Some countries consider tipping as the norm; the most famous of which is maybe American travelers, accompanied by Canadians. In France, there is a difference between service and tipping. However, in some societies, tipping is considered offensive, immoral and even exploitative. Many hotels and restaurants, and even nations, have an official policy of how service employees are paid an adequate wage and don’t need to rely on tips to increase their earnings. Tipping is often forbidden. In Japan and Australia, the donation of a tip is conceived of as being a personal offense.

The trend in some societies is changing. As more and more tourists visit these nations bringing with them their own practices, and citizens travel more themselves, then so tipping is becoming more tolerable.

Australia

Australian service is often more random than in many nations, even in deluxe inns and restaurants. There are no obligatory rewards or built-in service charges, although a 10 percent Goods and Services Tax will be added in the total price. But, tipping is positively appreciated and seems to be shifting more common, but ordinarily only in expensive restaurants. Australians give 10 percent tips for excellent service or more.
In taxis and bars, many people give some of their coin change on the bar after picking up their drink or tell the driver to keep the change. Tipping in hotels is yet uncommon.

Austria
In Austrian restaurants, there is usually a service charge added to the bill. Tipping the custom is to round up the bill, which might turn out as more or less than ten percent. For example, in bars you are told a drink costs €5.50 you would say “Here is €6, thank you”. In taxis, it’s common to give an extra 10 percent over the meter check to your driver. In hotels, porters or carriers should receive up to €1 per case.

Bahrain
In Bahraini restaurants, there is a service charge added to your bill, but you can round up your bill or leave a 10-15 percent tip for excellent service. In hotels, it’s suitable to tip carriers 0.4 Bahraini Dinar for each item of luggage, and room servants the same for every night of your stop. There is no set tip for bartenders but, if you want, 0.4 Bahraini Dinar per glass is approved. Taxi drivers typically receive an extra 10 percent over the meter tariff.

Belgium
Service charges are always added to restaurants, cafes, taxis, and hairdressing bills. But, you can give tips as a sign of appreciation, saying, “Please keep the change.” In hotels, a tip of €1 per case is appropriate for porters.

Brazil
Tipping in Brazil isn’t usually given. In restaurants, a service charge of ten percent is added to the bill. It is not necessary but is usually paid unless there’s a good reason not to. In bars, it’s common to get a bill at the end rather than hand over cash each time you buy a beverage. Tipping’s at your choice. To evade taxi drivers having to deal with coins, it’s common to round up your check to the nearest note. Hotel staff appreciates a small tip for bringing your cases.

Canada
Canadians tip everyone. They also tip a higher percentage in restaurants (15-20 percent) is the standard. Tips in Canada are a notable addition to the overall earnings of people working on a minimum wage. For taxi drivers, a ten percent tip is adequate. In hotels, tipping is at the choice of the guest, but the Canadian $2-5 tip is usual for bellhops who bring your cases. In bars, you are required to tip too, usually leaving Canadian $0.50-2 per drink.

China
In mainland China including Macau tipping, isn’t a part of the culture, and many establishments have a stringent no-tipping policy. It covers all restaurants and services, including taxi. Giving a tip may sometimes even be considered impolite (meaning that the employer undervalues an employee’s work). A tip might be expected only at high-end resorts and restaurants in traveller areas that cater specifically for westerners. In Hong Kong, western ideas are more accepted, and there’s usually a 10-15 per cent service charge in restaurants, tipping is welcomed, and taxi drivers expect to “keep the change.”

Croatia
Tipping in Croatia is welcomed but not required. The ‘rules’ are optional, depending on how much you have enjoyed the meal or service. However, about ten per cent is the norm.

Czech Republic
Tipping in cheap eating places isn’t assumed. While in traveller areas, foreign visitors are supposed to tip 10 per cent, particularly in high-end restaurants (5-10 percent). In less-visited areas, it’s common to round up your bill by several Crowns, to the nearest note. Rounding up is customary for taxis too. In provincial regions, leaving a tip on the table is not the standard practice and may offend.

