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2026-02-26 01:44:44

Ranked: U.S. Import Reliance for 37 Critical Minerals

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The U.S. depends on foreign suppliers for many of the minerals that power semiconductors, EV batteries, defense systems, and nuclear energy.

The visualization below shows America’s net import reliance for 37 critical minerals in 2025, along with their leading suppliers between 2021 and 2024. The data comes from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Out of 37 critical minerals listed, 11 are 100% import-reliant, meaning the U.S. has no domestic production of them at all. Several others depend on foreign sources for more than half of supply.

China is a central supplier across the list, serving as the primary source for materials such as graphite, arsenic, tantalum, and yttrium.

Fully Import-Dependent Minerals

Some of the most strategically important materials are sourced entirely from abroad. Graphite and tantalum primarily come from China. Gallium is sourced mainly from Canada, while manganese comes largely from Gabon and niobium from Brazil.

Even specialty elements like scandium and yttrium, used in aerospace alloys and electronics, are 100% imported. This complete dependence leaves supply chains exposed to geopolitical risk and trade disruptions.

Critical Mineral	Net Import Reliance	Primary Import Source
Arsenic	100%	China
Fluorspar	100%	Mexico
Gallium	100%	Canada
Graphite	100%	China
Indium	100%	South Korea
Manganese	100%	Gabon
Niobium	100%	Brazil
Scandium	100%	Japan
Tantalum	100%	China
Yttrium	100%	China
Titanium	100%	Japan
Uranium	99%	Kazakhstan , Canada , Russia
Potash	92%	Canada
Bismuth	92%	China
Antimony	91%	China
Platinum	89%	South Africa
Chromium	79%	South Africa
Cobalt	79%	Norway
Tin	77%	Peru
Silver	77%	Mexico
Barite	>75%	India
Magnesium	>75%	Israel
Rhenium	75%	Chile
Zinc	73%	Canada
Rare earths	67%	China
Aluminum (Bauxite)	60%	Canada
Copper	57%	Chile
Palladium	57%	South Africa
Germanium	>50%	Belgium
Lithium	>50%	Chile
Tungsten	>50%	China
Silicon	>50%	Brazil
Nickel	41%	Canada
Vanadium	41%	Canada
Lead	33%	Canada
Tellurium	>25%	Canada
Zirconium		South Africa

Uranium, critical for nuclear energy, is 99% import-reliant, with Kazakhstan, Canada, and Russia serving as the main suppliers.

China’s Outsized Role

China plays a central role in America’s mineral supply chain. It is the primary source of arsenic, graphite, tantalum, yttrium, antimony, and rare earth compounds and metals.

Rare earths are especially vital for clean energy technologies and defense systems. While U.S. import reliance for rare earths stands at 67%, China still dominates global processing capacity.

This concentration creates strategic vulnerabilities, particularly as global competition for battery materials and advanced electronics intensifies.

Energy Transition and Industrial Metals

Beyond niche elements, the U.S. also relies heavily on imports for industrial and energy-transition metals. Lithium (over 50% import-reliant) is sourced primarily from Chile. Cobalt (79%) is mainly imported from Norway, while nickel (41%) and zinc (73%) depend largely on Canada.

Even aluminum (bauxite) has a 60% import reliance, mostly from Canada. Copper, essential for electrification, is 57% import-reliant, with Chile as the leading supplier.

As demand for EVs, grid infrastructure, and clean energy systems rises, securing stable supplies of these materials will remain central to U.S. industrial and energy strategy.

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If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The World’s Top Silver Producers on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

2026-02-25 23:36:36

U.S. Jobs by State in 2025—and Where Growth Is Fastest

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This map shows the number of jobs in every U.S. state in 2025, along with each state’s annual job growth rate.

California remains the nation’s largest labor market with 18.2 million jobs, followed by Texas at 14.5 million. But the fastest growth isn’t always happening in the biggest states. Several mid-sized states are adding jobs at a faster pace, highlighting where employment is accelerating across the country.

