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

Insights for High School Career Guidance Counselors about the Future of Jobs

Insights for High School Career Guidance Counselors about the Future of Jobs

SDG Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

You are probably aware of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. As a High School College Admissions and Career Guidance Counselor, you can play an important role toward achieving GlobalGoal 8, especially the target of full employment and decent work for all. You can help by providing students with data-driven advice about the jobs of the future. It’s important for students to think about their future careers not only in light of their interests, but also in light of which jobs are on the rise.

6 out of 10 workers will require training before 2027

The Future of Jobs Report by the World Economic Forum is one of the best publications that can help you provide students with scientific advice. It is a yearly publication, and the most recent version was published on May 2023. It brings together the collective perspectives of 803 companies, employing more than 11.3 million workers – across 27 industry clusters and 45 economies from all world regions. One of the most striking findings of the report is that 6 out of 10 workers will require training before 2027.This should give you an idea about the pace at which things are moving, and how drastic the landscape of the job market could be changing in the coming few years.

Cashiers, Waiters, Farmers, and Chief Executives are on the list of occupations with the largest job declines

You may have guessed that cashiers are on the list, but have you guessed that waiters and farmers are also on the list? How about Chief Executives? This is why you want reliable data and not intuition as the basis of your career guidance. One of the best resources that you can refer to is the Occupational Outlook Handbook by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, particularly the Employment Projections (EP) which provides information about the US labor market for 10 years in the future. The Handbook is only about the US labor market, but it is still a very good resource that gives you insights into future trends regardless of where you are.

The 2022-2032 Employment Projections can definitely inform your high school students’ decisions when they start planning for their future careers. It gives an idea about which jobs are growing, and which jobs are declining.

Healthcare and Tech are on the rise while Sales and Administrative occupations are declining

Let’s start with a macro-level picture of which occupation groups have the fastest percent growth, and which ones have the highest negative growth.

 

The fastest growing occupations

Now, let’s look more closely at the specific job titles with the highest percent growth, and let’s examine the median 2022 wage for these job titles. The top 3 places are: Wind Turbine Service Technicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Data Scientists. This is not very surprising because we know from the previous graph that healthcare and tech jobs are on top of the list of the most growing professions. We also know from the Future of Jobs report by WEF that green jobs are expected to grow more rapidly than other jobs which explains the presence of Wind Turbine Service Technicians on the top of the list.

Healthcare, tech and green jobs dominate the list

If we reorganize the treemap by occupation group, we’ll realize that 26 of the fastest growing jobs come from one of three categories; healthcare jobs (16), technology jobs (8), and green jobs (2). Looking closer at the list above reveals that there is a big discrepancy in  the median annual wage among the the 30 fastest growing jobs. Computer and Information Research Scientists make a median annual wage of $36,620 in 2022, while Home Health and Personal Care Aides make only $30,180.

The top 10 paying jobs in the fastest growing occupations list

You are probably curious to know which fast growing jobs make the most money. Below is a list of the top 10 jobs in median annual wage among the 30 fastest growing jobs in the US. This list is now completely dominated by healthcare and tech jobs with equal share for both.

 

Below is the full list of the fastest growing jobs ordered from the highest median annual wage to the lowest, with the expected percent increase between 2022 and 2032. It looks like Nurse Practitioners will enjoy very high demand (45%) and a very high median pay ($121,610).

 

STEM vs no-STEM

It’s probably clear by now that there is a huge gap in demand and pay between jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and non-STEM jobs.

STEM jobs are growing at 4.7X the rate of Non-STEM jobs.

 

 

STEM jobs are getting paid 2.1X as much as Non-STEM jobs.

 

 

It is in fact overwhelming to ask an 18-year old to choose his or her future career path, but isn’t that what happens when they write their college applications? Students are usually asked to select the major or at least the school (faculty) to which they would like to apply. While a student can always change his/her major in theory, things can get complicated in reality. Say a student is very interested in humanities and engineering. If the student decide to apply to a humanities major but later finds out about this pay gap between engineering and humanities after she is already enrolled in college, it may not be possible for her to transfer from the faculty of Arts and Sciences to the faculty of Engineering. So, it’s critical to provide students with all the information and allow them to take data-informed decisions that incorporate the future projections of the job market into consideration.

