2026-04-28 11:53:57
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Coal consumption is highly concentrated among a small number of major economies, with China sitting far ahead of every other country.
This chart ranks the world’s largest coal consumers using data from the Statistical Review of World Energy 2025, highlighting how demand is distributed across major economies.
China consumed 92.2 exajoules of coal in 2024, equal to 55.8% of the global total. This reflects the scale of the country’s industrial base, electricity needs, and continued reliance on coal-fired power, even as it rapidly expands renewable energy capacity.
Below we list the biggest coal consumers based on 2024 data:
| Rank | Country | Exajoules of coal use (2024) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 China |
92.2 | 55.8% |
| 2 |
 India |
23.0 | 13.9% |
| 3 |
 U.S. |
7.9 | 4.8% |
| 4 |
 Indonesia |
4.7 | 2.9% |
| 5 |
 Japan |
4.5 | 2.7% |
| 6 |
 Russia |
3.8 | 2.3% |
| 7 |
 South Africa |
3.5 | 2.1% |
| 8 |
 South Korea |
2.9 | 1.7% |
| 9 |
 Vietnam |
2.5 | 1.5% |
| 10 |
 Türkiye |
1.8 | 1.1% |
| 11 |
 Germany |
1.6 | 1.0% |
| 12 |
 Australia |
1.5 | 0.9% |
| 13 |
 Kazakhstan |
1.5 | 0.9% |
| 14 |
 Other |
13.8 | 8.4% |
| 15 |
 World Total |
165.1 | 100.0% |
Together, China and India account for nearly 70% of global coal consumption, underscoring how concentrated demand is between the world’s two most populous countries.
Beyond these two giants, the U.S. ranks third with 4.8% of global consumption, followed by Indonesia (2.9%), Japan (2.7%), and Russia (2.3%).
As countries transition toward cleaner energy, coal demand is moving in different directions. While usage has declined in many advanced economies, it continues to rise in several fast-growing countries where energy demand is still expanding.
The following table shows where coal use grew the most in top coal consumers between 2023 and 2024:
| Country | 2023 (Exajoules) | 2024 (Exajoules) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Vietnam |
2.3 | 2.5 | 9.3% |
|
Indonesia |
4.3 | 4.7 | 9.0% |
|
Türkiye |
1.7 | 1.8 | 7.1% |
|
India |
22.1 | 23.0 | 3.7% |
|
South Africa |
3.4 | 3.5 | 1.9% |
|
China |
90.7 | 92.2 | 1.4% |
Vietnam saw the biggest increase at 9.3%, followed closely by Indonesia at 9.0%. Türkiye also posted strong growth at 7.1%, while India’s consumption rose by 3.7%.
Even China, already the world’s largest coal consumer by a wide margin, saw demand rise by 1.4% in 2024.
While coal use is declining across much of the West, it continues to grow in several emerging economies—highlighting the uneven pace of the global energy transition.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this post had incorrect data. It has now been updated to reflect the most recent data based on the Statistical Review of World Energy published in 2025.
See the biggest sources of energy around the world in every country in this global map.
2026-04-28 02:47:09
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Helium is often associated with party balloons, but its importance extends far beyond celebrations.
This rare gas is one of the most strategic gases in the world, and it’s essential for advanced technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace systems, and medical imaging.
This visual highlights how global helium production is concentrated among a few key countries. The data for this visualization comes from USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026.
The global helium market is unusually concentrated, with just two countries dominating supply. This creates a structural vulnerability: any disruption in either country can have outsized effects on global industries that rely on helium.
The United States leads global helium production, accounting for 42.6% of output in 2025. This figure includes helium imported from Canada and refined domestically, boosting its share.
Qatar ranks second with 33.2%, meaning the two countries together dominate global supply.
| Country | Production (Cubic Feet) | World Production (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States |
2,860 | 42.6% |
 Qatar |
2,225 | 33.2% |
|
Russia |
636 | 9.5% |
 Algeria |
388 | 5.8% |
 Canada |
212 | 3.2% |
|
China |
106 | 1.6% |
 Poland |
106 | 1.6% |
|
South Africa |
18 | 0.3% |
|
Other |
159 | 2.4% |
|
World Total |
6,710 | 100.0% |
Recent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz—a critical shipping route for Qatar—highlight how fragile helium supply chains can be. Any disruption to exports from the region can quickly impact countries like South Korea, where semiconductor manufacturing depends on steady helium imports.
Russia produces about 9.5% of the world’s helium, placing it third globally. However, its ability to supply Western markets is limited by EU sanctions on Russian helium imports.
