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Charted: U.S. Population Growth by Year (2005-2055)

2025-12-22 01:44:40

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Bar chart showing U.S. population growth forecasts through to 2055.

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U.S. Population Growth Projections to 2055

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

  • In 2025, the U.S. population is forecast to grow 0.2% amid record-low fertility rates and an aging population.
  • Over the next 30 years, population growth is expected to decline to zero.
  • By 2048, population will peak, as net immigration growth and natural population decline (deaths > births) cancel each other out.

U.S. population growth is slowing, and is projected to grind to a halt by 2048.

Today, historically low fertility means births only marginally exceed deaths. Not only that, within the next decade that balance is projected to flip, with deaths surpassing births by an increasing margin.

This graphic shows U.S. population growth projections through to 2055, based on analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.

U.S. Population Growth in Decline

In the table below, we show the rate of population growth in America since 2005 along with forecasts to mid-century:

Year Overall Population Growth Births Minus Deaths Net Immigration
2005 1.1% 0.5% 0.6%
2006 1.2% 0.6% 0.6%
2007 0.9% 0.6% 0.3%
2008 0.6% 0.5% 0.1%
2009 0.8% 0.5% 0.3%
2010 0.8% 0.5% 0.3%
2011 0.8% 0.5% 0.3%
2012 0.6% 0.4% 0.2%
2013 0.7% 0.4% 0.3%
2014 0.9% 0.4% 0.5%
2015 0.9% 0.4% 0.5%
2016 0.7% 0.4% 0.3%
2017 0.7% 0.3% 0.4%
2018 0.5% 0.3% 0.2%
2019 0.4% 0.3% 0.1%
2020 0.4% 0.1% 0.3%
2021 0.5% 0.0% 0.5%
2022 0.9% 0.1% 0.8%
2023 1.2% 0.2% 1.0%
2024 0.9% 0.1% 0.8%
2025 0.2% 0.1% 0.1%
2026 0.3% 0.1% 0.2%
2027 0.3% 0.1% 0.2%
2028 0.3% 0.1% 0.2%
2029 0.3% 0.0% 0.3%
2030 0.3% 0.0% 0.3%
2031 0.3% 0.0% 0.3%
2032 0.3% 0.0% 0.3%
2033 0.2% 0.0% 0.3%
2034 0.2% -0.1% 0.3%
2035 0.2% -0.1% 0.3%
2036 0.2% -0.1% 0.3%
2037 0.2% -0.1% 0.3%
2038 0.2% -0.1% 0.3%
2039 0.2% -0.1% 0.3%
2040 0.1% -0.2% 0.3%
2041 0.1% -0.2% 0.3%
2042 0.1% -0.2% 0.3%
2043 0.1% -0.2% 0.3%
2044 0.1% -0.2% 0.3%
2045 0.1% -0.2% 0.3%
2046 0.1% -0.2% 0.3%
2047 0.1% -0.3% 0.3%
2048 0.0% -0.3% 0.3%
2049 0.0% -0.3% 0.3%
2050 0.0% -0.3% 0.3%
2051 0.0% -0.3% 0.3%
2052 0.0% -0.3% 0.3%
2053 0.0% -0.3% 0.3%
2054 0.0% -0.3% 0.3%
2055 0.0% -0.3% 0.3%

In 2024, there were 3.6 million births in America, falling from 4.1 million in 2005.

Overall, population growth from births exceeding deaths was just 0.1% last year, while in 2005 it stood at 0.5%. At the same time, fertility rates sank from 2.6 births per woman to 1.6 in 2024.

With natural increase fading, net immigration has become a far more important driver of population growth in recent years. Without it, the U.S. population would begin contracting as early as 2033.

Moreover, average population growth is projected to fall from 0.9% annually between 1974 and 2024 to less than one-fifth of that pace through 2055. Over the same period, net immigration is forecast to average 1.1 million people per year, up from 920,000 annually between 2010 and 2019.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on America’s fastest-growing states.

Mapped: The World’s Most Expensive Cappuccinos

2025-12-21 23:28:55

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Graphic showing where the most expensive cappuccinos are found across major global cities.

