See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Central Banks Buying and Selling Gold 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 data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Poland is the largest gold buyer in 2026 so far, adding over 20 tonnes. Emerging markets are driving most purchases as geopolitical risk rises. Russia and Turkey are among the biggest sellers, reflecting fiscal and currency pressures. Central banks are taking diverging paths on gold in 2026. While countries like Poland, Uzbekistan, and China are adding to their reserves, others, including Russia and Turkey, are selling to manage economic pressures. The split highlights gold’s dual role as both a geopolitical hedge and a source of liquidity. This chart shows net changes in central bank gold reserves by country so far as of end of February, based on data from the World Gold Council. Poland Leads Global Gold Buying in 2026 Poland is leading global gold accumulation in 2026, adding over 20 tonnes, more than any other central bank so far this year. This purchase is part of a broader multi-year plan to reach 700 tonnes, reflecting heightened security concerns on NATO’s eastern flank. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan follow closely behind, continuing a steady trend of gold accumulation among Central Asian economies. CountryNet Change in 2026 (Tonnes of Gold) Poland20.23 Uzbekistan16.48 Kazakhstan6.51 Malaysia4.98 Czechia3.36 China2.18 Cambodia1.69 Indonesia1.51 Serbia0.99 Philippines0.46 El Salvador0.29 Singapore0.20 Malta0.12 Mongolia0.08 Egypt0.06 Qatar0.02 Mexico-0.02 Belarus-0.05 Kyrgyzstan-1.07 Bulgaria-1.88 Turkey-8.08 Russia-15.55 Diversification Away From Dollar Reserves The freezing of roughly $300 billion in Russian central bank assets in 2022 marked a turning point for global reserve management. In response, countries like China and several Central Asian economies have accelerated gold purchases, treating bullion as a reserve asset that sits outside the reach of foreign governments. Unlike foreign currency reserves, gold is not subject to foreign jurisdiction, making it attractive in a fragmented geopolitical landscape. Smaller buyers, such as Cambodia and Serbia, are also gradually increasing their allocations. Why Russia and Turkey Are Selling Gold On the other side of the ledger, Russia and Turkey are the largest net sellers of gold in 2026. Russia’s gold sales point to mounting fiscal strain, as wartime spending and sanctions pressure government finances. Meanwhile, Turkey’s reduction is driven by domestic policy, including efforts to stabilize the lira and manage local gold demand. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Mapped: Which Countries Hold the Most Gold Reserves? on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Ranked: The EU’s Richest Regions 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 Ireland’s Eastern and Midland region ranks first, with GDP per capita more than double the EU average. Luxembourg and Southern Ireland also rank far above the norm, driven in part by multinational activity. Capital hubs like Prague and Bucharest-Ilfov rank among the EU’s richest regions, highlighting how wealth clusters in major cities. Ireland and Luxembourg dominate the top of this ranking, but some of the most surprising entries come from Central and Eastern Europe, where capital regions rival Western Europe’s wealthiest hubs. Using data from Eurostat and visualized by DataPulse, this graphic ranks EU regions by GDP per capita in purchasing power standards (PPS), which adjusts for cost-of-living differences across countries. The EU’s Top 30 Regions by GDP per Capita The table below shows the EU’s top-performing regions by GDP per capita, measured in purchasing power standards (PPS): RankRegionCountryGDP per Capita (€)% of EU Avg 1Eastern and Midland Ireland107,200268 2Luxembourg Luxembourg97,700245 3Southern Ireland86,500217 4Hamburg Germany78,300196 5Prague Czech Republic76,600192 6Brussels Belgium76,000190 7Bucharest - Ilfov Romania75,000188 8Capital Region of Denmark Denmark70,100175 9North Holland Netherlands69,900175 10Upper Bavaria Germany67,700170 11Budapest Hungary67,200168 12Utrecht Netherlands64,900162 13Bolzano - South Tyrol Italy64,200161 14Île-de-France France64,000160 15Warsaw Poland62,800157 16Walloon Brabant Belgium61,900155 17Stuttgart (district) Germany61,300153 18Stockholm Sweden61,100153 19Bratislava Region Slovakia61,000153 20Darmstadt (district) Germany59,200148 21Salzburg Austria58,100146 22North Brabant Netherlands55,400139 23Vienna Austria54,600137 24Antwerp Belgium54,100135 25Sostinės regionas Lithuania53,000133 26Bremen (state) Bremen Germany52,700132 27Lombardy Italy52,700132 28Zagreb Croatia52,500131 29Lower Saxony Braunschweig Germany51,500129 30South Holland Netherlands51,500129 --Average European Union40,000100 The top of the ranking is dominated by two familiar outliers: Ireland and Luxembourg. Eastern and Midland (Ireland) leads the EU by a wide margin, while Southern Ireland and Luxembourg also rank far above the regional average. Notably, several Central and Eastern European capitals rank ahead of regions in much larger Western economies. Why Ireland and Luxembourg Stand Out At first glance, Ireland and Luxembourg appear to be runaway leaders. But part of that strength reflects the way multinational firms book profits in these economies. In Ireland especially, the presence of major foreign companies can push GDP per capita far above what domestic consumption or household income alone would suggest. Economists often describe this gap as GDP distortion, where globally generated profits are recorded locally. The Power of Capital Regions Many of Europe’s wealthiest regions are centered around capital cities or major economic hubs. Prague, Brussels, Paris (Île-de-France), and Copenhagen all rank highly due to: Concentration of government institutions High-value service industries Corporate headquarters and financial activity These regions act as economic engines, attracting talent, investment, and infrastructure that boost productivity and output per person. Eastern Europe’s Surprising Entries Notably, Bucharest-Ilfov (Romania) and Budapest (Hungary) rank among the EU’s top regions, despite their countries having lower overall GDP per capita. This creates a striking contrast: cities like Bucharest and Budapest rank among the EU’s richest regions, even though their countries rank much lower overall. Economic activity is concentrated in these capital hubs, where multinational firms and high-value services drive productivity well above national averages. The broader takeaway is that national averages can hide where economic power is really concentrated. Across the EU, a relatively small group of capital cities, financial centers, and multinational hubs account for an outsized share of regional wealth. Learn More on the Voronoi App For more insights on Europe’s wealth distribution, check out Europe’s Richest Countries on the Voronoi app.

