> ## 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. # 👶 Sub-Saharan Africa Tops Global Births. Marine Energy Capacity Declines. China Leads Advanced Manufacturing. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/sub-saharan-africa-tops-global-births-marine-energy-capacity-declines-china-leads-advanced-manufacturing/ - Published: 2025-12-24T12:30:29.000Z - Updated: 2025-12-24T12:30:28.000Z - Description: Chart of the Day #504 Looks at Annual Number of Births Globally, Global Installed Marine Energy Capacity, and Global Advanced Manufacturing Firms. - Author: QS - Tags: Charts **Season's Greetings! 🧑‍🎄** Rural health gets massive makeover with [$50B](https://www.innovavita.com/health-and-wellness-news/cms-launches-historic-50-billion-rural-health-transformation-program?ref=newsletters.qs.com) federal investment. Propeller launches [$50M](https://www.wamda.com/2025/11/propeller-launches-50-million-ai-focused-fund-bridging-mena-talent-markets?ref=newsletters.qs.com) AI fund to connect MENA startups with US markets. ADB is backing India’s skill push with [$846M](https://swarajyamag.com/economy/indias-skill-push-gets-adbs-financial-backing-846-million-to-upgrade-itis-and-train-youth-for-a-future-ready-workforce?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to upgrade ITIs and train youth for future-ready jobs. State [collaborates](https://governor.hawaii.gov/main/state-collaborates-with-city-and-county-of-honolulu-on-clean-energy-grant/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) with city and county of Honolulu on clean energy grant. Alef Education signed a [partnership](https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/MICROSOFT-CORPORATION-4835/news/Alef-Education-to-Develop-AI-Learning-Systems-With-Microsoft-Core42-50330437/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) with Microsoft and G42's Core42 to develop AI-powered learning platforms. Khan Academy partnered with [Karnataka](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-government-schoolkids-to-get-online-learning-resources-from-khan-academy/articleshow/122076285.cms?ref=newsletters.qs.com) and the [Philippines](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/950445/khan-academy-launches-digital-learning-hub-at-navotas-public-school/story/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to support online learning. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee [introduced](https://www.fox6now.com/news/uw-milwaukee-microsoft-ai-lab-unveiled-focus-manufacturing?ref=newsletters.qs.com) a new AI lab in partnership with Microsoft, focused on manufacturing applications. ### Today's Topics 👶 **Preschool.** Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for >30% of global births **🍃 Green Skills.** Global marine energy capacity declines 🏭 **Advanced Manufacturing.** China owned nearly 50% of advanced manufacturing firms Thanks for reading! **Not a subscriber yet?** [Subscribe Now](https://newsletters.qs.com/#/portal/) --- ## 👶 Sub-Saharan Africa Accounted for >30% of Global Births [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/12/data-src-image-9bcd4de4-fc7a-4e78-ab42-2ecf14f9e548.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHYMGKC0RTVKSL7Z7C0?ref=newsletters.qs.com) In 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for over 30% of global births. The high birth rate is [straining the region’s ability to provide quality early childhood education](https://education.cfr.org/learn/learning-journey/sub-saharan-africa-essentials/economics-sub-saharan-africa?ref=newsletters.qs.com), exacerbating existing financial constraints, income inequalities, and budgeting challenges. [Rural areas face the largest gaps](https://www.hearthivefoundation.com/post/bridging-the-education-gap-in-rural-african-regions-for-our-children?ref=newsletters.qs.com), where long travel distances and informal childcare dominate. These disparities restrict school readiness and long term learning outcomes. Governments are responding unevenly, but initiatives like [UNICEF’s Early Childhood Development Framework](https://www.unicef.org/reports/global-report-early-childhood-care-and-education-right-strong-foundation?ref=newsletters.qs.com) are pushing countries to expand preschool enrolment and strengthen national childcare policies. ## **🍃** Global Marine Energy Capacity Declines [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/12/data-src-image-c13e69bf-d095-4dc2-9870-4d796678caee.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHVJ18TNBB83R7Z4F3D?ref=newsletters.qs.com) Global marine energy capacity declined by nearly 35MW from 2018 to 2024\. The decline reflects high capital costs and the challenge of scaling[ tidal and wave technologies ](https://www.haskoning.com/en/markets/energy/offshore-wind/wave-and-tidal?ref=newsletters.qs.com)compared with wind and solar. Yet steady [pilot deployments in Europe and Asia ](https://blue-economy-observatory.ec.europa.eu/eu-blue-economy-sectors/marine-renewable-energy%5Fen?ref=newsletters.qs.com)show continued interest, especially for coastal resilience and diversification goals.[ IRENA ](https://www.irena.org/Publications/2023/Mar/Scaling-up-investments-in-ocean-energy-technologies?ref=newsletters.qs.com#:~:text=Among%20the%20broad%20range%20of,and%20are%20the%20most%20scalable.)states that with a global market potential of 350 GW by 2050, ocean energy can provide clean, predictable electricity to coastal nations and islands around the world. ## 🏭 China Owned Nearly 50% of Advanced Manufacturing Firms [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/12/data-src-image-5f53bffa-96bf-4802-9cbc-8769bf308588.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCH2G3FSA1EW5AXNH0E1?ref=newsletters.qs.com) China owned nearly half of the global advanced manufacturing firms during 2009 and 2023\. China has built the world’s most comprehensive[ advanced manufacturing ecosystem,](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162523004122?ref=newsletters.qs.com) combining low-cost production, rapid [prototyping capacity](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/prototyping-process?ref=newsletters.qs.com), and strong government incentives that push firms to commercialise new technologies quickly. China’s advanced manufacturing remains high due to its large-scale industrial base, strong government support for industrial upgrading, integrated supply chains, and sustained investment in automation, R&D, and workforce skills. --- **Like getting this newsletter?* Request a demo for unlimited access to over one million charts* [Request a Demo](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?%5F%5Fhstc=246933147.4a0f9c817dbdb1552dab36c635584622.1688407869224.1749831404162.1749845959660.481&%5F%5Fhssc=246933147.4.1749845959660&%5F%5Fhsfp=4268195782&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 [qs.com.](https://www.qs.com/contact-us/?ref=newsletters.qs.com)