2026-06-04 11:45:06
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.
A country of just 700,000 people attracted more foreign investment than any other nation in Europe in 2024.
This map shows FDI inflows across Europe using data from the 2025 World Investment Report published by UN Trade and Development.
These FDI inflows measure foreign companies’ direct investment positions in local businesses and subsidiaries, including equity investment, reinvested earnings, and intra-company lending.
Luxembourg attracted nearly $106 billion in foreign investment in 2024, more than France, Spain, and Italy combined. Despite its small population, the country ranked as Europe’s largest destination for FDI by a wide margin.
Luxembourg serves as one of the world’s largest financial conduits. Companies often route capital through the country to reduce tax burdens in larger markets, which can significantly inflate its recorded FDI inflows relative to the size of its domestic economy.
The following data table lists European countries by their 2024 FDI inflows.
| Rank | Country | FDI Inflows in 2024 (billions of USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Luxembourg |
105.99 |
| 2 |
 France |
33.74 |
| 3 |
 Spain |
30.54 |
| 4 |
 Italy |
24.73 |
| 5 |
 Sweden |
18.29 |
| 6 |
 Portugal |
14.06 |
| 7 |
 Poland |
12.74 |
| 8 |
 Austria |
11.53 |
| 9 |
 Norway |
10.76 |
| 10 |
 Turkiye |
10.59 |
| 11 |
 Czechia |
10.16 |
| 12 |
 Netherlands |
9.27 |
| 13 |
 Cyprus |
7.39 |
| 14 |
 Greece |
7.30 |
| 15 |
 Denmark |
6.90 |
| 16 |
 Romania |
6.20 |
| 17 |
 Hungary |
5.74 |
| 18 |
 Germany |
5.72 |
| 19 |
 Serbia |
5.64 |
| 20 |
 Malta |
5.37 |
| 21 |
 Croatia |
4.38 |
| 22 |
 Russia |
3.35 |
| 23 |
 Ukraine |
3.33 |
| 24 |
 Lithuania |
3.27 |
| 25 |
 Bulgaria |
3.09 |
| 26 |
 Finland |
1.85 |
| 27 |
 Slovakia |
1.84 |
| 28 |
 Albania |
1.72 |
| 29 |
 Belarus |
1.71 |
| 30 |
 North Macedonia |
1.36 |
| 31 |
 Slovenia |
1.30 |
| 32 |
 Latvia |
1.21 |
| 33 |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina |
1.11 |
| 34 |
 Estonia |
0.78 |
| 35 |
 Montenegro |
0.60 |
| 36 |
 Moldova |
0.34 |
| 37 |
 Iceland |
0.19 |
| 38 |
 Belgium |
-26.72 |
| 39 |
 Ireland |
-38.89 |
| 40 |
 UK |
-40.00 |
| 41 |
 Switzerland |
-60.71 |
Luxembourg is not the only European country associated with international tax planning. However, several other financial hubs posted negative FDI inflows in 2024.
Switzerland recorded -$60.7 billion in FDI inflows, while Ireland recorded -$38.9 billion. Both countries are also commonly used by multinational companies for tax and corporate structuring purposes.
Ireland and Switzerland represent half of the European countries with negative FDI inflows. The other two are Belgium (-$26.7 billion) and the United Kingdom (-$40 billion), the latter of which is particularly important owing to the presence of London, a global financial center.
Negative FDI inflows can occur when foreign-owned firms reduce their investment positions in a country. This may happen through capital withdrawals, divestments, or repayments of intra-company loans.
As an example, Ireland is home to local subsidiaries of many U.S. multinational tech and finance firms. If one of these subsidiaries repaid a loan to its U.S. parent company, it would contribute to lower FDI inflows for Ireland.
Besides the UK, most of Europe’s major economies also serve as significant host countries for international investment. France received $33.7 billion in FDI inflows in 2024, followed by Spain at $30.5 billion and Italy at $24.7 billion.
One of the biggest surprises in the data is Germany. Despite being Europe’s largest economy, it attracted just $5.7 billion in FDI in 2024, ranking behind much smaller countries including Poland, Portugal, and Sweden.
