👶 NZ’s Childcare Costs 2x AUS’s. China Leads Hydropower Capacity. +40% VC Investment in AI.
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.
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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%
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👶 New Zealand’s Dual-Parent Childcare Costs Twice Australia’s
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 from July 2023, alongside New Zealand’s extension of 20 Hours Free ECE and increased Childcare and OSCAR subsidies, 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
China’s hydropower capacity reached nearly 400 GW in 2024, driven by policies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan (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 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.
🤖 VC Investment in AI in the US Up 40%
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 and Anthropic’s $3.5B raise. The momentum is further supported by the 2025 National AI R&D Strategic Plan and increased federal funding, positioning 2025 for even greater investment growth.
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