Mapped: Internet Freedom Around 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 data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways 11 countries tie for the world’s freest internet (score: 92), spanning Europe, Latin America, and Asia. North Korea ranks last (0), with China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan close behind (4). The U.S. (64) and UK (52) rank mid-pack, trailing leaders like Norway and Costa Rica. How free is the internet where you live? This map ranks 171 countries based on how freely people can access the internet. The results reveal stark global differences, from highly open systems in parts of Europe and Latin America to tightly controlled networks in countries like North Korea and China. The data comes from a 2026 internet freedom index by Cloudwards, which evaluates national policies across four areas: torrenting, VPN availability, adult content, and political and civic expression. Where Does the U.S. Rank? The United States scores 64 out of 100, placing it in the global middle. It ranks alongside countries like Japan and Australia, and below top performers such as Norway (92) and Canada (84). The UK scores even lower at 52, reflecting stricter regulations in areas like online content access. The Freest Internet Access Worldwide No country achieves a perfect score, but 11 countries across four continents share the top spot at 92. These countries are Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Suriname, and Timor-Leste. The data table below lists countries worldwide alongside their internet freedom scores. CountryInternet Freedom Score Belgium92 Costa Rica92 Denmark92 Finland92 Iceland92 Liechtenstein92 New Zealand92 Norway92 Slovakia92 Suriname92 Timor-Leste92 Andorra84 Austria84 Belize84 Canada84 Cape Verde84 Chile84 Côte d’Ivoire84 Croatia84 Dominican Republic84 Greece84 Guyana84 Haiti84 Jamaica84 Kosovo84 Lithuania84 Luxembourg84 Malta84 Moldova84 Montenegro84 North Macedonia84 Panama84 Poland84 Seychelles84 Slovenia84 Switzerland84 Trinidad & Tobago84 Uruguay84 Ireland80 Latvia80 Portugal80 Sweden80 Argentina76 Benin76 Bolivia76 Bosnia & Herzegovina76 Cyprus76 Fiji76 Gambia76 Hungary76 Liberia76 Madagascar76 Mongolia76 Namibia76 Niger76 Peru76 Bulgaria72 Estonia72 Ghana72 Guatemala72 Italy72 Mexico72 Netherlands72 Paraguay72 Spain72 Taiwan72 Angola68 Democratic Republic of Congo68 Gabon68 Malawi68 Mali68 Mauritius68 Mozambique68 Papua New Guinea68 Republic of the Congo68 Senegal68 Albania64 Australia64 Botswana64 Central African Republic64 Ecuador64 France64 Georgia64 Germany64 Guinea-Bissau64 Honduras64 Hong Kong SAR China64 Japan64 Lesotho64 Maldives64 Morocco64 Nicaragua64 Nigeria64 Romania64 Serbia64 South Africa64 United States64 Mauritania60 Armenia56 Burundi56 Cameroon56 Chad56 Eswatini56 Guinea56 Lebanon56 Palestine56 Philippines56 Rwanda56 Tajikistan56 Tunisia56 Bhutan52 Brazil52 Colombia52 Kenya52 Kyrgyzstan52 United Kingdom52 Zambia52 Algeria48 Burkina Faso48 Djibouti48 Nepal48 Sri Lanka48 Tongo48 Zimbabwe48 Cambodia44 El Salvador44 Israel44 Somalia44 Ukraine44 Azerbaijan36 Cuba36 Equatorial Guinea36 Ethiopia36 Jordan36 Kazakhstan36 Kuwait36 Laos36 Thailand36 Venezuela36 Bahrain32 Malaysia32 Singapore32 South Korea32 Libya28 Tanzania28 Afghanistan24 Brunei24 Indonesia24 Qatar24 Uganda24 Uzbekistan24 Vietnam24 Bangladesh20 Belarus20 Oman20 Iraq16 Myanmar (Burma)16 Turkmenistan16 Egypt12 India12 Saudi Arabia12 Sudan12 Syria12 Türkiye12 United Arab Emirates12 Yemen12 China4 Iran4 Pakistan4 Russia4 North Korea0 European countries make up over half of this top echelon and are especially concentrated in the Nordics, where Sweden (80) is the only exception. The Nordic countries are widely known for their liberal, tolerant governments and societies. Perhaps more surprising is the high placement of countries like Suriname and Timor-Leste, developing nations in South America and Asia that have nonetheless imposed minimal restrictions on social media use and online access. The Bottom of the Scoreboard On the other side of the spectrum is North Korea (0), where very few citizens have access to the global internet. Instead, most rely on the national intranet service, Kwangmyong, which filters out outside information. Right behind North Korea are China and Russia, which tie with Iran and Pakistan for the next-lowest scores worldwide (4). China’s Great Firewall is perhaps the world’s best-known censorship system, used to suppress criticism of the country’s leaders or content related to politically sensitive topics such as the Tiananmen Square protests. It also blocks access to foreign platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Internet Access in the West The United States (64) sits near the middle of the ranking, alongside developed democracies such as Australia, France, Germany, and Japan. The United Kingdom (52) scores slightly lower, with recent adult content legislation playing a role. Across much of the Western world, scores remain relatively high, including in Canada (84), Ireland and Portugal (both 80), and Spain and Italy (both 72). One notable outlier is South Korea (32), which ranks below countries like Cuba, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela (36), underscoring how content restrictions—not just political systems—shape internet freedom scores. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out A Day of Activity on the Internet on Voronoi.Use This Visualization

Published 5 hours ago on April 20, 2026 By Jenna Ross Graphics & Design Athul Alexander Zack Aboulazm Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email The following content is sponsored by Terzo 2026 GDP Growth Forecasts for the World’s 20 Largest Economies Geopolitical tensions are putting pressure on global growth, but not all economies are affected equally. Which of the world’s largest economies are set to grow the fastest in 2026?In this graphic, created in partnership with Terzo, we look at real GDP growth projections for the world’s 20 largest economies. It’s part of our Markets in a Minute series, which delivers quick economic insights. Ranking GDP Growth by Country In 2026, India is projected to see the highest GDP growth among economic powerhouses. The IMF raised its forecast due to India’s strong economy in 2025, as well as the reduction in U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. Country2026 Projected Real GDP Growth India6.5% Indonesia5.0% China4.4% Türkiye3.4% Poland3.3% Saudi Arabia3.1% U.S.2.3% Spain2.1% Australia2.0% Brazil1.9% South Korea1.9% Mexico1.6% Canada1.5% Netherlands1.2% Russia1.1% France0.9% UK0.8% Germany0.8% Japan0.7% Italy0.5% Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026. Real GDP growth is adjusted for inflation. China takes the third spot among the world’s largest economies with forecasted growth of 4.4%. Its relatively strong prediction is the result of lower U.S. tariff rates on Chinese goods, as well as policy support from Chinese authorities to offset the negative effects of the Middle East conflict. As a result of the conflict, Saudi Arabia saw the biggest drop in its growth forecast among the world’s largest economies. Experts expect that temporarily reduced oil exports will create a drag on GDP. However, Saudi Arabia is much better off than many of its neighbors due to the East-West pipeline that is able to redirect nearly half of the exports that normally flow through the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea instead. U.S. Economic Growth in 2026 The IMF predicts that the U.S. will have the highest GDP growth among large developed countries, on track for 2.3% in 2026. Boosts to growth come from government spending, interest rate cuts in 2025, and strong productivity. On the flip side, trade barriers and the Middle East war may create moderate drags on growth. When markets move fast, timely access to the right data makes all the difference. NirvanAI gives quick AI-powered insights to help your company save money on your contracts.  See how you can unlock cost savings with NirvanAI now. 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Use This Visualization The $448B AI Spending Surge by Big Tech See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Big Tech AI capex nearly tripled from $162B in 2022 to $448B in 2025. By late 2025, these companies were spending over $140B per quarter combined. Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet account for the largest share of the increase. Big Tech is pouring hundreds of billions into AI infrastructure as competition to scale models and cloud capacity intensifies. This chart is part of Visual Capitalist’s AI Week, sponsored by Terzo. It shows quarterly capital expenditures for five hyperscalers—Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle—based on data from Epoch AI, using SEC filings from Q1 2022 to Q4 2025. Spending accelerated sharply after mid-2023, reflecting a shift from experimentation to full-scale deployment of data centers, chips, and AI-ready cloud infrastructure. The Big Tech Arms Race for AI Big Tech’s capex surge signals an all-out infrastructure arms race, where scale in compute, data centers, and chips is becoming the defining advantage in AI. Across Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle, combined capex rose from $162.3 billion in 2022 to $448.3 billion in 2025. The data below shows a quarterly capex proxy for selected hyperscalers between 2022 and 2025. QuarterMicrosoft (AI capex, $B)Amazon (AI capex, $B)Alphabet (AI capex, $B)Meta (AI capex, $B)Oracle (AI capex, $B) 2022 Q16.115.19.85.61.1 2022 Q28.015.86.87.61.4 2022 Q36.916.57.39.41.7 2022 Q46.916.97.69.42.4 2023 Q17.714.26.37.12.6 2023 Q29.811.76.96.41.9 2023 Q311.612.78.16.51.3 2023 Q411.514.811.08.11.1 2024 Q114.415.012.06.51.7 2024 Q218.617.813.28.42.8 2024 Q319.322.813.18.82.3 2024 Q422.228.314.614.74.0 2025 Q120.025.117.713.75.9 2025 Q223.633.122.517.111.1 2025 Q328.536.124.319.39.6 2025 Q436.240.528.522.513.0 The inflection point came in mid-2023, when AI spending shifted from gradual growth to a steep acceleration, marking the transition from early adoption to full-scale infrastructure buildout. Epoch AI estimates that combined capex at these five companies has been growing at an average annual rate of 72% since Q2 2023. By Q4 2025, the five companies were spending a combined $140.6 billion in a single quarter. This surge underscores a fundamental shift. AI infrastructure is no longer a future bet, but a present-day cost of competing that is reshaping how the world’s largest tech companies allocate capital. The growth was uneven, with Microsoft (+$30B), Amazon (+$25B), and Alphabet (+$19B) posting the biggest increases in quarterly capex from Q1 2022 to Q4 2025. What Counts as AI Capex Here? Epoch’s measure is based on two components pulled from SEC filings: cash spending on property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) and new finance leases. It uses structured 10-Q and 10-K filing data instead of company-reported capex figures, since firms do not always define capital expenditures the same way on earnings calls. That makes the comparison more consistent, but it also comes with limits. Epoch notes that not all of this spending is exclusively AI-related, and excluded operating leases may understate total investment in productive capacity. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Visualizing the Critical Minerals Powering the AI Boom on Voronoi.