Meanwhile, China accounts for a relatively small share of global helium production, contributing about 1.6% in 2025. Despite its limited domestic supply, the country is a major consumer due to its large semiconductor and electronics industries. This imbalance makes China heavily reliant on imports to meet its growing demand.
Helium demand is tightly linked to high-tech and medical industries, where reliability is critical and substitutes are limited.
Scientific research accounts for 22% of global consumption, followed by semiconductor production and lifting gas applications at 17% each. Medical use, particularly in MRI machines, represents another 15% of demand.
As demand grows across semiconductors, healthcare, and scientific research, helium is becoming less of a niche resource and more of a strategic one. With supply concentrated in just a handful of countries, securing reliable access is emerging as a priority for governments and industries alike.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The Most Consistent U.S. Power Sources on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2026-04-27 23:49:00
Where you live in the U.S. can make a huge difference in economic output per person. GDP per capita varies widely across states, from under $60,000 in Mississippi to nearly $280,000 in Washington, D.C.
This chart, produced in partnership with Terzo, breaks down GDP per capita in 2025. It’s part of our Markets in a Minute series, which delivers quick economic insights.
Washington, D.C. has the highest GDP per capita. The capital’s economy is concentrated in high-value professional services like consulting, IT, and legal, as well as government spending.
Its large commuter workforce from outside states also boosts the figure, as many workers contribute to economic output without being counted in the local population.
| State | 2025 GDP per Capita |
|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $278k |
| New York | $123k |
| Massachusetts | $115k |
| Washington | $112k |
| Delaware | $111k |
| California | $108k |
| North Dakota | $102k |
| Connecticut | $102k |
| Alaska | $102k |
| Nebraska | $98k |
| Colorado | $97k |
| Illinois | $95k |
| New Jersey | $93k |
| Texas | $92k |
| Minnesota | $91k |
| Maryland | $91k |
| Virginia | $90k |
| Wyoming | $89k |
| Utah | $89k |
| New Hampshire | $89k |
| Hawaii | $87k |
| South Dakota | $86k |
| Nevada | $86k |
| Iowa | $86k |
| Georgia | $82k |
| Ohio | $81k |
| Kansas | $81k |
| Pennsylvania | $81k |
| Tennessee | $81k |
| Oregon | $80k |
| North Carolina | $80k |
| Wisconsin | $79k |
| Arizona | $78k |
| Florida | $78k |
| Indiana | $78k |
| Rhode Island | $75k |
| Vermont | $75k |
| Missouri | $75k |
| Louisiana | $74k |
| Maine | $73k |
| Michigan | $72k |
| Montana | $72k |
| New Mexico | $72k |
| South Carolina | $68k |
| Idaho | $67k |
| Kentucky | $67k |
| Oklahoma | $67k |
| Alabama | $66k |
| Arkansas | $64k |
| West Virginia | $62k |
| Mississippi | $56k |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau. Figures rounded.
New York takes the second spot as a global financial hub with strong output in other high-value industries, including real estate and professional services.
Massachusetts and Washington also top the ranks. While Massachusetts drives value through professional services like biotechnology, Washington is home to big tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft.
Outside of more service-based economies, both North Dakota and Alaska pump out over $100,000 in GDP per capita.
Both states are driven by natural resources and mining, ranking as the third (North Dakota) and fifth-highest (Alaska) producers of crude oil in America. These states also have some of the lowest populations in the country, driving up output per person.
More recently in 2026, both states have seen monetary benefits from oil transport disruptions and rising prices. North Dakota typically sells crude oil at a discount to benchmark pricing, but has been earning $7 more per barrel above the benchmark. In Alaska, the state recently increased its projected revenue by $0.5 billion as a result of higher oil prices.
As economies push to create more value per person, businesses are also focused on getting more from what they have.
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2026-04-27 22:06:25
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The shift to clean electricity is accelerating—but not evenly across the world’s largest economies.
This chart ranks how much each country has increased its share of clean power since 2015, revealing clear leaders and laggards in the global energy transition.
Using data from Ember and IMF DataMapper, the visualization tracks electricity generated from nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, and other renewables across the top 10 economies by GDP as of January 2026.
European economies dominate the rankings for clean energy gains. The UK leads all major economies, increasing its clean electricity share by 19.5 percentage points since 2015, followed closely by Germany.
