> ## 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. # 👶 NZ’s Childcare Costs 2x AUS’s. China Leads Hydropower Capacity. +40% VC Investment in AI. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/vc-investment-in-ai-in-the-us-up-40/ - Published: 2025-05-27T11:53:53.000Z - Updated: 2025-05-27T11:53:52.000Z - Description: Chart of the Day #353 Looks at Dual-Parent Childcare Expenses in Australia and New Zealand, Global Hydropower Capacity, and VC Investment in AI in the US. - Author: QS - Tags: Charts ✉️ Four New Skills Newsletters! [****AI & Digital Skills**](https://newsletters.qs.com/tag/ai-digital-skills/)****,** [****Advanced Manufacturing**](https://newsletters.qs.com/tag/advanced-manufacturing/)****,** [****Green Skills**](https://newsletters.qs.com/tag/green-skills/), and [****Health Skills**](https://newsletters.qs.com/tag/health-skills/) [**Kamusta**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipino%5Flanguage?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **👋** KEZAD and Broaden Energy sign [50-Year agreement](https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/05/26/energy-development/the-largest-hydrogen-manufacturing-facility-in-the-middle-east-will-be-located-in-kezad-a-abu-dhabi?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for pioneering hydrogen manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi. DreamPower Africa unveils ambitious plan to create over [1.5 million green jobs](https://thebftonline.com/2025/05/26/dreampower-africa-to-create-over-1-5m-green-jobs/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in Ghana**.** Major funding injection to aid [Queensland's trainee GPs](https://www.miragenews.com/major-funding-injection-to-aid-queenslands-1466948/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). [Connective launches](https://www.brokernews.com.au/speciality/technology/connective-launches-cybersecurity-training-to-protect-brokers-and-clients-287242.aspx?ref=newsletters.qs.com) cybersecurity training to protect brokers and clients. UK to invest $[4B](https://www.businessworld.in/article/uk-to-invest-4-bn-on-skills-training-to-curb-reliance-on-foreign-workers-557888?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in 120,000 training roles to cut reliance on foreign workers. Estonia launches [AI Leap ](https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/849846-estonia-provide-ai-tools-allow-phones-in-schools?page=2&ref=newsletters.qs.com)to bring ethical, AI-powered learning tools to students and teachers. UAE launches [digital integration](https://www.msn.com/ko-kr/news/other/%EC%B2%9C%EC%9E%AC%EA%B5%90%EC%9C%A1-%EC%9A%B0%EC%A6%88%EB%B2%A1%EA%B3%BC-ai-%EB%94%94%EC%A7%80%ED%84%B8-%EA%B5%90%EC%9C%A1-%ED%8C%8C%ED%8A%B8%EB%84%88%EC%8B%AD-%EA%B0%95%ED%99%94-%EA%B8%80%EB%A1%9C%EB%B2%8C-%EC%97%90%EB%93%80%ED%85%8C%ED%81%AC-%ED%98%91%EB%A0%A5-%ED%99%95%EB%8C%80/ar-AA1EBcc2?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for academic qualification verification. ### Today's Topics **👶 Preschool.** New Zealand's dual-parent childcare costs twice Australia’s **🍃 Green Skills.** China’s hydropower >75% of top 9 countries combined 🤖 **Artificial Intelligence.** VC investment in AI in the US up 40% Thanks for reading! **Not a subscriber yet?** [Subscribe Now](https://newsletters.qs.com/#/portal/) --- ## 👶 New Zealand’s Dual-Parent Childcare Costs Twice Australia’s [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/05/HolonIQ_Cost_of_childcare_as_a_share_of_average_wage_for_dual_parent_households_in_New_Zealand_and_Australia_2018_2023_HCHVGX4MC6ZAND15QXVR.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHVGX4MC6ZAND15QXVR?ref=newsletters.qs.com) In 2023, the cost of childcare for parents in New Zealand and Australia dropped sharply, reflecting significant policy interventions that year. [Australia’s increased Maximum Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rate](https://www.futuro.nsw.edu.au/futuro-blogs/ccs-detailed-overview?ref=newsletters.qs.com) from July 2023, alongside New Zealand’s extension of [20 Hours Free ECE](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/20-hours-free-ece-policy/?ref=newsletters.qs.com#:~:text=From%20March%201%2C%202024%3A,2%2Dyear%2Dold%20children.) and [increased Childcare and OSCAR subsidies](https://www.pascalselc.co.nz/news/childcare-assistance-update/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), were pivotal. This comparison is relevant given their close trans-Tasman ties. Improved ECE affordability directly boosts mothers' workforce participation and reduces economic barriers for families across both connected countries. ## 🍃 China’s Hydropower >75% of Top 9 Countries Combined [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/05/HolonIQ_Global_hydropower_electricity_installed_capacity_excl_pumped_storage_by_country_2024_Megawatts_HCHNL7TZR56CSPCAWYEC.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCH495WE8FF7F9CAJP5H?ref=newsletters.qs.com) China’s hydropower capacity reached nearly 400 GW in 2024, driven by policies such as the [14th Five-Year Plan](https://climatecooperation.cn/climate/china-released-its-14th-five-year-plan-for-renewable-energy-with-quantitative-targets-for-2025/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) (2021–2025), which prioritizes renewable energy expansion. To support this, China has been rapidly constructing dams such as the Three Gorges Dam, with a capacity of 22 GW and remains the largest operational dam, while [the planned Medog Hydropower Station](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmn127kmr4o?ref=newsletters.qs.com) is expected to reach 60 GW, nearly three times the capacity of the Three Gorges. While these massive expansions have generated substantial hydroelectric power, they[ have also raised global concerns over environmental impacts and geopolitical tensions](https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/05/11/china-builds-worlds-largest-dam-in-tibet-threat-or-innovation/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). ## 🤖 VC Investment in AI in the US Up 40% [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/05/HolonIQ_Venture_capital_investment_in_AI_in_the_US_2015_2024_Billions_USD_HCH495WE8FF7F9CAJP5H--1-.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHL655FPPK0X38JML6M?ref=newsletters.qs.com) AI venture capital investment in the US peaked in 2021, which was a record-breaking year, then dipped in 2023, and then surged by over 40% in 2024, marking a strong rebound for the sector. Early 2025 has already seen a massive head start, with record-breaking deals such as [OpenAI’s $40B round](https://www.ey.com/en%5Fus/insights/growth/venture-capital-investment-trends?ref=newsletters.qs.com) and [Anthropic’s $3.5B raise](https://www.anthropic.com/news/anthropic-raises-series-e-at-usd61-5b-post-money-valuation?ref=newsletters.qs.com). The momentum is further supported by the 2025 [National AI R&D Strategic Plan](https://www.insidegovernmentcontracts.com/2025/05/april-2025-ai-developments-under-the-trump-administration/?ref=newsletters.qs.com#:~:text=On%20April%2024%2C%20the%20National,while%20focusing%20on%20the%20Federal) and increased federal funding, positioning 2025 for even greater investment growth. --- **Like getting this newsletter?* Request a demo 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