Denmark
It’s the law in Denmark that any service charge, including tips for waiters, has to be added in the price in restaurants. Taxi drivers in Denmark will automatically add a set tip in their fares, so there’s no necessary to tip.
In hotels, as in most states in the world, it’s always good to tip people for transporting your heavy bags – the equivalent of $1 is the standard.

Finland
Tipping is not a part of Finnish culture. Service is commonly added in restaurant bills. However, some times people round up the bill to the nearest convenient price.

France
In France, it’s deemed flashy to tip for no good reason. In taxis, tipping is sometimes rounding up to evade the annoyance of dealing with fiddly coins. In hotels, tipping is entirely at your choice, with a few Euros being standard.

Germany
Value-added tax is added in the menu price in restaurants, bars, and taxis over Germany, but it is common to round up to the nearest full Euro. Tipping is supposed in hotels. Carriers may expect 1-3 Euros per
case and your housekeeper 3-5 Euros per night for excellent service.

Greece
In Greece, tipping is optional, but it’s acceptable to add a little extra for excellent service. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, but people usually round up the fare.

India
In large restaurants, a 10% service charge is included in the bill, but it’s quite common to leave a tip 100 Indian rupees in a casual place, up to 300 Indian rupees in a five-star restaurant. It’s not common to leave tips in bars. In hotels, it’s usual to tip bellboys about 50-100 Indian Rupees per bag. It’s against the law for taxi drivers to charge more than the price of the trip, but you can round up the price.

Italy
Service charges are added in most restaurants, but if not, ten per cent is considered the standard. In bars, Italians often leave small change when buying cocktails, though it’s not obligatory. Taxi drivers like to be tipped, but it isn’t expected, nor is its norm. In hotels, the same as anywhere else in the world.

Japan
It is almost right to say that there is no tipping in Japan. The Japanese consider that excellent service is standard and to tip is an offense. You don’t need to tip your taxi driver, tour guide, or any other service provider.

Malaysia
Malaysians don’t expect to be tipped. Waiters get a relatively higher fixed basic pay so that tips aren’t factored into it. Taxi drivers and other service providers don’t need to be tipped either nor do they expect to be. The only exception to this is the hotel workers. You are encouraged to tip porters or room service anything from 2 – 10 Malaysia Ringgits.

Mexico
Tipping is part of the culture of the Mexican economy. Mexicans working in service businesses earn modest salaries and rely upon tips to increase their weekly take-home pay. In restaurants, there may be a service charge of ten percent in which case tipping isn’t required. In bars, it’s reasonable to tip 10-20 Pesos per drink, or 15 percent at the end of the evening. In Mexico, every service provider hopes for a tip from a few Pesos to twenty percent.

Netherlands
All taxes and service charges are added in the prices of hotels, restaurants, and cafes, by law. Even taxi fares have fees and a standard 15% service charge. In the cafe, you can leave some small change. In a restaurant – 1 – 5 euro per person, or 10 percent of the bill. Tipping in hotels isn’t required unless you are staying for a long time, but of course, it’s good to reward room service with 1-2 euros. For taxi drivers, round up the fare by a Euro or two.

New Zealand
The government advises tourists that tipping in New Zealand is not necessary – even in restaurants and bars. It is not part of the culture, and indeed, in a recent poll, locals said 90 percent were against tipping becoming the standard. People may feel uncomfortable to be proposed tips, but the more ‘touristy’ places will be accustomed to taking them.

Nigeria
In most restaurants and bars, tips are not expected, but 5-10 percent is arbitrary. In hotels, a five percent tip is optional but only for excellent service. Taxi fares are usually raised for travelers, so tipping isn’t as necessary.

Norway
Norwegians working in the service industries earn decent salaries and don’t depend on tips. The price of your hotel will include a reward for service workers and, usually, Norwegians suppose to carry their own baggage.

Omar
Tipping has not been part of the traditions of Oman. A tip of ten percent or rounding up to the next Rial, and asking them to keep the change is acceptable at more upscale hotels and restaurants. However, elsewhere it is uncommon, and leaving your loose change after a meal may be a confusing gesture for locals. Tipping taxi drivers is not considered to be necessary as they may, as in other nations, increase the price for travelers.

