Overview

The economics major is designed to prepare students for careers both in the public and private sectors and for additional study in the field of economics. Economics graduates are qualified for a wide variety of positions in the financial sector, and jobs in business and government research. Students frequently use a major in economics as preparation for law school. Graduates choosing to pursue additional study in economics have been very successful in gaining admission to masters and doctoral programs.

To be competitive in the job market, economics majors must have knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistical techniques. They must be able to apply the theory and statistical techniques they have learned to public policy issues and business problems and be able to present their conclusions. The learning objectives of the economics major are as follows:

• Microeconomics: The student will be able to discuss the characteristics of different market structures and how the structure of a market affects consumers. The student will also be able to explain the conditions that must be met for an economy to use its resources in the most efficient manner possible.
• Macroeconomics: The student will be able to explain the major macroeconomic goals: rapid economic growth, high employment, and stable prices and how the tools of monetary and fiscal policy can be used to achieve macroeconomic goals.
• Statistical Analysis: The student will be able to interpret descriptive statistics, the results of hypothesis tests, and regression estimates.
• Communication Skills: The student will be able to give a well-prepared presentation on an economic problem.

Description taken from Youngstown State University's Undergraduate Bulletin.
For more information, see YSU's Department of Economics.

Reference Room Resources

• Atlas of Global Development: A Visual Guide to the World's Greatest Challenges    REF G1046 .G1 A85 2007
  A visual guide to global issues: easy-to-read graphical presentation with every topic being presented by clear world maps, tables, graphs and photographs. Country comparisons: understand key development indicators, including economic growth, life expectancy, infant mortality, safe water, population, poverty and energy use. Global challenges: a revealing view of the world we live in and the issues of AIDS, poverty, migration, pollution and growing populations. Authoritative statistics: from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators.
  
  
• Business Cycles and Depressions: An Encyclopedia   REF HB3711 .B936 1997
  Offers 327 original articles on every major aspect of business cycles, fluctuations, financial crises, recessions, and depressions. The work of more than 200 experts, including many of the leading researchers in the field, the articles cover a broad range of subjects, including capsule biographies of leading economists born before 1920. A chronology of major business cycles in the U.S. completes the coverage.
  
  
• The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics   REF HB61 .C66 2008
  Collection of 168 articles that clearly discuss topics of interest and relevance to people’s daily lives. This accessible volume presents work by many of the best minds in the field of economics today, from Nobel Prize winners to financial columnists to former presidential economic advisors. Provides a spectrum of thought from a variety of schools, illuminating both how and where economists disagree and where there is convergence of opinion among the experts.
  
  
• Congressional Quarterly's Desk Reference on the Economy   REF HC106.82 .C37 2000
  Over 600 answers to questions that will help you understand news, trends, and issues. The book opens with a primer on basic economic concepts. A short history of the major economic events of the 20th century follows. The heart of the book is a detailed look at the major economic issues facing the U.S. today. The final section rates the ten most recent presidents (Harry Truman to Bill Clinton) on their economic performance and critiques the U.S. economy as it moves into the 21st century.
  
  
• A Dictionary of Econometrics   REF HB139 .D358 1994
  Features entries on all the major areas in theoretical econometrics. Sorted by alphabetical order, each entry is a short essay which is designed to present the essential points of a particular concept or technique and offer a concise guide to other relevant literature.
  
  
• Dictionary of Economics   REF HB61 .R92 1992
  Over 4200 entries provide lucid, comprehensive, and accurate expositions of the key terms, issues and concepts in economics. Describes the work of the central figures in the field.
  
  
• Dictionary of International Economics Terms   REF HF1359 .D4956 2006
  Provides access to the terms of general economics for students and professionals in the growing world of international finance, and especially in its interaction with banking and the stock exchange. It also includes international definitions (UK, European and USA) of the everyday jargon, acronyms and newly adopted words that are now common in national and international financial dealings.
  
  
• An Encyclopedia of Macroeconomics   REF HB172.5 .E55 2002
  Within the alphabetically ordered book, the reader will find definitions of important terms and concepts which appear in the macroeconomic literature; brief biographical details of economists who have made important contribution to the research agenda in macroeconomics; cross-references to main entries. The main entries entail lengthier pieces on selected important topics and individuals associated with the development and current state of macroeconomics.
  
  
• An Eponymous Dictionary of Economics: A Guide to Laws and Theorems Named After Economists   REF HB61 .E66 2004
  Robert K. Merton defined eponymy as ‘the practice of affixing the name of the scientist to all or part of what he has found.’
  
