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What makes a hospital smart? 🏥   From AI-powered diagnostics to connected healthcare systems, digital innovation is transforming how hospitals operate and deliver care. On October 21, Newsweek and Statista will unveil the World's Best Smart Hospitals 2027 ranking at the ARC Global Summit in Tel Aviv.   The ranking recognizes 410 hospitals worldwide for their use of advanced technologies, digital solutions, and innovative approaches to healthcare.   🌍 Which hospitals are leading the way in smart healthcare? Stay tuned for the official reveal!   #worldsbestsmarthospitals #digitalhealth #healthcareinnovation #arcsummit

Between June 2022 and June 2026, investors around the globe concentrated their foreign #portfolios on U.S. equities to an unprecedented degree. In all eight economies examined by the International Monetary Fund, the share of U.S. equities within total foreign portfolio investments increased. The trend is most pronounced in Mexico, where U.S. equities now account for 92.5 percent of all foreign investments – more than double the 37.6 percent recorded in 2022 and by far the highest figure in the survey. South Korea (64.9 percent) and the United Kingdom (48.7 percent) also show high and rising levels of investments in U.S. equities. Brazil, in contrast, has seen almost no change: Its share rose only marginally from 29.1 percent in June 2022 to 30.2 percent in June of this year. The International Monetary Fund attributes this rise to a global AI chase in which investors are tilting their portfolios toward U.S. technology firms and so-called hyperscalers – companies benefiting from the wave of investment in artificial intelligence. According to the IMF, this poses a risk to global financial stability even for economies whose own stock markets show little sensitivity to fluctuations in AI-related stocks, such as the Eurozone or the United Kingdom. This is because, in the event of a crisis and a sharp decline in the value of U.S. AI stocks, losses would transmit to these economies indirectly via the foreign investment portfolios held by their domestic investors. The figures published in the IMF Global #Financial Stability Report this October are based on an analysis that integrates two distinct data sources: holdings of U.S. equities tracked via the Department of the Treasury’s Treasury International Capital system and total foreign portfolio investments sourced from the Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey. It is important to note that foreign portfolio investments encompass not only equities but also bonds and other debt securities. The scope of this metric is therefore broader than the term might suggest. Furthermore, the data does not distinguish between private and institutional investors as the figures represent all investor groups within an economy, ranging from central banks to pension funds, other #banks, corporations and private households

Tesla is returning to its roots with a new Roadster, but sports cars remain a niche in many major markets. According to our Consumer Insights, just 4% of U.S. respondents with a car in their household own a sports car. How big is the potential for your product category? Explore consumer preferences, audiences and markets with Statista Consumer Insights: https://lnkd.in/etarYYnV Would you expect sports car ownership to be higher or lower?

The International Monetary Fund upgraded global growth prospects for 2026 slightly after downgrading them in their last two forecasts, saying it expects the global economy to grow by 3.1 percent this year. In July, this projection had stood at 3.0 percent. While the upgrade is slight, it still is a hopeful note counterbalancing negative outlooks on the current state of global affairs often described as polycrisis. As shocks from the Iran war persist, driving up the price of energy and other traded goods, disinflation has stalled and financial markets continue to be at risk of negative reactions. The IMF saw a positive aspect in the global AI boom, creating an increase in demand for related technologies, as well as the global economy's ability to adapt. At the same time, the organization cautioned that a change of course in the global AI build-out could prove detrimental to the economic growth. Countries upgraded since the last forecast are India, the United Kingdom and Germany. However, countries where economic growth is paper-thin and decreasing are Russia, France and Japan. All three are expected to grow by only 0.4–0.9 percent each this year. This same number stood at just 1.1 percent for the Euro Area as well as Canada, giving rise to some doubts around the economic prospects of developed countries in general. While the IMF previously said that the global economy weathered the current shocks "better than feared", it now added that the margins of resilience were "not limitless". According to the IMF, the rise in renewable energy use was making economies less vulnerable to elevated energy prices which are currently an issue. The AI boom also helped some countries and territories to achieve better economic growth numbers, but this was mostly limited to Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. The IMF concludes that worst-case scenarios did not turn into reality but that big risks persist as both peace in the Middle East and gains from the AI boom remain fragile. It also cautions that trade tensions could resurface as a result of war-induced shortages, which would put an additional damper on the economy.