Qatar
Though Qatar is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, the workers in the service industry are very poorly paid and tips 10-15 percent in a restaurant; 10-20 Riyals for porters and other service staff is a nice gesture. For taxi drivers, you can round up the fare.

Russia
Once, very few places in Russia expected you to tip. Top-end hotels and restaurants in Moscow and other biggest cities add a 10-15 percent service charge. Tips for porters and room service in hotels range from the equivalent of $1-5. For taxi drivers, you can tip using popular mobile ridesharing apps Yandex Taxi or Uber.

South Africa
Tipping in South Africa is broadly practiced and well-received. In upper-class restaurants, service charge is likely to be added in the bill (10-15%). In hotels, leave tips for stewardship about 10-15 South African rand per night, carriers may be paid about ten Rand per case. Taxi prices don’t include a tip, and ten percent is the standard.

Spain
In restaurants, bills always include service. An additional tip of 5-10 percent on top is standard if you’re eating at a bar round up the bill to the nearest Euro. Tip bartenders €0.20 a drink, depending on the bar. Taxi drivers expect no tip, but you can round up the fare. In hotels, porters receive €1 a bag; for room service €1.

Sweden
A service charge is automatically added to most Swedish restaurant and hotel bills, but a small tip of 5-10% is usual for evening meals. Tipping for extra services provided by staff is not expected and is your choice. Porters and cloakroom attendants often charge fixed fees. If you buy a drink at the bar, you can leave any small change on the bar. In taxi fare may be rounded up.

Switzerland
There is no necessity to tip in Switzerland because service is included in restaurants and hotels, etc. Rounding to the next Swiss Franc for small amounts, when spending larger amounts in expensive restaurants, is common. As giving a tip is not expected, when it does happen, it’s seen as recognition of excellent service. In the price of booking a taxi, the driver usually will round up the fare to the nearest Franc.

Thailand
Tipping is not common in Thailand. In Bangkok, more western standards have been adopted. At the upmarket hotel and restaurants, there’s a ten percent service charge. If there’s none, acceptable tipping for a tourist is either tip up to ten percent or to round up to the closest 20 Baht. Taxi drivers don’t demand a tip. In most hotels, you are not required to tip as well.

Turkey
In luxury, restaurants tip 10-15%. In inexpensive restaurants and cafes, 5-10 percent tips are not necessary but are acceptable. It is also customary to tip hotel staff (two Turkish Lira per person). Taxi drivers do not usually expect a tip.

United Arab Emirates
Seldom, restaurants and hotels apply a service charge, which split amongst the staff. If no service charge is included at a restaurant, add 10 to 20% of the total to the bill. Tipping in bars is not always expected. In hotels, consider tipping early on during your stay for the same reason. You can tip porters 5 – 10 Dirhams a time. Taxi drivers don’t demand a tip, but you could round up to the next 5 Dirhams.

United Kingdom
Tipping is not so much a part of the culture of the United Kingdom. Most hotel bills add a service charge of around 10 to 12 percent. Restaurant bills include a service charge, so check the invoice to avoid tipping double. Where a service charge is not included in a hotel restaurant, it’s usual to tip 10 – 15% of the bill. It’s not customary to tip in pubs and bars or for any over-the-counter service. Taxi drivers usually expect 10 to 15 percent of the fare.

United States
In the United States, the tips are generous and factored into the workers’ wages. In restaurants, for meals, it’s 15 to 20 percent, at the bar tip, $1 for every drink bought. Pay an additional twenty percent for spa treatments and other services. One dollar is the going rate for hotel stuff for every baggage carried. For short-term taxi rides, expect to tip one dollar as well, but 15 to 20 percent for trips from the airport.

Tipping Customs by Country

The map below shows tipping gratuity by country.

The post Tipping etiquette around the world appeared first on Vivid Maps.

The poorest counties of the United States: Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Arkansas, Texas, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and South Dakota. Sumter County (Alabama) and McCreary County (Kentucky) have income levels below $20,000.

The infographic below created by TitleMax shows the poorest and wealthiest county in every State based on median household income.

