2026-04-08 02:12:57
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The rapid expansion of data centers is being met with a growing number of possible restrictions across U.S. states.
This visualization charts which U.S. states have proposed restrictions on new data centers, and the number of announced projects in each. The data comes from Stateline and Aterio, respectively.
When it comes to the U.S. states looking to restrict or ban data centers, the majority are looking at temporary bans, while three are looking at conditional restrictions.
The data table below shows the 11 states considering restrictions or bans, the potential length of time of the ban, and the number of currently announced data center projects in each state:
| State | Type of Restrictions | Duration | Number of Announced Data Centers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Temporary ban | Until March 2027 | 340 |
| Maryland | Conditional restrictions | Not fixed | 10 |
| Michigan | Temporary ban | Not specified | 21 |
| New Hampshire | Temporary ban | 1 year | 0 |
| New York | Temporary ban | 3 years | 72 |
| Oklahoma | Temporary ban | Until Nov 2029 | 34 |
| South Carolina | Temporary ban | Until Jan 2028 | 8 |
| South Dakota | Temporary ban | 1 year | 6 |
| Vermont | Temporary ban | Until July 2030 | 0 |
| Virginia | Conditional restrictions | Not fixed | 498 |
| Wisconsin | Conditional restrictions | Not fixed | 28 |
Virginia is a hotspot for data center development, given 70% of the world’s internet traffic passes through its northern territory. This number is set to explode as a further 498 data centers are slated for construction in the state.
This rapid growth has been met with backlash from some policymakers as Virginia looks to apply conditional restrictions to data centers — potentially putting those announced data centers at risk. Restrictions would be tied to energy usage.
Georgia, where 340 projects have been announced, has proposed a ban on new projects until March 2027.
New York, with 72 announced data centers, and Oklahoma, which has 34, are looking to pause new constructions while they conduct studies to better understand data center energy demand, land use, and broader impact. New York’s pause could last three years, while Oklahoma’s could stretch as far as November 2029.
Wisconsin is also seeking a ban on data centers unless lawmakers introduce consumer protections, for instance regulation that ensures water and energy costs don’t fall onto residents. Some 28 data centers have been announced in the state.
Meanwhile proposals in Michigan, which has 21 announced projects, would block data centers and industry-related discretionary incentives.
Maryland would block the construction of new data centers without specific legislation first requiring sites to co-locate with power generation. Maryland has 10 announced data centers.
States without a large pipeline of new projects are also taking preemptive action.
South Dakota, with six projects announced, has tabled a one-year temporary ban on the construction and expansion of data centers.
South Carolina, with eight announced data centers, is looking to halt permits and incentives until January 2028.
Vermont has one of the longest proposed bans, which would run until 2030 and apply specifically to AI data centers, while New Hampshire is looking at a temporary one-year ban beginning when the policy is implemented. Neither state has any announced data centers, but both would conduct impact studies.
These restrictions are all currently being considered by states but none have yet been passed.
Many of the proposed restrictions involve stopping to take stock of the impacts of data centers, from energy use to rising costs for consumers. It follows increasing backlash from communities affected by or living close to such facilities.
Where states are not acting, local leaders have also taken action. For instance, Indiana’s White County introduced its own moratorium on new data centers back in October.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic which visualizes all the world’s data centers.Use This Visualization
2026-04-08 01:31:21
The global footprint of U.S. troops remains extensive. The data shows a small group of strategic host countries concentrate most deployments.
This visualization, created in partnership with Inigo, provides visual context to where U.S. forces are stationed and how that footprint reflects shifting geopolitical priorities. These placements highlight enduring alliances and evolving security concerns.
Japan hosts the largest U.S. presence with 61.7k personnel. Germany follows with 49.3k. South Korea ranks third at 26.7k.
| Country | Total Military & Civilian Personnel (2025) |
|---|---|
 Japan |
61,684 |
 Germany |
49,338 |
 South Korea |
26,722 |
 Italy |
15,365 |
 United Kingdom |
11,592 |
 Spain |
4,331 |
 Bahrain |
3,813 |
 Belgium |
1,832 |
 Turkey |
1,728 |
 Cuba |
771 |
Italy and the United Kingdom host 15.4k and 11.6k personnel respectively. These locations form the backbone of U.S. military positioning in Europe.
This distribution is not new. U.S. troop levels across these top host countries have hovered around 200k for the past decade. The consistency reflects long standing defense agreements and established infrastructure.
Beyond the top hosts, smaller but strategic deployments remain important. Spain has 4.3k personnel. Bahrain has 3.8k. Turkey hosts 1.8k. Cuba rounds out the top 10 with 0.8k.
