2026-02-22 01:58:52
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Since 1980, the Arctic’s summer sea ice has shrunk at a rate of 12.2% per decade, dramatically reshaping the polar region and opening new geopolitical and shipping dynamics.
This graphic shows the size of Arctic ice loss since 1980 compared to country land masses, based on data from NASA and the World Bank Group.
With such significant amounts of ice loss, these changes to the Arctic are opening up global shipping routes, which can be half as long as traditional routes.
Arctic sea ice fluctuates over the course of the year, with the most shipping activity occurring when it is at its smallest point, known as its annual minimum ice extent.
This annual minimum ice extent has shrunk the equivalent of tens of thousands of square miles each year. Below, we compare the change in minimum ice extent from 1980 to 2025 to the world’s largest countries by land area:
| Country | Land Area (Millions of Square Miles) |
|---|---|
 Russia |
6.2 |
 China |
3.6 |
 U.S. |
3.5 |
 Canada |
3.4 |
 Brazil |
3.2 |
 Australia |
3.0 |
 India |
1.2 |
 Arctic Ice Loss (1980-2025) |
1.1 |
 Argentina |
1.1 |
 Kazakhstan |
1.0 |
 Algeria |
0.9 |
 DRC |
0.9 |
 Saudi Arabia |
0.8 |
 Mexico |
0.8 |
 Indonesia |
0.7 |
 Sudan |
0.7 |
In 1980, the Arctic’s minimum ice extent was 1.1 million square miles (2.8 million km²) larger than it was in 2025.
Given this rapid ice melt, the Arctic region is projected to be “ice-free” in the summer as soon as 2050. Not only has Greenland been under intense focus, but the Arctic region will become increasingly important for shipping, security, and economic reasons.
Today, multiple countries including China, Russia, Europe, and the U.S. have developed national strategies for the Arctic region given its growing geopolitical importance.
In 2018, China introduced the idea of a “Polar Silk Road,” centered on the Northern Sea Route. This Arctic passage could reduce travel time by nearly 20 days compared to the Suez Canal and is about 40% shorter for ships traveling between China and Northern Europe.
Moreover, the Arctic holds an estimated 412 billion barrels of undiscovered oil. Greenland’s rare earth reserves alone are estimated to be 1.5 million metric tons, the eighth-highest in the world. While there has been no rare earth production, melting ice could present huge opportunities should local regulations ease.
To learn more about this topic, check out this map explainer on the territory of Greenland.
2026-02-22 00:24:00
The ocean has long been a frontier of mystery and untapped promise. Covering over 70% of the planet, it plays a critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity, and global trade. Despite this, much of the ocean remains unexplored, creating both risks and opportunities as humanity looks to the future.
In partnership with Dubai Future Forum, this graphic shows how exploration, investment, and innovation are converging to transform our understanding of the ocean.
It’s one of four dimensions—Ocean, Mind, Space, and Land—within the Forum’s larger theme, Exploring the Unknown. The data comes from these sources:
The ocean’s seafloor remains largely uncharted, with just over 27% mapped to modern standards. Strikingly, the remaining 73% of unmapped seafloor is larger than all Earth’s landmass combined.
Without detailed ocean maps, humanity remains blind to features that may influence everything from tectonic activity to biodiversity hotspots.
Every year, ocean scientists identify and catalog thousands of new marine species, yet they estimate that 91% of ocean life remains unidentified.
Here is a table that shows known cumulative discovered marine species over time:
| Year | Cumulative Discovered Marine Species |
|---|---|
| 1760 | 1,477 |
| 1780 | 3,646 |
| 1800 | 8,094 |
| 1820 | 15,299 |
| 1840 | 30,492 |
| 1860 | 59,687 |
| 1880 | 88,253 |
| 1900 | 121,236 |
| 1920 | 157,149 |
| 1940 | 188,913 |
| 1960 | 213,705 |
| 1980 | 252,738 |
| 2000 | 293,526 |
| 2020 | 338,584 |
| 2025 | 347,360 |
Each discovery made while exploring the oceans adds to our scientific understanding and may unlock potential for breakthroughs in medicine and technology.
Financial commitments to ocean-related initiatives doubled between 2010 and 2023. Morgan Stanley projects even greater potential for the future with over $3 trillion in ocean investment opportunities to add to the global economy.
Here is a table that shows ocean funding by sector, comparing 2010 to 2023:
| Sector | 2010 ($ Millions) | 2023 ($ Millions) |
|---|---|---|
| Maritime Transport | 1,052 | 2,418 |
| Marine Fisheries & Other Industries | 392 | 743 |
| Marine Protection | 372 | 990 |
| Other | 115 | 515 |
| Health & Rehabilitation | 400 | 101 |
| Ocean Policy & Management | 180 | 138 |
| Energy & Minerals | 5 | 138 |
The largest opportunity is in decarbonizing marine transportation valued at $1,200B, followed by marine ecosystem protection ($1,100B), renewable energy ($840B), and sustainable aquaculture ($225B).
