Daily Data Insights
Bite-sized insights on how the world is changing, published every weekday.
January 03, 2025
China has reduced sulphur dioxide emissions by more than two-thirds in the last 15 years
China has dramatically reduced local air pollution levels — particularly in its biggest cities — in the last decade.
One rapidly declining pollutant is sulphur dioxide (SO2), which generates smog and can cause acid rain. Its primary source is coal burning.
In the chart, you can see the annual emissions of SO2 in China. They rose steeply during the 1980s and 1990s. But they peaked in the mid-2000s, and over the last 15 years, they have fallen by more than two-thirds.
Putting emissions limits on coal plants and introducing desulphurization technologies that remove SO2 from smokestacks were critical drivers of this decline.
These are modeled estimates from the Community Emissions Data System (CEDS).
See whether air pollution has increased or decreased in your country →
January 02, 2025
Norway gives more foreign aid per capita than any other OECD country
In 2023, Norwegians gave $1,160 in foreign aid — more than twice the amount contributed by people in other large Western countries.
By comparison, people in countries like the United States and Japan gave much less, at $190 and $155 per person, respectively.
One factor behind Norway’s substantial foreign aid is its sovereign wealth fund, built from oil revenues. The fund is valued at around $1.8 trillion — about the size of the Australian economy — and provides financial resources that few nations can match.
Still, its generosity stands out: Norway also leads in foreign aid as a share of national income.
December 31, 2024
Cholesterol levels have declined among American adults in recent decades
High levels of cholesterol are a risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
As the chart shows, the age-standardized share of American adults with unhealthy cholesterol levels has declined over the past 25 years. Age-standardized means the data accounts for the rising age of the population over time.
Data comes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national study conducted every two years. In this study, blood measurements are taken from thousands of people to monitor these trends.
One important reason for the decline in cholesterol is the use of statins. Statins are prescribed to effectively reduce levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. These reduce the formation of cholesterol-filled plaques in the arteries and, thereby, the rates of heart attacks and strokes.
As the chart shows, statins have become more commonly used among adults eligible to take them.
Along with other medications, surgeries, and public health efforts, they’ve helped turn cardiovascular diseases into more manageable conditions. In the US, the age-standardized death rate from cardiovascular diseases has declined for decades and is almost four times lower today than in 1950.
Explore more data on cardiovascular disease, its risk factors, and treatment →
December 30, 2024
In the past, most people worked in agriculture; in today’s rich countries, only a small share do
For most of human history since the agricultural revolution, the majority of the labor force in countries like France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands worked in agriculture.
However, over the last few centuries, this share has plummeted. Today, less than 10% of the workforce is employed in agriculture, and in many cases, it's just a few percent.
This trend is shown clearly in the chart, which is based on data from the International Labour Organization and historical reconstructions by Broadberry and Gardner (2013) and Herrendorf et al. (2014), as we’ve documented in detail.
The chart also includes the even steeper decline in agricultural employment in China over the last 50 years, as people have shifted to manufacturing and services.
Explore this data on agricultural employment across more countries →
December 27, 2024
In 2023, unemployment in the European Union declined to the lowest point in over three decades
Last year, the European Union's population experienced its lowest unemployment rate in over thirty years.
The chart shows that unemployment rates were above 10% in the mid-1990s and early 2010s. The rate has steadily declined since its peak in 2013, nearly halving over the past ten years.
Unemployment refers to individuals who are available for and actively seeking work but cannot find employment. It differs from economic inactivity, which includes people who are neither working nor actively looking for work.
December 26, 2024
The share of immigrants in high-income countries doubled between 1990 and 2020
In international statistics, immigrants are people who have lived for more than one year in a country other than the one where they were born.
Between 1990 and 2020, the share of immigrants in high-income countries doubled, rising from around 7% to 14%. This means that today, one in seven people in high-income countries was born in a different country.
High-income countries often attract migrants with better living conditions, including higher wages, stable political environments, and better public services. In turn, migration has become a crucial driver of population growth in these countries: without migration, the population of high-income countries would have declined since 2020.
This growth is much quicker than in other parts of the world. In contrast, the global share of migrants increased only slightly, with less than one percentage point.
December 25, 2024
Solar and wind power is growing quickly in Poland, but coal still dominates
The share of electricity produced by solar and wind in Poland almost doubled in just two years. In 2021, these renewable sources produced just 11% of its power; by 2023, this was 21%.
You can see this growth in the chart above, based on electricity data from Ember.
Poland still has one of the most coal-intensive electricity mixes in Europe, with coal producing 61% of its power. The country has committed to moving away from coal in the next few decades; growing solar and wind generation will play a key role in this.
