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2026-07-17 01:11:16

Mapped: The U.S. States Registering the Most New Cars

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The states registering the most new vehicles are not always the country’s largest auto markets.

Fleet activity, tax policies, and state registration rules can significantly influence where newly sold vehicles are titled, producing some surprising results.

This map shows new vehicle registrations per 1,000 residents across all 50 U.S. states in 2025. The data comes from S&P Global Mobility via F&I Tools, with population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Why Oklahoma Tops the Ranking

Oklahoma records 148.1 new vehicle registrations per 1,000 residents, nearly double the rate of second-place Vermont and more than four times California’s rate.

The gap shows how registration policies can outweigh underlying consumer demand.

Oklahoma’s ranking is largely explained by its vehicle registration system, which charges a flat, age-based fee instead of a value-based property tax.

This makes the state attractive to commercial fleets looking to title vehicles, substantially increasing the number of new vehicles registered there each year.

Tax Policies Shape the Leaderboard

Oklahoma is not the only outlier. Several other highly ranked states have policies that make them attractive places to register vehicles, including lower taxes, fewer fees, or specialized registration rules.

New Hampshire, which ranks third, has no statewide sales tax, reducing the upfront cost of purchasing a vehicle.

Montana has become well known for Limited Liability Company (LLC) structures that allow owners of luxury vehicles and RVs to register them without paying sales tax.

Florida, meanwhile, combines a lack of mandatory vehicle safety inspections with a large rental car industry and a sizable retiree population, helping it rank fourth nationally.

New Registrations Are Different From Vehicles Per Capita

These rankings capture one year of new registrations rather than the total number of vehicles on the road.

States with favorable registration policies can therefore rank much higher than their underlying consumer demand might suggest. For a broader view of vehicle ownership, see our previous graphic on America’s vehicles per capita.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, explore how electric vehicles accounted for one in four cars sold worldwide in 2025 on Voronoi.

2026-07-16 22:32:19

America’s Largest Private Companies by Revenue

Public companies often dominate headlines, but some of America’s biggest businesses remain privately held and largely out of the public eye.

This visualization ranks the 15 largest U.S. private companies by annual revenue using Forbes data as of December 2025.

While AI startups like OpenAI and Anthropic command enormous valuations, their revenues remain a fraction of those generated by long-established food, retail, and industrial companies.

Cargill: The Grain Giant

No private company generates more revenue than Cargill, at $154 billion annually.

That figure trails Amazon’s $717 billion in annual revenue, but Cargill’s sales still exceed those of many household-name public companies. The company has remained privately owned since its founding in 1865.

The following table ranks the largest U.S. private companies by annual revenue as of December 2025.

Headquartered in Minnesota, Cargill is a major global producer of agricultural commodities such as grain, meat, and palm oil. It employs more than 150,000 people across 70 countries.

Cargill is one of the world’s largest food companies and is responsible for roughly one-quarter of all U.S. grain exports. It also operates a division dedicated to managing risk across international commodity markets.

The company is one of the Big Four meatpackers and produces more than one-fifth of all U.S. meat. As of 2026, the Cargill-MacMillan family continues to own more than 85% of the firm.

Top Revenues in the Food and Beverage Industry

Beyond Cargill, many of America’s largest private companies operate in food-related industries. Confectionery company Mars generates $55 billion in annual revenue and is best known for brands such as Snickers, M&M’s, and Skittles. It is also a major pet food manufacturer.

Other leading private food companies include Publix Super Markets ($59.7 billion), H-E-B Grocery Company ($49.6 billion), Reyes Holdings ($44 billion), Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits ($25 billion), Gordon Food Service ($23 billion), and Meijer ($22 billion).

Food companies dominate the ranking because they operate in essential, high-volume markets with steady demand. Commodity producers, grocery chains, and food distributors process enormous sales volumes, allowing their revenues to rival or exceed those of many large public corporations.

The Top Non-Food Private Companies

Koch, Inc. generates $125 billion in annual revenue, making it the largest private company outside the food and beverage sector. The Wichita-based conglomerate operates through dozens of subsidiaries spanning energy, paper, chemicals, fertilizer, finance, and other industries.

Enterprise Mobility generates $38 billion in annual revenue and controls roughly 40% of the car-rental market, making it the industry leader. It is followed by financial services company Fidelity Investments, which generates $32.7 billion and is one of the world’s largest asset managers.

