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2026-04-16 23:18:11

Ranked: The World’s Biggest Natural Gas Producers

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The U.S. has pulled far ahead as the world’s largest natural gas producer, accounting for a quarter of global supply in 2024.

This chart ranks the top gas-producing countries using the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, showing how output is concentrated among a handful of players that anchor global energy markets.

That dominance is becoming more important as disruptions in the Middle East tighten supply and shift trade flows toward large, stable producers like the United States.

The U.S. is the World’s Largest Natural Gas Producer

The U.S. isn’t just the top producer. It operates at a completely different scale.

In 2024, it produced 37,751 billion cubic feet of natural gas, more than 1.6x Russia and nearly equal to the combined output of Iran and China. No other country comes close. The gap between the U.S. and Russia alone is larger than the total output of most top-10 producers.

The data table below shows the ranking of natural gas production by country in 2024 in billion cubic feet:

Rank	Country	Natural Gas Production in 2024 (billion cubic feet)
1	United States	37,751
2	Russia	22,672
3	Iran	9,853
4	China	9,111
5	Canada	7,028
6	Qatar	6,003
7	Australia	5,368
8	Norway	4,626
9	Saudi Arabia	4,344
10	Algeria	3,496
11	Malaysia	2,860
12	Turkmenistan	2,755
13	Indonesia	2,472
14	United Arab Emirates	2,084
15	Argentina	1,660
16	Egypt	1,660
17	Uzbekistan	1,624
18	Oman	1,554
19	Nigeria	1,377
20	Azerbaijan	1,342
21	India	1,271
22	United Kingdom	1,095
23	Mexico	1,095
24	Kazakhstan	1,024
25	Thailand	953
26	Israel	953
27	Trinidad and Tobago	883
28	Venezuela	883
29	Pakistan	848
30	Brazil	777
31	Bangladesh	706
32	Kuwait	706
33	Bahrain	671
34	Ukraine	636
35	Peru	494
36	Myanmar	459
37	Libya	424
38	Bolivia	388
39	Brunei	388
40	Papua New Guinea	388
41	Colombia	353
42	Iraq	353
43	Netherlands	343
44	Romania	325
45	Equatorial Guinea	237
46	Vietnam	226
47	Angola	205
48	Poland	184
49	Germany	145
50	Syria	131
51	Ghana	120
52	New Zealand	117
53	Ivory Coast	95
54	Italy	92
55	Cameroon	88
56	Turkey	81
57	Denmark	78
58	Tanzania	71
59	Japan	67
60	Congo	64
61	Hungary	60
62	Philippines	60
63	Tunisia	42
64	Mozambique	42
65	Chile	39
66	Ireland	39
67	Cuba	35
68	Croatia	25
69	Gabon	18
70	Austria	18
71	Serbia	11
72	Ecuador	11
73	Czechia	7
74	Jordan	7

After the top four, production drops off sharply, with no country exceeding 7,500 billion cubic feet. Canada and Qatar lead the second tier, followed by a mix of LNG exporters and regional suppliers. This steep decline underscores how concentrated global supply is at the very top.

Together, those countries form the core of the global gas supply system, spanning North America, Eurasia, the Middle East, and key LNG-exporting hubs.

America’s Shale Helped Redraw the Production Map

U.S. natural gas output has roughly tripled since 2005 as hydraulic fracturing unlocked shale formations that were previously uneconomical. This surge helps explain why the U.S. stands so far ahead of other producers and why it has become central to both pipeline and LNG flows.

Recent tensions in the Middle East have disrupted natural gas infrastructure and shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global energy trade.

With flows constrained, global markets are leaning more heavily on large, stable producers. This dynamic further amplifies the role of the U.S., which leads both in natural gas output and LNG export capacity.

As supply risks persist, this concentration is becoming more consequential. Countries with large, stable production, especially the U.S., are playing a growing role in balancing global energy markets and meeting LNG demand.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out U.S. Natural Gas Trade with North America (1985-2024) on Voronoi.

2026-04-16 22:06:58

Ranked: Countries With the Most College Graduates

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Higher education is becoming the norm in some countries, while remaining out of reach in others.

This chart ranks countries by the share of adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education—including college degrees and equivalent programs—based on data from OECD’s Education at a Glance 2025.

Canada leads at 63%, and a number of advanced economies have crossed the 50% threshold, highlighting how college education is becoming more widespread in the global workforce.

