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2026-07-15 01:17:41

Visualizing 75 Years of U.S. Energy Production

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Over the last 75 years, the sources powering U.S. energy production have changed significantly, shaped by new technologies, shifting economics, and major global events.

This visualization tracks the production share and total output of major U.S. energy sources from 1950 to 2025.

Energy production is measured in quadrillion British thermal units (quads). The figures come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

75 Years of U.S. Energy Production (1950–2025)

U.S. primary energy production climbed from 34.5 quadrillion BTU in 1950 to 107.1 quadrillion BTU in 2025.

Natural gas accounted for much of that growth, rising from 7.0 to 50.5 quads, an increase of more than sevenfold. Most of the gain came after 2008, when shale drilling ended a four-decade stretch of largely stagnant output.

The data table below shows U.S. energy production by source from 1950 to 2025, measured in quads:

Coal moved in the opposite direction. Production rose from 14.1 quads in 1950 to a peak of 24.0 quads in 1998, before falling sharply after 2009 as utilities increasingly switched to lower-cost natural gas. By 2025, coal production had declined to 11.0 quads.

Crude oil followed a longer and more volatile path. Production nearly doubled from 11.4 quads in 1950 to 20.4 quads in 1970, then declined for more than three decades to a low of 10.6 quads in 2008.

The same shale techniques that revived natural gas production also pushed crude oil output to a record 28.2 quads in 2025, helping make the U.S. the world’s largest oil producer.

Coal and Natural Gas Have Swapped Places

In 1950, coal was the largest source of U.S. primary energy production, followed by crude oil and natural gas. By 2025, natural gas had moved into first place, crude oil remained second, and coal had fallen to third.

The data table below shows each major energy source’s share of U.S. production in 1950 and 2025:

Crude oil is the one major fuel that ended close to where it began. It supplied 33% of U.S. production in 1950 and 26% in 2025, ranking second in both years. In between, its share rose to nearly 40% in the early 1970s before falling to just 15% by 2008 amid a multidecade production decline.

The shale-driven rebound in oil and natural gas has helped keep the U.S. among a small group of major economies that produce more energy than they consume, alongside countries such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Canada.

Renewable sources have also expanded from a relatively small base. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biofuels collectively increased their share of U.S. production from 3.4% in 2006 to 6.7% in 2025. Even so, the country’s production mix remains dominated by the same three fossil fuels as in 1950, only in a different order.

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If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Mapped: The World’s Biggest Energy Sources by Country on Voronoi.

2026-07-14 23:41:00

Published

8 hours ago

on

July 14, 2026

By

Cody Good

Graphics & Design

• Abha Patil

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The following content is sponsored by Global X Canada

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Silver vs. Gold: Annual Returns During Downturns

Key Takeaways

• Silver had an annual return of 148% versus gold’s 65% in 2025, showing how much more volatile silver can be during periods of market stress.
• During the 2008 downturn, gold rose 3.4% while silver fell 26.9%, but silver rebounded by 57.5% in 2009 and 80.3% in 2010 as conditions improved.

Silver has historically experienced greater volatility than gold during recessions and market downturns. In 2008, for example, gold rose 3.4% while silver fell 26.9%, before silver rebounded 57.5% in 2009 and 80.3% in 2010.

Gold and silver are both precious metals, but the data shows they can behave very differently under stress. Gold tends to act as the steadier metal, while silver reacts more sharply as investor sentiment and industrial demand shift.

This graphic, in partnership with Global X Canada, is the second of three graphics in the Investing in Silver series. It compares annual gold and silver returns during recession and downturn periods using data from the World Bank and Macrotrends.

Mexico Leads with the Most Silver Production

Silver has historically shown larger moves than gold in both directions. In 2025, silver surged nearly 150%, more than doubling gold’s 65% gain.

Year	Gold Returns (%)	Silver Returns (%)
2000	-6.26	-14.07
2001	1.41	-1.31
2002	23.96	3.32
2003	21.74	27.84
2004	4.97	14.24
2005	17.12	29.47
2006	23.92	46.09
2007	31.59	14.42
2008	3.41	-26.9
2009	27.63	57.46
2010	27.74	80.28
2011	11.65	-8
2012	5.68	6.28
2013	-27.79	-34.89
2014	-0.19	-18.1
2015	-11.59	-13.59
2016	8.63	15.86
2017	12.57	7.12
2018	-1.15	-9.4
2019	18.83	15.36
2020	24.43	47.44
2021	-3.51	-11.55
2022	-0.23	2.64
2023	13.08	-0.72
2024	27.23	21.36
2025	64.69	148.14
2026	4.13	23.32

Source: Macrotrends

Silver’s spikes have also followed by sharp reversals. In 2008, silver fell 26.9% while gold rose 3.4%, showing gold’s relative resilience during the global financial crisis.

