Gapminder

This week we are discussing different Economic situations in Africa.  It was suggested that we look at Gapminder.  I found this site to be very interesting.  It charts life expectancy against the income per person.  Different areas of the globe are represented by different colors.  You can track the trend of one country over time.  There are definite trends that can be observed.  The depression in the 1920's affect many countries.  A sharp decrease in income per person is seen.  It then starts to rise again in the 1930's.  

There is an increase in the life expectancy in the 1940's but then there is a sharp decrease in the 1990's.  It doesn't start to increase again until the later 2000's.  I would predict this is due to the fact of the aids epidemic.  This trend can be observed in many African countries.  One in particular that is easy to track is Zimbabwe.  The trail function allows you to mark one country, or how many ever you like and specifically watch the trend as the dots connect as the years progress.  The Age expectancy starts to rise along with income per person.  Then the age expectancy becomes as high as about 62 in 1998 but then rapidly start to drop.  It begins to rise again around 2000 and reaches 45 by 2009.

Another interesting trend I found was how similar all the countries in Africa was.  Many of the countries are on the lower end of age expectancy and income.  While many other countries are increasing in age expectancy and income at the turn of the century (1900) little movement is observed in the African countries.  After the 1950's growth is evident.  If you use the trail feature the effect of aids is also seen.  The age expectancy decreases.

Here is a link the website.