The data comes from Arizona State University, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures.

Ranked: The Number of Jobs by State in 2025

Here’s a closer look at where jobs are concentrated—and where growth is accelerating.

Just four states—California, Texas, Florida, and New York—each hold more than 10 million jobs. Together, the top 10 states account for 54% of total U.S. employment.

Beyond the top tier, large industrial and population centers like Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, and Georgia each support between 5–6 million jobs.

At the other end of the spectrum, the smallest labor markets include:

• Wyoming: 294,000 jobs
• Vermont: 317,000 jobs
• Alaska: 326,000 jobs

Population size plays a major role in total employment, but growth tells a more dynamic story.

Where Jobs by State Are Accelerating the Fastest

While the largest states dominate in absolute size, job growth is happening across a more diverse set of states.

Here are among the fastest-growing states by annual job growth rate in 2025:

• Missouri: 1.7%
• North Carolina: 1.5%
• South Carolina: 1.3%
• Utah: 1.2%
• Minnesota: 1.2%
• Arkansas: 1.2%

Many of these states are located in the South and Mountain West, regions that have seen high domestic migration, paired with strong demand in healthcare, education, and tech sectors.

Which States Are Seeing Slower Momentum?

Not every state is expanding. Several states recorded flat or negative job growth, including:

• California: 0.0%
• Illinois: -0.1%
• Washington: -0.4%
• Maryland: -0.5%
• New Hampshire: -0.8%

Even modest percentage declines can translate into meaningful job losses in large labor markets. These slowdowns can reflect industry-specific pressures, demographic shifts, or cooling post-pandemic recoveries in certain sectors.

The New Geography of U.S. Job Growth

The largest states continue to dominate in sheer scale. However, job growth is increasingly spread across mid-sized and Sun Belt states.

As migration patterns, housing costs, and industry demand evolve, state-level job growth offers a clear signal of where economic momentum is building in 2025.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s fastest-growing jobs by 2030.

2026-02-25 21:02:23

Mapped: Where Food Inflation Will Hit Hardest in 2026

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Food prices remain one of the most persistent cost pressures for households worldwide. In 2026, grocery bills are projected to rise sharply in some countries, while remaining relatively stable in others.

According to new forecasts from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food inflation will vary dramatically across 160 countries in 2026, ranging from double-digit surges in some economies to outright price declines in others.

This map ranks 160 countries by their projected year-over-year change in food prices, highlighting where households are likely to face the steepest increases in 2026.

The Countries Facing the Steepest Food Price Increases

Today, inflation pressures remain strongest in emerging and import-dependent economies.

Food inflation is influenced by currency movements, commodity prices, trade disruptions, and domestic supply conditions. Countries experiencing currency depreciation or ongoing economic instability tend to see sharper increases in food costs.

