📈 Human Progress
In the last decades humanity has made great progress with less extreme poverty, increased health, wealth and democracy. We follow in the tradition of professor Hans Rosling.
🔬 Microplastic levels in the atmosphere much lower than previously thought
New estimates show that the amount of atmospheric microplastics is 100 to 10,000 times lower than researchers previously calculated. The study compiled 2,782 measurements from 283 locations worldwide to create a reliable global baseline.
🤳 Study: Social media and gaming do not affect adolescents' mental health
A British study of 25,000 adolescents over three years finds no evidence that screen time leads to increased anxiety or depression. Neither active nor passive use of social media shows correlation with worsened mental health.
⚰️ US murders fell 21 percent – the largest drop ever recorded
Murder rates in 35 large US cities dropped by 21 percent in 2025, the largest single-year decrease ever recorded. The murder rate was 4 per 100,000 residents, likely the lowest level since 1900. 11 of 13 tracked crime categories decreased compared to the previous year.
🤨 Researchers question high-profile studies on microplastics in the human body
Seven studies reporting microplastics in the brain, testes, and other organs have been challenged by other researchers in scientific journals. Analytical techniques for measuring microplastics in tissue can produce false positive results because body fat can be confused with common plastics.
💧 California completely drought-free for the first time in 25 years
California has no dry areas for the first time since 2000 according to the US Drought Monitor. Heavy winter rains have filled the state's reservoirs far above historic averages.
👁️ Number of people needing treatment for trachoma has decreased by 94 percent
Trachoma is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness. The number of people requiring interventions against trachoma has dropped from 1.5 billion to 97.1 million since 2002. Over 1.1 billion doses of antibiotics have been donated to combat the disease.
📊 Africa expected to have higher economic growth than Asia for the first time
The IMF predicts that sub-Saharan Africa will grow by 4.4 percent in 2026, compared to Asia's 4.1 percent. Africa's stable outlook is supported by a weak dollar, lower debt pressure and high commodity prices for gold and copper.
🌏 Fewer people than ever before say they are living truly bad lives
33 percent of the world’s adults are now classified as “thriving” according to Gallup’s Wellbeing Index—the highest level in more than a decade. The rise in wellbeing is visible across all demographic groups. Men and women, young and old alike now rate their lives more positively than before.
🌎 Study: Economic growth without increased emissions now a reality in most countries
Countries representing 92 percent of the global economy have now decoupled consumption-based carbon emissions from GDP growth. China's emissions have plateaued over the past 18 months and may have peaked.