Part of the explanation is that multinational firms often structure investments through intermediary jurisdictions such as Luxembourg. As a result, some investment ultimately tied to larger economies may first appear in the FDI statistics of smaller financial hubs.
Germany’s relatively high regulation and corporate taxation may also weigh on its official FDI inflows, helping explain why Europe’s largest economy ranks so far below several smaller markets.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The Shape of Investment: Global FDI Sector Leaders in 2024 on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2026-06-04 00:42:56
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.
Despite leading the world in AI investment and development, AI adoption remains uneven across the United States.
This map ranks every state by the share of working-age residents using AI in Q1 2026, based on Microsoft estimates of people who engage with AI for at least 90 minutes per month.
Washington, D.C. leads the nation, while several Sun Belt and Mid-Atlantic states rank among America’s fastest adopters.
The following table shows the share of adults ages 15 to 64 using AI in every state.
| Rank | State or District | Share of Working-Age Population Using AI Q1 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 40.3% |
| 2 | Maryland | 36.3% |
| 3 | Utah | 35.7% |
| 4 | Texas | 35.3% |
| 5 | Virginia | 34.7% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 34.5% |
| 7 | Nevada | 34.2% |
| 8 | California | 34.0% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 34.0% |
| 10 | Georgia | 33.7% |
| 11 | Florida | 33.6% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 33.4% |
| 13 | Illinois | 33.3% |
| 14 | New York | 32.7% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 32.5% |
| 16 | Colorado | 32.3% |
| 17 | Washington | 32.2% |
| 18 | Arizona | 31.4% |
| 19 | Hawaii | 30.6% |
| 20 | Delaware | 30.6% |
| 21 | New Hampshire | 30.2% |
| 22 | North Carolina | 30.1% |
| 23 | South Carolina | 29.1% |
| 24 | Oklahoma | 28.9% |
| 25 | Idaho | 28.8% |
| 26 | Kansas | 28.6% |
| 27 | Tennessee | 28.5% |
| 28 | Oregon | 28.4% |
| 29 | Ohio | 28.3% |
| 30 | Wisconsin | 28.2% |
| 31 | North Dakota | 28.2% |
| 32 | Michigan | 27.4% |
| 33 | South Dakota | 27.4% |
| 34 | Alabama | 27.3% |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | 27.2% |
| 36 | Indiana | 26.8% |
| 37 | Missouri | 26.8% |
| 38 | Nebraska | 26.4% |
| 39 | Minnesota | 26.3% |
| 40 | Louisiana | 26.1% |
| 41 | Arkansas | 26.0% |
| 42 | Wyoming | 25.5% |
| 43 | Kentucky | 25.1% |
| 44 | Iowa | 24.4% |
| 45 | New Mexico | 23.9% |
| 46 | Alaska | 23.6% |
| 47 | Vermont | 23.3% |
| 48 | Mississippi | 22.9% |
| 49 | Montana | 22.7% |
| 50 | Maine | 21.4% |
| 51 | West Virginia | 20.8% |
| -- |
 U.S. Average |
31.3% |
State averages only tell part of the story.
At the county level, adoption rates can be dramatically higher. Williamsburg, Virginia, home to William & Mary, recorded the highest AI adoption rate in America at 73.2%, highlighting the outsized role that university and research communities play in spreading new technologies.
One of the clearest patterns in the data is the gap between metro and rural America.
According to Microsoft’s estimates, 32.9% of metro-county residents use AI, compared with 16.2% in rural counties. As a result, adoption is roughly twice as high in urban areas.
The gap largely reflects where knowledge-work jobs are concentrated. Metro areas have higher shares of workers in technology, finance, consulting, education, government, and professional services, where AI tools are increasingly used for writing, coding, research, analysis, and administrative work.
Rural areas, by contrast, generally have fewer digital-intensive jobs. That does not mean AI has less potential there, but adoption may progress more slowly if workers have fewer opportunities to encounter the technology in their day-to-day work.
In practical terms, Americans in large metro areas are more likely to be exposed to AI at work, trained on AI tools, and pushed to adopt them by employers.
Washington, D.C. ranks first, with 40.3% of working-age residents using AI.
The result reflects the region’s concentration of government, legal, consulting, policy, and research jobs. These are fields where AI can be used to summarize documents, draft communications, analyze information, and speed up knowledge work.
