Timeline of Our World in Data

This is a timeline of Our World in Data (OWID), an online publication that presents empirical research and data on global change, in particular global living conditions.

Big picture

Period	Development Summary	More Details
2011-2013	Early Conceptualization and Initial Development	Max Roser starts working on the idea for Our World in Data while in Brazil. Moving to Oxford in 2012, he begins collaborating with Tony Atkinson on income inequality, and shifts focus from a book to an online publication. Roser builds the first version of the website and launches a password-protected site in 2013.
2014-2015	Initial Public Launch and Growth	Official public launch in May 2014, with significant growth in visitors. Our World in Data receives a grant from the Nuffield Foundation in December 2014. In 2015, the team expands with new hires, including web developer Zdenek Hynek and research assistants Lindsay Lee and Mohamed Nagdy. The project faces financial challenges but is rescued by a successful crowdfunding campaign.
2016-2017	Expansion and New Collaborations	Our World in Data receives a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in August 2016. It collaborates with Kurz Gesagt and recruits key team members, including Esteban Ortiz-Ospina and Jaiden Mispy. Hannah Ritchie joins in April 2017, leading major research projects. The team grows with new research assistants and a database manager.
2018 onwards	Significant Milestones and Scaling	Our World in Data Develops SDG-Tracker.org and starts building the Global Change Data Lab non-profit. OWID joins Y Combinator in early 2019, which provides significant support for scaling. New team members join, including Matthieu Bergel and Bernadeta Dadoinaite. The site becomes a major resource for global problems and research, achieving widespread recognition and impact. By 2021, ourworldindata.org reaches 89 million unique visitors.

Summary by year

Year	Details
2011	While working in Brazil, Max Roser begins developing an idea to publish data and research on global change. Initially, he plans to write a book providing an overview of major global issues. To support this, he collects extensive data and research to understand the current state of the world and potential solutions. Over the first few years, his collection would expanded to thousands of datasets, visualizations, and publications, which eventually became the foundation for Our World in Data.
2012	In early year, Max Roser moves to Oxford to work wit Tony Atkinson on income inequality. Atkinson, a renowned researcher on inequality and poverty, would greatly influences Roser's work and Our World in Data. In summer 2012, Roser shares his early book plan with Tony, who is very supportive. Both decide to make the research available online, recognizing the benefits of digital publication for accuracy and accessibility. Later that year, Roser shifts from writing a book to building a web publication. Initially, he has no financial support and works as a bicycle tour guide to fund the project, which progresses slowly as he learns web technologies. Eventually, Roser names the project "Our World in Data."
2013	Max Roser is hired by the Department of Economics at Oxford as a post-doctoral researcher, continuing his collaboration with Tony Atkinson. "Our World in Data" remains a side project, but its data coverage and research scope expands. Roser launches the first version of the website, featuring early interactive visualizations, in the summer. Initially password-protected and shared with a few friends, it has only 202 visitors in its first year. Tony suggests integrating the project with the university. In November, Roser and Atkinson apply for a Nuffield Foundation research grant with Sir David Hendry as Principal Investigator. After an initial rejection, a revised application is successful, securing funding in December 2014.
2014	In May, Max Roser publicly launches "Our World in Data," attracting an average of 20,000 monthly visitors over the next six months, surpassing his expectations given the limited reach of academic publications. Working at the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) Oxford, where he started collaborating with Tony Atkinson on inequality in 2012, provides a supportive environment for the project. By the end of the year, the project secures a £75,883 grant from the Nuffield Foundation, enabling the first part-time team to work on "Our World in Data" from December 2014 to November 2015.
2015	Our World in Data achieves significant milestones, gaining recognition and securing initial funding to hire collaborators. In May, web developer Zdenek Hynek joins to improve the site, followed by researchers Lindsay Lee and Mohamed Nagdy in July, focusing on health and economic topics, respectively. To grow the audience, Max Roser engages with academics, journalists, and speaks at conferences, including Harvard and Wired in London. Despite financial challenges, the project persists, with critical support coming from a crowdfunding campaign initiated by James Beshara, raising $26,086 from 139 donors, ensuring the project's continuation as Lindsay and Mohamed move on.
2016	Esteban Ortiz-Ospina joins the team as a collaborator, bringing complementary skills and a shared vision. In February, web developer Jaiden Mispy joins, contributing his expertise and interest in the project’s content until spring 2019. Financial stability during 2015 and 2016 come from reader donations. A pivotal moment occurs in August 2016, when the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards a one-year grant, allowing for long-term planning. Additionally, a collaboration with the YouTube channel Kurzgesagt begins, with the first video released in December.
2017	Hannah Ritchie joins the team after completing her PhD early and demonstrating a broad range of interests and strong academic contributions. Quickly assuming a leadership role, she focuses on humanity's impact on the environment, becoming Head of Research in 2019. The publication expands, producing in-depth articles on various global issues and earning citations in top academic journals. Later that year, research assistants Diana Beltekian, Sophie Ochman, and Ruby Mittal join, each focusing on different global topics. Aibek Aldabergenov becomes the first database manager, revolutionizing data management and preparing for the development of the OWID-Data Explorer.
2018	Our World in Data launches SDG-Tracker.org to track progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Joe Hasell, who joined in 2017, focuses on economic inequality and the history of large-scale suffering. Anstey Brock also joins to research the history of war. The team expands with Daniel Gavrilov, a web developer specializing in data visualization, who joins in October. OWID's reach increases significantly, attracting a broader audience and gaining top search rankings for key global topics. Financial support from donations and grants improves. OWID also establishes the Global Change Data Lab and is accepted into the Y Combinator startup incubator.
2019	Our World in Data participates in Y Combinator, which significantly benefits their work. The team attends YC Demo Day in March and sees the addition of web developer Matthieu Bergel, who revamps their content management system. Bernadeta Dadoinaite, with her extensive background in microbiology, immunology, and science media, also joins, enhancing their research capabilities. Challenges such as lack of institutional support and funding difficulties persist. However, by this time, about a million people visit ourworldindata.org each month, mainly though organic search traffic.
2020	Our World in Data focuses on publishing global data and research on the COVID-19 pandemic. They create and maintain a worldwide database on COVID-19 vaccinations, used by the World Health Organization, researchers, international organizations, journals, and various newspapers. Additionally, OWID builds and maintains a global dataset on COVID-19 testing, utilized by the United Nations, the White House, the World Health Organization, and epidemiologists. They also publish data on hospitalizations and computed excess deaths, significantly contributing to the understanding and response to the pandemic.
2021	The Our World in Data website reaches 89 million unique visitors. Beginning the COVID-19 pandemic with six staff members, the organization woulr grow to 20 by the end of this year.