Loudoun in Virginia is the richest county in the United States in terms of median income. It is more than $100,000 higher than Buchanan County, VA, the state’s poorest county at $31,800.

Top ten wealthiest U.S. counties by median household income

1. Loudon County, Virginia
2. Howard County, Maryland
3. Fairfax County, Virginia
4. Hunterdon County, New Jersey
5. Santa Clara County, California
6. Arlington County, Virginia
7. Douglas County, Colorado
8. San Massachusettsteo County, California
9. Morris County, New Jersey
10. WilliaMississippion County, Tennessee

Top ten poorest U.S. counties by median household income

1. Holmes County, Mississippi
2. Buffalo County, South Dakota
3. Owsley County, Kentucky
4. Wilcox County, Alabama
5. McDowell County, WV
6. Clay County, Kentucky
7. Stewart County, Georgia
8. McCreary County, Kentucky
9. Perry County, Alabama
10. Harlan County, Kentucky

Top ten U.S. states with the greatest disparity between counties

1. Virginia: Loudon county ($134,600) vs Buchanan county ($21,800)
2. New Mexico: Los Alamos county ($114,700) vs Luna county ($28,200)
3. Colorado: Douglas county ($112,400) vs Costilla county ($27,200)
4. Maryland: Howard county ($119,400) vs Somerset county ($38,500)
5. Tennessee: Williamson county ($107,900) vs Hancock county ($28,200)
6. Georgia: Forsyth county ($101,800) vs Stewart county ($24,200)
7. California: Santa Clara county ($110,800) vs Trinity county ($38,700)
8. Texas: Rockwall county ($97,500) vs Zavala county ($25,500)
9. Kentucky: Oldham county ($92,500) vs Owsley ($23,100)
10. New York: Nassau county ($105,500) vs Bronx county ($37,400)

The post The Wealthiest and Poorest County in Every U.S. State appeared first on Vivid Maps.

It’s an important ideological and political tool for the Communist Party of China. As the official voice of the CPC, the People’s Daily holds significant political influence. It sets the tone for public discourse in China and reflects the official party line on various matters, including domestic and international policies, economic developments, and social issues.

The newspaper covers a wide range of topics, including politics, economy, culture, science, technology, and more. It often contains articles that highlight the achievements and initiatives of the CPC and the Chinese government.

The newspaper is subject to strict editorial control by the CPC’s Central Propaganda Department. This control ensures that the content aligns with the party’s core principles and objectives. The editorial team is responsible for crafting articles that reflect the party’s views accurately.

The image below illustrates how China’s attitude towards other countries has changed.

The appearance of Soviet Union references in the newspaper headlines during the 1960s suggests a rapid decline in relations between the countries, while their appearance in the 1980s indicates an improvement in political relations between the USSR and China.

After the collapse of the USSR, the main object of attention of the Chinese newspaper The People’s Daily was the United States.

The People’s Daily publishes both domestic and international editions. While the domestic edition caters to readers within China and emphasizes domestic issues, the international edition is aimed at a global audience and covers international news and China’s stance on global matters.

To learn more about China, have a look at the following books:

• A History of China
• Red-Handed: How American Elites Get Rich Helping China Win
• The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict between the US and Xi Jinping’s China
• The Long Game: China’s Grand Strategy to Displace American Order

Here you can learn about countries that appeared most frequently in the New York Times headlines each month since 1900.

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The New York Times has successfully navigated the challenges posed by the digital age. Its website, nytimes.com, has become one of the most visited news websites globally. The newspaper introduced a digital subscription model in 2011, which has proven to be successful in generating revenue and supporting quality journalism.

The chart below, created by The pudding, shows countries that appeared most frequently in the New York Times headlines each month since 1900. This chart shows the view of the world through the eyes of the United States. The pudding team analyzed 741,576 front section titles in the New York Times archive science 1990.

Below these data are presented in cartographic form, but but for the period from 2010 to 2020

The world map below shows the countries mentioned most frequently in the New York Times based on the number of articles with relevant geolocation tags from 2010 to 2020.

According to the map, China is the nations mentioned much often in the news. In opposition, African countries barely get mentioned at all.

