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Methodology

The data collection process involved gathering information from 21 sources, including the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), among others. This effort resulted in the creation of over 100 datasets. The next phase entailed a comprehensive selection and filtering process to ensure that only relevant and high-quality data were incorporated into the final country-level datasets, which were categorized by topics such as:

  1. Geopolitics
  2. Trade and Production (and Appendixes 1 & 2)
  3. External Accounts
  4. Public Finance
  5. Monetary and Financial

In the third phase, the data were aggregated and organized according to various criteria, creating grouped datasets based on different categorizations, such as World Bank Regions and Income Groups; IMF Country Groups and Sub-Groups; and OECD classifications. Definitions are as follows (see Appendix for full details about country groupings):

  1. World Bank Regions: Groupings primarily based on regions used for administrative purposes by the World Bank.
  2. World Bank Income Groups: Economies are divided into four income groupings: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high, based on GNI per capita (in U.S. dollars). Group thresholds were established in 1989, largely based on World Bank operational thresholds, and are updated annually at the beginning of the World Bank's fiscal year (i.e., July 1), with an adjustment for inflation. For more details, see here.
  3. IMF Country Groups and Sub-Groups: The IMF divides the world into two major groups: advanced economies and emerging and developing economies. This classification is not based on strict criteria, economic or otherwise, and it has evolved over time. Refer to the introduction to the World Economic Outlook's Statistical Appendix for details. Sub-groups are subdivisions within these broader groups.
  4. OECD: The organization divides economies into three groupings: member countries (38 in total), accession candidate countries (8 currently) and key partners (5 currently). For more details, see here.

Given that not all countries report data for every variable and year, we adjusted the panels accordingly. To calculate aggregated data, we first check whether, for each year, there is missing data for countries that account for 75% or more of the group’s total GDP. If the missing data exceeds this threshold, the aggregate calculation for that specific year is not performed. Conversely, if data is available for countries representing 75% or more of the group’s total GDP, the aggregate calculation is carried out. For the Public Finance and Monetary & Financial sections, this threshold was reduced to 50% to increase data availability. Additionally, in the Public Finance and Monetary & Financial sections, China was excluded due to the lack of data for many variables. In the following sections, the specific aggregation method for each variable is explicitly detailed.

These groupings facilitated a structured approach to data analysis and visualization. For reference, the following links provide access to the resulting grouped-level datasets:

  1. Geopolitics
  2. Trade and Production (and Appendixes 1 & 2)
  3. External Accounts
  4. Public Finance
  5. Monetary and Financial

The visualizations generated –both country-level and grouped-level– were based on these carefully constructed datasets. It is important to note that while the visualizations utilized the datasets, not all variables included in the datasets were necessarily used. The focus was on leveraging the most pertinent data to effectively illustrate key findings and trends.

The following sections describe the variables included in each dataset, their definitions, measures, the aggregation method used for grouping country-level data, the time span of the variables, their corresponding datasets in Alphacast, and links to the original sources.

Sources

A. Geopolitics Dataset

1. Military expenditure

Definition: Military expenditures include all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country).

Measures: Percentage of GDP, percentage of general government expenditure

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None

Time span: 1960 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - World Bank - Military Expenditure

Original source: World Bank

2. United Nations votes equal to (different from) China / Russia / USA

Definition: Number of voting coincidences between each country's voting pattern and that of the US, China, and Russia for each year. Additionally, information is presented as a share of total votes for each year, as well as shares based on a 3-year rolling sum.

Measures: Number of votes equal to (different from) specific country, percentage of total votes, percentage of total based on 3-year rolling sum

Aggregation method: Average, for each measure

Time span: 1946 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - Harvard Dataverse - Voting Similarities

Original source: Harvard Dataverse

3. Freedom Index

Definition: The Freedom Index measures economic, political, and legal freedoms for nearly every country in the world. Scores range between 0 and 100 with higher values indicating more freedom. Countries on the Freedom Index are divided into four categories based on their overall score: those above a seventy-five-point score (Free), those with a score between fifty and 74.9 (Mostly Free), those with a score between twenty-five and 49.9 (Mostly Unfree), and those with a score from zero to 24.9 (Unfree).

Measures: Index, categories, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None; None

Time span: 1946 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - Atlantic Council - Freedom Index

Original source: Atlantic Council

4. Local Democracy Indicator

Definition: Local Democracy denotes the extent to which citizens can participate in free elections for influential local governments. It encompasses the ability of citizens to engage in the decision-making processes that affect their daily lives through the election of local representatives. This includes not only the act of voting but also the broader participation in local governance, such as community meetings, public consultations, and involvement in local councils. Local democracy aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and responsiveness of local authorities to the needs and preferences of their communities, thereby strengthening the overall democratic framework. Scaled to range from 0 (lowest score) to 1 (highest score).

