Our World in Data: free charts and data on the world's big problems
Our World in Data describes itself as a free, non-profit website with over 14,000 interactive charts on poverty, health, climate and more, with its own charts free to reuse with credit.
Official visual example
What it is
Our World in Data (OWID) is a free website of charts, data and short explainers on big world topics such as poverty, health, population, climate and energy. It describes itself as "a free, non-profit website" made by researchers at the University of Oxford together with the non-profit Global Change Data Lab. It says it covers more than 120 topics and has over 14,000 interactive charts. It is not an AI tool. We included it as a free educational resource from an official source.
Is it free?
Yes. OWID calls itself "a free, non-profit website" and says it is funded by grants and reader donations. We saw no account or subscription needed to read or use the charts on the pages we read. There are optional newsletters and donations.
What you can do with it
- Explore charts: interactive charts you can change by country, time range and indicator.
- Read short explainers: longer articles, short "data insights" and topic pages, per OWID.
- Reuse charts: OWID's FAQ says you can use, reproduce and distribute its charts, the ones with its logo and a CC BY stamp, with no permission needed, as long as you cite it. You can embed interactive charts on a website.
- Download data: OWID offers CSV downloads and a chart data API. It warns that most data comes from third parties such as the WHO, UN and World Bank, and follows their licences. Only data OWID produces itself is under its CC BY licence.
- Teach with it: OWID says teachers from primary to postgraduate level use it, and it has a Teaching Hub with notes and slides.
- Translate: OWID says translations are covered by its CC BY licence, if you say clearly that it is not official.
What to watch out for
- Check each chart's source and licence. Reusing third-party data may need that provider's permission, per OWID.
- Cite properly. OWID asks for citations and gives a format on each page.
- Its logo. OWID says you may not use its name or logo on its own or to suggest it endorses you. This article does not use a standalone OWID logo; it appears only within the complete source-credited chart above.
- It is in English. We did not check how much is available in Hindi or other Indian languages.
Privacy and data
- OWID's privacy notice says it collects minimal technical data such as browser type or device for most visitors, and additional insights only if you agree to optional cookies. You can change your choice on its cookie page.
- It says it may receive information from analytics providers such as Google Analytics, and from payment processors if you donate.
- It says more personal information is collected only if you choose to engage, for example by subscribing to a newsletter or donating.
India
- OWID is a UK-run website and its pages do not restrict by country. We did not test it from India. We did not check how complete its India data is for any topic.
Frequently asked questions
Is Our World in Data free?
Yes. It describes itself as a free, non-profit website.
Can I use its charts in school work or a blog?
OWID's FAQ says yes for its own charts with a CC BY stamp, if you cite it. Check the source for third-party data.
Do I need an account?
We saw no account requirement on the pages we read.
Sources: About, FAQs, Privacy policy, CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions topic page. Checked 15 October 2026.
No standalone Our World in Data logo is used in this article. Independent guide, not affiliated.
Official chart, literacy topic page and chart-reuse FAQ rechecked 23 October 2026. The FAQ permits attributed reuse of OWID-made charts with its logo and CC BY stamp, but third-party data has its own terms. The logo appears only as part of the complete chart, not as a separate endorsement mark. Other claims retain their original source-check date. Original publication date is unchanged.