> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🎓 2x Student Grants. Gas Reliance. Childbirth. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/2x-student-grants-30-gas-child-birth/ - Published: 2024-03-25T11:30:49.000Z - Updated: 2024-03-25T11:30:48.000Z - Description: Chart of the Day #56 looks at Postsecondary Education, Energy Consumption, and Child Birth. - Author: QS - Tags: Charts [**Hei**](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Finnish/Hyv%C3%A4%C3%A4%5Fp%C3%A4iv%C3%A4%C3%A4?ref=newsletters.qs.com) 👋 A recent report showed that the percentage of premature births in the US [increased by 12% from 2014 to 2022](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/jan/31/babies-born-prematurely-rate?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to nearly 8.7%. African American mothers were 67% more likely than white mothers to give birth prematurely, with rates of 12.5% and 7.6%, respectively. China's [natural gas output](https://www.bna.bh/en/ChinasnaturalgasoutputrisesinJanuaryFebruary.aspx?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDkIMXkwsI%2FR7Ok01R3aUYEc%3D&ref=newsletters.qs.com#:~:text=Beijing%2C%20Mar.%2024%20%28BNA,a%20year%20earlier%2C%20Xinhua%20reported.) grew rapidly in the first two months of 2024, reaching 41.7 billion cubic meters, a 5.9% increase from the prior year. ### Today's Topics - 🎓 **Postsecondary Education.** 2x rise in postsecondary grants - ⛽ **Energy Consumption.** Gas usage in Africa rises to 30% - 👶 **Child Birth.** 71% of births are by vaginal delivery *For unlimited access to over one million charts,* [*request a demo*](https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/1uMbIPRqUeVuZ31jVtKWMWIuqU2ga1nKo8aotNdGihU16zgOzuTfRMb9XfIIGmcOT?ref=newsletters.qs.com)*.* ## 🎓 2x Rise in Postsecondary Grants ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2024/03/HolonIQ_Total_grants_provided_for_postsecondary_students_in_the_US_2002_2022_Billions_USD_HCHXAYA1IGDLID9V5XJJ-1.png) In response to the rising burden of student debt and the [soaring costs of tuition fees](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/student-loans/college-tuition-inflation/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), policymakers have recognized the urgent need to address the affordability of post-secondary education across generations. With higher education often leading to high-paying jobs but [requiring substantial funding for education](https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-student-loan-debt-trends-economic-impact?ref=newsletters.qs.com), there's a concerted effort to alleviate financial barriers through increased grants. The 2009 recession led to [widespread job losses](https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2011/04/art1full.pdf?ref=newsletters.qs.com) nationwide, and numerous states faced budget crises, necessitating cuts. To counteract the effects of the crisis, [the federal government boosted education grants](https://research.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/Trends%20Report%202023%20Updated.pdf?ref=newsletters.qs.com) as part of the stimulus plans aimed at combating the recession. Since then, growth has been gradual, while the effects of the pandemic have seen fewer grants being given out. A [renewed focus](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-cancels-6-billion-student-loan-debt-78000-public-service-workers-2024-03-21/?ref=newsletters.qs.com#:~:text=Biden%20cancels%20%246%20billion%20in%20student%20loan%20debt%20for%2078%2C000%20public%20service%20workers,-Reuters&text=WASHINGTON%2C%20March%2021%20%28Reuters%29,cancellation%20to%20nearly%20%24150%20billion.) on alleviating student debt could see greater benefits for education funding in the future. ## ⛽ Gas Usage in Africa Rises to 30% ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2024/03/HolonIQ_Share_of_energy_consumption_by_source_in_Africa_1965_2020_HCH53F6DFW32GG1JDW7A--1-.png) Africa's considerable natural gas reserves of [800 trillion cubic feet](https://www.marsh.com/ng/industries/energy-and-power/insights/how-natural-gas-can-play-a-role-in-africas-energy-transition.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com#:~:text=The%20advantages%20of%20natural%20gas%20for%20Africa&text=Producing%20less%20emissions%20and%20pollutants,efficient%20source%20of%20process%20heat.), as reported by the investment platform Energy Capital & Power, contribute to the notable rise in gas consumption across the continent. In 2024, Africa is anticipated to [accelerate progress](https://energychamber.org/africas-natural-gas-sector-is-building-momentum-in-2024/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in tapping into its reserves, with many projects underway to enhance energy security through natural gas utilization. Despite the global progress in renewable energy, Africa still [heavily relies on fossil fuels,](https://www.bboxx.com/news/fuelling-prosperity-why-africa-still-needs-fossil-fuels/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) particularly oil, with usage remaining consistent over the years. This persistent dependence can be primarily attributed to insufficient [funding](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949753124000092?ref=newsletters.qs.com), expertise, infrastructure, and a lack of coherent policy direction required for the development of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. ## 👶71% of Births Are by Vaginal Delivery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2024/03/HolonIQ_Number_of_births_by_age_group_and_delivery_method_in_the_US_2021_Thousands_of_Births_HCH0D7ND2C8NTA8EAD0R--2-.png) Studies have outlined that for most women, [vaginal birth is considered safer](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559197/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) and healthier, reducing the risk of complications compared to [cesarean section births](https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-021-03798-2?ref=newsletters.qs.com). Mothers who deliver babies through vaginal births typically recover faster and [spend less](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/health-insurance/average-childbirth-cost/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) compared to C-sections. Despite the g[lobal rise in C-section birth rates](https://www.who.int/news/item/16-06-2021-caesarean-section-rates-continue-to-rise-amid-growing-inequalities-in-access?ref=newsletters.qs.com), particularly in first-time pregnancies, there have been more natural births across all age groups. However, the difference in the number of women having C-sections compared to natural births becomes less pronounced in older mothers. This is likely a result of the [increased risk of complications](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8364335/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) during pregnancy and delivery. Studies have also illustrated that whether or not women have previously given birth affects their choice of delivery, with first-time mothers significantly [more likely](https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/older-mothers-more-likely-younger-mothers-deliver-cesarean?ref=newsletters.qs.com#:~:text=The%20study%20authors%20found%20that%20the%20chance%20of%20Caesarean%20delivery,or%20to%20the%20baby's%20positioning.) to opt for a C-section. --- **Like getting this newsletter?* For unlimited access to over one million charts,* [*request a demo*](https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/1uMbIPRqUeVuZ31jVtKWMWIuqU2ga1nKo8aotNdGihU16zgOzuTfRMb9XfIIGmcOT?ref=newsletters.qs.com)*.* --- **Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!** Have some feedback or want to sponsor this newsletter? Let us know at hello@holoniq.com