Offshore tax avoidance or evasion is nearly the exclusive preserve of the global elite. Eighty percent of all offshore wealth belongs to the top 0.1% of earners worldwide, while 50% belongs to the even smaller group of the top 0.01%. We wonder: Which set of countries has more than half of its GDP in offshore tax havens?
A. Russia, China and India
B. United States and Mexico
C. Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the UK
D. United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia
Continue reading
Falling oil prices have put significant pressure on countries that have long relied on reaping the benefits of their large oil resources. The anticipated global transition away from fossil fuels will further add to that pressure. We wonder: Which country has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves?
A. Canada
B. Russia
C. Saudi Arabia
D. Venezuela
Continue reading
Immigration has returned once again as a hot-button issue around the world. We wonder: In absolute numbers, which country is home to more foreign-born residents than any other?
A. Germany
B. Russia
C. Saudi Arabia
D. United States
Continue reading
The skyscraper craze continues with the advent of technologies that allow for the construction of ever taller, stronger and lighter buildings. Skyscrapers also often reflect shifts in the global distribution of wealth and power. We wonder: Where is the world’s tallest skyscraper located?
A. Saudi Arabia
B. United Arab Emirates
C. United States
D. China Continue reading
China leads the world in its number of executions. While government secrecy veils the exact number, China is estimated to execute thousands of prisoners each year. We wonder: After China, which country carried out the most executions in 2014?
A. Saudi Arabia
B. United States
C. Iraq
D. Iran Continue reading
In 2014, wars raged in Syria, Gaza, Libya, Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Yemen, Central African Republic and Congo. Many other countries are eager importers of arms every year. We wonder: Which country imported the most arms in recent years?
A. Saudi Arabia
B. China
C. United Arab Emirates
D. India
Saudi Arabia is one of the most dominant players in the Middle East. We wonder: Which of the following statements about Saudi Arabia are true?
A. Saudi Arabia is the top oil producer in the world.
B. Saudi Arabia has a budget deficit.
C. Its education system is struggling.
The recent droughts in California – where water has long fueled tensions and political battles – have been severe enough to make “water stealing” a frequent crime. Elsewhere around the world, there are also mighty struggles with drought, including in Sao Paulo. We wonder: Which of the following pairs of countries faces the highest stresses to their water resources?
A. Saudi Arabia and Iran
B. India and Turkey
C. United States and China
D. France and Brazil
Following a series of tragic events occurring in France, Nigeria and elsewhere, Islam is back in the global headlines. Part of the debate concerns the question of whether Islam is compatible with cultures outside its birthplace in the Middle East. We wonder: Which of the following statements about the world’s Muslim communities is true?
A. China has as many Muslims as Saudi Arabia.
B. There are more Muslims in Indonesia and India than in the entire Arab World.
C. There are fewer Muslims in the United States than Europe.
D. Muslims account for less than a quarter of the world’s population.