Maryland ranks second at 36.3%, aided by its proximity to Washington, D.C. and its large base of contractors, cybersecurity firms, and research institutions.
Utah ranks third at 35.7%, offering one of the clearest examples of strong AI adoption outside the traditional coastal tech hubs. The state’s younger workforce and growing tech sector have helped make it one of America’s fastest-adopting AI markets.
Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, Nevada, and California also rank near the top, showing that AI use is spreading across a mix of tech hubs, business centers, and fast-growing states.
As AI becomes a standard workplace tool, adoption rates may increasingly influence which regions attract investment, talent, and high-paying jobs.
Areas where workers are already using AI at scale could gain productivity advantages and become early beneficiaries of AI-driven growth. Meanwhile, regions with lower adoption rates may face pressure to catch up as businesses integrate AI into everyday operations.
In that sense, today’s AI adoption map may offer an early glimpse into tomorrow’s economic geography.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the jobs most exposed to AI.
2026-06-03 22:21:40
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.
Inflation has cooled across most major economies since the 2022 price surge, but the 2026 outlook still shows a wide gap within the G20.
Argentina and Türkiye remain the clear outliers, with projected average annual inflation rates near 30%. By contrast, every other G20 member is projected to stay below 6%.
This graphic ranks the 19 G20 member countries by their projected average annual consumer inflation in 2026. The data comes from the IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2026 update), and includes projected nominal GDP for context.
Argentina (30.4%) and Türkiye (28.6%) are the only two G20 economies projected to post double-digit inflation in 2026. Both sit far above the rest of the bloc, with Russia’s 5.6% the next-highest rate.
The data table below ranks the G20 nations by their 2026 projected annual average consumer inflation and includes their 2026 projected nominal GDP:
| Rank | Country | 2026 Proj. Inflation (Annual Avg.) |
2026 Proj. Nominal GDP ($T) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Argentina |
30.4% | 0.7 |
| 2 |
Türkiye |
28.6% | 1.6 |
| 3 |
Russia |
5.6% | 2.7 |
| 4 |
 India |
4.7% | 4.2 |
| 5 |
 Brazil |
4.0% | 2.6 |
| 6 |
 Australia |
4.0% | 2.1 |
| 7 |
 Mexico |
3.9% | 2.1 |
| 8 |
 South Africa |
3.9% | 0.5 |
| 9 |
United States |
3.2% | 32.4 |
| 10 |
United Kingdom |
3.2% | 4.3 |
| 11 |
 Indonesia |
3.0% | 1.5 |
| 12 |
Germany |
2.7% | 5.5 |
| 13 |
Italy |
2.6% | 2.7 |
| 14 |
 Canada |
2.5% | 2.5 |
| 15 |
 South Korea |
2.5% | 1.9 |
| 16 |
 Saudi Arabia |
2.3% | 1.4 |
| 17 |
 Japan |
2.2% | 4.4 |
| 18 |
France |
1.8% | 3.6 |
| 19 |
 China |
1.2% | 20.9 |
After Argentina and Türkiye, the ranking drops sharply: Russia is third at 5.6%, followed by India at 4.7%.
The U.S. and UK are both projected at 3.2%, slightly above the 2% target their central banks aim for. Germany (2.7%), Italy (2.6%), Canada (2.5%), South Korea (2.5%), Japan (2.2%), and France (1.8%) sit lower in the ranking.
China anchors the bottom of the ranking at a projected 1.2%, the lowest in the bloc. Rather than a sign of policy success, China’s near-deflationary reading reflects weak domestic demand and a prolonged property-sector drag.
As high as they remain, Argentina and Türkiye’s projected inflation rates for 2026 mark a steep improvement. Argentina’s average inflation is projected to fall to 30.4% in 2026, down from 219.9% in 2024 and 41.9% in 2025, the result of an aggressive stabilization push to tame one of the world’s most entrenched inflation crises.
Türkiye has followed a similar path, with projected inflation easing from 58.5% in 2024 to 34.9% in 2025 and 28.6% in 2026. In both cases, the headline number is still high by global standards, but the trajectory is firmly downward.
Notably, these two outliers are also among the G20’s smaller economies, at a projected $688 billion and $1.6 trillion in nominal GDP, respectively.
