series MissouriFord F-Series MontanaFord F-Series NebraskaFord F-Series NevadaTesla Model Y New HampshireFord F-Series New JerseyHonda CR-V New MexicoFord F-Series New YorkHonda CR-V North CarolinaFord F-Series North DakotaFord F-Series OhioHonda CR-V OklahomaFord F-Series OregonToyota RAV4 PennsylvaniaHonda CR-V Rhode IslandToyota RAV4 South CarolinaFord F-Series South DakotaFord F-Series TennesseeFord F-Series TexasFord F-Series UtahFord F-Series VermontFord F-Series VirginiaHonda CR-V WashingtonTesla Model Y West VirginiaChevrolet Silverado WisconsinFord F-Series WyomingFord F-Series District of ColumbiaToyota RAV4 Why Tesla Leads on the West Coast California stands apart. The Tesla Model Y is the state’s best-selling vehicle, reflecting the rapid adoption of electric vehicles on the West Coast. About 25% of U.S. retail registrations are electrified vehicles, but that figure climbs to nearly 50% in California. Nevada and Washington also list the Tesla Model Y as their top seller, signaling broader EV momentum on the West Coast. SUVs Lead in Urban and Coastal States Compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V dominate in several Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. The RAV4 leads in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia. Meanwhile, the Honda CR-V tops states such as Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These models offer fuel efficiency, practicality, and versatility—key factors in densely populated regions. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The Average Weekly Grocery Bill by U.S. State on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Ranked: The Hardest U.S. Colleges to Get Into 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 Caltech ranks as the hardest U.S. college to get into, with a 3% acceptance rate. All eight Ivy League schools appear among the 30 lowest acceptance rates. More than 30 top U.S. colleges now admit fewer than 1 in 10 applicants. Getting into America’s most selective colleges has become increasingly competitive. This ranking shows the 30 U.S. institutions with the lowest admit rates, highlighting where applicants face the steepest odds. Caltech tops the list with a 3% admit rate, while several elite universities—including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale—accept roughly 4% of applicants. This graphic, created by Julie Peasley using data from U.S. News & World Report, ranks 30 American colleges and universities by their acceptance rates. America’s Most Selective Colleges Below is the full ranking of U.S. colleges admitting the smallest share of applicants. Educational InstitutionAcceptance Rate California Institute Of Technology (Caltech)3% Columbia University4% Harvard University4% Stanford University4% University of Chicago4% Yale University4% Brown University5% Curtis Institute of Music5% Dartmouth College5% Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)5% Northeastern University5% Princeton University5% University of Pennsylvania5% Duke University6% Johns Hopkins University6% Vanderbilt University6% Bowdoin College7% Colby College7% Pomona College7% Swarthmore College7% Cornell University8% Northwestern University8% Rice University8% Williams College8% Amherst College9% Barnard College9% Juilliard School9% New York University9% United States Naval Academy9% University of California, Los Angeles9% Caltech stands alone at 3%, while a cluster of elite schools—including Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia—hover around 4%. Across the ranking, every institution admits fewer than one in ten applicants. Caltech: Small Size, Massive Demand Although all eight Ivy League schools appear in the ranking, the most selective college in America isn’t an Ivy—it’s the California Institute of Technology. With an acceptance rate of just 3%, Caltech’s extreme selectivity is partly structural. The school enrolls roughly 1,000 undergraduates, far fewer than most elite universities. That limited capacity, combined with a global reputation in STEM fields, naturally drives down the share of admitted students. Caltech also attracts a highly self-selecting applicant pool, students with exceptional math and science credentials, making competition especially intense. When a small institution receives thousands of top-tier applications, admissions become extraordinarily competitive. The Ivy League Effect Every Ivy League institution appears in the ranking, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania. Over the past two decades, Ivy League acceptance rates have steadily declined as application volumes surged. The rise of the Common Application and test-optional policies expanded applicant pools, even as class sizes remained relatively stable. The result: single-digit acceptance rates have become the norm at America’s most recognizable universities. For many students, these universities remain aspirational “dream colleges”. Beyond the Ivies Ultra-selective admissions extend well beyond the Ivy League. Institutions like Duke, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Amherst, Pomona, and Bowdoin also report acceptance rates under 10%. Specialized schools such as Juilliard and the Curtis Institute of Music are equally competitive, reflecting the intensity of auditions and portfolio-based admissions. In today’s admissions landscape, exclusivity isn’t limited to one conference or coast. From small liberal arts colleges to major research universities, competition for seats has never been fiercer. Learn More on the Voronoi App Curious how tuition and financial aid stack up at these elite schools? Explore From Harvard to Stanford: The True Cost of the Top 10 Colleges on the Voronoi app for a deeper look at what it really costs to attend America’s most prestigious universities.

