Eurostat and World Bank data now searchable on Google in 34 languages

“Last year we launched a search feature that made it easy to find and visualise statistics and public data. Our data visualisation tools are designed to surface statistical information about a wide range of topics – from energy usage and the environment to health, education and the economy – and make complex datasets more accessible” – Mary Himinkool of Public Data Partnerships posted in an official blogpost of Google Policy Europe.

In the current economic environment, policymakers, academics and individuals around the world (and particularly in Europe) want to ensure that new rules and regulations are evidence-based. Interactive visualisations such as charts and maps allow raw data to be seen in context and give helpful new insights that can lead to better policies.

The data we made available last year in English was just a first step, and today we’re happy to share that we’re making a lot more public data searchable via Google – across 34 languages and Google domains.

The company has been working closely with Eurostat to surface some really useful and interesting data about unemployment rates, government debt, minimum wage, and broadband penetration across Europe.

Try searching for [arbeitslosenstatistik deutschland], [smic france] or [deuda publica españa] to see examples of this data visualisation in action.

Clicking through, you can interact with the data and create comparisons among countries.

We’re also excited to share that the subset of the World Bank Development Indicators which we launched last November in English on google.com are also now available in search in 34 different languages and domains. Try a search for [人口オーストラリア] (population Australia) on [google.co.jp]. You can also find additional public statistics on a variety of topics in Public Data Explorer.

Eurostat and the World Bank have been making this data available to the public for quite some time and we’re thrilled to work with them to make it more searchable, in multiple languages.

We believe that public data empowers people all around the world to make better informed, data-driven decisions that have positive effects at a personal and societal level. So it will be no surprise that we welcome the discussions taking place around the world at the moment about the potential of public data re-use.

Today and tomorrow, as part of its annual meeting, the World Bank is running a special online debate about the power of public data in international development. And here in Europe, it’s great news that Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes also sees a lot of opportunity in public data re-use. She’s currently holding a consultation on the PSI directive (first adopted in 2003) and you can share your views with the Commission until 30th November.