Several lesser-known companies also rank highly. Bechtel, for example, generates $23 billion in annual revenue and is the second-largest construction company in the United States.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To see how private companies are using mergers and acquisitions to grow, read Record-breaking private company M&A on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

2026-07-16 20:03:03

Mapped: Where People Think Quality of Life Is Best

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If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

The 2026 Best Countries Index from The Wharton School reveals where people around the world believe quality of life is highest. Based on responses from more than 15,000 adults across 33 countries, the rankings measure international perceptions of 85 nations.

Rather than relying solely on economic or demographic indicators, the index reflects how countries are viewed across factors including affordability, job opportunities, family friendliness, political stability, and overall well-being.

What the Top-Ranked Countries Have in Common

Stable institutions, high levels of trust, and strong public services have helped countries such as Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland build reputations as some of the world’s most desirable places to live.

In the table below, countries are scored relative to Sweden, which ranks first with a score of 100.

Rank	Country	2026 Quality of Life Score
1	Sweden	100.0
2	Denmark	98.2
3	Canada	95.0
4	Switzerland	94.8
5	Finland	92.4
6	Norway	92.4
7	Netherlands	90.8
8	Australia	87.5
9	Germany	82.9
10	Belgium	78.6
11	Austria	76.7
12	New Zealand	74.0
13	UK	73.7
14	Japan	73.4
15	Luxembourg	69.9
16	Ireland	63.5
17	Singapore	61.6
18	Poland	59.6
19	Spain	56.7
20	France	56.2
21	Portugal	56.1
22	Iceland	55.8
23	UAE	52.2
24	South Korea	51.7
25	Italy	49.9
26	China	49.8
27	U.S.	48.6
28	Greece	36.2
29	Saudi Arabia	35.6
30	Czechia	32.3
31	Thailand	31.5
32	Malaysia	30.8
33	Hungary	28.3
34	Türkiye	26.4
35	Croatia	26.2
36	Indonesia	24.7
37	Vietnam	24.1
38	Kuwait	23.4
39	Mexico	22.8
40	Slovenia	22.4
41	Romania	21.8
42	Latvia	21.6
43	Malta	21.2
44	Philippines	21.0
45	Bulgaria	20.8
46	India	20.5
47	Slovakia	19.9
48	Morocco	19.7
49	Argentina	18.4
50	Bahrain	18.3
51	Egypt	18.3
52	Cyprus	18.2
53	Brazil	17.9
54	Russia	17.3
55	Estonia	17.1
56	Uruguay	15.7
57	Chile	15.6
58	Lithuania	14.9
59	Oman	14.7
60	Costa Rica	13.5
61	Tunisia	12.7
62	Peru	12.1
63	Israel	11.9
64	Cambodia	11.8
65	Bangladesh	11.3
66	Panama	10.8
67	Jordan	10.6
68	Dominican Republic	9.9
69	Colombia	9.7
70	Ecuador	9.3
71	Sri Lanka	9.2
72	Guatemala	9.1
73	South Africa	8.6
74	Serbia	8.6
75	Kenya	8.5
76	Belarus	8.2
77	Algeria	8.0
78	Ghana	8.0
79	Uzbekistan	7.3
80	Azerbaijan	7.0
81	Cameroon	6.5
82	Kazakhstan	4.4
83	Lebanon	4.1
84	Iran	1.8
85	Ukraine	0.0

Nordic countries have also topped the World Happiness Report for years, suggesting that their strong global reputations are supported by consistently high levels of life satisfaction.

The Exceptions to Europe’s Dominance

Canada ranks third overall, making it the highest-ranked country in the Americas. Australia is the only other country outside Europe to reach the global top 10, breaking up an otherwise heavily European leaderboard.

The U.S. ranks behind every other G7 economy after falling 10 places since 2018. The result shows how international perceptions can differ from economic size or geopolitical influence.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s most prosperous countries in 2026.

2026-07-16 00:51:39

Mapped: The Share of Seniors in Every U.S. State

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America’s population is aging, but the trend looks very different from one state to the next.

Using the latest U.S. Census Bureau data via USAFacts, this map shows the share of residents aged 65 and older in every state.

These differences have growing implications for healthcare, housing, public services, and the workforce.

The States With the Highest Share of Seniors

The Northeast is home to many of the states with the highest shares of seniors. Maine (23.5%), Vermont (22.9%), Delaware (21.7%), and New Hampshire (21.5%) all rank near the top. Florida and Hawaii also stand out, with retirees helping to push their senior shares above one in five.