Published 4 hours ago on March 6, 2026 By Julia Wendling Graphics & Design Jennifer West Athul Alexander Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email The following content is sponsored by New York Life Investment Management 5 Ways Women Are Reshaping Investing Women are transforming the investment landscape. Entrepreneurial momentum, rising earnings, and expanding control over wealth are driving the shift. From launching businesses at record rates to redefining what they expect from financial advisors, women’s growing economic influence is reshaping how capital is built, managed, and deployed. This visualization, created in partnership with New York Life Investment Management, highlights women’s growing role in capital markets. A Surge in Women-Led Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship is one of the clearest signals of women’s rising financial power. Last year, women launched 49% of all new businesses, according to Gusto. That marks a 69% increase since 2019 and the highest share in five years. This growth isn’t just about participation. It’s about capital. Women business owners now control significant investable wealth, averaging $1.1 million in assets. That level of influence underscores the importance of long-term planning, trusted guidance, and access to investment education. But entrepreneurship is only one piece of a broader wealth expansion story. Women’s Expanding Control Over Wealth The share of wealth controlled by women continues to grow in the U.S. and globally. As a result, their influence over how capital is allocated is increasing. In the U.S., the share of assets controlled by women is set to rise from 31% in 2019 to 38% by 2030. This is estimated to total $34.0 trillion. YearWealth controlled by women ($ trillions)Wealth controlled by women (%) 201810.031 202318.034 2030F34.038 Women investors span a wide range of life stages and financial roles. They include solo earners, contributors, married breadwinners, and those navigating major life transitions. Among affluent households, married women breadwinners now account for nearly 25% of U.S. households with $250K+ in investable assets. As women’s financial roles diversify, so does their market impact. They are shaping portfolio strategies, risk tolerance, and long-term investment priorities. Rising income trends are accelerating this shift. Rising Earnings, Rising Investment Power Progress on pay equity is strengthening women’s financial foundation. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, women earned approximately 84 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2022. In 1960, that figure was about 61 cents. YearFemale-to-male earnings ratio 20220.84 20210.84 20200.83 20190.82 20180.82 20170.82 20170.81 20160.81 20150.80 20140.79 20130.78 20130.78 20120.77 20110.77 20100.77 20090.77 20080.77 20070.78 20060.77 20050.77 20040.77 20030.76 20020.77 20010.76 20000.74 19990.72 19980.73 19970.74 19960.74 19950.71 19940.72 19930.72 19920.71 19910.70 19900.72 19890.69 19880.66 19870.65 19860.64 19850.65 19840.64 19830.64 19820.62 19810.59 19800.60 19790.60 19780.59 19770.59 19760.60 19750.59 19740.59 19730.57 19720.58 19710.60 19700.59 19690.61 19680.58 19670.58 19660.58 19650.60 19640.59 19630.59 19620.59 19610.59 19600.61 While gaps remain, the long-term trajectory is clear. Higher lifetime earnings mean greater savings potential and larger retirement balances. They also translate into increased investable assets. As their financial footprint expands, so do their expectations around financial advice. Redefining Financial Advice: Guidance and Partnership Women across investor segments are seeking more hands-on support. Demand for more frequent advisor meetings (once a month or more) is increasing. Desire for monthly meetings or more (%) Female Investor Group20192023 Suddenly Single327 Married Breadwinner636 Married Contributor023 Single Breadwinner317 At the same time, confidence levels have shifted. The share of women who reported feeling confident in their market knowledge declined from 56.5% in 2019 to 16.3% in 2023. This decline has fueled demand for investing education and personalized guidance. Performance alone isn’t enough. Research shows rising dissatisfaction among women investors. Many cite communication gaps and lack of personal connection as top reasons for switching advisors. Reasons for Switching Financial Advisors in the Past 2 Years Reason20192023 Poor Customer Service2739 Lack of Personal Connection2932 For many women, strong investment outcomes must be paired with trust and transparency. A genuine advisory relationship matters just as much as returns. Adapting to a New Norm Women’s growing wealth and influence are reshaping global markets. Those who recognize and respond to this shift will be better positioned for long-term opportunity. Explore more insights from New York Life Investments You may also like Wealth2 months ago Charted: Asset Class Returns Across Eras (1990–2025) Private markets show the highest long-term returns, while gold has been the best-performing asset since 2020. Stocks1 year ago The S&P 500 Makes Up 51% of Global Stock Market Value See a unique visual breakdown of the global equity market in this infographic. 