World Facts

Forbes counted 3,428 billionaires in 2026 worth a record $20.1 trillion. The United States holds 989 of them, China 610 and India 229, with 15 of the twenty richest people living in America.

Greenland holds the world's eighth-largest rare earth reserves. Its biggest deposit is blocked by a uranium law, and the project that can proceed is not expected to produce ore until 2029.

Oil, coal and gas supplied about 86% of world primary energy in 2025. Renewables were the largest single source of growth, yet total energy demand grew faster still and CO2 emissions rose 1.1%.

Pakistan's 2025 monsoon floods killed 1,006 people and affected 6.9 million. The deaths and the displacement occurred in different provinces, and the reason explains how flood risk actually works.

Two rankings, two different winners. The United States operates the longest rail network at 220,044 km, almost entirely for freight, while China holds more than 70% of all high-speed rail on Earth.