2025-12-01 04:12:34
While the U.S. ended federal Prohibition in 1933, local restrictions on alcohol still persist across the country to this day. As shown in this map, based on work by Wikipedia user Mr. Matté, many counties remain “dry,” banning the sale of alcohol entirely, or “moist,” allowing only limited sales.
The data, crowdsourced from local government sites and media reports, reveals that alcohol restrictions are concentrated in the South, particularly in states like Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Arkansas stands out the most in the map above, with a patchwork of red and orange counties indicating either total bans or partial restrictions on alcohol sales. In fact, the state has long struggled with outdated liquor laws, where even grocery stores in “moist” counties may be prohibited from selling wine or spirits.
Here’s what the terminology means:
Even within “wet” counties, individual towns may choose to remain dry, and in “dry” counties, specific towns or establishments can apply for exemptions, creating a legal maze for consumers and businesses alike.
According to the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, the number of dry counties has dropped significantly since the mid-20th century. In Texas, for example, only three dry counties remain.
Nonetheless, the persistence of these regulations reflects longstanding cultural attitudes and the influence of local referenda. While national consumption of spirits is rising, especially in certain states, the map shows that alcohol availability is still very much a local matter.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Americans are spending less on spirits…besides tequila on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2025-12-01 02:27:47
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Gold is on a hot streak, up more than 50% to-date despite retreating from October’s record highs of $4,380 per troy ounce.
Driving global demand is the mixture of geopolitical tensions, a weaker U.S. dollar, and sticky inflation. In Q3 2025, central bank purchases were up 28% over the quarter, while inflows of gold-backed ETFs hit $26 billion.
This graphic breaks down the total global supply of gold, both above and below ground, based on data from the World Gold Council.
As of year-end 2024, the total above-ground stock of gold was 216,265 tonnes. Based on a gold price of $4,166 per troy ounce, all of the world’s mined gold is valued at $29 trillion.
When including identified underground gold, the total reaches 348,375 tonnes. All of the world’s gold together in a sphere would be about 107 feet tall, matching the approximate height of the White House from the south side’s lawn to the top of its flagpole.
The data table below breaks down all of the world’s above and below-ground gold and its value.
| Category | Tonnes | USD value in trillions (at $4,166/oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Above-ground gold stock | 216,265 | $29.0 |
| Below-ground gold stock | 132,110 | $17.7 |
| Total global gold stock | 348,375 | $46.7 |
The world’s below-ground stock (gold that hasn’t been mined yet) is an estimated 132,110 tonnes, covering reserves and resources. Gold reserves are the part of underground gold resources (identified deposits) that are economically viable to extract at current prices.
Resources are not yet proven to be economically viable to mine and process.
With most of the world’s gold already having been mined, only about 38% of the known gold supply remains underground, identified as reserves and resources.
At 2024’s pace of roughly 3,661 tonnes of gold production a year, that below-ground stock equates to just under four decades of additional output, assuming prices or technological advancements make resources economically feasible to mine in the future.
For investors, that mix of finite physical supply, ongoing central-bank purchases, and rising investment demand helps explain why this 107-foot sphere of gold now represents more than $47 trillion in combined above- and below-ground value at current prices.
To learn more about where the world’s gold is mined, check out this graphic which breaks down global gold production by region and country.
2025-11-30 23:22:42
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Forests cover nearly one-third of the world’s land area, playing a vital role in storing carbon, supporting biodiversity, and regulating the planet’s climate.
In this graphic, we visualize data from the UN FAO’s 2025 Forest Resources Assessment to map out the four major types of forests: tropical, subtropical, temperate, and boreal.
Tropical forests represent the largest share of global forest cover, at about 45%. These ecosystems thrive near the equator, in regions like the Amazon Basin, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia.
