UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines

September 2021
 Introduction Table of contents
The Data Visualization Guidelines helps improve the quality of charts and 1. Chart elements
infographics made by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. These guidelines
support the effective use of data driven-products to communicate to the • Chart elements: what, where and how • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4
public the relevance and impact of UNHCR's work. • Chart elements: specifications • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5
The simplification and standardization of chart elements and colour
palettes will make reading and interpretation of graphs and plots easier 2. Data visualization colour palette
and more comfortable. Consistent and highly recognizable visual
components will enhance UNHCR’s global brand identity. The guidelines • Colour palette • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7
also simplify the chart production process by providing appropriate tools, • Colour ramps • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 8
for both basic and advanced users. • Colour combinations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9

Therefore, all charts created for UNHCR publications and websites should
follow the recommendations in this guidelines document. 3. Choose right chart type
The guidelines have been developed by Information Product • Chart types • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12
Development and Analysis Unit from the Global Data Service (GDS), with
the support of the Design Unit and the Global Brand Unit from the
4. Annex
Division of External Relations (DER). For further guidance or questions,
please contact [email protected]. • Chart examples • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 2

Chart elements
Chart elements: what, where and how

Depending on relevance, UNHCR charts

may include the following visual elements. 2 1
Figure number Top bar
(optional element) (optional element)
1 Top bar
2 Figure number Figure 1
3
4
Title should be short with the first word capitalized | 2010-2020 Title
3 Title Subtitle Subtitle should also be short with the first word capitalized
(optional element)
4 Subtitle
Set 1 Set 2 Legend 5 10
5 Legend Gridline*
7 Y-axis title (unit)
6 X-axis title Y-axis title 30
(optional element)
7 Y-axis title recommended
position 25 11
8 X-axis label alternative 5.9
5.7 5.7 5.8 Data label*
position
9 Y-axis label

Y-axis title (unit)

20 5.6
5.6
10 Grid line 5.5

Data label 15 5.5

11
4.9 4.9 4.9 20.5 20.5 20.6
12 Note 19.5
10 17.0
13 Source 15.8
9 14.0 8
11.5
14 Copyright Y-axis label* 5 10.2 10.2 10.2 X-axis label

All chart elements are recommended to be

12 0
placed and aligned as shown in the example. 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Note
Some elements may be required only in (optional element) X-axis title X-axis title (optional element)
certain conditions or for certain types of Note: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean pretium malesuada magna 6
charts. Source: here is the data source
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency 14
*This example is meant to illustrate all possible chart 13 Copyright
elements but as a best practice axis-labels/gridlines Source recommended for
shouldn't be used together with data labels or the other web-based charts
way around. To avoid repetition and chart congestion, it is
recommended to use one approach or the other.
Please see the appendix for examples.

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 4

Chart elements: specifications

All elements included should follow the

specifications below. Figure number Top bar
Proxima Nova, 0.5 pt,
Regular, 9 pt, CMYK: 99/50/0/0
Font: CMYK: 99/50/0/0
Proxima Nova should be used as primary Figure 1 Title
font. Lato or Arial may be used when Proxima Nova,
Subtitle Title should be short with the first word capitalized | 2010-2020 Bold, 12 pt,
Proxima Nova is not available. Proxima Nova, Subtitle should also be short with the first word capitalized CMYK: 0/0/0/100
Regular, 9 pt,
Font size: CMYK: 0/0/0/90
Legend
Set 1 Set 2
Proxima Nova, Gridline
The font sizes are recommended sizes for Regular, 8 pt, 0.5 pt,
print products. They may be adjusted Y-axis title (unit) CMYK: 0/0/0/90 CMYK: 0/0/0/20
relatively based on the needs, especially 30
for web-based products. Y-axis title
Proxima Nova, Data label*
25 Proxima Nova,
Colour: Regular, 8 pt, 5.9
CMYK: 0/0/0/60 5.7 5.7 5.8 Regular, 8 pt,
Each element should be assigned the CMYK: 0/0/0/0
colour recommended in the specifications 20 5.6 (0/0/0/90)
5.6
of the mock-up. Colours are given in Y-axis label 5.5
CMYK, conversion to RGB and HEX colour Proxima Nova,
15
Regular, 8 pt, 5.5
code can be found on page 8.
CMYK: 0/0/0/90 4.9 4.9 4.9 20.5 20.5 20.6
10 19.5
17.0
*Data labels have two colours: white (0/0/0/0)
14.0 15.8 X-axis label
and dark gray (0/0/0/90). The white colour 11.5 Proxima Nova,
should be used on dark background, while 5 10.2 10.2 10.2
Regular, 8 pt,
dark gray should be used on light background. CMYK: 0/0/0/90