While artificial intelligence is making inroads across demographics, its adoption as an emotional support net is largely driven by younger generations. Digital natives, who already conduct much of their (social) lives online, are proving far more willing to confide in chatbots and companion apps than older users. Findings from Mental Health America, based on surveys of more than 10,000 respondents across the U.S., reveal a clear age gap that has widened over the past year. As of mid-2026, more than a third of respondents under the age of 18 reported that they regularly or often use AI for emotional support, up from 31 percent in 2025. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, adoption climbed even faster, surging from 20 percent to 29 percent. In contrast, reliance on #AI for emotional coping drops sharply with age: Just 17 percent of 35 to 44-year-olds and 12 percent of adults aged 45 and older reported regular use of such tools. For teens and young adults, chatbots offer accessibility, anonymity and immediate reassurance, especially for those grappling with social anxiety, insecurities or a lack of access to or trust in traditional counseling. However, this heavy reliance among youth also brings growing urgency to questions around psychological safety, attachment and oversight. According to research results compiled by the American Psychological Association, AI companion apps can alleviate feelings of loneliness and help users feel heard, but there’s a real risk of digital connections gradually replacing human ones. Research has found that heavy use of digital companions can further isolate people, either by creating unrealistic expectations of human relationships or by gradually eroding real-life social skills. Chatbots’ tendency towards sycophantic behavior is another area of worry. “While briefly rewarding, constant validation can spiral into echo chambers that amplify harmful thoughts and behaviors,” the APA writes, making the case for safeguards that protect young users from potential harm.

🌍 Economic Losses from Natural Disasters in Europe Extreme weather events such as floods, storms, and droughts cause significant economic damage every year. The graphic highlights EU countries that recorded economic losses of at least €10 billion due to extreme weather events in 2024. The data illustrates the economic impact of natural disasters and the growing importance of risk management and preventive measures.

Get more Consumer Insights, here: https://lnkd.in/etarYYnV As AI has quickly become more capable and human-like in the way it responds to questions, many people are turning to chatbots as an accessible, non-judgmental way to discuss personal issues or mental health problems. Ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, data suggests that millions of Americans are already using AI tools to navigate personal dilemmas and emotional challenges. According to a recent Statista Consumer Insights survey, getting personal advice or guidance is by far the most popular AI use case related to personal concerns and mental well-being, cited by 27 percent of U.S. respondents. Meanwhile, one in five Americans reported turning to AI tools specifically to reduce stress or anxiety, and 19 percent use them to learn more about mental health. Other common motivations include self-reflection and personal growth, talking through personal concerns, distraction and practicing mindfulness. 12 percent of respondents use chatbots to combat feelings of loneliness – a trend mirrored in the rise of AI companion apps such as Character.AI and Replika, both specifically designed to mimic human connection. While 43 percent of respondents say they do not turn to AI for mental well-being or personal topics at all, those who do largely perceive a benefit: 70 percent of AI well-being users reported finding the tools either very or somewhat helpful.

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As household budgets face ongoing pressure, short-term borrowing, be it in the form of traditional payday loans or the increasingly ubiquitous Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services, continues to play an important, yet ambiguous role in American consumer finance. While these tools can offer quick relief when unexpected expenses hit, consumers are acutely aware of the #financial traps that can follow. According to data from Statista Consumer Insights, more than a quarter of U.S. adults try to avoid short-term loans altogether, citing high interest rates and the danger of slipping into persistent debt cycles. At the same time, 24 percent acknowledged their dual nature: seeing them as a vital lifeline during tough stretches yet recognizing that leaning on them can quickly turn into a risky financial habit. The rise of installment plans like BNPL Pay also presents a double-edged sword. While 18 percent of respondents said BNPL services help them make ends meet without facing upfront interest charges, the same share of respondents admitted that tracking multiple plans makes it all too easy to overspend. Another 18 percent report relying on short-term credit specifically to absorb sudden emergencies. For 12 percent of respondents, short-term debt serves as a lender of last resort: they turn to these options because conventional banks won't lend to them.

We just leveled up our Consumer Insights, making consumer research faster, easier, and more intuitive.   Powered by the same reliable consumer data you already know and trust, the new AI-powered experience helps you explore audiences, uncover insights, and turn your findings into clear, source-backed results that are ready to export - all in one place.   Less time navigating data. More time putting insights into action!   Watch the video to see the upgraded Consumer Insights experience in action.   ✨ The upgrade is already available to existing Consumer Insights customers.   Not using Consumer Insights yet? Broader access is coming in November, so stay tuned!   Find out more about the Consumer Insights upgrade via the link in the comments 👇🏻