Sample questions

• What are the various topics explored by Our World in Data?
  • Sort the full timeline by "Topic".
  • You will see a range of subjects related to global issues, such as economic inequality, population growth, famine, and terrorism. The timeline also covers various aspects like violent deaths, nuclear weapons, fertility rates, and global trade. It also explores efforts in disease eradication and human rights, among more subjects.
• What notable additions were made to the Our World in Data team throughout time?
  • Sort the full timeline by "Event type" and look for the group of rows with value "Team".
  • You will see the diverse expertise and skills of new team members, showing their impact on technology improvements and research focus.
• What are the various publications released by Our World in Data?
  • Sort the full timeline by "Event type" and look for the group of rows with value "Publication".
  • You will see a compilation of various publications released by the organization. These summaries provide insights into the issues addressed by Our World in Data and the research conducted to inform global discourse and policymaking.
• What are some notable instances of Our World in Data being referenced or cited in various media, academic papers, and publications?
  • Sort the full timeline by "Event type" and look for the group of rows with value "Coverage".
  • You will see instances of coverage in documentary films, academic papers, and publications.
• What grants and investments have been awarded to Our World in Data?
  • Sort the full timeline by "Event type" and look for the group of rows with value "Funding".
  • You will see a chronological list of events related to financial support. Details include the source of funding (e.g., foundation, grant, investment), and any additional relevant information, such as the amount awarded or the purpose of the funding.
• What specific updates were implemented on the OWID website, and how do they contribute to the overall user experience?
  • Sort the full timeline by "Event type" and look for the group of rows with value "Update".
  • You will see a chronological compilation of significant updates and developments related to the OWID platform. These updates may cover various aspects such as the introduction of new features, redesigns of existing tools or pages, improvements in data visualization tools, and initiatives aimed at enhancing user experience and accessibility.
• Other events are described under the following types: "Collaboration", "Data collection".

Full timeline

Inclusion criteria

We include:

• Most publications illustrating the diversity of topics explored by Our World in Data.
• Notable team members.

We do not include:

• Updates on original publications.
• Some publications reiterating the topics already mentioned.
• The entire team joining timeline.

