One of the biggest challenges in understanding and making sense of global trends is the sheer quantity of information and data available globally — which is multiplying by the minute (see the Trend Report: Knowledge)!

Our approach is to first make the best use possible of all the knowledge and information “out there” before we start to add new information.  This is why our reports draw heavily on publically available information, because it is available and relevant — your time and ours is better spent on making sense and defining implications than creating new data.

However, it has taken us a few years to find the best sources and we are learning constantly.  The aim of this page is therefore to share some of our learning about good information sources and to benefit from your experience in return.  Below we list some key sources of information which you and your teams may fnd useful as you continue to monitor and use global trends over time.  This list is an ongoing work in progress, so will be updated regularly. 

We would also welcome your suggestions on additional sources to share with our community.  Please email us by clicking here to tell us the name of the source, its website address, and a brief description of what it offers.  

 

General Data Sources

Source

Website

Type of Information

World Bank

http://www.worldbank.org/

Economic and financial statistics, including commodity prices

World Trade Organization

http://www.wto.org/

Trade statistics, trade news, economic research and publications

United Nations

http://www.un.org/

http://unstats.un.org/

Data and reports relevant for many trends including economics, demographics, Millennium Development Goals

IMF

http://www.imf.org/

Range of time series data on GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, payments balances, exports, imports, external debt, capital flows, commodity prices, more and other economic and financial indicators

CIA

https://www.cia.gov/

World Factbook offers basic but useful country information; other reports cover security related matters e.g. fuel use

International Labour Organization (ILO)

http://www.ilo.org/

Information and news on international labour standards and human rights; provides international labor statistics and research

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/

Research and statistics on all aspects of the labor market in the US, plus international comparisons

World Economic Forum

http://www.weforum.org/en/index.htm

Research on wide range of issues related to its agenda; also organizes Davos summit annually dealing with global issues

Worldmapper Project

http://www.worldmapper.org/

Provides cartograms – maps where countries are resized according to a range of economic, social, demographic and resources criteria

Wikipedia

http://www.wikipedia.com/

Open-source based online encyclopaedia, which is a good first lead for information on many topics BUT always check references and data wherever possible

Org. for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD)

http://www.oecd.org/

Publications and statistics on economic and social issues, including macroeconomics, trade, education, science, innovation

European Commission Eurostat

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu

Publications and statistics on economic and social issues, including macroeconomics, trade, education, science, innovation

IMD http://www.imd.ch Research, articles and information on critical business topics and issues; and home of the World COmpetitiveness Center
McKinsey/ McKinsey Quarterly

http://mckinsey.com/

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/home.aspx

Surveys, articles, publications on a range of business topics

Booz & Co/

Strategy & Business

http://www.booz.com/

http://strategy-business.com/

Surveys, articles, publications on a range of business topics, on both the Booz site and Strategy & Business site

Boston Consulting Group

http://www.bcg.com/

Surveys, articles, publications on a range of business topics

PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC)

http://www.pwc.com/ Consulting/Accounting firm offering research/publications on range of business topics
Bain & Company

http://www.bain.com/

Surveys, articles, publications on a range of business topics

IBM

http://www.ibm.com/ Range of research, particularly related to technology industry

RAND Corporation

http://www.rand.org/

Research areas include security, international affairs, science & technology, health, infrastructure