The ocean’s future is being driven by rapid advances in pollution remediation and energy developments.
To continue exploring the ocean and its biggest emerging opportunities shaping the future with the Dubai Future Foundation’s Global 50 report.
Learn more about the Dubai Future Forum.
As global R&D spending hits all-time highs, we rank the top 20 countries with the fastest-growth in R&D expenditure since 2000.
Explore the most innovative countries in 2025, with Switzerland, South Korea, and China making major moves in the Global Innovation Index.
China’s R&D spending has grown nearly sixfold in the last two decades.
Asia dominates the global innovation landscape, with 15 of the top 50 science and technology clusters in China.
Discover the biggest industries in 2040, from AI to biotech, as emerging sectors generate up to $48 trillion in revenue.
In the last two decades, Asia has overtaken Europe when it comes to cornering venture capital deals. China is a big part of that success.
2026-02-21 23:22:53
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In some nations, one city towers over the rest. In others, populations are spread across multiple large metros with no single dominant hub.
This map shows the share of each country’s urban population living in its largest city, revealing where megacities dominate and where people are far more dispersed. The data for this map comes from the World Bank.
Globally, only 16% of urban residents live in their country’s largest city, suggesting that in most places, population and economic activity are distributed across several urban centers rather than concentrated in just one.
The city-state of Singapore, alongside the two Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, top the list, while giants like China, India, Russia, and the United States see less than 10% of their population reside in their largest cities.
This data table below shows each country’s share of urban population living in the country’s largest city:
| Country | Share of urban population living in the country's largest city |
|---|---|
 Hong Kong SAR, China |
100% |
 Macao SAR, China |
100% |
 Singapore |
100% |
 Eritrea |
91% |
 Puerto Rico (U.S.) |
81% |
 Paraguay |
74% |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
74% |
 Djibouti |
71% |
 Guinea-Bissau |
68% |
 Kuwait |
68% |
 Mongolia |
68% |
 Panama |
68% |
 Congo, Rep. |
67% |
 Liberia |
56% |
 Armenia |
55% |
 Uruguay |
55% |
 North Macedonia |
54% |
 Burkina Faso |
50% |
 Mauritania |
50% |
 Israel |
49% |
 Togo |
49% |
 Georgia |
48% |
 Latvia |
48% |
 Estonia |
47% |
 Haiti |
47% |
 Bahrain |
46% |
 Lebanon |
46% |
 Moldova |
46% |
 Portugal |
46% |
 Egypt, Arab Rep. |
45% |
 Kyrgyz Republic |
45% |
 Afghanistan |
43% |
 Dominican Republic |
43% |
 Bangladesh |
42% |
 Central African Republic |
42% |
 Azerbaijan |
41% |
 Chile |
40% |
 Oman |
40% |
 Guinea |
39% |
 Madagascar |
39% |
 Mali |
39% |
 Peru |
39% |
 Albania |
38% |
 Gabon |
38% |
 Greece |
38% |
 New Zealand |
38% |
|
Argentina |
37% |
 Burundi |
37% |
 Equatorial Guinea |
37% |
 Ireland |
37% |
|
Sudan |
37% |
 Tajikistan |
37% |
 Angola |
36% |
 Costa Rica |
36% |
 Jamaica |
36% |
 Malawi |
36% |
|
Congo, Dem. Rep. |
35% |
 Senegal |
35% |
 Cote d'Ivoire |
34% |
 Myanmar |
34% |
 Sierra Leone |
34% |
 Serbia |
34% |
 Zambia |
34% |
 Cambodia |
33% |
 Tanzania |
33% |
 United Arab Emirates |
32% |
 Finland |
32% |
 Japan |
32% |
 Malaysia |
32% |
 Namibia |
32% |
 Austria |
31% |
 Guatemala |
31% |
 Croatia |
31% |
 Kenya |
31% |
 Niger |
31% |
 Rwanda |
30% |
 Chad |
30% |
 Belarus |
29% |
 Cameroon |
29% |
 Qatar |
29% |
 Tunisia |
29% |
 Colombia |
28% |
 Ecuador |
28% |
 Gambia, The |
28% |
 Bulgaria |
27% |
 Lithuania |
27% |
 Nicaragua |
27% |
 Denmark |
26% |
 Hungary |
26% |
 Papua New Guinea |
26% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
26% |
 Somalia, Fed. Rep. |
26% |
 Turkmenistan |
26% |
 Uganda |
26% |
 Cuba |
25% |
 Honduras |
25% |
 Iraq |
25% |
 Thailand |
25% |
 Viet Nam |
25% |
 Korea, Rep. |
24% |
 Lao PDR |
24% |
 Norway |
24% |
 El Salvador |
24% |
 Zimbabwe |
24% |
 Philippines |
23% |
 Yemen, Rep. |
23% |
|
Australia |
22% |
 Bolivia |
22% |
|
Mexico |
22% |
 Belgium |
21% |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina |
21% |
 France |
21% |
 Jordan |
21% |
 Turkiye |
21% |
|
Canada |
19% |
 Switzerland |
19% |
 Ghana |
19% |
 Korea, Dem. People's Rep. |
19% |
 South Sudan |
19% |
 Ethiopia |
18% |
 Libya |
18% |
 Pakistan |
18% |
 Romania |
18% |
 Sweden |
18% |
 Benin |
17% |
 Czechia |
17% |
 Spain |
17% |
 United Kingdom |
17% |
 Morocco |
17% |
 West Bank and Gaza |
17% |
 European Union |
16% |
|
Kazakhstan |
16% |
 South Africa |
16% |
 Mozambique |
15% |
 Slovak Republic |
15% |
 Syrian Arab Republic |
15% |
 Iran, Islamic Rep. |
14% |
 Sri Lanka |
14% |
 Uzbekistan |
14% |
|
Brazil |
12% |
|
Russian Federation |
12% |
 Venezuela, RB |
12% |
 Italy |
11% |
 Nigeria |
11% |
 Ukraine |
11% |
|
Algeria |
8% |
 Nepal |
8% |
 Poland |
8% |
|
Indonesia |
7% |
|
India |
7% |
 Netherlands |
7% |
|
United States |
7% |
 Germany |
5% |
|
China |
3% |
Even within similar regions, there are clear gaps. Roughly a fifth of Britons, Spaniards, and Frenchmen reside in their national capitals and largest cities; in contrast, Germans and Poles are far more spread out across their countries.
