2026-03-30 22:26:10
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The U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.4% in December 2025, but conditions varied sharply across states. Washington, D.C. stood out as a clear outlier, while several coastal labor markets continued to post elevated jobless rates.
This graphic ranks U.S. states by unemployment rate in December 2025 and shows the 12-month change from December 2024, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Three patterns stand out: D.C. at the top by a wide margin, Delaware recording the sharpest increase, and persistently higher unemployment across parts of the West Coast.
Washington, D.C. had the highest unemployment rate in the country in December 2025 at 6.7%, up 1.4% from a year earlier and well above the national average.
The data below includes unemployment rates by state in December 2024 and December 2025.
| State | Dec. 2025 unemployment rate | Dec. 2024 unemployment rate | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|---|
| D.C. | 6.7 | 5.3 | 1.4 |
| California | 5.5 | 5.5 | 0 |
| New Jersey | 5.4 | 4.6 | 0.8 |
| Delaware | 5.2 | 3.6 | 1.6 |
| Nevada | 5.2 | 5.8 | -0.6 |
| Oregon | 5.2 | 4.3 | 0.9 |
| Michigan | 5.0 | 5.2 | -0.2 |
| Alaska | 4.8 | 4.7 | 0.1 |
| Massachusetts | 4.8 | 4.1 | 0.7 |
| South Carolina | 4.8 | 4.4 | 0.4 |
| Washington | 4.7 | 4.4 | 0.3 |
| Illinois | 4.6 | 4.9 | -0.3 |
| New York | 4.6 | 4.4 | 0.2 |
| West Virginia | 4.6 | 4.1 | 0.5 |
| Kentucky | 4.5 | 5.3 | -0.8 |
| Ohio | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0 |
| Arizona | 4.3 | 3.8 | 0.5 |
| Florida | 4.3 | 3.4 | 0.9 |
| New Mexico | 4.3 | 4.3 | 0 |
| Rhode Island | 4.3 | 4.5 | -0.2 |
| Texas | 4.3 | 4.2 | 0.1 |
| Arkansas | 4.2 | 3.6 | 0.6 |
| Connecticut | 4.2 | 3.2 | 1 |
| Louisiana | 4.2 | 4.6 | -0.4 |
| Maryland | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 4.2 | 3.7 | 0.5 |
| Minnesota | 4.1 | 3.0 | 1.1 |
| Missouri | 3.9 | 3.6 | 0.3 |
| North Carolina | 3.9 | 3.7 | 0.2 |
| Colorado | 3.8 | 4.6 | -0.8 |
| Kansas | 3.8 | 3.8 | 0 |
| Mississippi | 3.7 | 3.6 | 0.1 |
| Georgia | 3.6 | 3.6 | 0 |
| Idaho | 3.6 | 3.8 | -0.2 |
| Oklahoma | 3.6 | 3.3 | 0.3 |
| Tennessee | 3.6 | 3.7 | -0.1 |
| Utah | 3.6 | 3.3 | 0.3 |
| Virginia | 3.6 | 2.9 | 0.7 |
| Indiana | 3.5 | 4.4 | -0.9 |
| Iowa | 3.5 | 3.3 | 0.2 |
| Montana | 3.4 | 2.9 | 0.5 |
| Wyoming | 3.4 | 3.5 | -0.1 |
| Maine | 3.2 | 3.4 | -0.2 |
| New Hampshire | 3.1 | 2.8 | 0.3 |
| Wisconsin | 3.1 | 3.1 | 0 |
| Nebraska | 3 | 2.9 | 0.1 |
| Alabama | 2.7 | 3.3 | -0.6 |
| North Dakota | 2.6 | 2.5 | 0.1 |
| Vermont | 2.6 | 2.5 | 0.1 |
| Hawaii | 2.2 | 3 | -0.8 |
| South Dakota | 2.2 | 1.9 | 0.3 |
D.C. had a challenging 2025, being impacted more than any anywhere else by the massive federal workforce reduction which saw over 300,000 government employees dismissed through either layoffs or voluntary resignation offers.
While not all of these workers were D.C.-based, the nation’s capital was at the center of reductions in force, as over 10% of the city’s population are employed by the federal government, compared to less than 3% nationally.
After D.C., the highest unemployment rates were in California (5.5%), New Jersey (5.4%), and Delaware and Oregon (both 5.2%).
When also considering Washington (4.7%), the West Coast average unemployment rate was over 5.1%, higher than any other region nationwide.