It’s AI Week at Visual Capitalist! Artificial intelligence is moving from breakthrough to everyday infrastructure. As models grow more powerful and adoption spreads, AI is becoming one of the most consequential forces shaping business, technology, and society. AI Week is a special editorial series from Visual Capitalist, in partnership with Terzo, exploring how AI is reshaping the world around us. Be the first to see daily content drops on our AI page: Over the course of the week, we’ll break down the data behind: Leading AI models and platforms The business and infrastructure investments powering the space How AI adoption is changing across markets and regions The global trends shaping how people interact with AI And the forces redefining the future of technology How It Works Daily content drops: Each day, we’ll release new visuals unpacking a critical piece of the AI story. One central page: All AI Week content lives in one place, so you can follow the story as it unfolds. More to explore: The AI category page also connects you to more Visual Capitalist content on the trends transforming artificial intelligence. About Our Sponsor AI Week is an editorial partnership between Visual Capitalist and Terzo, an enterprise AI and analytics platform that transforms unstructured business documents into clean, analytics-ready data. By helping teams turn complex documents into structured insights, Terzo enables smarter financial, procurement, and legal decision-making. Want to Align Your Brand with Events Like This? Visual Capitalist editorial weeks bring together data-driven storytelling and a global audience of over 100 million investors, executives, and decision-makers. As a sponsor, your brand gains exclusive visibility during our largest editorial pushes—from homepage takeovers and dedicated newsletters to high-impact distribution across our social channels. If you want your brand’s name in lights, check out our full content calendar to see what’s available for 2026. Explore the AI Category Page

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: Average Rent Across 100 U.S. Cities (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 San Francisco, New York, and Boston top U.S. rents at over $3,500 a month. Six of the 10 most expensive rental markets are in California. The average across 100 cities is $1,843, with many Midwest and Southern cities below $1,200. Rents across 100 U.S. cities range widely in 2026, from over $3,500 in the most expensive markets to around $1,200 in more affordable regions. This map visualizes average monthly rent using Zillow’s Observed Rent Index (ZORI), via WalletHub. The data reflects smoothed, seasonally adjusted rents across all residential property types as of February 2026. With the U.S. average at $1,843, renters in the most expensive cities are paying more than double the national benchmark. California Accounts for Most of the Highest Rents California cities dominate the upper end of the rental market, accounting for six of the 10 most expensive locations. RankCityAverage Rent (2026) 1San Francisco, CA$3,830 2New York, NY$3,706 3Boston, MA$3,510 4Irvine, CA$3,361 5San Jose, CA$3,222 6Jersey City, NJ$3,048 7Miami, FL$2,964 8Chula Vista, CA$2,904 9San Diego, CA$2,893 10Santa Ana, CA$2,804 11Los Angeles, CA$2,742 12Anaheim, CA$2,711 13Naples, FL$2,677 14Honolulu, HI$2,548 15Oakland, CA$2,527 16Washington, DC$2,406 17Riverside, CA$2,346 18Chicago, IL$2,292 19Long Beach, CA$2,287 20Seattle, WA$2,187 21Newark, NJ$2,121 22Gilbert, AZ$2,049 23Saint Petersburg, FL$2,048 24Modesto, CA$2,042 25Stockton, CA$2,010 26Sacramento, CA$2,006 27Tampa, FL$1,968 28Silver Spring, MD$1,954 29Virginia Beach, VA$1,953 30Katy, TX$1,896 31Atlanta, GA$1,888 32Bakersfield, CA$1,887 33Lawrenceville, GA$1,881 34Orlando, FL$1,857 35Chandler, AZ$1,848 36Reno, NV$1,830 37Denver, CO$1,818 38Nashville, TN$1,772 39Henderson, NV$1,772 40Vancouver, WA$1,769 41Marietta, GA$1,742 42Philadelphia, PA$1,734 43Plano, TX$1,717 44Portland, OR$1,710 45Baltimore, MD$1,708 46Knoxville, TN$1,708 47Charlotte, NC$1,705 48Boise, ID$1,703 49Las Vegas, NV$1,695 50Fresno, CA$1,693 51Aurora, CO$1,689 52Spring, TX$1,679 53Colorado Springs, CO$1,667 54Durham, NC$1,651 55Minneapolis, MN$1,638 56New Orleans, LA$1,625 57Dallas, TX$1,591 58Jacksonville, FL$1,576 59Richmond, VA$1,574 60Raleigh, NC$1,567 61Phoenix, AZ$1,556 62Fort Worth, TX$1,554 63Mesa, AZ$1,554 64Houston, TX$1,542 65Austin, TX$1,531 66Pittsburgh, PA$1,516 67Lexington, KY$1,487 68Saint Paul, MN$1,485 69Tallahassee, FL$1,484 70Arlington, TX$1,462 71Columbia, SC$1,459 72Albuquerque, NM$1,457 73Spokane, WA$1,456 74Winston-Salem, NC$1,445 75El Paso, TX$1,441 76Rochester, NY$1,434 77Corpus Christi, TX$1,433 78Cincinnati, OH$1,425 79Kansas City, MO$1,418 80Columbus, OH$1,415 81Omaha, NE$1,403 82Tucson, AZ$1,399 83Milwaukee, WI$1,398 84Lubbock, TX$1,388 85Greensboro, NC$1,382 86Buffalo, NY$1,381 87San Antonio, TX$1,361 88Indianapolis, IN$1,356 89Louisville, KY$1,352 90Cleveland, OH$1,344 91Saint Louis, MO$1,326 92Detroit, MI$1,318 93Baton Rouge, LA$1,312 94Lincoln, NE$1,293 95Oklahoma City, OK$1,255 96Memphis, TN$1,234 97Tulsa, OK$1,207 98Fort Wayne, IN$1,160 99Wichita, KS$1,125 100Toledo, OH$1,060 -- U.S. Average (100 Cities)$1,843 At $3,830 per month, San Francisco renters pay more than twice the national average, putting it at the top of the ranking alongside New York and Boston, where rents also exceed $3,500. Other California cities like Irvine, San Jose, and San Diego also rank near the top. High demand, limited housing supply, and strong local economies continue to drive elevated prices across the state. Coastal Premiums Remain Intact Beyond California, other coastal cities also command high rents. New York City and Jersey City remain among the most expensive, reflecting their proximity to major job centers. Miami has also emerged as one of the priciest markets in the Southeast, fueled by population growth and migration trends. Affordability Concentrated in the Interior In contrast, the most affordable rental markets are largely located in the Midwest and South. In cities like Toledo, Wichita, and Tulsa, average rents remain near or below $1,200, roughly one-third the cost of renting in San Francisco. This gap highlights how location alone can dramatically change a renter’s cost of living, even within the same country. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out It Takes 25 Years to Save for a Home in California on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Why Europe Will Miss Its 2030 Digital Skills Target Key Takeaways The EU is off track to hit its 80% digital skills target by 2030 at current growth rates. 10 countries saw declines in basic digital skills between 2022 and 2025. Progress is uneven: while some countries are improving quickly, others are moving backward. Europe’s push to build a digitally skilled population is losing momentum. At the current pace, the region is unlikely to meet its 2030 target. The chart above, created by The European Correspondent using European Commission DESI data, shows how basic digital skills have changed across EU countries from 2022 to 2025, along with projected progress to 2030. While some countries are making rapid progress, others are slipping, with 10 EU nations reporting outright declines, leaving the EU on track to fall well short of the 80% goal. This uneven progress points to a growing divide across the bloc. As digital skills become essential for jobs and public services, parts of Europe may fall further behind. How Digital Skills are Evolving Across Europe At the current pace, the EU would need to increase digital skills adoption nearly nine times faster to meet its 80% target by 2030, highlighting how far off track the region is despite recent gains. Country% with basic digital skills (2022)% with basic digital skills (2025)Change (2022–2025) Hungary49.158.99.80 Czechia59.769.19.42 Estonia56.462.66.24 Belgium54.259.45.16 Bulgaria31.235.54.34 Lithuania48.852.94.07 Netherlands78.982.73.76 Germany48.952.23.30 Finland79.282.02.81 Ireland70.572.92.42 Spain64.266.22.02 Malta61.263.01.79 EU average53.955.61.64 Poland42.944.31.37 Austria63.364.71.35 Denmark68.769.60.97 Portugal55.356.00.66 Italy45.645.80.15 Greece52.552.4-0.08 Romania27.827.7-0.09 Sweden66.666.4-0.16 Cyprus50.249.5-0.75 France62.059.7-2.29 Slovenia49.746.7-2.97 Luxembourg63.860.1-3.65 Slovakia55.251.3-3.87 Croatia63.459.0-4.42 Latvia50.845.3-5.46 At the top of the rankings, the Netherlands and Finland lead with around 80% or more of adults possessing basic digital skills, followed closely by Ireland and Denmark. At the other end, Romania and Bulgaria remain the lowest, with fewer than half of citizens meeting the baseline threshold. “Basic digital skills” refers to the ability to perform tasks across four domains—information, communication, problem-solving, and software use, based on the EU’s DESI framework. Which Countries Are Moving Forward and Backward? A notable warning sign: 10 EU countries are moving in reverse. Latvia, Croatia, Slovakia, and others reported lower shares of adults with basic digital skills in 2025 than in 2022, an unexpected shift from what was once steady progress. On the other side of the ledger, Hungary led the bloc with a 9.8 percentage-point gain, followed closely by Czechia at 9.42 points. Estonia and Belgium also posted notable improvements. That mix of momentum and backsliding makes the regional picture look less like a steady climb and more like a very uneven Wi-Fi signal. Why the 80% Target Matters The EU’s 80% target is part of its broader Digital Decade program, designed to ensure citizens can work, learn, and access services in an increasingly digital economy. The European Commission says just 55.6% of the EU population currently has at least basic digital skills, while policymakers have warned that nearly half of EU adults still lack them even as 90% of jobs require some level of digital ability. The stakes are economic. With roughly 90% of jobs now requiring some level of digital skills, countries that fall behind risk slower growth, weaker job markets, and reduced access to essential digital services.