Social Connectedness Index

The Social Connectedness Index (SCI) measures the relative probability that Facebook users in two locations are friends. Choose a tool below to explore or map the data.

Interactive Explorer

Click any country, state/province, or district on a live, zoomable globe and watch it light up with where it's most connected. The fastest way to explore the data and discover surprising links.

Start exploring →

Map Generator

Build polished, publication-quality SCI maps with full control over geography, colors, breaks, and titles — then download as PNG, SVG, PDF, or video, or export the R code to reproduce them.

Make a map →

If you use the Social Connectedness Index in your work, please cite:

  1. Johnston, D., Kuchler, T., Kulkarni, M., & Stroebel, J. (2026). The Social Connectedness Index: a large-scale dataset of social ties across geographic locations. Data in Brief, XXX, XXX.
  2. Bailey, M., Cao, R., Kuchler, T., Stroebel, J., & Wong, A. (2018). Social Connectedness: Measurement, Determinants, and Effects. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 32(3), 259-280.