Measures: Index, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None; None

Time span: 1975 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - World Bank - Local Democracy Indicator

Original source: World Bank

5. Democracy Score

Definition: Based on the expert estimates and index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (2006-2023). It combines information on the extent to which citizens can choose their political leaders in free and fair elections, enjoy civil liberties, prefer democracy over other political systems, can and do participate in politics, and have a functioning government that acts on their behalf. It ranges from 0 to 10 (most democratic). Categories as follow: Authoritarian regimes (scores between 0-4), Hybrid regimes (4-6), Flawed democracies (6-8), Full democracies (8-10).

Measures: Score, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None; None

Time span: 2006 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - Economist Intelligence Unit - Democracy Index

Original source: Economist Intelligence Unit, data retrieved from Our World In Data

6. Polity Score

Definition: The variable Polity2 was used for the Polity Score. Polity2 measures the level of democracy and autocracy in a country, ranging from -10 (fully autocratic) to +10 (fully democratic). It is an adjusted version of the original Polity score, removing cases of interruptions, transitions, and interregnums to provide a consistent and continuous measure of a country's central authority.

Measures: Score, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None; None

Time span: 1776 - 2020

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - Center for Systemic Peace - Political Regime Characteristics & Transitions

Original source: Center for Systemic Peace

7. Effectively applied import tariff rates, weighted average

Definition: Effectively applied import tariff rates for major categories of non-agricultural and non-fuel products for multiple countries, published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Data is in a weighted average for each product group calculated from a simple average at HS 6-digit level. Data was filtered to select ‘World’ from the variable ‘Origin’.

Measures: Percentage, deciles

Aggregation method: Median; None

Sectors: Chemical products, Machinery, and transport equipment, Manufactured goods, Manufactured goods, ores and metals, Ores, and metals, Other manufactured goods

Time span: 1988 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - UNCTAD - Import Tariff Rates

Original source: UNCTAD

8. AHS Tariff Rate, weighted average

Definition: The average of import tariffs each country imposes on imports from other countries, weighted by their corresponding trade value.

Measures: Percentage, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Median; None; None

Time span: 1988 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - WITS - Tariff

Original source: WITS

9. Most Favored Nation Tariff Rate, weighted average

Definition: MFN tariffs are what countries promise to impose on imports from other members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), unless the country is part of a preferential trade agreement (such as a free trade area or customs union). This means that, in practice, MFN rates are the highest tariff rates (most restrictive) that WTO members charge one another.

Measures: percentage, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Median; None; None

Time span: 1988 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - WITS - Tariff

Original source: WITS

10. Measure of Aggregate Trade Restrictions Index

Definition: MATR is an empirical measure of how restrictive official government policy is towards the international flow of goods and services. MATR is based on the IMF’s AREAER binary variables related to (i) exchange measures; (ii) arrangements for payments and receipts; (iii) imports and imports payments; (iv) exports and exports proceeds, and (v) payment and proceeds from invisible transfers and current transfers. Each sub indicator is scored as 1 if a restriction is present in a particular country for a particular year, and 0 otherwise. The simplest version of MATR is the unweighted sum of up to 22 possible variables. Thus, the index ranges from 0 to 22.

Measures: Index, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None; None

Time span: 1949 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - Measure of Aggregate Trade Restrictions (MATR)

Original source: MATR

11. New harmful interventions

Definition: This variable is calculated by Alphacast using Global Trade Alert (GTA) data. The GTA provides timely information on state interventions taken since November 2008 that are likely to affect foreign commerce. It includes state interventions affecting trade in goods and services, foreign investment and labor force migration. The GTA classifies a measure as harmful if the implementation of a government policy instrument likely or almost certainly worsens the treatment of one or more foreign commercial interests relative to domestic rivals. This variable shows the number of new harmful interventions (‘Red’ GTA evaluation) implemented by each country per year. Only harmful interventions currently in force are considered.

Measures: Number of interventions, deciles

Aggregation method: Average; None

Time span: 2008 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: External Trade - Global - Global Trade Alert - Commercial Policy Interventions

Original source: Global Trade Alert

12. Cumulative harmful interventions:

Definition: This variable is calculated by Alphacast using Global Trade Alert (GTA) data. The GTA provides timely information on state interventions taken since November 2008 that are likely to affect foreign commerce. It includes state interventions affecting trade in goods and services, foreign investment and labor force migration. The GTA classifies a measure as harmful if the implementation of a government policy instrument likely or almost certainly worsens the treatment of one or more foreign commercial interests relative to domestic rivals. This variable shows the cumulative number of harmful interventions (‘Red’ GTA evaluation) implemented by each country since 2008. Only harmful interventions currently in force are considered.