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The World’s 15 Largest Defense Budgets 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. spends $921B on defense, more than the next eight countries combined. The world’s top 15 military budgets surpassed $2 trillion for the first time. Europe is driving the fastest growth, with spending rising sharply across NATO. For the first time on record, the top 15 military spenders allocated more than $2 trillion to defense in 2025. Total global defense spending also reached a record $2.6 trillion, signaling a major shift in geopolitical priorities. Using data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, this visualization ranks the 15 countries driving this surge in military spending. While the U.S. still operates on an entirely different scale, the biggest shift is happening in Europe, where countries are no longer just maintaining military capacity but expanding it significantly. The $2 Trillion Arms Race: Defense Spending by Country The U.S. defense budget reached $921 billion in 2025, larger than the combined military spending of China, Russia, Germany, the UK, India, Saudi Arabia, France, and Japan. Looking ahead, Donald Trump has proposed increasing defense spending to $1.5 trillion by 2027, although this plan has not been enacted. If realized, this would represent roughly 90% higher spending than the Cold War peak in real terms. China ranked second globally with $251.3 billion in defense spending in 2025. Its share of Asia’s military spending has climbed to 44%, up from 39% in 2017, highlighting its expanding regional influence. Below is the breakdown of the 15 nations with the largest defense budgets in 2025. RankCountryDefense Budget 2025 (USD) 1 United States$921.0B 2 China$251.3B 3 Russia$186.2B 4 Germany$107.3B 5 United Kingdom$94.3B 6 India$78.3B 7 Saudi Arabia$72.5B 8 France$70.0B 9 Japan$58.9B 10 Ukraine$44.4B 11 South Korea$43.8B 12 Italy$40.1B 13 Israel$39.7B 14 Australia$37.3B 15 Poland$33.2B Russia’s defense budget reached $186.2 billion in 2025, rising by more than $40 billion in a single year and equivalent to 7.3% of GDP. However, spending is expected to decline in 2026, the first drop since the invasion of Ukraine. With a growing deficit, the country faces mounting economic pressure, though higher oil prices have recently provided some relief. Europe’s Expanding War Chest With Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and pressure from the U.S., European NATO members have committed to spending 3.5% of GDP on defense by 2035. This would translate to roughly $1.2 trillion by 2035, the largest defense buildup among these countries since the Cold War. Outside of Russia, Europe holds six of the world’s 15 largest defense budgets, led by Germany ($107.3 billion) and the UK ($94.3 billion). Both countries increased spending by tens of billions between 2024 and 2025. What was once gradual growth has become a sharp acceleration, making defense one of the fastest-growing spending categories across advanced economies. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s largest armies in 2026.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: Teacher Salaries Around the World 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 Top teacher salaries exceed $170K in some countries, with starting pay near $100K. Germany and Switzerland also offer six-figure peak salaries, far above most OECD countries. In lower-paying countries, starting salaries can fall below $30K with limited long-term growth. In some countries, teaching is a six-figure career. In others, salaries remain far lower even after decades of experience. This chart compares statutory salaries for upper secondary teachers across OECD countries, using PPP-adjusted 2022 dollars. Data comes from the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2025 report. To put this in perspective, the highest-paid teachers earn more than double the OECD average top salary of about $76,000, highlighting how wide the global pay gap can be. Where Teacher Pay Reaches Six Figures Luxembourg stands far ahead, with starting salaries near $100,000 and top pay reaching over $170,000. Germany and Switzerland also offer six-figure peak salaries, but still trail Luxembourg by a wide margin. This gap shows how much outliers can skew global comparisons. CountryStarting SalaryAfter 15 YearsTop of Scale Luxembourg$99,621$137,418$173,165 Germany$90,567$107,491$122,251 Switzerland$90,469—$137,378 Mexico$61,856$75,953$75,953 Norway$61,833$69,446$77,382 Austria$61,742$83,166$126,691 Spain$61,074$70,856$87,304 Türkiye$59,766$67,091$77,396 Denmark$59,762$77,664$77,664 Netherlands$58,805$102,711$121,026 Australia$57,477$81,842$92,959 United States$52,893$76,442$83,410 Sweden$51,479$58,755$67,678 Scotland$51,285$64,368$64,368 Canada$50,077$87,285$87,299 Finland$48,930$61,685$65,386 Iceland$48,176$61,204$61,204 OECD Average$47,339$63,925$76,535 France$47,220$53,086$74,214 Ireland$43,344$70,865$81,631 New Zealand$41,726$67,121$67,121 England$41,468$63,995$63,995 Portugal$41,321$52,740$87,367 Italy$40,947$50,917$63,432 Lithuania$39,107$44,970$51,172 S. Korea$37,773$65,765$104,786 Slovenia$36,597$56,323$67,365 Japan$34,863$54,168$68,276 Colombia$31,723$57,853$57,853 Israel$31,176$44,444$63,367 Chile$30,977$46,525$57,433 Hungary$30,692$34,949$42,039 Poland$28,712$41,355$43,101 Czechia$27,348$30,359$35,962 Costa Rica$26,678$33,673$40,668 Brazil$24,526—— Slovakia$23,371$26,913$30,102 Greece$23,363$30,627$45,153 Dataset Average$47,265$63,165$76,219 Mid-Tier Countries Show Strong Growth Potential While starting pay is moderate in countries like Canada and the Netherlands, long-term earnings can rise significantly. In Canada, salaries increase from roughly $50K to over $87K, one of the largest jumps in the dataset. The Netherlands also shows one of the steepest pay progressions in the dataset. Where Teacher Pay Falls Furthest Behind At the lower end of the scale, starting salaries in countries like Slovakia, Greece, and Brazil can fall below $30K. Even at peak levels, earnings often remain below the OECD average, highlighting major disparities in how education systems compensate teachers. In some countries, salaries increase very little over time, limiting long-term earnings. This can contribute to teacher shortages, lower retention, and differences in education quality. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Comparing Education Levels Across 45 Countries on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: America’s Best States to Live In See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Massachusetts ranks #1, but several Midwest states now dominate the top 10. Idaho and Wisconsin outperform major coastal states on overall livability. Many of the most affordable states rank near the bottom, highlighting a “livability paradox.” What makes a state a great place to live in 2025? Using data from WalletHub, which evaluates 51 metrics across affordability, economic opportunity, safety, and health, this map ranks all 50 U.S. states by quality of life. The results point to a shift in where Americans can achieve the highest standard of living. While coastal states still lead in income and infrastructure, many Midwest and Mountain states are rising by combining affordability, safety, and economic stability. Ranked: Where Quality of Life Is Highest in America Massachusetts tops the ranking thanks to a combination of high incomes, leading healthcare access, and a dense network of top universities, but coastal states no longer dominate the list. States like Idaho (#2) and New Hampshire (#7) show that quality of life is increasingly driven by safety and economic stability, not just taxes or climate. Below is the full breakdown of all 50 states, ranked by their total score. Figures are rounded. RankStateTotal Score 1Massachusetts60.2 2Idaho60.2 3New Jersey59.8 4Wisconsin59.7 5Minnesota58.7 6Florida58.5 7New Hampshire58.2 8Utah57.9 9New York57.9 10Pennsylvania57.9 11Wyoming57.9 12Iowa56.2 13Maine56.2 14Virginia56.2 15Montana55.2 16North Dakota54.6 17Illinois54.6 18South Dakota54.1 19Colorado53.6 20Nebraska52.9 21Vermont52.7 22North Carolina52.3 23Kansas52.2 24Connecticut52.1 25Rhode Island52.1 26Ohio51.6 27Georgia51.6 28Missouri51.2 29Indiana51.2 30Michigan51.1 30Arizona51.0 32California50.5 33Delaware50.0 34Maryland49.8 35Hawaii49.4 36Washington49.2 37Kentucky47.5 38Texas47.2 39Oregon47.2 40Tennessee47.0 41Alabama47.0 42West Virginia47.0 43Oklahoma46.3 44South Carolina45.7 45Nevada44.6 46Alaska44.2 47Mississippi43.5 48Arkansas42.1 49Louisiana40.6 50New Mexico39.7 One of the clearest trends in the 2025 rankings is the rise of the Midwest as a quality-of-life leader. With Wisconsin (#4) and Minnesota (#5) in the top five, the region stands out for balancing strong economic, health, and educational outcomes with relatively better affordability. States Ranking Near the Bottom The lowest-ranked states cluster into a clear pattern at the bottom of the map. New Mexico (#50) and Louisiana (#49) remain the only states to score around 40 points, hampered by systemic gaps in healthcare infrastructure and safety. Moreover, the bottom quartile of the list contains many of the nation’s most “affordable” states. This creates a “livability paradox”: states with the lowest costs often rank poorly overall, as weaker healthcare, safety, and economic mobility offset their affordability advantages. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on average salary by state.