  
• The Federal Reserve System: An Encyclopedia   REF HG2563 .H235 2005
  The entries in this encyclopedia deal with the Federal Reserve System, the central bank of the U.S. It does not, however, deal solely with how the Federal Reserve operates or its current institutional structure. The entries chosen range across the Federal Reserve operations and how monetary policy functions in the U.S.
  
  
• The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Economics   REF HB61 .E55 1994
  Covers more than 300 subjects, ranging from capital markets to mergers and corporate restructuring to today’s statistical techniques and econometrics. Contains contributions by 188 of the most eminent economists, econometricians, and statisticians from the academic, business, and government sectors. Provides a definition of each subject, an explanation of the subject, its relationship to other economic concepts, its importance in economics, and opposing or critical viewpoints.
  
  
• Nations of the World: A Political, Economic & Business Handbook   REF HC1010 .N37 2007/2008
  Profiles every nation and self-governing territory around the world in an easy-to-access, single-volume format. Political, economic and business information, supplemented by maps, charts, and tables. Offers tremendous insight into the conditions, and social and economic climates of 232 nations.
  
  
• The New Palgrave: A Dictionary of Economics   REF HB61 .N49 1987b (4 volumes)
• The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics and the Law   REF K487 .E3 N48 1998x (3 volumes)
  
  
• The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History   REF HC15 .O94 2003 (5 volumes)
  Nearly 900 entries and subentries, arranged in alphabetical order. Composite entries gather together discussions of similar or related topics under one headword.
  
  
• The Penguin Dictionary of Economics   REF HB61 .B33 2003
  General economic terms; Economic theory, including coverage of development economics, industrial organization, finance and game theory, as well as international monetary and welfare economics; Coverage of applied economics and major financial institutions; History of economics; Entries on individual economists who have made a definable contribution to contemporary economic thought.
  
  
• The Secrets of Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities
  REF HB3730 .B38 2008
  Using examples and real-world stories, former Time Magazine senior economics reporter Bernard Baumohl illuminates every U.S. and foreign indicator that matters right now. You'll learn where to find them, what their track records are, how to interpret them, and how to use that information to make better decisions.
  
  
• Survey of Social Science. Economics Series   REF HB61 .S94 1991 (5 volumes)
  393 articles are drawn from areas of the economic sciences: Economic theory; Delopment of past theories and schools of economic theory; Specific economic systems, past and present; Events and legislation that affected the economic foundations of society; The way in which economists attempt to examine economic phenomena scientifically; Growth and development, especially as they pertain to less developed countries and regional issues.
  
  
• The Trader's Guide to Key Economic Indicators   REF HC106.83 .Y35 2007
  This book attempts to bridge the wide gap between the theories of textbook economics and the everyday world of Wall Street. It does so by focusing on a dozen economic indicators, plus several others from fixed-income and commodity markets that have been added in this revised and expanded edition. These key indicators are among the most valuable of any analyst's or economist's tools.
  
  
• The Value of a Dollar: Colonial Era to the Civil War, 1600-1865   REF HB235 .U6 D47 2005
  Starting with the founding of America and extending through the Colonial Era to the Civil War, this volume focuses on what things cost and how much workers made. Efforts have been made to include nearly every item necessary for everyday life so students, historians and the simply curious can explore the wage and price structure of early America. Also illustrated are commodity values, investment data and income opportunities.
  
  
• The Value of a Dollar: Prices and Incomes in the United States, 1860-2004   REF HB235 .U6 V35 2004
  This book is about practical economy: what things have cost and how much money people have had to buy them. Records the actual prices of thousands of items that consumers purchased from the Civil War to the present, along with facts about investment options and income opportunities.
  
  
• Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations   REF G63 .W67 2004x (6 volumes)
  United Nations; Africa; Americas; Asia and Oceania; Europe; and World Leaders. Reflecting the ever-changing status of the world geopolitical situation, the 11th Edition includes entries for 193 countries.
  
  

Statistical Reference Resources

• 2008 U.S. Industry & Market Outlook   REF HC101 .U55 2008
  Describes over 100 major U.S. industries and 500+ minor industries. Provides current and accurate estimates of the size of the largest manufacturing, retail, wholesale and services industries in the United States.
  
  
• Business Statistics of the United States: Patterns of Economic Change   REF HC101 .A13122 2006   
  A basic desk reference for everyone requiring statistics on the U.S. economy. It contains about 3500 economic time series in all, portraying the period since WWII in comprehensive detail, and, in the case of 144 key statistics, going back to 1929. The data are predominantly from federal government sources. Of equal importance to the data are the extensive background notes that enable users to understand the data, use them appropriately, and, if desired, seek additional information from the source agencies.
  
