Data and Statistics

Although public discussions of globalization have grown at an extraordinary pace in recent years, there does not appear a precise, widely-agreed definition. Everything related with international issues- cultural, political and others connotations are associated with Globalization. Yet, the academics as well as international institutions narrow it to global economic integration; increasing freedom and ability of individuals and firms to undertake voluntary economic transactions with the residents of other countries . These cross-border economic activities takes various forms:

GDF Online - Global Development Finance Database Online!
You can now subscribe to GDF Online and get access to statistical data for the 136 countries that report public and publicly-guaranteed debt to the World Bank Debtor Reporting System. The database covers external debt stocks and flows, major economic aggregates, and key debt ratios as well as average terms of new commitments, currency composition of long-term debt, debt restructuring, and scheduled debt service projections.

World Development Indicators 2003
World Development Indicators is the World Bank's premier annual compilation of data about development.

Other Sources and Measures:

A New Database on Foreign Direct Investment
World Bank recently combined available data from other institutions and national sources, and complied a FDI database. This database provides comprehensive information on FDI related issues, including data on annual FDI stocks and flows from source and destination countries, as well as on country risk ratings by 2 major rating agencies. The data cover the period 1970-1998. The database also includes an introductory overview note explaining various definitions and conceptual issues related to the measurement of FDI and policy and risk ratings. (577 kb ZIP)

A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY Magazine Globalization Index
This globalization index is based on data from 50 industrial countries and key emerging markets representing nearly 80 percent of the world's population and more than 95 percent of global economic output. The index encompasses the following key indicators of global integration:

World Investment Report (UNCTAD)
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions are a part of a globalizing world. To this end, World Investment Report provides a valuable data and its analysis about Transnational companies' (TNCs) activities in the world.