Ranked: The Busiest U.S. Airports by Flights 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 Chicago O’Hare sees a takeoff or landing every 37 seconds, the fastest pace in the U.S. Four major hubs each handle more than 700,000 flights annually. Airport rankings shift when measured by flight frequency instead of passenger volume. Most airport rankings focus on passenger traffic, but that only tells part of the story. A different metric, aircraft movements, shows how often planes are actually taking off and landing. Using Federal Aviation Administration data, this visualization by Julie Peasley ranks the busiest U.S. airports by total flights in 2025. At the top, Chicago O’Hare operates at an almost continuous pace, with a takeoff or landing every 37 seconds. U.S. Airports With the Most Flights Here’s a look at America’s top airports by flights: RankAirportAirport CodeAircraft operations (2025) 1Chicago O’HareORD857,392 2Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson InternationalATL805,268 3Dallas/Fort Worth InternationalDFW743,394 4Denver InternationalDEN705,469 5Harry Reid InternationalLAS586,871 6Los Angeles InternationalLAX580,996 7Charlotte Douglas InternationalCLT574,193 8Miami InternationalMIA502,771 9Phoenix Sky Harbor InternationalPHX487,143 10John F. Kennedy InternationalJFK468,570 11Houston IntercontinentalIAH457,843 12Seattle–Tacoma InternationalSEA435,896 Chicago O’Hare leads by a wide margin, followed by Atlanta and Dallas/Fort Worth. Notably, the top four airports all exceed 700,000 annual operations, underscoring their immense throughput and operational complexity. To put this in perspective, here’s how quickly flights move at the top airports: O’Hare (ORD): every 37 seconds Atlanta (ATL): every 39 seconds Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): every 42 seconds Denver (DEN): every 45 seconds Even small differences translate into tens of thousands of additional flights per year. Why the Busiest Airport Isn’t Always the Most Crowded Passenger rankings favor bigger planes. Flight rankings favor more planes. That’s why airports like Chicago O’Hare and Denver rise to the top. They move aircraft more frequently, not just more people. For context, some of the world’s busiest passenger airports do not appear at the top of this list. That’s because larger aircraft can carry more people per flight, reducing total movements even at high-traffic hubs. O’Hare’s lead comes down to frequency. Over a full day, that 37-second pace adds up to more than 2,300 flights, far ahead of any other U.S. airport. Meanwhile, airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor and Charlotte Douglas also rank highly because of their roles as connecting hubs, handling constant waves of arrivals and departures throughout the day. The Role of Connectivity and Hub Strategy Airports with strong airline hub operations naturally generate more aircraft movements. Carriers schedule tightly coordinated banks of flights to maximize connections, leading to frequent takeoffs and landings. According to broader aviation analysis, highly connected airports tend to prioritize network efficiency over sheer passenger volume. This helps explain why hubs like Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth rank so highly, since they act as central nodes in national air travel. Just How Busy Is “Busy”? To put these numbers in perspective, even the 10th-ranked airport, New York’s JFK, handles a flight roughly every 67 seconds. At the top end, O’Hare’s near-continuous operations require precise coordination between air traffic control, ground crews, and airlines. This near-constant flow of aircraft highlights how modern air travel depends on precision and coordination at scale. As flight demand grows, the busiest airports aren’t just moving more people. They’re managing an increasingly nonstop stream of planes. Learn More on the Voronoi App For more aviation insights, check out U.S. Airports with Most Bird Strikes on the Voronoi app.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The Best-Selling Video Games in History 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 Tetris tops the list with 520 million copies—but its total depends on how versions are counted. Minecraft (350M) is the biggest single-release success in gaming history. Grand Theft Auto V (225M) became the fastest-selling entertainment product ever. Video games have produced some of the best-selling entertainment products ever—but the top spot isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. This ranking uses updated sales data from HP (2026) to compare the top-selling video games of all time, led by Tetris at more than 520 million units sold. However, its position is debated because the game has been released across dozens of platforms since 1984. If each version is counted separately, Minecraft would take the crown, highlighting how the industry’s biggest hits span generations, platforms, and business models. Is Tetris Really the Best-Selling Game Ever? Tetris is widely considered the best-selling video game of all time, but that title depends on how its many versions are counted. Since 1984, the game has been rereleased across dozens of platforms, contributing to its 520 million total. Some analysts count each version separately. Under that approach, Minecraft would rank as the best-selling single-release game in history. RankGameUnits SoldYear 1Tetris520M1984 2Minecraft350M2009 3Grand Theft Auto V225M2013 4Wii Sports83M2006 5Red Dead Redemption 282M2018 6Mario Kart 8 Deluxe79M2014 7PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds75M2017 8Terraria64M2011 9The Witcher 360M2015 9Skyrim60M2011 11Super Mario Bros.58M1985 12Human: Fall Flat55M2016 13Overwatch50M2016 13The Sims50M2000 13Stardew Valley50M2016 Despite gaming’s decades-long history, most of the top-selling titles were released after 2010. Franchises like Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V, and Terraria reflect the shift toward digital distribution, live-service updates, and global player communities. The Rise of the Creeper In 2009, Swedish game developer Mojang Studios launched early access for Minecraft, a sandbox game that allows players to create, fight, and mine while engaging with a massive online community. Nearly two decades later, Minecraft has become the defining game of the modern era, with 350 million copies sold worldwide. It was acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion in 2014. Today, the game’s large fan community has led to the development of the annual Minecon convention, as well as a 2025 film adaptation, A Minecraft Movie, which grossed over $960 million at the box office. GTA V and the Rockstar Reign In November 2026, Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be released. Much of the anticipation stems from its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, which generated over $1 billion in sales within three days of its 2013 launch, making it the fastest-selling entertainment product in history at the time. Since then, Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 225 million copies worldwide, surpassing even bundled titles like Nintendo’s Wii Sports (83 million). Few games released since Grand Theft Auto V have matched its commercial success. Red Dead Redemption 2, also developed by Rockstar Games, has reached 82 million sales, ahead of titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (79 million), The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (60 million), and Super Mario Bros. (58 million). Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out the Top 10 Best-Selling Console Video Games of 1980.