The World Economic Outlook (WEO) database contains selected macroeconomic data series from the statistical appendix of the World Economic Outlook report, which presents the IMF staff's analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in major country groups and in many individual countries. The WEO is released in April and September/October each year.
Use this database to find data on national accounts, inflation, unemployment rates, balance of payments, fiscal indicators, trade for countries and country groups (aggregates), and commodity prices whose data are reported by the IMF.
Data are available from 1980 to the present, and projections are given for the next two years. Additionally, medium-term projections are available for selected indicators. For some countries, data are incomplete or unavailable for certain years.
Changes to the April 2017 Database
- From December 2016 to January 2017, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) of Japan’s Cabinet Office released the results of the latest quinquennial benchmark year revision for the Japanese National Accounts. This comprehensive revision consisted of (i) incorporating large-scale, detailed source statistics, including the compilation of the 2011 Input-Output Tables; (ii) updating the reference year from 2005 to 2011; (iii) improving several estimation methodologies, including for measuring construction output; and (iv) updating definitions and classifications, in particular, implementing the 2008 System of National Accounts (2008 SNA). With this revision, the Japanese national accounts describe more accurately the evolution of the economy. The most significant change resulted from the implementation of the 2008 SNA. For instance, for the past three years (2013-15), the level of nominal GDP was revised upward by 5.0–6.3 percent, of which 4.3–4.8 percent was accounted for by the implementation of the 2008 SNA, including capitalization of research and development. The increase in GDP for the most recent year (2015) resulted not only from the benchmark year revision, but also from the incorporation of more detailed source statistics. Real GDP growth rates were also revised retrospectively. The mean absolute revision for the past 21 years (1995–2015) was relatively modest (0.4 percentage point), while the growth rates for the past three years were revised upward by 0.4–0.6 percentage point. The revisions of the annual rate of change of the GDP deflator were relatively limited, with a mean absolute revision of 0.1 percentage point, and do not change significantly the evolution of prices previously published for Japan.
- Nauru is the latest country added to the WEO data-base, expanding it to a total of 192 countries. Data for Nauru are included in the emerging market and developing economies group composites. Nauru is classified as a member of the Emerging and Developing Asia.
- Belarus redenominated its currency by replacing 10,000 old Belarusian rubles with 1 new Belarusian ruble. Local currency data for Belarus are expressed in the new currency starting with the April 2017 WEO database.