Timeline

Year	Month and date (approximately)	Topic	Event type	Details
1983	-		Prelude	Max Roser is born in Kirchheimbolanden, Germany.
2011			Prelude	Max Roser, now an economist at the University of Oxford, starts working on OWID. Later, he would explain his project was the answer to his dissapointment and anger with a media and education that were not informing him and others about fundamental trends that are changing the world.
2012	Economic inequality	Prelude	Prelude	Max Roser starts working with Sir Tony Atkinson at the University of Oxford on research related to economic inequality. This collaboration significantly impacts his work and career.
2013	July 11	Population growth	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article on population growth examining global trends and projections of population changes over time. It covers historical and current population growth rates, highlighting the dramatic increase in global population since the 18th century. The article explains factors contributing to this growth, such as advancements in medicine, agriculture, and technology. It also discusses regional differences, noting that while population growth rates are slowing in many developed countries, they remain high in parts of Africa and Asia. Projections indicate that the world population will continue to grow, though at a slower pace, with significant implications for resources, urbanization, and environmental sustainability. The article provides data visualizations to illustrate these trends and their potential impacts.
2013		Famine	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a comprehensive overview of famines throughout history and their devastating impact on human populations. It explores the causes and consequences of famines, including natural disasters, conflicts, and policy failures. The page includes data on the frequency, duration, and mortality rates of famines, highlighting significant historical examples and their death tolls. It also discusses the global decline in famine-related deaths due to improved agricultural practices, economic development, and international aid. Interactive charts and visualizations illustrate these trends and provide insights into preventing future famines.
2013	August 2	Violent death	Publication	A data review authored by Max Roser explores quantitative information on violent deaths in non-state societies, drawing from archaeological and ethnographic studies. It highlights the abundance of ethnographic evidence for violent deaths in the recent past (since the late 19th century) and archaeological findings for the more distant past. The review notes the limitations of these sources, such as the inability to distinguish between homicides and deaths from warfare in some cases. Overall, it suggests that violence levels in prehistoric times and non-state societies vary widely but tend to be higher on average than in modern state societies.
2013	July	Terrorism	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an analysis providing an in-depth analysis of terrorism. It details the global prevalence and impact of terrorism, presenting historical and recent data on terrorist incidents. The page explores patterns of terrorism, including trends over time, geographic distribution, and the types of attacks. It also examines the relative frequency of terrorism compared to other causes of death and discusses the socio-political and economic factors contributing to terrorism. Visualizations and graphs illustrate the changes in terrorism rates and the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures. The page aims to provide a clear understanding of how terrorism affects global security and the efforts to mitigate its impact.
2013	August	Nuclear weapons	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study providing an in-depth analysis of global nuclear arsenals and their impacts. It tracks the history and current status of nuclear weapons, including the number of warheads possessed by different countries and disarmament efforts. The page features data on nuclear stockpiles over time, the distribution of nuclear weapons among nations, and the geopolitical implications of their existence. It also examines the effects of nuclear weapons on global security and the ongoing efforts to reduce their numbers and prevent proliferation.
2013	December	Economic inequality	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study analyzing distribution of incomes and wealth worldwide. It provides comprehensive data, visualizations, and analysis on economic inequality, revealing its high prevalence and upward trends in many countries. Despite global economic inequality being extensive and compounded by various factors like health and education disparities, the publication notes instances of inequality stabilization or decline within certain nations. Significantly, it highlights a recent decline in global inequality after centuries of increase, underscoring the potential for change through targeted policies to address inequality's impacts on societies.
2014		Total fertility rate	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an overview delving into the factors driving the decline in fertility rates globally since 1950, including the empowerment of women, declining child mortality rates, and rising costs associated with child-rearing. The charts present illustrate the remarkable decrease in the global fertility rate from around 5 children per woman in the 1960s to below 2.5 in 2021. Moreover, the visualization demonstrates the speed at which fertility rates can decline, with countries like Iran and China experiencing rapid transitions within a decade. This examination provides insights into the historical context and contemporary dynamics of fertility, shedding light on fundamental social changes that have shaped human populations over time.
2014		Global trade	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an overview exploring the historical evolution and contemporary structure of global trade. It highlights two significant waves of globalization: the 19th-century surge driven by technological advancements and colonial trade, followed by the post-World War II period marked by further integration enabled by technological innovations. The charts depict the exponential growth of trade and its relative importance compared to GDP, reflecting a profound shift in the global economic landscape.
2014	June		Website launch	Max Roser launches ourworldindata.org.
2014	June	Eradication of infectious diseases	Publication	Max Roser, Sophie Ochmann, Hannah Behrens, Hannah Ritchie, and Bernadeta Dadonaite in their article discuss the possibility of eradicating diseases. While theoretically, many diseases could be eradicated, only a few meet the criteria for eradicability with current knowledge, institutions, and technology. The article explores the progress made in eradicating diseases, the criteria for eradicability, and the diseases that hold promise for eradication in the future. It highlights the eradication of smallpox as a successful example and emphasizes the crucial role of vaccination in combating infectious diseases.
2014	November	Indoor air pollution	Publication	Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser publish a page sheding light on the significant health risks posed by indoor air pollution, primarily stemming from the burning of solid fuels like firewood and crop waste for cooking and heating, particularly prevalent in impoverished households. This form of pollution stands as a leading risk factor for premature death globally, with low-income countries bearing the highest burden. However, there's a glimmer of hope as annual deaths and death rates from indoor air pollution have been declining, albeit more pronounced in some regions than others. The article emphasizes the critical need to improve access to clean cooking fuels as a crucial step in combating indoor air pollution.
2014	November	HIV/AIDS	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a comprehensive overview of HIV/AIDS. It covers the global impact of the disease, including historical trends, prevalence rates, and mortality statistics. The page highlights the progress in treatment, including the development and distribution of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and its effectiveness in reducing mortality and improving quality of life for those living with HIV. It also examines regional disparities in infection rates and access to treatment. Additionally, the page features visualizations that illustrate the epidemic’s progression, the scale of efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, and ongoing challenges in prevention and treatment.
2014	November	Ozone layer	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a page exploring the critical role of the ozone layer. It explains the role of the layer in protecting Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and how human activities, especially the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), have led to ozone depletion. The page includes historical data on ozone levels, the impact of the Montreal Protocol in reducing CFC emissions, and the resulting recovery of the ozone layer. It also features visualizations showing trends in ozone concentration and the geographical distribution of the ozone hole. Additionally, the page discusses ongoing challenges and the importance of continued global efforts to protect the ozone layer.
2014	December		Funding	The Nuffield Foundation awards a grant to expand OWID over the course of 2015.
2015			Team	Lindsay Lee, Mohamed Nagdy and Julia Murphy join OWID research team. Zdenek Hynek becomes the first web developer in the team and builds the initial prototype of OWID-Grapher.
2015	July	Cancer	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study providing an extensive overview of cancer statistics and trends. It includes data on global cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates over time. The page examines variations in cancer rates by region and income level, as well as the impact of various types of cancer. It also discusses the progress made in cancer treatment and prevention, highlighting the role of early detection and advancements in medical research. Interactive charts and data visualizations are used to illustrate these trends and facilitate understanding.
2015	August	Suicide	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study analyzing suicide, showing rates varying significantly across countries. While some regions, such as Southern Africa and Eastern Europe, report high suicide rates of over 15 deaths per 100,000 people annually, others, like Europe, South America, and Asia, have lower rates, with under 10 deaths per 100,000 people annually. Factors contributing to these variations include differences in mental health awareness and treatment, personal and financial stress, access to means of suicide, and cultural attitudes towards mental health.
2015	August 23		Recognition	Canadian-American popular science author Steven Pinker places Our World in Data on his list of his personal “cultural highlights” and explains in his article on 'the most interesting recent scientific news' why he considers Our World in Data so very important.
2015	September		Website launch	The 193 countries of the United Nations General Assembly adopt the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of targets for global development to be achieved by 2030. OWID subsequently builds the site sdg-tracker.org to track progress towards them.
2015	September 23		Coverage	Material from OWID is used for Don’t Panic, How to End Poverty, a documentary film with Hans Rosling and produced by Wingspan Productions for This World on BBC Two.