  
• Community Sourcebook of County Demographics   READY REF HA203 .S65 2007 19th ed.
  Contains the most accurate demographic information based on ESRI's release of the 2007 updates and 2012 forecasts of key population and income data. Updated variables for population, households, families, income, race, age and spending potential for a wide variety of products and services are included. Includes: CBSA (Core Based Statistical Area); U.S. County Information; Profile Sections; Business Data; Summaries; Demographic Update Methodology; Explanation of Variables; and County Maps.
  
  
• Community Sourcebook of ZIP Code Demographics   READY REF HA203 .S66 2007 21st ed.
  Contains the most accurate demographic information based on ESRI's release of the 2007 updates and 2012 forecasts of key population and income data. Updated variables for population, households, families, income, race, age and spending potential for a wide variety of products and services are included. Contains: Residential and Non-Residential ZIP Codes; Profile Sections; Summaries; Explanation of Variables; Business Data; ESRI's Segmentation System, Community Tapestry; Demographic and ZIP Code Update Methodologies; ZIP Code Ranges; and ZIP Code Maps.
  
  
• County & City Data Book: 2007   READY REF HA202 .A36 2007   Also available ONLINE
  Local area supplement to the Statistical Abstract of the United States. A convenient summary of statistics on the social and economic structure of the counties and cities of the U.S. It is designed to serve as a statistical reference and guide to other data publications and sources. Includes a selection of data from many statistical publications and electronic sources, both government and private.
  
  
• County and City Extra: Annual Metro, City, and County Data Book   REF HA203 .C68 2005   2008 ON ORDER
  Provides the most up-to-date statistical information available for every state, county, metropolitan area, congressional district, and for all cities in the U.S. with a 2000 population of 25,000 or more.
  
  
• Datapedia of the United States: American History in Numbers   REF HA202 .D378 2007
  Brings together into one source a compendium of the most significant historical statistics of the U.S. from 1790 to 2007, as well as demographic and other select data projections through 2050. Provides a complete and convenient profile of the U.S. covering all its vital sectors, including the labor market, social welfare, and national defense.
  
  
• Demographics of the U.S.: Trends and Projections   REF HB849.49 .R875 2007
  A compilation of statistics that cannot be found in one single volume anywhere else, documenting the demographic and socioeconomic trends that have transformed the U.S. since 1950. A reference book for those who want perspective on the many changes in American life - a perspective critical for understanding what the 21st century will hold.
  
  
• Handbook of U.S. Labor Statistics: Employment, Earnings, Prices, Productivity, and Other Labor Data
  REF HD8064 .H38 2006
  Compilation of Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
  
  
• Historical Statistics of the United States: Earliest Times to the Present   REF HA202 .H57 2006 (5 volumes)
  The standard for quantitative indicators of American history.
  
  
• State and Metropolitan Area Data Book: 2006   READY REF HA2002 .S84 2006   Also available ONLINE
  Complete source of comprehensive and useful information about the nation’s individual states and metropolitan areas. It includes: • Complete listing and data for all metropolitan areas, including micropolitan areas • The latest population estimates for all areas • New rankings that highlight the findings and trends • A new guide to state and key federal sources of information • New cost of living indicator table for states • Complete descriptions, source citations, and other important information about the data.
  
  
• The State Economic Handbook 2008   REF HA203 .S723 2008
  Profiles the economy, demography, political environment, and business climates for each of the 50 states. Data are presented on a state-by-state basis. There is also a State Ranking section at the end of the book to present a clear look at how the states compare. Following the ranking section is a brief discussion on the data sources used in the book, as well as a glossary of terms that provides a clear understanding of what each variable presented means.
  
  
• Statistical Abstract of the United States   READY REF HA202 .A22 2008   Also available ONLINE
  Previous years back to 1885 are in reference collection at HA202 .A22. The standard summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the U.S. It is designed to serve as a convenient volume for statistical reference and as a guide to other statistical publications and sources. Includes a selection of data from many statistical sources, both government and private.
  
  
• World Almanac and Book of Facts   READY REF AY67 .N5 W7 2008
  

International Statistical Resources

• Demographic Yearbook (United Nations Statistics Division)   REF HA17 .D45 2003   1948-2005 editions available ONLINE
  Disseminates statistics on population size and composition, births, deaths, marriage and divorce on an annual basis. Special topics issues cover a wide range of additional topics including economic activity, educational attainment, household characteristics, housing, ethnicity and language, among others.
  
