Where do you get your data from?
This months the blogs of our Monthly Theme agree on one fact: the data revolution changes our lives dramatically. No matter if you see data as the new gold or the new oil. There are already many inspirational and positive resources that provide free access to this precious commodity. In this blog we want to highlight those from this month's blog posts and some additional open data service tools that crossed our way.
Are we missing something? Write us and let us know.
Data sources and tools on a variety of topics
Our World in Data
Our World in Data is an online publication that shows how living conditions are changing. The website features interactive visualizations (charts and maps) and analysis on trends on a vast variety of topics - here is a list of all data entries. Most of the data is on a global level. Research findings on the website come with articles that explain the data and put them into a broader context. You will find data on e.g.
- Global economic income equality: Inequality in and between countries, the current world income distribution
- Energy production and changing energy sources: Energy intensity of economies, energy use per capita versus the share of population in extreme poverty, Investments in renewable technologies
World Resources Institute (WRI)
WRI produces maps, charts, data sets, infographics, and other visual resources as part of our commitment to turn information into action. You will find e.g.
- Maps and map-based tools like the Tanzania energy access map that was discussed in this blog post
- Data sets on the protection and conservation of global resources such as water or forests
- Various charts and infographics that were used in reports
The WorldPop data project
The WorldPop project aims to provide an open access archive of spatial demographic datasets for Central and South America, Africa and Asia to support development, disaster response and health applications. The website provides a rich pool of information, data visualisations and publications. You will find e.g.
- Country data on populations, births, pregnancies, age structures or urban change
- Case studies on e.g. poverty, population movements or maternal health
- Publications, e.g. how improvement of housing conditions can lead to a decrease of malaria infections in sub-Saharan Africa
Development Data Hub
The Development Data Hub is an online resource for financial and resource flow data alongside poverty, social and vulnerability indicators. You can find interactive visualisations that enable users to chart, map and compare data at the global, national and local level. The web application runs smoothly on Google Chrome, but we experienced some hickups in other browsers. You will find e.g.
- scenarios for future poverty levels both globally and by region up to 2030
- Analysis how to unbundle official development assistance
- A spotlight on Uganda that highlights the country's financial resource flow data longside indicators on poverty, population, education, health, water, hygiene and sanitation.
Open Data Handbook
This handbook features guides, case studies and resources for government and civil society on the "what, why & how" of open data. It explains the basic concepts of ‘open data’, especially in relation to government. It covers how open data creates value and can have a positive impact in many different areas. In addition to exploring the background, the handbook also provides concrete information on how to produce open data.
Open Government Data Toolkit
The Open Government Data Toolkit is designed to help governments, Bank staff and users understand the basic precepts of Open Data, then get “up to speed” in planning and implementing an open government data program, while avoiding common pitfalls.
Data sources and tools for specific sectors and purposes
IFC's Global Consumption Data Base
The Global Consumption Database is a one-stop source of data on household consumption patterns in developing countries. It compiles data from surveys of more than a million households around the world. Users can access spending numbers, view graphs and tables, and download data for analysis. The data can be broken down in several ways: By country, consumption segment, sector, category or for specific products and services.
Global Fortification Data Exchange (Nutrition)
The Global Fortification Data Exchange (GFDx) is an analysis and visualization tool that provides you with free access to data on food fortification. In its first release, the GFDx includes indicators on food fortification legislation from 1942 to the present as well as available standards, food availability, and intake for over 230 countries.
The Dairy Value Chain (Kenya)
Dairy is the largest agricultural sub-sector in Kenya, at ~4% of GDP and 19% of AgGDP. FarmInk set up an interactive map that locates 350 organisations in Kenya's dairy value chain that equal 90% of the country's milk production. A diagram shows the flow of milk (in litres) through various actors in the value chain. In this blog article, Georgia Barrie of Farm.ink explains how the organisation mined the data that was publicly available.
Flowminder (disaster risk response, epidemiology)
By collecting, aggregating and analysing anonymous mobile operator data, satellite and household survey data, Flowminder aims to improve public health and welfare in low- and middle-income countries. The non-profit organisation provides data in the fields of disaster response, socioeconomic analysis and precision epidemiology and works with governments, inter-governmental organizations and NGOs. The website doesn't feature visualisations of maps and graphics but has some interesting examples and summaries on projects that applied data.
This site showcases business' past and continuing contributions to sustainable development through the prism of the SDGs. Users can choose if information is broken down by business, country or the single SDGs. The website also features a call to action for businesses to apply for a listing and highlight their contributions to the SDGs.
This blog is a part of the November 2017 series on data for inclusive business.
Read the full series for insights on how the data revolution could affect inclusive business. Will it bring an end to the uncertainty of business in Base of Pyramid markets? Can it straddle the development-business divide? Will the data drive spurred by the Sustainable Development Goals be useful to inclusive business?