At the other end of the ranking, Hawaii and South Dakota (both 2.2%) had the lowest unemployment rates in the country, with Hawaii also seeing a 0.8% year-over-year drop.
Hawaii was not alone in seeing a notable decline in unemployment. Colorado and Kentucky each posted 0.8% drops over the course of 2025, while Indiana saw a slightly larger 0.9% reduction over the same period.
Delaware had the biggest increase in unemployment between December 2024 and December 2025 at 1.6%, followed by Maryland and Minnesota (both 1.1%).
These states saw the sharpest year-over-year changes in 2025, while California stood out for having one of the country’s highest unemployment rates with no change from a year earlier.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Unemployment Rates in OECD Countries on Voronoi.
2026-03-30 20:04:14
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Over the last 25 years, economic output per person has grown at very different speeds across the world’s largest economies.
This chart ranks GDP per capita growth across 15 major economies from 2000 to 2026, based on data from the International Monetary Fund, highlighting where living standards have improved the most.
The data shows a clear divide: emerging markets like China and India recorded rapid gains in output per person, while advanced economies saw slower, more uneven growth, with Japan standing out as the only country where GDP per capita declined.
Among major economies, China leads by far, with GDP per capita rising from roughly $1.0K in 2000 to $14.7K in 2026, a 1,430% increase.
This means China added more output per person, in percentage terms, than any other major economy, fundamentally reshaping its position in the global middle class. India also recorded significant gains, with GDP per capita climbing from $0.4K to $3.1K, among the sharpest rises globally.
| Country | GDP Per Capita 2000 | GDP Per Capita 2026 | Change 2000-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
 China |
$1.0K | $14.7K | 1,430% |
 Russia |
$1.9K | $17.3K | 811% |
 India |
$0.4K | $3.1K | 589% |
 South Korea |
$12.7K | $37.5K | 195% |
 Brazil |
$3.8K | $10.7K | 185% |
 Spain |
$14.7K | $40.6K | 176% |
 Germany |
$24.2K | $63.6K | 163% |
 U.S. |
$36.3K | $92.9K | 156% |
 Canada |
$24.3K | $58.2K | 140% |
 France |
$22.5K | $51.7K | 130% |
 Italy |
$20.2K | $45.9K | 127% |
 UK |
$28.3K | $60.0K | 112% |
 Mexico |
$7.5K | $15.1K | 102% |
 Australia |
$20.9K | $41.0K | 96% |
 Japan |
$39.2K | $36.4K | -7% |
Russia saw GDP per capita jump 811%, marking a robust economic turnaround following the country’s financial collapse in 1998.
Around 2000, Russia began ramping up oil production after decades of decline, driving its economic recovery. While state control of energy assets stood at around 10% in 2000, it grew to nearly 50% in less than a decade.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s GDP per capita more than tripled to reach $37.5K, owing to its manufacturing prowess. Since 2000, it has transformed from an emerging to an advanced economy, with GDP per capita now exceeding Japan’s.
Similarly, GDP per capita in Brazil grew notably, fueled by a commodity boom in the 2000s, although growth slowed in the decade that followed.
While rich nations saw comparatively lower growth than developing markets, a wide gap emerged within this group.
Overall, Spain experienced the fastest growth, with GDP per capita rising 176%. In 2025, it grew at nearly twice the rate of eurozone countries, supported by domestic consumption and tourism.
Germany, meanwhile, saw GDP per capita increase 163%, even outpacing the U.S.’s gain of 156%. Yet unlike Spain, Germany has recently faced dismal growth amid weaker exports.
Japan stands alone as the only major economy where GDP per capita is lower today than in 2000. Compared to 2000, GDP per capita has contracted 7%, due to a mix of low inflation, slow population growth, and years of economic stagnation.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on G7 vs. BRICS countries’ share of the global economy since 1980.
2026-03-30 18:06:48
Global equities had a turbulent month as markets reacted to the economic fallout from the ongoing Iran war. According to FactSet data via the New York Times, investors grappled with rising uncertainty, supply disruptions, and the growing risk of a broader regional conflict.
Below, we break down how major stock indexes performed over the past month.
| Index | Location | Monthly Low | Decline (Feb 27 to Mar 27, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | |
–6% | –6% |
| FTSE 100 | |
–9% | –8% |
| DAX | |
–11% | –10% |
| Shanghai Composite | |
–8% | –5% |
| Hang Seng |  |
–8% | –5% |
| Nikkei 225 | |
–12% | –7% |
Across the board, markets declined, with Frankfurt and Tokyo among the hardest hit. While New York saw relatively milder losses, nearly every index ended the period firmly in negative territory.