Additionally, you can read the following books published by the staff of New York Times.

• The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes
• The New York Times Strictly Medium Crossword Puzzles

If you want to discover the countries that have been most frequently featured in the headlines of the Chinese newspaper People’s Daily each month since 1947, click here.

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The 2020s would rank as the third-highest appreciating decade to grow real estate prices in history. Yes, prices are going up fast, but not as fast as some may make you think. The record in the growth rate of real estate prices belongs to the 70s.

The cause for the high real estate prices in the United States is not enough buildings and the cost to build. The share of owner-occupant households is growing much faster than the number of investor-owned houses.

Nowadays, the United States has had record-low buildings for years after the last crash, and that building has never caught up. With supply chain problems, the time to build has grown dramatically, and the actual number of households being built is extremely low.

Below is the map created TitleMax team that shows where real estate prices in the United States are appreciating and depreciating the fastest.

If we take a more extended historical period, the picture of rising real estate prices may look different. Below is a graph of American city housing price changes since 1991 created by Reddit user fred_fotch using Federal Housing Finance Agency data.

According to this data, the Austin metropolitan area has had the most significant changes in home prices since 1991.

The post Where real estate prices are rising the fastest in the U.S. appeared first on Vivid Maps.

One school of thought argues that corruption hinders economic growth by distorting the allocation of resources, reducing efficiency, and discouraging foreign investment. When corruption is prevalent, businesses may be more focused on paying bribes than on improving their products or services, leading to a less competitive market. Additionally, corruption can erode public trust in government institutions, further hindering economic development.

On the other hand, some argue that corruption can grease the wheels of commerce in certain contexts, facilitating transactions and reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies. In countries where the legal system is weak or regulations are burdensome, corruption can sometimes provide a way to navigate complex processes and get things done.

Nevertheless, it is evident that the most democratic and least corrupt countries have the highest GDP per capita values. The maps below show Corruption Perceptions Index and GDP per capita by country.

Corruption Perceptions Index

GDP per capita

Empirical studies on the relationship between corruption and economic growth have yielded mixed results. Some studies have found a negative correlation, suggesting that higher levels of corruption are associated with lower economic growth. Others have found a more nuanced relationship, where corruption may have different effects depending on the context and level of development of a country.

For example, in a study conducted by Mauro (1995), it was found that a one standard deviation increase in corruption levels is associated with a decrease in the annual growth rate of GDP per capita by 0.72 percentage points. This suggests that corruption can have a significant negative impact on economic growth.

The graph below, created by Reddit user arrogantargonian, shows GDP per capita versus estimated public-sector corruption.

In summary, while the relationship between corruption and economic growth is complex and context-dependent, there is evidence to suggest that reducing corruption can lead to improved economic outcomes. Implementing effective anti-corruption measures, such as transparency initiatives, strong enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and promoting a culture of integrity, can help countries mitigate the negative effects of corruption and promote sustainable economic growth.

The post The Relationship Between Corruption and Economic Growth Around the World appeared first on Vivid Maps.

Key Facts

• Chicago will be the next city in the United States to reach 10 million+ in population.
• The population of Angola’s largest city (Luanda) is projected to increase by 60% by 2030.
• Jakarta is projected to be the world’s largest megacity in 2030.
• Japan’s largest cities are expected to experience a population decline.

Current Megacities: Titans of Today

Currently, there are 33 megacities on Earth: New York City, Los Angeles, Mexico, Lima, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio, London, Paris, Moscow, Istanbul, Tehran, Cairo, Lagos, Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Seoul, Tianjin, Beijing, Wuhan, Shenzen, Guangzhou, HCM, Bangkok, Dhaka, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Karachi, Bangalore, Manika, Jakarta.

The map below shows the main megacity regions of the world, including population density and GDP created by Parag Khanna.