Rank	Country	Year-Over-Year Food Inflation Forecast 2026 (%)
1	Iran	55.9
2	Argentina	33.2
3	Türkiye	25.1
4	Haiti	24.1
5	Malawi	21.2
6	Nigeria	17.1
7	Lebanon	14.9
8	Angola	14.8
9	Kazakhstan	12.7
10	Zambia	10.8
11	Ethiopia	10.1
12	Jamaica	9.7
13	Mongolia	9.7
14	Kyrgyzstan	9.4
15	Ukraine	9.2
16	Belarus	8.9
17	Solomon Islands	8.8
18	Burundi	8.8
19	Bangladesh	8.3
20	Dominican Republic	8.2
21	Georgia	8.2
22	Romania	7.4
23	Cabo Verde	7.2
24	Kuwait	7.2
25	Cameroon	7.0
26	Azerbaijan	6.8
27	Kenya	6.8
28	Somalia	6.7
29	Tanzania	6.7
30	Gambia	6.6
31	Canada	6.1
32	Tunisia	5.7
33	Cayman Islands	5.7
34	Madagascar	5.6
35	Saint Kitts and Nevis	5.6
36	Uzbekistan	5.5
37	Paraguay	5.3
38	Honduras	5.2
39	Curaçao	5.1
40	Iceland	5.1
41	North Macedonia	5.0
42	Rwanda	4.9
43	Moldova	4.9
44	Botswana	4.8
45	Libya	4.8
46	Lesotho	4.7
47	Antigua and Barbuda	4.7
48	Russia	4.6
49	Greenland	4.5
50	Chile	4.5
51	South Africa	4.4
52	Slovenia	4.3
53	Bhutan	4.3
54	Qatar	4.2
55	UK	4.5
56	Colombia	4.1
57	Malta	4.0
58	Tajikistan	3.8
59	Latvia	3.8
60	Ireland	3.8
61	Uganda	3.7
62	UAE	3.6
63	Viet Nam	3.6
64	Ghana	3.6
65	Pakistan	3.5
66	Belize	3.5
67	Estonia	3.5
68	Bulgaria	3.4
69	Austria	3.4
70	Bosnia and Herzegovina	3.4
71	Mexico	3.3
72	Equatorial Guinea	3.3
73	Japan	3.3
74	Guatemala	3.3
75	Sweden	3.3
76	Sri Lanka	3.2
77	Australia	3.2
78	Peru	3.1
79	Armenia	3.1
80	Mozambique	3.1
81	Nicaragua	3.1
82	Netherlands	2.9
83	Greece	2.9
84	Portugal	2.9
85	Brazil	2.8
86	Indonesia	2.8
87	Spain	2.7
88	South Korea	2.7
89	Luxembourg	2.7
90	U.S.	2.7
91	Laos	2.6
92	Israel	2.6
93	Mauritania	2.5
94	Norway	2.4
95	Montenegro	2.4
96	Benin	2.4
97	Grenada	2.3
98	Côte d'Ivoire	2.2
99	Andorra	2.2
100	Aruba	2.1
101	Italy	2.1
102	Senegal	2.0
103	Lithuania	2.0
104	Oman	2.0
105	Barbados	2.0
106	Maldives	1.9
107	Namibia	1.8
108	Germany	1.8
109	Malaysia	1.7
110	Saudi Arabia	1.7
111	Croatia	1.6
112	France	1.6
113	Slovakia	1.6
114	Thailand	1.5
115	Iraq	1.4
116	Afghanistan	1.4
117	Ecuador	1.3
118	Albania	1.2
119	Nepal	1.2
120	New Zealand	1.2
121	Poland	1.2
122	French Polynesia	1.1
123	Philippines	1.0
124	Mauritius	0.9
125	Trinidad and Tobago	0.9
126	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	0.8
127	Singapore	0.8
128	Finland	0.8
129	Denmark	0.7
130	El Salvador	0.7
131	Mali	0.6
132	Bahrain	0.5
133	Papua New Guinea	0.4
134	Cyprus	0.4
135	Brunei Darussalam	0.4
136	Dominica	0.4
137	New Caledonia	0.1
138	India	0.0
139	China	0.0
140	Cambodia	-0.1
141	Belgium	-0.1
142	Egypt	-0.2
143	Samoa	-0.5
144	Algeria	-0.5
145	Djibouti	-0.6
146	Burkina Faso	-0.8
147	Seychelles	-1.3
148	Switzerland	-1.3
149	Czechia	-1.4
150	Serbia	-1.5
151	Jordan	-1.7
152	Zimbabwe	-1.7
153	Hungary	-2.2
154	Chad	-2.6
155	Morocco	-2.8
156	Fiji	-3.5
157	Costa Rica	-6.0
158	Togo	-6.4
159	Liberia	-7.4
160	Niger	-18.1

At the top of the ranking is Iran, where food prices are forecast to rise 55.9% year-over-year.

Iran’s currency depreciation and prolonged inflationary pressures have already pushed food inflation to extreme levels in recent years. The 2026 forecast suggests those pressures may persist.

Several Sub-Saharan African economies—including Nigeria (17.1%), Angola (14.8%), Zambia (10.8%), and Ethiopia (10.1%)—also rank among the highest. In many of these countries, food inflation is closely tied to currency volatility, import dependency, and supply-side disruptions.

