A World of Smiles?

"A World of Smiles?" is a visualization project based on data from the 2024 World Happiness Report, offering a thought-provoking exploration of life satisfaction across different countries. This work examines the factors that contribute to happiness, revealing patterns and disparities in how countries experience well-being. The visualization centers on six key variables identified in the report as critical to understanding life satisfaction:

Through carefully crafted visual elements, "A World of Smiles?" brings this data to life, translating multidimensional information into a compelling narrative. The visualization uses color, shape, and feature variation to compare countries and reveal correlations between the six factors and their overall happiness scores.

Beyond presenting data, this project invites viewers to reflect on the complex nature of happiness. While there seems to be a strong correlation between happiness levels and GDP per capita — highlighting the importance of a certain amount of material wealth — happiness cannot be fully explained by high values in the six key factors examined. Intriguingly, some countries exhibit maximum values in all six factors yet do not achieve the highest happiness level, raising questions about whether cultural norms, collective mindset, or other variables as of yet unidentified may play a significant role in shaping happiness.

"A World of Smiles?" aims to provoke a deeper understanding of the human experience, encouraging audiences to question: What truly makes us happy? This piece hopes to inspire dialogue around policy-making, social priorities, and the universal pursuit of happiness. Whether viewed as a tool for discovery or a mirror reflecting our shared aspirations, "A World of Smiles?" is a testament to the power of data-driven storytelling in sparking awareness and curiosity.

Designer: Giulia Mezzadri
Mentor: Huiwon Lim
Source: 2024 World Happiness Report