2015	November	Malaria	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article providing an overview of malaria, a deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes, which is a major cause of death, especially among children. It covers the global impact of malaria, including its prevalence, transmission, and the burden it imposes on health systems. The page presents data on malaria cases and deaths over time, highlighting regions most affected by the disease. It discusses the efforts and challenges in malaria prevention and treatment, such as the use of insecticide-treated nets, indoor spraying, and antimalarial drugs. The site also explores historical trends, recent progress, and ongoing research aimed at eradicating malaria. Through charts and visualizations, it provides insights into the global fight against malaria and the effectiveness of various interventions.
2016	January		Team	Esteban Ortiz-Ospina joins the research team. A skilled economist and effective manager, by this time Ortiz-Ospina and Max Roser have known each other for several years and often discussed Our World in Data. Ortiz-Ospina’s expertise in economics and management would contribute significantly to OWID’s development.
2016	February		Team	Jaiden Mispy joins Our World in Data as web developer. He would remain with OWID until spring 2019.
2016	January	Disease burden	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article on the burden of disease examining the impact of various diseases and health conditions on global populations. It uses data to quantify the burden of disease through metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Years of Life Lost (YLL). The article highlights the leading causes of disease burden, including non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes, infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, and injuries. It explores regional disparities in disease burden, showing how low-income countries are disproportionately affected by certain health conditions. The article also discusses trends over time, noting improvements in some areas and emerging health challenges in others, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts in global health.
2016	May 20	Fertility rate	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article on fertility rates, which explores global trends and variations in the number of children born per woman. It examines how fertility rates have changed over time, highlighting a significant decline from an average of 5 children per woman in the 1950s to around 2.5 in recent years. The article discusses factors influencing these changes, such as economic development, education, access to contraception, and shifts in cultural norms. It also provides regional comparisons, noting that fertility rates remain higher in parts of Africa and lower in Europe and North America. The article uses data visualizations to illustrate these trends and discusses the implications of changing fertility rates for population growth, aging populations, and economic development.
2016	June 12	Human rights	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study analyzing human rights across the world. The authors emphasize that human rights are inherent to all individuals, regardless of nationality, gender, sexuality, or ethnicity. These rights encompass physical integrity, civil liberties, and political freedoms, enabling people to lead fulfilling lives. While human rights protection has improved globally, discrepancies persist among countries and marginalized groups. The page offers data, visualizations, and analysis on the evolution of human rights protection, disparities across nations, and inequalities based on gender, sexuality, and ethnicity. Additionally, it provides insights into economic and social rights, such as access to food, health, and education.
2016	October 10	Corruption	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study on corruption, which explores the prevalence, impact, and reduction strategies of corruption worldwide. Corruption encompasses various forms of abuse of entrusted power for private gain, including bribery and embezzlement. Historical examples illustrate its persistence across societies. Measurement, relying on observation and perception surveys, faces challenges due to corruption's clandestine nature. However, data indicates a correlation between corruption and human development, with education playing a significant role in fostering accountability and reducing corrupt behavior among voters.
2016	December 14	Global living conditions	Publication	An article from Our World in Data provides a comprehensive overview of the history of global living conditions, focusing on long-term trends in poverty, health, education, and human rights. It emphasizes the dramatic improvements in living conditions over the past two centuries, supported by data and visualizations that show the progress humanity has made. The piece underscores the importance of understanding this historical context to appreciate the scale of progress and to address ongoing challenges effectively.
2017	February 23		Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study discussing the prevalence of homelessness and poverty in wealthy nations. It highlights how, despite high levels of wealth, many developed countries still experience significant rates of poverty and homelessness. The page provides visual data and interactive charts that illustrate trends, comparisons between countries, and the impact of policy changes. The data emphasizes the disparities within rich countries and calls attention to the need for effective solutions and social safety nets.
2017	April 4		Team	Hannah Ritchie contacts the team at Our World in Data, expressing her desire to contribute to their research. With a diverse background, encompassing environmental research, energy, malnutrition, agriculture, and health, by this time she has published several high-quality academic papers. Ritchie quickly joins the team, leading major research projects focusing on humanity's impact on the environment and ways to mitigate these issues. Since 2019, she would serve as the Head of Research for Our World in Data.
2017		Economic inequality, large-scale suffering	Team	Joe Hasell joins the team, initially working remotely from Italy before moving to Oxford in 2018. His research contributions focus on both economic inequality, and the history of large-scale suffering.
2017			Team	Diana Beltekian, Marco Molteni, and Sophie Ochmann join OWID research team.
2017	April	Air pollution	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study providing an overview of indoor and outdoor air pollution, highlighting its status as one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide. With millions of deaths attributed to air pollution annually, particularly affecting low-to-middle-income countries, it remains a significant contributor to disease burden. Despite these challenges, death rates from air pollution are declining, largely due to improvements in indoor pollution. Interactive charts accompany the discussion, offering insights into the changing landscape of air pollution's impact.
2017	April 17		Team	Aibek Aldabergenov joins the team as the first database manager, transforming the management of the central database, which by 2019 would include more than 70,000 variables. Before Aibek, each author had to upload each variable by hand. Aibek would automate this process by implementing mass imports for the most important datasets, keeping the publication up-to-date as new and better data becomes available. He would also contribute to the development of the OWID-Data Explorer, a tool that allows readers to explore the entire database.
2017	April 21		Coverage	Our World in Data is cited in academic paper Ecosystem management as a wicked problem, by Ruth DeFries and Harini Nagendra; published in Science.
2017	May	Greenhouse gas emissions	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a detailed analysis on CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions. It covers global and historical data on emissions, highlighting sources and trends over time. The page examines the major contributors to greenhouse gases, including fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities. It presents visualizations and graphs to show the impact of these emissions on global warming and climate change. Additionally, the page discusses various mitigation strategies, such as renewable energy adoption and international agreements like the Paris Agreement. It aims to provide insights into the relationship between human activities and environmental changes, emphasizing the importance of reducing emissions to combat climate change effectively.
2017	June 16	Healthcare spending	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an analysis of healthcare financing, spending, and returns. The text highlights global spending patterns, noting that high-income countries spend more on healthcare compared to low-income countries, where out-of-pocket expenses are significant. Development assistance has been crucial for improving health outcomes in low-income countries. The interactive charts offer detailed data on various healthcare spending metrics, comparing expenditures, coverage, and outcomes across different regions and income levels.
2017	June 20		Coverage	Our World in Data is cited in academic paper Future of fundamental discovery in US biomedical research by Michael Levitt and Jonathan M. Levitt.
2017	August	Micronutrient deficiency	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study exploring the pervasive issue of micronutrient deficiency, commonly termed "hidden hunger," focusing on its impact on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and young children. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of micronutrient deficiency, covering its prevalence, impacts, and intervention strategies. They present data on zinc deficiency and introduce the Global Hidden Hunger Index (GHHI) to assess severity. The authors discuss supplementation, food fortification, and biofortification as key strategies. They examine the coverage of vitamin A supplementation and iodized salt supply. Furthermore, they explore the link between dietary diversity, income levels, and deficiency prevalence. Through interactive charts, readers gain insights into the multifaceted challenges and potential solutions related to micronutrient deficiency.
2017	September 11		Coverage	Our World in Data is cited in academic paper The global distribution of economic activity: nature, history, and the role of trade, by J. Vernon Henderson, Tim Squires, Adam Storeygard, and David Weil.
2017	November 9	Poliomyelitis	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article on poliomyelitis, which discusses the infectious disease's symptoms, transmission, and historical perspective. It explores the development and global use of polio vaccines since the 1950s, leading to its elimination in wealthier countries by the 1960s and '70s. Despite this, large outbreaks persisted globally in the early 1980s, prompting the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. Significant progress has since been made, with two of the three wild poliovirus types eradicated worldwide, while one remains.
2017			Coverage	Our World in Data is cited in An Introduction to Global Health Delivery by Joia S. Mukherje.
2018	February 2		Funding	Our World in Data receives almost US$ 1.8 million research grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to enhance its work presenting the empirical research and data on global development.
2018	February 13		Coverage	Our World in Data is cited in Stephen Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress.
2018	February	Causes of death	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study exploring the global causes of death, highlighting shifts in mortality patterns over time. It discusses how causes of death have evolved from infectious diseases and malnutrition in the past to chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes in recent decades. The article emphasizes the impact of various factors such as economic development, healthcare advancements, and lifestyle changes on mortality rates. It also provides detailed data visualizations and comparisons of cause-of-death statistics across different regions and income levels, illustrating global health trends and disparities. The aim is to offer a comprehensive understanding of how and why causes of death vary worldwide.