Italy has followed a similar path, replacing coal with a mix of renewables and natural gas. Meanwhile, France maintained its position as a global leader, with over 90% of its electricity coming from clean sources, largely due to its long-standing reliance on nuclear power.
| Country | Clean Energy (2015) | Clean Energy (2024) | Change (p.p.) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
United States |
33.2% | 41.9% | +8.7 |
|
China |
26.9% | 38.2% | +11.3 |
|
Germany |
43.9% | 58.5% | +14.6 |
|
Japan |
15.4% | 31.3% | +15.9 |
 United Kingdom |
45.4% | 64.9% | +19.5 |
|
India |
17.5% | 22.5% | +5.0 |
 France |
92.1% | 94.9% | +2.8 |
 Italy |
38.9% | 50.2% | +11.3 |
|
Russia |
34.0% | 35.9% | +1.9 |
 Brazil |
76.7% | 89.4% | +12.7 |
The gap between leaders and laggards is now stark. The UK and Japan have added over 15 percentage points of clean electricity since 2015, while Russia and India have added less than 5—underscoring how uneven the transition remains.
Asia shows a mixed pace of change. China has made double-digit gains in clean electricity share, but surging demand means coal use has still grown in absolute terms.
India’s transition has been slower, with clean energy rising modestly to just over 22%. Japan, on the other hand, saw one of the largest increases in clean share, reflecting a gradual restart of nuclear power alongside renewable expansion after the Fukushima disaster.
The United States sits in the middle of the pack, with steady but less dramatic gains. Growth in wind and solar has lifted its clean share, but continued reliance on natural gas has slowed the overall pace of transition compared to European peers.
Russia, meanwhile, showed minimal change, with its electricity mix remaining relatively stable over the decade.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The Countries Building the Most Nuclear Power on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2026-04-27 19:45:50
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How much of your paycheck do you actually keep?
In some states, families keep about a third of their income after covering essentials and taxes. In others, almost all of it goes toward bills.
Using data from the Common Sense Institute, this map shows the share of income a median U.S. family of four has left after paying for housing, food, childcare, insurance, and taxes.
In top-ranked states like Iowa, households keep nearly 35% of their income, about $2,900 per month. In Hawaii, that figure drops to just 9%. That’s a difference of more than $2,000 per month in disposable income.
Midwestern states dominate the rankings, largely due to lower housing and childcare costs.
Iowa ranks first, with households keeping 34.7% of their income, followed by South Dakota (34.6%) and North Dakota (33.5%).
This table shows the share of income left for a median-income family of four in 2025, after accounting for shelter, utilities, groceries, health and car insurance, childcare, and gas. Taxes reflect combined state and federal income taxes.
| Rank | State | Share of Income Left After Expenses and Taxes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 34.7% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 34.6% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 33.5% |
| 4 | Kansas | 33.4% |
| 5 | Alaska | 33.3% |
| 6 | Ohio | 31.7% |
| 7 | Missouri | 31.5% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 31.3% |
| 9 | Mississippi | 30.9% |
| 10 | Kentucky | 29.5% |
| 11 | Indiana | 29.1% |
| 12 | Arkansas | 29.0% |
| 13 | West Virginia | 28.7% |
| 14 | Tennessee | 28.3% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 27.7% |
| 16 | Vermont | 27.4% |
| 17 | Alabama | 27.2% |
| 18 | Washington | 26.7% |
| 19 | Idaho | 26.5% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 26.2% |
| 21 | Montana | 26.1% |
| 22 | Michigan | 25.7% |
| 23 | North Carolina | 25.4% |
| 24 | Georgia | 25.3% |
| 25 | Connecticut | 25.2% |
| 26 | Virginia | 25.0% |
| 27 | New Hampshire | 24.7% |
| 28 | Illinois | 24.3% |
| 29 | Oklahoma | 24.2% |
| 30 | Wisconsin | 24.0% |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | 23.8% |
| 32 | Louisiana | 23.8% |
| 33 | South Carolina | 23.8% |
| 34 | Utah | 23.6% |
| 35 | Texas | 23.6% |
| 36 | Nebraska | 23.5% |
| 37 | Delaware | 22.4% |
| 38 | Maine | 21.5% |
| 39 | Nevada | 21.2% |
| 40 | Maryland | 20.5% |
| 41 | New Jersey | 20.4% |
| 42 | Colorado | 20.2% |
| 43 | Rhode Island | 20.0% |
| 44 | Arizona | 19.6% |
| 45 | Florida | 18.1% |
| 46 | Oregon | 16.8% |
| 47 | New York | 16.2% |
| 48 | Massachusetts | 16.0% |
| 49 | California | 10.9% |
| 50 | Hawaii | 9.0% |
| -- |
U.S. Average |
24.7% |
Several other states, including Ohio, Missouri, and Wyoming, also rank near the top, with residents keeping around 30% or more of their income.
Texas stands out as the most affordable large state, yet still ranks just 39th overall. Despite having no state income tax, lower median incomes and rising living costs limit how much households actually keep. Taxes alone don’t define affordability.