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Mapped: The World’s Most Expensive Cappuccinos

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

  • Zurich and Copenhagen top the list, with cappuccinos costing nearly $6.80 on average.
  • Even among the world’s most expensive cities, cappuccino prices vary widely across regions.

Coffee is a daily ritual for millions of people around the world. Yet the price of a simple cappuccino can vary dramatically depending on where you order it. Local wages, rents, taxes, and currency strength all shape what consumers ultimately pay for their caffeine fix.

This visualization ranks the most expensive cappuccinos among the 69 major cities covered in Deutsche Bank’s Mapping the World’s Prices 2025 report. It covers cappuccino prices in 2025, expressed in U.S. dollars for comparability.

Swiss and Nordic Cities Lead the Rankings

Zurich and Copenhagen share the top spot, with an average cappuccino price of $6.77. Switzerland’s high wages and cost of living, combined with a strong currency, push everyday purchases higher.

Geneva also ranks among the most expensive cities at $5.86, reinforcing Switzerland’s position as one of the costliest places in the world for daily consumption.

Rank City Economy Cappuccino Price (USD)
1 Zurich 🇨🇭 Switzerland $6.77
2 Copenhagen 🇩🇰 Denmark $6.77
3 New York 🇺🇸 United States $5.95
4 San Francisco 🇺🇸 United States $5.90
5 Geneva 🇨🇭 Switzerland $5.86
6 Abu Dhabi 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates $5.84
7 Los Angeles 🇺🇸 United States $5.78
8 Chicago 🇺🇸 United States $5.67
9 Boston 🇺🇸 United States $5.62
10 Dubai 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates $5.53
11 Edinburgh 🇬🇧 United Kingdom $5.28
12 London 🇬🇧 United Kingdom $5.19
13 Helsinki 🇫🇮 Finland $5.13
14 Stockholm 🇸🇪 Sweden $5.10
15 Hong Kong 🇭🇰 Hong Kong $5.09
16 Doha 🇶🇦 Qatar $5.08
17 Vienna 🇦🇹 Austria $4.96
18 Singapore 🇸🇬 Singapore $4.96
19 Oslo 🇳🇴 Norway $4.90
20 Amsterdam 🇳🇱 Netherlands $4.79

U.S. Cities Cluster Near the Top

Several U.S. cities appear prominently in the rankings. New York ($5.95) and San Francisco ($5.90) lead the pack, followed closely by Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.

Despite differences in geography and culture, cappuccino prices across these U.S. cities fall within a relatively narrow range, suggesting similar cost structures in large urban markets.

Europe’s Price Range—and Italy’s Exception

European cities show a wider spread. While London ($5.19), Stockholm ($5.10), and Helsinki ($5.13) rank among the pricier options, Vienna and Amsterdam sit below $5.00.

Notably, Italy stands apart. Even the most expensive cappuccino in Italy—found in Milan—costs just $2.15, while in Rome the average price is only $1.79.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Which Countries Drink the Most Wine? on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Mapped: Chances of a White Christmas Across the U.S.

2025-12-21 21:07:22

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Map of the probabilities of a white Christmas with snowfall in the U.S.

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Mapped: Chances of a White Christmas Across the U.S.

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 white Christmas is one of those holiday experiences that feels universal—until you look at the weather history and actual odds of snowfall on Christmas Day across the United States.

This map shows the historic probability across the U.S. of seeing at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25, using data from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) is based on the latest U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020).

These “normals” are three-decade averages built from observations at nearly 15,000 stations, offering a consistent baseline for what’s typical in different parts of the country.

Latitude Matters Most For a Snow on Christmas Day

If you want the simplest rule of thumb for a white Christmas, head north. The northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and large stretches of the interior Northeast generally sit in higher probability bands than the rest of the country.