2018	March	Women in the workforce	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study analyzing female labor supply. The authors explore the variations in women's labor force participation across countries and its evolution over time, highlighting it as a significant economic development of the last century. The page delves into key facts and drivers behind this transformation, shedding light on the factors influencing differences and changes in women's employment rates globally.
2018	March	Gender pay gap	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study analyzing gender pay gap. The article discusses the extent of economic inequalities between men and women, focusing on pay, job opportunities, and wealth. It presents data and visualizations showing the magnitude of these disparities and how they have evolved over time. While acknowledging that gender-based economic inequalities still persist, the article highlights that they have decreased compared to previous decades. The causes of these differences are also explored, offering insights into the various factors contributing to gender disparities in the economy.
2018	April	Alcohol consumption	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study exploring global patterns of alcohol consumption. The study focuses on who consumes the most alcohol, how consumption has changed over time, and its health impacts. While alcohol plays a significant role in social engagement and bonding, excessive consumption is associated with negative outcomes, including health risks, crime, road incidents, and alcohol dependence. The page provides data on drinking patterns, beverage types, alcoholism prevalence, and consequences such as crime and mortality. Additionally, it offers resources and guidance for those seeking support for alcohol dependency.
2018	April		Coverage	Our World in Data is cited in Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think, by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund.
2018	April 21		Recognition	Bill Gates refers to Max Roser as "one his favorite economists".
2018	June	Smallpox	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article on the history of smallpox eradication. Caused by the variola virus, smallpox was once a significant global threat, responsible for substantial mortality throughout history. However, through concerted global efforts, smallpox became the first and only human disease to be successfully eradicated. This achievement marked a major milestone in global health, as smallpox was endemic across all continents and caused widespread mortality. The eradication campaign not only saved countless lives but also catalyzed advancements in immunology, with the smallpox vaccine being the first of its kind developed.
2018	June 28		Coverage	The online publication SDG-Tracker launches. It presents data across all available indicators, and relies on the Our World in Data database and is also based at the University of Oxford. The publication has global coverage and tracks whether the world is making progress towards the SDGs. It aims to make the data on the 17 goals available and understandable to a wide audience.
2018	September	Urbanization	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study exploring the global trend of increasing urban populations, showing that over half of the world’s people now live in cities. The publication provides historical context on urbanization, revealing how societies have shifted from rural to urban living over centuries. The site offers detailed statistics on urban versus rural populations, discusses the varying definitions of what constitutes an urban area, and highlights data on urban slum populations. It also includes projections of future urban growth and interactive charts for in-depth exploration of urbanization trends across different regions.
2018	September	Plastic pollution	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study examining the global impact of plastic waste on the environment. It details the increasing production and consumption of plastics and their contribution to pollution, emphasizing how plastics accumulate in oceans, harming marine life and ecosystems. The page provides data on plastic waste generation, recycling rates, and environmental consequences. It also explores efforts to mitigate plastic pollution, including policies and innovations in waste management. Interactive charts and graphs illustrate the extent of the problem and the effectiveness of various strategies to reduce plastic waste.
2018	September 30	Rinderpest	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study outlining the global effort to eradicate rinderpest, a severe disease affecting cattle. It details the history of the disease, its impact on agriculture, and the development of a successful vaccine. Key strategies included mass vaccination campaigns, rigorous surveillance, and international collaboration. The page highlights how these efforts led to the disease's complete eradication in 2011, marking the second time a disease was eradicated through vaccination after smallpox, and emphasizes the importance of global cooperation and scientific innovation in combating infectious diseases.
2018	October		Team	Daniel Gavrilov joins the team as a web developer. He becomes the lead developer shortly after, taking on the task of managing all aspects of the site, the database, and the visualization tools. He would also play a key role in building and leading the development team.
2018	November 19	Economic inequality	Publication	An article from Our World in Data examines global income inequality trends since 1990, using the Gini index to compare changes within countries. It reveals that inequality has increased in some countries and decreased in others, with significant regional patterns. The study also discusses how different data sources and methodologies impact the analysis of inequality trends.
2019	January		Recognition	Bill Gates holds economist Max Roser in high regard, publicly praising him during a meeting with world leaders at the Davos conference in Switzerland. Gates specifically highlights Roser's creation of his "favorite infographic," which illustrates the significant improvements in global quality of life over the past two centuries.
2019	February 5	Extreme poverty	Publication	An article from Our World in Data explains the methodologies used in studying and estimating extreme poverty throughout history. It discusses how researchers utilize historical records, economic data, and modern statistical techniques to reconstruct income distributions and poverty rates of past centuries. The article also highlights the challenges of comparing data over long time periods and across different regions. Various visualizations and charts are provided to illustrate the changes and trends in global poverty over time.
2019	January		Funding	Our World in Data announces they're part of Y Combinator, a highly influential startup accelerator based in Silicon Valley. OWID becomes one of only 3 nonprofit organizations in Y Combinator's Winter 2019 cohort.
2019	March 18		Funding	Our World in Data raises US$ 150,000 Seed from Y Combinator.
2019	April 24	Biodiversity	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study discussing Earth's biodiversity, highlighting that humans make up just 0.01% of biomass. Plants, mainly trees, dominate life on Earth, comprising over 82% of biomass, while bacteria make up 13%. Surprisingly, despite our focus on animals, they account for only 0.4% of biomass. Livestock, however, outweighs wild mammals and birds ten-fold, comprising 4% of animal biomass compared to humans' 2.5%. This emphasizes the significant impact of human activities on shaping Earth's biosphere.
2019	April 26	Biomass	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article on life by environment, which investigates how different environmental factors impact human health and lifespan. It explores various aspects of the environment, such as air and water quality, exposure to pollutants, and access to green spaces, and their effects on health outcomes. The article provides data and research showing how living in areas with poor environmental conditions can lead to higher rates of diseases, shorter lifespans, and overall poorer health. It also highlights disparities in environmental quality between different regions and socio-economic groups. The article emphasizes the importance of improving environmental conditions to enhance public health and reduce health inequalities, using data visualizations to support its findings.
2019	April 29	Gender pay gap	Publication	A study on data collected from nine countries is published showing that women are very underrepresented at the top of the income distribution. However, women are at this time better represented in top income groups than they were in 2000. The discussion on economic inequality by gender delves into various aspects of the gender pay gap, its causes, and its implications. It highlights how the gap is measured differently across countries and over time, emphasizing that it captures inequality but not necessarily discrimination. Despite progress, the gap remains substantial in most countries, especially for older workers. Factors contributing to the gap include differences in human capital, job characteristics, discrimination, and societal norms. While education has played a role in narrowing the gap, disparities persist due to job-related factors and societal expectations. The analysis underscores the complexity of the gender pay gap and the need for comprehensive strategies to address it.
2019	May 6	Poverty reduction	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study providing a comprehensive overview of global poverty trends, illustrating the progress made in reducing extreme poverty over the past few decades. It features data on income distribution, poverty rates, and living standards across different regions. The page examines the factors contributing to poverty reduction, such as economic growth, education, and social policies. It also highlights the challenges that remain, including inequality and the need for sustainable development. Through interactive charts and visualizations, the page offers insights into the state of poverty and the efforts needed to continue combating it.
2019	May 23	Population pyramid	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study discussing the age structure of populations globally, examining historical trends and future projections. It explains the concept of population pyramids and how they depict demographic changes over time. The analysis highlights the shift from young, growing populations to older, stable ones, impacting societies and economies. It discusses the median age variation across countries and how it correlates with income levels and population growth rates. The article also explores the evolution of age structures in different countries, illustrating the aging transition in higher-income nations and the youthful populations in lower-income ones. Lastly, it examines dependency ratios, emphasizing their significance for economic and social stability, and how they vary across the world.
2019	June 11	Child mortality	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study discussing historical child mortality rates and the significant progress made in recent decades. Historical data from various regions and time periods indicate that around half of all children died before adulthood, with little variation globally. Despite efforts, no substantial progress was made until recent times, highlighting the challenge of combating early death. High historical mortality rates are supported by evidence of high birth rates and stagnant population growth. However, recent years have seen remarkable improvement, with global child mortality declining from around 50% to 4%.
