Data Visualization

Blog of the Data Visualization & Communication Course at OSB-AUB

This is my favorite part about analytics: Taking boring flat data and bringing it to life through visualization” John Tukey

Analyzing The Shift in CO2 Emission : USA vs. China (1990-2020)

Analyzing The Shift in CO2 Emission : USA vs. China (1990-2020)

In the unfolding narrative of global environmental challenges, the tale of the United States and China emerges as a compelling story of shifting roles and responsibilities in the battle against climate change.

The visual representation of CO2 emissions between the United States and China from 1990 to 2020 on a line chart underscores a critical environmental challenge. The problem lies in the discernible shift of emission supremacy between the two nations, with the USA leading until 2005, at which point China surpassed it. This transition is indicative of a broader issue: the need for a collective, global response to address escalating carbon emissions. The evidence is clear—the historical dominance of the United States in emissions, followed by China’s ascent—underscores the urgency of finding a sustainable solution. The potential remedy to this issue requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, international collaboration is paramount, necessitating joint efforts in clean energy initiatives, sharing technological advancements, and leveraging collective resources. Secondly, a focus on renewable energy sources, coupled with substantial investments in carbon capture technologies, is crucial. Additionally, stringent emissions regulations and their effective enforcement should be implemented, with governments playing a pivotal role in setting and monitoring emission reduction targets. A comprehensive solution also involves public and private sectors prioritizing sustainability, embracing energy-efficient practices, and fostering innovation. In conclusion, the story depicted by the line chart serves as a clarion call for immediate and concerted action. Recommendations include fostering global collaboration, prioritizing renewable energy, implementing robust regulations, and cultivating a collective commitment to a sustainable future—a future where the line chart reflects a downward trend in CO2 emissions for both the United States and China.

Governance, Economic Stability, and Peace: A Comparative Study of Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Syrian Arabic Republic (2003-2021)

Governance, Economic Stability, and Peace: A Comparative Study of Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Syrian Arabic Republic (2003-2021)

This interactive visualizations offer detailed comparison of governance, economic conditions, and social stability in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Syrian Arabic Republic from 2003 to 2021. The analysis begins with a look at corruption control, where Canada exhibits consistent strength in governance. This is visually represented in our map by lighter regions indicating lower inflation, emphasizing Canada’s economic stability. Where also in the third visual, it is shown the absence of terrorism and violence acts.

Turning to Saudi Arabia, its control of corruption is less stringent compared to Canada. This is reflected in the map, where Saudi Arabia is depicted with a darker color than Canada, indicating higher inflation rates. Additionally, in our bar chart analysis of the absence of violence, Saudi Arabia falls into the negative region, suggesting the presence of some violence and instability.

The situation in Syria, especially after the war began in 2011, shows a stark difference. Governance control deteriorates , mirrored by the country’s severe inflation and diminishing peace and stability. The map distinctly shows Syria in darker shades, signifying high inflation levels. Furthermore, in the bar chart measuring the absence of terrorism and violence, Syria is deeply entrenched in the negative area, highlighting the extensive violence and unrest prevalent in the country.

Through this comparative study, we delve into how governance quality is intricately linked to economic health and societal peace. Our findings resonate with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which advocates for peaceful, just, and strong institutions. This analysis not only sheds light on the varying situations in these three countries but also emphasizes the critical need for governance systems that nurture economic and social stability, crucial for achieving sustainable development as envisioned in the SDGs by 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s GDP Drop in 2020: Limited Economic Diversification

Saudi Arabia’s GDP Drop in 2020: Limited Economic Diversification

Saudi Arabia Economic Diversification

 

KSA’s Sharp GDP Drop

´In 2020, Saudi Arabia experienced a significant drop in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), primarily due to the dual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a sharp decline in global oil prices since Saudi Arabia is a major oil-producing country, and its economy is heavily dependent on oil exports whre the global oil market experienced a sharp decline in prices due to a combination of factors, including reduced demand during the pandemic and a price war between major oil-producing nations.

´The above plot shows the sharp GDP drop from 840 billion dollars in 2019 to 730 billion dollars in 2020. According to several Saudi Arabia’s government, this was due to the decline of global oil prices.

Potential Solution

´The Solution is Diversifying the Saudi economy away from its heavy reliance on oil and investing in non-oil sectors like tourism, technology, and manufacturing and other sectors, Thus approaching the problem of GDP discussed, the government decided to invest in a non-oil sector that is the industrial sector and increase the manufacturing rate of several products which aims to diversify the economy of Saudi Arabia instead of only depending on oil and gas production.

KSA goverment invested in manufacturing such as petrochemical complexes: development of petrochemical complexes that can produce a wide range of products, including plastics, fertilizers,…

´This plot shows the increase in the manufacturing value from 93 billion dollars in 2020 to 163 billion dollars in 2022 after increasing the investment in this industry.

Findings

´After 2 years of applying diversification and  investing in a non-oil industry we noticed a sharp improvement in the gross domestic product(GDP) which highlights the importance of the initiative we took.

Solution Validation

The Dashboard below shows that the solution proposed was a direct cause for GDP increase between 2020 and 2022.