Regional Differences in Food Inflation

While the global average is projected at 3.2%, the regional breakdown shows stark differences in how food prices are expected to evolve in 2026.

The Middle East and North Africa region stands out, with nearly triple the global average.

North America sits around the middle of the pack, with food prices projected to rise 4.3%. In the U.S., prices are expected to increase 2.7%, while in Canada, prices could climb at more than twice that pace.

Meanwhile, much of Asia-Pacific is projected to see relatively modest food price growth.

While global food inflation is expected to fall in the single digits in 2026, the regional picture tells a far more uneven story. For millions of households in high-inflation economies, grocery bills may remain one of the most persistent economic pressures in the year ahead.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the U.S. cities with the highest grocery costs.

2026-02-25 01:52:33

The Countries the U.S. Has the Biggest Trade Deficits With

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.

In 2025, America imported far more goods than it exported — pushing the U.S. goods trade deficit to a record $1.24 trillion.

The top five countries alone account for roughly 67% of the total goods deficit. This chart ranks the 15 countries where the U.S. runs its largest goods trade deficits, led by China, Mexico, and Vietnam.

From semiconductors to autos to consumer electronics, these trade relationships underscore how deeply American demand is intertwined with global manufacturing.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, and the visualization was created by Aneesh Anand.

The Three Countries Behind Nearly Half the Gap

China leads the list with a $202.1 billion deficit, followed closely by Mexico ($196.9 billion) and Vietnam ($178.2 billion). These three countries account for 46% of the overall trade deficit.

Notably, several Asian and European export powerhouses dominate the rankings, underscoring deep U.S. integration in global supply chains.

Rank	U.S. Trade Partner	2025 Deficit (US$ billion)	YoY Change
1	China	202.1	-32%
2	Mexico	196.9	15%
3	Vietnam	178.2	44%
4	Taiwan	146.8	99%
5	Ireland	114.2	32%
6	Germany	73.0	-14%
7	Thailand	71.9	58%
8	Japan	63.9	-8%
9	India	58.2	27%
10	South Korea	56.4	-14%
11	Canada	46.4	-25%
12	Switzerland	34.3	-10%
13	Malaysia	30.8	24%
14	Italy	30.8	-30%
15	Indonesia	23.7	33%

China has long been at the center of U.S. trade tensions. Despite years of tariffs and “decoupling” efforts, the bilateral goods deficit remains above $200 billion. Many consumer electronics, machinery, and intermediate goods still flow from Chinese factories to American buyers.

Mexico’s $196.9 billion deficit reflects its growing role as a manufacturing hub tied to U.S. supply chains, particularly in autos and electronics. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s $178.2 billion deficit highlights how production has shifted across Asia as firms diversify away from China.

Other countries high up the list include Taiwan ($146.8 billion) and Ireland ($114.2 billion), both key exporters of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. Notably, the U.S. trade deficit with Taiwan nearly doubled year over year, rising 99% in 2025.

Why Trade Deficits Draw Political Attention

Trade deficits are not inherently “good” or “bad.” They often signal strong consumer demand and capital inflows. However, policymakers frequently view large, persistent deficits as a sign of lost manufacturing capacity or unfair trade practices.

While the overall U.S. trade deficit barely budged in 2025, bilateral gaps with certain countries remain politically sensitive. As a result, tariffs have been deployed to raise the cost of imports, encourage domestic production, and pressure trading partners into new agreements.

Still, tariffs can also increase costs for businesses and consumers, especially when supply chains are deeply intertwined. For a closer look at what drives these imbalances, see our breakdown of America’s trade deficit by product.

Goods vs. Services: A Different Story

It’s also important to distinguish between goods and services. While the U.S. runs a massive deficit in goods, it typically posts a surplus in services such as finance, technology, and intellectual property.