2019	June 2	Population growth	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study delving into the concept of population growth that continues even after fertility rates decline to replacement levels. It explains how the current age structure of a population, particularly the proportion of young people entering their reproductive years, influences future population size. The page uses data and visualizations to illustrate how this demographic momentum works and its implications for future population trends. It highlights the significance of understanding population momentum for policy-making and planning in various sectors, such as education, healthcare, and economic development.
2019	June	Gender ratio	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study analyzing gender ratio, which reflects the ratio between male and female populations, and fluctuates due to various biological, social, technological, cultural, and economic factors. This ratio impacts society, demographics, and the economy. The disparity in the number of men and women varies globally and over time, influenced by age groups and external forces. While "gender" and "sex" are often distinct, the term "gender ratio" is used interchangeably with "sex ratio" for familiarity and accessibility, although the latter is more precise as it directly reflects the data based on biological sex and is increasingly favored in academic discourse.
2019	June	Global health	Team	Bernadeta Dadoinaite joins the team. Holding a degree in microbiology, and a PhD in immunology and translational medicine from Oxford, she would research and visualize data to understand global health, with expertise spanning from micro- to macroscopic health issues.
2019	Summer		Team	Software Engineer Matthieu Bergel joins the team, with the mission to enhance the integration of data and research within the publication. He would be responsible for rebuilding the content management system and creating an architecture that allows readers to navigate the site and find relevant data and research efficiently.
2019	July 3	Mental health	Publication	A guest author shares how she utilizes Our World in Data (OWID) in her medical practice to understand and address complex mental health issues. Through vignettes of patients like Christopher, Margaret, Ian, and Linda, she illustrates the interconnected nature of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, loneliness, and substance abuse. Gordon emphasizes the importance of considering broader societal factors, such as climate change discussions and social isolation, in diagnosing and treating patients. By incorporating data and insights from OWID into her practice, she aims to provide more holistic and effective care for her patients.
2019	August 16	Diarrheal diseases	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study discussing the significant global impact of childhood diarrheal diseases, highlighting that over half a million children die from these preventable and treatable illnesses annually. It explores causes, such as poor sanitation and lack of clean water, and emphasizes the effectiveness of interventions like oral rehydration therapy, vaccines, and improved sanitation. Visualizations and data illustrate the prevalence and distribution of these diseases, particularly in low-income countries.
2019	September	Clean Water	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article underscoring the critical importance of clean water access globally, stressing its vital role in public health. Unsafe water remains a significant risk factor, contributing to over a million deaths yearly, predominantly in low-income nations where death rates surpass 50 per 100,000 people. Despite progress, one in four individuals still lacks access to safe drinking water, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing the brunt. While income levels generally correlate with improved access, disparities persist, influenced by governance and infrastructure. Urban areas typically fare better, highlighting rural infrastructure challenges. Overall, ensuring clean water access is paramount, especially in low-income regions, to address health disparities effectively.
2019	September 20	Maternal death	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study highlighting the global progress in maternal health, noting the stark contrast between historical and present-day maternal mortality rates. While significant improvements have been made, inequalities persist worldwide. Comparing scenarios, it's evident that achieving the maternal health standards of the European Union could prevent nearly 300,000 maternal deaths annually. The majority of these deaths occur in low and lower-middle-income countries, emphasizing the need for improved maternal care and healthcare infrastructure. Efforts to bridge these gaps could save hundreds of thousands of lives each year, making maternal deaths as rare as in the healthiest countries.
2019	October 16		Publication	The study "Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017" is published in Nature. The article explores child mortality rates in 99 low- and middle-income countries. Using a geostatistical model, the research provides detailed data on mortality rates and trends at the subnational level. It reveals that by 2017, 32% of children under 5 lived in districts with low mortality rates, while 58% of deaths during 2000-2017 could have been prevented if geographical disparities were addressed. The findings highlight areas of high mortality, patterns of progress, and ongoing inequalities, offering insights for targeted health interventions.
2019	October 16		Recognition	Our World in Data wins the Lovie Award, a web award from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. OWID is recognized for its exceptional use of data and the internet to provide accessible, data-driven research that promotes social, economic, and environmental change. The award highlights the importance of your work in offering solutions to global challenges like climate change, poverty, and disease, while emphasizing the positive progress being made.
2020	February 10	Clean energy	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an analysis highlighting the varying safety and cleanliness of different energy sources. Fossil fuels are identified as the dirtiest and most hazardous, contributing significantly to pollution and health risks. In contrast, nuclear and modern renewable energy sources are deemed considerably safer and cleaner options. The article emphasizes the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels to mitigate negative impacts on human health and climate change, rather than focusing solely on the choice between nuclear and renewable energy.
2020	March 19	COVID-19 pandemic	Collaboration	A rapid-response video on the COVID-19 pandemic is published by a collaboration between Our World in Data and Kurzgesagt. This project, part of a series of collaborations with Kurzgesagt, aims to provide clear, accurate information on the pandemic and recommended actions. Despite the usual lengthy production process, the video is produced quickly with expert feedback to ensure scientific accuracy. Within 3.5 days of its release, it garners over 13 million views. The video, accompanied by ongoing updates on the pandemic, seeks to spread essential information about managing the outbreak.
2020	April	COVID-19	Data Collection	Our World in Data initiates the collection of global data on PCR tests for COVID-19, with the purpose to provide comprehensive and daily updated data on testing across various countries.
2020	April		Team	Edouard Mathieu joins the team. As the Head of Data, he would oversee the data team's work on collecting, analyzing, and visualizing global data. Edouard's primary focus is on COVID-19 and vaccination data.
2020	May	COVID-19 pandemic	Team	Charlie Giattino joins the team as Researcher. A Data Lead, he would manage the collection, analysis, and presentation of data. His work focuses on global health, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020	May 15	COVID-19 pandemic	Publication	Our World in Data’s Coronavirus Data Explorer is published as a tool designed to provide comprehensive and interactive data on the COVID-19 pandemic. Users can explore various data sets related to the pandemic, including case numbers, deaths, testing rates, and vaccination coverage. The tool offers customizable charts and graphs, allowing users to track trends, compare different countries or regions, and analyze the impact of the pandemic over time. It aims to provide transparent and up-to-date information to help understand the progression and effects of COVID-19 globally.
2020	June 3	COVID-19 testing	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a page providing guidelines and information on COVID-19 testing data. It outlines how COVID-19 testing data should be collected, reported, and interpreted to ensure consistency and accuracy. The page includes guidelines for different types of tests, such as PCR and antigen tests, and discusses the importance of standardized reporting to facilitate meaningful comparisons across regions and time periods. It also offers insights into how testing data can be used to understand the spread of the virus and inform public health responses.
2020	June 22	Climate change	Collaboration	A collaboration between Our World in Data and Kurzgesagt results in a video that addresses climate change. The video aims to provide a comprehensive and accessible overview of the current state of climate science, emphasizing the urgency of the issue. It explores key topics such as the impact of human activities on global temperatures, the consequences of climate change, and the importance of taking action to mitigate its effects. Through visual storytelling and data-driven insights, the video seeks to educate and engage viewers on the pressing need for effective climate action and sustainable practices.
2020	July 20	Vaccines	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a page discussing the science of vaccines and their role in battling microbial diseases. It explores how vaccines work, their historical impact on public health, and the ongoing challenges in vaccine development and distribution. The page provides an overview of various vaccines, including those for diseases like polio, measles, and influenza, and highlights their importance in preventing outbreaks and protecting public health. It also addresses the scientific principles behind vaccines, such as immunity and herd protection, and the role of vaccines in combating emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
2020	August 31	Maternal mortality	Publication	Our World in Data provides a resource on maternal mortality. The article highlights countries that have made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality rates. The page examines successful case studies, exploring the policies, health interventions, and societal changes that contributed to these improvements. By showcasing these exemplars, the resource aims to provide valuable insights and strategies that can be applied to other regions struggling with high maternal mortality rates. The focus is on understanding how targeted efforts and effective practices can lead to substantial reductions in maternal deaths and improve overall maternal health outcomes.
2020	September 18	Greenhouse gas emissions	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a detailed analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by sector. It presents data on the major sources of emissions, including energy production, transportation, industry, agriculture, and residential sectors. The resource breaks down emissions contributions from each sector, illustrating their relative impact on global warming. It also includes visualizations such as charts and graphs to help users understand the distribution and trends in emissions over time. By highlighting the sectors with the highest emissions, the resource aims to inform discussions on climate change mitigation and policy development, emphasizing the need for targeted actions in specific areas to reduce overall GHG emissions.