Measures: Number of interventions, deciles

Aggregation method: Average; None

Time span: 2008 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: External Trade - Global - Global Trade Alert - Commercial Policy Interventions

Original source: Global Trade Alert

13. Social Unrest Index

Definition: The Social Unrest Index measures the risk of social conflicts in countries and is used to assess the level of vulnerability of a society to instability. It takes into account a range of factors, including economic inequality, poverty, social exclusion, and lack of effective governance. The index is a non-negative number, with a mean of 100 for each country. A higher index denotes higher unrest.

Measures: Index, mean, 1 and 2 standard deviations

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD, for all measures

Time span: 1986 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - Social Unrest Index

Original source: Measuring Social Unrest Using Media Reports, P. Barrett, M. Appendino, J. de Leon Miranda, and K. Nguyen, Journal of Development Economics, Volume 158, September 2022. Extracted from author website.

14. Property Rights Index

Definition: The International Property Rights Index (IPRI) scores the underlining institutions of a strong property rights regime: the legal and political environment, physical property rights, and intellectual property rights. It is the world’s only index entirely dedicated to the measurement of intellectual and physical property rights. The index scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 10 is the highest value for a property rights system and 0 is the lowest value (or most negative) within a country.

Measures: Index, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None; None

Time span: 2007 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - Property Rights Alliance - Property Rights Index

Original source: Property Rights Alliance

15. World Bank CPIA - Property Rights

Definition: Country Policy and Institutional Assessments (CPIA) are carried out annually by the World Bank to measure and rank the ability of countries to make effective use of aid. CPIA ratings are used by the Bank to calculate country performance ratings, and play an important role in determining the Bank's allocation of aid. Property rights and rule-based governance assess the extent to which private economic activity is facilitated by an effective legal system and rule-based governance structure in which property and contract rights are reliably respected and enforced. Countries are rated on a scale of 1 (low) to 6 (high). The scores depend on the level of performance in a given year assessed against the criteria, rather than on changes in performance compared with the previous year.

Measures: Index, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None; None

Time span: 2005 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - World Bank - CPIA Ranking

Original source: World Bank

16. Life Expectancy at Birth

Definition: Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life. Total life expectancy is used for visualizations.

Measures: number of years, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None; None

Time span: 1960 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: Health & Education - Global - World Bank - Life expectancy at birth

Original source: World Bank

17. Infant mortality

Definition: Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live birthsin a given year.

Measures: Per 1,000live births, deciles

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by population; None

Time span: 1960 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: Health & Education - Global - World Bank - Mortality Rate

Original source: World Bank

18. Happiness and Life Satisfaction Score

Definition: The underlying source of the happiness scores is the Gallup World Poll, a set of nationally representative surveys undertaken in more than 160 countries in over 140 languages. The main life evaluation question asked in the poll is: “Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you, and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” This is also known as the “Cantril Ladder”. Responses to the Gallup World Poll were published in The World Happiness Report, a well-known source of cross-country data and research on self-reported life satisfaction. Scores range from 0 to 10.

Measures: Score, deciles

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None

Time span: 2011 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - OWID - Happiness & Life Satisfaction

Original source: Our World in Data

19. Human Rights Index

Definition: Based on the expert estimates and index by V-Dem, the Human Rights Index captures the extent to which people are free from government torture, political killings, and forced labor; they have property rights; and enjoy the freedoms of movement, religion, expression, and association. The variable ranges from 0 to 1 (most rights). The central estimate was used.

Measures: Index, deciles

Aggregation method:Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None

Time span: 1789 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - Our World In Data (OWID) - Human Rights Index

Original source: “Data Page: Civil liberties index”, part of the following publication: Bastian Herre, Lucas Rodés-Guirao, Esteban Ortiz-Ospina and Max Roser (2013) - “Democracy”. Data adapted from V-Dem. Retrieved from Our WorldIn Data

20. Corruption Perception Index

Definition: The CPI scores countries/territories based on how corrupt a country’s public sector is perceived to be by experts and business executives. It is a composite index, a combination of 13 surveys and assessments of corruption, collected by a variety of reputable institutions. A country/territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0-100, where 0 means that a country is perceived as highly corrupt and a 100 means that a country is perceived as very clean.

Measures: Index, deciles

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None

Time span: 2012 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - Transparency International - Corruption Perceptions Index

Original source: Transparency International

21. Homicide Rate

Definition: This variable corresponds to intentional homicides, measured per 100,000 people. Intentional homicides are estimates of unlawful homicides purposely inflicted as a result of domestic disputes, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, intergang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas killing in armed conflict is usually committed by fairly cohesive groups of up to several hundred members and is thus usually excluded.