At the heart of the selloff is energy. The Iran war has intensified concerns over oil supply, particularly as attacks on infrastructure and shipping routes threaten global flows.
The Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for roughly a fifth of global oil shipments—has emerged as a major flashpoint. Any disruption here has immediate ripple effects across energy prices and investor sentiment.
Rising oil prices have compounded inflation concerns, forcing central banks and investors alike to reassess growth expectations. As well, institutions like the IEA are warning of a “major threat” to global growth and economists already flagging downward GDP revisions in energy-importing regions.
Not all markets have responded equally. European indexes like Frankfurt have seen sharper drops, reflecting the region’s heavier reliance on imported energy. Similarly, Asian markets, particularly Japan, have shown heightened sensitivity due to energy dependency and trade exposure.
Meanwhile, U.S. markets have been somewhat more resilient, supported by domestic energy production and relatively diversified economic drivers.
Still, volatility remains elevated across all regions, with investors increasingly pricing in geopolitical risk.
Beyond energy, the broader concern is uncertainty. Markets tend to dislike unpredictability, and the evolving nature of the Iran conflict, combined with risks of escalation, has made forecasting particularly difficult. Notably, many analysts had entered 2026 expecting double-digit gains for the S&P 500, making the conflict a significant curveball to those early-year projections.
Investors are closely watching for signs of stabilization, whether through diplomatic developments or improved security around key infrastructure. Until then, markets are likely to remain sensitive to headlines, especially those tied to energy supply disruptions.
2026-03-30 12:49:07
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Europe’s labor market tells two very different stories in 2026. While some countries continue to struggle with elevated unemployment, others are operating much closer to full employment.
This map shows unemployment rates across Europe as of January 2026, using data from Eurostat and the national statistical services of Russia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The contrast is stark: Finland (10.2%) and Spain (9.8%) sit at the top of the ranking, while Russia (2.2%), Bulgaria (3.1%), and Poland (3.1%) are at the low end.
The data table below provides unemployment rates for Europe as of January 2026.
| Country | Unemployment Rate (%) |
|---|---|
 Finland |
10.2 |
|
Spain |
9.8 |
 Sweden |
8.7 |
|
France |
7.7 |
 Greece |
7.7 |
 Denmark |
7.5 |
 Latvia |
6.9 |
 Luxembourg |
6.9 |
 Belgium |
6.4 |
 Lithuania |
6.4 |
 Estonia |
6.3 |
 Romania |
6.0 |
 Austria |
5.6 |
 Portugal |
5.6 |
 Slovakia |
5.6 |
 Iceland |
5.3 |
|
United Kingdom |
5.2 |
|
Italy |
5.1 |
 Ireland |
4.7 |
 Croatia |
4.5 |
 Hungary |
4.5 |
 Norway |
4.5 |
 Cyprus |
4.2 |
|
Germany |
4.0 |
 Netherlands |
4.0 |
 Slovenia |
3.9 |
 Malta |
3.4 |
 Czechia |
3.2 |
 Switzerland |
3.2 |
 Bulgaria |
3.1 |
 Poland |
3.1 |
|
Russia |
2.2 |
Beyond Finland and Spain, several major European economies still sit well above the continental average. France and Greece (both 7.7%) are among the highest, highlighting ongoing challenges in parts of the region.
In these economies, slower growth and structural labor market constraints have kept unemployment elevated compared to peers. France is a clear example, remaining firmly in Europe’s higher-unemployment group.
Even as conditions improve elsewhere, these countries continue to lag behind much of the continent.
France is far from alone in facing high unemployment. Its two main southern neighbors have long been plagued by much of the same, though both have made strides since the eurozone crisis which wrecked their finances between 2008 and 2014.
At 9.8%, Spain today has Europe’s second-highest unemployment rate, behind only Finland (10.2%). The Iberian country has only recently fallen below the 10% benchmark for the first time since the 2008 crisis began. Spain’s economy has weathered Europe’s current growth crisis better than most, aided by high public investment and EU funds.
Meanwhile, Italy outperforms the European average with its 5.1% unemployment rate as of January 2026. The EU’s third-largest economy has also made strides in its labor market since the eurozone crisis. For example, while youth unemployment remains high at 20%, this figure also represents half of the roughly 40% seen in 2014 at the tail end of the crisis.
