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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charted: The 35 Countries with the Highest Household Debt 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 Switzerland tops the list with household debt totaling 125% of its GDP. Anglophone countries dominate the top ranks, including Australia (112%), Canada (100%), and New Zealand (90%). High household debt can make economies more vulnerable to interest rate hikes and economic shocks. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently released data showing the countries with the highest levels of household debt, defined as loans and debt securities incurred by households, expressed as a percentage of GDP. The metric is often used as a barometer for financial risk and vulnerability at the household level. Household debt typically includes mortgages, car loans, credit card debt, and personal loans. While some level of debt can stimulate economic growth through consumption and investment, excessive debt levels can lead to long-term financial instability, especially when interest rates rise or during economic downturns. Today’s visualization breaks down the top 35 countries with the highest household debt levels, and was made by Iswardi Ishak using IMF data. The Data: Countries With the Most Household Debt Below is data for the 71 countries in the dataset: RankCountry/TerritoryHousehold debt (% of GDP) 1 Switzerland125.4 2 Australia112.2 3 Canada100.1 4 Netherlands93.6 5 New Zealand90.3 6 South Korea90.1 7 Norway88.6 8 Hong Kong88.0 9 Denmark85.2 10 Sweden82.7 11 United Kingdom76.2 12 Malaysia69.5 13 United States69.4 14 Japan65.1 15 Finland63.3 16 Luxembourg61.9 17 China61.4 18 France60.5 19 Cyprus59.6 20 Belgium57.4 21 Portugal53.3 22 Germany49.9 23 Malta48.7 24 Chile44.8 25 Singapore44.3 26 Austria44.0 27 Spain43.7 28 Slovakia43.4 29 Israel42.3 30 India40.8 31 Honduras39.7 32 Greece38.8 33 Estonia38.4 34 Brazil36.4 35 Italy36.1 36 Saudi Arabia35.3 37 South Africa33.7 38 Nepal32.5 39 Czech Republic30.8 40 Vanuatu30.6 41 Croatia30.3 42 Ireland29.6 43 El Salvador28.0 44 North Macedonia27.1 45 Costa Rica26.8 46 Bulgaria25.9 47 Colombia25.7 48 Morocco25.6 49 United Arab Emirates24.8 50 Slovenia24.3 51 Poland22.9 52 Russia22.2 53 Lithuania22.0 54 Samoa20.0 55 Latvia19.4 56 Lesotho17.2 57 Kazakhstan17.1 58 Hungary17.0 59 Mexico16.7 60 Nicaragua16.5 61 Indonesia16.2 62 Albania12.8 63 Romania10.8 64 Türkiye9.6 65 Solomon Islands8.6 66 Paraguay6.6 67 Bangladesh6.2 68 Suriname5.1 69 Argentina4.7 70 Pakistan2.1 71 Sierra Leone0.0 At the top of the chart is Switzerland, where household debt amounts to 125% of GDP. It’s followed by Australia (112%) and Canada (100%), two countries known for overheated housing markets. On the other end of the list, countries like Brazil and Italy show far lower household debt burdens relative to their GDP, both below 37%. Why High Household Debt Can Be Risky While credit access enables household consumption and property ownership, it also creates exposure to economic shocks. High household debt can constrain economic growth when families divert income to servicing debt rather than spending or saving. It also increases sensitivity to interest rate hikes, which raise repayment costs. In fact, research from the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research highlights how household debt, when misaligned with wage growth or asset prices, can trigger financial instability. As the study notes: “In the event of economic shocks, high household debt levels result in non‑performing loans that weaken bank balance sheets and spread to other financial institutions through the contagion effect. This could result in an unstable financial sector that restricts lending to profitable investments and deserving households. Ultimately, household consumption and investment decrease, thereby lowering economic growth.” In short, elevated household debt goes beyond being a macroeconomic statistic, and has the potential to amplify downturns and reduce resilience at both the household and national level. Household Debt in Context The distribution of household debt also ties into broader macroeconomic trends. Anglophone nations like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK exhibit higher debt levels due to hot property markets, and cultural factors favoring homeownership and financial liberalization. Meanwhile, in the United States, household finances vary drastically by state. High household debt doesn’t always indicate looming trouble, but it does warrant careful monitoring, especially in environments of rising rates or slowing economic growth. Learn More on the Voronoi App Explore more data visuals like this on the Voronoi app. For example, see The World’s $111 Trillion in Government Debt.