Measures: Per 100,000 people, deciles, ranking

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by population; None; None

Time span: 1990 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: Miscellaneous - Global - World Bank - Homicide Rate

Original source: World Bank

22. Population

Definition: Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values correspond to mid year estimates.

Measures: Number of people, annual growth rate

Aggregation method: Sum; None

Time span: 1960 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Demographics - Global - World Bank - Demographics

Original source: World Bank

23. Rural population

Definition: Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. The variable used is measured as percentage of total population.

Measures: Percentage of total population

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by population

Time span: 1960 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Demographics - Global - World Bank - Demographics

Original source: World Bank

24. Net migration

Definition: Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.

Measures: Number of people

Aggregation method: Sum

Time span: 1960 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Demographics - Global - World Bank - Demographics

Original source: World Bank

25. Age dependency ratio

Definition: Age dependency ratio is the ratio of dependents -people younger than 15 or older than 64- to the working-age population -those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.

Measures: Percentage of working-age population

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by population

Time span: 1960 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Demographics - Global - World Bank - Demographics

Original source: World Bank

B. Trade and Production Dataset

1. Energy Generation

Definition: Total energy production includes the production of petroleum (crude oil and natural gas plant liquids), dry natural gas, and coal. It also includes net generation of nuclear, hydroelectric, and non-hydroelectric renewable electricity. Total energy production for the United States also includes the production of biomass, geothermal, and solar energy not used for electricity generation.

Measures: In Quadrillion (Qa) BTU, KwH per capita

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1980 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: Activity & Production - Global - EIA - Total Energy

Original source: EIA

2. Energy Consumption

Definition: Total energy consumption includes the consumption of petroleum, dry natural gas, coal, net nuclear, hydroelectric, and non-hydroelectric renewable electricity. Total energy consumption for each country also includes net electricity imports (electricity imports – electricity exports) and net coke imports (coke imports – coke exports). Total energy consumption for the United States also includes the consumption of biomass, geothermal, and solar energy not used for electricity generation.

Measures: In Quadrillion (Qa) BTU, KwH per capita

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1980 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: Activity & Production - Global - EIA - Total Energy

Original source: EIA

3. Energy Net Exports

Definition: Energy exports were calculated as Generation minus Consumption.

Measures: In Quadrillion (Qa) BTU, KwH per capita

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1980 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: Activity & Production - Global - EIA - Total Energy

Original source: EIA

4. Exports

Definition: Exports of goods refer to products that are physically sent from the domestic territory of one country to another country. This includes any goods that leave the economic territory of a country and are sold, bartered, or transferred to residents of another country. The term encompasses all merchandise that is subject to exportation, whether for final sale, further processing, or re-exportation.

Measures: USD millions, annual growth rate

Aggregation method: Sum; None

Product types: Agricultural Raw Materials, Chemical, Food, Fuel, Machinery and Transport Equipment, Manufactures, Ores and Metals, Textiles.

Time span: 1988 - 2021

Alphacast datasets: External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports

External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports Metrics by Country

External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports & Imports Metrics by Product (SITC Rev 2)

Original source: WITS

5. Imports

Definition: Imports of goods refer to all goods that enter a country's economic territory from the rest of the world. These include merchandise brought into a country for domestic use, processing, re-export, or transit. The term covers all transactions where ownership of goods is transferred from residents of one economy to residents of another, usually crossing international borders.

Measures: USD millions, annual growth rate

Aggregation method: Sum; None

Product types: Agricultural Raw Materials, Chemical, Food, Fuel, Machinery and Transport Equipment, Manufactures, Ores and Metals, Textiles

Time span: 1988 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: External Trade - Global - WITS - Imports

External Trade - Global - WITS - Imports Metrics by Country

External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports & Imports Metrics by Product (SITC Rev 2)

Original source: WITS

6. Export / Import Shares to China / India / USA

Definition: Shares represent the percentage of a country’s exports (or imports) to China, India, and the USA. These shares were calculated both at an aggregate level and for individual product types.

Measures: percentage of total exports / imports

Aggregation method: Weighted Average, by exports/imports in USD mn

Product types: Agricultural Raw Materials, Chemical, Food, Fuel, Machinery and Transport Equipment, Manufactures, Ores and Metals, Textiles

Time span: 1988 - 2021

Alphacast datasets: External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports & Imports Shares by Countries

External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports & Imports Shares by Countries & Products

Original source: Calculations by Alphacast, based on WITS

7. Trade Balance

Definition: Trade Balances were calculated as the difference between Exports and Imports. Balances were calculated both at an aggregate level and for individual product types.