These are biodiversity hotspots, supporting millions of plant and animal species while also storing massive amounts of carbon.
| Type | Share | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tropics | 45% | Lush, biodiverse forests near the equator with warm temperatures and abundant year-round rainfall. |
| Boreal | 27% | Cold northern coniferous forests with long winters, short summers, and low biodiversity. |
| Temperate | 16% | Forests with four distinct seasons, moderate climates, and a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. |
| Subtropical | 11% | Warm, humid forests between tropics and temperate zones, with mixed vegetation and seasonal rainfall. |
Despite their ecological importance, tropical forests are under heavy pressure from deforestation, agriculture, and mining. For example, Brazil has lost 2.9 million acres of its tropical forests since 2015, an area equal to the size of Rwanda.
UN FAO data shows that 29% of forests are primarily used for production, referring to logging and other commercial activities. However, around 36% of global forests are designated for environmental or multiple-use purposes, including biodiversity conservation and water protection.
| Objective | Share of total |
|---|---|
 Production |
29 |
 Protection of soil & water |
9 |
 Conservation of biodiversity |
12 |
 Social services |
5 |
 Multiple use |
15 |
 Other |
7 |
 No designation |
4 |
 Unknown |
18 |
Interestingly, nearly one in five forests fall into the “unknown” category, underscoring gaps in global forest monitoring and classification.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Top 35 Countries With the Largest Forests on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2025-11-30 21:02:32
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.
The U.S. dollar has steadily lost value over the past century. According to Federal Reserve data, the purchasing power of one dollar today is equal to just a few cents in 1913 (the year the Fed was created).
In this graphic, we track the decline in the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar since the early 1900s, illustrating how inflation has eroded its value.
The data for this visualization comes from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). It measures the “Purchasing Power of the Consumer Dollar” across all U.S. city averages, indexed to consumer prices.
The higher the index, the more purchasing power the dollar has. As the index declines, goods and services become relatively more expensive.
| Date | Purchasing Power of the Consumer Dollar in U.S. City Average |
|---|---|
| 1913-01-01 | 1017.8 |
| 1914-01-01 | 994.2 |
| 1915-01-01 | 987.6 |
| 1916-01-01 | 956.2 |
| 1917-01-01 | 855 |
| 1918-01-01 | 715.9 |
| 1919-01-01 | 604.5 |
| 1920-01-01 | 517.7 |
| 1921-01-01 | 524.9 |
| 1922-01-01 | 590.2 |
| 1923-01-01 | 595 |
| 1924-01-01 | 578.8 |
| 1925-01-01 | 577.9 |
| 1926-01-01 | 557.3 |
| 1927-01-01 | 570.1 |
| 1928-01-01 | 578.8 |
| 1929-01-01 | 584.5 |
| 1930-01-01 | 584.5 |
| 1931-01-01 | 628.8 |
| 1932-01-01 | 699.1 |
| 1933-01-01 | 775.4 |
| 1934-01-01 | 755.7 |
| 1935-01-01 | 733.5 |
| 1936-01-01 | 722.8 |
| 1937-01-01 | 709.3 |
| 1938-01-01 | 702.4 |
| 1939-01-01 | 715.9 |
| 1940-01-01 | 717.7 |
| 1941-01-01 | 709.3 |
| 1942-01-01 | 638.1 |
| 1943-01-01 | 591.4 |
| 1944-01-01 | 574.3 |
| 1945-01-01 | 561.4 |
| 1946-01-01 | 549.2 |
| 1947-01-01 | 464.8 |
| 1948-01-01 | 421.4 |
| 1949-01-01 | 415.7 |
| 1950-01-01 | 424.4 |
| 1951-01-01 | 393.2 |
| 1952-01-01 | 377.4 |
| 1953-01-01 | 375 |
| 1954-01-01 | 370.8 |
