Map Monday: let’s see just how well the world’s been doing

We can use maps to look at what’s happening to our environment around the world.  We can use maps to look at how weather patterns are changing around the world, or at pollution changes in the world.  We can look use maps to understand where hunger is the most pressing need, or where the lack of education for girls is increasing.  Or where access to food or education for girls is improving.

Today let’s explore a few indicators of how well we’re doing in creating an equitable, safe world for all … using maps, naturally. [Click on a map for more detail.]

GDP per capita around the world

The GDP takes the average of all income, whereas the median is calculated as the value where half the households are above the median and half are below.  The GDP per capita, therefore, is distorted by a small number of very high incomes growing significantly while all other income stays the same.  In that case, the average, or mean, income can rise dramatically while the median barely changes.  A higher GDP per capita than median per capita points to inequality in that society.

Median wealth per capita around the world

Parental leave benefits around the world

Freedom of the press around the world

The scourge of corruption around the world

The World’s Democracies

The Economist Intelligence Unit reviewed factors related to pluralism, civil liberties and political culture to determine if a country is a full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime or authoritarian regime. Of the 167 nations assessed, those that scored the highest in democracy include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. (The map moves from red, meaning less democratic, to green, meaning most democratic.)  Notice that these data are from 2018.  Some things have changed; notably Hong Kong is, sadly, not the same place it was in 2018.

The State of Peace around the world (2021 Global Peace Index)

The overall GPI Score is a composite index measuring the peacefulness of countries made up of 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators each weighted on a scale of 1-5. The lower the score the more peaceful the country.

Happiness around the world

The World Happiness Report is an annual publication of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. It contains articles and rankings of national happiness, based on respondent ratings of their own lives, which the report also correlates with various life factors.  It changes its focus from time to time in response to major changes, such as examining the impact of COVID on people’s lives in this year’s report.

Here’s hoping for increased peace, happiness, and open, responsive governments throughout the world in 2022.

Image sources: farandwide.com Amazing World Maps, Wikipedia, visionforhumanity.org, Global Peace Index