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World / 3 weeks ago
5 of the world’s 10 largest countries now below replacement-level fertility
Across much of the world, people are having fewer children than ever before. A new visual from World Visualised, using World Bank data, shows a striking pattern: between 2000 and 2023, fertility rates in the ten largest countries have fallen sharply, and in five of them, they’ve dropped below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. According to the data, this includes China, Russia, the United States, Brazil, and Indonesia, nations that together make up nearly half of the world’s population. Meanwhile, countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India have also seen steady declines, though their rates remain above replacement for now.
Politics / 4 weeks ago
The global development divide: where nations stand in 2025
The world remains deeply unequal in terms of development. A new study categorises countries into three broad groups, developed, developing, and least developed, showing how far apart nations still are in wealth, stability, and opportunity. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) classifies economies mainly as advanced or emerging, or developing based on income, industrialisation, and integration into the global financial system.
Business / 9 weeks ago
How many years of work does it take to buy one bitcoin?
In 2025, Bitcoin has once again captured headlines as prices remain near historic highs. According to data from the IMF’s 2025 World Economic Outlook, the number of years an average worker would need to save to buy a single Bitcoin ranges from just one year in the richest countries to over four decades in the poorest. This visualisation is as much about global inequality as it is about crypto adoption. In North America, Western Europe, and parts of Asia, where incomes are highest, the cost of one Bitcoin is roughly equivalent to one to three years of earnings.
Business / 19 weeks ago
Global South economies to watch in 2025
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its 2025 World Economic Outlook which spotlights the Global South as a crucial engine of global economic momentum. Amidst modest global growth, the IMF forecasts that several developing economies are poised for significant expansion in 2025, with India, Argentina, and Indonesia leading the pack.
Business / 37 weeks ago
The biggest growth drivers of Asia's economy in 2025
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), global growth will be 3.3% in 2025, with Asia expected to be a key growth driver. China tops Asia's economic charts, with Japan and India following closely. Together, these three nations command a substantial 66.2% share of the continent’s economy. South Korea and Indonesia round out the top five, while the leading eight economies collectively account for 82% of Asia's total economic output. Conversely, Timor-Leste represents the smallest economy in the region.
Business / 1 year ago
Top 5 largest economies in Africa in 2024
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its latest projections for the largest economies in Africa for 2024. These rankings are based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices, reflecting the economic strength and growth potential of each country.