These placements support key operational hubs and regional missions. Many are tied to naval access, logistics, and rapid response capabilities.
Overall, deployments align closely with major security priorities. Forces are concentrated in regions linked to Russia and China. This reflects a continued focus on deterrence and alliance support in critical theaters.
The U.S. military presence abroad remains highly concentrated and strategically aligned. Japan and Germany anchor this network, while other host countries support regional operations.
The data shows stability in overall troop levels. It also highlights how geography continues to shape military strategy. As global tensions evolve, this footprint is likely to remain a key tool of U.S. power projection.
Explore a Data-Driven View of Risk.
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2026-04-07 22:42:52
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Global demand for military equipment is rising as countries respond to conflict, uncertainty, and shifting alliances.
This chart ranks the world’s largest arms importers in 2025, based on data from the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database (March 2026). It shows which nations are driving the surge in defense spending and where demand is accelerating fastest.
Saudi Arabia leads global arms imports by a wide margin, accounting for 9.1% of total demand, more than any other country. Its sustained spending highlights a broader trend. Nations are accelerating military upgrades in response to prolonged regional instability.
| Rank | Country | % of Global Arms Imports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Saudi Arabia |
9.1% |
| 2 |
 India |
8.6% |
| 3 |
 Ukraine |
6.8% |
| 4 |
 Poland |
6.5% |
| 5 |
Japan |
5.1% |
| 6 |
Germany |
4.9% |
| 7 |
 Indonesia |
3.8% |
| 8 |
 Qatar |
3.1% |
| 9 |
 United Arab Emirates |
2.6% |
| 10 |
 Philippines |
2.5% |
| 11 |
 Australia |
2.5% |
| 12 |
 Netherlands |
2.5% |
| 13 |
 United States |
2.2% |
| 14 |
 Pakistan |
2.1% |
| 15 |
 Egypt |
2.1% |
| 16 |
United Kingdom |
1.8% |
| 17 |
 Greece |
1.7% |
| 18 |
Italy |
1.7% |
| 19 |
 Bulgaria |
1.6% |
| 20 |
 Israel |
1.6% |
| 21 |
 Belarus |
1.4% |
| 22 |
 Azerbaijan |
1.4% |
| 23 |
 Brazil |
1.4% |
| 24 |
 Slovakia |
1.3% |
| 25 |
Belgium |
1.3% |
| 26 |
 Romania |
1.3% |
| 27 |
 Norway |
1.2% |
| 28 |
 Hungary |
1.2% |
| 29 |
 Taiwan |
1.2% |
| 30 |
 Morocco |
1.2% |
| 31 |
Turkiye |
1.1% |
| 32 |
 Kuwait |
0.9% |
| 33 |
 Denmark |
0.8% |
| 34 |
Spain |
0.7% |
| 35 |
 France |
0.7% |
| 36 |
South Korea |
0.7% |
| 37 |
 China |
0.6% |
| 38 |
 Estonia |
0.6% |
| 39 |
 Viet Nam |
0.5% |
| 40 |
 Sweden |
0.4% |
| 41 |
 Serbia |
0.4% |
| 42 |
 Croatia |
0.4% |
| 43 |
 Russia |
0.4% |
| 44 |
 Kenya |
0.3% |
| 45 |
 Algeria |
0.3% |
| 46 |
 Argentina |
0.3% |
| 47 |
 Peru |
0.3% |
| 48 |
 Portugal |
0.3% |
| 49 |
 Angola |
0.3% |
| -- |
 Other |
4.3% |
India follows closely at 8.6%, maintaining its position as a top importer due to ongoing regional tensions and the need to upgrade military capabilities. Meanwhile, countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates remain major buyers, reinforcing the Middle East’s strong presence in global arms demand.
Europe now accounts for 39.9% of global arms imports, the largest regional share by far. This sharp increase reflects a rapid buildup in defense capabilities following the war in Ukraine and a broader shift toward rearmament across the continent.
Ukraine ranks third globally with a 6.8% share, reflecting urgent military needs due to the war with Russia.
While the top importers dominate headlines, arms demand is spread across dozens of countries, underscoring how widespread military investment has become in today’s geopolitical climate.
Nations like Japan, Germany, and Indonesia each hold significant shares. Smaller importers also represent a meaningful portion of the market, with the “Other” category accounting for 4.3% of global imports.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Where Are the World’s Nuclear Warheads? on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2026-04-07 20:02:59
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.
Since 2010, real wage growth has varied widely—even among the world’s highest-income economies.
Based on OECD data and adjusted for purchasing power, this graphic compares average annual wages in 2024 alongside their real growth since 2010.
