World Bank releases new Exporter Dynamics Database

The new Exporter Dynamics Database offers the most comprehensive picture yet of exporter characteristics and dynamics in 45 developed and developing countries. The database mainly covers 2003-2009, though data from the 1990s are also available for some countries.

It allows for cross-country comparisons of exporters based on factors such as size, survival, growth, and concentration. More countries will be added as the database expands. Until now, most databases focus not on exporting firms, but on the aggregate flow of goods across borders based on countries or products.

Based on data sets covering the universe of export transactions obtained directly from customs agencies, the data are comparable across countries. Measures cover the basic characteristics of exporters (their numbers, size and growth), their concentration and degree of diversification in products and markets, their dynamics in terms of entry, exit and survival, and the average unit prices of the products they trade.

World Input-Output Database

The World Input Output Database (WIOD) project (which ran from May 1, 2009 to May 1, 2012) has developed new databases, accounting frameworks and models. The core of the database is a set of harmonized supply and use tables, alongside with data on international trade in goods and services. These two sets of data have been integrated into sets of intercountry (world) input-output tables. Taken together with extensive satellite accounts with environmental and socio-economic indicators, these industry-level data provide the necessary input to several types of models that can be used to evaluate policies aimed at striking a balance between the various policy objectives.

The WIOD provides timeseries of input-output tables (1995-2009) for 40 countries, using international trade statistics to link them across countries.

These world tables are harmonised with data on labour input (3 skill types) and capital stock at 35 industry level. In addition there is environmental data such as energy use, carbon dioxide and other air pollutants.

The data is downloadable for free at www.wiod.org with extensive documentation.