For a wider view beyond the G20, check out this world map of global inflation forecasts by country in 2026.
To learn more about inflation, check out this graphic breaking down price increases across different categories on Voronoi.
2026-06-03 20:03:32
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.
The U.S. economy generated $31.4 trillion in GDP in 2025, making it the largest economy in the world.
But which industries contribute the most to that output?
This visualization ranks America’s biggest industries by economic output, showing how each sector contributed to GDP in 2025. The data comes from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Finance, real estate, insurance, rental, and leasing led all industries at $6.8 trillion in output, accounting for more than one-fifth of the entire economy.
No other industry comes close to the size of finance, real estate, insurance, rental, and leasing.
The sector generated nearly $2.7 trillion more output than the second-ranked professional and business services category, making it the clear leader in America’s economy.
| Rank | Industry | Value Added ($T) | Share | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance, insurance, real estate, rental, leasing | 6.8 | 21.8% | Services |
| 2 | Professional and business services | 4.1 | 13.1% | Services |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 3.0 | 9.4% | Goods |
| 4 | Educational services, health care, and social assistance | 2.8 | 8.9% | Services |
| 5 | State and local government | 2.4 | 7.6% | Public |
| 6 | Wholesale trade | 2.0 | 6.4% | Services |
| 7 | Retail trade | 2.0 | 6.2% | Services |
| 8 | Information | 1.8 | 5.6% | Services |
| 9 | Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food services | 1.4 | 4.3% | Services |
| 10 | Construction | 1.3 | 4.3% | Goods |
| 11 | Federal government | 1.1 | 3.5% | Public |
| 12 | Transportation and warehousing | 1.0 | 3.3% | Services |
| 13 | Other services, except government | 0.66 | 2.1% | Services |
| 14 | Utilities | 0.49 | 1.6% | Services |
| 15 | Mining | 0.37 | 1.2% | Goods |
| 16 | Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting | 0.26 | 0.8% | Goods |
| -- | Total 2025 U.S. GDP |
31.4 | 100.0% | -- |
Professional and business services added $4.1 trillion, or 13.1% of GDP. This category includes legal services, consulting, accounting, engineering, and administrative support businesses that help power virtually every other industry.
Together, the top two sectors accounted for nearly 35% of all economic output, underscoring the growing importance of knowledge-based and service-oriented activities in the modern economy. Overall, services-producing industries account for 73% of U.S. GDP.
Manufacturing ranked as America’s largest goods-producing industry in 2025, generating $3.0 trillion in output and accounting for 9.4% of GDP. While services dominate the economy overall, manufacturing remains one of the country’s most important sources of economic activity.
Construction also played a significant role, contributing $1.3 trillion, while wholesale and retail trade added a combined $4.0 trillion.
Meanwhile, traditionally resource-focused sectors such as agriculture and mining represented a relatively small share of total output, together accounting for just 2.0% of GDP.
If combined into a single category, federal, state, and local government activity generated $3.5 trillion in economic output during 2025. That would make government one of the largest contributors to U.S. GDP, accounting for 11.1% of total output.
Healthcare, education, and social assistance services also represented a major economic engine, producing $2.8 trillion in output, while information services, which include software, telecommunications, publishing, and digital platforms, generated $1.8 trillion in GDP.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The 30 Highest-Paying Jobs in America on Voronoi.
2026-06-03 01:25:42
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.
Ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) represent a small share of the global population, but they control a significant portion of the world’s wealth.
This ranking shows where the world’s ultra-rich residents live in 2026, based on data from Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026.
The United States remains the world’s largest wealth hub, while China ranks second. Together, the two countries account for roughly 55% of all ultra-high-net-worth individuals included in the ranking.
At the top of the ranking, the gap between the two largest wealth hubs and the rest of the world is striking.
Strong equity markets, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and a large concentration of global corporations continue to support wealth creation across the United States, which has a quarter-million UHNWIs.
