Romania: 30 years of deep transformation by Edit Gyenge

This project presents an in-depth, interactive exploration of Romania's socio-economic development across 16 critical categories, offering a fresh and engaging approach to data visualization and accessibility. What truly distinguishes this initiative is its innovative use of sonification—the transformation of complex data into sound. This breakthrough technique makes the data not only interactive but also accessible. By translating key indicators into piano notes, the project lets users hear the data, turning abstract numbers into tangible, audible insights.

With over 500 interactive charts and maps, this project provides a detailed national and county-level breakdown of Romania’s socio-economic landscape. It uncovers patterns, anomalies, and disparities—such as regional inequalities and gender imbalances. The project allows users to explore these findings in a truly immersive way.

This data visualization story proved invaluable in 2024, an electoral year that exposed a fractured society, where electoral choices were shaped by public sentiment about the country's evolution, for better or worse.
Key insights highlight significant demographic shifts, including declining birth rates and an aging population, posing challenges to Romania's workforce and social systems. Economic growth has been uneven, with Bucharest thriving while the south and east struggle with high unemployment and low investment. Gender equality has improved, but regional disparities persist.

This project isn't just a presentation of data—it's an essential tool for understanding and addressing Romania’s socio-economic challenges.