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Who’s Powering Global Economic Growth 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 Global real GDP growth is forecast to reach 3.1% in 2026. China and India together account for 43.6% of global real GDP growth in 2026. Asia-Pacific contributes nearly 60% of total global GDP growth. Global economic growth is expected to remain resilient in 2026, with real GDP projected to grow by 3.1%, even as advanced economies slow and emerging markets play a larger role. This visualization breaks down each country and region’s share of global real GDP growth in 2026, based on forecast data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Note on methodology: The IMF calculates contributions to global real GDP growth using purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP, which adjusts for local price differences, allowing faster-growing emerging economies to have a more representative impact on global growth. China and India Drive Global GDP Growth in 2026 China is forecast to contribute 26.6% of global real GDP growth in 2026, by far the largest share of any country. Despite slower headline growth rates compared to previous decades, China’s sheer economic size still makes it the single biggest driver of global expansion. Here’s a look at each country’s contribution to global real GDP growth in 2026: RankCountry2025 Real GDP (PPP, billions)2026 Real GDP GrowthShare of 2026 Global Real GDP Growth 1 China$41,015.84.2%26.6% 2 India$17,714.26.2%17.0% 3 United States$30,615.72.1%9.9% 4 Indonesia$5,015.84.9%3.8% 5 Türkiye$3,766.83.7%2.2% 6 Saudi Arabia$2,688.54.0%1.7% 7 Egypt$2,381.54.5%1.7% 8 Vietnam$1,807.15.6%1.6% 9 Brazil$4,973.41.9%1.5% 10 Nigeria$2,254.24.2%1.5% 11 Bangladesh$1,782.14.9%1.3% 12 Philippines$1,477.75.7%1.3% 13 Russian Federation$7,143.11.0%1.1% 14 Poland$2,019.83.1%1.0% 15 Germany$6,153.70.9%0.9% 16 United Kingdom$4,454.71.3%0.9% 17 Pakistan$1,671.43.6%0.9% 18 Malaysia$1,478.14.0%0.9% 19 Argentina$1,490.24.0%0.9% 20 Spain$2,828.52.0%0.9% 21 Republic of Korea$3,363.41.8%0.9% 22 Mexico$3,436.91.5%0.8% 23 Kazakhstan$912.64.8%0.7% 24 United Arab Emirates$935.55.0%0.7% 25 Japan$6,758.20.6%0.6% 26 France$4,533.60.9%0.6% 27 Canada$2,722.81.5%0.6% 28 Taiwan$1,990.32.1%0.6% 29 Australia$1,981.72.1%0.6% 30 Italy$3,720.30.8%0.5% 31 Thailand$1,853.81.6%0.5% 32 Ukraine$686.94.5%0.5% 33 Ethiopia$486.87.1%0.5% 34 Algeria$874.62.9%0.4% 35 Iraq$700.63.6%0.4% 36 Qatar$380.26.1%0.4% 37 Uzbekistan$473.56.0%0.4% 38 Colombia$1,189.52.3%0.4% 39 Iran$1,878.91.1%0.3% 40 Netherlands$1,516.71.2%0.3% 41 Singapore$953.91.8%0.3% 42 Israel$567.63.9%0.3% 43 Morocco$431.34.2%0.3% 44 Kenya$403.24.9%0.3% 45 Tanzania$293.66.3%0.3% 46 Côte d’Ivoire$266.96.4%0.3% 47 Guyana$75.223.0%0.3% 48 Peru$653.12.7%0.3% - Other Europe$10,816.9-2.9% - Other Africa$4,219.5-2.5% - Other Asia$2,702.6-1.3% - Other Americas$3,097.3-1.1% - Other Middle East$816.3-0.4% India follows as the second-largest contributor, accounting for 17% of global growth. Together, China and India are expected to generate more than 43% of global real GDP growth in 2026. Among advanced economies, the U.S. is projected to contribute 9.9% of global growth, making it the largest contributor across all developed nations. Europe’s contribution stands at 9.5% of global growth, spread across Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and other economies. Slower population growth, aging demographics, and tighter financial conditions continue to weigh on the region’s economic expansion. When combined, the U.S. and the EU together account for just 16% of total global growth, with the center of economic momentum shifting toward emerging markets. A Shifting Global Growth Landscape From a regional perspective, the Asia-Pacific region dominates global growth with a 59.4% share, with Indonesia, Vietnam, and other economies playing a significant role alongside China and India. North America contributes 11.4%, followed by Europe. Africa, which hosts most of the world’s fastest-growing economies, accounts for 7.7% of global growth, led by Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Overall, global growth in 2026 is forecast to be largely driven by countries in earlier stages of economic development, supported by population growth, workforce expansion, and rising consumption and government spending. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you found this infographic interesting, explore more global economic insights on Voronoi, including BRICS vs. G7 Real GDP Growth in 2026.