Statistics only tell part of the story. A responsible consumer of information is always thinking about how the data might be interpreted differently. Here is additional information from Gapminder that you might find interesting. Ask yourself if you agree with the importance of this additional information and its relevance to the animated chart you just created.
Singapore in 1930 was still a British colony. The infant mortality was four times as high as in Sweden. Since well before that year Venezuela had been an independent nation and was already a major exporter of oil.
World War 2: Singapore was occupied by Japan and the population suffered severely from the war. The war had minor effects on the health of children in Sweden and Venezuela.
After the war: Singapore quickly regained its pre-war health.
1950s and onwards: economic development and health improvements were fast in Sweden and even faster in Singapore.
In the 1990s: Singapore becomes richer than Sweden. Infant mortality becomes lower in Singapore around the year 2000.
Singapore had high economic growth, high and effective investments in health and also benefited from being a compact city state. The health improvements were part of a global pattern of improving health.
Singapore in 1930 was still a British colony. The infant mortality was four times as high as in Sweden. Since well before that year Venezuela had been an independent nation and was already a major exporter of oil.
World War 2: Singapore was occupied by Japan and the population suffered severely from the war. The war had minor effects on the health of children in Sweden and Venezuela.
After the war: Singapore quickly regained its pre-war health.
1950s and onwards: economic development and health improvements were fast in Sweden and even faster in Singapore.
In the 1990s: Singapore becomes richer than Sweden. Infant mortality becomes lower in Singapore around the year 2000.
Singapore had high economic growth, high and effective investments in health and also benefited from being a compact city state. The health improvements were part of a global pattern of improving health.
Last modified: Thursday, June 9, 2011, 9:37 PM