Data Skills: The New Literacy | Community Health

Data skills are no longer a niche requirement, but a fundamental literacy for professionals across industries. With the exponential growth of data, companies are scrambling to hire talent who can collect, analyze, and interpret complex data sets. According to a report by IBM, the number of data science jobs is expected to increase by 14% by 2025, with an estimated 2.7 million job openings. However, a survey by Glassdoor found that 67% of data scientists consider themselves self-taught, highlighting the need for formal education and training programs. As data becomes increasingly integral to business strategy, the demand for data skills will only continue to rise, with a projected 30% increase in data-driven decision-making by 2027. The influence of data skills can be seen in the work of pioneers like Hans Rosling, who used data visualization to challenge global development assumptions, and companies like Palantir, which has developed data integration software used by governments and corporations worldwide.