Across the 27-member European Union, no subregion is more concentrated than the Baltic states: Estonia and Latvia lead the continent with 47-48% of their populations residing in the national capitals of Tallinn and Riga.
North and South America are home to some of the world’s largest cities, from São Paulo and Mexico City to New York and Toronto. Yet in each of these cases the sprawling metropolises tend to actually hold a smaller share of the citizenry than smaller capital cities such as Lima, Asuncion, or Montevideo.
For many countries in the region, such as Argentina or Colombia, post-independence history has been fraught with concerns over centralization versus decentralization.
The term “primate city” was first coined in 1939 by geographer Mark Jefferson to describe any city that is “at least twice as large as the next largest city and more than twice as significant” within a given country.
Modern capitals such as Algiers, Paris, Bangkok, and Buenos Aires are classic primate city case studies, serving as the economic, demographic, and social centers of their respective countries.
Countries with primate cities often see a heavy concentration of economic output, infrastructure, and internal migration in one metropolitan area. By contrast, federal systems such as Brazil, India, and the United States tend to develop multiple large cities that balance national influence.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The 50 Largest Cities in Africa by Population on Voronoi.
2026-02-21 21:02:26
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Some viruses infect millions but kill relatively few. Others spread less widely yet prove far more lethal once contracted.
This graphic ranks 10 of the world’s deadliest viruses by case fatality rate: the percentage of infected people who die from the disease.
Rabies tops the list, with a fatality rate approaching 100% once symptoms appear.
The data for this visualization comes from various sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the BC Centre for Disease Control, the Australian Government, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Reuters, and the UK Government.
The virus kills an estimated 59,000 people per year, primarily in Africa and Southeast Asia. The virus spreads primarily through the saliva of infected animals, especially dogs.
Despite being vaccine-preventable, rabies still causes thousands of deaths, mainly in Africa and Southeast Asia. Limited access to post-exposure treatment is a key reason for its continued toll.
| Virus | Fatality Rate | Human Death Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies | ~100% | 59,000 per year |
| B Virus (Herpes B) | 80% | 21 total deaths |
| Lujo Virus | 80% | 4 total deaths |
| Nipah Virus | 40–75% | 600 total deaths |
| Hendra Virus | 57% | 4 total deaths |
| Ebola | 50% | 15,000+ total deaths |
| Marburg Virus | 50% | 470+ total deaths |
| H5N1 (Avian Influenza) | 50% | 477 total deaths |
| Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) | 10–40% | 1,000–2,000 per year |
| MERS-CoV | 36% | 959 total deaths |
Several of the viruses on the list cause viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Ebola, Marburg, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). These diseases often lead to severe internal bleeding and organ failure.
Ebola and Marburg both have fatality rates around 50%, with outbreaks concentrated in Central and Sub-Saharan Africa. The 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak alone killed over 11,000 people and brought global attention to epidemic preparedness.
CCHF, transmitted primarily through ticks and livestock, is more geographically widespread across Eurasia and Africa. While its fatality rate ranges from 10–40%, it causes an estimated 1,000–2,000 deaths annually.
Most of the viruses ranked here originate in animals. Fruit bats are linked to Nipah and Marburg viruses, while rodents are associated with Lujo virus. Camels are the primary reservoir for MERS-CoV, first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
Avian influenza (H5N1) spreads from infected birds and has a roughly 50% fatality rate among confirmed human cases—far higher than seasonal flu. Although human infections remain relatively rare, the high case fatality rate has kept global health authorities on alert.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Countries With the Biggest Gains in Life Expectancy on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2026-02-21 06:05:01
In 1950, South Korea’s population was overwhelmingly young. By 2100, nearly four in ten residents are projected to be 65 or older.
