Correlation is not causation

Love statistics, so I have to share this chart I came across—it’s a perfect example of the classic phrase, “correlation is not causation”.

Chart showing a positive correlation between the number of metal bands per million people and average happiness scores across European countries. While the trend suggests that more metal bands are associated with higher happiness, the chart serves as a reminder that correlation doesn’t imply causation.

At first glance, the chart seems to suggest that having more metal bands per capita makes a country happier. I think we can all agree that’s not quite how it works. Maybe the band members themselves are happier, but the rest of the population? Unlikely.

Continue reading →