Measures: USD millions

Aggregation method: Sum

Product types: Agricultural Raw Materials, Chemical, Food, Fuel, Machinery and Transport Equipment, Manufactures, Ores and Metals, Textiles

Time span: 1993 - 2021

Alphacast datasets: External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports & Imports Metrics by Product (SITC Rev 2)

Original source: Calculations by Alphacast, based on WITS

8. Grubel-Lloyd Index of intra-industry trade

Definition: The Grubel-Lloyd (G-L) Index is a measure of intra-industry trade, which refers to the exchange of similar products belonging to the same industry between countries. Specifically, it quantifies the extent to which a country's exports and imports within a particular industry overlap. The index is calculated by comparing the absolute value of the difference between a country's exports and imports within a specific industry to the total trade (the sum of exports and imports) in that industry. The closer the index is to 1, the more balanced the trade is within the industry, indicating a high level of intra-industry trade. If the index is closer to 0, it means trade is more imbalanced, with the country primarily either exporting or importing in that industry, rather than both.

Measure: Index

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Product types: Agricultural Raw Materials, Chemical, Food, Fuel, Machinery and Transport Equipment, Manufactures, Ores and Metals, Textiles

Time span: 1993 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports & Imports Metrics by Product (SITC Rev 2)

Original source: Calculations by Alphacast, based on WITS

9. Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage Index

Definition: The Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) index is a measure used to assess a country's relative strength or weakness in exporting a particular good or service compared to other countries. The Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) index is calculated as the ratio of the share of a product in a country's exports to the share of that same product in global exports, divided by the share of the country's total manufacturing exports in global manufacturing exports. The RSCA index transforms the RCA value to a symmetric scale, to ensure that the index has a balanced range, from -1 to +1. A positive (negative) RSCA value indicates that the country has a comparative advantage (disadvantage) in exporting the product, with higher (lower) values reflecting stronger advantages (disadvantages). The RSCA index was calculated for exports of each product type.

Measure: Index

Aggregation method: Weighted Average, by exports in USD mn

Product types: Agricultural Raw Materials, Chemical, Food, Fuel, Machinery and Transport Equipment, Manufactures, Ores and Metals, Textiles

Time span: 1988 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports Metrics by Country

Original source: Calculations by Alphacast, based on WITS

10. Herfindahl-Hirschman Index for Exports / Imports

Definition: The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for exports/imports by product type reflects how concentrated a country's exports/imports are across different products. A high HHI indicates that a significant portion of the country's exports/imports is concentrated in a few product types. Similarly, the HHI for exports/imports by trade partners indicates how reliant the country is on specific countries or regions for its exports/imports, with a higher HHI reflecting a higher degree of concentration.A HHI below 1,500 is generally considered to indicate low concentration. Between 1,500 and 2,500, the HHI reflects a moderate concentration. And above 2,500, the HHI indicates high concentration.

Measures: Index calculated across producttypes, index calculated across trading partners

Aggregation method: Weighted Average, by exports/imports in USD mn

Time span: 1988 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: External Trade - Global - WITS - Exports Metrics by Country

Original source: Calculations by Alphacast, based on WITS

11. Gross Domestic Product per capita

Definition: GDP per capita is gross domestic product divided by midyear population. GDP is the sum of gross value added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or for depletion and degradation of natural resources. Data is available in current USD, in constant 2015 USD, and converted to international 2017 constant dollars using purchasing power parity rates.

Measures: Constant 2015 USD, constant 2017 international USD, constant 2021 international USD, current USD

Aggregation method: Weighted average, by GDP in current USD, for all measures

Time span: 1960 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: National Accounts - Global - World Bank - Gross Domestic Product Per Capita

Original source: World Bank

C. External Accounts Dataset

1. Current Account Balance

Definition: The current account balance measures a country's transactions with the rest of the world in goods, services, income, and current transfers. It includes the balance of trade in goods and services, net income from abroad, and net current transfers.

Measures: In USD, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Sectors: Total, Goods, Services

Time span: 1950 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - IMF - Balance of Payments

Original source: IMF

2. Direct Investment

Definition: Direct investment is defined as an investment made by a resident in one economy in a business enterprise in another economy where the investor has significant influence over the enterprise's operations. This usually involves holding at least 10% of the voting stock or equivalent in the foreign enterprise. In the International Investment Position, direct investment comprises equity capital, reinvested earnings, and intercompany loans.

Measures: In USD, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Sectors: Assets, Liabilities

Time span: 1975- 2024

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - IMF - International Investment Position

Original source: IMF

3. Foreign Direct Investment

Definition: Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment made by a resident in one country in a business located in another country, where the investor has significant influence over the company’s operations. This typically involves acquiring a substantial ownership interest (usually at least 10% of the voting stock or equivalent) in the foreign enterprise. FDI includes equity capital, reinvested earnings, and intra-company loans.