And yet, silver rebounded strongly in the recovery years that followed, rising 57.5% in 2009 and 80.3% in 2010.

A Higher-Beta Precious Metal

Silver’s sharper moves reflect its dual role as both a precious metal and an industrial input. When markets weaken, silver can be pressured by slowing industrial demand. But when conditions improve, it can rebound quickly as both investor demand and industrial activity recover.

This matters because silver’s volatility can create larger drawdowns, but also larger price movements. For investors, that makes silver a more tactical precious metals exposure than gold.

Investing in Silver

As demand grows from solar, electrification, and industrial applications, silver remains a key metal to watch for investors tracking long-term supply and demand trends.

Global X Canada’s ETFs can help investors access commodities without choosing individual miners.

To learn more, explore the Global X Silver Miners Index ETF (SLVX).

See how SILVX offers potential upside through rising prices and operational growth within the silver sector.

Commissions, management fees, and expenses all may be associated with an investment in products (the “Global X Funds”) managed by Global X Investments Canada Inc. The Global X Funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Certain Global X Funds may have exposure to leveraged investment techniques that magnify gains and losses which may result in greater volatility in value and could be subject to aggressive investment risk and price volatility risk. Such risks are described in the prospectus. The prospectus contains important detailed information about the Global X Funds. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing.

Certain statements may constitute a forward-looking statement, including those identified by the expression “expect” and similar expressions (including grammatical variations thereof). The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the author’s current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the authors do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that is contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

This communication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase investment products (the “Global X Funds”) managed by Global X Investments Canada Inc. and is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax, legal or accounting advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding any particular investment. Investors should consult their professional advisors prior to implementing any changes to their investment strategies. These investments may not be suitable to the circumstances of an investor.

All comments, opinions and views expressed are generally based on information available as of the date of publication and should not be considered as advice to purchase or to sell mentioned securities. Before making any investment decision, please consult your investment advisor or advisors.

Global X Investments Canada Inc. (“Global X”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mirae Asset Global Investments Co., Ltd. (“Mirae Asset”), the Korea-based asset management entity of Mirae Asset Financial Group. Global X is a corporation existing under the laws of Canada and is the manager, investment manager and trustee of the Global X Funds.

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2026-07-14 22:11:34

Mapped: Health Care Spending Per Person by State

Health care represents a major share of consumer spending in America, but the amount spent per resident varies considerably by location.

New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis highlights the differences in per-capita health care spending across the country in 2024.

The map below ranks every state using the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures by State data from the BEA. Figures are reported in current dollars and allocated according to residents’ state of residence.

Which States Spend the Most on Health Care?

Below is a ranking of states based on per-person health care spending:

Alaska spent nearly twice as much per resident on health care as Utah in 2024.

Several Northeastern states, along with South Dakota and Washington, D.C., also ranked near the top. Meanwhile, much of the Mountain West and South recorded below-average spending.

Why Do Some States Spend More Than Others?

Higher spending does not necessarily mean residents receive more medical care.

Numerous studies have found that differences in prices, especially for hospital and physician services, explain much more of the variation in U.S. health spending than differences in how often people use care. Administrative costs, provider wages, and regional labor markets also play major roles.

State-specific factors matter as well. Alaska’s remote geography and limited provider network make delivering care significantly more expensive, while states with older populations often spend more because seniors tend to use more medical services.

Broader insurance coverage can also increase the share of care captured in personal consumption expenditures.

Health Care Spending Continues to Climb

Nationally, health care expenditures continue to rise.

CMS projects U.S. health spending will approach $9 trillion annually by 2034, driven by increased enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid, along with continued growth in health care prices. Despite already spending more per person than any comparable high-income country, the U.S. is expected to devote an even larger share of its economy to health care over the next decade.

International comparisons show the U.S. spends substantially more on health care than other high-income countries, largely because medical services cost more rather than because Americans use dramatically more care.

As national spending continues to rise, the nearly twofold gap between states highlights how geography remains a major factor in what Americans ultimately spend on health care.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed this visualization, check out Americans Pay More for Healthcare, Yet Have Shorter Life Expectancy on the Voronoi app, where you can discover thousands of data-driven charts from trusted sources covering health, economics, markets, and more.