  
• Direction of Trade Statistics Yearbook (International Monetary Fund)   REF HF91 .I65 2005
  Provides, for the most recent seven years, detailed trade data by country for approximately 186 countries, the world, and major areas: tables with current data (or estimates) on the value of imports from and exports to their most important trading partners. In addition, similar summary tables for the world, industrial countries, and developing countries are included.
  
  
• International Financial Statistics Yearbook (International Monetary Fund)   REF HG61 .I57 2007
  Acknowledged as a standard source of statistics on all aspects of international and domestic finance, IFS publishes, for most countries of the world, current data on exchange rates, international liquidity, international banking, money and banking, interest rates, prices, production, international transactions (including balance of payments and international investment position), government finance, and national accounts. Information is presented in tables for specific countries and in tables for area and world aggregates.
  
  
• International Trade Statistics Yearbook (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, Released in 2007)
  REF HF91 .U473 2004 (2 volumes)
  Provides the basic information for individual countries’ external trade performances in terms of value, as well as in volume and price, the importance of trading partners and the significance of individual commodities imported and exported. This edition shows annual statistics for 179 countries or areas.
  
  
• Statistical Yearbook (United Nations Statistics Division)   REF HA12.5 .U63 2002/2004
  Organized into four parts: The first part, World and Region Summary, presents key world and regional aggregates and totals. Parts two, three, and four cover, respectively, population and social topics, national economic activity, and international economic relations.
  
  
• World Development Indicators (World Bank)   REF HC59.15 .W656 2000 & REF HC59.15 .W656 2001
  Excerpts from World Development Indicators 2007 and 2008 available online.
  With its focus on the international development goals, WDI tries to capture the most important issues facing developing countries: the health, education, and welfare of people; sustainable use of natural resources and the reversal of environmental losses; economic growth and management of the economy; the complementary roles of governments and the private sector; and the continuing integration with the world economy.
  
  
• World Development Report 2003: Sustainable Development in a Dynamic World (World Bank)   REF HC59.7 .W659 2003
  World Development Reports Online
  The annual WDR is a guide to the economic, social and environmental state of the world today. Each year the WDR provides in-depth analysis of a specific aspect of development. Past reports have considered such topics as agriculture, youth, equity, public services delivery, the role of the state, transition economies, labor, infrastructure, health, the environment, and poverty. The reports are the Bank's best-known contribution to thinking about development.
  
  

International Statistics Web Resources:

• Index of Economic Freedom
  The Index of Economic Freedom covers 162 countries across 10 specific freedoms, such as trade freedom, business freedom, investment freedom, and property rights. View scores and rankings for any country, along with detailed data and background analysis.
  
  
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  An international organization of 185 member countries, established to promote international monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and orderly exchange arrangements; to foster economic growth and high levels of employment; and to provide temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment. IMF's operations—which involve surveillance, financial assistance, and technical assistance—have developed to meet the changing needs of its member countries in an evolving world economy.
  • World Economic Outlook Reports
    Presents the IMF staff's analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in major country groups, and in many individual countries. It focuses on major economic policy issues as well as on the analysis of economic developments and prospects. It is usually prepared twice a year and forms the main instrument of the IMF's global surveillance activities.
  • World Economic Outlook Databases
    Contains selected macroeconomic data series from the statistical appendix of the WEO Report. 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.
  • Regional Economic Outlook Reports
    These reports discuss recent economic developments and prospects for countries in various regions. They also address economic policy developments that have affected economic performance in the regions and discuss key challenges faced by policymakers.
  • Global Financial Stability Reports
    Provides semiannual assessments of global financial markets and addresses emerging market financing in a global context. The report focuses on current conditions in global financial markets, highlighting issues of financial imbalances, and of a structural nature, that could pose a risk to financial market stability and sustained market access by emerging market borrowers.
    
    
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  The OECD brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy from around the world to: • Support sustainable economic growth • Boost employment • Raise living standards • Maintain financial stability • Assist other countries’ economic development • Contribute to growth in world trade. For more than 40 years, the OECD has been one of the world's largest and most reliable sources of comparable statistics, and economic and social data. As well as collecting data, the OECD monitors trends, analyses and forecasts economic developments and researches social changes or evolving patterns in trade, environment, agriculture, technology, taxation and more.
  • OECD Factbook 2008: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics
    More than 100 indicators cover a wide range of areas: economy, agriculture, education, energy, environment, foreign aid, health and quality of life, industry, information and communications, population/labour force, trade and investment, taxation, public expenditure and R&D. This year, the OECD Factbook features a focus chapter on productivity. Data are provided for all OECD member countries with area totals, and in some cases, for selected non-member economies.
  • OECD in Figures 2007
    Contains key data ranging from economic growth and employment to education and migration. There are comparable tables on the environment, science, public finances, and on every theme the organisation is working on.
  • OECD Economic Surveys and OECD Economic Studies are available in Business Source Complete: See MJF: Maag Journal Finder section below.
  