| 1955-01-01 | 373.5 |
| 1956-01-01 | 372.6 |
| 1957-01-01 | 361.5 |
| 1958-01-01 | 349.3 |
| 1959-01-01 | 344.8 |
| 1960-01-01 | 340.6 |
| 1961-01-01 | 335.2 |
| 1962-01-01 | 332.8 |
| 1963-01-01 | 328.6 |
| 1964-01-01 | 323.2 |
| 1965-01-01 | 319.6 |
| 1966-01-01 | 313.6 |
| 1967-01-01 | 303.5 |
| 1968-01-01 | 293.3 |
| 1969-01-01 | 280.4 |
| 1970-01-01 | 264.3 |
| 1971-01-01 | 251.1 |
| 1972-01-01 | 243 |
| 1973-01-01 | 234.3 |
| 1974-01-01 | 214.3 |
| 1975-01-01 | 191.8 |
| 1976-01-01 | 179.6 |
| 1977-01-01 | 170.6 |
| 1978-01-01 | 159.8 |
| 1979-01-01 | 146.3 |
| 1980-01-01 | 128.4 |
| 1981-01-01 | 114.9 |
| 1982-01-01 | 105.9 |
| 1983-01-01 | 102.1 |
| 1984-01-01 | 98.2 |
| 1985-01-01 | 94.6 |
| 1986-01-01 | 91.3 |
| 1987-01-01 | 89.9 |
| 1988-01-01 | 86.4 |
| 1989-01-01 | 82.6 |
| 1990-01-01 | 78.5 |
| 1991-01-01 | 74.3 |
| 1992-01-01 | 72.4 |
| 1993-01-01 | 70.1 |
| 1994-01-01 | 68.4 |
| 1995-01-01 | 66.5 |
| 1996-01-01 | 64.8 |
| 1997-01-01 | 62.8 |
| 1998-01-01 | 61.9 |
| 1999-01-01 | 60.8 |
| 2000-01-01 | 59.2 |
| 2001-01-01 | 57.1 |
| 2002-01-01 | 56.5 |
| 2003-01-01 | 55 |
| 2004-01-01 | 54 |
| 2005-01-01 | 52.4 |
| 2006-01-01 | 50.4 |
| 2007-01-01 | 49.4 |
| 2008-01-01 | 47.4 |
| 2009-01-01 | 47.4 |
| 2010-01-01 | 46.1 |
| 2011-01-01 | 45.4 |
| 2012-01-01 | 44.1 |
| 2013-01-01 | 43.4 |
| 2014-01-01 | 42.8 |
| 2015-01-01 | 42.8 |
| 2016-01-01 | 42.2 |
| 2017-01-01 | 41.2 |
| 2018-01-01 | 40.3 |
| 2019-01-01 | 39.7 |
| 2020-01-01 | 38.8 |
| 2021-01-01 | 38.2 |
| 2022-01-01 | 35.6 |
| 2023-01-01 | 33.4 |
| 2024-01-01 | 32.4 |
| 2025-01-01 | 31.5 |
| 2025-09-01 | 30.8 |
Major inflationary periods can be identified by looking at the steepest drops in the chart. For example, World War I and World War II strained government finances, leading to massive increases in public spending and money creation, which pushed prices sharply higher.
Similarly, the oil shocks of the 1970s caused energy costs to spike throughout the world, feeding into broad-based inflation. In each case, rising prices significantly eroded the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar.
Until 1971, the U.S. dollar was backed by gold.
This system was ended by President Nixon because the U.S. was creating more dollars than it had gold to support. Furthermore, foreign countries were increasingly demanding gold in exchange for their dollar reserves.
While ending this system gave policymakers more flexibility to manage the economy, money creation became easier, as shown by this chart of the M2 money supply. M2 comprises the most liquid forms of U.S. money, including physical currency, checking deposits, plus near-liquid assets like small-value time (CD) deposits, retail money-market funds, and other readily convertible savings vehicles.
An expanding money supply can be healthy when it grows in line with factors like population, economic output, and demand for credit, but becomes inflationary when it outpaces real economic growth.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Gold Production by Region in 2024 on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2025-11-30 02:39:43
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In the U.S., alcohol consumption remains widespread, with nearly half the population aged 12 or older reporting that they consumed alcohol within the past month.
This visualization explores the scale of drinking behavior across America, including how many people drink, binge drink, or engage in heavier levels of alcohol use, using data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as of 2024.