This visualization, created by Oscar Leo of DataCanvas using data from the UN World Population Prospects 2024, shows how South Korea’s age distribution evolves year by year across a 150-year span.
The result is one of the most dramatic demographic transformations ever recorded in a developed economy.
Below we can see how the population distribution changes each year between 1950 and the 2100 projection.
| Year | 0–9 | 10–19 | 20–29 | 30–39 | 40–49 | 50–59 | 60–69 | 70–79 | 80–89 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 29.9% | 22.3% | 15.1% | 12.0% | 9.1% | 6.5% | 3.6% | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| 1951 | 29.5% | 23.1% | 14.9% | 11.9% | 9.1% | 6.4% | 3.7% | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| 1952 | 29.1% | 23.7% | 14.9% | 11.9% | 9.2% | 6.2% | 3.7% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| 1953 | 28.8% | 23.9% | 14.9% | 12.0% | 9.2% | 6.1% | 3.7% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| 1954 | 28.8% | 23.8% | 15.1% | 12.1% | 9.2% | 6.0% | 3.8% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| 1955 | 28.9% | 23.4% | 15.4% | 12.1% | 9.2% | 5.9% | 3.8% | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| 1956 | 29.1% | 23.1% | 15.7% | 12.1% | 9.1% | 5.8% | 3.8% | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| 1957 | 29.3% | 22.6% | 16.1% | 12.0% | 9.0% | 5.8% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.2% |
| 1958 | 29.7% | 21.9% | 16.6% | 11.9% | 8.9% | 5.8% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.2% |
| 1959 | 30.3% | 21.2% | 16.9% | 11.8% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.2% |
| 1960 | 30.8% | 20.6% | 17.2% | 11.7% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 3.6% | 1.4% | 0.2% |
| 1961 | 31.4% | 20.1% | 17.3% | 11.6% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 3.5% | 1.5% | 0.2% |
| 1962 | 31.9% | 19.8% | 17.3% | 11.5% | 8.5% | 5.9% | 3.5% | 1.5% | 0.2% |
| 1963 | 32.1% | 19.8% | 17.1% | 11.4% | 8.5% | 5.9% | 3.4% | 1.6% | 0.2% |
| 1964 | 32.2% | 20.0% | 16.7% | 11.5% | 8.5% | 5.9% | 3.3% | 1.6% | 0.2% |
| 1965 | 31.9% | 20.6% | 16.3% | 11.7% | 8.4% | 5.9% | 3.3% | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| 1966 | 31.4% | 21.3% | 16.0% | 11.9% | 8.4% | 5.9% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.3% |
| 1967 | 30.9% | 21.8% | 15.8% | 12.1% | 8.3% | 5.9% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.3% |
| 1968 | 30.2% | 22.4% | 15.6% | 12.3% | 8.4% | 5.9% | 3.4% | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| 1969 | 29.3% | 23.1% | 15.5% | 12.5% | 8.4% | 5.8% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| 1970 | 28.5% | 23.8% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 8.5% | 5.8% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| 1971 | 27.7% | 24.4% | 15.2% | 12.7% | 8.5% | 5.8% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| 1972 | 27.1% | 24.7% | 15.2% | 12.9% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| 1973 | 26.5% | 25.0% | 15.3% | 13.0% | 8.7% | 6.0% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| 1974 | 26.0% | 25.0% | 15.6% | 12.9% | 8.9% | 6.0% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| 1975 | 25.4% | 24.9% | 16.1% | 12.7% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| 1976 | 24.8% | 24.7% | 16.6% | 12.6% | 9.4% | 6.2% | 3.6% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1977 | 24.3% | 24.5% | 17.0% | 12.6% | 9.6% | 6.2% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1978 | 23.7% | 24.1% | 17.6% | 12.6% | 9.9% | 6.3% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1979 | 23.0% | 23.6% | 18.4% | 12.6% | 10.1% | 6.4% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1980 | 22.2% | 23.3% | 19.1% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 6.5% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1981 | 21.5% | 23.0% | 19.7% | 12.6% | 10.5% | 6.5% | 3.9% | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| 1982 | 20.9% | 22.8% | 20.2% | 12.7% | 10.6% | 6.6% | 4.0% | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| 1983 | 20.2% | 22.5% | 20.6% | 12.8% | 10.7% | 6.7% | 4.0% | 1.9% | 0.5% |