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: The Happiest States in America See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Hawaii ranks as the happiest U.S. state, with Maryland, Nebraska, and New Jersey close behind. West Virginia places last, with a gap of over 30 points between the top and bottom states. Northeastern states dominate the top 10, while Southern states make up most of the bottom tier. Your state might play a bigger role in your happiness than you think. This map ranks all 50 states using a composite “happiness score,” revealing a wide gap between top-performing states like Hawaii and lower-ranked ones like West Virginia. The difference between first and last place exceeds 30 points, highlighting stark disparities in well-being across the country. The data comes from WalletHub, which evaluated states across 30 metrics tied to emotional and physical health, income growth, work conditions, and community factors. Why Hawaii and the Northeast Dominate the Rankings Hawaii’s top ranking reflects strong performance across emotional well-being and community-related metrics. The Northeast stands out as a clear hotspot for happiness, with multiple states clustering near the top of the rankings. In contrast, much of the South appears near the bottom, reinforcing a clear regional divide in overall well-being. The data table below shows the happiness score and ranking of all 50 U.S. states: RankStateHappiness Score 1Hawaii65.5 2Maryland64.1 3Nebraska63.6 4New Jersey63.4 5Connecticut62.5 6Utah61.1 7California60.1 8New Hampshire59.6 9Massachusetts59.2 10Idaho58.3 11Minnesota58.2 12Delaware56.1 13South Dakota55.9 14Florida55.9 15Virginia55.5 16New York55.4 17Iowa55.4 18Pennsylvania54.7 19Georgia53.9 20Wisconsin53.6 21North Dakota53.4 22Illinois53.4 23Arizona52.9 24Washington52.9 25South Carolina52.8 26Rhode Island51.7 27Kansas51.3 28North Carolina51.0 29Vermont49.9 30Wyoming49.5 31Missouri48.3 32Montana47.8 33Maine47.6 34Indiana47.4 35Michigan47.1 36Oklahoma47.1 37Texas46.4 38Ohio45.7 39Oregon44.9 40Nevada44.8 41Colorado44.5 42Mississippi43.9 43Kentucky43.3 44New Mexico43.1 45Tennessee41.2 46Alaska40.7 47Alabama40.7 48Arkansas37.0 49Louisiana34.3 50West Virginia32.0 -- Average51.2 One surprise in the rankings is Nebraska, which places third overall ahead of larger and wealthier states. Its strong performance reflects consistent results across multiple categories rather than dominance in any single metric. Meanwhile, among the four most populous states, results vary widely, highlighting how size alone does not determine quality of life. California ranks 7th overall, while Texas falls to 37th, creating one of the largest gaps among peer states in the ranking. Southern States Have the Lowest Happiness The lowest-ranked states cluster heavily in the South, with West Virginia, Louisiana, and Arkansas all scoring well below the national average. These states tend to rank poorly in both health outcomes and work environment metrics, two of the most heavily weighted components in the index. West Virginia’s last-place finish is driven by bottom rankings in both emotional and physical well-being and work environment. Louisiana also ranks 49th in those two categories, though a mid-pack community and environment result keeps it narrowly ahead of West Virginia overall. How WalletHub Built the Happiness Ranking WalletHub says the study draws on 30 indicators, ranging from depression rates and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and unemployment. According to the source methodology, the underlying data used to build the ranking was collected as of June 23, 2025, from a mix of federal agencies, Gallup, TransUnion, Sharecare, AmeriCorps, and other organizations. Rather than capturing momentary mood, the ranking reflects broader living conditions. By combining health, economic, and community indicators, it offers a more comprehensive view of what drives happiness across states. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out this map of the world’s happiest countries on Voronoi.

Ranked: The World’s Largest Exporters 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 data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways China remains the world’s top exporter at $3.8T—nearly double U.S. exports. Europe accounts for over $7.7T in combined exports, led by Germany and the Netherlands. Smaller economies like the UAE and Netherlands rank among the global top 10. Global trade is dominated by a handful of export powerhouses—but the scale gap between them is striking. China exported nearly $3.8 trillion in goods in 2025, maintaining a wide lead over the United States and every other economy. Meanwhile, Europe collectively accounts for a massive share of global exports, and smaller trade hubs like the Netherlands and UAE continue to punch far above their weight. This graphic ranks the world’s 30 largest exporters using the latest data from the World Trade Organization. China: The World’s Top Exporter China’s $3.8 trillion in exports is nearly double that of the United States, underscoring the scale of its dominance in global manufacturing and trade. Beginning with the country’s gradual liberalization in the late 1970s and 1980s, China pursued an export-driven growth model that sought to position the country as “the world’s factory floor.” Today, no country ships more merchandise abroad. This data table lists the world’s top exporters and their 2025 goods export value. RankCountryValue (Billion USD) 1 China3,772 2 United States2,185 3 Germany1,764 4 Netherlands989 5 Hong Kong754 6 Japan738 7 Italy726 8 South Korea709 9 United Arab Emirates707 10 France683 11 Mexico665 12 Taiwan641 13 Belgium568 14 Singapore567 15 United Kingdom556 16 Canada555 17 Switzerland554 18 Vietnam473 19 India445 20 Spain445 21 Russia419 22 Poland414 23 Malaysia376 24 Brazil348 25 Thailand340 26 Australia338 27 Saudi Arabia311 28 Ireland293 29 Czech Republic284 30 Indonesia283 China’s expansive exports have been boosted by its various free-trade agreements, including with Australia, Pakistan, South Korea, and the ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian markets. The effect is undeniable: China is today the largest trade partner of over half the world’s countries, playing an increasingly central commercial role for developed and emerging markets across all continents. The U.S. Export Profile The United States may be best known today as the world’s largest import market, but it’s also responsible for over $2.2 trillion worth of diversified exports including cars, oil, soy, and medical products. The top U.S. trade partners include its North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico, as well as China, Germany, and Japan. Integrated North American supply chains mean that many U.S. exports actually obtain their inputs from imports across the border. Car parts, for example, may cross a U.S. border with either Canada or Mexico some six to eight times during the vehicle assembly process. The Export Prominence of the Persian Gulf Gulf states like Saudi Arabia ($311 billion) and the United Arab Emirates ($707 billion) also punch quite above their weight as exporters, aided by their sprawling hydrocarbon reserves. Oil products make up nearly 75% of Saudi exports and over half of Emirati exports, in contrast to the less than 20% share seen in the U.S., the world’s largest oil producer. The Gulf countries’ high dependence on their petroleum production thus makes them vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions in the Middle East, with the ongoing conflict involving Iran emerging as a clear example. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out China Outtrades the U.S. in Asia-Pacific on Voronoi.Use This Visualization

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: What It Takes to Be Upper-Middle Class in Every 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 Nine U.S. states now require $150K+ just to be considered upper-middle class. In high-cost states like Massachusetts and New Jersey, the threshold exceeds $160K. Parts of the South still fall below $100K, creating a $70K+ national gap. For many Americans, earning $100,000 still feels like a financial milestone. But depending on where you live, that salary may fall well short of “upper-middle class.” Across the U.S., the income required to reach this tier ranges from under $100K in some Southern states to over $160K in the Northeast. Using a GOBankingRates analysis of 2024 U.S. Census data, this map shows the minimum income needed in each state to break into the top-third of middle-income earners. The gap between states exceeds $70,000, meaning the same salary can place you in very different economic tiers depending on location. Ranked: Income Thresholds by State The Northeast and West Coast dominate the top of the rankings, with Massachusetts ($163,066) and New Jersey ($162,235) leading the nation. Some of the biggest shifts are happening outside traditional coastal hubs. States like Colorado ($151,065) and Utah ($150,357) now rank among the most expensive for upper-middle-class status, with thresholds above $150K, higher than New York ($133,498). This reflects rapid population growth, rising home prices, and an influx of higher-paying jobs in these regions. The following table breaks down the minimum annual income needed to be considered upper-middle class in every state, ranked from highest to lowest. RankStateIncome Needed to be Upper-Middle Class 1Massachusetts$163,066 2New Jersey$162,235 3Maryland$160,074 4Hawaii$156,714 5California$155,787 6New Hampshire$155,216 7Washington$154,605 8Colorado$151,065 9Utah$150,357 10Connecticut$149,410 11Alaska$148,812 12Virginia$143,251 13Delaware$136,164 14Minnesota$135,515 15New York$133,498 16Oregon$132,564 17Rhode Island$129,895 18Illinois$129,439 19Vermont$128,691 20Arizona$126,756 21Idaho$126,258 22Nevada$126,208 23Georgia$124,430 24Texas$124,010 25North Dakota$121,133 26Florida$120,921 27Pennsylvania$120,626 28Wisconsin$120,537 29South Dakota$119,593 30Maine$118,910 31Nebraska$118,807 32Wyoming$117,494 33Kansas$117,466 34Iowa$112,450 35Montana$117,196 36North Carolina$115,046 37Michigan$112,605 38South Carolina$112,544 39Ohio$112,330 40Tennessee$111,995 41Inidana$111,936 42Missouri$111,361 43New Mexico$105,492 44Alabama$103,692 45Oklahoma$102,897 46Kentucky$100,374 47Arkansas$96,609 48Louisiana$94,867 49West Virginia$94,575 50Mississippi$91,975 In Texas, a salary of $124,010 secures an upper-middle-class lifestyle, a figure that is 24% lower than the entry point in Massachusetts. Florida tells a similar story. At $120,921, the cost of status is roughly in line with Pennsylvania, but without the burden of a state income tax. The Growth of the Upper-Middle Class Recent research from the American Enterprise Institute shows that since 1979, the share of Americans in the “core” middle class has declined, largely because households are moving up the income ladder. The upper-middle class has tripled in size, growing from roughly 10% of families in 1979 to over 31% today, based on households earning $133,000 to $400,000 in 2024 dollars. While more Americans now qualify as upper-middle class on paper, the definition itself has shifted upward. Rising housing costs and inflation mean that even six-figure incomes may not deliver the same level of financial comfort they once did. In practical terms, where you live matters as much as how much you earn. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s richest countries versus the happiest countries.