Top 5 largest megacities worldwide

• Tokyo, Japan: With a population exceeding 37 million in its metropolitan area, Tokyo is the undisputed king of megacities. It seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, pulsating with energy day and night.
• Delhi, India: India’s capital is a microcosm of the nation’s diversity, home to over 30 million people. Its vibrant streets teem with life, echoing centuries of history and culture.
• São Paulo, Brazil: South America’s largest city, São Paulo, is a sprawling metropolis of over 22 million residents. It serves as the economic engine of Brazil, bustling with trade, industry, and innovation.
• Shanghai, China: China’s financial hub, Shanghai, dazzles with its futuristic skyline and a population exceeding 27 million. It epitomizes the country’s rapid urbanization and economic growth.
• New York City, USA: The Big Apple, with its iconic skyline and the melting pot of cultures, boasts a population of over 20 million. It remains a global center for finance, media, and the arts.

Future Megacities: Rise of the Urban Giants

Another six megacities are on the way by 2030: Chicago, Bogota, Baghdad, Dar Es Salaam, Luanda, and Chennai. The map below, created by Visualcapitalist.com, using Euromonitor International Data shows the world’s new megacities in the near future.

Top 5 largest megacities in the near future

• Lagos, Nigeria: Africa’s largest city is on track to become a megacity in the coming decades, with its population projected to surpass 30 million by 2030. Its dynamic energy and entrepreneurial spirit are driving its ascent.
• Dhaka, Bangladesh: Dhaka’s population is rapidly increasing due to migration and high birth rates, with over 21 million residents currently.
• Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: As one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, Kinshasa is expected to exceed 20 million residents by 2030. Its strategic location along the Congo River positions it as a vital economic and cultural hub.
• Karachi, Pakistan: Pakistan’s largest city is already home to over 20 million people, and its population is projected to continue surging.
• Jakarta, Indonesia: With over 10 million residents currently, Jakarta is rapidly urbanizing, driven by migration and economic development. It faces significant challenges such as flooding and congestion but remains a beacon of opportunity for many Indonesians.

Interested in delving deeper into megacities? Explore these books for more insight.

• Megacities: Living in the World’s Largest Cities
• New York (Megacities)
• Tokyo Megacity

The post The World’s New Megacities: Developing countries will dominate megacity growth over the next two decades appeared first on Vivid Maps.

A Brief History of Opioid Use

The use of opioids dates back to ancient civilizations where opium poppies were cultivated for their pain-relieving properties. In the United States, opioid use surged in the late 1990s when pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that prescription opioids were safe and non-addictive. This led to widespread prescription of opioid medications, which in turn led to widespread misuse before it became clear that these drugs were indeed highly addictive.

The Path to Addiction

Opioids work by binding to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing the perception of pain. They also release large amounts of dopamine, creating a sense of euphoria. This combination of pain relief and intense pleasure can easily lead to physical dependence and addiction. People who use opioids may develop a tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects, which increases the risk of overdose.

The Rising Rates of Overdose Deaths

Drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for US citizens under the age of 50, who are now more likely to die from a drug overdose (14.1 deaths per 100,000 persons) than from firearms (11.8 deaths per 100,000 persons) or car accidents.

Some U.S. counties that have an extremely high rate of overdose deaths. There’s concern that drugs like fentanyl are filling the void left by falling prescription sales of opioids. The map of the United States below created by visualcapitalist shows overdose deaths in the country.

The rates of opioid overdose deaths have increased dramatically over the past two decades. In 1999, there were approximately 8,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in the U.S. By 2022, that number had soared to over 81,806 deaths annually . This sharp increase is attributed to several factors:

1. Overprescribing of opioids: Initially, the overprescription of opioid pain relievers led to widespread misuse.
2. Transition to illegal opioids: As regulations tightened on prescription opioids, many individuals turned to heroin, which is cheaper and more accessible.
3. Rise of synthetic opioids: Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are significantly more potent than heroin and have been increasingly found in the illegal drug supply, often without the users’ knowledge, leading to higher rates of overdose.

Why Are Death Rates Increasing?

The increase in opioid overdose deaths can be linked to several key factors:

• Potency of synthetic opioids: Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are extremely potent, with even small doses being potentially fatal.
• Lack of awareness and education: Many individuals are unaware of the presence of synthetic opioids in the drugs they are using, which can lead to accidental overdoses.
• Limited access to treatment: Access to addiction treatment and recovery services is often limited, leaving many people without the help they need to overcome their addiction.