| 1984 | 19.7% | 22.1% | 20.9% | 13.2% | 10.6% | 6.9% | 4.1% | 1.9% | 0.5% |
| 1985 | 19.1% | 21.8% | 21.0% | 13.8% | 10.5% | 7.1% | 4.2% | 2.0% | 0.5% |
| 1986 | 18.6% | 21.5% | 20.8% | 14.4% | 10.5% | 7.4% | 4.3% | 2.0% | 0.5% |
| 1987 | 18.2% | 21.1% | 20.7% | 14.9% | 10.6% | 7.6% | 4.3% | 2.1% | 0.6% |
| 1988 | 17.7% | 20.6% | 20.6% | 15.4% | 10.6% | 7.8% | 4.4% | 2.1% | 0.6% |
| 1989 | 17.3% | 20.0% | 20.6% | 16.1% | 10.7% | 8.0% | 4.5% | 2.2% | 0.6% |
| 1990 | 16.7% | 19.5% | 20.5% | 16.9% | 10.7% | 8.2% | 4.6% | 2.2% | 0.6% |
| 1991 | 16.0% | 19.2% | 20.3% | 17.6% | 10.8% | 8.4% | 4.8% | 2.3% | 0.7% |
| 1992 | 15.4% | 18.8% | 20.0% | 18.2% | 10.9% | 8.7% | 4.9% | 2.4% | 0.7% |
| 1993 | 15.0% | 18.4% | 19.8% | 18.6% | 11.2% | 8.8% | 5.1% | 2.5% | 0.7% |
| 1994 | 14.8% | 17.8% | 19.6% | 18.9% | 11.5% | 8.9% | 5.3% | 2.6% | 0.8% |
| 1995 | 14.7% | 17.2% | 19.4% | 18.9% | 12.1% | 8.8% | 5.5% | 2.7% | 0.8% |
| 1996 | 14.6% | 16.7% | 19.1% | 18.8% | 12.6% | 8.8% | 5.8% | 2.7% | 0.9% |
| 1997 | 14.6% | 16.3% | 18.7% | 18.7% | 13.1% | 8.9% | 6.0% | 2.8% | 0.9% |
| 1998 | 14.6% | 15.9% | 18.3% | 18.5% | 13.6% | 9.1% | 6.3% | 2.9% | 0.9% |
| 1999 | 14.5% | 15.4% | 17.9% | 18.3% | 14.2% | 9.2% | 6.5% | 3.1% | 1.0% |
| 2000 | 14.3% | 14.9% | 17.7% | 18.2% | 14.8% | 9.2% | 6.7% | 3.2% | 1.0% |
| 2001 | 14.1% | 14.4% | 17.5% | 18.0% | 15.5% | 9.3% | 6.9% | 3.3% | 1.1% |
| 2002 | 13.7% | 14.0% | 17.1% | 18.0% | 16.0% | 9.4% | 7.2% | 3.5% | 1.1% |
| 2003 | 13.1% | 13.9% | 16.8% | 17.8% | 16.5% | 9.7% | 7.3% | 3.7% | 1.2% |
| 2004 | 12.6% | 13.8% | 16.4% | 17.7% | 16.8% | 10.0% | 7.4% | 3.9% | 1.3% |
| 2005 | 12.0% | 13.8% | 16.1% | 17.6% | 17.0% | 10.6% | 7.5% | 4.1% | 1.4% |
| 2006 | 11.4% | 13.9% | 15.8% | 17.4% | 17.0% | 11.1% | 7.5% | 4.4% | 1.5% |
| 2007 | 10.9% | 13.9% | 15.4% | 17.2% | 17.1% | 11.6% | 7.7% | 4.6% | 1.6% |
| 2008 | 10.4% | 13.9% | 15.0% | 17.0% | 17.1% | 12.1% | 7.9% | 4.9% | 1.7% |
| 2009 | 10.0% | 13.9% | 14.6% | 16.7% | 17.1% | 12.7% | 8.0% | 5.1% | 1.8% |
| 2010 | 9.7% | 13.8% | 14.2% | 16.5% | 17.1% | 13.3% | 8.1% | 5.3% | 1.9% |
| 2011 | 9.5% | 13.5% | 13.9% | 16.2% | 17.1% | 14.0% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 2.1% |
| 2012 | 9.2% | 13.0% | 13.7% | 16.0% | 17.1% | 14.6% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 2.2% |
| 2013 | 9.1% | 12.4% | 13.5% | 15.8% | 17.1% | 15.2% | 8.7% | 5.9% | 2.4% |
| 2014 | 9.0% | 11.8% | 13.3% | 15.5% | 17.1% | 15.7% | 9.0% | 6.0% | 2.5% |
| 2015 | 8.9% | 11.2% | 13.3% | 15.2% | 17.1% | 16.0% | 9.5% | 6.1% | 2.7% |
| 2016 | 8.8% | 10.7% | 13.3% | 15.0% | 16.9% | 16.2% | 10.1% | 6.2% | 2.9% |
| 2017 | 8.6% | 10.3% | 13.4% | 14.7% | 16.7% | 16.3% | 10.6% | 6.3% | 3.1% |
| 2018 | 8.3% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 14.4% | 16.4% | 16.4% | 11.2% | 6.5% | 3.3% |
| 2019 | 8.1% | 9.6% | 13.5% | 14.1% | 16.1% | 16.6% | 11.7% | 6.7% | 3.6% |
| 2020 | 7.7% | 9.3% | 13.5% | 13.8% | 15.9% | 16.6% | 12.5% | 6.9% | 3.8% |
| 2021 | 7.4% | 9.0% | 13.4% | 13.5% | 15.8% | 16.5% | 13.3% | 7.1% | 4.0% |
| 2022 | 6.9% | 8.9% | 13.1% | 13.3% | 15.6% | 16.6% | 14.0% | 7.2% | 4.3% |