Rank	State	Share of Population (Aged 65+, 2024)	Total Senior Population (2024)
1	Maine	23.5%	330K
2	Vermont	22.9%	148K
3	West Virginia	21.9%	387K
4	Florida	21.8%	5.1M
5	Delaware	21.7%	228K
6	Hawaii	21.5%	311K
7	New Hampshire	21.5%	303K
8	Montana	21.2%	241K
9	Pennsylvania	20.4%	2.7M
10	New Mexico	20.1%	429K
11	Wyoming	20.0%	117K
12	Oregon	19.9%	850K
13	South Carolina	19.8%	1.1M
14	Rhode Island	19.8%	220K
15	Arizona	19.7%	1.5M
16	Michigan	19.6%	2.0M
17	Wisconsin	19.6%	1.2M
18	Connecticut	19.4%	713K
19	Ohio	19.1%	2.3M
20	South Dakota	19.0%	176K
21	New York	18.9%	3.8M
22	Iowa	18.9%	613K
23	Massachusetts	18.7%	1.3M
24	Missouri	18.7%	1.2M
25	Alabama	18.5%	955K
26	Minnesota	18.2%	1.1M
27	Arkansas	18.2%	563K
28	Mississippi	18.1%	531K
29	New Jersey	18.0%	1.7M
30	Kentucky	18.0%	826K
31	Kansas	18.0%	534K
32	Illinois	17.9%	2.3M
33	North Carolina	17.9%	2.0M
34	Louisiana	17.8%	820K
35	Idaho	17.8%	356K
36	Virginia	17.6%	1.6M
37	Tennessee	17.6%	1.3M
38	Indiana	17.6%	1.2M
39	Maryland	17.6%	1.1M
40	Nevada	17.6%	575K
41	North Dakota	17.6%	140K
42	Nebraska	17.4%	348K
43	Washington	17.3%	1.4M
44	Oklahoma	16.9%	692K
45	California	16.5%	6.5M
46	Colorado	16.5%	980K
47	Georgia	15.8%	1.8M
48	Alaska	14.8%	109K
49	Texas	14.0%	4.4M
50	District of Columbia	12.9%	91K
51	Utah	12.4%	435K
--	U.S. Average	17.7%	61.2M

At the other end of the ranking, fast-growing states with younger populations, including Utah and Texas, remain well below the national average. Migration patterns and birth rates continue to shape these demographic differences.

Overall, the senior share in Maine is nearly twice as high as in Utah, illustrating the wide age gap between states.

Why America’s Population Is Aging

Several long-term demographic trends are pushing America’s population older.

The Baby Boomer generation is entering retirement, Americans are living longer, and birth rates have fallen to historic lows. At the same time, retiree migration is increasing the share of older residents in some states, while younger adults are concentrating in fast-growing metro areas.

The demographic balance is nearing a historic turning point. By 2034, older adults are projected to outnumber children nationwide for the first time.

These shifts are already reshaping demand for healthcare, housing, and public services. They also help explain why some states are aging faster than others and why the gaps may continue to widen.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on immigration’s role in state population growth.

2026-07-15 22:12:28

The Only Region Gaining Foreign Investment in 2026

See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Companies announced far fewer foreign investment projects in early 2026 as geopolitical uncertainty weighed on business confidence worldwide. North America was the only major region to attract more greenfield investment projects than a year earlier.

This graphic compares foreign direct investment (FDI) project announcements across global regions from March to May 2026 with the same period in 2025, using preliminary data from fDi Intelligence.

North America: The Safe Haven

North America recorded 1,517 greenfield FDI project announcements between March and May, up 4.2% from the same period in 2025. It was also the only region to post year-over-year growth.

The table below shows the number of FDI project announcements in each region in 2025 and 2026.

Despite this growth, North America has still experienced some cooling in investor interest. Its 2026 project total remains 1.5% below the post-COVID average from 2021 to 2025.

Even so, North America has performed better than every other region. The shortfall from its recent average shows that the continent, amid trade tensions and political challenges, is not immune to broader investor caution.

The Gulf’s War Problem

At the opposite end of the ranking, the Middle East recorded a 67.1% decline in new project announcements, the steepest drop of any region. Just 191 projects were announced in early 2026, compared with 580 in the same period of 2025.

For decades, Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have cultivated global reputations for stability and investor safety. However, the multi-month Iran War has disrupted that perception and prompted investors to reassess risks across the broader Middle East.

