This guide it intended to highlight only the most prominent resources for cross-national data. Many are value-added subscription products that provide Columbia with fuller coverage of data than might be found freely available on the Internet.

Many more are listed in our data catalog, DataGate. If you need assistance locating information, contact EDS at eds@columbia.edu.

Intergovernmental Organization World Bank - WDI Online (World Development Indicators) - Global Development Finance (CD-ROM) - World Africa Database (CD-ROM) - Other World Bank CD and Web Resources   International Monetary Fund - International Financial Statistics - Direction of Trade Statistics (CD-ROM)   United Nations - UNdata - UN Comtrade Statistics - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - Spatial Data for Other Countries   Other Agencies - SourceOECD Databases (use IE browser) -LABORSTA International Labor Organization

Country-Specific Sources Demographic and Health Surveys EIU Country Data EuroStat China Data Center IndiaStat IPUMS - International (Census Microdata) UK Data Archive   Indexes and Finding Aids Producers Of Data - Statistical Agencies of Other Governments - United Nations System of Organizations - Country Logbook   Indexes - ICPSR's International Resource Guide - Lexis/Nexis Statistical (use "Search Abstracts", search in IIS) - Intute -Statistics and Data   Other Sources - Guide to International Statistics

Other Sources

• DataGate
  This is Columbia's own data catalog. Entries comprise bibliographic information, an abstract, subject keywords, and information about how to obtain the study which is often a link to the location of the study. It contains studies from the ICPSR collection, the individual data tables from SourceOECD, and other studies of international interest which can be found by searching country names. Some cross national surveys of interest are (do a title search for the terms):
  • Afrobarometer
  • Cross National Time Series
  • Eurobarometer (more about Eurobarometer)
  • Global Views
  • World Values Survey

More Information on the Above Resources

The information listed here relates to products already listed above. It gives details for those products that require users to come to EDS or that are available in multiple formats.
 

World Development Indicators (WDI) 1960-present

(CD-ROM and online options available)
WDI is an easy to use interface that brings together time series data from countries worldwide. Data come from a variety of sources including the UN and IMF.
 
EDS has a CD-ROM version that is more robust when downloading multiple series for multiple countries. You must visit EDS to use the CD-ROM version.
WDI Online can be accessed from anywhere.
 
A World Bank assessment of developing country's capacity for reporting data is located on the WB website in the Country Statistical Information Database. As well it maintains public Internet sites on the topics of Education and Information and Communication Technology.

International Financial Statistics (IFS)

The IFS is available as an on-line resource or on CD-ROM. The CD-ROm is available at EDS. The CD-ROM version is best for large extractions. The IFS is the principal source for macroeconomic data and it should be the first stop for patrons using standard economic indicators, especially those relating to balance of payments.

• IFS - A Guide to International Financial Statistics in EDS

Direction of Trade Statistics, 1948 to present

(CD-ROM, you must visit EDS to use it)
The Direction of Trade Statistics reports trade totals (imports and exports)between partner countries.

World Africa Database

(CD-ROM, you must visit EDS to use it)
This product focuses on countries and groups of groups within Africa. It is a good choice when are looking for country groupings or indicators unique to this continent.

Global Development Finance (GDF)

(CD-ROM, you must visit EDS to use it)
GDF is useful for patrons who require very detailed information on debt and financial flows in developing countries.