Countries like Ireland, Japan, and South Korea are part of this group where a majority of adults now hold a college degree, marking a shift toward higher-skilled labor markets.

Canada Is the Only Country Above 60%

Canada tops the ranking at 63%, making it the only country where nearly two-thirds of adults hold a college degree. The United States is at 51%, just above the OECD average of 42%.

This reflects decades of investment in higher education systems and sustained demand for skilled labor.

Country	% with higher education
Canada	63
Ireland	58
Japan	57
Korea	56
Luxembourg	54
United Kingdom	54
Australia	53
Sweden	52
Israel	51
United States	51
Norway	50
Lithuania	48
Switzerland	46
Belgium	45
Denmark	45
Netherlands	45
Iceland	44
New Zealand	44
Estonia	43
Finland	43
France	43
Spain	42
Latvia	40
Poland	39
Peru	39
Austria	38
Greece	35
Slovenia	35
Germany	34
Bulgaria	34
Chile	33
Colombia	31
Hungary	31
Portugal	31
Croatia	30
Slovak Republic	29
Costa Rica	28
Türkiye	27
Czechia	25
Argentina	24
Italy	22
Mexico	22
Brazil	22
China	19
Romania	19
India	14
Indonesia	13
South Africa	9
OECD average	42

Europe Spans From 58% to Below 25%

Europe shows one of the widest internal gaps in education attainment.

Ireland ranks among global leaders at 58%, while countries like Italy (22%) fall far behind, highlighting uneven access to higher education across the region.

Major Economies Still Below 20%

Some of the world’s largest economies remain well below OECD levels. China (19%), India (14%), and Indonesia (13%) show how access to higher education is still expanding, with important implications for future workforce development.

As these economies grow, expanding access to higher education will play a critical role in productivity, income growth, and global competitiveness as demand for skilled labor rises.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The World has Made Substantial Progress in Increasing Basic Levels of Education on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

2026-04-16 19:37:25

Mapped: The States Where Living Costs the Most—and Least

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Living costs vary widely across the United States, shaping how far a paycheck goes from one state to another. In the most expensive states, everyday expenses run far above the national average, while in lower-cost states, incomes stretch significantly further.

Using 2025 data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, this map shows the cost of living index in every state, with the U.S. set at a baseline of 100. Housing is the biggest driver of these differences, though taxes, utilities, and healthcare also play a major role.

The map also reveals a strong regional pattern, with much of the South and Midwest below the national average, while coastal states dominate the high-cost end.

The Most Expensive States in America

Hawaii is the most expensive state in America, with living costs roughly double those in Texas and 84% above the national average.

In Q4 2025, the average home sale price reached $906K, up from $668K in Q4 2019. This surge shows how housing remains the single biggest factor behind high living costs. In addition, Hawaii residents face the highest tax burden nationally when property, income, and sales taxes are combined.

This table shows the cost of living index by state in 2025, using the U.S. as a baseline of 100.

Massachusetts follows, with prices 49% above the U.S. baseline. Beyond high housing costs, expensive healthcare and utilities drive up prices, at 34% and 55% above the national average, respectively.

Meanwhile, California residents pay 43% higher costs overall, with Washington, D.C. (38%) and Alaska (27%) rounding out the top five.

As cost disparities widen, these high-cost states continue to face outmigration pressures, while lower-cost regions gain population and economic momentum.

The Most Affordable States

Oklahoma is the least expensive state in the country, with prices 15% below the U.S. average.

With the most affordable home prices nationwide, housing costs are 31% below the national average, making it a key driver of overall affordability. This pattern is consistent across much of the Southern U.S., where lower housing costs anchor overall living expenses.

Alabama has the fourth-lowest cost of living in the country, with home prices about 29% below the national average.

In 2025, it saw among the highest net immigration rates per capita, highlighting how affordability is increasingly driving domestic migration trends. Other affordable states like Tennessee and Arkansas also experienced strong per capita inflows.

Together, these patterns highlight how affordability is reshaping where Americans live, as lower-cost states attract residents looking to stretch their income further amid ongoing housing and inflation pressures.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on average salary by state.

2026-04-16 18:05:56

Charted: The Rise of Silicon in EV Batteries

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Electric vehicles rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries, and the materials used inside them are evolving rapidly. For years, graphite has dominated battery anodes—the negative electrode that stores lithium during charging.

However, silicon is emerging as a powerful alternative. This infographic charts the projected rise of silicon-containing anodes in EV batteries through 2035.