Conclusion

Economic diversification is a multifaceted process that offers numerous advantages, including increased resilience, job creation, and sustainable development. While challenges exist, the potential long-term benefits make diversification a valuable strategy for countries seeking to build robust and adaptable economies

Unleashing Africa’s Potential: A Deep Dive into Economic Growth, Workforce Equality, and Youth Empowerment

Unleashing Africa’s Potential: A Deep Dive into Economic Growth, Workforce Equality, and Youth Empowerment

Decent work and equal pay

Decent work and equal pay remain pivotal challenges in Africa, as nations strive to create job opportunities that are both equitable and sustainable. The quest to balance economic growth with social inclusion is evident in the varied landscape of female labor force participation and the proportion of wage and salaried workers across the continent.

In the visualization of Africa’s labor landscape, the contrast in female labor force participation is stark. Countries like Niger and Central African Republic show participation rates of 39.02% and 60.29% respectively, indicating a significant portion of women contributing to their economies. Yet, this is only a fragment of the picture. The proportion of wage and salaried workers offers another perspective on job security and equity in compensation. South Africa leads with 84.52%, hinting at a more structured and possibly equitable job market. However, in countries like Algeria, with a lower 16.51% female participation rate and a wage and salaried workers percentage of 68.61%, there’s an implied gap in decent work availability and fair pay, particularly for women. These numbers are not just data; they are indicators of the progress and challenges in achieving decent work and equal pay across the continent.

Youth Employment and Education

In Africa, the pursuit of Youth Employment and Education target confronts a complex tapestry of opportunity and challenge. As nations strive to significantly reduce the proportion of youth not engaged in employment, education, or training, the interplay between advancing educational attainments and the evolving job market becomes crucial to shaping the future workforce.

The juxtaposition of tertiary school enrollment against youth employment rates in African countries may reflect systemic challenges in aligning educational outputs with labor market demands. High enrollment numbers, such as those in Algeria and Tunisia, do not necessarily translate into employment, which could indicate a surplus of graduates with skills that do not meet the needs of the current job market or possibly a lack of job creation. On the other hand, countries like Ethiopia and Mali show high youth employment rates despite lower tertiary enrollment, which may suggest that young adults are entering the workforce earlier, possibly due to economic necessity or the availability of jobs that don’t require higher education. This scenario raises concerns about the quality of employment and whether these jobs can offer long-term stability and growth, which are crucial for sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.

Economic Productivity and Employment Growth

Economic Productivity and Employment Growth in Africa stands at a critical juncture. The region’s future hinges on its ability to diversify, innovate, and enhance technological capabilities to foster a labor market that is both vibrant and inclusive.


The visual contrasts GDP growth with employment-to-population ratios across various African nations, highlighting economic dynamism juxtaposed with labor market realities. Notably, countries like Egypt and Chad show significant GDP growth, yet this does not directly correlate with high employment ratios, underscoring the complex relationship between economic expansion and job creation. Conversely, Mozambique’s lower GDP growth accompanies the highest employment ratio, suggesting that economic growth rates may not always predict employment health. This dichotomy reveals the nuances of economic development and labor markets, indicating that growth does not automatically translate into widespread employment opportunities, a critical consideration for policy interventions.

Conclusion

The intricate balance between ensuring decent work and guaranteeing equal pay in Africa is a vivid reflection of the broader global struggle for economic equality and labor rights. Despite advancements in some areas, the disparity in female workforce participation and the varying percentages of wage and salaried workers across the continent underscore the ongoing challenges. This complexity necessitates a nuanced, multifaceted approach to policy-making that prioritizes both the creation of quality jobs and the assurance of fair compensation, particularly for underrepresented groups such as women. Only through such targeted strategies can sustainable economic and social progress be achieved.

Imports Vs Exports in Lebanon (% GDP)

Imports Vs Exports in Lebanon (% GDP)

Introduction:

In the dynamic world of economics, trade balances play a pivotal role in determining a country’s financial health. This visualization offers a clear and concise representation of Lebanon’s trade situation over the recent years, focusing on the comparison between the exports and imports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP.

Context:

Lebanon, a country with a rich trading history, has faced various economic challenges exacerbated by political instability and global market fluctuations. Understanding the trade trends is crucial for policy-makers, businesses, and academicians to assess the country’s economic resilience and to strategize for future growth.


These pie charts are a visual summary of the economic challenges faced by Lebanon in terms of trade. They underscore the need for strategic planning and diversified economic reform to build a more balanced and self-sufficient economic structure.

In 2019, the pie chart illustrates that imports considerably outweighed exports, indicating a trade deficit. This imbalance suggests that the country was consuming more than it was producing for external markets.

2020 shows a slight shift with the reduction in imports and a marginal increase in exports. This change could be indicative of various factors, such as a change in economic policy, a response to external economic pressures, or the impact of the global events of that year, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

By 2021, the gap between imports and exports continues to persist, although there’s a noticeable improvement in the trade balance, with exports comprising a larger section of the pie.

Problem:

Lebanon is grappling with a trade deficit.

Solutions:

1- Diversification of Exports: Investing in diverse sectors to increase the range of goods and services for export.

2- Improving Domestic Production: Enhancing the quality and quantity of domestic production to reduce reliance on imports.

3- Trade Agreements: Entering into new trade agreements that favor Lebanese exports or revising existing ones to improve trade terms.

After working on these strategies developing these ideas, and through careful analysis and responsive policymaking, Lebanon can work towards a future where its exports and imports are in a healthier balance.