Several non-EU economies fall on the lower end of Europe’s unemployment range. The UK (5.2%) sits close to the continental average, while Norway (4.5%) and Switzerland (3.2%) perform better than many EU peers.
Russia stands out most at 2.2%, the lowest rate among Europe’s major economies. Together, these figures reinforce the map’s central takeaway: Europe’s labor market is not moving uniformly, but diverging across countries.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Unemployment Rates in OECD Countries on Voronoi.
2026-03-30 00:48:32
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Even as movie attendance struggles to recover from the pandemic-era onslaught of home streaming services, numerous big-budget films have raked in billions of dollars at the box office, including the most recent Avatar installment as well as two animated sequels.
This infographic ranks the 20 best-selling films of all time based on lifetime worldwide gross, using updated 2026 data from Box Office Mojo.
James Cameron’s Avatar (2009), with its over $2.92 billion in earnings, has been the highest-grossing film in history since its 2021 rerelease in China. The film previously held the title for nearly a decade before losing its position to Avengers: Endgame in 2019 for two years.
Including both Avatar and Endgame ($2.8 billion), only seven movies have ever passed the $2-billion mark in worldwide box office receipts.
The other five include 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water ($2.33 billion), 1997’s Titanic and 2025’s Ne Zha 2 (both $2.26 billion), 2015’s Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens ($2.07 billion), and 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War ($2.05 billion).
The data table below lists the highest-grossing movies of all time as of March 2026.
| Rank | Movie | Lifetime Gross | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avatar | $2,923,710,708 | 2009 |
| 2 | Avengers: Endgame | $2,799,439,100 | 2019 |
| 3 | Avatar: The Way of Water | $2,334,484,620 | 2022 |
| 4 | Titanic | $2,264,812,968 | 1997 |
| 5 | Ne Zha 2 | $2,260,176,370 | 2025 |
| 6 | Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens | $2,071,310,218 | 2015 |
| 7 | Avengers: Infinity War | $2,052,415,039 | 2018 |
| 8 | Spider-Man: No Way Home | $1,921,426,073 | 2021 |
| 9 | Zootopia 2 | $1,866,577,771 | 2025 |
| 10 | Inside Out 2 | $1,698,863,816 | 2024 |
| 11 | Jurassic World | $1,671,537,444 | 2015 |
| 12 | The Lion King | $1,662,020,819 | 2019 |
| 13 | The Avengers | $1,520,538,536 | 2012 |
| 14 | Furious 7 | $1,515,342,457 | 2015 |
| 15 | Top Gun: Maverick | $1,495,696,292 | 2022 |
| 16 | Avatar: Fire and Ash | $1,485,550,805 | 2025 |
| 17 | Frozen II | $1,453,683,476 | 2019 |
| 18 | Barbie | $1,447,138,421 | 2023 |
| 19 | Avengers: Age of Ultron | $1,405,018,048 | 2015 |
| 20 | The Super Mario Bros. Movie | $1,360,879,735 | 2023 |
No director has more entries on the upper echelon of film history than James Cameron, who directed Titanic as well as all of the Avatar films, leaving him with three of the four highest-grossing movies in history.
Cameron notably directed the first film to gross $1 billion and the first two films to ever gross $2 billion. Today, while that club has grown to reach seven movies, Cameron clearly has the strongest double-billion track record.
James Cameron is notable not only for his film’s commercial successes, but also for the fact that two of his highest-grossing movies are the only non-franchise films to be found in the top-20 list. Franchise films may include spin-offs, sequels, remakes, or film adaptations of existing media properties.
Setting aside Titanic and the original Avatar, all of the other highest-grossing movies are franchise films. This includes the two Avatar sequels as well as five Marvel blockbusters, ranging from the four Avengers movies to 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1.92 billion).
Ne Zha 2, the only non-American movie in the top 20, is a sequel to a 2019 Chinese film and was released in January of 2025 at the start of the Chinese New Year. Other recent animated hits, like 2019’s Frozen II ($1.45 billion), 2024’s Inside Out 2 ($1.7 billion), and 2025’s Zootopia 2 ($1.87 billion), are also sequels to beloved children’s films.
On the flip side, 2019’s The Lion King ($1.66 billion) was not a sequel but rather a CGI-animated remake of the 1994 Disney classic.
The Force Awakens, Jurassic World ($1.67 billion), and Furious 7 ($1.52 billion), all of which were released in 2015, are all sequels to existing franchises, as is 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick ($1.5 billion). Finally, 2023 films like Barbie ($1.45 billion) and The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($1.36 billion) are film adaptations of other media properties, in the former case a Mattel doll and in the latter case a Nintendo video game series.