Note 0
Proxima Nova, 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Regular, 7 pt,
X-axis title X-axis title
CMYK: 0/0/0/90
Proxima Nova,
Note: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean pretium malesuada magna
Source: here is the data source
Regular, 8 pt,
CMYK: 0/0/0/60
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency Copyright
13
Source Proxima Nova,
Proxima Nova, Regular, 7 pt,
Regular, 7 pt, CMYK: 0/0/0/60
CMYK: 0/0/0/60

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 5

Data visualization colour palette
Data visualization colour palette

This data visualization colour palette is an extended version of the UNHCR Main colours
colour palette. It is developed specifically for visualizing data in infographics,
maps or charts.
This palette includes six main colours: blue, navy, green, grey, red and yellow.
The five-value colour ramps found on page 8 were created based on these main
colours for visualizations requiring several shades of the same colour. Blue (primary colour) Navy Green
CMYK: 99, 50, 0, 0 CMYK: 99, 83, 36, 27 CMYK: 90, 0, 52, 0
The blue colour is the primary colour and should be the predominant colour in RGB: 0, 114, 188 RGB: 24, 55, 95 RGB: 0, 179, 152
HEX: #0072BC HEX: #18375F HEX: #00B398
all UNHCR visuals. Try to limit the number of different colours in a single graphic.
In some cases more colours may be used to ensure clarity, e.g. distinguishing
between different categories within the data.
In this guide you will find recommendations on how to use and pair colours for
different types of data:
Grey Red Yellow (accent colour)
Categorical: when data is non-numeric, contrasting colours are used for CMYK: 0, 0, 0, 60 CMYK: 0, 87, 52, 0 CMYK: 3, 1, 100, 0
each category. RGB: 102, 102, 102 RGB: 239, 74, 96 RGB: 250, 235, 0
HEX: #666666 HEX: #EF4A60 HEX: #FAEB00
Sequential: the same or similar hues are used, and saturation varies for a
single metric.
Diverging: two hues are used to indicate a division, such as positive and
negative values.
You will also find recommended colours to be used for UNHCR People of
Concern categories and UNHCR geographical regions/bureaux.
Consistent use of these colours contribute to a coherent and consistent look for
UNHCR products across all communication channels and platforms. A strong
visual identity improves audience recognition and distinguishes UNHCR from
other organisations. Therefore, we strongly recommend implementing these
guidelines to the extent possible for all visualizations.

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 7

Colour ramps
General recommendation for colour pairing Colour ramps
CMYK RGB HEX CMYK RGB HEX
The use of green and red together should be avoided in respect to colourblind
audience. If pairing both colours cannot be avoided, make sure light vs. dark Navy 5 99, 83, 36, 27 24, 55, 95 #18375F
Blue 5 100, 74, 23, 7 4, 79, 133 #044F85
tones are used to accentuate the difference between them. (Main navy)

Blue 4
Yellow doesn’t contrast well on white, it may be paired with blue background. (Main blue) 99, 50, 0, 0 0, 114, 188 #0072BC Navy 4 76, 60, 27, 7 80, 100, 137 #506489

Colours in the same colour ramp with similar values should not be used for
Blue 3 62, 30, 0, 0 88, 155, 229 #589BE5 Navy 3 51, 36, 12, 0 131, 149, 185 #8395B9
categorical data because they are not visually distinct enough from each other.
When data describes an event with both positive and negative data, we Blue 2 39, 17, 0, 0 142, 190, 255 #8EBEFF Navy 2 26, 15, 0, 0 184, 201, 238 #B8C9EE
recommend to use blue for positive and red for negative.
Blue 1 Navy 1 10, 5, 0, 0 224, 233, 254 #E0E9FE
When data relates to gender, we should avoid using blue and red pairing, we 11, 4, 0, 0 220, 233, 255 #DCE9FF
recommend to use a more neutral colour pairing like blue and navy.

