In 2024, Mexico ranked as the country with the second-best economic performance amongst the seven Latin American nations included in the ranking, with a index score of 49.88 in a scale from 0 to 100, only behind Puerto Rico. Venezuela obtained the worst score in this macro-economic evaluation of the domestic economy, at 28.85 index points.

In 2024, Brazil and Mexico were expected to be the countries with the largest gross domestic product (GDP) in Latin America and the Caribbean. In that year, Brazil's GDP could reach an estimated value of 2.4 trillion U.S. dollars, whereas Mexico's amounted to almost two trillion U.S. dollars. GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country in a given year. It measures the economic strength of a country and a positive change indicates economic growth.

This dataset provides values for GDP reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The U.S. manufacturing sector plays a central role in the economy, accounting for 20% of U.S. capital investment, 60% of the nation's exports and 70% of business R&D. Overall, the sector's market size, measured in terms of revenue is worth roughly $6 trillion, making it a major industry to do business with. So which U.S. states are the biggest for manufacturing? This article will explore the nation's top manufacturing states, measured by number of employees, based on MNI's database of 400,000 U.S. manufacturing companies.

Global patterns of current and future road infrastructure - Supplementary spatial data

Authors: Johan Meijer, Mark Huijbregts, Kees Schotten, Aafke Schipper

Research paper summary: Georeferenced information on road infrastructure is essential for spatial planning, socio-economic assessments and environmental impact analyses. Yet current global road maps are typically outdated or characterized by spatial bias in coverage. In the Global Roads Inventory Project we gathered, harmonized and integrated nearly 60 geospatial datasets on road infrastructure into a global roads dataset. The resulting dataset covers 222 countries and includes over 21 million km of roads, which is two to three times the total length in the currently best available country-based global roads datasets. We then related total road length per country to country area, population density, GDP and OECD membership, resulting in a regression model with adjusted R2 of 0.90, and found that that the highest road densities are associated with densely populated and wealthier countries. Applying our regression model to future population densities and GDP estimates from the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios, we obtained a tentative estimate of 3.0–4.7 million km additional road length for the year 2050. Large increases in road length were projected for developing nations in some of the world's last remaining wilderness areas, such as the Amazon, the Congo basin and New Guinea. This highlights the need for accurate spatial road datasets to underpin strategic spatial planning in order to reduce the impacts of roads in remaining pristine ecosystems.

Contents: The GRIP dataset consists of global and regional vector datasets in ESRI filegeodatabase and shapefile format, and global raster datasets of road density at a 5 arcminutes resolution (~8x8km). The GRIP dataset is mainly aimed at providing a roads dataset that is easily usable for scientific global environmental and biodiversity modelling projects. The dataset is not suitable for navigation. GRIP4 is based on many different sources (including OpenStreetMap) and to the best of our ability we have verified their public availability, as a criteria in our research. The UNSDI-Transportation datamodel was applied for harmonization of the individual source datasets. GRIP4 is provided under a Creative Commons License (CC-0) and is free to use. The GRIP database and future global road infrastructure scenario projections following the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) are described in the paper by Meijer et al (2018). Due to shapefile file size limitations the global file is only available in ESRI filegeodatabase format.

Regional coding of the other vector datasets in shapefile and ESRI fgdb format:

• Region 1: North America
• Region 2: Central and South America
• Region 3: Africa
• Region 4: Europe
• Region 5: Middle East and Central Asia
• Region 6: South and East Asia
• Region 7: Oceania

Road density raster data:

• Total density, all types combined
• Type 1 density (highways)
• Type 2 density (primary roads)
• Type 3 density (secondary roads)
• Type 4 density (tertiary roads)
• Type 5 density (local roads)

Keyword: global, data, roads, infrastructure, network, global roads inventory project (GRIP), SSP scenarios

Thunnus Market Outlook

In 2023, the global thunnus market size was valued at approximately $10 billion, and it is projected to reach around $15.5 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the forecast period. The growth of this market is primarily driven by the rising demand for seafood due to increasing health consciousness among consumers and the nutritional benefits associated with tuna fish, including high protein content and omega-3 fatty acids. The thunnus genus, which encompasses several commercially valuable species of tuna, is witnessing a surge in demand as consumers seek versatile and healthier protein options.

One of the significant growth factors for the thunnus market is the expanding global population, combined with urbanization trends that are shifting dietary preferences towards protein-rich and nutritious food sources. Tuna fish, being rich in essential nutrients and low in fat, fits well into this evolving consumer trend. Additionally, the rising awareness about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, such as improved cardiovascular health and cognitive function, has bolstered the consumption of tuna products. This transition is further supported by the growing adoption of healthier diets and increasing disposable incomes, particularly in emerging economies where people are keen to diversify their diets with more seafood.

