Maps to explain economic geography.
An animated cartogram follows world steel output from about 23,000 tonnes (25,400 short tons) in 1800 to 1,849 million tonnes (2,039 million short tons) in 2025. China now makes 52% of it.
Read more: 220 Years of Steel Production, Mapped From 1800 to 2025
Three new maps track median monthly pay in 71 countries from 2000 to 2026, adjusted for purchasing power. Qatar tops the list at $6,312 a month, Venezuela the lowest at $100.
Read more: The Countries With the Highest and Lowest Wages in 2026
Kiribati’s government spends 98% of the country’s GDP, the highest share on earth. A cluster of wealthy European countries very nearly match that number, for an entirely unrelated reason.
Read more: The World’s Biggest Governments, Mapped
Researchers at Purdue University found there’s a specific income level where more money stops improving how you feel about your life. That threshold is very different depending on where you live: $163,579 in Iceland, $134,827 across the U.S., and just $10,176 in Ethiopia. Only one country’s average wages actually cover the cost.
Read more: The Price of Happiness by Country
In 1980, India had a per capita income of $533. China was even lower at $275. Both sat near the very bottom of global income rankings. By 2026, India has climbed to $12,964, passing roughly 60 countries on that measure. China, however, has reached $31,023 — more than double India’s figure.
Read more: Which Countries Were Poorer Than India in 1980 vs 2026?
Germany used marks, France used francs, Italy used lira, Spain used pesetas. This map shows the currency each European country used before the euro.
Read more: Which Currencies Did European Countries Use Before the Euro?
A political map of Oceania shows the region’s vast Exclusive Economic Zones, where small island states like French Polynesia, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands control huge ocean territories.
Read more: The Ocean Nations of Oceania
How does the poorest U.S. state look next to nations around the world? Life expectancy, HDI, and GDP per person show some unexpected contrasts.
Read more: How Mississippi Compares to Countries Around the World
How much paid leave do workers get around the world? This maps reveal major global differences – from generous European policies to countries where paid vacation is rare.
Read more: How Paid Vacation Varies Around the World
A side-by-side world maps show how global trade has changed since 2000. China has rapidly expanded its influence, becoming the top trading partner for much of the world – overtaking both the U.S. and the EU in many regions.
Read more: China, the U.S., or the EU: Who Dominates World Trade in 2024?
This map shows which countries have a GDP per capita (PPP) above the global average. It offers a clear visual of the world’s economic divide – where wealth is concentrated, and where it’s not.
Read more: Which Countries Are Wealthier Than the Global Average?
A new map shows how many people in each European country support higher taxes on the wealthy. The differences may surprise you—see where your country stands.
Read more: Where in Europe Do People Want to Tax the Rich More?
From the iconic dollar sign to the modern euro and India’s rupee symbol, currency marks carry history, identity, and more. Explore which countries use them—and why others don’t bother.
Read more: Why Some Countries Have Currency Symbols—And Others Don’t