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Visualizing Amazon Robots vs. Employees (2013-2025) 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 Amazon has one million robots working in its facilities, a number that is fast-approaching its global employee headcount of almost 1.6 million. Recently, Amazon laid off 16,000 corporate employees, following 14,000 job cuts seen in October. Amazon, America’s second-biggest private employer, is deploying robots at rapid speed. Over the past five years, the number of robot workers has increased from 265,000 to one million, far outpacing hiring growth. Overall, the company reports that three-quarters of global deliveries are aided by robotics, from lifting and loading to sorting packages. This graphic compares the size of Amazon’s robot fleet with its human workforce, based on data from Ark Invest via Jason Calacanis and Yahoo Finance. Amazon Robots Hit One Million Below, we show the global number of robots deployed at Amazon since 2013: YearNumber of RobotsNumber of Employees 20251,000,0001,556,000 2024750,0001,525,000 2023750,0001,541,000 2022520,0001,608,000 2021350,0001,298,000 2020265,000798,000 2019200,000648,000 2018140,000566,000 2017100,000341,000 201645,000231,000 201530,000154,000 201415,000117,000 20131,00088,000 Between 2024 and 2025, the number of robots in Amazon facilities grew by 250,000 alone, with many picking up items from shelves or ferrying goods for packaging. Some robots have electronic arms, utilizing computer vision to complete tasks. Using a new generative AI model called DeepFleet, robot travel time has dropped by 10%, further boosting efficiency. Amazon is also reportedly test-running humanoid robots in San Francisco for doorstep delivery. Last year, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that the company will need less employees given automation and advancements in AI. While some employees have transitioned into higher-paying roles to manage robotic systems, many others could face a more uncertain future. Amazon Announces Sweeping Corporate Layoffs In January 2026, Amazon shed 16,000 corporate employees, tacking on to the 14,000 laid off in October last year. Together, these represent the company’s biggest wave of corporate layoffs. During the pandemic, employee headcount swelled as deliveries boomed. Now, Amazon says it’s cutting back to reduce bureaucracy and streamline operations. While the company did not cite AI as a reason behind these cuts, it is spending billions on AI infrastructure, from data centers to custom chips, investment that often comes with pressure to cut costs elsewhere. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on U.S. job cuts by industry in 2025.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Ranked: Central Banks by the Value of Their Gold at $5,500 an Ounce 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 At a gold price of $5,500 per ounce, the U.S. holds gold worth more than $1.4 trillion, far ahead of any other country. Rising gold prices have dramatically increased the balance sheet value of central bank reserves worldwide. After more than doubling since the start of 2025, gold prices surged another 27% in the first month of 2026 alone. With gold now trading above $5,500 per ounce, central bank gold reserves are worth far more than at any point in the past several decades. This visualization highlights how much the world’s largest gold holders now control in dollar terms. The data for this visualization comes from the World Gold Council. The United States Dominates in Absolute Value The rally has been driven by strong safe-haven demand, as currency volatility and a wobbling U.S. dollar push investors and policymakers toward hard assets. For central banks, higher prices strengthen reserve positions without adding a single extra tonne of gold. The United States remains the world’s largest official holder of gold, with 8,133.5 tonnes in reserves. At $5,500 per ounce, that stockpile is worth roughly $1.44 trillion. This puts the U.S. far ahead of Germany in second place, whose gold reserves are valued at just under $600 billion. RankCountryValue of gold holdingsGold holdings (tonnes) 1 United States$1.44T8,133.5 2 Germany$592B3,350.3 3 Italy$434B2,451.9 4 France$431B2,437.0 5 Russia$411B2,326.5 6 China$408B2,305.4 7 Switzerland$184B1,039.9 8 India$156B880 9 Japan$150B846 10 Türkiye$114B644 11 Netherlands$108B613 12 Poland$96B543 13 Taiwan$75B424 14 Portugal$68B383 15 Uzbekistan$67B380 16 Kazakhstan$59B333 17 Saudi Arabia$57B323 18 United Kingdom$55B310 19 Lebanon$51B287 20 Spain$50B282 America’s large gold position reflects decades of accumulation and its historical role at the center of the global monetary system. Europe’s Big Four Germany, Italy, and France all hold more than 2,400 tonnes of gold each. At current prices, each country’s reserves are valued between $430 billion and $590 billion. Switzerland, while smaller, also stands out. Its gold reserves are worth around $184 billion, reinforcing its reputation for financial stability and conservative reserve management. Rising Powers and Recent Buyers Russia and China both hold over 2,300 tonnes of gold, with reserve values exceeding $400 billion each. In recent years, both countries have steadily increased gold purchases as a way to diversify away from U.S. dollar assets. Click to learn more Emerging markets such as India, Türkiye, and Poland also feature prominently. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The Rise of Major Currencies Against the USD in 2025 on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Published 2 hours ago on January 29, 2026 By Julia Wendling Graphics & Design Athul Alexander Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email The following content is sponsored by OANDA Ranked: The 10 Most Traded Currencies with the U.S. Dollar Each day, billions of dollars are traded on the global foreign exchange (FX) market. The U.S. dollar (USD) is involved in 88% of all trades and accounting for 58% of global currency reserves. But which currencies are most frequently paired with the dollar in these transactions? In collaboration with OANDA, this graphic offers a clear visual breakdown of the top currencies traded alongside the USD. The data is based on daily transaction data from the New York Fed’s April 2024 FX Volume Survey. FX Trading: What Are the Top 3 Most Traded Currencies Against the USD? At an average volume of $135.3 billion per day, the euro was the most-traded currency against the USD in April 2024 by a wide margin. CurrencyDaily Transaction Volume ($ billions) Euro135.3 Japanese yen92.7 Canadian dollar52.9 British pound43.9 Australian dollar36.3 Mexican peso27.4 Swiss franc18.4 Hong Kong dollar15.4 Singapore dollar14.4 Chinese yuan11.0 The Japanese yen ranked second with $92.7 billion in daily transactions, followed by the Canadian dollar at $52.9 billion. Together, these three currencies accounted for the majority of non-USD FX trading activity with the dollar. Other Takeaways European and Asia-Pacific currencies continue to play crucial roles in FX trading with the USD. In addition to the euro and yen, the pound sterling (#4) and the Australian dollar (#5) saw significant trading volumes, reflecting their importance in global trade and finance. Several North American and Asia-Pacific currencies (such as the Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Mexican peso, and Singapore dollar) benefit from strong trade ties with the U.S., including free trade agreements that support higher cross-border capital flows. Meanwhile, smaller but highly liquid currencies like the Swiss franc and New Zealand dollar are still important in FX markets due to their stability and use in risk management strategies. FX Trading Doesn’t Have to Be Complex Trading on the FX market can be intimidating, but understanding who the key players are can help bring clarity to investors. Learning how to manage risk, having a trading plan, and understanding price movements are also essential components of successful trading. Note: Past performance is not indicative of future results. Related Topics: #sgd #nzd #hkd #mxn #mexican peso #oanda #chf #jpy #Japanese yen #foreign exchange #gbp #cad #canadian dollar #currencies #u.s. dollar #fx #USD Click for Comments var disqus_shortname = "visualcapitalist.disqus.com"; var disqus_title = "Ranked: The 10 Most Traded Currencies with the U.S. Dollar"; var disqus_url = "https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/ranked-the-10-most-traded-currencies-with-the-u-s-dollar/"; var disqus_identifier = "visualcapitalist.disqus.com-194861"; More from OANDA Markets2 weeks ago How the Gold Rally Is Playing Out Around the World Gold’s breakout in 2025 is compelling when viewed across global currencies. Which ones are rising the fastest? Markets2 weeks ago Trump Trade Shake-Up: Which Countries Are Winning Vs. Losing? As U.S. trade policy shifts under President Trump, global exporters are facing a more uneven landscape. Which ones are winning versus losing? Markets3 weeks ago What Happens to the USD When the Fed Cuts Rates? Will Fed easing in 2026 pressure the USD, or will global rate shifts rewrite the usual pattern? Money1 year ago Major Currency Performance by Region in 2024 For each of the world’s seven major regions, what is the most-traded currency and how did it perform versus the U.S. dollar in 2024? Money1 year ago Which Assets Are Most Correlated to the USD? Building a well-balanced, diversified portfolio involves including assets with varying correlations. The USD, with its weak or negative correlations to other assets, can be a valuable… Markets1 year ago Ranked: The Ten Most Traded Currencies with the U.S. Dollar The U.S. dollar is used in 88% of FX trading transactions. Which currencies are most commonly on the other side of the exchange? Markets2 years ago Ranked: The Top Performing Major Currencies (2014-2023) Which major currencies have performed best on the foreign exchange market over the last decade? Subscribe Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Join 375,000+ email subscribers: *Sign Up