| 2023 | 6.5% | 8.9% | 12.7% | 13.3% | 15.5% | 16.6% | 14.5% | 7.5% | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 6.1% | 8.9% | 12.3% | 13.3% | 15.2% | 16.7% | 14.9% | 7.8% | 4.7% |
| 2025 | 5.8% | 8.9% | 11.9% | 13.4% | 14.9% | 16.7% | 15.2% | 8.3% | 4.9% |
| 2026 | 5.5% | 8.9% | 11.5% | 13.5% | 14.7% | 16.6% | 15.4% | 8.9% | 5.1% |
| 2027 | 5.3% | 8.7% | 11.2% | 13.6% | 14.5% | 16.4% | 15.6% | 9.4% | 5.3% |
| 2028 | 5.1% | 8.5% | 10.9% | 13.7% | 14.3% | 16.2% | 15.8% | 9.9% | 5.5% |
| 2029 | 5.0% | 8.3% | 10.7% | 13.7% | 14.1% | 16.0% | 16.0% | 10.5% | 5.8% |
| 2030 | 5.0% | 8.0% | 10.4% | 13.6% | 13.8% | 15.8% | 16.0% | 11.2% | 6.0% |
| 2031 | 5.0% | 7.6% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 13.5% | 15.7% | 16.1% | 12.0% | 6.2% |
| 2032 | 5.0% | 7.2% | 10.3% | 13.2% | 13.4% | 15.6% | 16.2% | 12.6% | 6.5% |
| 2033 | 5.1% | 6.8% | 10.3% | 12.8% | 13.3% | 15.5% | 16.3% | 13.1% | 6.8% |
| 2034 | 5.1% | 6.5% | 10.3% | 12.4% | 13.3% | 15.3% | 16.4% | 13.5% | 7.2% |
| 2035 | 5.1% | 6.2% | 10.3% | 12.0% | 13.5% | 15.1% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 7.6% |
| 2036 | 5.1% | 5.8% | 10.3% | 11.6% | 13.6% | 14.9% | 16.4% | 14.1% | 8.1% |
| 2037 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 10.2% | 11.3% | 13.7% | 14.8% | 16.3% | 14.3% | 8.7% |
| 2038 | 5.1% | 5.5% | 10.0% | 11.0% | 13.8% | 14.6% | 16.1% | 14.6% | 9.2% |
| 2039 | 5.1% | 5.4% | 9.8% | 10.8% | 13.9% | 14.4% | 16.0% | 14.8% | 9.8% |
| 2040 | 5.1% | 5.4% | 9.5% | 10.6% | 13.9% | 14.2% | 15.9% | 15.0% | 10.5% |
| 2041 | 5.1% | 5.4% | 9.1% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 13.9% | 15.9% | 15.1% | 11.2% |
| 2042 | 5.0% | 5.4% | 8.7% | 10.5% | 13.5% | 13.8% | 15.8% | 15.3% | 11.9% |
| 2043 | 5.0% | 5.5% | 8.3% | 10.5% | 13.1% | 13.8% | 15.8% | 15.5% | 12.5% |
| 2044 | 5.0% | 5.5% | 8.0% | 10.5% | 12.8% | 13.9% | 15.6% | 15.7% | 13.0% |
| 2045 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.6% | 10.6% | 12.4% | 14.1% | 15.4% | 15.8% | 13.4% |
| 2046 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.3% | 10.6% | 12.0% | 14.3% | 15.3% | 15.8% | 13.9% |
| 2047 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.1% | 10.5% | 11.7% | 14.5% | 15.3% | 15.8% | 14.4% |
| 2048 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.0% | 10.4% | 11.5% | 14.6% | 15.2% | 15.7% | 15.0% |
| 2049 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 6.9% | 10.1% | 11.3% | 14.7% | 15.0% | 15.6% | 15.5% |
| 2050 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 6.9% | 9.9% | 11.1% | 14.8% | 14.8% | 15.7% | 16.1% |
| 2051 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.0% | 9.5% | 11.0% | 14.7% | 14.7% | 15.7% | 16.7% |
| 2052 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.0% | 9.1% | 11.0% | 14.5% | 14.6% | 15.8% | 17.2% |
| 2053 | 5.1% | 5.7% | 7.1% | 8.7% | 11.1% | 14.2% | 14.6% | 15.8% | 17.7% |
| 2054 | 5.0% | 5.7% | 7.2% | 8.4% | 11.2% | 13.8% | 14.8% | 15.7% | 18.1% |
| 2055 | 4.9% | 5.7% | 7.3% | 8.1% | 11.3% | 13.5% | 15.1% | 15.7% | 18.5% |
| 2056 | 4.9% | 5.8% | 7.3% | 7.8% | 11.4% | 13.1% | 15.4% | 15.6% | 18.7% |
| 2057 | 4.8% | 5.8% | 7.4% | 7.5% | 11.4% | 12.8% | 15.7% | 15.6% | 19.0% |
| 2058 | 4.7% | 5.9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 11.2% | 12.6% | 15.9% | 15.6% | 19.2% |
| 2059 | 4.6% | 5.9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 11.0% | 12.5% | 16.1% | 15.5% | 19.5% |
| 2060 | 4.6% | 5.9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 16.2% | 15.4% | 19.9% |
| 2061 | 4.5% | 5.9% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 10.4% | 12.2% | 16.3% | 15.3% | 20.4% |