The Top Trade Partner of Every European Country See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Germany is the top trade partner for 19 European countries, far more than any other nation. The U.S. leads in just three: the UK, Ireland, and Switzerland. China is now the top trade partner for Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Germany sits at the center of Europe’s trade network, but it is not the only global force shaping the continent’s economy. This map highlights the top trading partner of each European country based on International Monetary Fund data for Q1-Q3 2025. Europe’s nearly $30 trillion economy is diverse and spans sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and agriculture, yet nearly half of all European countries rely on the same major trading partner for their imports and exports. Germany: The Center of Europe Germany is the top trade partner for 19 European countries, more than six times as many as the next closest countries, which each count just three. This dominance reflects Germany’s central role in European manufacturing, supply chains, and intra-EU trade. The table below shows how many European countries rely on each nation as their top trade partner, highlighting Germany’s outsized role in the region. Top Trade Partner (2025 Q1-Q3)# of Countries Germany19 U.S.3 China3 Netherlands3 Italy2 Greece2 France1 Finland1 Sweden1 Lithuania1 Poland1 Romania1 Serbia1 Spain1 Switzerland1 Russia1 The Dutch, French, and Italian economies, among others, are closely linked to Germany, which is a major industrial player and consumer of primary goods ranging from crude oil to agricultural products. German cars and other high-value exports, meanwhile, have found success across European markets, especially within the 27-member European Union. The following table shows each European country’s largest trade partner. CountryLargest Trade Partner 2025 (Q1-Q3) Albania Italy Austria Germany Belarus Russia Belgium Netherlands Bosnia and Herzegovina Germany Bulgaria Germany Croatia Germany Cyprus Greece Czechia Germany Denmark Germany Estonia Finland Finland Sweden France Germany Germany Netherlands Greece Germany Hungary Germany Iceland Netherlands Ireland US Italy Germany Kosovo Germany Latvia Lithuania Lithuania Poland Luxembourg Germany Malta Italy Moldova Romania Montenegro Serbia Netherlands Germany North Macedonia Greece Norway Germany Poland Germany Portugal Spain Romania Germany Russia China Serbia Germany Slovakia Germany Slovenia Switzerland Spain France Sweden Germany Switzerland US Turkey China Ukraine China United Kingdom US While Germany is Europe’s trade giant, its own largest trade partner is the Netherlands. The two countries have an annual trading relationship worth more than $200 billion, marked by extensive economic integration and joint supply chains. The Netherlands, home to Europe’s largest seaport at Rotterdam, is also the main trade partner of neighboring Belgium, with which it forms part of the Benelux union. Europe’s Other Top Trading Partners Many European countries trade most with their largest neighboring country. For example, Malta’s main trade partner is Italy. Portugal’s top trade partner is Spain, while Spain’s is France. The Baltics take this a step further: Latvia’s largest trade partner is Lithuania, while Lithuania’s is Poland. Estonia’s main trade partner is Finland, while Finland’s is Sweden. Poland and Sweden, in turn, maintain their largest trade relationships with Germany. Some clear exceptions emerge. As the world’s largest economy, the U.S. is the primary trade partner of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. The Rise of China to the East While Germany dominates within Europe, China is expanding its influence along the continent’s eastern edge. It is now the top trade partner for Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey, displacing traditional European partners such as Germany in some cases. Chinese exports to Russia and Ukraine play a major role in the country’s relationship with both Eastern European nations. Beijing also imports significant amounts of primary goods from the two warring countries, including food and mineral products from Ukraine as well as hydrocarbons from Russia. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The $19 Trillion European Union Economy on Voronoi.Use This Visualization

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: The World’s Biggest Natural Gas Producers 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 25% of global natural gas, far ahead of any other country. Its output is nearly equal to Iran and China combined. Global supply is concentrated among a small group of producers, shaping energy markets and LNG trade. The U.S. has pulled far ahead as the world’s largest natural gas producer, accounting for a quarter of global supply in 2024. This chart ranks the top gas-producing countries using the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, showing how output is concentrated among a handful of players that anchor global energy markets. That dominance is becoming more important as disruptions in the Middle East tighten supply and shift trade flows toward large, stable producers like the United States. The U.S. is the World’s Largest Natural Gas Producer The U.S. isn’t just the top producer. It operates at a completely different scale. In 2024, it produced 37,751 billion cubic feet of natural gas, more than 1.6x Russia and nearly equal to the combined output of Iran and China. No other country comes close. The gap between the U.S. and Russia alone is larger than the total output of most top-10 producers. The data table below shows the ranking of natural gas production by country in 2024 in billion cubic feet: RankCountryNatural Gas Production in 2024 (billion cubic feet) 1 United States37,751 2 Russia22,672 3 Iran9,853 4 China9,111 5 Canada7,028 6 Qatar6,003 7 Australia5,368 8 Norway4,626 9 Saudi Arabia4,344 10 Algeria3,496 11 Malaysia2,860 12 Turkmenistan2,755 13 Indonesia2,472 14 United Arab Emirates2,084 15 Argentina1,660 16 Egypt1,660 17 Uzbekistan1,624 18 Oman1,554 19 Nigeria1,377 20 Azerbaijan1,342 21 India1,271 22 United Kingdom1,095 23 Mexico1,095 24 Kazakhstan1,024 25 Thailand953 26 Israel953 27 Trinidad and Tobago883 28 Venezuela883 29 Pakistan848 30 Brazil777 31 Bangladesh706 32 Kuwait706 33 Bahrain671 34 Ukraine636 35 Peru494 36 Myanmar459 37 Libya424 38 Bolivia388 39 Brunei388 40 Papua New Guinea388 41 Colombia353 42 Iraq353 43 Netherlands343 44 Romania325 45 Equatorial Guinea237 46 Vietnam226 47 Angola205 48 Poland184 49 Germany145 50 Syria131 51 Ghana120 52 New Zealand117 53 Ivory Coast95 54 Italy92 55 Cameroon88 56 Turkey81 57 Denmark78 58 Tanzania71 59 Japan67 60 Congo64 61 Hungary60 62 Philippines60 63 Tunisia42 64 Mozambique42 65 Chile39 66 Ireland39 67 Cuba35 68 Croatia25 69 Gabon18 70 Austria18 71 Serbia11 72 Ecuador11 73 Czechia7 74 Jordan7 After the top four, production drops off sharply, with no country exceeding 7,500 billion cubic feet. Canada and Qatar lead the second tier, followed by a mix of LNG exporters and regional suppliers. This steep decline underscores how concentrated global supply is at the very top. Together, those countries form the core of the global gas supply system, spanning North America, Eurasia, the Middle East, and key LNG-exporting hubs. America’s Shale Helped Redraw the Production Map U.S. natural gas output has roughly tripled since 2005 as hydraulic fracturing unlocked shale formations that were previously uneconomical. This surge helps explain why the U.S. stands so far ahead of other producers and why it has become central to both pipeline and LNG flows. Recent tensions in the Middle East have disrupted natural gas infrastructure and shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global energy trade. With flows constrained, global markets are leaning more heavily on large, stable producers. This dynamic further amplifies the role of the U.S., which leads both in natural gas output and LNG export capacity. As supply risks persist, this concentration is becoming more consequential. Countries with large, stable production, especially the U.S., are playing a growing role in balancing global energy markets and meeting LNG demand. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out U.S. Natural Gas Trade with North America (1985-2024) on Voronoi.