Towards a Peaceful Strong World: Homocides and the Quest for Global Justice

Towards a Peaceful Strong World: Homocides and the Quest for Global Justice

A world we all aim for

In the pursuit of a world marked by Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), there exists a formidable challenge that casts a shadow on our collective journey: intentional homicides. As nations strive for equilibrium and progress, this rising tide of violence threatens to disrupt the delicate balance sought under SDG 16, unraveling the fabric of our communities and hindering the path to justice.

The Unsettled World

Intentional homicides not only claim lives but shatter communities, leaving a trail of grief and despair in their wake. The impact reverberates beyond the immediate loss, affecting the very foundations of sustainable development. As we stand at the intersection of a quest for global justice, intentional homicides emerge as a stark reminder of the work yet to be done.

A Sign of Change

The CPIA (Country Policy and Institutional Assessment) Public Sector Management and Institutions cluster average provides an assessment of a country’s public sector quality, including aspects of governance and institutional strength. While this assessment doesn’t directly address homicides, improvements in public sector management and institutions can have indirect effects on reducing crime and promoting stability.

Countries with higher CPIA Public Sector Management and Institutions cluster average scores are likely to have more effective governance, transparent institutions, and better public administration. Such improvements can contribute to a stable environment, potentially discouraging criminal activities, including homicides. Strengthened institutions often lead to better law enforcement, judicial systems, and crime prevention strategies, indirectly impacting public safety.

Bold Steps

It’s our turn to help in implementing SDG 16. Let’s start drawing the peaceful world we always dreamed of by:

  1. Advocating for Policy Reforms: Encourage comprehensive policy reforms that prioritize enhancing public sector management for increased transparency and responsiveness.
  2. Promoting Anti-Corruption Measures: Emphasize the importance of anti-corruption measures within public institutions to ensure integrity and accountability.
  3. Investing in Judicial and Legal Reforms: Support initiatives aimed at improving judicial and legal systems for fair and efficient justice.
  4. Empowering Local Communities: Foster community engagement in decision-making processes, empowering citizens to actively participate in governance.
  5. Championing Transparency with Open Data: Advocate for transparency through open data initiatives, making government data accessible for public scrutiny.
  6. Enhancing Education and Training: Invest in education and training programs for public servants to elevate their skills and knowledge.
  7. Encouraging Collaboration: Promote collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector to address shared governance challenges.
  8. Raising Public Awareness: Launch public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the importance of strong institutions in ensuring justice and maintaining peace.

 

Gender Disparities in Suicide Rates

Gender Disparities in Suicide Rates

The sustainable development goals set by the United Nations outline the global targets to be achieved by 2030. Among these, SDG 3 focuses on ensuring health and well-being for all, and more specifically SDG3.4 targets the mental health well-being.

We can see in the graph that males suicide rate is much more higher, approximately three to four times, than females suicide rate, no matter if the country is developed or not. And this applies to approximately all countries if not all.

But what is the main cause? the root cause underlying behind this? MASCUNALITY.

Social expectations weigh heavily on men, discouraging them from expressing vulnerability and seeking for help, creating a silent struggle, and isolating them in their battles with mental health.

The call to action is clear:

  1. Challenge stereotypes around mascunality by promoting for a more inclusive and open understanding of mascunality and challenging the social norms that prevent men from showing signs and expressing weekness.
  2. Promote mental health education by encouraging mental health programs and addressing the struggles men face.
  3. Finally, let men have access to mental health services.

Finally, we need to keep track of the rates. For sure if the plan is going to be in action, these rates will go down.

Lebanon and Sudan: Tackling the Dual Crisis of Inflation and Negative Growth

Lebanon and Sudan: Tackling the Dual Crisis of Inflation and Negative Growth

Inflation Rate in The Arab World:

The map above illustrates the inflation rates in the Arab world in 2021, with Lebanon and Sudan registering the highest percentages of inflation. Inflation is an increase in the level of prices of the goods and services that households buy.

High inflation reduces the purchasing power of money, making goods and services more expensive. This erosion of purchasing power is particularly challenging as it diminishes the real value of the currency, leading to a noticeable decline in the standard of living for individuals and restraining their ability to afford essential goods.