  
  
• United Nations (UN)
  The United Nations is central to global efforts to solve problems that challenge humanity. Cooperating in this effort are more than 30 affiliated organizations, known together as the UN system. The UN and its family of organizations work to promote respect for human rights, protect the environment, fight disease and reduce poverty. UN agencies define the standards for safe and efficient air travel and help improve telecommunications and enhance consumer protection. The United Nations leads the international campaigns against drug trafficking and terrorism. Throughout the world, the UN and its agencies assist refugees, set up programs to clear landmines, help expand food production and lead the fight against AIDS.
  
  
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  Established in 1964, UNCTAD promotes the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development.
  • Trade and Development Report Series
    The TDR analyses current economic trends and major policy issues of international concern, and makes suggestions for addressing these issues at various levels.
  • Development and Globalization: Facts and Figures 2008
    With economic globalization challenging much of our traditional wisdom, the 2008 edition is meant to enhance the analytical emphasis and to offer some explanations for new and emerging economic trends.
  • UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics On-line
    The goal is to provide the statistical data essential for the analysis of the world trade, investment, international financial flows and development. This database provides the opportunity to disseminate the economic, demographic and social series which serve as a fundamental support for UNCTAD´s research tasks, intergovernmental dialogue, and technical assistance.
  • World Investment Reports
    The WIR has been published annually since 1991. Each year´s Report covers the latest trends in foreign direct investment around the world and analyses in-depth one selected topic related to FDI and development.
  • Country Fact Sheets
    Each sheet contains the most recent data on FDI flows and stocks, mergers and acquisitions, largest TNCs and regulatory changes. Fact Sheets for 188 economies are available.
  
  
  
• United Nations Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD)
  The main development research division of the UN secretariat. The Division’s research aims to contribute to a strengthening of international cooperation for the economic and social development of all countries and to foster their effective integration into the world economy in the context of the UN Development Agenda. The Division’s core functions include: monitoring and analysing global economic trends and prospects and formulating advice for global macroeconomic policy coordination; analysing long-term development trends and preparing policy advice on the international development agenda; serving as the Secretariat for the Committee for Development Policy.
  • World Economic Situation and Prospects 2008
    A joint product of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the five United Nations regional commissions. It provides an overview of recent global economic performance and short-term prospects for the world economy and of some key global economic policy and development issues.
  • World Economic and Social Survey 2007: Development in an Ageing World
    Provides objective analyses of pressing long-term social and economic development issues and discusses the positive and negative impact of corresponding policies.
  • Publications and Documentation
    Reports from previous years
  
  
  
• United Nations Statistics Division
  The Statistics Division is committed to the advancement of the global statistical system. They compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. They facilitate the coordination of international statistical activities and support the functioning of the UN Statistical Commission as the apex entity of the global statistical system.
  • Census Knowledge Base
    A repository of documents relevant for the field of population and housing census taking.
  • Demographic Yearbook: 1948-2005 Editions Online
    Disseminates statistics on population size and composition, births, deaths, marriage and divorce on an annual basis. Special topics issues cover a wide range of additional topics including economic activity, educational attainment, household characteristics, housing, ethnicity and language, among others.
  • National Accounts Main Aggregates Database
    Contains a complete and consistent set of time series from 1970 onwards of main national accounts aggregates for all UN Members States and all other countries and areas in the world. It is maintained and updated on the basis of annual collections of the official annual national accounts statistics supplemented by estimates of national accounts statistics for those years and countries for which the official statistics has incomplete or inconsistent information. In addition, to the values of national accounts statistics, it contains analytical indicators and ratios derived from the main national accounts aggregates related to economic structure and development.
  • Population and Vital Statistics Report: Series A
    Presents most recent data on population size (total, male and female) from the latest available census of the population, national official population estimates and the number and rate (births, deaths and infant deaths) for the latest available year within the past 15 years. It also presents United Nations estimates of the mid-year population of the world, with its various areas and regions.
  • United Nations Common Database (UNCDB)
    UNCDB provides selected series from numerous specialized international data sources for all available countries and areas.
  