Measures: In USD, historical mean deviation in USD, percentage of GDP historical mean deviation in percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1990 - 2022

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - UNCTAD - Foreign Direct Investment Flows

Original source: UNCTAD

4. Net Direct Investment

Definition: Net direct investment is calculated as the difference between a country's assets and liabilities.

Measures: In USD, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1975- 2024

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - IMF - International Investment Position

Original source: IMF

5. Portfolio Investment

Definition: Portfolio investment refers to transactions in equity and debt securities that do not involve a significant degree of influence over the issuing entity. It includes purchases and sales of stocks, bonds, and other financial assets where the investor holds less than 10% of the voting stock or equivalent. Unlike direct investment, portfolio investment does not imply a lasting interest or control over the enterprise.

Measures: In USD, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Sectors: Net, Assets, Liabilities

Time span: 1975- 2024

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - IMF - International Investment Position

Original source: IMF

6. International Investment Position

Definition: The International Investment Position (IIP) is a statistical statement that shows the value and composition of a country's external financial assets and liabilities at a specific point in time. It provides a snapshot of the net financial position of a country with the rest of the world, detailing the stock of foreign assets owned by residents and the stock of domestic assets owned by non-residents.

Measures: In USD, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Sectors: Assets, Liabilities

Time span: 1975 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - IMF - International Investment Position

Original source: IMF

7. Net International Investment Position

Definition: Net international investment position is calculated as the difference between a country's assets and liabilities.

Measures: In USD, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span:1975 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - IMF - International Investment Position

Original source: IMF

8. International Reserves

Definition: International reserves are foreign assets held by a country's central bank or monetary authority that are readily available to meet balance of payments needs. They include foreign currency deposits, foreign government bonds, special drawing rights (SDRs), and reserve positions in the IMF. These reserves are used to support the national currency, intervene in foreign exchange markets, and ensure the country's ability to meet international financial obligations.

Measures: In USD, percentage of Broad Money, percentage of GDP, percentage of Imports

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD, for other measures

Time span: 1990-2023

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - IMF - International Reserves

Original source: IMF

9. Personal Remittances

Definition: Personal remittances comprise personal transfers and compensation of employees. Personal transfers consist of all current transfers in cash or in kind made or received by resident households to or from nonresident households. Personal transfers thus include all current transfers between resident and nonresident individuals. Compensation of employees refers to the income of border, seasonal, and other short-term workers who are employed in an economy where they are not resident and of residents employed by nonresident entities. Data are the sum of two items defined in the sixth edition of the IMF's Balance of Payments Manual: personal transfers and compensation of employees.

Measures: In USD, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Types of remittances: Paid, received, net

Time span: 1970 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: External Sector - Global - World Bank - Personal Remittances

Original source: World Bank

10. Real Effective Exchange Rate

Definition: Real effective exchange rate is the nominal effective exchange rate (a measure of the value of a currency against a weighted average of several foreign currencies) divided by a price deflator or index of costs. Index equals 100 in 2010.

Measures: Index, deviation from mean

Aggregation method: Median; None

Time span: 1992 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Global - World Bank - Global Economic Monitor - Monthly compilation

Original source: World Bank

D. Public Finance Dataset

1. Primary / Financial Public Sector Deficit

Definition: Financial Public Sector Deficit refers to net lending (+) / net borrowing (–), which equals government revenue minus expense, minus net investment in nonfinancial assets. It is also equal to the net result of transactions in financial assets and liabilities. The Primary Deficit was calculated as net lending / borrowing plus interest payments.

Measures: In Local Currency Unit (LCU), percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: None; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1970 - 2022 (World Bank) / 1990 - 2024 (IMF)

Alphacast datasets: Fiscal & Debt - Global - World Bank - Public Sector Deficit, Fiscal & Debt - Global - IMF - Public Sector Expenses & Revenues

Original sources: World Bank, IMF

2. Public Sector Expenses:

Definition: Public sector expenses refer to the total expenditure incurred by government bodies and agencies. These expenses include compensation of employees, spending on goods and services, public investments, social benefits, interest payments on public debt, subsidies, and transfers to other sectors of the economy, such as households, corporations, and foreign entities.

Measures: In LCU, percentage of GDP, percentage of total spending

Aggregation method: None; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None

Subdivisions: Total, compensation of employees, consumption of fixed capital, goods and services, grants, interest, social benefits, subsidies, other

Time span: 1990 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Fiscal & Debt - Global - IMF - Public Sector Expenses & Revenues

Original source: IMF

3. Gross Public Sector Debt

Definition: Gross public sector debt refers to the total amount of government debt that includes all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future. This debt includes both domestic and external obligations of the public sector, which can include central government, local government, and public enterprises.