The gap is striking: Latvia’s wages have risen 77%, while Greece’s have fallen 21%, highlighting a wide divergence in how workers have benefited from economic growth.
Higher-income countries have generally posted slower wage gains since 2010.
Luxembourg leads with average annual wages of $94.4K, up 16% since 2010. Iceland follows at roughly $90K, but stands out for its much stronger 40% increase, well above the OECD average.
The table below compares average annual wages in 2010 and 2024, along with real growth over the period using purchasing power parity adjustments.
| Country | Annual Salaries 2024, PPP inflation-adjusted |
Annual Salaries 2010, PPP inflation-adjusted |
Change 2010-2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
 Luxembourg |
$94.4K | $81.7K | 15.5% |
 Iceland |
$89.9K | $64.1K | 40.4% |
 Switzerland |
$87.5K | $80.8K | 8.2% |
|
United States |
$82.9K | $71.4K | 16.1% |
|
Belgium |
$76.1K | $72.3K | 5.3% |
 Austria |
$75.8K | $72.1K | 5.1% |
|
Netherlands |
$75.4K | $79.4K | -5.1% |
|
Norway |
$74.9K | $67.5K | 11.0% |
|
Denmark |
$74.0K | $67.5K | 9.7% |
|
Australia |
$70.7K | $66.7K | 6.0% |
|
Germany |
$69.4K | $61.2K | 13.5% |
 Canada |
$69.4K | $62.4K | 11.2% |
|
United Kingdom |
$63.7K | $61.2K | 4.0% |
 New Zealand |
$62.4K | $51.7K | 20.7% |
 Slovenia |
$61.8K | $49.3K | 25.4% |
|
France |
$60.6K | $57.9K | 4.7% |
|
Sweden |
$60.4K | $53.8K | 12.3% |
 Ireland |
$60.4K | $64.3K | -6.1% |
 Finland |
$59.6K | $58.4K | 2.1% |
|
Israel |
$54.7K | $46.1K | 18.9% |
|
Spain |
$54.6K | $56.1K | -2.8% |
 Lithuania |
$52.9K | $31.8K | 66.6% |
|
Italy |
$51.0K | $54.9K | -7.1% |
|
Korea |
$50.9K | $43.0K | 18.4% |
|
Japan |
$49.4K | $49.4K | 0.1% |
 Latvia |
$45.6K | $25.8K | 76.8% |
|
Poland |
$44.2K | $32.1K | 37.9% |
|
Portugal |
$40.0K | $37.8K | 5.9% |
|
Estonia |
$39.0K | $27.8K | 40.1% |
 Czechia |
$38.5K | $31.7K | 21.4% |
|
Slovak Rep. |
$36.1K | $29.9K | 20.7% |
|
Hungary |
$35.0K | $26.8K | 30.6% |
|
Greece |
$32.3K | $40.9K | -21.2% |
 Mexico |
$20.4K | $19.3K | 5.7% |
 OECD |
$61.1K | $55.1K | 11.0% |
The United States ranks fourth at $82.9K, with wages rising 16% over the period. While this exceeds growth in countries like Germany and Canada, it still trails several faster-growing European economies.
Overall, the pattern is clear: higher-income countries tend to see slower wage growth, while lower-income economies are catching up more quickly.
Eastern Europe stands out as the fastest-growing region for real wages since 2010.
Latvia (+77%) and Lithuania (+67%) lead the OECD, with Poland (+38%) and Hungary (+31%) also posting strong gains.
While absolute wages remain lower than in Western Europe, the pace of growth points to meaningful convergence, supported by rising productivity and a shift toward more value-added industries.
Not all countries have shared in this growth.
Greece (-21%) saw the steepest drop in real wages, followed by Italy (-7%), Ireland (-6%), the Netherlands (-5%), and Spain (-3%).
In Southern Europe, these declines reflect the long-lasting effects of the Eurozone debt crisis and uneven recoveries. Ireland presents a different case, where strong GDP growth has not translated into rising real wages for workers.
The data highlights a widening gap between countries where wages are rising quickly and those where they are stagnating or falling.
Much of this divide reflects differences in economic structure, productivity growth, and recovery paths after major shocks.
As a result, where you live continues to play a major role in whether your wages are actually increasing in real terms.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on average salaries by state in 2025.
2026-04-07 01:46:44
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BYD is now the world’s biggest EV maker, with 2.56 million deliveries between August 2024 and August 2025. That put the Chinese automaker well ahead of Geely and Tesla, underscoring how quickly the global EV leaderboard is changing.
This graphic, created by Iswardi Ishak using data from SNE Research, ranks the world’s largest EV manufacturers by deliveries between August 2024 and August 2025.
