From across the newsroom
Latest posts
View all
China's GDP Tops $19.6 Trillion. The Hard Part Starts Now.
The economy hit $19,628 billion in 2025, up from just $47 billion in 1962. But after decades of breakneck growth, momentum is slowing and the path to overtaking the US looks steeper than ever.
West Sumatra Has Over 13,000 Mushola — and Just One Hindu Temple
BPS data for 2022 records 13,372 mushola across the province — more than double the number of mosques. Kelenteng (Chinese temples) count zero, while a lone Pura serves the Hindu community.
Japan's Male 30-34 Population Shrinks 43% Over 40 Years
e-Stat data shows Japan's male 30-34 population slid from 5.71 million in 1981 to 3.27 million in 2023, a 43% drop over 40 years; 2024 ticked up to 3.29 million.
China's Urban Rail Network Shrank in 2024. That's a First.
After 14 years of growth, China's urban rail network shrank in 2024, dropping to 10,924 km from 11,225 km—ending the world's longest metro expansion streak.
Why Ill North Sumatrans Prefer Self-Treatment Over Clinics
BPS 2023 figures: self-treatment is the top reason sick North Sumatrans forgo formal care. Sibolga (87.5%), Nias (84.7%), Tanjungbalai (82.7%) led.
Singapore Population: 2025 Total Peak vs. 1980 PR Low
Total population reached 6,111,175 in 2025, the highest reading, while permanent resident numbers recorded a low of 87,845 back in 1980, the dataset's smallest value.
Japan's Male 30–34 Population: 5.7M Peak to 3.3M Trough
Fifty years of data show Japan's male 30-34 population peaked at 5.71 million in 1981 and fell to 3.27 million in 2023 before a slight rise in 2024.
China's Solar Capacity: 0.9 GW to 680 GW Over 15 Years
China's cumulative solar PV capacity surged from 0.9 GW in 2010 to 680 GW in 2025, lifting its share of world installations from 2.3% to 36.8%, IRENA data shows.
