Our World in Data

What Americans die from vs. what the news reports on

What do Americans die from, and what do the New York Times, Washington Post, and Fox News report on?

Out of all major energy sources, nuclear is the safest

Fossil fuels are the dirtiest and most dangerous energy sources, while nuclear and modern renewable energy sources are vastly safer and cleaner.

Who Americans spend their time with, by age

How do people across the world spend their time? How do daily activities differ across countries, and how do these differences matter for people’s lives? Explore data and research on time use.

The price of lithium-ion batteries has declined by 97% in the last three decades

Batteries have become much cheaper, making energy storage far more affordable.

The world is awful. The world is much better. The world can be much better

It is wrong to think these three statements contradict each other. We need to see that they are all true to see that a better world is possible.

The United Kingdom generates less electricity per person than in the 1970s

Globally, electricity generation per person has grown by more than 50% this century.

HPV vaccination: How the world can eliminate cervical cancer

HPV vaccines offer a rare opportunity to effectively eliminate one type of cancer. By taking this opportunity, it’s possible to save hundreds of thousands of women each year.

Why did renewables become so cheap so fast?

In most places, power from new renewables is now cheaper than new fossil fuels.

Weather forecasts have become more accurate

A four-day forecast today is as accurate as a one-day forecast 30 years ago.

Around one-in-three children globally suffer from lead poisoning

Estimates suggest that around every third child in the world suffers from lead poisoning. What can we do to reduce this?

Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not

The world needs ideas and innovation to make progress. Creative and talented people are everywhere, but the opportunity to develop is limited to only a small number of well-off children. The world loses out as a result.

After millennia of expansion, the world has passed ‘peak agricultural land’

The world produces more food than ever, but the amount of land we use is now falling. This means we can feed more people while restoring wild habitat.

Childhood leukemia: how a deadly cancer became treatable

Before the 1970s, most children affected by leukemia would quickly die from it. Now, most children in rich countries are cured.

Wild mammals are making a comeback in Europe

Hunting and habitat loss drove many large mammals in Europe close to extinction. New data shows us that many of the continent’s mammal populations are flourishing again.

Wild mammal biomass has declined by 85% since the rise of humans

Explore the diversity of wildlife across the planet. What are species threatened with? What can we do to prevent biodiversity loss?

Cancer death rates are falling, five-year survival rates rising

Cancers are one of the leading causes of death globally. Are we making progress against them?

Global sales of combustion engine cars have peaked

To decarbonize road transport, the world must move away from petrol and diesel cars towards electric vehicles and other forms of low-carbon transport.

Where does air pollution come from?

A breakdown of the sources of many air pollutants that damage our health and ecosystems.

How old are democracies across the world?

It doesn't cost much to improve someone's life

Most countries spend less than 1% of their national income on foreign aid; even small increases could make a big difference.

Where does the plastic in oceans come from?

Which countries and rivers emit the most plastic to the ocean? What does this mean for solutions to tackle plastic pollution?

Guinea worm disease is close to being eradicated (2022)

In the late 1980s, there were near a million new cases of guinea worm disease recorded worldwide. In 2021, there were only 15. How was this achieved?

Are we happier when we spend more time with others?

In this topic page, we explore data on loneliness and social connections and review available evidence on the link between social connections and well-being.

The global population pyramid

Global demographic transition signals a shift from young, growing populations to older, stable ones, reshaping societies and economies.

India will soon overtake China to become the most populous country in the world

Explore data from the United Nations World Population Prospects.

Global deforestation peaked in the 1980s

There was a marked acceleration in deforestation in the 20th century. But, global deforestation peaked in the 1980s. Since then, it has slowed.

There are now more people over sixty-four than children younger than five

What is the age profile of populations around the world? How did it change and what will the age structure of populations look like in the future?

Nearly half of teenagers globally cannot read with comprehension

The chart shows the share of children at the end of lower-secondary school age — aged 12 to 15 — who meet the minimum proficiency set by UNESCO in reading comprehension. This means they can connect the main ideas across various texts, understand the author’s intentions, and draw reasoned conclusions.

Our World in Data: Suicide

Suicide rates can be reduced with greater understanding and support for people at risk.

The history of the end of poverty has just begun

The decline of global poverty is one of the most important achievements in history, but the end of poverty is still very far away.