The data table below features state averages of NOAA’s full 5,000+ row dataset of specific station probabilities of at least one inch of snow:

State Average probability of at least one inch of snow on Christmas day
Alabama 0.1%
Alaska 84.3%
Arizona 4.1%
Arkansas 1.3%
California 4.4%
Colorado 48.7%
Connecticut 35.2%
Delaware 6.5%
Florida 0.0%
Georgia 0.4%
Hawaii 0.0%
Idaho 62.1%
Illinois 27.2%
Indiana 26.0%
Iowa 46.9%
Kansas 15.0%
Kentucky 6.6%
Louisiana 0.1%
Maine 74.4%
Maryland 11.2%
Massachusetts 35.8%
Michigan 64.8%
Minnesota 75.2%
Mississippi 0.2%
Missouri 13.7%
Montana 56.7%
Nebraska 35.1%
Nevada 17.8%
New Hampshire 70.1%
New Jersey 13.7%
New Mexico 11.3%
New York 55.9%
North Carolina 3.1%
North Dakota 77.3%
Ohio 26.8%
Oklahoma 3.1%
Oregon 14.4%
Pennsylvania 34.2%
Rhode Island 26.9%
South Carolina 0.6%
South Dakota 55.5%
Tennessee 2.8%
Texas 0.8%
Utah 46.2%
Vermont 76.9%
Virginia 8.6%
Washington 26.9%
West Virginia 26.8%
Wisconsin 66.3%
Wyoming 56.0%

Areas around the Great Lakes can also improve their odds thanks to lake-effect snow, which can build persistent snowpack when cold air is in place.

Meanwhile, the further south you go, the more quickly the map shifts into darker shades—signaling that a white Christmas is historically uncommon.

Mountains Upgrade White Christmas Probabilities

Elevation can change the forecast more than any state line. The Rockies and the Sierra Nevada stand out as some of the most reliable places for holiday snow cover, with many high-altitude areas reaching the upper probabilities of Christmas Day snowfall.

The Cascades and ranges across Idaho also show strong odds, reinforcing how quickly temperatures drop with height.

Even in the East, the Appalachians make a visible difference—higher terrain can hold onto snow that the surrounding lowlands doesn’t.

Why the South and Coasts Often Miss White Christmas

Across the Gulf Coast, Deep South, and much of the Sun Belt, the map largely sits in the 0–10% range. Warmer winter temperatures mean snow is rarer to begin with—and even when it does fall, it’s less likely to stick around long enough to still be on the ground by Christmas morning.

Coastal climates often tilt milder as well, especially where ocean air moderates winter cold.

And for non-contiguous states, the story is mixed: Alaska’s station network is too sparse to confidently fill in the entire map, while Hawaii’s odds remain firmly at zero.

In other words, the classic “white Christmas” is real—but it’s also highly regional. If snow is the goal, history suggests two reliable strategies: chase colder latitudes, or climb into the mountains.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

For more Christmas-related visualizations, check out this graphic which ranks Spotify’s most streamed Christmas songs on Voronoi.

Charted: The Christmas Tree Market in the U.S.

2025-12-21 03:52:46

Infographic showing the 2023 U.S. Christmas tree market by breed and state production, highlighting Fraser and Douglas Firs

Charted: The Christmas Tree Market in the U.S.

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.

  • Real Christmas trees still make up a $2 billion market in the U.S., despite competition from artificial trees.
  • The Fraser Fir dominates sales with 35% market share, followed by Douglas and Noble Firs.
  • Oregon leads U.S. production, and Canada plays a key role in filling seasonal shortfalls.

Each December, millions of Americans venture out to find the perfect Christmas tree, and for a large portion of them, nothing beats a real evergreen. Despite rising demand for artificial trees, the real Christmas tree market in the U.S. remains vibrant, with 21.6 million trees sold in 2023 alone, according to data compiled by USDA’s Ag Census and industry groups.

This visualization by Made Visual Daily breaks down the U.S. market by tree breed and regional production, using datasourced from the USDA and the National Christmas Tree Association.

The Fraser Fir leads all other varieties, accounting for 35% of the market thanks to its excellent needle retention and sturdy branches—ideal for holding ornaments. The Douglas Fir and Noble Fir follow with 27% and 17% market share respectively.

