Ed Baker
@edbaker3.bsky.social
Data Scientist | Economics | Behavioural | Trade and Development | Politics. Views not my own.
mastodon: @edbaker3@econtwitter.net
mastodon: @edbaker3@econtwitter.net
Extreme views are over-represented on social media. Is it alone responsible for the rise in populism?
September 5, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Extreme views are over-represented on social media. Is it alone responsible for the rise in populism?
Today, over half of all countries in 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 and 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 & 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧 spend 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟎% 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.
Back in 2010, half of African countries were spending 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟓% !
Back in 2010, half of African countries were spending 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟓% !
June 27, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Today, over half of all countries in 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 and 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 & 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧 spend 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟎% 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.
Back in 2010, half of African countries were spending 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟓% !
Back in 2010, half of African countries were spending 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟓% !
Borrowing costs have surged.
Developing countries now pay 𝟐 𝐭𝐨 𝟒 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 to borrow than the US.
Since 2020, average bond yields:
– Africa: 9.8%
– Latin America: 7.1%
– Asia/Oceania: 5.5%
– USA: 2.8%
Developing countries now pay 𝟐 𝐭𝐨 𝟒 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 to borrow than the US.
Since 2020, average bond yields:
– Africa: 9.8%
– Latin America: 7.1%
– Asia/Oceania: 5.5%
– USA: 2.8%
June 27, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Borrowing costs have surged.
Developing countries now pay 𝟐 𝐭𝐨 𝟒 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 to borrow than the US.
Since 2020, average bond yields:
– Africa: 9.8%
– Latin America: 7.1%
– Asia/Oceania: 5.5%
– USA: 2.8%
Developing countries now pay 𝟐 𝐭𝐨 𝟒 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 to borrow than the US.
Since 2020, average bond yields:
– Africa: 9.8%
– Latin America: 7.1%
– Asia/Oceania: 5.5%
– USA: 2.8%
𝟑.𝟒 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people now live in countries where interest payments exceed public healthcare budgets.
𝟐.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people live in places that spend more on servicing their debt than educating their children.
𝟐.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people live in places that spend more on servicing their debt than educating their children.
June 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
𝟑.𝟒 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people now live in countries where interest payments exceed public healthcare budgets.
𝟐.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people live in places that spend more on servicing their debt than educating their children.
𝟐.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people live in places that spend more on servicing their debt than educating their children.
The UK death spiral: populism -> brexit -> economic malaise -> populism.
May 2, 2025 at 5:37 AM
The UK death spiral: populism -> brexit -> economic malaise -> populism.
Average US Tariff Increase by Product Group
April 11, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Average US Tariff Increase by Product Group
The US imposes 104% tariff rates on China, or average 83% with exemptions. If the US wanted to import the same as it did in 2023, they will now have to pay an extra $2500 extra in tax per person. Below graph are the types of products they import:
April 9, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The US imposes 104% tariff rates on China, or average 83% with exemptions. If the US wanted to import the same as it did in 2023, they will now have to pay an extra $2500 extra in tax per person. Below graph are the types of products they import:
Africa and Least Developed Countries contribute virtually nothing to the US trade deficit in Goods - the US actually has a trade surplus with the LDCs in Africa.
April 4, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Africa and Least Developed Countries contribute virtually nothing to the US trade deficit in Goods - the US actually has a trade surplus with the LDCs in Africa.
That may turn out to be the case but I doubt we can conclude the headline from the data. The CDU rising 1% in the first half of the sample then falling 3% in the second with an overall margin of error of 2.5%, so probably a ME of 3.5 for half the sample. Consistent with no change.
January 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM
That may turn out to be the case but I doubt we can conclude the headline from the data. The CDU rising 1% in the first half of the sample then falling 3% in the second with an overall margin of error of 2.5%, so probably a ME of 3.5 for half the sample. Consistent with no change.
Musk could bypass the law against foreign donations and make Reform the 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊 by exploiting a legal loophole.
December 22, 2024 at 12:48 PM
Musk could bypass the law against foreign donations and make Reform the 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊 by exploiting a legal loophole.
Lindner shocked to find out his idol support afd. Musk has not rushed to conclusion from afar. That's who he is.
December 21, 2024 at 5:56 PM
Lindner shocked to find out his idol support afd. Musk has not rushed to conclusion from afar. That's who he is.
Also, the terrorist seems to be an anti-islam far-right supporter.
December 21, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Also, the terrorist seems to be an anti-islam far-right supporter.
Global Carbon Project data with Maddison Project data:
November 13, 2024 at 4:54 PM
Global Carbon Project data with Maddison Project data:
Maybe some are thinking of national debt as % of GDP.
November 13, 2024 at 12:01 PM
Maybe some are thinking of national debt as % of GDP.
..Republican voters do not think it will. /2
November 13, 2024 at 12:01 PM
..Republican voters do not think it will. /2
National debt in the US will almost certainly continue to rise, but.. /1
November 13, 2024 at 12:01 PM
National debt in the US will almost certainly continue to rise, but.. /1
unctad.org/news/bending...
Although it is possible to bend the curve, while bringing people out of poverty.
Although it is possible to bend the curve, while bringing people out of poverty.
November 13, 2024 at 8:29 AM
unctad.org/news/bending...
Although it is possible to bend the curve, while bringing people out of poverty.
Although it is possible to bend the curve, while bringing people out of poverty.
No matter what happens in year-to-year politics, it is hard to see a change in the big picture of GDP growth. (IMF data)
November 12, 2024 at 10:40 AM
No matter what happens in year-to-year politics, it is hard to see a change in the big picture of GDP growth. (IMF data)
Comparing voters by identity group 👀
November 8, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Comparing voters by identity group 👀
Younger Black people less motivated by civil rights. Age is a better predicter than gender. Media tends to focus on gender (?)
October 18, 2024 at 5:54 AM
Younger Black people less motivated by civil rights. Age is a better predicter than gender. Media tends to focus on gender (?)
Steady decline of democrat support among Black voters during the Trump period.
October 18, 2024 at 5:50 AM
Steady decline of democrat support among Black voters during the Trump period.