The Wheel of Inequality by elDiario.es

The Wheel of Inequality is an interactive and data-driven journalistic investigation that uncovers how systemic barriers—such as family background, education, and geography—perpetuate inequality across generations in Spain. Developed by elDiario.es, this project combines cutting-edge data analysis, interactive simulations, and personal storytelling to expose the hidden mechanisms that limit social mobility.

By cross-referencing census data, economic indicators, and education records, we created a first-of-its-kind interactive simulator that allows users to explore how personal circumstances influence life opportunities. The project uses advanced data visualization tools, including Mapbox, D3.js, and JavaScript, to transform complex statistics into visually compelling, immersive experiences that make inequality tangible.

However, inequality is not just numbers—it's reality. To humanize the data, we follow the stories of three individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds, illustrating how the same system produces vastly different outcomes depending on one’s starting point. Their experiences—shaped by the quality of their schools, family resources, and job opportunities—bring the data to life, bridging the gap between abstract statistics and real-world struggles.

The findings reveal a stark reality: individuals born in disadvantaged neighborhoods face significant obstacles in education and employment, making it extremely difficult to break the cycle of poverty. The project highlights how geographic and socioeconomic disparities shape access to quality education, stable jobs, and upward mobility—challenging the idea of meritocracy in Spain.

What sets this project apart is its innovative approach to storytelling. Instead of merely presenting data, it engages audiences through an educational simulator, allowing users to see how different factors—such as parental income or school location—affect their chances of success. This interactive format, combined with personal narratives, makes systemic inequalities more understandable, relatable, and urgent.

Using R for data analysis, Canvas for dynamic rendering, Mapbox for geographic analysis and JavaScript for interactivity, we processed and visualized large datasets to ensure a seamless, engaging user experience. We also developed an automated system to integrate and analyze socioeconomic data, creating one of the most detailed inequality maps ever published in Spain.

By combining rigorous data journalism with human stories, The Wheel of Inequality transforms a complex societal issue into an accessible, emotionally compelling experience—one that challenges perceptions, sparks debate, and encourages reflection on how inequality is built into the very fabric of society.