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The Biggest Risks Facing the World 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 Geoeconomic confrontation is the top global risk in 2026, according to the World Economic Forum’s annual report. Fraying transatlantic alliances and a Great-Power competition between the U.S. and China is increasingly undermining global stability. From rapid advances in AI to shifts in the postwar economic order, multiple forces are reshaping the global system. As these shifts accelerate, they introduce growing risks. Not only do they raise questions for national competitiveness and security, they stand to disproportionately hit labor markets. This graphic shows the world’s leading risks in 2026, based on data from the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026. A Closer Look at the Top Global Risks For the analysis, the World Economic Forum surveyed more than 1,300 experts on the most pressing global risks in 2026. Here, respondents were asked to answer the following question, “Please select one risk that you believe is most likely to present a material crisis on a global scale in 2026.” Surveys were conducted between August 12 and September 22, 2025: RiskPercentage Selecting as Top Risk Geoeconomic confrontation18% State-based armed conflict14% Extreme weather events8% Societal polarization7% Misinformation and disinformation7% Economic downturn5% Erosion of human rights and/or of civic freedoms4% Adverse outcomes of AI technologies4% Cyber insecurity3% Inequality3% Lack of economic opportunity or unemployment2% Concentration of strategic resources and technologies2% Critical change to Earth systems2% Natural resource shortages2% Disruptions to critical infrastructure2% Asset bubble burst2% Debt2% Disruptions to a systemically important supply chain1% Decline in health and well-being1% Involuntary migration or displacement1% Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse1% Biological, chemical or nuclear weapons or hazards1% Inflation1% Pollution1% Insufficient public infrastructure and social protections1% Infectious diseases1% Non-weather related natural disasters1% Censorship and surveillance1% Crime and illicit economic activity1% Geoeconomic confrontation ranks as the top global risk in 2026, selected by 18% of respondents. Since last year, it has jumped up two spots in the rankings given persisting tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine. More recently, U.S. pressure over Greenland, along with the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, have added further strain. At the same time, President Trump’s perceived indifference toward defending Taiwan could create a perfect storm, according to experts, for China’s push for “reunification.” State-based armed conflict ranks second in the WEF report, selected by 14% of respondents. Notably, there are 59 active state-based conflicts worldwide, the highest number since World War II. Rounding out the top three risks are extreme weather events, selected by 8% respondents overall. From wildfires to droughts, severe weather events are meaningfully contributing to food inflation, displacement, and higher insurance costs. As global temperatures continue to rise, these impacts could intensify in both frequency and severity. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the top 10 global risks from 2020 to 2025.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: Which Countries Hold the Most U.S. Debt? 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 Foreign holdings of U.S. Treasuries hit an all-time high of $9.4 trillion in November, despite notable selloffs from China and India. Japan’s holdings of U.S. debt increased 11% annually to reach $1.2 trillion, while Canada’s purchases climbed 27% over the period, with the total now at $472 billion. Each year, the U.S. needs to sell more Treasuries to finance its growing budget deficit. Both domestic and overseas investors buy this debt, with foreign holders of U.S. Treasuries owning a record $9.4 trillion of the total. Overall, European countries collectively hold close to 40% of foreign-owned U.S. debt. This graphic shows which countries hold U.S. debt, based on U.S. Treasury data. The Top 20 Foreign Holders of U.S. Treasuries in 2025 Below, we show the largest foreign holders of U.S. Treasuries as of November 2025: RankCountryValueNov 2025 (B)Annual Change 1 Japan$1,202.611% 2 United Kingdom$888.516% 3 China$682.6-11% 4 Belgium$481.033% 5 Canada$472.227% 6 Cayman Islands$427.45% 7 Luxembourg$425.62% 8 France$376.113% 9 Ireland$340.3-1% 