Meanwhile, China ranks second with nearly 122,000 UHNWIs. Although economic growth has moderated compared to previous decades, the country remains a major source of entrepreneurial and investment-driven wealth.
| Rank | Country | Ultra-high-net-worth individuals (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
U.S. |
251,352 |
| 2 |
China |
121,677 |
| 3 |
Germany |
38,215 |
| 4 |
UK |
27,876 |
| 5 |
France |
21,518 |
| 6 |
India |
19,877 |
| 7 |
Japan |
18,914 |
| 8 |
Switzerland |
17,692 |
| 9 |
Australia |
16,460 |
| 10 |
Italy |
15,433 |
| 11 |
Canada |
12,920 |
| 12 |
Spain |
9,186 |
| 13 |
Russia |
8,399 |
| 14 |
 Singapore |
7,171 |
| 15 |
Sweden |
6,845 |
| 16 |
 Hong Kong SAR |
6,788 |
| 17 |
Brazil |
5,808 |
| 18 |
 Israel |
5,462 |
| 19 |
Netherlands |
5,077 |
| 20 |
 UAE |
4,851 |
| 21 |
Denmark |
4,657 |
| 22 |
Saudi Arabia |
4,388 |
| 23 |
Turkey |
4,208 |
| 24 |
Austria |
4,188 |
| 25 |
Mexico |
3,860 |
| 26 |
Indonesia |
3,833 |
| 27 |
Poland |
3,017 |
| 28 |
 Thailand |
2,853 |
| 29 |
Norway |
2,460 |
| 30 |
Czech Republic |
2,270 |
| 31 |
Ireland |
2,196 |
| 32 |
Portugal |
2,187 |
| 33 |
 Philippines |
1,910 |
| 34 |
 New Zealand |
1,710 |
| 35 |
 Malaysia |
1,566 |
| 36 |
Argentina |
1,554 |
| 37 |
South Africa |
1,347 |
| 38 |
Finland |
1,317 |
| 39 |
 Vietnam |
1,233 |
| 40 |
Greece |
910 |
| 41 |
 Qatar |
838 |
| 42 |
 Egypt |
822 |
| 43 |
Romania |
749 |
| 44 |
 Morocco |
432 |
| 45 |
 Monaco |
239 |
Germany, the UK, and France round out the top five, underscoring Europe’s continued importance as a hub for the ultra-rich.
While the top of the ranking remains dominated by advanced economies, India has emerged as one of the biggest movers. The country climbed from 10th place in 2021 to sixth place in 2026, overtaking several wealthier nations in the process.
India is now home to nearly 20,000 ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Several factors have contributed to this rise, including rapid economic growth, expanding capital markets, and a booming technology sector.
Its ascent allowed it to overtake several advanced economies, including Italy, Australia, Switzerland, and Japan.
Although North America, Europe, and Asia remain home to most of the world’s ultra-rich residents, some of the fastest wealth creation is occurring in emerging markets. Poland stands out as the biggest success story, with its ultra-rich population increasing by 109% since 2021.
Other countries posting strong gains include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, highlighting how new wealth hubs are emerging beyond the traditional centers of global finance.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The World’s Largest Stock Markets on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2026-06-02 23:49:00
The race for space launches is accelerating fast, and the U.S. is pulling far ahead of every other nation. In 2025, the United States recorded 181 space launches, nearly double China’s 93 launches and far ahead of Russia’s 17.
What started as a Cold War rivalry has evolved into a commercial and geopolitical race fueled by satellite internet, reusable rockets, and military demand. This graphic, created in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation, charts annual space launches by superpowers from 1957 to 2025.
The first space age began in 1957 with the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1, the world’s first satellite. Over the next three decades, the Soviet Union led global launches and regularly outpaced the United States.