Tips for Those Struggling with Opioid Addiction

For individuals who are struggling with opioid addiction, the following tips may be helpful:

1. Seek professional help: Reach out to healthcare providers, addiction specialists, or local support groups. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using drugs like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone can be effective.
2. Build a support system: Engage family, friends, and support groups to create a network of people who can provide encouragement and assistance.
3. Stay informed: Educate yourself about the risks of opioid use, especially the dangers associated with synthetic opioids.
4. Use harm reduction strategies: If you continue to use opioids, consider using harm reduction strategies such as naloxone (Narcan) to reverse overdoses and needle exchange programs to reduce the risk of infectious diseases.

Want to learn more about the opioid epidemic? We recommend checking out the following books available on Amazon.

• Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic
• The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth
• Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic

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Most millionaires aren’t jet-setting billionaires. Many just crossed that threshold with rising property values or years of saving. But where do they all live? And has that changed much in the last few years?

Let’s take a closer look at where millionaires were clustered back in 2019, and how that distribution looks now in 2024.

Back in 2019: The Pre-COVID Wealth Map

Before the pandemic, the global millionaire population was estimated at just under 47 million. About 40% of them lived in the United States—more than four times the number in second-place China. Most other millionaires were concentrated in developed countries with long-established middle and upper classes.

Here’s what the global ranking looked like back then:

Top 25 Countries in 2019 (Millionaires in thousands)

Fast Forward to 2024: What’s Changed?

After the pandemic, a lot of things shifted—markets bounced, inflation spiked, and real estate values took off in many countries. That led to a jump in the number of people reaching millionaire status.

Here’s how the top 25 list looks now, based on 2024 data from DataPandas.org:

Top 25 Countries in 2024 (Millionaires)

Why Some Countries Gained More Than Others

The U.S. continues to lead by a wide margin—about 42% of all millionaires worldwide live there. That number grew by nearly 6 million since 2019, driven by market gains, housing prices, and post-pandemic recovery.

China also saw a sharp rise in new millionaires, thanks to urban development, tech startups, and the rise of private wealth, though that growth has started to cool recently.

France, the UK, and Canada all moved up slightly in rank. Meanwhile, Italy and Russia lost some ground, not because they’re getting poorer necessarily, but because their millionaire growth just didn’t keep pace with other countries.

Singapore is an interesting case. It doesn’t even crack the top 20 in terms of population, but it now has nearly 300,000 millionaires. It’s a popular destination for wealthy investors, thanks to low taxes and political stability.

The Bigger Picture

So, what does all this mean? For one, it shows how tightly linked national economies are to personal wealth. Countries with stable financial systems, strong real estate markets, and tech innovation tend to produce more millionaires, at least in the current era.

It also reminds us that while the number of millionaires is growing, wealth is still extremely concentrated. Over 99% of adults worldwide aren’t millionaires, and half the planet owns less than 1% of total wealth.

Still, it’s useful to track where wealth is moving. It helps us understand global economic trends, and it says something about where people see opportunities to build and keep wealth.

Got thoughts about this shift? Surprised by which countries climbed or fell? Drop your comment below—I’d love to hear what stood out to you.

The post Where the World’s Millionaires Live appeared first on Vivid Maps.

www.titlemax.com

Most spent per capita
1.New Hampshire – $1,567.39
2. Vermont – $1,249.85
3. Delaware – $1,213.54
4. Nevada – $1,210.78
5. Maine – $1,196.06
6. South Dakota – $1,154.58
7. Wyoming – $1,119.98
8. Florida – $1,105.89
9. Alaska – $1,094.33
10. Hawaii – $1,092.92

Top 10 holidays by Total Spending
1. Winter holidays – $678,800
2. Back to school (includes college) – $83,600
3. Mother’s day – $23,600
4. Easter – $18,400
5. Valentine’s Day – $18,200
6. Father’s Day – $15,500
7. Super Bowl – $14,100
8. Halloween – $9,100
9. Graduation – $5,600
10. Saint Patrick’s Day – $5,300

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