The data for this visualization comes from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. It tracks the weighted supply of anode materials in gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery capacity, representing the amount of EV battery use supported by each material type.

Graphite Still Dominates Today

Graphite remains the backbone of lithium-ion battery anodes. In 2022, synthetic graphite alone accounted for roughly 76% of global anode capacity, while natural graphite made up another 18.6%.

This dominance stems from graphite’s stability, relatively low cost, and established supply chains. Manufacturers have spent decades optimizing graphite-based batteries, making them reliable for mass EV production.

However, graphite has a major limitation: it stores relatively little lithium compared to emerging alternatives.

Why Silicon Is So Promising

Silicon can theoretically store about 10 times more lithium than graphite. This property allows batteries with silicon-enhanced anodes to pack more energy into the same physical space.

In practical terms, this could significantly extend EV range without increasing battery size. For example, an EV that previously covered 480 km on a single charge could reach 640 km—or even 800 km—using a battery pack of the same size and weight.

Because silicon expands significantly during charging cycles, engineers are developing hybrid approaches. These include graphite–silicon composites and engineered silicon materials that balance higher capacity with structural stability.

Silicon’s Share Could Reach 20% by 2035

Forecasts suggest silicon will steadily gain traction over the next decade. Graphite–silicon composite anodes are projected to rise from 5% of battery capacity in 2022 to 17.5% by 2035.

Meanwhile, fully engineered silicon anodes could expand from almost zero share to about 3% over the same period.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the projected battery mineral deficit by 2034.

2026-04-16 12:22:31

Are Houses Losing Ground Across Europe?

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.

Houses are losing ground across much of Europe as rising costs and urbanization push more people toward apartment living.

This chart, created by DataPulse and Home24 using Eurostat data, shows the share of people living in houses across 30 countries in 2024, along with how those shares have changed since 2010.

While houses still dominate in countries like Ireland and the Netherlands, the overall trend points downward, suggesting a steady shift toward apartments across the region.

European Countries by Share Living in Houses

Ireland remains a clear outlier, with over 90% of residents living in houses, far above the European average of 51.4%. But even here, the share has declined over the past decade, reflecting a broader shift seen across most countries.

Country	% Living in Houses (2010)	% Living in Houses (2024)
Ireland	95.6	90.2
North Macedonia	79.1	82.1 (2023)
Netherlands	77.1	77.1
Belgium	79.2	76.8
Croatia	78.4	75.8
Cyprus	76.4	74.1
Hungary	69.6	73.3
Slovenia	71.1	72.1
Norway	82.0	72.0
Denmark	71.3	67.7
France	65.9	63.5
Romania	62.6	63.0
Finland	66.5	60.7
Poland	53.0	58.4
Luxembourg	66.3	57.8
Slovakia	50.3	54.6
Bulgaria	56.8	52.9
Sweden	56.6	51.2
Portugal	62.5	51.0
Austria	56.8	50.4
Czech Republic	46.7	48.7
Italy	45.2	40.8
Greece	41.8	40.6
Lithuania	42.9	39.5
Estonia	35.0	38.7
Germany	45.0	38.5
Malta	50.9	36.6
Latvia	34.3	34.7
Spain	34.9	34.6
Switzerland	37.4	33.7

In countries like Ireland, North Macedonia, and the Netherlands, detached or semi-detached homes remain the dominant housing type. However, this looks very different in practice. While Ireland and North Macedonia feature more spread-out housing, the Netherlands relies heavily on compact, high-density rowhouses, allowing single-family homes to remain common even in a densely populated environment.

Eastern European countries such as Croatia and Hungary also rank relatively high, with over 70% of residents living in houses. This reflects historical housing development patterns, where single-family homes were more common than large apartment complexes.

Urbanization Driving Apartment Growth

The broader trend is consistent across the data: in most European countries, the share of people living in houses is declining. In major economies like Germany and Italy, fewer than half of residents now live in houses, highlighting how urbanization is reshaping housing markets.

As cities grow, space constraints and affordability challenges push more people toward multi-unit dwellings. This aligns with broader findings on Europe’s housing cost burden by country, where rising prices are making standalone homes increasingly out of reach.

The Biggest Shifts Since 2010

Several countries have seen notable declines in house living over the past decade. Portugal (-11.5 percentage points), Malta (-14.3), and Norway (-10) have experienced some of the steepest drops.

