Maps

Study Determines the Countries Most Crowded with Tourists

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The global tourism industry is more significant than ever as jetsetters head for new sights, cultures, and sensations. All travelers have their own draws to a destination. Some seek out beautiful natural scenes, others want to visit culture-packed cities, and others focus on food quality. This map from Irish Dual Citizenship gives us further insight into what global tourists value most when traveling.

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Which Countries Are the Most (and Least) Crowded With Tourists?

The team determined that these ten countries are packed with the most tourists:

  • France
  • Poland
  • Mexico
  • United States
  • Thailand
  • Italy
  • Czech Republic
  • Spain
  • Canada
  • Hungary

The countries that receive the least visitors are:

  • American Samoa
  • Tuvalu
  • Solomon Islands
  • Marshall Islands
  • Comoros
  • Chad
  • Kiribati
  • Micronesia
  • Palau
  • Samoa
  • Moldova

We can see from the most popular list that affordability plays a large role in travel destination choice. Poland is the most affordable European country to visit, and Mexico offers incredible food and beachside resorts for some of the lowest prices. People flock to gorgeous natural scenery like the United States National Parks or the beaches and rainforests of Thailand. Still others seek out unique culture, which is why France is a perennial favorite destination along with other European destinations like Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, and Hungary.

On the flip side, safety issues drive tourists away. Many of the countries at the very bottom of the list are dangerous due to violent crime, active war zones, or terrorism. Some countries are too remote and rugged to travel to, or they just aren’t on the international radar as an appealing destination.

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Charts

America’s Birthday Patterns Reveal Demographics in New Chart

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Have you ever noticed that certain months seem to have daily birthdays in your social circle? Kremp Florist’s new study shows birth patterns that reveal remarkable consistency in when people are born and interesting age variations across the states. Through analysis of data from 29.8 million births recorded from the CDC WONDER Natality database and nearly 16 million census survey responses, the data unveils hidden demographic patterns that shape everything from our family planning to regional economics.

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What Is the Most Common Birthday Month and Year in the U.S.?

The standout finding is in the most popular birth month. August is by far the most common birth month in 45 out of 50 states. This consistency reflects a few factors that we can tie to conception periods. Late fall to early winter is an ideal time to start a pregnancy. Counting nine months back from August indicates a conception period in November to December. Chill outdoor temperatures encourage more intimate indoor time, and festive dates like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s provide opportunities for relaxation and celebration. The positive mood can foster romantic connections.

Science also supports this pattern, suggesting that sperm quality peaks during the winter months and declines in the summer heat since sperm prefer a cooler environment, and high temperatures reduce the quantity and mobility of sperm. Female fertility is affected by the seasons, too. Shorter fall and winter days boost melatonin production, which supports the circadian rhythms that stabilize fertility hormones like prolactin.

The data also goes so far as to reveal the most common single birthday in America. While August dominates the monthly birthday rate, the most common individual birthday is September 9th. There have been about 12,301 birthdays celebrated annually on that day for the past 20 years. This specific birthday is a shared experience for many people, including celebrities like Adam Sandler, Otis Redding, Michael Bublé, Hugh Grant, Leo Tolstoy, and Colonel Sanders.

The team’s analysis also shows us state-by-state age demographics that reflect economic opportunities, migration patterns, and other cultural factors. Maine is the oldest state in America, with a median age of 55. Populations there are living longer, and birth rates are on the decline. Utah has the youngest population, with an average age of 37. The youthful makeup of Utah stems from the state’s high birth rates and youthful urban population.

We generally see older populations in northeastern states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Delaware. Western and mountain states skew younger, like in Idaho, Texas, and Colorado. These demographics are influenced by economic development, healthcare demands, educational opportunities, and other factors that influence migration to and from the state and longevity.

Kremp’s graphic shows some fascinating regional patterns and consistency trends in ages and birth timing. All these factors help shape America’s diverse landscape and unique regional identities.

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Charts

Chart Shows Where Retirement Dreams Meet Financial Reality With State Ranking by Affordability

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Retirement is a hard-earned chapter of life where older people can escape the daily grind of a busy workweek to focus on their health, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones. While many potential retirees dream of warm weather and sandy beaches, they’re forced to make plans based on financial realities. Many people want to know where they can stretch their savings the farthest. Each state offers its own charms and advantages, but the team at Ooma presents the real financial situation with a ranking by affordability.

