JRC Indicators Explorer

The big picture

The JRC Indicators Explorer is an interactive data visualisation tool developed by the Competence Centre on Composite Indicators and Scoreboards (JRC).

It brings together nearly 200 composite indicators and scoreboards into a single platform, making it convenient for policymakers, researchers, and citizens to analyse economic, social, environmental, and governance indicators.

The tool consolidates widely used multidimensional measures that would otherwise be scattered across different sources. By offering a comprehensive view of global and European trends, the Explorer provides the insights needed to track policy developments, assess progress, and make data-driven decisions.

It is the go-to tool for discovering indicator synergies and gaining strategic insights on both global and local scales.

Explore Indicators

The JRC Indicators Explorer provides access to a wide range of multidimensional indicator measures, which includes the ability to track progress towards the European Commission's priorities:

A New plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness

This priority focuses on driving economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness in Europe. Relevant indices to track progress include:

Global Innovation Index: assesses innovation potential.
Global Talent Competitiveness Index: measures the ability to attract, retain, and grow talent.
Global Knowledge Index: evaluates knowledge creation and dissemination.
Global Health Security Index: assesses health security and related economic resilience

Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model

This priority emphasises the importance of social equity, quality of life, and human well-being. Relevant measures include:

Human Development Index: monitors human development progress.
Social Progress Index: assesses social progress.
Global Gender Gap Index: tracks gender equality.
World Happiness Report: evaluates happiness and well-being.
Healthcare Access and Quality Index: assesses healthcare access and quality.
Gender Inequality Index: measures gender inequality.

Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water, and nature

This priority focuses on environmental sustainability and the preservation of natural resources. Relevant indices to track progress include:

Environmental Performance Index: evaluates environmental performance.
Ocean Health Index: assesses ocean health.
Global Food Security Index: measures food security.
Environmental Policy Stringency Index: evaluates the stringency of environmental policies.

Protecting our democracy, upholding our values

This priority emphasises the importance of democratic governance, freedom, and human rights. Relevant indices include:

Legatum Prosperity Index: includes aspects of governance and social capital.
Worldwide Governance Indicators: evaluates government effectiveness, rule of law, and other governance aspects.
World Press Freedom Index: monitors press freedom.

A global Europe: leveraging our power and partnership

This priority focuses on Europe's global influence, partnerships, and attractiveness. Relevant indices include:

Global Attractiveness Index: measures attractiveness for investment and business.
International Trade Barrier Index: assesses trade barriers and openness.

A new era for European Defence and Security

This priority emphasises the importance of defence and security in Europe. Relevant measures include:

Conflict Barometer: analyses global conflicts and their impact on security.
Global Cyber Security Index: evaluates cybersecurity readiness and vulnerability.
Global Terrorism Index: measures the impact of terrorism.

Key features of the Explorer

A single hub for data analysis

Finding and interpreting data made easy.

The Explorer offers:

Access to hundreds of composite indicators and scoreboards in a single location.
Interactive Dashboards featuring maps, charts, infographics, and ranking tools.
Correlation matrices to identify synergies and trade-offs across policies.
Advanced data analysis capabilities to explore multidimensional trends.

Compare countries, regions, and cities

Understand performance differences with:

Customisable country profiles, aggregating multiple indicators.
Side-by-side comparisons to reveal strengths, weaknesses, and trends.
Global benchmarking based on governance indicators, social, and economic data.

Interactive and visual storytelling

The Explorer does not only present data, it transforms it into insights.

Discover compelling Data Stories, backed by infographics and data visualisations.
Explore curated reports on major global and European policy issues.
Understand complex policy trade-offs through interactive dashboards.

Data stories overview

Monitor and benchmark policy progress

The Explorer supports decision-makers by tracking policy frameworks and bringing them into one single platform. For instance::

Sustainable Development Goals Index: monitor global sustainability efforts.
World Press Freedom Index: evaluate media freedom worldwide.
Environmental Performance Indicators: analyse climate and sustainability progress.

Explorer Lab events

A participatory workshop where participants experiment with the tool, data analysis, interactive dashboards, and data storytelling techniques.

Explore events

Why use the Explorer

The JRC Indicators Explorer offers key features that make it a valuable resource for evidence-based analysis and policy support:

Comprehensive & integrated: more than 3 million data points in a single interface.
User-friendly & visual: no statistical expertise required. Generate interactive dashboards, map charts, and infographics with ease.
Trusted by policymakers & researchers: a reference tool for EU policy and global governance analysis.
Continuously updated: stay ahead with the latest indicators, rankings, and governance metrics.

The tool is designed for:

Policy analysts, Policy officers & decision-makers: support evidence-based policymaking.
Academics & researchers: leverage a rich dataset for analysis.
Journalists & data enthusiasts: turn complex data into compelling stories and visualisations.

Explore the Tool

Explore further

Data Stories

Exploring governance, wellbeing, and sustainability through data-driven stories

Explorer Labs

A series of Explorer Labs for European institutions staff: Learn to harness data for daily work

Latest knowledge

PUBLICATION | 21 Jul 2025

Competence Centre on Composite Indicators and Scoreboards