  
  
• The World Bank
  A vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. They are made up of two unique development institutions owned by 185 member countries—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). Each institution plays a different but supportive role in the mission of global poverty reduction and the improvement of living standards. The IBRD focuses on middle income and creditworthy poor countries, while IDA focuses on the poorest countries in the world. Together they provide low-interest loans, interest-free credit and grants to developing countries for education, health, infrastructure, communications and many other purposes.
  • Countries & Regions
  • Global Economic Prospects
    GEPs explore the short-, medium, and long-term outlook for the global economy and the implications for developing countries and poverty reduction. Each year the Report focuses on the long-term analysis of issues that are central to development and poverty reduction, including trade, regionalism, migration and remittances, climate change, and technological innovation and their impact on developing countries.
  • Global Monitoring Report 2008
    Provides a comprehensive assessment of progress toward the Millenium Development Goals and related policies and actions. It addresses the challenge of climate change and environmental sustainability and assesses its implications for development.
  • World Development Reports
    The annual WDR is a guide to the economic, social and environmental state of the world today. Each year the WDR provides in-depth analysis of a specific aspect of development. Past reports have considered such topics as agriculture, youth, equity, public services delivery, the role of the state, transition economies, labor, infrastructure, health, the environment, and poverty. The reports are the Bank's best-known contribution to thinking about development.
  
  
  
• World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008
  Comprehensive and respected assessment of countries’ competitiveness, offering invaluable insights into the policies, institutions, and factors driving productivity and, thus, enabling sustained economic growth and long-term prosperity. Includes the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitive Index, developed by Professor Xavier Sala-i-Martin, at Columbia University and the Business Competitiveness Index, developed by Professor Michael E. Porter, Director of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School, as well as detailed profiles for each of the 131 economies covered and data tables displaying relative rankings for more than 100 variables.
  
  
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
  The WTO is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.
  • International Trade Statistics
    Provides comprehensive, comparable and up-to-date statistics on trade in merchandise and commercial services for an assessment of world trade flows by country, region and main product groups or services by category. The coverage of statistics on international trade in services is expanded to respond to increasing demands. Major trade developments are summarized in the highlights of each chapter of the report. Detailed trade statistics and times series are provided in the Appendix.
  • Trade Profiles
    This booklet is a quick source for national and trade statistics of WTO members and countries which are in the process of negotiating WTO membership.
  • World Tariff Profiles
    An annual compilation of bound and applied tariffs, prepared by the WTO, ITC and UNCTAD.
  • World Trade Report
    The main WTO research publication on global trade policy, with special topics, analysis, and new developments.
  
  
  

Government Web Resources

• Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
  The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, provides the nation with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system.
  • Data Download Program
    Download data related to selected Federal Reserve Board statistical releases.
  • Statistics: Releases and Historical Data
  • Surveys and Reports
  • Fed in Print: A Comprehensive Index to Federal Reserve Economic Research
    Links to latest working papers and new economic articles.
  
  
  
• Budget of the United States Government: Browse Fiscal Year 2008 (GPO Access)
  
  
• Bureau of Economic Analysis (U.S. Department of Commerce)
  BEA produces economic accounts statistics that enable government and business decision-makers, researchers, and the American public to follow and understand the performance of the Nation's economy. BEA collects source data, conducts research and analysis, develops and implements estimation methodologies, and disseminates statistics to the public.
  • National Economic Accounts
  • International Economic Accounts
  • Regional Economic Accounts
  • Industry Economic Accounts
  • Survey of Current Business
    The monthly Survey of Current Business is BEA’s definitive source of information about its economic accounts. Articles in the Survey present the latest national, international, regional, and industry estimates; describe the methodologies used to prepare the estimates; provide information about major revisions; discuss on-going innovations; and generally keep users up to date on relevant BEA issues and initiatives.
  
  
  
• Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs (U.S. Department of State)
  EEB's mission is to promote economic security and prosperity at home and abroad. As the single point where international economic policy tools and threads converge, they help promote a coherent economic policy across the U.S. government.
  