The lightest shades of the colour ramps such as blue 1 and green 1 are
Green 5 87, 30, 65, 13 2, 123, 104 #027B68 Grey 5 0, 0, 0, 80 51, 51, 51 #333333
recommended primarily for mapping purposes.
Green 4 Grey 4
Both blue and red can be used for highlighting a particular data point, we 90, 0, 52, 0 0, 179, 152 #00B398 (Main grey)
0, 0, 0, 60 102, 102, 102 #666666
(Main green)
recommend to use red for a blue-based chart and blue for a grey-based chart
as examples shown below. Green 3 61, 0, 40, 0 73, 207, 180 #49CFB4 Grey 3 0, 0, 0, 40 153, 153, 153 #999999

Green 2 48, 0, 30, 0 106, 232, 204 #6AE8CC Grey 2 0, 0, 0, 20 204, 204, 204 #CCCCCC

Green 1 16, 0, 9, 0 207, 255, 242 #CFFFF2 Grey 1 0, 0, 0, 10 230, 230, 230 #E6E6E6

Red 5 20, 100, 79, 11 180, 28, 55 #B41C37 Yellow 5 29, 33, 100, 2 187, 157, 33 #BB9D21

Red 4
(Main red)
0, 87, 52, 0 239, 74, 96 #EF4A60 Yellow 4 15, 13, 100, 0 225, 204, 13 #E1CC0D

Note on different colour values: Red 3 0, 61, 27, 0 255, 132, 144 #FF8490
Yellow 3
3, 1, 100, 0 250, 235, 0 #FAEB00
(Main yellow)
Use CMYK colours on coated and uncoated paper for offset printing, such as magazines,
brochures, leaflets, full colour ads, etc.
Red 2 0, 32, 12, 0 225, 188, 193 #FFBCC1 Yellow 2 2, 0, 60, 0 255, 244, 131 #FFF483
Use RGB colours for computer presentations, digital displays, TV productions, etc.
Use HEX colours online. Red 1 0, 11, 4, 0 255, 231, 232 #FFE7E8 Yellow 1 1, 0, 25, 0 255, 249, 203 #FFF9CB

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 8

Colour combination
Categorical Categorical palette

A categorical palette is used when the variable is non-numeric. Categorical variables

are those that take on distinct labels without inherent ordering. Examples include 1 group #0072BC
country or region, activity, and gender. Each possible value of the variable is
assigned with a contrasting colour from a categorical palette.
2 groups #0072BC #8EBEFF
As part of dataviz best practices, it is not recommended to have more than five
groups in one single chart. If there are more than five groups, we suggest
consolidating the categories or breaking up the chart into two or more. 3 groups #18375F #0072BC #8EBEFF

4 groups #18375F #0072BC #8EBEFF #00B398

5 groups #18375F #0072BC #8EBEFF #00B398 #666666

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 9

Colour combination
Categorical People of concern palette

In UNHCR, there are two standing exceptions to the recommendation above: types
#0072BC #18375F #00B398 #E1CC0D #8395B9 #999999 #EF4A60
of People of Concern (PoC) and geographical regions/bureaux as both include
seven categories. Refugees Asylum Internally Stateless Returned Others of Venezuelans
-seekers displaced persons refugees concern displaced
people and IDPs abroad
In order to be consistent, every category has been assigned with a specific colour.
#0072BC #8EBEFF #8395B9 #B8C9EE
People of Concern: we recommend to apply the colours as shown on the Subset of PoC
People of Concern palette UNHCR UNRWA Returned Returned
refugees refugees refugees IPDs

Region/Bureau: we recommend to apply the colours as shown on the

Region/Bureau palette
Region/Bureau palette

The legend of chart should follow the same order as the colour palette if there’s no
specific data ordering or sorting requirement. #0072BC #589BE5 #8EBEFF #18375F #00B398 #E1CC0D #EF4A60

East and Southern West and The Americas Asia and Europe Middle East
These colour palettes are for products in which all or most PoC's and/or geographi- Horn of Africa Africa Central the Pacific and North
and the Great Africa Africa
cal regions/bureaux are displayed in a single graphic. If there is a report/publication Lakes

only about IDPs, for example, the colour palette would use the main UNHCR
colour(s), i.e. Blue.