2020	October 5		Publication	A page providing insights from an audience survey conducted by Our World in Data is published. The survey results reveal key demographics, interests, and feedback from the website's users. It includes data on the geographic distribution, age, education levels, and professional backgrounds of the respondents. Additionally, the survey explores users' preferences for content types and topics, highlighting what they find most valuable and informative. The findings are presented through visualizations like charts and graphs, offering a clear picture of the audience's composition and interests. This information helps OWID understand its audience better and guides future content development to meet users' needs and expectations more effectively.
2020	December 1	Renewable energy	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study exploring the rapid decline in the cost of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. It highlights how advancements in technology, economies of scale, and policy incentives have made renewables increasingly affordable, leading to significant growth in their adoption worldwide. The page includes data on cost trends, capacity expansion, and the share of energy production from renewables. It emphasizes the potential of cheap renewables to reduce carbon emissions, mitigate climate change, and provide a sustainable energy future. Interactive charts and visualizations support these insights.
2020	December	Renewable energy	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study providing an overview of global trends and data on renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower. It tracks the growth of these energy sources over time, highlighting their increasing share in the global energy mix. The page discusses the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, emphasizing the environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. It also covers the challenges and opportunities in scaling up renewable energy technologies, their impact on energy access and economic development, and the role of policy in supporting the transition to a sustainable energy future.
2020	End of year	COVID-19 vaccine	Data Collection	Our World in Data expands its data collection to include global data on COVID-19 vaccinations. This data set is crucial for tracking vaccination progress worldwide.
2021	April	Global development, sustainability	Team	Bastian Herre joins the team. A data scientist and researcher, he focuses on global development and sustainability. Herre's work involves analyzing large datasets, creating visualizations, and developing tools to help understand and solve pressing global issues.
2021	May 10	COVID-19 vaccine	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study on COVID-19 vaccinations, featured in Nature, presenting comprehensive data and visualizations on global vaccination efforts. It covers the distribution of vaccines, vaccination rates by country, and the progress towards herd immunity. The page highlights the disparities in vaccine access and administration across different regions and income levels. It also explores the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. By providing detailed charts and analysis, the page aims to inform public health strategies and support efforts to increase vaccination coverage worldwide.
2021	May		Team	Daniel Bachler joins the team as Principal Software Engineer.
2021	June 10	Greenhouse gas emissions	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study exploring the impact of food production on greenhouse gas emissions. It details how different types of food contribute to emissions, with livestock and dairy having the highest impact. The page discusses the role of food systems in climate change and examines strategies to reduce food-related emissions, such as dietary changes and improving agricultural practices. It also links these emissions to the global carbon budget, illustrating how food production fits into broader climate goals and the need to balance food security with environmental sustainability.
2021			Team	Saloni Dattani joins the team as a researcher. Holding a Ph.D. in psychiatric genetics from the University of Hong Kong and King’s College London, she would serve as a Project Lead at the Global Change Data Lab, focusing on health.
2022	January 11	Poverty	Publication	In a ourworldindata.org publication, Max Roser discusses the historical perception of poverty and its evolution over the centuries. Contrary to Malthus' assertion of poverty inevitability, economic growth has demonstrated its potential to alleviate widespread poverty. Using Sweden as an example, Roser illustrates how economic progress has lifted many out of deep poverty, highlighting the role of strong growth in achieving this. However, he emphasizes that poverty remains pervasive globally, affecting 85% of the population, with high-income countries being the exception. Roser calculates that a significant increase in global economic output, coupled with reduced inequality, is necessary to substantially reduce poverty. Despite progress, Roser concludes that the fight against poverty is still in its early stages, with much work remaining to be done.
2022	January 11	Lead pollution	Publication	Hannah Ritchie publishes a series of articles detailing how the world eliminated leaded gasoline, culminating with Algeria's ban in 2021. Initially used from the 1920s to improve engine performance, leaded gasoline was later found to cause severe health issues, particularly in children. Concerns about its toxicity grew through the mid-20th century, but significant action only began in the 1970s. The U.S. started reducing lead in gasoline in 1983, and Japan completely banned it by 1986. Over the next few decades, more countries followed suit, leading to a global ban by 2021, drastically reducing lead poisoning worldwide.
2022	June 9	Poliomielitis	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study highlighting the urgency of improving testing to eradicate polio worldwide. Despite significant progress, with a dramatic decline in cases from the early 1980s to less than 2,000 in 2020, challenges remain. The disruption in polio testing and reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic poses a risk of undetected cases and further spread of the virus. Cases have been rising in countries where wild poliovirus remains endemic, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. Additionally, there's a concerning trend of cases emerging in countries previously declared free of wild poliovirus. To combat this, the world requires increased vaccination efforts and enhanced monitoring of potential outbreaks, focusing on areas where countries are falling short.
2022	July 5	Democracy	Publication	Our World in Data publishes The Democracy Data Explorer, which provides access to eight major democracy datasets, offering insights into democracy measures, specific indicators, and global and regional overviews. It helps users understand and compare different metrics and track the evolution of democratic rights over time. The tool aims to make complex data more accessible and interpretable.
2022	July 7	Dracunculiasis	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study highlighting the near eradication of guinea worm disease, from nearly a million cases in the late 1980s to just 15 cases worldwide in 2021. Achievements stem from an eradication program emphasizing water treatment, public education, and access to safe drinking water. Caused by the guinea worm parasite transmitted through contaminated water, the disease inflicts excruciating pain and debilitation. Village volunteers, alongside organizations like the US CDC and the Carter Center, play pivotal roles in distributing water filters, educating communities, and monitoring cases. Despite challenges like monitoring, new outbreaks, and conflict zones, the decline in cases offers hope for eventual eradication.
2022	October 20	Influenza	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study providing detailed statistics and visualizations on the global impact of influenza. It covers annual death rates, historical pandemics, and the burden of seasonal flu across different age groups and regions. The page highlights the effectiveness of vaccines and public health measures in reducing flu mortality. It also examines the variability in influenza severity from year to year and discusses the challenges in accurately estimating flu-related deaths. Interactive charts and graphs allow users to explore trends and comparisons, providing a comprehensive understanding of influenza's impact on public health.
2022	December 15	Artificial intelligence	Publication	An article from Our World in Data discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various sectors, including healthcare, education, and the economy. It highlights the potential benefits of AI, such as increased efficiency and innovation, while also addressing concerns about job displacement and ethical considerations. The piece emphasizes the importance of preparing for AI's widespread adoption by investing in education and policy-making to ensure that its benefits are maximized while mitigating potential risks. The overall message is that AI has transformative potential, but it requires careful management and foresight.
2023	July 6	Economic inequality	Publication	An article from Our World in Data examines the evolution of income inequality within countries over the past century. It discusses how income inequality has fluctuated significantly over time, often influenced by economic policies, wars, and social changes. The piece highlights key trends such as the substantial decrease in inequality in the mid-20th century, followed by a rise in many countries from the 1980s onwards. It uses data and charts to illustrate these trends, comparing different countries and regions. The article also delves into the factors driving these changes, such as technological advancements, globalization, and political decisions, offering a comprehensive overview of how income distribution has shifted globally.
2023	July 11	Population growth	Publication	An article from Our World in Data delves into the crucial topic of population growth, charting humanity's journey from a fraction of today's numbers to over 8 billion individuals. Despite centuries of rapid expansion, experts anticipate a peak in global population by the century's end. The piece offers comprehensive data, charts, and insights on population distribution shifts, exploring trends and forecasts. Notably, population cartograms provide a unique perspective, highlighting where people are concentrated compared to traditional geographical maps. These resources aid in understanding global demographic dynamics and their implications for the future.
2023	July 18		Update	An article introduces Our World in Data's SDG Tracker, which monitors global progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. It utilizes official statistics from the UN and other international organizations to present data across various indicators. The tracker aims to provide free, open-access information to enable people worldwide to hold their governments accountable for meeting the SDGs. This revised version, launched in 2023, builds upon the original 2018 version, with ongoing updates to ensure the inclusion of the most recent data and developments related to the SDGs until the end of the 2030 Agenda.