  
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor)
  The BLS is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, business, and labor.
  • Consumer Price Indexes (CPI)
    The CP program produces monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services.
  • Inflation Calculator
    Allows customers to calculate the value of current dollars in an earlier period, or to calculate the current value of dollar amounts from years ago.
  • Producer Price Indexes (PPI)
    The PPI program measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. The prices included in the PPI are from the first commercial transaction for many products and some services.
  • Import/Export Price Indexes
    The International Price Program (IPP) produces Import Price Indexes (MPI) and Export Price Indexes (XPI) containing data on changes in the prices of nonmilitary goods and services traded between the U.S. and the rest of the world.
  • Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE)
    The CE program consists of two surveys, the quarterly Interview Survey and the Diary Survey, that provide information on the buying habits of American consumers, including data on their expenditures, income, and consumer unit (families and single consumers) characteristics. The survey data are collected for the BLS by the U.S. Census Bureau.
  • Economic News Releases
  • Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey (CPS)
    The CPS is a monthly survey of households conducted by the Bureau of Census for the BLS. It provides a comprehensive body of data on the labor force, employment, unemployment, and persons not in the labor force.
  • Monthly Labor Review
    The principal journal of fact, analysis, and research from the BLS. Each month, economists, statisticians, and experts from the Bureau join with private sector professionals and State and local government specialists to provide a wealth of research in a wide variety of fields—the labor force, the economy, employment, inflation, productivity, occupational injuries and illnesses, wages, prices, and many more.
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook
    A nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. The Handbook is revised every two years.
  • U.S. Economy at a Glance
  
  
  
• Bureau of the Public Debt (United States Department of the Treasury)
  Their job is to borrow the money needed to operate the Federal Government and to account for the resulting debt. In a nutshell, they borrow by selling Treasury bills, notes, and bonds, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds; they pay interest to investors; and, when the time comes to pay back the loans, they redeem investors' securities. Every time they borrow or pay back money, it affects the outstanding debt of the United States.
  
  
• Central Intelligence Agency: The World Factbook
  
  
• Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
  CBO's mandate is to provide the Congress with: Objective, nonpartisan, and timely analyses to aid in economic and budgetary decisions on the wide array of programs covered by the federal budget AND the information and estimates required for the Congressional budget process.
  • The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2008 to 2018
  • Budget Projections
  • Economic Projections
  • Glossary of Budgetary and Economic Terms
  • Historical Budget Data
  • The Long-Term Budget Outlook
  • Monthly Budget Review
  
  
  
• Economic Census
  The Economic Census is conducted every five years and is a detailed representation of the U.S. economy, both on the national and state level. It includes statistics for retail & wholesale trade, service & construction industries, manufactures, mineral industries, transportation, communications, utilities, and financial, insurance and real estate industries. 2007 Economic Census forms were sent to more than 4 million businesses in November and December 2007, asking for information about business activity during calendar 2007. The forms were due back February 12, 2008. Results will be published during 2009 and 2010.
  • Maag Library's Economic Census Subject Guide
  • U.S. Census Bureau: Guide to the 2002 Economic Census
  • U.S. Census Bureau: Guide to the 2007 Economic Census
  
  
  
• Economic Indicators.gov
  Brought to you by the Economics and Statistics Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Their mission is to provide timely access to the daily releases of key economic indicators from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau.
  
  
• Economic Indicators: Main Page (GPO Access)
  Available from April 1995 forward, this monthly compilation is prepared for the Joint Economic Committee by the Council of Economic Advisors and provides economic information on prices, wages, production, business activity, purchasing power, credit, money and Federal finance.
  
  
• Economic Report of the President (GPO Access)
  An annual report written by the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. It overviews the nation's economic progress using text and extensive data appendices. The Report is transmitted to Congress no later than ten days after the submission of the Budget of the United States Government. Supplementary reports can be issued to the Congress which contain additional and/or revised recommendations.
  
  
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Regional Economic Condition (RECON)
  RECON was originally designed to assist the FDIC in the examination process by providing economic information at the state, MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area), and county levels. It is helpful in the analysis of risks facing financial institutions. Using RECON, anyone can drill down to any state, MSA, or county to view standard graphs, tables, and maps depicting economic conditions and how they have changed over time.
  
  
• Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis: The Beige Book
  The Beige Book is released two weeks prior to each FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting eight times per year. Each Federal Reserve bank gathers anecdotal information on current economic conditions in its district through reports from bank and branch directors and interviews with key businessmen, economists, market experts, and other sources. The Beige Book summarizes this information by district and sector.
  
  
• The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: ALFRED: Archival Federal Reserve Economic Data
  Using ALFRED® you can retrieve vintage versions of data that were available on specific dates in history. In general, economic data for past observation periods are revised as more accurate estimates become available. As a result, previous vintages of data can be superseded and may no longer be available from various data sources. Vintage data allows academics to reproduce others' research, build more accurate forecasting models, and analyze economic policy decisions using the data available at the time.
  
  
• Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Economic Data - FRED
  FRED® (Federal Reserve Economic Data) is a database of 19,599 U.S. economic time series. With FRED® you can download data in Microsoft Excel and text formats and view charts of data series.
  