| 2062 | 4.5% | 5.9% | 7.5% | 7.6% | 10.0% | 12.4% | 16.0% | 15.3% | 20.8% |
| 2063 | 4.5% | 5.9% | 7.5% | 7.7% | 9.6% | 12.5% | 15.7% | 15.5% | 21.1% |
| 2064 | 4.5% | 5.8% | 7.6% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 12.6% | 15.4% | 15.7% | 21.4% |
| 2065 | 4.5% | 5.8% | 7.7% | 7.9% | 8.8% | 12.8% | 15.0% | 16.1% | 21.5% |
| 2066 | 4.6% | 5.7% | 7.7% | 8.0% | 8.5% | 12.9% | 14.7% | 16.4% | 21.6% |
| 2067 | 4.6% | 5.6% | 7.8% | 8.0% | 8.3% | 12.9% | 14.4% | 16.8% | 21.7% |
| 2068 | 4.7% | 5.5% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 12.7% | 14.2% | 17.1% | 21.8% |
| 2069 | 4.7% | 5.4% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 17.3% | 21.9% |
| 2070 | 4.8% | 5.4% | 8.0% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 12.2% | 13.9% | 17.5% | 22.1% |
| 2071 | 4.8% | 5.3% | 8.0% | 8.2% | 8.2% | 11.8% | 13.8% | 17.5% | 22.3% |
| 2072 | 4.9% | 5.3% | 8.0% | 8.2% | 8.3% | 11.4% | 14.0% | 17.3% | 22.7% |
| 2073 | 5.0% | 5.3% | 7.9% | 8.3% | 8.5% | 10.9% | 14.1% | 17.0% | 23.1% |
| 2074 | 5.0% | 5.3% | 7.9% | 8.3% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 14.3% | 16.7% | 23.5% |
| 2075 | 5.1% | 5.3% | 7.8% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 10.0% | 14.4% | 16.3% | 23.9% |
| 2076 | 5.1% | 5.4% | 7.7% | 8.5% | 8.8% | 9.7% | 14.6% | 15.9% | 24.3% |
| 2077 | 5.2% | 5.4% | 7.6% | 8.6% | 8.9% | 9.4% | 14.6% | 15.7% | 24.7% |
| 2078 | 5.3% | 5.5% | 7.5% | 8.7% | 8.9% | 9.3% | 14.4% | 15.5% | 25.0% |
| 2079 | 5.3% | 5.6% | 7.4% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 9.2% | 14.2% | 15.3% | 25.3% |
| 2080 | 5.4% | 5.6% | 7.3% | 8.8% | 9.0% | 9.2% | 13.9% | 15.2% | 25.6% |
| 2081 | 5.4% | 5.7% | 7.3% | 8.8% | 9.1% | 9.4% | 13.4% | 15.1% | 25.9% |
| 2082 | 5.5% | 5.8% | 7.2% | 8.8% | 9.1% | 9.5% | 12.9% | 15.3% | 26.0% |
| 2083 | 5.5% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 8.7% | 9.2% | 9.6% | 12.4% | 15.5% | 26.0% |
| 2084 | 5.5% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 8.6% | 9.3% | 9.8% | 11.9% | 15.7% | 26.0% |
| 2085 | 5.5% | 6.0% | 7.3% | 8.6% | 9.4% | 9.9% | 11.4% | 15.9% | 26.0% |
| 2086 | 5.6% | 6.1% | 7.3% | 8.4% | 9.4% | 10.1% | 11.0% | 16.1% | 26.0% |
| 2087 | 5.6% | 6.1% | 7.4% | 8.3% | 9.5% | 10.1% | 10.7% | 16.1% | 26.1% |
| 2088 | 5.6% | 6.2% | 7.5% | 8.2% | 9.6% | 10.2% | 10.5% | 15.9% | 26.2% |
| 2089 | 5.5% | 6.3% | 7.6% | 8.1% | 9.7% | 10.3% | 10.5% | 15.7% | 26.3% |
| 2090 | 5.5% | 6.3% | 7.6% | 8.0% | 9.8% | 10.3% | 10.6% | 15.4% | 26.5% |
| 2091 | 5.5% | 6.4% | 7.7% | 8.0% | 9.8% | 10.4% | 10.7% | 14.9% | 26.7% |
| 2092 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 7.8% | 7.9% | 9.8% | 10.4% | 10.9% | 14.3% | 26.9% |
| 2093 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 10.5% | 11.1% | 13.7% | 27.1% |
| 2094 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 8.0% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 13.2% | 27.3% |
| 2095 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 8.0% | 9.6% | 10.7% | 11.4% | 12.7% | 27.5% |
| 2096 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 8.0% | 9.4% | 10.8% | 11.5% | 12.3% | 27.7% |
| 2097 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 8.2% | 8.1% | 9.3% | 11.0% | 11.6% | 11.9% | 27.8% |
| 2098 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 8.3% | 8.2% | 9.1% | 11.1% | 11.7% | 11.8% | 27.7% |
| 2099 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 8.4% | 8.3% | 9.0% | 11.1% | 11.8% | 11.7% | 27.6% |
| 2100 | 5.6% | 6.5% | 8.5% | 8.4% | 8.9% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 27.3% |
The shift is stark. In 1960, children aged 0–9 made up over 30% of the population.