State Share of U.S. Christmas Tree Production
Oregon 31.9%
North Carolina 21.3%
Michigan 11.9%
Washington 6.2%
Pennsylvania 4.8%
Other States 23.9%

On the production side, Oregon supplies nearly a third of all U.S. trees, followed by North Carolina, Michigan, and Washington.

Real vs. Artificial: A Shifting Holiday Tradition

While over 21 million real trees were sold in 2023, that’s down significantly from past decades. In the 1990s, Americans were buying upwards of 35 million real trees annually. Today, many households are opting for reusable artificial trees due to convenience, cost, or concerns over sustainability.

Despite the slow decline, there are an estimated 350 million Christmas trees currently growing on U.S. farms.

Imports and Supply Chain Realities

Even with robust domestic production, the U.S. often turns to Canada to make up for supply gaps—especially in years when droughts or wildfires affect yields in Oregon or North Carolina. Canadian tree farms, particularly in Quebec and Nova Scotia, are key players in the North American market.

While prices have risen slightly due to inflation and logistical challenges, supply has remained stable. Tree shortages feared during the pandemic have largely abated, though growers continue to manage tighter inventories to avoid oversupply.

Where Your Decorations Come From

Christmas trees are just one part of a complex global supply chain behind the holidays. From lights to ornaments, much of what decorates American homes is produced overseas. For more on this, see our article: Where Do Your Christmas Decorations Come From?

Ranked: Top 20 Countries with the Most Internet Users

2025-12-21 02:18:32

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Top 20 countries with the most internet users ranked visual

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The Top 20 Countries with the Most Internet Users

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

  • China and India alone account for more than 2.3 billion internet users, far surpassing every other country.
  • Large populations, not penetration rates, largely determine which countries rank highest by total users.

In 2025, 74% of the world’s population, or about 6 billion people, is online, up from 71% (5.8 billion) a year earlier.

While internet use continues to grow, more than a quarter of the global population remains offline. Access also varies sharply by income level, with 94% of people in high-income countries using the internet compared with just 23% in low-income countries.

This visualization ranks the top 20 countries by total number of internet users, highlighting how sheer population scale often outweighs connectivity rates. The data for this visualization comes from Datareportal.

China and India Dominate by Scale

China ranks first with roughly 1.30 billion internet users, representing more than 90% of its population. India follows with just over 1.03 billion users, despite a much lower internet penetration rate of 70%.

Together, these two countries account for more internet users than the rest of the top 20 combined.

Rank Country Internet users
1 🇨🇳 China 1,296,394,000
2 🇮🇳 India 1,026,954,000
3 🇺🇸 U.S. 323,888,000
4 🇮🇩 Indonesia 230,448,000
5 🇧🇷 Brazil 184,997,000
6 🇷🇺 Russian federation 135,676,000
7 🇵🇰 Pakistan 116,839,000
8 🇲🇽 Mexico 110,345,000
9 🇳🇬 Nigeria 108,700,000
10 🇯🇵 Japan 106,933,000
11 🇪🇬 Egypt 98,211,000
12 🇵🇭 Philippines 98,025,000
13 🇻🇳 Vietnam 85,621,000
14 🇧🇩 Bangladesh 82,806,000
15 🇩🇪 Germany 78,454,000
16 🇹🇷 Turkey 77,466,000
17 🇮🇷 Iran 73,751,000
18 🇬🇧 United kingdom 68,090,000
19 🇹🇭 Thailand 67,826,000
20 🇫🇷 France 63,449,000

Emerging Markets

Beyond the top two, the rankings show how large emerging markets, including Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, and Nigeria, now rival or surpass many advanced economies in total internet users, underscoring a continued shift in the center of global online activity toward the Global South.

Despite rapid global growth, Africa remains underrepresented among the world’s largest online populations. Nigeria is the only African country in the top 10, and just two African nations appear in the top 20, reflecting lower internet penetration rates and persistent gaps in infrastructure, affordability, and access across much of the continent.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The World’s Data Centers on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Mapped: The World’s Longest Animal Migrations

2025-12-20 23:22:03

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Map exploring the world’s longest animal migrations.