Measures: in LCU, in USD, percentage of GDP, percentage of Gross Public Sector Debt

Aggregation method: None; Sum; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD; None

Subdivisions: Total, short term, long term, domestic creditors, external creditors, domestic currency, foreign currency

Time span: 2007 - 2024

Alphacast datasets: Fiscal & Debt - Global - World Bank - Gross Public Sector Debt

Fiscal & Debt - Global - World Bank - Gross Public Sector Debt by Maturity

Fiscal & Debt - Global - World Bank - Gross Public Sector Debt by Residence of the Creditor

Fiscal & Debt - Global - World Bank - Gross Public Sector Debt by Currency of Denomination

Fiscal & Debt - Global - World Bank - Gross Public Sector Debt by Instrument

Original source: World Bank

4. Sovereign Credit Classification

Definition: Credit ratings assigned to countries by the three major credit rating agencies—Fitch, Moody's, and S&P. Each entry in the dataset includes the specific rating from each agency. Moreover, ratings are also codified with an integer, providing a standardized numerical representation of the creditworthiness assessed by each agency.

Measure: Credit rating, index

Aggregation method: None; None

Agencies: Fitch, Moody's, S&P

Time span: 1949 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Markets - Global - Sovereign Credit Ratings

Original sources: Fitch Ratings

Moody's Investors Service

S&P Global Ratings

E. Monetary and Financial Dataset

1. Consumer Price Index

Definition: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food, and medical care. It is calculated by taking prices for each item in the predetermined basket of goods and averaging them.

Measure: Index, annual growth rate

Aggregation method: Median; None

Time span: 1950 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Inflation - Global - IMF - Consumer Price Index - Monthly

Original source: IMF

2. Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Price Index

Definition: The Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Price Index is a division within the CPI. This division covers all essential food items such as bread, cereals, meat, fish, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and beverages that do not contain alcohol.

Measure: Index, annual growth rate

Aggregation method: Median; None

Time span: 1950 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Inflation - Global - IMF - Consumer Price Index - Monthly

Original source: IMF

3. Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels

Definition: The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels Index is a division of the CPI, which includes the costs associated with housing and related utilities. This division covers expenditures on rent, the purchase of new housing, maintenance and repairs, as well as utilities such as water, electricity, gas, and other fuels.

Measure: Index, annual growth rate

Aggregation method: Median; None

Time span: 1950 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Inflation - Global - IMF - Consumer Price Index - Monthly

Original source: IMF

4. Currency in Circulation

Definition: Currency in Circulation refers to the total amount of physical money (banknotes and coins) issued by the central bank that is actively used by the public for transactions. It excludes the amount held by the central bank and other financial institutions.

Measures: In LCU, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: None; None

Time span: 1985 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - IMF - Monetary Aggregates

Original source: IMF

5. Monetary Base

Definition: The Monetary Base, also known as high-powered money, includes the sum of currency in circulation and reserves held by commercial banks at the central bank.

Measures: In LCU, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: None; None

Time span: 1985 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - IMF - Monetary Aggregates

Original source: IMF

6. Broad Money

Definition: Broad Money encompasses a wide measure of the money supply, including not only currency in circulation but also demand deposits other than those of the central government; the time, savings, and foreign currency deposits of resident sectors other than the central government; bank and traveler’s checks; and other securities such as certificates of deposit and commercial paper. It represents the total amount of money available in the economy.

Measures: In LCU, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: None; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1985 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - IMF - Monetary Aggregates

Original source: IMF

8. Domestic credit to private sector

Definition: Domestic credit to private sector refers to financial resources provided to the private sector by financial corporations, such as through loans, purchases of non-equity securities, and trade credits and other accounts receivable, that establish a claim for repayment. For some countries these claims include credit to public enterprises. The financial corporations include monetary authorities and deposit money banks, as well as other financial corporations where data are available (including corporations that do not accept transferable deposits but do incur such liabilities as time and savings deposits). Examples of other financial corporations are finance and leasing companies, money lenders, insurance corporations, pension funds, and foreign exchange companies.

Measures: In LCU, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: None; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1960 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - World Bank - Domestic Credit to Private Sector

Original source: World Bank

9. Domestic credit to private sector by banks

Definition: Domestic credit to private sector by banks refers to financial resources provided to the private sector by other depository corporations (deposit taking corporations except central banks), such as through loans, purchases of non-equity securities, and trade credits and other accounts receivable, that establish a claim for repayment. For some countries these claims include credit to public enterprises.