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The most (and least) expensive states for retirees

A Stark Financial Divide

Ooma’s analysis reveals dramatic differences in cost across each statement in America. They’ve determined the minimum savings needed to get by, and the results ranged from a modest $713,000 in West Virginia to a huge sum of $2.2 million in Hawaii. Their research combined nine factors to create the 400-point scoring system. Categories included savings thresholds, assisted living costs, tax burdens, memory care expenses, healthcare expenditures, and home care rates. Combined, this score reflects the true cost of retirement.

We see Hawaii emerging as the most expensive state to retire in by far. Their geographic isolation drives up the cost of living, which is common for island life. Assisted living costs are staggering, too, at $139,807 per year, and memory care reaches $11,000 a month. These costs can suck up retirement savings fast. California was the second-most expensive state, followed by Massachusetts, which both prove how steep the price of a fun lifestyle or premium healthcare can be.

The Budget-Friendly States

At the opposite end of the spectrum lies Mississippi, the most affordable state to retire in. Assisted living costs about $54,943 a year and home care costs about $25 an hour, which creates a great option for budget-conscious retirees. Alabama and Oklahoma are also on the affordable end of the spectrum, combining low living costs with affordable healthcare and tax-friendly policies.

Tax Policy Makes a Powerful Impact

State tax policies create significant cost differences between states that affect basic living expenses. Seven states on the list earned a “very tax-friendly” status due to eliminating most retirement-related taxes. These states were Alaska, Florida, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota, Georgia, and Mississippi. These states don’t tax retirement income or Social Security benefits and have minimal property taxes. On the other end of the scale, California, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Nebraska have the heaviest tax burdens which can eat up to 10.73% of income. These factors can’t be ignored when considering retirement costs.

Considering Healthcare Cost

Healthcare expenses are significant for aging people, and Utah has the most affordable healthcare, while New York has the most expensive healthcare. However, it’s important to consider that price often reflects healthcare quality. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York have the most expensive healthcare but are also the highest rated.

Paying for a Lifestyle

Despite high costs, we can see on the chart that some of the most expensive states are the most popular. Hawaii, California, and Florida are the retirement dream for anyone seeking warm weather and beautiful beaches. Luckily, research like the data presented here can help people effectively plan for whatever retirement future they dream of.

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New Study is the Ultimate Guide to Snowbird Destinations

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Many people find winters to be intolerably brutal, especially older people who have chronic aches and pains. The solution for many is to migrate south like the birds to soak in warmer weather and sunshine. Hence the term “snowbird!” Snowbirds escape the dreary northern weather months for the American Sun Belt. But there are many options in terms of states and counties to live in. That’s where a new study from the Florida Rentals team comes in. They created a careful analysis based on, first of all, weather, but also other important factors like cost of living and age demographics.

The study analyzed all 50 states and applied its scoring system to them. In the highest-scoring states, the team also scored specific counties in those states. The methodology weighed the weather the most heavily.

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What Are the Best Places in the U.S. for Snowbirds?

Florida Has a Slam Dunk Snowbird Score

Florida took a healthy lead in snowbird scores, which comes as no surprise since it’s known as a snowbird paradise. The state scored 88.19 out of 100 thanks to sunshine and warm temperatures year-round, fairly low taxes, and a high population of people over 65. The Sunshine State population is 21.6% over 65, and the average winter temperatures are 59.4 degrees, and of course, no snow. These conditions draw around a million snowbirds to Florida every year, enough to increase the state population by 5% in the winter months.

As for other high-scoring states, another southern state rich in beaches, South Carolina, comes in second at 85.91 points. It’s followed by New Mexico and Arizona, both desert states, scoring 84.41 and 84.19, respectively. New Mexico and Arizona have the added bonus of low humidity, a great soother to people with chronic pain conditions like arthritis.

Choosing the Best Snowbird Counties

Many people are aware of which state they’d like to live in for the winter, but the team can help prospective snowbirds decide on a specific location with their county scores. Diving deeper into the data, we find that Florida has 60% of the top 10 high-scoring snowbird counties. Citrus County leads with a score of 88.12, a hidden gem with a high senior population, 6% sales tax rate, 60.9° F average winter temperatures, and roughly $3,563 monthly cost of living. Delve into the team’s other data to learn more about great snowbird counties.

Snowbird Scores Beyond Weather

While climate will always be the most important factor in a migration based entirely on temperature and weather, the team made sure to consider other key factors. Economics can play a huge role in a person’s decision to move. The county analysis helped in this consideration since Collier County, containing the city of Naples, Florida, is highly sought after, but the team shows us it’s also one of the most expensive locations.

Budget-conscious snowbirds might look to warm states with a low cost of living, like Arkansas, as a more affordable alternative to Florida or South Carolina. Overall, this is a comprehensive analysis of the best locations for snowbirds to flock to before the weather takes a turn for the chilly.

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