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Mapped: The World’s Longest Animal Migrations

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

  • Traveling up to 59,652 miles (96,000 km) each year, the Arctic Tern experiences two summers annually, following continuous daylight between the Arctic and Antarctic.
  • Gray and Humpback Whales depend on predictable ocean temperatures, feeding in cold, plankton-rich Arctic waters and breeding in warm tropical lagoons thousands of kilometers away.

The world’s great migrations are among nature’s most astonishing phenomena. Every year, millions of animals embark on journeys that span oceans, continents, and even hemispheres.

This visualization maps some of the longest known migration routes on Earth. From the Arctic Tern’s pole-to-pole flight to the epic oceanic travels of whales and turtles, these journeys connect ecosystems across the globe and shape entire food webs.

The data for this visualization comes from multiple sources, including Current Biology, NOAA, and National Geographic.

1. The Arctic Tern: The Ultimate Global Traveler

The Arctic Tern is the undisputed migration champion. Traveling between 31,000 and 59,000 miles (50,000–96,000 km) each year, the Arctic Tern experiences two summers. Scientists have tracked these terns following continuous daylight, timing their flights to chase the sun’s warmth and maximize feeding opportunities. Over its lifetime (up to 34 years), an Arctic Tern can fly the equivalent of three round trips to the Moon.

Animal Return Trip (km) Distance (miles) Example of Route
Arctic tern 50,000 31,070 Arctic breeding grounds → Antarctic pack-ice zone and back
Bar-tailed godwit 30,000 18,640 Pacific circuit: Alaska → New Zealand → China → Alaska
Northern wheatear 30,000 18,640 Alaska → East Africa
Gray whale 20,000 12,430 Sakhalin (Russia) → Mexico
Humpback whale 20,000 12,430 Samoa → Antarctic waters
Leatherback turtle 20,000 12,430 Pacific or Atlantic transoceanic routes (e.g., W. Pacific → California Current)
Bluefin tuna 20,000 12,430 Mediterranean spawning areas → North American feeding grounds
Globe skimmer dragonfly 15,000 9,320 India ↔ East Africa across the Indian Ocean (Multigenerational)
Monarch butterfly 9,000 5,590 Eastern North America → Mexico and back (Multigenerational)
Caribou 1,000 620 Annual forest ↔ tundra migration
Zebra 500 310 Botswana river valley → Namibia grazing areas

Distances represent approximate annual migration distances (round trip), which may vary by population and individual.

2. Ocean Voyagers: Whales

Marine mammals such as Gray and Humpback Whales migrate thousands of miles between icy feeding grounds and tropical breeding lagoons.

Gray Whales travel up to 12,000 miles (20,000 km) annually between the Bering Sea and Baja California, while some Humpback populations cover comparable round-trip distances between tropical breeding grounds and Antarctic feeding areas. Their migrations are finely tuned to ocean productivity and temperature, making them key indicators of marine ecosystem health.

3. Feathered and Winged Flyers: Birds and Insects in Motion

Beyond the terns, species like the Bar-tailed Godwit and Northern Wheatear make record-breaking non-stop flights, crossing entire oceans without stopping to feed.

Many bird species achieve extraordinary nonstop ocean crossings by accumulating substantial fat reserves for fuel and employing energy-efficient flight techniques like dynamic soaring.

In addition, other physiological adaptations—such as the ability to temporarily reduce the size of internal organs to lighten their load—help enable these long-distance journeys. Some bird species have also been observed entering brief periods of reduced brain activity while in flight, though the role this plays in nonstop migration is still being studied.

Even smaller creatures like the Globe Skimmer Dragonfly traverse up to 11,000 miles between India and Africa.

4. Land Migrations

On land, animals like Caribou and Wildebeest follow ancient migration paths dictated by seasonal changes.

Some caribou herds can migrate over 1,000–2,500 miles (1,600–4,000 km) annually, among the longest terrestrial migrations on Earth, while the Serengeti’s Wildebeest migration—a circular movement of almost a thousand miles—is among the most visually dramatic wildlife events on Earth.

Similarly, Zebras migrate roughly 310 miles each year, traveling from Botswana’s river valleys to grazing areas across the border in Namibia.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: Countries With the Largest Forests in 2025 on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.