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See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: Where China Gets Its Oil 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 Over half of China’s imports of crude oil came from the Middle East in 2024. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz thus poses a risk to China’s energy security. Sanctioned countries — Russia, Iran, and Venezuela — accounted for 33% of China’s crude import mix that year. China is the world’s largest crude oil importer, bringing in roughly 11 million barrels per day to fuel its economy. But that dependence creates a vulnerability: a large share of its supply comes from the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route between Oman and Iran, has been disrupted as shipping companies reroute or stockpile cargo following U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, 2026. The world’s largest oil tankers pass through the strait due to its depth and width, carrying 20.7 million barrels of oil every day in 2024. A large portion of that was headed for Asia, and China specifically. The map, which is based on data from the U.S. EIA, shows where China imported its crude and condensate from in 2024. China’s Oil Imports by Country Dive into the data, which tracks import-source dependence rather than total Chinese primary energy dependence, below: CountryShare of China's Crude Oil and Condensate Imports in 2024 Russia20% Saudi Arabia14% Iran11% Iraq10% Oman7% United Arab Emirates6% Brazil6% Angola5% United States2% Venezuela2% Other17% Russia was China’s largest supplier in 2024, accounting for about 20% of crude and condensate imports. Saudi Arabia followed at 14%, while Iran supplied 11%. Other Middle Eastern producers—including Iraq, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates—also contribute significant shares. Taken together, the Middle East made up 54% of crude and condensate imports, highlighting a concentration that leaves China exposed to sudden changes in energy flows through the region. Brazil and Angola are key diversifiers, representing 6% and 5% of China’s imports. China’s Supply Chain is Linked to Sanctions Energy security was already on the Chinese agenda, leading it to bolster domestic production of renewables and even coal. Russia, Iran, and Venezuela accounted for 33% of China’s crude import mix in 2024, highlighting how countries facing global sanctions have banded together. Russia has strengthened its relationship with Asia since Europe began weaning itself off Russian gas in support of Ukraine. It moves a lot of its energy by pipe, meaning it avoids maritime corridors that can quickly become chokepoints and thus offer China an import source that is less exposed to geopolitical vulnerabilities. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about China’s trading partners, check out this graphic which charts the country’s top relationships.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The World’s Most Valuable Brands in 2026 See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Apple remains the world’s most valuable brand in 2026 at $608B, followed by Microsoft ($565B) and Google ($433B). Nvidia jumps four spots to become the #5 global brand, fueled by the AI boom. Technology brands dominate the global rankings in 2026, with companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google collectively representing more than $1.6 trillion in brand value. The visualization above compares the 50 most valuable brands in the world, with bubble sizes scaled by brand value. The data comes from Brand Finance, which evaluates brands based on marketing investment, brand strength, and overall financial performance. From consumer platforms and e-commerce giants to AI chip leaders like Nvidia, digital ecosystems now dominate the world’s most valuable brands. Big Tech Tops the List Technology and digital platforms dominate the upper ranks. Apple has ranked as the world’s most valuable brand since 2024, with its brand value reaching $608 billion in 2026. That means that Apple’s brand alone is worth more than the entire market capitalization of almost every non-tech company in the world, and the GDPs of most countries. RankBrandSectorBrand Value 1 AppleElectronics608B 2 MicrosoftInternet & Software565B 3 GoogleMedia433B 4 AmazonE-Commerce370B 5 NVIDIASemiconductors184B 6 TikTokMedia154B 7 WalmartRetail141B 8 SamsungDiversified119B 9 FacebookMedia107B 10 State Grid Corporation of ChinaUtilities102B 11 TTelecoms96B 12 ICBCBanking91B 13 InstagramMedia81B 14 China Construction BankBanking77B 15 Home DepotRetail73B 16 VerizonTelecoms73B 17 Bank of ChinaBanking71B 18 OracleInternet & Software68B 19 Agricultural Bank of ChinaBanking63B 20 ToyotaAutomobiles63B 21 Allianz GroupInsurance61B 22 MoutaiSpirits60B 23 American ExpressCommercial Services57B 24 UnitedHealthcareHealthcare Services55B 25 AT&TTelecoms54B 26 CostcoRetail53B 27 TencentMedia52B 28 ShellOil & Gas52B 29 DisneyMedia51B 30 UberMobility50B 31 China MobileTelecoms49B 32 Ping AnInsurance49B 33 WeChatMedia48B 34 Bank of AmericaBanking48B 35 AramcoOil & Gas47B 36 Mercedes-BenzAutomobiles47B 37 Coca-ColaSoft Drinks46B 38 Hyundai GroupDiversified46B 39 ChaseBanking45B 40 VISACommercial Services44B 41 