Measures: In LCU, percentage of GDP

Aggregation method: None; Weighted average, by GDP in current USD

Time span: 1960 - 2023

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - World Bank - Domestic Credit to Private Sector

Original source: World Bank

10. Monetary Policy Interest Rate

Definition: The policy rate (or policy interest rate) is the interest rate set by the central bank or monetary authority to influence the amount of money supply in the economy and to achieve its monetary policy objectives, such as controlling inflation, managing employment levels, and stabilizing the currency. This rate is typically the rate at which commercial banks can borrow or lend to the central bank. It is reported as nominal percentage rate.

Aggregation method: Median

Time span: 1945 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - BIS - Policy Rates

Original source: BIS

11. Monetary Policy Change

Definition: Changes in monetary policy codified as follows: -1 if the central bank lowers its monetary policy rate (easing); 0 if there is no change in the policy rate; and +1 if the central bank increases its reference rate (tightening).

Aggregation method: Sum

Time span: 1945 - 2024

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - BIS - Policy Rates

Original source: Calculations by Alphacast, based on BIS

12. Exchange Rate Regime

Definition: This classification system is based on members' actual, de facto, arrangements as identified by IMF staff, which may differ from their officially announced arrangements. The scheme ranks exchange rate arrangementson the basis of their degree of flexibility and the existence of formal or informal commitments to exchange rate paths. It distinguishes among different forms of exchange rate regimes, in addition to arrangements with no separate legal tender, to help assess the implications of the choice of exchange rate arrangement for the degree of monetary policy independence. Each regime type can take values 0/1,depending if it is the exchange rate regime or not.

Regime types: Conventional peg, crawl-like arrangement, crawling peg, currency board, floating, free floating, no separate legal tender, other managed arrangement, pegged exchange rate within horizontal bands, stabilized arrangement

Aggregation method: Sum, for each regime type

Time span: 2008 - 2021

Alphacast dataset: Monetary - Global - IMF - Exchange Rate Regime Classification

Original source: IMF

Appendix A: Country Groupings

1. World Bank Regions

a- East Asia & Pacific: American Samoa, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hong Kong SAR (China), Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (Dem. People’s Rep.), Korea (Republic of), Lao PDR, Macao SAR (China), Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam.

b- Europe and Central Asia: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan.

c- Latin America & the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Martin (Dutch part), St. Martin (French part), St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uruguay, Venezuela, Virgin Islands (US).

d- Middle East & North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen (Republic of).

e- North America: Bermuda, Canada, United States.

f- South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

g- Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo (Republic of), Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

2. World Bank Income Groups

a- Low-income Economies: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Dem. Rep., Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Korea (Dem. People’s Rep.), Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Togo, Uganda, Yemen (Republic of).

b- Lower-middle income Economies: Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Rep., Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Arab Rep., Myanmar, Eswatini, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kenya, São Tomé and Principe, Kiribati, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mauritania, Micronesia, Fed. Sts., Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Bank and Gaza, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

c- Upper-middle income Economies: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Islamic Rep., Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Türkiye,Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine.

d- High-income Economies: American Samoa, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Chile, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czechia, Monaco, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French, Polynesia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guyana, Hong Kong SAR (China), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao SAR (China), Malta, Nauru, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin (Dutch part), St. Martin (French part), Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Virgin Islands (US).

3. IMF Country Groups

a- Advanced Economies: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR (China), Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao SAR (China), Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), United Kingdom, United States.

b- Emerging Markets & Developing Economies: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

4. IMF Country Sub-Groups

a- Major Advanced Economies (G7): Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States.

b- Euro Area (ex G7): Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain.

c- Other Advanced Economies: Andorra, Australia, Czechia, Denmark, Hong Kong SAR (China), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Republic of), Macao SAR (China), New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, San Marino, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (China).

d- Latin America & Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.

e- Emerging and Developing Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,Samoa,Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam.

f- Emerging and Developing Europe: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, NorthMacedonia,Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine.

g- Middle East & Central Asia: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen.

h- Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros,Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo (Republic of), Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia,Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

5. OECD

a. OECD Members: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States.

b. Accession Candidates: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Indonesia, Peru, Romania, Thailand.

c. Key Partners: Brazil, People’s Republic of China, India, Indonesia, South Africa.

Appendix B: Product Classification (Trade Data)

Annual trade data is sourced from the World Bank’s World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS), while monthly data is sourced from the International Monetary Fund’s Direction of Trade Statistics. Both sources provide information on the reporting country and its trade partners. Additionally, WITS includes data categorized by Product Groups, which correspond to the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Revision 2 (Rev2). The product groups and their corresponding SITC codes are as follows:

1. Agricultural Raw Materials: 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29

2. Chemicals: 5

3. Food: 0, 1, 22, 4

4. Fuel: 3

5. Manufactures: 5, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 7, 8

6. Machinery and Transport Equipment: 7

7. Ores and Metals: 27, 28, 68

8. Textiles: 26, 65, 84

Further details about the SITC classification can be found here.