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economic impact
Maps / 12 weeks ago
Global ageing trends: UN report reveals median age by region in 2025
The world’s population is ageing at an unprecedented pace, but this trend is far from uniform across different parts of the globe. According to the United Nations’ World Population Prospects 2024 (the UN’s latest population report), the median age – the age at which half the population is older and half younger – reached about 31 years globally in 2025. This is a sharp increase from around 22 years in 1950, reflecting decades of rising life expectancy and falling birth rates worldwide. However, a closer look at regional age comparison data reveals striking disparities: some regions remain very young, while others are greying rapidly. Below, we explore the median age by world region in 2025 and the historical trends since 1950.
Maps / 16 weeks ago
These countries are projected to lose millions of population by 2050
A map by The World in Maps, supported by data from the World Population Review, reveals that several major nations are expected to experience significant population declines by 2050. The infographic, created in collaboration with Nazar, outlines the top countries facing projected population loss and highlights the urgent need for policy changes around migration, fertility, and ageing populations.
Culture / 21 weeks ago
How the short-term rental boom is reshaping global travel and local economies
Search Logistics has revealed the top 10 countries with the highest number of Airbnb listings, underlining just how deeply short-term rental culture has become embedded in global tourism. Topping the chart is the United States, boasting over 2.2 million listings, followed by France and China, each surpassing the 1 million mark.
Business / 24 weeks ago
Honey production market buzzes toward $15.4 billion by 2030 - Here are the top producers
The global honey industry is flourishing, with India, China, and Iran topping the list of countries with the highest number of beehives, an essential measure of honey production capacity. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Report Linker, this surge in production aligns with growing global demand for natural, health-conscious sweeteners, pushing the market's value from $9.3 billion in 2023 to a projected $15.4 billion by 2030.
Environment / 34 weeks ago
The alarming truth: Only 9% of the world's plastic waste gets recycled
The world is facing a plastic crisis, with millions of tons of plastic waste generated every year. Despite efforts to increase recycling rates, the reality is grim: only 9% of the world's plastic waste gets recycled, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The majority—nearly 50%—ends up in landfills, while 19% is incinerated. Alarmingly, 22% of plastic waste is mismanaged, meaning it leaks into the environment through open dumping, uncontrolled burning, or being lost in nature, ultimately contributing to the growing crisis of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and ecosystems.