2026-07-14 20:02:04

Ranked: Homeownership Rates 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.

Owning a home is often viewed as a hallmark of financial success, but the countries with the highest homeownership rates may not be the ones many people expect.

This graphic ranks countries by the share of households that own the home they live in, using data from the OECD Affordable Housing Database. China’s figure comes from Clark, Huang, and Yi (2019).

The results show how decades-old housing policies continue to shape ownership patterns around the world.

Eastern Europe Dominates the Rankings

Slovakia leads the ranking with a homeownership rate of 93.5%, followed closely by Romania and Croatia.

Current and former communist states dominate the top of the list, with Lithuania, Bulgaria, Poland, and Latvia also placing in the top 10.

Rank	Country	Homeownership rate
1	Slovak Republic	93.5%
2	Romania	92.8%
3	Croatia	90.4%
4	China	90.0%
5	Lithuania	86.9%
6	Bulgaria	85.2%
7	Poland	84.8%
8	Japan	84.0%
9	Latvia	80.6%
10	Iceland	78.4%
11	Italy	75.2%
12	Estonia	75.0%
13	Slovenia	73.9%
14	Spain	73.6%
15	Costa Rica	73.2%
16	European Union	72.5%
17	Norway	72.3%
18	Portugal	72.1%
19	Czechia	71.9%
20	OECD average	70.1%
21	Mexico	69.6%
22	Canada	68.6%
23	United Kingdom	68.4%
24	Ireland	68.2%
25	Greece	68.1%
26	Malta	66.0%
27	Belgium	65.9%
28	United States	65.3%
29	New Zealand	63.9%
30	Cyprus	63.5%
31	Australia	62.7%
32	Luxembourg	62.3%
33	Finland	61.0%
34	France	58.5%
35	Sweden	58.2%
36	South Korea	58.0%
37	Netherlands	57.9%
38	Chile	57.1%
39	Türkiye	55.7%
40	Denmark	52.2%
41	Austria	47.9%
42	Germany	41.0%
43	Switzerland	38.2%
44	Colombia	36.0%

This pattern reflects the legacy of socialist housing systems, under which state-owned homes were often privatized and sold to occupants at heavily discounted prices following the fall of communism.

China’s Housing Reforms Created a Nation of Homeowners

China ranks fourth with a homeownership rate of 90.0%.

Much of this can be traced to sweeping housing reforms introduced during the 1990s, when many publicly owned apartments were sold to residents at subsidized prices.

The reforms rapidly expanded private homeownership and helped make residential property a major store of household wealth for many Chinese families. Today, China’s housing market remains central to both consumer wealth and the country’s broader economy.

Many Wealthy Countries Have Lower Ownership Rates

Several of the world’s richest economies rank surprisingly low on the list.

Germany has a homeownership rate of 41.0%, while Switzerland sits at 38.2%, the lowest among the countries shown.

Strong rental markets, tenant protections, and relatively affordable long-term renting can reduce the pressure to buy in these countries.

Canada (68.6%), the United States (65.3%), Australia (62.7%), and France (58.5%) all sit near or below the OECD average of 70.1%. Together, the rankings suggest that housing policy, financing systems, and rental markets can influence homeownership as much as national income.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The Countries Where $1,000 Takes the Longest to Earn on Voronoi.

2026-07-14 12:26:03

Germany Quit Nuclear. So Why Is It Importing More?

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.

Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power has become one of the world’s most closely watched energy policy experiments. While the country’s last reactors shut down in 2023, Germany remains deeply connected to Europe’s integrated electricity market, where power moves across national borders.

The visualization above, created by DataPulse Research using data from SMARD, estimates how much of Germany’s imported electricity originated from nuclear generation between 2015 and 2024.

Germany’s Nuclear Generation Falls to Zero

Germany’s nuclear generation and estimated nuclear electricity imports are shown below.

As domestic generation steadily declined, estimated nuclear electricity imports followed a different trajectory, reaching their highest level in 2024.

Germany’s nuclear phaseout was shaped by decades of political debate and accelerated after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.

As reactors closed, the country expanded renewable energy while continuing to trade electricity across Europe’s interconnected grid. Domestic nuclear generation fell by more than 90,000 GWh between 2015 and 2024.

Why Nuclear Power Still Crosses Borders

Once electricity enters Europe’s interconnected grid, it flows according to supply, demand, and market prices rather than national energy policies. As a result, electricity imported into Germany can include nuclear-generated power from neighboring countries even though Germany no longer operates nuclear reactors.