10 Taiwan$312.59% 11 Switzerland$300.31% 12 Singapore$272.28% 13 Hong Kong$256.0-4% 14 Norway$218.935% 15 India$186.5-20% 16 Brazil$168.1-27% 17 Saudi Arabia$148.810% 18 South Korea$145.114% 19 Germany$109.810% 20 Israel$107.723% -- Other countries$1,833.2N/A -- Global Total$9,355.47% With $1.2 trillion in U.S. Treasuries, Japan is the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt. In 2019, Japan overtook China, marking a major shift from a decade earlier, when China held nearly $1.3 trillion. Since then, China’s Treasury holdings have been nearly cut in half, while Japan’s have risen more modestly, up $61 billion over the same period. The UK ranks next, with $888.5 billion in U.S. federal debt. In the past 12 months, these debt holdings increased by the double-digits, a pattern echoed across several European nations, including Belgium, France, and Norway. By contrast, BRICS countries saw significant selloffs. Brazil’s holdings fell 27%, outpacing India’s 20% decline and China’s 11% reduction. At the same time, gold’s share of global central bank reserves surpassed U.S. Treasuries in late 2025 for the first time since 1996. While U.S. Treasury demand is shaped by many complex factors, 2025 underscored a clear divergence. Traditional U.S. allies continued to build their positions, while others increasingly diversified away, likely reflecting growing geopolitical considerations. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s $111 trillion in government debt.

The Pyramid of S&P 500 Returns: 152 Years of Market Performance Key Takeaways The S&P 500 has finished in positive territory in nearly 75% of years since 1871. 2026 could mark the fourth consecutive year of gains, which has been rarely seen throughout the S&P 500’s history. Wall Street strategists expect an average return of 12% for the index in 2026. Over the past 152 years, the S&P 500 has delivered a wide spectrum of annual returns, ranging from catastrophic downturns like 1931’s -44%, to massive bull runs such as 1954’s +45%. Using data from TradingView, the visualization above charts every calendar-year performance of the S&P 500 since 1871. As we enter 2026, Wall Street optimism is running high. All 21 strategists surveyed foresee gains for the S&P 500 this year, marking a rare consensus among analysts. How Have Returns Been Distributed Historically? Here’s the historical distribution of S&P 500 annual returns, compiled by TradingView: Annual S&P 500 Return RangeNumber of Years in RangeShare of Years in Range 40 to 50% or more32.0% 30 to 40%95.3% 20 to 30%2214.6% 10 to 20%3422.5% 0 to 10%3019.9% 0 to -10%2516.6% -10 to -20%1811.9% -20 to -30%74.6% -30 to -40%32.0% -40 to -50% or more10.7% Roughly 3 in 4 years have seen positive returns, with the most common range being between 10% and 20%. Only a handful of years (just 2%) delivered returns above 40%, underscoring how rare years like 1954 or 1995 truly are. On the downside, only a small cluster of years produced losses beyond -20%. 2026 Outlook: Optimism Across the Board For the S&P 500 in 2026, analysts are forecasting an average return of 12%, citing continued earnings growth and resilient consumer demand. Multiple investment firms, including Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, expect momentum in tech, AI, and small-cap sectors to drive performance this year. As noted in our global stock markets wrap for 2025, U.S. equities outperformed many international peers, bolstering investor confidence further. Where Will 2026 Land on the Chart? If the forecasted 12% gain materializes, 2026 would fall within the historically common 10–20% return range. That would place it alongside years like 2016 and 2010, which would be solid, unspectacular, and consistent with long-term averages. Based on analyst forecasts compiled in Visual Capitalist’s 2026 Predictions Database exclusively on VC+, the consensus outlook for U.S. equities leans constructively bullish, but more selective. Key themes expected to shape 2026: Moderate positive returns: Many strategists cluster around expectations of roughly 10–12% total returns, close to historical averages. Leadership may broaden beyond the largest mega‑cap tech names, with increased interest in industrials, defense, and select small‑cap segments. AI remains a structural tailwind, though gains may be more uneven as adoption spreads beyond the so‑called “Magnificent Seven.” Higher dispersion: Stock selection and sector rotation are expected to matter more than broad index exposure alone. Put simply, 2026 is shaping up to look less like a speculative surge, and more like a market digesting gains while still moving higher. But as history shows, market behavior can be unpredictable. Whether 2026 joins the ranks of great bull years, or surprises to the downside, remains to be seen.