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 10

Colour combination
Sequential Sequential palette

A sequential palette is used when the variable is numeric or has inherently ordered
values. It is a gradation of colours that go from light to dark or the other way round. 2 groups #0072BC #8EBEFF #18375F #8395B9

Sequential colours have numeric meaning. They’re great for visualizing numbers that
go from low to high, like population, income, temperature, or age.
3 groups #0072BC #589BE5 #8EBEFF #18375F #506489 #8395B9

More shades of colour can be added as shown when the number of group increases.
Note: green and red colours should follow the same pattern as the blue. Please prioritize using the blue
4 groups #044F85 #0072BC #589BE5 #8EBEFF #18375F #506489 #8395B9 #B8C9EE
palette whenever possible.

5 groups #044F85 #0072BC #589BE5 #8EBEFF #DCE9FF #18375F #506489 #8395B9 #B8C9EE #E0E9FE

Diverging Diverging palette

A diverging palette combines two sequential palettes, where the common

endpoint is located in the middle and the shades of each hue progress from lighter 4 groups #0072BC #8EBEFF #FFBCC1 #EF4A60

to darker towards the extremities. Diverging colours also have numeric meaning.
It’s often used to visualize negative and positive values with a baseline in the
middle, like economic growth. 5 groups #0072BC #8EBEFF #E6E6E6 #FFBCC1 #EF4A60

More shades of colour can be added on both side of palette as shown when the
number of group increases. 6 groups #0072BC #589BE5 #8EBEFF #FFBCC1 #FF8490 #EF4A60

Note: sequential and diverging palettes can be associated with data values in two different ways:
either as a discrete set of colours, each one associated with a numeric range, or as a continuous 7 groups #0072BC #589BE5 #8EBEFF #E6E6E6 #FFBCC1 #FF8490 #EF4A60
function between numeric value and colour.

8 groups #044F85 #0072BC #589BE5 #8EBEFF #FFBCC1 #FF8490 #EF4A60 #B41C37

9 groups #044F85 #0072BC #589BE5 #8EBEFF #E6E6E6 #FFBCC1 #FF8490 #EF4A60 #B41C37

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 11

Choose right chart type
Chart type
Comparison
Charts that show a comparison
between two or more variables
within the data set. These can
be relative or absolute.

Bar chart Column chart Grouped bar chart Grouped column chart Stacked bar chart Stacked column chart

Correlation
Charts that show how two or
more variables relate to each
other.

Scatterplot Connected scatterplot Bubble chart Tree diagram Heatmap Venn diagram

Change over time

Charts that show data over a
certain period of time as a way
to find trends or highlight
changes.

Line chart Area chart Stacked area chart Stream graph Line column chart Slope chart

Distribution
Charts that show how individual
data points are grouped or
spread out within the data set.
It’s a great method to find the
frequency of events.
Histogram Population pyramid Boxplot Dot plot

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 13

Chart type
Part-to-a-whole
Charts that show how a single entity
can be divided into its individual parts.
If your purpose is to show the size of
the different parts, comparison-type
charts can be a better option.
Pie chart Donut chart 100% stacked chart Grid plot Treemap Waterfall

Flow
Charts that show movement
between two or more states or
conditions. It can be logical
sequences or geographical
locations.
Sankey diagram Chord diagram Flow map Arc diagram Flow chart

Geospatial
Spatial charts show data as
locations or geographical
patterns over geographical
regions.

Choropleth map Bubble map Flow map Icon map Dot density map Pie chart map

Ranking
Charts that show not only the
magnitude but also relative
ranking of variables.

Ordered bar chart Ordered column chart Lollipop chart Slope chart

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 14

Annex
Column chart Column chart with data label

Global IDP displacement | 2010-2020 Global IDP displacement | 2010-2020

Number of people (million)
Number of people (million)
48.0
50 45.7

40.5 40.3 41.3

40.0
37.9
40
33.3

30 26.4
25.0
22.4

20

10

0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency © UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 16

Bar chart Bar chart with data label

People displaced across borders by country of origin | 2020 People displaced across borders by country of origin | 2020
Number of people (million)