An eventual ceasefire and the resumption of steady trade through the Strait of Hormuz could help restore investor confidence, particularly in the Gulf states.

Tough Times for Global Investment

Every other region fell between North America and the Middle East in terms of 2026 performance. Emerging Europe recorded a 34.6% decline in greenfield project announcements as the Russia-Ukraine war entered its fourth year.

Even relatively peaceful regions saw investment activity decline. Western Europe posted a 23.9% year-over-year drop, while Africa and Asia-Pacific each recorded declines of roughly 12%.

Latin America and the Caribbean performed best outside North America, with project announcements falling a comparatively modest 8.7%. Its distance from major geopolitical fault lines in Eastern Europe and the Middle East may have helped limit the decline.

Overall, every major region except North America recorded fewer greenfield investment announcements than a year earlier. The pattern highlights how geopolitical uncertainty and weaker business confidence weighed on cross-border investment in early 2026.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

Wondering where businesses are allocating this capital? Check out The Top 10 Sectors for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

2026-07-15 20:01:00

Ranked: Countries With the Biggest Declines in Academic Freedom

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Academic freedom reflects the ability of universities and scholars to research, teach, publish, and exchange ideas without political interference.

Using data from the V-Dem Institute via Our World in Data, this graphic ranks countries by the percentage change in their Academic Freedom Index scores between 2015 and 2025.

Where Academic Freedom Has Fallen Fastest

The ranking below shows the 30 countries that experienced the largest percentage declines between 2015 and 2025.

Country	Change (2015-2025)	2015 Index	2025 Index
Nicaragua	-95%	0.42	0.02
Myanmar	-94%	0.35	0.02
Afghanistan	-83%	0.51	0.09
El Salvador	-80%	0.81	0.17
Chad	-76%	0.56	0.13
Palestine/Gaza	-72%	0.38	0.10
Türkiye	-68%	0.28	0.09
Mali	-67%	0.85	0.28
Belarus	-67%	0.18	0.06
India	-66%	0.41	0.14
Uganda	-58%	0.47	0.20
U.S.	-57%	0.92	0.40
Hong Kong	-57%	0.55	0.24
Venezuela	-57%	0.30	0.13
Indonesia	-56%	0.74	0.33
Comoros	-53%	0.64	0.30
Russia	-53%	0.38	0.18
Jordan	-53%	0.37	0.17
Pakistan	-52%	0.56	0.27
Iran	-52%	0.12	0.06
Gabon	-49%	0.84	0.43
Ukraine	-49%	0.55	0.28
Zanzibar	-49%	0.46	0.23
Central African Republic	-47%	0.62	0.33
Hungary	-43%	0.52	0.30
Qatar	-43%	0.17	0.10
Cambodia	-42%	0.37	0.22
Cameroon	-41%	0.35	0.21
China	-40%	0.12	0.07
Kyrgyzstan	-39%	0.62	0.38

Nicaragua recorded the largest decline, with its index score falling 95% between 2015 and 2025. The government of Daniel Ortega has targeted universities connected to anti-government protests, revoking their legal status and, in some cases, closing them entirely.

Myanmar and Afghanistan followed with declines of 94% and 83%, respectively. Both countries experienced high levels of corruption and major political upheaval during the period, including Myanmar’s 2021 military coup and the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.

Most countries experiencing the steepest declines are emerging or developing economies. However, the inclusion of the U.S. and Hong Kong shows that growing political pressure on universities is not confined to one region or income group.

Why the U.S. Stands Out

The U.S. decline is especially notable given the country’s global influence in research and higher education.

American universities dominate many international rankings, attract scholars from around the world, and account for a significant share of scientific research and innovation. Federal funding restrictions, scrutiny of universities, and policies affecting international students and researchers have added to the uncertainty.

Moreover, nearly half of U.S. states have enacted laws or policies that censor higher education since 2021. These measures have targeted classroom instruction, tenure, faculty governance, and institutional control over curricula.

Why It Matters Beyond Campus

Academic freedom affects more than speech on university campuses. Universities produce research, train skilled workers, attract global talent, and support innovation.

Political pressure can shape which questions researchers pursue, whether controversial findings are published, and how freely scholars collaborate internationally.

For research-intensive economies, these constraints can have consequences for innovation, talent attraction, and long-term economic competitiveness.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic showing how quality of life has changed across 30 economies over the past decade.