BMWAutomobiles44B 42 DeloitteCommercial Services43B 43 McDonald'sRestaurants43B 44 AccentureIT Services42B 45 NTT GroupTelecoms42B 46 Wells FargoBanking40B 47 TSMCSemiconductors39B 48 Lowe'sRetail39B 49 YouTubeMedia38B 50 SAPInternet & Software38B Microsoft ($565 billion), Google ($433 billion), Amazon ($370 billion), and Nvidia ($184 billion) round out the top five, underscoring the continued strength of e-commerce and semiconductors. Nvidia’s four-place jump since 2025 is particularly notable. As demand for AI chips and data center infrastructure accelerates, the company’s brand has strengthened alongside its financial performance. Further down the list, companies like Oracle, SAP, TSMC, and Samsung show how critical enterprise software and chipmaking have become to the global economy. China’s Strong Presence Chinese brands continue to feature prominently in the top 50. TikTok ranks sixth globally at $154 billion, making it the highest-ranked Chinese brand in 2026. Major state-backed banks—including ICBC, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, and Agricultural Bank of China—also rank among the world’s most valuable brands. Media and tech platforms such as Tencent and WeChat further reinforce China’s growing digital influence. Finance, Retail, and Energy Hold Their Ground Beyond tech, traditional sectors remain highly competitive. Walmart ($141 billion), Home Depot, Costco, and Lowe’s show the enduring power of large-scale retail. Banking and financial services brands—including Bank of America, Chase, American Express, and Visa—collectively represent hundreds of billions in brand value. Insurance giants like Allianz and Ping An also rank highly. The list also includes energy majors such as Shell and Aramco. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The World’s Top Startup Hubs on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: The World’s Oil Chokepoints 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 Strait of Malacca, between Malaysia and Indonesia, is the world’s busiest oil chokepoint, carrying about 29.1% of global maritime oil trade. About one-fifth of global oil consumption flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 84% of crude oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for Asian markets. Oil markets rely on a handful of narrow maritime passages to keep supply flowing. These oil supply chokepoints are critical arteries of the global energy system, moving tens of millions of barrels per day. This visualization maps the world’s most important oil transit chokepoints and their share of global maritime oil trade. The data for this visualization comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). It highlights the volume of crude and petroleum liquids that passed through key maritime chokepoints in the first half of 2025, measured in million barrels per day (mb/d), and their share of total world maritime oil trade. In total, about 73 million barrels per day of oil moved through major maritime chokepoints, representing the majority of globally traded seaborne oil. The Strait of Malacca: The Busiest Oil Corridor The Strait of Malacca, between Malaysia and Indonesia, is the world’s busiest oil chokepoint. Roughly 23.2 million barrels per day flowed through this narrow channel in the first half of 2025, accounting for about 29.1% of global maritime oil trade. Location2025 H1 volume (mb/d)% of World Maritime Oil Trade Strait of Malacca23.229.1% Strait of Hormuz20.926.2% Cape of Good Hope9.111.4% Danish Straits4.96.1% Suez Canal & SUMED Pipeline4.96.1% Bab el-Mandeb4.25.3% Turkish Straits (Dardanelles)3.74.6% Panama Canal2.32.9% The Strait of Malacca connects the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea, making it a crucial route for oil shipments to China, Japan, and South Korea. Its narrow width and heavy traffic make it vulnerable to congestion and geopolitical tension. The Strait of Hormuz: A Critical Energy Artery The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, handled about 20.9 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025—roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is deep and wide enough to accommodate the world’s largest crude oil tankers. Approximately 84% of crude oil moved through Hormuz is destined for Asian markets, including China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Because so much Gulf production depends on this route, any disruption can send shockwaves through global oil prices. Other Key Chokepoints Across the Globe Beyond Malacca and Hormuz, several other passages play important roles in global oil flows. The Suez Canal and SUMED Pipeline transported about 4.9 million barrels per day, linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. Nearby, the Bab el-Mandeb carried roughly 4.2 million barrels per day, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. In Europe, the Danish Straits and Turkish Straits serve as key gateways for Russian and Caspian oil exports, moving about 4.9 million and 3.7 million barrels per day, respectively. Meanwhile, the Panama Canal handled roughly 2.3 million barrels per day, while longer alternative routes such as the Cape of Good Hope carried about 9.1 million barrels per day as tankers traveled between the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out All of the World’s Oil Reserves by Country, in One Visualization on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.