Research Guides: Comparative Political Data: Development and Economy

Economic and Development Data

This page has the most frequently used sources. For more data sources, see:

ECON 110 Guide to Macroeconomic Statistics
Kristin's guide to major sources of macroeconomics statistics and data. An excellent place to start.

These are good places to start.

CNTS Data Archive (Cross-National Time Series)
From Arthur S. Banks, to quantify variables covered in Stateman's Yearbook. Over 200 indicators spanning 200 countries, some dating to 1815. Variables cover trade, conflict, infrastructure, expenditure, more.
DOTS: Direction of Trade Statistics
(Searches through citations and the full text)
Includes time series of value of exports and imports between countries and their trading partners, published by the IMF (International Monetary Fund). Covers 1980 - current.
Finaeon
Includes historical financial data dating back to 1265. Includes datasets in 10 topics: Asset Allocation, Commodities, Economic, Equity, Exchange Rates, Fixed Income, Development, Government and Debt, International Trade, and National Accounts. NOTE: You will need to set up a personal account and log in using your Carleton email address in order to access.
GFS: Government Finance Statistics
Includes budgetary and extra-budgetary financial operations data for governments. Covers 1980 - present.

Human Development Index
From the United Nations Development Programme, a composite index evaluating health, education, and living standards across the world's countries. 1980 - 2018.

IFS: International Financial Statistics
The IMF's (International Monetary Fund) 32,000 time series across 200+ countries and areas.

Penn World Tables - Online data access
"...a set of national accounts economic time series covering many countries...." This link goes to version 9.0. See the full release page for more view options and variable descriptions.
QoG Standard Data
Enormous dataset with 1000+ cross-national variables ranging from governance to the economy from a large variety of sources.
TradeProd: the CEPII Trade, Production and Bilateral Protection Database
Bilateral trade figures according to a standard industrial classification system. 26 industrial sectors across 151 countries, 1980 - 2006.
UNU-WIDER: World Income Inequality Database
Income inequality for developed, developing, and transition countries. Includes Gini coefficient, quintile, and decile shares.
WITS, TRAINS, & Comtrade
Tariff and trade flow information for more than 160 countries.

WDI: World Development Indicators
Statistical data for development indicators and time series data for over 200 countries and 18 country groups. Data includes social, economic, financial, natural resources, and environmental indicators. Covers 1960 - present.
Note: For data documentation, see the print reference book: World Development Indicators, at call number Ref HC 59.15 .W656.