In the least affordable states, families spend up to 91% of their income on essentials and taxes, leaving little room for savings or unexpected expenses.
Hawaii families are most strained, with 9% of income left, followed by California at 10.9%. Between 2019 and 2025, California households saw one of the largest declines in affordability across states.
Massachusetts, despite high incomes, ranks near the bottom. Childcare alone consumes 24% of household income, showing how a single cost category can erode income advantages.
Household budgets have tightened in recent years.
Since 2019, essential expenses have risen by about $15,400 per year for the average family. While incomes increased 30.7% over the same period, most of those gains were offset by higher costs:
For many households, higher earnings haven’t increased flexibility. They’ve just kept up.
As costs continue to rise unevenly across regions, where Americans live is becoming one of the biggest determinants of financial stability, potentially reshaping migration patterns, housing demand, and long-term economic opportunity.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the number of years it takes to save for a home by state.
2026-04-27 14:44:22
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Europe’s economy is projected to reach $32.3 trillion in nominal GDP in 2026, but a large share of that output is concentrated in just a handful of countries.
This graphic breaks down each European country by its projected 2026 nominal GDP, using data from the April 2026 update of the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook.
Germany is the continent’s largest economy, followed by the UK and France, while Italy, Russia, and Spain complete the group of Europe’s six biggest economies.
Europe’s economic core remains firmly in the west, where Germany, the UK, and France together generate over $13 trillion in output.
| Rank | Country | 2026 Nominal GDP (billions $) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Germany |
5,453 |
| 2 |
United Kingdom |
4,265 |
| 3 |
France |
3,596 |
| 4 |
Italy |
2,738 |
| 5 |
Russia |
2,656 |
| 6 |
 Spain |
2,091 |
| 7 |
 Netherlands |
1,450 |
| 8 |
 Switzerland |
1,147 |
| 9 |
Poland |
1,134 |
| 10 |
 Ireland |
779 |
| 11 |
 Belgium |
777 |
| 12 |
 Sweden |
760 |
| 13 |
 Austria |
624 |
| 14 |
 Norway |
599 |
| 15 |
 Denmark |
504 |
| 16 |
 Romania |
481 |
| 17 |
 Czechia |
433 |
| 18 |
 Portugal |
381 |
| 19 |
 Finland |
338 |
| 20 |
 Greece |
308 |
| 21 |
 Hungary |
271 |
| 22 |
 Ukraine |
225 |
| 23 |
 Slovakia |
169 |
| 24 |
 Bulgaria |
148 |
| 25 |
 Croatia |
117 |
| 26 |
 Serbia |
112 |
| 27 |
 Luxembourg |
110 |
| 28 |
 Lithuania |
106 |
| 29 |
 Belarus |
102 |
| 30 |
 Slovenia |
87 |
| 31 |
 Latvia |
54 |
| 32 |
 Estonia |
52 |
| 33 |
 Cyprus |
45 |
| 34 |
 Iceland |
44 |
| 35 |
 Bosnia & Herzegovina |
37 |
| 36 |
 Albania |
33 |
| 37 |
 Malta |
31 |
| 38 |
 Moldova |
22 |
| 39 |
 North Macedonia |
22 |
| 40 |
 Kosovo |
14 |
| 41 |
 Montenegro |
10 |
| -- | All of Europe | 32,323 |
France, Germany, and the UK built their economic strength through early industrialization and decades of diversification across manufacturing, finance, and services.
The UK’s economic transformation then spread to neighboring Western European countries, which became industrial heavyweights of their own. The three Benelux countries of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, for example, have a combined GDP of over $2.2 trillion.
In contrast to the role played by industry in Britain and Germany, or agriculture in France, energy is a major driver of Russia’s large economy ($2.7 trillion).
Russia is a major energy producer, with hydrocarbons like oil and natural gas making up over half of the country’s exports. Despite not being part of OPEC, which helps regulate oil prices, Moscow is often an active participant in discussions shaping oil markets.
The second-largest economy in Northern Europe is also a major oil and gas player. Despite having a population of around 5 million people, Norway’s economy is just shy of $600 billion, supported by its impressive energy reserves.
While northwestern Europe still dominates overall output, growth momentum is shifting south, where economies like Spain and Portugal are expanding faster than their larger peers.
Today, Southern Europe hosts dynamic economies like Spain ($2.1 trillion) and Portugal ($381 billion), which are projected to grow by roughly 2% each in 2026, more than double the rates of peers like France and Germany.
This shift has been supported by the post-COVID recovery in tourism, greater energy self-sufficiency, and higher public investment.
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