The nuclear share of Germany’s imports may rise when nuclear generation is abundant and competitively priced in connected markets. According to DataPulse Research’s estimates, these imports increased sharply after Germany’s final reactors closed, highlighting the difference between where electricity is produced and where it is consumed.

Why Some Countries Are Ramping Up Nuclear Investment

Germany’s experience stands in contrast to countries that continue expanding nuclear capacity. Nuclear power can provide reliable, low-carbon electricity with high capacity factors while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Countries with rapidly growing electricity demand or limited domestic energy resources may therefore include it in a diversified energy strategy.

Nuclear power remains one of the energy sector’s most debated technologies. Supporters emphasize its ability to generate large amounts of low-carbon electricity around the clock, while critics point to construction costs, radioactive waste, project delays, and safety concerns. The broader nuclear debate continues to shape energy policy around the world.

The U.S., France, China, Russia, and South Korea maintain extensive reactor fleets because of decades of investment, energy security priorities, and long-term industrial policy. Several are also planning additional reactors. Meanwhile, Germany belongs to a relatively small group of countries that have fully phased out nuclear generation.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

Want to explore more data-driven stories on global security and energy? Check out Mapped: Countries With the Most Nuclear Missiles on the Voronoi app.

2026-07-14 01:47:34

Ranked: Where Wealth Is Most Concentrated

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.

Two countries can have similar levels of wealth but vastly different levels of who owns it.

Using data from the UBS Global Wealth Report 2026, this graphic shows countries by their wealth Gini Index, a measure of how concentrated household wealth is within each economy. A score of 100 indicates one person owns all the wealth, while 0 represents perfect equality.

Behind every economy is a different story of who owns the nation’s wealth, and who benefits most from its growth.

Countries With the Most Concentrated Wealth

The table below ranks selected countries by UBS’s 2025 Wealth Gini Index, which measures how unevenly household wealth is distributed. The rankings include 32 of the 56 markets analyzed in the report, spanning major advanced and emerging economies.

Rank	Country	Gini Index 2025 (0-100)	Region
1	UAE	82	Middle East
2	Russia	82	Europe
3	South Africa	81	Africa
4	Brazil	81	Americas
5	Saudi Arabia	78	Middle East
6	U.S.	77	Americas
7	Sweden	74	Europe
8	India	74	Asia
9	Türkiye	73	Middle East
10	Mexico	72	Americas
11	Chile	71	Americas
12	Singapore	69	Asia
13	Switzerland	68	Europe
14	Germany	67	Europe
15	Israel	66	Middle East
16	Hong Kong SAR	64	Asia
17	Portugal	61	Europe
18	China (Mainland)	60	Asia
19	Greece	60	Europe
20	UK	59	Europe
21	Taiwan	59	Asia
22	France	57	Europe
23	South Korea	57	Asia
24	Poland	57	Europe
25	Spain	57	Europe
26	Hungary	56	Europe
27	Italy	54	Europe
28	Japan	53	Asia
29	Australia	53	Oceania
30	Qatar	47	Middle East
31	Belgium	46	Europe
32	Slovakia	38	Europe

America’s Wealth Gap Stands Out

The U.S. ranks sixth overall with a wealth Gini score of 77, behind only the UAE, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia.

That ranking comes despite America having the world’s largest millionaire population with 23.6 million people, or roughly 41% of all millionaires globally. At the same time, the country ranks second worldwide in average wealth per adult but only 28th in median wealth, highlighting the large gap between the wealth of the average household and that of the typical American.

Together, these figures illustrate how substantial gains in household wealth have been concentrated among the wealthiest Americans, pushing the U.S. near the top of the global wealth concentration rankings.

Europe Dominates the Lowest Wealth Concentration Rankings

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Europe accounts for six of the 10 lowest wealth concentration scores in the dataset.

Slovakia ranks lowest overall with a score of 38, followed by Belgium (46), Italy (54), Hungary (56), and France, Poland, and Spain (57). The UK also sits well below the U.S. at 59.

Many of these countries combine widespread homeownership, stronger social safety nets, and higher levels of median wealth than countries near the top of the rankings.

Wealth Concentration Is Different From Income Inequality

A country’s wealth concentration is not the same as its income inequality.

Income measures what people earn each year, while wealth includes assets accumulated over decades, such as homes, businesses, pensions, investments, and inheritances. Because wealth compounds over time, it is typically distributed much more unevenly than income.

As housing wealth, stock markets, and private business ownership continue to drive household fortunes, who owns a country’s wealth may become just as important as how much wealth the economy creates.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the countries with the most millionaires per capita.