Out of the 288.8 million Americans aged 12 or older, 134 million (46.5%) reported drinking alcohol at least once in the past 30 days.
The data table below shows the number of regular alcohol drinkers in the U.S., along with binge drinkers and heavy drinkers.
| Group | Number of people (millions) | Share of all people | Share of alcohol users | Share of binge drinkers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All people in the U.S. aged ≥12 | 288.8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Alcohol users in the past month | 134.3 | 46.6% | n/a | n/a |
| Binge alcohol users (drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion in the past 30 days) | 57.9 | 20.0% | 43.1% | n/a |
| Heavy alcohol users (binge drinking five or more days in the past 30 days) | 14.5 | 5.0% | 10.8% | 25.1% |
Binge drinkers are defined as those who consumed five or more drinks (four for women) on one occasion, and heavy drinkers are those who engaged in binge drinking at least five times in the past 30 days.
Despite alcohol drinkers making up nearly half of the U.S. population of those aged 12 or older, the share in 2024 (46.5%) has declined slightly since 2022 when it was 48.7%.
Of the 134.3 million alcohol drinkers in the U.S., 57.9 million people engaged in binge drinking, which represents 20.1% of the total population and 43.1% of all alcohol users.
This reveals a significant overlap between casual use and occasional high-risk consumption, highlighting how binge drinking behavior is deeply embedded within the broader drinking population.
Heavy alcohol users—those who binge drink on at least five days in the past month—number 14.5 million in America. This represents 5% of the total population above 12 years old and 10.8% of alcohol users.
While this group is much smaller than the broader categories of alcohol and binge drinkers, heavy drinkers make up one quarter of all binge drinkers, and account for one in every 10 regular alcohol drinkers in the country.
To learn more about alcohol consumption in the U.S., check out this graphic which breaks down which U.S. states drink the most beer.
2025-11-29 23:48:04
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.
The world’s criminal justice and prison systems vary significantly from country to country.
Regionally, Latin America and the Caribbean has the highest concentration of incarcerated people, accounting for six of the top 10 highest prison rates in the world. On the other hand, a number of West African countries sit on the opposite end of the spectrum.
This graphic shows the countries with the highest and lowest incarceration rates worldwide, based on data from the Prison Policy Initiative.
Below, we show the countries that sit at the extremes of global incarceration rates:
| Top 10 Highest Countries | Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 people) |
Top 10 Lowest Countries | Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 people) |
|---|---|---|---|
 El Salvador |
1,086 |
 Gambia |
22 |
 Cuba |
794 |
 Guinea-Bissau |
31 |
 Rwanda |
637 |
 Republic of Congo |
33 |
 U.S. |
614 |
 Guinea |
34 |
 Turkmenistan |
576 |
 Nigeria |
35 |
 Panama |
499 |
 Yemen |
35 |
 Uruguay |
424 |
 Japan |
36 |
 Brazil |
390 |
 Pakistan |
38 |
 Thailand |
377 |
 Burkina Faso |
39 |
 Cabo Verde |
366 |
 Central African Republic |
40 |
Today, at least 52,000 people are in prison in El Salvador, driven by its “state of exception” policy, which drastically reduces the constitutional rights of suspected criminals.
While this has led the homicide rate to fall 80% since 2022, thousands have been arbitrarily detained without access to a timely trial and other legal defenses in efforts to combat gang violence.
Like El Salvador, Cuba has faced mass arrests, typically for political dissidents. The country ranks second globally, with an incarceration rate of 795 per 100,000 people.
On the other hand, Gambia has an incarceration rate of just 22 per 100,000 inhabitants. Overall, Africa is home to seven of the 10 lowest incarceration rates, although prisons remain deeply underfunded.
As we can see, Japan stands as the only developed economy in the bottom 10. In addition, it has one of the lowest homicide rates globally, at 0.23 per 100,000 people—roughly 25 times lower than America.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the average cost per prisoner by U.S. state.