2023	July 27	Statistical literacy	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study emphasizing the limitations of personal experience in understanding the world and underscores the importance of relying on global statistics. Despite the value of personal interactions, Roser highlights the narrow scope they offer compared to the vastness of the world's population. He discusses the fragmented perspective provided by news media and advocates for a statistical understanding to gain a broader view. Roser acknowledges the imperfections of data collection but asserts the necessity of statistical literacy in forming a comprehensive worldview. He concludes by emphasizing Our World in Data's mission to make statistical information accessible and understandable for everyone.
2023	August 31	Greenhouse gas emissions	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study discussing the stark inequalities in global CO2 emissions, highlighting disparities based on income groups and regions. High-income countries emit over 30 times more CO2 per capita than low-income countries, despite having a smaller population share. Similarly, regions like Asia emit more in total, with China contributing significantly, while Africa emits less. Adjusting for trade doesn't change the picture drastically, with over 80% of emissions originating from high- and upper-middle-income countries. This reveals how richer nations disproportionately contribute to emissions compared to their population share, exacerbating global climate inequality.
2023	October 2		Team	Max Roser and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina announce the appointment of Rachel Glennerster and Sir Andrew Dilnot as new board members of the Global Change Data Lab, the organization behind Our World in Data. Glennerster, formerly the Chief Economist of the UK's Department for International Development, brings expertise in policy, research, and international development. Dilnot, the Warden of Nuffield College, Oxford and former chair of the UK Statistics Authority, adds his wealth of experience in statistics and economics. Their addition to the board enhances the organization's efforts in education, health, and data-driven policy discussions.
2023	October 13	Conflict-related deaths	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study discussing the various approaches used by researchers to measure armed conflicts and conflict-related deaths, highlighting the challenges associated with such measurements. It identifies six primary data sources commonly used in this field and explores their methodologies, coverage, and areas of focus. The publication emphasizes the differences between these sources in terms of conflict types covered, thresholds for inclusion, inclusion of civilian deaths, and temporal and geographical coverage. Additionally, it discusses how each source addresses challenges in measuring conflicts and deaths, such as ensuring validity, precision, comparability, and accessibility of data. Finally, it concludes that the choice of data source depends on the specific research questions and interests of the user, and having multiple approaches to measuring conflict deaths is beneficial for understanding global armed conflicts comprehensively.
2023	October 18		Update	An article discusses the redesign of Our World in Data's Grapher tool, which facilitates interactive data visualizations. The redesign aims to enhance user experience and functionality across various aspects of data exploration. Updates include improved view selection, enhanced downloading and sharing options, clearer data source attribution, and enabling full-screen data exploration. The article outlines the changes made, the rationale behind them, and plans for further improvements, such as a new country/entity selector, optimized mobile experience, and support for multiple chart types. Additionally, readers are encouraged to provide feedback for ongoing refinement and optimization of the tool.
2023	December 7	Pandemics	Publication	An article from Our World in Data on pandemics underscores the importance of proactive measures to mitigate future outbreaks. While disease outbreaks are inevitable, large-scale pandemics can be prevented through better understanding, resources, and global cooperation. The COVID-19 pandemic, despite warnings, claimed over 27 million lives, highlighting the urgency of preparedness. To mitigate risks, efforts must focus on testing for pathogens, understanding transmission dynamics, and developing effective countermeasures. Historical lessons emphasize the efficacy of vaccines, public health interventions, and medical advancements. Additionally, emerging threats from factors like factory farming, genetic modification, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance require heightened attention and proactive measures. The article provides insights and data to inform strategies for pandemic prevention and response.
2023	December 21	Tuberculosis	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study examining global data and trends related to tuberculosis (TB). It highlights that TB remains a leading cause of death worldwide despite significant progress in treatment and prevention. The page provides an overview of TB's prevalence, incidence rates, and mortality trends over time, alongside efforts to combat the disease. It also discusses variations in TB rates by region and the impact of public health interventions. The article emphasizes the ongoing need for global efforts to reduce TB's burden and improve health outcomes.
2024	February 28		Update	The Our World in Data homepage is redesigned to enhance user experience and provide easier access to a wider range of content. Changes include an increase in featured content to showcase the breadth of data, research, and writing, a clearer structure with prominent search options and topic lists, and a focus on interactive visualizations with the inclusion of the Grapher tool. The redesign maintains popular navigational elements like the search bar and topic dropdown menu while retaining the site's structure and mission. The goal is to make navigating the content smoother for users, whether they prefer browsing, searching, or being guided by featured content.
2024	March 6		Update	"Data Insights" is introduced as a new format presenting bite-sized analyses focused on a single chart. Each insight features a title conveying the key message, accompanied by a chart, concise explanation, link to explore further, and related content. The inaugural insights cover topics such as the decline of extreme poverty in China, the rise of renewable energy, global disparities in life expectancy, and variances in pacemaker adoption. These insights, designed for easy sharing and understanding, aim to communicate important trends succinctly, complementing the platform's existing longer-form content.
2024	April 2	Wildfires	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study offering a comprehensive analysis of global wildfire data and trends. It includes information on the frequency, intensity, and impacts of wildfires over time. The page examines factors driving wildfire activity, such as climate change and land use changes, and explores their effects on ecosystems and human societies. Data visualizations illustrate variations in wildfire occurrence by region and year, while the page also addresses efforts to manage and mitigate wildfire risks. The content aims to provide a clearer understanding of the complex dynamics of wildfires.
2024	May 6	Vaccines	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study highlighting the impact of vaccination programs on saving children's lives. It presents data and visualizations showing the reduction in child mortality rates due to vaccines for diseases like measles, diphtheria, and pertussis. The page details the global vaccination coverage, the estimated number of deaths prevented by vaccines, and the progress made in various countries. It also discusses the challenges in achieving higher vaccination rates and the potential lives that could still be saved with improved vaccine access and coverage.
2024	June 10	Animal welfare	Publication	Our World in Data publishes an article discussing the trade-offs between animal welfare and the environmental impact of meat production. The article explores how different meat production methods affect both animal welfare and the environment. It highlights that while some practices may improve animal welfare, they can also increase environmental impacts like greenhouse gas emissions and land use. Conversely, methods that reduce environmental harm might not always align with the highest animal welfare standards. The piece examines these complex trade-offs to provide insights into making more informed decisions about meat consumption and its broader implications for sustainability and ethical considerations.
2024	June 24	LGBT rights	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study exploring the advancements and ongoing challenges in achieving LGBT rights globally. It provides data on legal and social acceptance, covering areas such as marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, and public attitudes towards the LGBT community. The article highlights significant progress in many countries while acknowledging persistent inequalities and regional disparities. It emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to secure equal rights and protections for LGBT individuals worldwide, showcasing trends and key milestones in the fight for LGBT rights.
2024	July 1	Extreme temperatures	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a study examining the mortality rates associated with extreme hot and cold temperatures globally. It provides data on past and current temperature-related deaths, highlighting the greater risk posed by cold weather. The article explores potential future trends in temperature-related mortality due to climate change, predicting an increase in heat-related deaths but a decrease in cold-related deaths. The analysis underscores the importance of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of extreme temperatures on human health.
2024	July 15	Conflict-related deaths	Publication	Our World in Data publishes a detailed analysis of fatalities resulting from wars and conflicts worldwide. It includes historical data and visualizations showing trends in conflict-related deaths over time, distinguishing between different types of conflicts such as state-based, non-state, and one-sided violence. The page examines regional variations in conflict deaths, identifies major conflicts with high death tolls, and discusses the factors contributing to these fatalities. Additionally, it highlights the progress and setbacks in reducing conflict-related deaths, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human cost of conflicts globally.

Visual data

Google Trends

The chart below shows Google trends data for Our World in Data (topic), from January 2011 to April 2024, when the screenshot was taken. Note the first spike of interest around early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Interest is also ranked by country and displayed on world map.

Google Ngram Viewer

The chart below shows Google Ngram Viewer data for Our World in Data, from 2011 to 2019.

Wikipedia Views

The chart below shows pageviews of the English Wikipedia article Our World in Data, on desktop, mobile-web, desktop-spider, mobile-web-spider and mobile app, from July 2015 to February 2021.

Meta information on the timeline

How the timeline was built

The initial version of the timeline was written by User:Sebastian.

Funding information for this timeline is available.

Feedback and comments

Feedback for the timeline can be provided at the following places:

• FIXME

What the timeline is still missing

• https://ourworldindata.org/latest
• https://ourworldindata.org/#all-topics
• https://ourworldindata.org/homepage-redesign
• YouTube video of OWID folks talking about their recent work, COVID, and effective altruism, April 29, 2022: Not just the video itself, but various pieces of information included in it are worth including.✔
• Max Roser's 80,000 Hours interview on building OWID COVID data, June 21, 2021

See also

• Timeline of global health

External links

• Official site