| Launch Year | China | Russia/Soviet Union | United States | Space Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | 0 | 2 | 1 | First Space Age |
| 1958 | 0 | 5 | 23 | First Space Age |
| 1959 | 0 | 4 | 21 | First Space Age |
| 1960 | 0 | 9 | 29 | First Space Age |
| 1961 | 0 | 9 | 41 | First Space Age |
| 1962 | 0 | 22 | 59 | First Space Age |
| 1963 | 0 | 24 | 46 | First Space Age |
| 1964 | 0 | 36 | 64 | First Space Age |
| 1965 | 0 | 53 | 71 | First Space Age |
| 1966 | 0 | 51 | 77 | First Space Age |
| 1967 | 0 | 74 | 60 | First Space Age |
| 1968 | 0 | 80 | 48 | First Space Age |
| 1969 | 0 | 82 | 41 | First Space Age |
| 1970 | 1 | 87 | 29 | First Space Age |
| 1971 | 1 | 91 | 33 | First Space Age |
| 1972 | 0 | 79 | 32 | First Space Age |
| 1973 | 1 | 90 | 25 | First Space Age |
| 1974 | 2 | 85 | 23 | First Space Age |
| 1975 | 3 | 93 | 30 | First Space Age |
| 1976 | 3 | 100 | 26 | First Space Age |
| 1977 | 0 | 102 | 26 | First Space Age |
| 1978 | 1 | 91 | 33 | First Space Age |
| 1979 | 1 | 89 | 16 | First Space Age |
| 1980 | 0 | 90 | 15 | First Space Age |
| 1981 | 1 | 100 | 19 | First Space Age |
| 1982 | 1 | 108 | 18 | First Space Age |
| 1983 | 1 | 100 | 22 | First Space Age |
| 1984 | 3 | 97 | 23 | First Space Age |
| 1985 | 1 | 100 | 19 | First Space Age |
| 1986 | 2 | 94 | 9 | First Space Age |
| 1987 | 2 | 97 | 9 | First Space Age |
| 1988 | 4 | 94 | 11 | First Space Age |
| 1989 | 0 | 75 | 18 | First Space Age |
| 1990 | 5 | 79 | 27 | First Space Age |
| 1991 | 1 | 61 | 19 | First Space Age |
| 1992 | 4 | 55 | 29 | Second Space Age |
| 1993 | 1 | 48 | 27 | Second Space Age |
| 1994 | 5 | 49 | 28 | Second Space Age |
| 1995 | 3 | 33 | 30 | Second Space Age |
| 1996 | 4 | 27 | 33 | Second Space Age |
| 1997 | 6 | 29 | 37 | Second Space Age |
| 1998 | 6 | 25 | 36 | Second Space Age |
| 1999 | 4 | 28 | 31 | Second Space Age |
| 2000 | 5 | 36 | 28 | Second Space Age |
| 2001 | 1 | 23 | 22 | Second Space Age |
| 2002 | 5 | 25 | 17 | Second Space Age |
| 2003 | 7 | 21 | 23 | Second Space Age |
| 2004 | 8 | 23 | 16 | Second Space Age |
| 2005 | 6 | 26 | 12 | Second Space Age |
| 2006 | 6 | 25 | 18 | Second Space Age |
| 2007 | 10 | 26 | 19 | Second Space Age |
| 2008 | 11 | 27 | 15 | Second Space Age |
| 2009 | 6 | 32 | 24 | Second Space Age |
| 2010 | 15 | 31 | 15 | Second Space Age |
| 2011 | 19 | 32 | 18 | Second Space Age |
| 2012 | 19 | 24 | 13 | Second Space Age |
| 2013 | 15 | 32 | 19 | Second Space Age |
| 2014 | 16 | 32 | 23 | Second Space Age |
| 2015 | 19 | 26 | 20 | Second Space Age |
| 2016 | 22 | 17 | 23 | Third Space Age |
| 2017 | 18 | 19 | 29 | Third Space Age |
| 2018 | 39 | 17 | 31 | Third Space Age |
| 2019 | 34 | 22 | 21 | Third Space Age |
| 2020 | 39 | 15 | 37 | Third Space Age |
| 2021 | 56 | 24 | 45 | Third Space Age |
| 2022 | 64 | 21 | 78 | Third Space Age |
| 2023 | 67 | 19 | 108 | Third Space Age |
| 2024 | 68 | 17 | 145 | Third Space Age |
| 2025 | 93 | 17 | 181 | Third Space Age |
In 1969, the year Apollo 11 landed on the Moon, the Soviet Union still completed 82 launches versus America’s 41. Soviet launch activity peaked in 1982 with 108 launches, while the U.S. completed just 18.
The second space age began after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia’s annual space launches dropped sharply through the 1990s as the U.S. began closing the gap.
China also started gaining momentum. Its annual launches climbed from 5 in 2000 to 15 by 2010, laying the foundation for its rapid expansion in the years ahead.
