From unrivaled migration figures to the two express marathons of the year, including unprecedented global temperatures, a look back at 11 records that marked 2023.
114 million displaced
Conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Somalia: the figures for displaced people in the world have never been so high with 114 million recorded at the end of September, according to the latest figures compiled by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Since then, the war between Israel and Hamas after the unprecedented attack on October 7 has caused 1.7 million new displacements in Gaza, according to the UN.
Global temperature at peak
The average temperature on the surface of the globe reached records over the first ten months of the year, according to the European Copernicus Observatory: from January to October, the mercury was on average 1.43°C higher than during the period 1850-1900. 2023 is expected to be the hottest year on record on an annual average.
India more populous
India has dethroned China as the most populous country, with more than 1.425 billion people, according to the UN. China’s population reached a peak of 1.426 billion in 2022 and has since begun to decline, while India’s population continues to grow, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
European key rates at the pinnacle
To muzzle inflation, the European Central Bank (ECB) raised its key rates ten times in a row, to bring its main rate to its historic high of 4% this year, weighing down consumption, investments and the real estate market. and ultimately growth in the euro zone.
The thirst for black gold does not wane
Oil demand is expected to reach new records in 2023 and then 2024 with 102 to 103 million barrels per day, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The thirst for fossil energy remains too great to meet climate objectives despite the “phenomenal” leap forward in clean energy, warns the IEA.
Heavy fine for Facebook
Parent company of the social network Facebook, the American group Meta was fined a record 1.2 billion euros in May by the Irish regulator, acting on behalf of the EU, for violating European rules. protection of personal data, the famous GDPR which, which came into force in 2018, has become a global reference in the field.
Double marathon record
The marathon world record was shattered twice this year: for men by an almost unknown 24-year-old Kenyan, Kelvin Kiptum (2h00:35) and for women by a 27-year-old Ethiopian, practically a novice, Tigst Assefa (2:11:53).
Most successful tennis player
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic became the most successful male player of all time in 2023, winning a 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June and then a 24th at the US Open in September. He equals the legendary Australian tennis player Margaret Court who had collected 24 titles between the 1960s and 1970s.
Freddie still on top
An auction of 1,400 objects that belonged to the legendary singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury, brought in 40 million pounds (46.5 million euros) in September, a record for this type of collection. The grand piano on which he composed all his successes, starting with Bohemian Rhapsodywent for 2 million euros.
The oldest dog in the world
Distinguished in February by the Guinness World Records As the world’s oldest dog, Bobi died at age 31 in October after a peaceful existence in a small village in central Portugal. This Rafeiro, a breed of dog whose normal life expectancy does not exceed 14 years, lived surrounded by cats. Perhaps the secret of its longevity.
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and big tours
Led by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, whose “Eras Tour” exceeded $1 billion in revenue, ticket revenues from the 100 biggest music tours jumped to $9.17 billion in 2023, a record, according to the magazine professional Pollstar. The 2023 vintage (from mid-November 2022 to the same period the following year) recorded a jump of 46% compared to the previous vintage, which was already a record.
It’s “a colossal year, the likes of which the concert industry has never seen before,” Pollstar wrote on its website Friday. All indicators are on the rise: the average revenue from a concert (+53%, from 1.54 to 2.37 million), attendance (+18%, from 59 to 70 million tickets sold) and the average ticket price (+23%, from $106.07 to $130.81).
At the top of the ranking, Taylor Swift’s record tour, “The Eras Tour”, exceeds as expected, for the first time in music history, the symbolic mark of one billion dollars (1.039 billion) in 60 dates in March to November 2023. But for Pollstar, the pop megastar, named personality of the year by the American magazine Time on Wednesday, can even aim for a total of around 2 billion when the tour, still in progress, is over at the end of 2024 This year, Taylor Swift is ahead of Beyoncé and her “Renaissance” tour, which totaled $579 million over 56 dates.