  
• The Federal Reserve Board: The Twelve Federal Reserve Districts
  
  
• FEDSTATS
  Provides access to the full range of official statistical information produced by the Federal Government without having to know in advance which Federal agency produces which particular statistic. With convenient searching and linking capablilties to more than 100 agencies that provide data and trend information on such topics as economic and population trends, crime, education, health care, aviation safety, energy use, farm production and more, FedStats is your one location for access to the full breadth of Federal statistical information.
  
  
• FRASER: Federal Reserve Archival System for Economic Research
  FRASER is a project by the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to expand on its mission to provide economic information and data to researchers interested in the U.S. economy. On this web site, you will find links to scanned images of historical economic statistical publications, releases, and documents.
  
  
• International Trade Administration: Industry, Trade, and the Economy: Data and Analysis (U.S. Department of Commerce)
  Industry Analysis, an office of Manufacturing and Services within the ITA seeks to: Develop and disseminate trade and economic data, Provide objective, consistent research and analysis that examines issues affecting U.S. manufacturing and services competitiveness in domestic and global markets, so as to Facilitate sound policies that contribute to U.S. economic prosperity.
  
  
• Liber8
  An economic information portal. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis librarians designed this site with university and government document librarians, students, and the general public in mind. Economic information can, at times, be difficult for the non-economist to find and understand. This site will provide a single point of access to the economic information that the Federal Reserve System, other government agencies, and data providers have to offer.
  
  
• The Library of Congress: Country Studies
  The Country Studies Series presents a description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world.
  
  
• The Library of Congress: Working Papers and Technical Reports in Business, Economics and Law
  To increase awareness of and access to valuable grey literature in business, economics and law, the Library of Congress provides online access both through its catalog and through these web pages to a growing number of working papers and technical reports in these areas placed online by institutions responsible for creating the reports.
  
  
• U.S. Census Bureau
  The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of data about the nation's people and economy.
  • 2008 Economic Indicator Release Schedule: By Date
  • American Fact Finder
    Source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data.
  • Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM)
    The ASM provides sample estimates of statistics for all manufacturing establishments with one or more paid employee. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the ASM in each of the 4 years between the economic census which is collected for years ending in 2 and 7.
  • Business and Industry: Census Bureau Economic Programs
  • Community Economic Development HotReport
    A collaborative project sponsored by: Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Development Administration. Provides access for users seeking economic indicators for individual counties or for the Employment & Training Administration's WIRED Regions.
  • Current Population Survey (CPS)
    The CPS is a monthly survey of about 50,000 households conducted by the Census Bureau for the BLS. The CPS is the primary source of information on the labor force characteristics of the U.S. population. The sample provides estimates for the nation as a whole and serves as part of model-based estimates for individual states and other geographic areas. Estimates obtained from the CPS include employment, unemployment, earnings, hours of work, and other indicators. They are available by a variety of demographic characteristics including age, sex, race, marital status, and educational attainment. They are also available by occupation, industry, and class of worker.
  • Economic Indicators
  • Economy-Wide
  • International Data Base (IDB)
    The International Data Base (IDB) offers a variety of demographic indicators for 226 countries and areas of the world.
  • Population and Household Economic Topics
  
  
  
• U.S. Department of State: Background Notes
  The publications listed include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty. The Background Notes are updated/revised by the Office of Electronic Information and Publications of the Bureau of Public Affairs as they are received from the Department's regional bureaus.
  
  
• U.S. Department of Treasury
  The Treasury Department is the executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States. The Department is responsible for a wide range of activities such as advising the President on economic and financial issues, encouraging sustainable economic growth, and fostering improved governance in financial institutions. The Department of the Treasury operates and maintains systems that are critical to the nation's financial infrastructure, such as the production of coin and currency, the disbursement of payments to the American public, revenue collection, and the borrowing of funds necessary to run the federal government. The Department works with other federal agencies, foreign governments, and international financial institutions to encourage global economic growth, raise standards of living, and to the extent possible, predict and prevent economic and financial crises. The Treasury Department also performs a critical and far-reaching role in enhancing national security by implementing economic sanctions against foreign threats to the U.S., identifying and targeting the financial support networks of national security threats, and improving the safeguards of our financial systems.
  
  
• The White House: Economic Statistics Briefing Room
  The purpose of this service is to provide easy access to current Federal economic indicators. It provides links to information produced by a number of Federal agencies. All of the information included in the Economic Statistics Briefing Room is maintained and updated by the statistical units of those agencies. All the estimates for the indicators presented in the Federal Statistics Briefing Rooms are the most currently available values.