Classifications of Countries Basedon their Level of Development: How it is Done and How it Could Be Done

February 1, 2011

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Format: Chicago

Lynge Nielsen. Classifications of Countries Basedon their Level of Development: How it is Done and How it Could Be Done, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2011) accessed December 21, 2024

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

The paper analyzes how the UNDP, the World Bank, and the IMF classify countries based on their level of development. These systems are found lacking in clarity with regard to their underlying rationale. The paper argues that a country classification system based on a transparent, data-driven methodology is preferable to one based on judgment or ad hoc rules. Such an alternative methodology is developed and used to construct classification systems using a variety of proxies for development attainment.

Subject: Banking, International organization, Personal income, Poverty, Purchasing power parity

Keywords: Balance of payments, Country classification system, Development country, WP

Publication Details

Pages:

45
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2011/031
Stock No:

WPIEA2011031
ISBN:

9781455216789
ISSN:

1018-5941

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