The figures include both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Here’s the full ranking of the world’s top EV manufacturers:
| Rank | Manufacturer | HQ | Global Deliveries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BYD | |
2,556,000 |
| 2 | Geely | |
1,315,000 |
| 3 | Tesla | |
985,000 |
| 4 | Volkswagen | |
854,000 |
| 5 | SAIC | |
720,000 |
| 6 | Changan | |
563,000 |
| 7 | Hyundai | |
416,000 |
| 8 | Chery | |
395,000 |
| 9 | BMW | |
389,000 |
| 10 | Stellantis | |
342,000 |
BYD stands alone at the top, delivering more than 2.5 million EVs over the period. Geely ranks second, while Tesla sits in third, showing that the global EV race is no longer a two-horse contest.
BYD’s lead over the rest of the field is sizable. Its 2.56 million deliveries were nearly double Geely’s total and well above Tesla’s 985,000, cementing its position as the global EV leader over the past year.
The ranking also highlights China’s manufacturing depth. In addition to BYD and Geely, SAIC, Changan, and Chery all made the top 10. Strong domestic demand, large-scale production, and close supply-chain integration have helped Chinese automakers expand faster than many Western rivals.
China’s dominant position in the ranking goes beyond domestic success. Chinese EV makers are increasingly exporting to markets around the world, deepening the country’s clean-tech footprint. Their presence is especially strong across parts of Latin America and Asia.
As well, global trade dynamics are beginning to shift in China’s favor. While some regions have historically imposed tariffs or restrictions on Chinese EV imports, several markets are gradually loosening these barriers to accelerate their own clean energy transitions.
Emerging economies in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe are increasingly welcoming affordable Chinese EVs, prioritizing cost and availability over protectionist policies. This easing of restrictions is helping Chinese automakers expand their global footprint even faster, reinforcing their growing influence in the international EV market.
Tesla remains the highest-ranked U.S. automaker, but its third-place position underscores how crowded the field has become. Volkswagen, BMW, and Stellantis are all in the top 10, yet their delivery volumes trail the top Chinese brands by a considerable margin.
In other words, the EV market is starting to look less like a Silicon Valley disruption story and more like a manufacturing scale story. Right now, China is winning that contest.
For more on the supply chains powering the EV transition, check out Next-Gen Battery Capacity by Country on Voronoi.
2026-04-06 23:34:00
Over the past year, several global currencies have posted double-digit gains against the U.S. dollar. Shifting capital flows, changing monetary policy expectations, and improving domestic fundamentals have all played a role.
Created in partnership with Terzo, this graphic shows which currencies have seen the largest gains against the U.S. dollar. It’s part of our Markets in a Minute series, which delivers quick economic insights for executives.
We analyzed countries with annual GDP of $250 billion or more, and ranked the performers of their currencies against the U.S. dollar in the last year.
Leading the pack is the Israeli shekel, up 20.2% year-over-year versus the dollar. The Bank of Israel governor attributes this to the resilience of the Israeli economy amid conflict and solid export performance. Israel has also seen strong foreign direct investment, driving demand for the shekel.
| Currency | Year-Over-Year Performance |
|---|---|
|
Israeli shekel |
20.2% |
 Colombian peso |
19.7% |
 South African rand |
16.4% |
|
Mexican peso |
16.4% |
|
Australian Dollar |
14.8% |
|
Brazilian real |
14.5% |
 Nigerian naira |
13.5% |
|
Norwegian krone |
12.7% |
 Kazakhstani tenge |
12.3% |
 Malaysian ringgit |
11.2% |
Source: Trading Economics. Year-over-year performance as of April 6, 2026.
The Colombian peso and South African rand have also posted strong gains, rising 19.7% and 16.4% respectively against the U.S. dollar over the past year. The Mexican peso follows closely behind, up 16.4%, supported by higher rates relative to the U.S., record foreign direct investment, and a booming tourism sector.
Of course, a major reason currencies across the globe are gaining value against the U.S. dollar is because the American currency itself is weakening.
Analysts say the drop is partly due to market concern about the U.S. administration’s unpredictable policies. Earlier in 2025, the anticipation of more Federal Reserve rate cuts, which caused investors to look for higher returns elsewhere, also pushed the dollar lower.
When the U.S. dollar gets weaker, it changes how money and trade flow around the world.
For example, U.S. products become cheaper for other countries to buy, which can help American exporters. At the same time, companies in other countries (with stronger currencies) may find it harder to compete with U.S. goods.
For investors, a weaker dollar can boost the value of investments in other countries. Even if those investments don’t grow much, they can still be worth more when converted back into U.S. dollars simply because the currency exchange rate improved.
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