Film studios have clearly learned the value of a franchise film in keeping audiences coming back despite rising movie theater ticket prices. And given Disney’s unparalleled successes, it’s clear they’ve mastered the game best, leading to consistent chart-toppers every year compared to a few decades ago.
Following successive $4 billion acquisitions of both Marvel Entertainment in 2009 and Lucasfilm in 2012, Disney has been able to dominate the box office through its fan-favorite franchise films like Avengers and Star Wars.
In 2019, it expanded its reach by acquiring 20th Century Fox, bringing the Avatar series and the international rights to Titanic into the fold, although Paramount Pictures retains the North American rights to Titanic.
The Mouse’s competitors in the major American film studios have struggled to keep up. The only Warner Bros. film in the top 20 is Barbie, while Paramount’s only fully-owned success is Top Gun: Maverick. Notably, these two studios are also expected to combine operations soon, as Paramount attempts to acquire Warner Bros.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The 15 Highest-grossing Horror Movies of All Time on Voronoi.
2026-03-29 22:21:28
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How high above sea level is your state?
From the Rocky Mountains to the coastal plains, elevation varies dramatically across the United States. This map ranks all 50 states by average elevation, based on data from the USGS via the U.S. Census Statistical Abstract.
The result is a clear west-to-east divide, shaped by tectonic forces over millions of years.
With an average elevation of 6,800 feet, Colorado ranks highest.
This is not just due to its peaks, but because much of the state sits at high altitude. Colorado is also home to some of the highest incorporated places in the country, including Alma (10,578 feet), while Denver’s elevation of 5,280 feet has earned it the nickname the “Mile High City.”
Wyoming and Utah, at 6,700 and 6,100 feet respectively, follow. All three states are located in the Rocky Mountain region and share borders.
| State | Average Elevation (ft) |
|---|---|
| Colorado | 6,800 |
| Wyoming | 6,700 |
| Utah | 6,100 |
| New Mexico | 5,700 |
| Nevada | 5,500 |
| Idaho | 5,000 |
| Arizona | 4,100 |
| Montana | 3,400 |
| Oregon | 3,300 |
| Hawaii | 3,030 |
| California | 2,900 |
| Nebraska | 2,600 |
| South Dakota | 2,200 |
| Kansas | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | 1,900 |
| Alaska | 1,900 |
| Texas | 1,700 |
| Washington | 1,700 |
| West Virginia | 1,500 |
| Oklahoma | 1,300 |
| Minnesota | 1,200 |
| Iowa | 1,100 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,100 |
| Wisconsin | 1,050 |
| Vermont | 1,000 |
| New York | 1,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1,000 |
| Virginia | 950 |
| Michigan | 900 |
| Tennessee | 900 |
| Ohio | 850 |
| Missouri | 800 |
| Kentucky | 750 |
| Indiana | 700 |
| North Carolina | 700 |
| Arkansas | 650 |
| Illinois | 600 |
| Georgia | 600 |
| Maine | 600 |
| Connecticut | 500 |
| Alabama | 500 |
| Massachusetts | 500 |
| Maryland | 350 |
| South Carolina | 350 |
| Mississippi | 300 |
| New Jersey | 250 |
| Rhode Island | 200 |
| Florida | 100 |
| Louisiana | 100 |
| Delaware | 60 |
California has an average elevation of 2,900 feet, but also has significant topographical variation.
The Golden State is home to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S. at 14,505 feet, and Death Valley, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level.
Meanwhile, 23 states have an average elevation below 1,000 feet. About half are located in the South, which is also home to some of the country’s fastest-sinking cities.
Houston, TX, for example, is sinking faster than any other large city in America. Groundwater pumping plays a key role in land subsidence, compounded by its low elevation of 55 feet.
With an average elevation of just 60 feet, Delaware ranks lowest nationally.
It is followed by Louisiana and Florida, each with an average elevation of about 100 feet. Many of the lowest-elevation states cluster along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard, where flat terrain meets rising seas.
In many ways, elevation is more than a geographic statistic—it plays a growing role in climate resilience, urban planning, and infrastructure risk. Lower-lying states face increasing exposure to coastal flooding and sea-level rise driven by climate change.
Meanwhile, higher-elevation states face their own challenges, including water scarcity, wildfire risk, and harsher climate conditions. Understanding elevation patterns helps explain not just where Americans live, but how environmental risks are distributed across the country.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the 15 largest countries in the world by land area.
