How do other countries do it?
Explore what countries spend, how public services work, and where U.S. aid goes. Start with a topic below.
Costs and public services
Medical costs
Compare health spending in 23 countries and see what patients may still pay.
College costs
Compare tuition and the help students receive. Free tuition does not cover every living cost.
Tax rates
See how taxes differ and why a tax rate alone does not tell the whole story.
Money across borders
U.S. aid to other countries
See leading recipients, reasons for aid, and whether health care or college costs are covered.
International organizations
Compare donors, follow WFP contributions from 2005–2025, and understand NATO funding.
What other countries give
Compare preliminary 2025 development aid in dollars and as a share of national income.
Government and economic systems
Who holds power? Who owns businesses?
Understand democracy, capitalism, socialism, and other terms through plain-language definitions and dated examples.
Voting around the world
Registration and voter ID
Explore how different countries register voters and check identity.
Voting machines
Compare ways countries cast and count ballots.
How U.S. elections work
Review the U.S. process before making comparisons.
Three checks for a fair comparison
Same year?
A 2023 total and a 2025 estimate describe different periods. Look for the year next to the number.
Same measure?
A tax rate, a budget, a payment and a cost per person answer different questions.
Same people?
Benefits for residents may not apply to visitors. Free services can still have limits, fees or waiting lists.