Looking at both sides of the ledger provides a more complete picture of America’s global economic position.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

For a deeper dive, check out America’s Services Trade Balances with Its Free Trade Partners on the Voronoi app to see how services surpluses offset goods deficits across key partners.

2026-02-24 23:21:53

Ranked: How Wealthy the Top 1% Are in Each Major Economy

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In the United States, the average member of the top 1% holds $16.4 million in wealth.

In Japan, that figure is less than half. In Mexico, it’s $2.7 million.

The “top 1%” may sound like a global tier of wealth, but how rich that group actually is depends heavily on where they live.

Using the latest data from McKinsey, we rank the world’s major economies by the per capita wealth of their top 1%, adjusted for purchasing power. The results reveal a startling gap: while American elites lead the pack with $16.4 million in wealth, others see a net worth of less than a third of this.

Top 1% Net Worth Per Capita in Major Economies

Below, we show how the top 1% compares by country, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). This shows the true buying power across economies relative to the U.S. dollar:

Country	Top 1% Average Per Capita Wealth (PPP)	Bottom 50% Average Per Capita Wealth	Top 1% Share of Wealth
U.S.	$16.4M	$9K	35%
Australia	$10.6M	$36K	24%
Canada	$9.1M	$30K	24%
Germany	$9.1M	$23K	28%
France	$8.5M	$31K	27%
Italy	$7.2M	$17K	22%
South Korea	$7.2M	$10K	26%
Japan	$6.9M	$22K	25%
UK	$5.0M	$22K	21%
China	$3.2M	$13K	30%
Mexico	$2.7M	$3K	37%

The U.S. has the highest average per capita wealth for their top 1%, surpassing second-ranked Australia by $5.8 million.

In stark contrast, U.S. national per capita wealth sits at $470,000, while the bottom 50% holds a net worth of just $9,000, on average. Overall, the American top 1% controls 35% of the nation’s total wealth, a share that is steadily rising.

When adjusted for purchasing power, this share accounts for 5% of global wealth, rising to 9% when measured in absolute U.S. dollar terms.

While Australia holds the second-highest average at $10.6 million, its internal wealth gap is notably less extreme. Australia’s per capita wealth is comparable at $450,000, yet its bottom 50% holds a significantly higher average net worth of $36,000.

Similarly, this distribution pattern is broadly mirrored across Canada and major European economies.

In China, average per capita wealth of the top 1% stands at $3.2 million, against a national per capita wealth of $110,000. In fact, China’s bottom 50% holds more wealth per person than the bottom half in the U.S., when adjusted for purchasing power.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on wealth inequality by country.

2026-02-24 21:01:47

Mapped: 85% of Babies in 2026 Will Be Born in Asia and Africa

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.

In 2026, 85% of babies worldwide will be born in just two continents: Asia and Africa.

Where someone is born can shape everything from access to education and healthcare to long-term economic opportunity.

This map shows how global births are distributed across continents, based on population projections from the United Nations.

Asia Accounts for Nearly Half of Global Births

Asia is expected to see about 64.9 million births in 2026, accounting for roughly 49% of all births worldwide. Despite declining fertility rates in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, Asia’s sheer population size keeps it at the center of global demographics.

South and Southeast Asia, in particular, continue to contribute large numbers of births each year. As a result, nearly one in every two people born in 2026 will be born somewhere in Asia.

Africa Makes Up More Than One-Third of Global Births

Africa is projected to record 47.6 million births in 2026, representing 35.9% of the global total. This reflects the continent’s high fertility rates and young population structure.

Many African countries are still early in their demographic transitions, with limited declines in birth rates so far. As population growth accelerates, Africa’s share of global births has been rising steadily and is projected to increase further later this century.

Smaller Shares in the Rest of the World

All other continents account for a relatively small share of global births.

Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to see 9.3 million births, or 7% of the total, while Europe accounts for just 4.6%. North America’s share stands at 3%, reflecting lower fertility rates despite population growth driven by migration. Oceania contributes 0.5% of births, and Antarctica, with no permanent population, records no births at all.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The World’s Safest (and Least Safe) Countries on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.