See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Ranked: Countries With the Most College Graduates 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 Canada leads globally, with 63% of adults holding a tertiary degree. Several countries now have more than half their population college-educated. Large gaps persist, with some major economies below 20% attainment. Higher education is becoming the norm in some countries, while remaining out of reach in others. This chart ranks countries by the share of adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education—including college degrees and equivalent programs—based on data from OECD’s Education at a Glance 2025. Canada leads at 63%, and a number of advanced economies have crossed the 50% threshold, highlighting how college education is becoming more widespread in the global workforce. Countries like Ireland, Japan, and South Korea are part of this group where a majority of adults now hold a college degree, marking a shift toward higher-skilled labor markets. Canada Is the Only Country Above 60% Canada tops the ranking at 63%, making it the only country where nearly two-thirds of adults hold a college degree. The United States is at 51%, just above the OECD average of 42%. This reflects decades of investment in higher education systems and sustained demand for skilled labor. Country% with higher education Canada63 Ireland58 Japan57 Korea56 Luxembourg54 United Kingdom54 Australia53 Sweden52 Israel51 United States51 Norway50 Lithuania48 Switzerland46 Belgium45 Denmark45 Netherlands45 Iceland44 New Zealand44 Estonia43 Finland43 France43 Spain42 Latvia40 Poland39 Peru39 Austria38 Greece35 Slovenia35 Germany34 Bulgaria34 Chile33 Colombia31 Hungary31 Portugal31 Croatia30 Slovak Republic29 Costa Rica28 Türkiye27 Czechia25 Argentina24 Italy22 Mexico22 Brazil22 China19 Romania19 India14 Indonesia13 South Africa9 OECD average42 Europe Spans From 58% to Below 25% Europe shows one of the widest internal gaps in education attainment. Ireland ranks among global leaders at 58%, while countries like Italy (22%) fall far behind, highlighting uneven access to higher education across the region. Major Economies Still Below 20% Some of the world’s largest economies remain well below OECD levels. China (19%), India (14%), and Indonesia (13%) show how access to higher education is still expanding, with important implications for future workforce development. As these economies grow, expanding access to higher education will play a critical role in productivity, income growth, and global competitiveness as demand for skilled labor rises. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The World has Made Substantial Progress in Increasing Basic Levels of Education on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: The States Where Living Costs the Most—and Least See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways Hawaii is the most expensive state, with costs 84% above the U.S. average. Oklahoma is the cheapest, with living costs 15% below the national baseline. A clear regional divide emerges, with Southern states generally more affordable than coastal markets. Living costs vary widely across the United States, shaping how far a paycheck goes from one state to another. In the most expensive states, everyday expenses run far above the national average, while in lower-cost states, incomes stretch significantly further. Using 2025 data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, this map shows the cost of living index in every state, with the U.S. set at a baseline of 100. Housing is the biggest driver of these differences, though taxes, utilities, and healthcare also play a major role. The map also reveals a strong regional pattern, with much of the South and Midwest below the national average, while coastal states dominate the high-cost end. The Most Expensive States in America Hawaii is the most expensive state in America, with living costs roughly double those in Texas and 84% above the national average. In Q4 2025, the average home sale price reached $906K, up from $668K in Q4 2019. This surge shows how housing remains the single biggest factor behind high living costs. In addition, Hawaii residents face the highest tax burden nationally when property, income, and sales taxes are combined. This table shows the cost of living index by state in 2025, using the U.S. as a baseline of 100. RankStateCost of Living Index (2025) 1Hawaii183.9 2Massachusetts148.5 3California143.1 4District of Columbia137.8 5Alaska126.7 6New York125.8 7Maryland117.4 8New Jersey115.3 9Connecticut114.0 10Maine114.0 11Vermont113.5 12Washington112.9 13Oregon112.8 14Rhode Island110.7 15New Hampshire110.5 16Arizona110.3 17Delaware103.1 18Colorado103.1 19Virginia102.2 20Florida101.4 21Nevada99.7 22Utah99.5 23Idaho99.3 24Wisconsin98.5 25North Carolina97.9 26Pennsylvania97.1 27Montana96.8 28Illinois95.0 29Wyoming94.6 30Ohio94.6 31New Mexico93.7 32Minnesota93.6 33Louisiana92.9 34South Carolina92.7 35Georgia92.2 36Michigan91.9 37Nebraska91.8 38South Dakota91.8 39Kentucky91.5 40Texas91.1 41North Dakota91.1 42Indiana90.7 43Arkansas90.1 44Tennessee90.1 45Iowa89.8 46Missouri88.9 47Kansas88.4 48Alabama88.1 49West Virginia88.0 50Mississippi86.0 51Oklahoma84.7 Massachusetts follows, with prices 49% above the U.S. baseline. Beyond high housing costs, expensive healthcare and utilities drive up prices, at 34% and 55% above the national average, respectively. Meanwhile, California residents pay 43% higher costs overall, with Washington, D.C. (38%) and Alaska (27%) rounding out the top five. As cost disparities widen, these high-cost states continue to face outmigration pressures, while lower-cost regions gain population and economic momentum. The Most Affordable States Oklahoma is the least expensive state in the country, with prices 15% below the U.S. average. With the most affordable home prices nationwide, housing costs are 31% below the national average, making it a key driver of overall affordability. This pattern is consistent across much of the Southern U.S., where lower housing costs anchor overall living expenses. Alabama has the fourth-lowest cost of living in the country, with home prices about 29% below the national average. In 2025, it saw among the highest net immigration rates per capita, highlighting how affordability is increasingly driving domestic migration trends. Other affordable states like Tennessee and Arkansas also experienced strong per capita inflows. Together, these patterns highlight how affordability is reshaping where Americans live, as lower-cost states attract residents looking to stretch their income further amid ongoing housing and inflation pressures. Learn More on the Voronoi App To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on average salary by state.