Explore energy sources across the world in our Data Explorer →
December 24, 2024
In some countries, far more people consider friends very important than in others
This chart shows the share of people who consider friendships “very important” in their lives.
There are clear differences between countries: Northern Ireland (70%) and Sweden (65%) rank highest, and the United States (51%) and Indonesia (42%) are near the middle. In comparison, in Peru (17%) and Myanmar (12%), smaller shares of the population say that friendship is very important to them.
These differences suggest that the value people assign to different relationships varies significantly across cultures. In some societies, friendships might hold a central role in everyday life, whereas in others, people might place greater importance on family, work, or personal independence.
It's worth keeping in mind that such surveys don't only capture people's different views on friendship but also how they communicate their views when asked in surveys. For example, in some countries, people might be quicker to call something very important than in others.
December 23, 2024
Rich countries spend 60 times as much on healthcare per person than poor countries
Rich countries spend, on average, the equivalent of $6,200 per person on healthcare. This includes public and private expenditures.
In low-income countries, the equivalent expenditure is only around $100 per person on average.
This is based on spending data from the World Health Organization’s Global Health Observatory, which you can see in the chart across levels of income.
That means rich countries spend 60 times as much on healthcare per person as the poorest countries. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that life expectancy and other essential health outcomes are far worse in low-income countries.
Explore more data and research on healthcare spending and outcomes →
December 20, 2024
What share of cancers are caused by infections?
Certain pathogens, like viruses and bacteria, can cause long-term inflammation or directly damage DNA in ways that eventually lead to cancer.
For example, hepatitis B and C viruses are key drivers of liver cancer. Some types of the human papillomavirus are responsible for cervical cancer. The bacterium H. pylori can cause stomach ulcers and cancers.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that around 13% of cancers overall are directly caused by infections, as the chart shows.
For some cancer types, they estimate that infections cause nearly all cases. They’re listed at the top of the chart and include cervical cancer, adult T-cell leukemia and lymphoma, and non-cardia stomach cancer.
This is an area where prevention can be very powerful: by tackling the infections that cause them, we can stop these cancers before they start.
Vaccines for human papillomavirus and hepatitis B have already been developed and have lowered cancer rates in younger generations. Additionally, antibiotics for H. pylori, antiviral treatments, and improved hygiene can dramatically reduce the risks of other infections.
I recently wrote an article about the virus that causes cervical cancer and how vaccines can eliminate it. You can read it here →
December 19, 2024
Rich countries have ten times as many doctors per person as poor ones
There are considerable differences in access to healthcare across the world.
Rich countries have around ten times as many doctors per person as poor countries. You can see this in this chart, which shows the number of medical doctors per 1,000 people in a population. This includes generalist physicians as well as specialists.
The global average is around 1.7 doctors per 1,000. In low-income countries, the figure is around five times lower.
December 18, 2024
Since 2000, homicide rates have dropped sharply in Europe but barely changed in the United States
Homicide rates measure the number of intentional, illegal killings per 100,000 people annually.
Since 2000, rates in the United States have fluctuated around 6 homicides per 100,000. They fell from a peak of 6.7 in 2001 to 4.4 in 2014 but climbed back to 6.4 in 2022. Preliminary data suggests they fell back to 5.7 in 2023.
Over the same period, Europe’s rates fell from nearly 8 per 100,000 people in 2000 to just above 2 — a drop of almost three-quarters.
December 17, 2024
There are huge inequalities in access to air conditioning across the world
In some countries such as Japan, the United States, or South Korea, almost all households have air conditioning in their homes. In others, almost none do. This includes countries like India or South Africa where extreme heat is frequent.
In this chart, you can see the share of households that had air conditioning (AC) in 2018. This data comes from the International Energy Agency.
Paying for the upfront cost of an AC unit is a key barrier to adoption, so as incomes rise, more people get access to them.
Access to air conditioning is becoming increasingly important as the world warms and extreme heat becomes more common.
Read more about how populations can protect themselves against extreme heat →
December 16, 2024
Cancer death rates rise steeply with age
Cancer death rates rise steeply with age.
The chart shows this for a wide range of cancers, including bladder, breast, colorectal, stomach, and prostate cancer. The data comes from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Long-term exposure to risk factors — such as smoking, radiation, and certain infections — damages our cells. This damage accumulates with age, increasing the chances of cancerous mutations. In addition, our cells’ ability to repair this damage also weakens, allowing the mutations to accumulate.
Cervical cancer has a slightly different shape: its risks rise at a much younger age and then slow down. This is because it is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), typically spread through sexual contact at younger ages. Without HPV, it’s very rare for this cancer to develop, and infection can be prevented with early vaccination.