Published 12 minutes ago on January 28, 2026 By Julia Wendling Article & Editing Ryan Bellefontaine Jenna Ross Graphics & Design Jennifer West Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email The following content is sponsored by New York Life Investments 3 Key Tax Changes for U.S. Investors in 2026 Tax rules rarely sit still, so 2026 could bring meaningful planning ripple effects. As a result, many households may want a fresh look at deductions, transfers, and savings. This graphic, in partnership with New York Life Investments, shows three key tax-law shifts for U.S. investors using data from the Internal Revenue Service. 1. A New SALT (State & Local Tax) Cap For households that itemize deductions, the SALT deduction cap jumps from $10,000 to $40,000. Consequently, in an illustrative example of a married couple filing jointly in the 32% bracket with $40,000 in state and local taxes, federal tax savings rise from $3,200 to $12,800. Here is a table that shows the old and new SALT caps and the illustrative federal tax savings. DeductionFederal Tax Saved Old SALT cap ($10,000)$3,200 New SALT cap ($40,000)$12,800 Based on a married couple filing jointly, in the 32% tax bracket, with income below the SALT phase-out and $40,000 in state and local taxes. However, the benefit can swing widely by state. New York ($7,092) leads the nation, while South Dakota ($1,033) trails, with big coastal states also near the top. Meanwhile, state tax differences can compound over time for investors. 2. A Rise in the Federal Estate and Gift Tax Exemption In 2026, the federal lifetime estate and gift tax exemption rises from $13.99M to $15.00M per person. That added headroom can help reduce forced asset sales during wealth transfers. Here is a table showing the result if someone invested the roughly $1M difference at a 10% annual return, which is the average since 1957. YearTotal Savings (Millions of U.S. Dollars) 01.0 11.1 21.2 31.3 41.5 51.6 61.8 72.0 82.2 92.4 102.6 Average annual return on the S&P 500 since 1957. For illustrative purposes only. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Although results will vary, and markets don’t move in straight lines, it could approach $2.6M after a decade. 3. New Rules for Extra Retirement Contributions After Age 50 The IRS raised the 401(k) elective deferral limit to $24,500 for 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025. At the same time, the age-50 catch-up limit increases from $7,500 to $8,000. YearBase contributionCatch-up contribution 2025$23,500.00$7,500.00 2026$24,500.00$8,000.00 Amounts shown are the IRS maximum employee deferral limits for 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457 plans for individuals age 50 and older. Beginning in 2026, the $8,000 catch-up portion must be made with money that has already been taxed for workers whose prior year wages from that employer exceed the income threshold in the law, approximately $150,000 for 2026 contributions. Under a change made in SECURE 2.0, a higher catch-up contribution limit applies for employees aged 60-63 if their plan allows. The catch-up would be $11,250 (totaling $35,750). However, the SECURE 2.0 retirement package adds a twist: certain higher earners must make catch-up contributions after-tax as Roth. Because of that, investors may rethink how they balance pre-tax and Roth savings. What These Key Tax Changes Mean for Investors Taken together, these Key Tax Changes can free up after-tax cash flow and broaden long-term options. Yet each outcome depends on income levels, itemizing behavior, plan rules, and macro trends such as interest rate changes. 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