Even traditionally house-dominant countries like Ireland and Finland have seen declines, suggesting a continent-wide shift. Germany, meanwhile, ranks among the countries with the sharpest decreases, reflecting its already urbanized housing structure becoming even more apartment-centric.

So, are houses losing ground across Europe? The data suggests yes. Most countries have seen declines over the past decade, and if current trends continue, apartments could become the dominant housing type across much of Europe by the 2030s.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

Explore more insights in this related post: Many Europeans say their nations are on the wrong track with housing.

2026-04-15 21:41:34

Where Population Growth Has Been Fastest Since 2000

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The world’s population grew by more than 2 billion people between 2000 and 2025, but that growth has varied significantly across countries.

This chart compares the countries with the fastest population growth over that period, measured by both percentage increase and total people added, using IMF data.

While smaller Gulf nations dominate in percentage terms, the largest population gains come from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, highlighting a divide between relative growth and absolute impact.

The data reveals a key split: countries leading in percentage growth are often smaller economies, while those adding the most people are already among the world’s most populous.

The Most Populous Country in History

India’s population growth since 2000 stands apart in scale.

The country added 406 million people in just 25 years, more than the population of the United States, making it the largest population increase of any country in modern history.

This represents 38% growth over its population in 2000, which had already topped one billion. In 2023, India surpassed China to become the world’s most populous country, a position it is unlikely to lose anytime soon.

Rank	Country	Population growth in millions (2000-2025)
1	India	406
2	China	138
3	Nigeria	113
4	Pakistan	105
5	Indonesia	78
6	United States	59
7	Democratic Republic of the Congo	59
8	Ethiopia	50
9	Bangladesh	46
10	Egypt	45
11	Brazil	39
12	Philippines	37
13	Tanzania	35
14	Mexico	34
15	Uganda	26
16	Iran	24
17	Kenya	24
18	Angola	23
19	Vietnam	23
20	Yemen	22
21	Türkiye	22
22	Sudan	19
23	South Africa	19
24	Mozambique	18
25	Saudi Arabia	18

Today, nearly a fifth of the world’s population lives in India, despite the country occupying roughly 2.5% of the world’s land area. This surge has made India the most populous country in recorded history.

In recent years, population growth has slowed in the South Asian giant, raising concerns that it could follow China in facing a demographic slowdown earlier than expected.

Population Booms in the Persian Gulf

While Asia leads in total population gains, the fastest growth rates are concentrated in the Persian Gulf.

Between 2005 and 2025, countries such as Bahrain (154%), Kuwait (139%), and the United Arab Emirates (250%) recorded some of the highest growth rates globally. With 423% growth, Qatar leads the world in population growth since 2000.

The following data table lists the 25 fastest-growing countries by percentage change in population since 2000.

Rank	Country	Population growth (2000–2025)
1	Qatar	423.4%
2	United Arab Emirates	249.7%
3	Equatorial Guinea	166.6%
4	Niger	157.0%
5	Bahrain	153.9%
6	Papua New Guinea	149.6%
7	Angola	139.7%
8	Kuwait	139.1%
9	Oman	129.1%
10	Chad	126.9%
11	Jordan	126.3%
12	Burundi	123.6%
13	Democratic Republic of the Congo	121.8%
14	Uganda	120.1%
15	Zambia	119.5%
16	Mali	118.4%
17	Yemen	112.9%
18	Gambia	112.8%
19	Madagascar	108.7%
20	Republic of Congo	107.0%
21	Benin	106.6%
22	Tanzania	106.4%
23	Mozambique	102.3%
24	Ivory Coast	102.3%
25	Burkina Faso	102.3%

The Gulf states’ population surges are driven largely by imported labor supporting construction and energy booms. Today, less than 15% of Qatar’s population consists of citizens, with the majority made up of foreign-born workers, particularly from South Asia.

Africa: The Next Population Hotspot

Africa is emerging as the center of global population growth.

More than two-thirds of the fastest-growing countries by percentage are located on the continent, with several nations already doubling their populations since 2000.

This growth has been driven by rising life expectancy and lower infant mortality, even as fertility rates remain high. The continent is projected to surpass 2 billion people by 2038, with some regions expected to more than quintuple in population over the 21st century.

West Africa is one such region. With a population exceeding 400 million, about half of whom live in Nigeria, it is projected to become one of the most densely populated areas in the world in the coming decades.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Africa’s Annual Births Are Catching up to Asia on Voronoi.Use This Visualization