December 13, 2024
Japan’s birth rate dropped sharply in 1966, influenced by cultural beliefs
Demographic trends, such as births and deaths, can be influenced by many factors. Wars or pandemics can lead to higher death rates, while lower child mortality and access to contraception reduce the number of births.
But specific cultural beliefs can also have a strong effect, as in Japan in 1966. As you can see in the chart, the UN estimates that births decreased by about 20% from 1965 to 1966.
The reason behind this drop is unusual. Children born in 1966 had the “fire horse” as their birth sign. According to astrological predictions, women born that year would bring bad fortune, especially for their future husbands.
Families who either believed this, or wanted to avoid the risk of their daughters having difficulty in the marriage market, chose not to have children that year. Couples may have abstained or used contraception, and in addition, the induced abortion rate in 1966 was significantly higher than in the surrounding years.
The next year of the fire horse is 2026. With the decline of these beliefs in Japan, fewer arranged marriages (where the birth sign might be a significant factor), and generally declining birth rates, we are unlikely to see this sharp drop in births again.
Explore more data on births and fertility in our Population & Demography explorer →
December 12, 2024
Europeans consume more milk and dairy products than in other regions
On average, Europeans consume more dairy products than people in other regions.
This chart shows the milk supply per person in each of the world’s regions. This is based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It’s based on supply — the amount of milk available for consumption. It includes consumer waste, so it is a bit higher than the amount that is consumed in the end.
As you can see, the per-capita supply for Europe is more than twice the global average. People across Africa and Asia consume far less.
These numbers include dairy products such as yogurt and cheese, based on how much milk is used to produce them.
December 11, 2024
People across developing regions are spending far more time in school than 20 years ago
In 2000, adults in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa had, on average, fewer than five years of schooling. That’s not enough to complete primary education.
But, as the chart shows, a lot of progress has been made since then. Adults older than 25 have gained more than two additional years of schooling, a 50% increase since 2000.
Latin American and East Asian countries have also made substantial gains, starting from a higher baseline.
This data is about adults. Children today can expect many more years of schooling, showing just how much progress has been made.
Of course, simply being in school isn’t enough; kids also need to learn while they’re there. And while more years of schooling generally mean more learning opportunities, it’s important to remember that millions of children in these regions still aren’t in school at all.
December 10, 2024
Since 2010, progress in primary school enrollment in Sub-Saharan Africa has stalled
Over the past two centuries, the global share of children enrolled in primary school has increased dramatically. In 1820, fewer than 1 in 20 children were enrolled in primary school. Today, the figure is nearly 9 out of 10.
Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, made remarkable progress for several decades, with enrollment rising from 57% in 1985 to 77% by 2010. Yet, as the chart shows, progress has stalled in the past decade, plateauing just under 80%.
In North America and Western Europe, near-universal primary school enrollment was achieved by the mid-1900s, with rates consistently above 95% since 1985.
December 09, 2024
Americans are now one-third less likely to die from cancer at the same ages as Americans in 1990
How has the risk of dying from cancer changed in the United States?
To understand this, we can look at national cancer death rates in the United States.
The gray line shows the crude rate, which is the rate of deaths from cancer per 100,000 people. It has risen between 1950 and 1990 and has fallen slightly since then.
However, cancer death rates rise sharply with age, and the age of the US population has increased since 1950, so we would expect cancer death rates to rise for that reason alone.
What if we adjust for the increased age of the US population?
The red line, the age-standardized rate, shows this. It shows the cancer death rate if the age structure of the US population was held constant throughout.
This shows a slight rise until 1990 and then a significant decline; rates have fallen by one-third.
This means Americans are now one-third less likely to die from cancer at the same ages as Americans in 1990.
This comes from several factors: better screening and earlier diagnosis, medical advances in cancer treatments, and public health efforts to reduce risk factors like smoking and exposure to carcinogens.
December 06, 2024
Every second, 10 cows, 47 pigs, and 2,400 chickens are slaughtered for meat
Around the world, 10 cows, 47 pigs, and 2,400 chickens get killed for meat every second.
Recent estimates suggest that 99% of livestock in the United States is factory-farmed. Globally, the majority of animals are raised on factory farms.
For many of these animals, life is short and painful.
Newborn calves are typically taken from their mothers shortly after birth, causing distress for both. Castrating and cutting off piglets' tails without anesthesia is common practice. Chickens grow so quickly that after six weeks, many struggle to stand for long and spend most of their time lying down. These animals require high doses of antibiotics to survive in poor living conditions.
There are ways to make life less harsh for farm animals. Reducing meat consumption can lessen the demand for factory farming and its associated harms. Moreover, slowing chicken growth rates or giving hens better living spaces can help reduce their suffering.
These figures are based on estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.