Syria
Syria 6.69

Venezuela
Venezuela 4.03

Afghanistan
Afghanistan 2.60

South Sudan
South Sudan 2.19

Myanmar
Myanmar 1.10

DRC
DRC 0.84

Somalia
Somalia 0.81

Sudan
Sudan 0.79
Central African
Central African
Rep. 0.64
Rep.
Eritrea
Eritrea 0.52
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Number of people (million) Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder © UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 17

Grouped column chart Grouped bar chart

IDPs of concern to UNHCR in Africa region | 2017-2020 Individual asylum applications registered by region | 2019-2020
East and Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes Southern Africa West and Central Africa 2019 2020

Number of people (million)

10 6.7
Americas

0.9 3.9

8 Asia and Pacific

2.6
East and Horn
of Africa, 2.2
6
and Great Lakes
1.1
Europe
4 0.8

Middle East/
North Africa 0.8
2
0.8
Southern Africa

0 0.6
2017 2018 2019 2020 West and
Central Africa 0.5
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency 0 200 400 600 800 1,000
Number of people (thousand)
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 18

Stacked column chart Stacked bar chart

Resettlement by UNHCR and others | 2010-2020 Top ten donors of multi-year contributions of UNHCR
Number of people (thousand)
2020 2021 2022 2023 onwards
UNHCR resettlement Other resettlement

European Union

Sweden

46.6 Netherlands

Denmark

Germany
26.3
25.8 27.0 31.6 44.1
19.8 37.6
18.1 36.7 Switzerland
126.3
United Kingdom
73.6 81.9
72.9 61.6 69.3 71.4 65.1 55.7 63.7 11.0 Canada
22.8
Qatar
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder Belgium
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
USD millions
Source: UNHCR
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 19

100% stacked column chart Population pyramid

Levels of earmarking | 2012-2020 Estimated demographic composition of the global population

displaced across borders | 2020
Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked

100% Male Female

80% 60+ 2% 2%

60% 18-59 29% 25%

40% 12-17 6% 6%

20% 5-11 9% 9%

0%
0-4 6% 5%
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Source: UNHCR
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency
Note: figures do not add up to 100 per cent due to rounding
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 20

Line chart Area Chart

Number of refugees and IDPs of concern to UNHCR | 1990-2020 Monthly evolution of funding in West and Central Africa region | 2020
Number of people (million) Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked
50
IDPs USD millions
500
40

400
30

300
20 Refugees

200
10

100
0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Source: UNHCR
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 21

Combined column and line chart Treemap

Trend of global displacement | 2007 - 2016 UNHCR global workforce by region | 2020
Displaced population Proportion displaced

Displaced population (millions) Proportion displaced (number displaced per 1,000 world population) 22% 11% 11%
East and Horn of Southern The Americas
100 10 Africa and the Great Lakes Africa

80 8

60 6 19% 12%
Middle East and
North Africa
Asia and
the Pacific
10% 9%
Europe HQ

40 4

20 2
5%
West and
Central Africa

0 0
Note: figures do not add up to 100 per cent due to rounding
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Source: UNHCR
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder © UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 22

Pie chart Donut chart

UNHCR Funding (as of August 2021) UNHCR Funding (as of August 2021)

$150 M $144 M $150 M $294 M $144 M

Gap (51%) Received to date Gap (51%) Received to date
Total required (49%)
(49%)

Source: UNHCR Source: UNHCR

© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency © UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 23

Stacked column chart using UNHCR region/bureau colour palette Stacked column chart using UNHCR PoCs colour palette

IDPs of concern to UNHCR by region | 2010-2020 People of concern to UNHCR | 2010-2020

East and Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes Southern Africa West and Central Africa Refugees Asylum-seekers Internally displaced people (IDPs) Stateless persons

Americas Asia and Pacific Europe Middle East/North Africa Returned refugees and IDPs Others of concern Venezuelans displaced abroad

Number of people (million) Number of people (million)

50 100

40 80

30 60

20 40

10 20

0 0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder
© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency © UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 24

Pie chart with blue background Donut chart with blue background

UNHCR Funding (as of August 2021) UNHCR Funding (as of August 2021)

$150 M $144 M $150 M $144 M

Gap (51%) Received to date Gap (51%)
$294 M Received to date
Total required
(49%) (49%)

Source: UNHCR Source: UNHCR

© UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency © UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Data Visualization Guidelines 25