The modern era of space launches began around 2016 as reusable rockets and private companies transformed the industry. The space economy has now grown to nearly $600 billion.
By 2022, the U.S. completed 78 launches compared to China’s 64. The gap widened further in 2025, when America hit a record 181 launches while China reached 93.
Today, these launches power far more than exploration. Countries with high launch capacity increasingly control satellite internet, military communications, GPS systems, and Earth imaging networks.
That advantage also creates economic and trade benefits across aerospace, semiconductors, and telecommunications.
For a deeper look at how trade, technology, and geopolitics are reshaping global industries, explore the latest research from the Hinrich Foundation.
Visit the Hinrich Foundation to learn more about space dominance and its importance in global trade.
As digital trade expands, governments are moving quickly to set the rules that govern how it operates.
As the global economy adjusts elevated levels of geopolitical uncertainty, growth is becoming increasingly uneven, with India leading the charge.
The Ecological Footprint reveals how consumption strains the planet. Which countries leave the biggest mark?
Levels of economic development differ not only from one country to another, but also dramatically within their own borders. Which countries lead versus lag?
Based on data from the World Trade Organization, which countries have the highest and lowest number of trade agreements?
Based on the Hinrich Foundation’s 2025 Sustainable Trade Index, which economies are the most and least sustainable?
Trump’s tariffs affect all major U.S. trading partners, but what matters is how each country’s tariffs compare to its competitors.
U.S. tariffs have climbed to an average rate of 18.6%—the highest since 1933. But what does this mean for everyday consumers?
The UN has crunched the numbers projecting the ripple effects of Trump’s May 12th tariffs. Which economies are bracing for the biggest hits?
America’s goods trade deficits have dominated headlines, but a critical part of the equation is being ignored: services trade.
More data will be created, captured, and replicated in the next three years than in the rest of human history. But by how much?
Visual Capitalist has partnered with the Hinrich Foundation to explore the landscape of global trade and find out what students and trade professionals can do to…
CO₂ emissions are reshaping the flows of international trade. Which countries have the highest and lowest CO₂ emissions per capita?
Which countries have the highest and lowest life expectancies at birth?
Based on data from the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, which countries have the highest and lowest government debt ratios?
Based on the Hinrich Foundation’s 2024 Sustainable Trade Index, which economies are the most and least sustainable?
Which countries and regions decreased, banned, or increased Russian oil imports following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine?
The de-dollarization of China’s trade settlements has begun. What patterns do we see in USD and RMB use within China and globally?
Rising geopolitical tensions are shaping the future of international trade, but what is the effect on trading among G7 and BRICS countries?
High resource dependency in trade makes countries more susceptible to market fluctuations and climate change.
This graphic adds visual context to the global education gap, using data from 29 major economies.
This graphic visualizes 30 country’s credit ratings, using data from the 2023 Sustainable Trade Index.
The Sustainable Trade Index 2023 is an annual ranking of the world’s most sustainable economies. View this infographic to see the results.
The Hinrich Foundation visualizes the impact of corporate subsidies by G20 nations between 2008 and Q1 2023.
The Hinrich Foundation explores China’s use of economic coercion and the implications of its control over the solar energy sector.
We analyze recent trade policies implemented by G20 members to determine whether they are liberalizing or harmful.
We highlight key findings from the Hinrich Foundation’s latest report on carbon markets, produced in partnership with Visual Capitalist.
Which economies have hazy air, and which ones enjoy mostly clear skies? Find out in this geographic breakdown of air pollution levels.
Prior to invading Ukraine, Russia had one of the highest levels of geopolitical risk. How does geopolitical uncertainty vary around the world?
The U.S. has by far the most harmful tariffs, with nearly 5,000 in force. Which economy has the least tariffs?
Global trade is growing across regions and countries which is creating an explosion in new jobs and education opportunities.
See which economies have the most sustainable trade policies in the Hinrich Foundation’s 2022 Sustainable Trade Index.
In this infographic, we examine the current state of digital fragmentation and it’s implications on the world.
Asia’s digital economy is expanding quicker than ever, but cooperation between governments is needed to reduce barriers.
Free trade is a powerful engine for economic growth, but rising protectionism stands in the way. See what the data says in this infographic.