By 2100, that figure is projected to fall to just 5.5%, while those aged 80 and over surge into double digits.
In the decades following the Korean War, South Korea had a classic population pyramid: a wide base of young people and relatively few elderly citizens. In 1970, nearly 29% of the population was under 10 years old.
Fast forward to today, and the structure has inverted. Persistently low fertility—frequently cited as the lowest in the world—has led to a shrinking base of young people. This trend is frequently described as a “demographic meltdown,” driven by high housing costs, intense education pressures, and shifting social norms.
By 2050, people aged 60 and older are projected to account for roughly 40% of the population. The 80–89 and 90+ cohorts grow especially quickly in the second half of the century.
This has major economic implications. A smaller working-age population must support a rapidly expanding elderly population, pushing up the old-age dependency ratio. As we’ve explored in our breakdown of the top economies by old-age dependency, countries with aging populations face rising pension and healthcare burdens, as well as slower potential growth.
Labor shortages, fiscal strain, and intergenerational inequality are likely to intensify unless offset by higher productivity, immigration, or policy reform.
After years of record-low fertility, South Korea has recently seen a modest increase in births. While still far below replacement level, even a small shift is notable after such a prolonged decline.
Whether this “baby bump” signals a sustained recovery or merely a temporary fluctuation remains to be seen. For now, long-term projections continue to point toward a much older, and smaller, South Korea by the end of the century.
2026-02-21 00:16:00
Across the United States, the ground beneath many major cities is gradually subsiding. Research published in Nature Cities shows that 25 of the 28 largest U.S. urban areas are sinking, a trend with serious implications for infrastructure durability, flood risk, and long-term resilience.
Created in partnership with Inigo, this visualization maps the major U.S. cities most at risk of sinking.
In coastal cities such as San Diego and New York, subsidence amplifies sea level rise and leaves communities more exposed to storm surge and tidal flooding. Inland cities face different pressures. In places like Houston, Phoenix, and Denver, groundwater extraction and soil compaction accelerate vertical land movement.
Because subsidence happens gradually, it often goes unnoticed. Still, Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, New York, and Chicago are all sinking by more than 2.0 mm per year. Even small drops in elevation can strain pipelines, damage roads, and weaken building foundations.
| City | State | Vertical land movement (mm/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | Texas | -5.2 |
| Fort Worth | Texas | -4.4 |
| Dallas | Texas | -3.8 |
| New York | New York | -2.4 |
| Chicago | Illinois | -2.3 |
| Columbus | Ohio | -1.9 |
| Seattle | Washington | -1.8 |
| Detroit | Michigan | -1.7 |
| Denver | Colorado | -1.7 |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | -1.5 |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | -1.4 |
| Washington | District of Columbia | -1.3 |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | -1.3 |
| Nashville | Tennessee | -1.1 |
| San Antonio | Texas | -1.1 |
| San Diego | California | -1.1 |
| Portland | Oregon | -0.9 |
| San Francisco | California | -0.9 |
| Phoenix | Arizona | -0.8 |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | -0.8 |
| Austin | Texas | -0.8 |
| El Paso | Texas | -0.8 |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | -0.7 |
| Los Angeles | California | -0.7 |
| Boston | Massachusetts | -0.5 |
Many other major cities, including Seattle, Detroit, and Denver, are sinking at rates between 1.5 and 2.0 mm per year.
Although subtle, subsidence affects millions of people and tens of thousands of buildings, many of which sit in high damage risk zones. As elevation changes accumulate, mitigation and adaptation costs rise, often after damage has already occurred.
For property risk professionals, this data highlights an important reality. Climate risk does not move in only one direction. In some cities, the threat is not just rising water levels, but the ground itself sinking beneath critical infrastructure and assets.
Explore the data behind emerging global property risks.
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