Technological advancements in fishing and aquaculture, along with improvements in supply chain logistics, have significantly contributed to the growth of the thunnus market. Innovations in fishing techniques have enhanced the efficiency and sustainability of tuna harvesting, ensuring a more stable supply of high-quality fish. Moreover, advancements in freezing and preservation technologies have improved the shelf life of tuna products, facilitating their distribution across global markets. This has allowed consumers worldwide to access a variety of tuna products, whether canned, fresh, or frozen, leading to increased market penetration and consumption.

The thunnus market is also experiencing substantial growth due to the increasing popularity of Asian cuisines, where tuna plays a central role, particularly in dishes like sushi and sashimi. The globalization of these culinary trends has led to a broader acceptance and consumption of tuna products in western countries, further driving market growth. Additionally, the expansion of food service industries, including restaurants and cafes that are incorporating tuna into their menus, has amplified the demand for both fresh and processed tuna products.

From a regional outlook, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest share of the thunnus market, driven by high consumption rates in countries like Japan, which is renowned for its substantial appetite for tuna, particularly the bluefin species. North America and Europe are also significant markets due to the growing interest in healthy eating and the popularity of sushi and other tuna-based dishes. The Latin America and Middle East & Africa regions are expected to witness moderate growth, supported by economic advancements and a growing middle-class population interested in diversifying their dietary intake.

Species Analysis

The thunnus market is categorized into several species, including Albacore, Bigeye, Bluefin, Skipjack, Yellowfin, and others, each with distinct market dynamics and consumer preferences. Albacore tuna, often referred to as "white meat," is highly valued for its mild flavor and firm texture, making it a popular choice among consumers who prefer a less intense taste. The demand for albacore is primarily driven by its use in canned tuna products, which are widely consumed due to their convenience and affordability. As a result, the albacore segment holds a significant share in the thunnus market, appealing to both household consumers and food service providers who require consistent quality and flavor.

Bigeye tuna, known for its rich flavor and high-fat content, is sought after for sashimi and sushi, particularly in Asian markets where premium quality seafood is in high demand. The bigeye segment is supported by its esteemed status among culinary enthusiasts and chefs who prioritize flavor and texture in their dishes. However, the bigeye population faces challenges due to overfishing, prompting regulatory bodies to enforce sustainable fishing practices to ensure the long-term viability of this species. Consequently, the bigeye market is characterized by a balance between meeting consumer demand and adhering to conservation efforts, which affects its market

In 2020, Uruguay was estimated to be the country which best promoted equal opportunities for social advancement in Latin America. According to the Global Social Mobility Index (GSMI), Uruguay was awarded 67.1 points out of 100 in the area of social mobility, the highest score among all the Latin American countries surveyed, and in the 35th position among 82 nations studied worldwide. This index is an aggregate of several indicators regarding health, education, and working conditions. The higher the score, the more that particular economy provides equal opportunities for social advancement. Uruguay was also the Latin American country with the best score in corruption perception.

In 1938, the year before the Second World War, the United States had, by far, the largest economy in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). The five Allied Great Powers that emerged victorious from the war, along with the three Axis Tripartite Pact countries that were ultimately defeated made up the eight largest independent economies in 1938.

When values are converted into 1990 international dollars, the U.S. GDP was over 800 billion dollars in 1938, which was more than double that of the second largest economy, the Soviet Union. Even the combined economies of the UK, its dominions, and colonies had a value of just over 680 billion 1990 dollars, showing that the United States had established itself as the world's leading economy during the interwar period (despite the Great Depression).

Interestingly, the British and Dutch colonies had larger combined GDPs than their respective metropoles, which was a key motivator for the Japanese invasion of these territories in East Asia during the war. Trade with neutral and non-belligerent countries also contributed greatly to the economic development of Allied and Axis powers throughout the war; for example, natural resources from Latin America were essential to the American war effort, while German manufacturing was often dependent on Swedish iron supplies.

South Africa's GDP was estimated at just over 403 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, the highest in Africa. Egypt followed, with a GDP worth around 380 billion U.S. dollars, and ranked as the second-highest on the continent. Algeria ranked third, with about 260 billion U.S. dollars. These African economies are among some of the fastest-growing economies worldwide. Dependency on oil For some African countries, the oil industry represents an enormous source of income. In Nigeria, oil generates over five percent of the country’s GDP in the third quarter of 2023. However, economies such as the Libyan, Algerian, or Angolan are even much more dependent on the oil sector. In Libya, for instance, oil rents account for over 40 percent of the GDP. Indeed, Libya is one of the economies most dependent on oil worldwide. Similarly, oil represents for some of Africa’s largest economies a substantial source of export value. The giants do not make the ranking Most of Africa’s largest economies do not appear in the leading ten African countries for GDP per capita. The GDP per capita is calculated by dividing a country’s GDP by its population. Therefore, a populated country with a low total GDP will have a low GDP per capita, while a small rich nation has a high GDP per capita. For instance, South Africa has Africa’s highest GDP, but also counts the sixth-largest population, so wealth has to be divided into its big population. The GDP per capita also indicates how a country’s wealth reaches each of its citizens. In Africa, Seychelles has the greatest GDP per capita.