Negative GDP Growth Adds Another Layer of Challenge to Lebanon and Sudan:

The bar chart shows the GDP growth and inflation rates across Lebanon, Sudan, and other Arab countries in 2021. GDP growth, or Gross Domestic Product growth, represents the percentage change in the total value of goods and services produced within a country. In the context of the chart, the negative GDP growth in Lebanon and Sudan underscores a formidable challenge. Negative GDP growth occurs when an economy contracts, producing fewer goods and services than in the previous period. This contraction, coupled with soaring inflation rates as evident in the chart, adds another layer of complexity to the economic challenges  Lebanon and Sudan are facing.  A shrinking economy impacts employment, investment, and overall economic well-being, making it imperative for policymakers to address these dual challenges with targeted and effective strategies.

Emulating China’s Success: A Blueprint for Economic Diversification and GDP Growth

As seen in the line-chart above, The GDP growth in China has significantly increased starting 2020. China’s extraordinary economic growth can be attributed to a strategic blend of market-oriented reforms and targeted initiatives.

Diversifying the economy played a pivotal role, as the country shifted from an agrarian focus to developing various industries, such as reducing state control, encouraging private businesses, and welcoming foreign investments.

China’s success story underscores the effectiveness of a multifaceted approach, combining diversification with reforms that prioritize efficiency, global integration, and sustained economic planning.

 

HIV is a Hidden Epidemic in Europe & the Arab World

HIV is a Hidden Epidemic in Europe & the Arab World

HIV persists as a noteworthy communicable disease in Europe and a substantial risk in the Arab world, posing a significant health challenge. This infection is associated with considerable healthcare costs for treatment and care, a noteworthy mortality rate, and a reduction in life expectancy. The virus specifically attacks the immune system, resulting in a persistent and severe illness with an extended incubation period before symptoms manifest.

 

The average prevalence from 2005 to 2021 reveals notable trends. While some Arab countries, like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iraq, do not consistently report HIV statistics, the available data highlights the prevalence of the disease in Arab countries situated in Africa. In contrast, European countries, particularly Portugal, Latvia, France, and Italy, exhibit higher prevalence rates.

Within the Arab world, there is an upward trend in the percentage of HIV incidences in Yemen, Algeria, Qatar, and Tunisia. Conversely, Djibouti, Mauritania, Morocco, Comoros, Sudan, and Libya exhibit a decline in HIV incidence rates.

Within the Euro area, there is an increase in HIV incidences observed in Slovakia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Greece, Lithuania, and Ireland. However, a decrease is noted in the Netherlands, Italy, Slovenia, Portugal, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Spain, and Croatia.

HIV prevalence is higher in European Union countries compared to Arab countries. There was an incline in Arab countries around 2020, while in the European Union, the trend experienced a decrease in 2017, followed by a slight upward movement.

We will be focusing on these countries in the following visuals.

Most countries do not report parameters related to children living with HIV and newly infected children. However, the available data indicates that in Algeria and Morocco, both the number of children infected and the number of new cases are on the rise. In contrast, Djibouti has successfully decreased these numbers, as has Mauritania.

In our selected focus countries, notable instances of HIV infection among the female population are observed. Within Arab countries, Djibouti, Comoros, Mauritania, Sudan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia exhibit a high prevalence. Similarly, in EU countries, France, Portugal, Latvia, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Italy show a high number of females infected with HIV.

Antiretroviral therapy coverage has seen an increase since 2005 in Djibouti, Mauritania, and Morocco within the Arab world, as well as in Latvia and Bulgaria. The effectiveness of the treatment is reflected in the declining incidence cases observed. However, in Algeria, despite an increase in treatment coverage, the number of incidents continues to rise. A similar situation is noted in Slovenia, suggesting that the treatment alone may not be sufficient to curb the spread of HIV.

Information pertaining to condom use and protected sex is currently unavailable, emphasizing the need to gather this specific dataset.

In conclusion, Europe & the Arab World are far from meeting global HIV targets. Annual new HIV infections from AIDS-related illness are on the rise. While treatment can contribute to reducing the prevalence of HIV in a country, it is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach. Relying solely on treatment is inadequate. Nations should prioritize addressing other impactful factors, including:

  • Implementing prevention programs that effectively reach key populations in substantial numbers.
  • Making special efforts to enhance and extend HIV testing and treatment initiatives.
  • Increasing engagement with the younger demographic.
  • Enforcing effective policies such as mandatory testing for work or residence permits, mandatory testing for marriage, and criminalizing activities such as sex work and drug use or possession for personal use.