International Financial Statistics
Encyclopedia
The IMF International Financial Statistics (IFS) is a compilation of financial data collected from various sources, covering over 200 countries worldwide, which is published monthly by the International Monetary Fund
(IMF).
, international liquidity, money
and banking, interest rates, prices, etc. Most annual data begins in 1948, quarterly and monthly data dates back to 1957 and most balance of payments data begins in 1970.
The IMF compiles the data from various sources including government departments, national accounts, central banks, the United Nations
(UN), Eurostat
, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and private financial institutions.
(ESDS) International provides the macro-economic datasets free of charge for members of UK higher and further education institutions. In order to access the data, users have to be registered which can be done here. Alternatively, the data is available to download on the IMF website which requires a subscription.
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
(IMF).
Methodology and scope
The IFS is the IMF’s principal statistical publication covering numerous topics of international and domestic finance. It includes, for most countries, data on exchange rates, balance of paymentsBalance of payments
Balance of payments accounts are an accounting record of all monetary transactions between a country and the rest of the world.These transactions include payments for the country's exports and imports of goods, services, financial capital, and financial transfers...
, international liquidity, money
Money
Money is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally in the past,...
and banking, interest rates, prices, etc. Most annual data begins in 1948, quarterly and monthly data dates back to 1957 and most balance of payments data begins in 1970.
The IMF compiles the data from various sources including government departments, national accounts, central banks, the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
(UN), Eurostat
Eurostat
Eurostat is a Directorate-General of the European Commission located in Luxembourg. Its main responsibilities are to provide the European Union with statistical information at European level and to promote the integration of statistical methods across the Member States of the European Union,...
, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and private financial institutions.
Accessing the data
The Economic and Social Data ServiceEconomic and Social Data Service
The Economic and Social Data Service is a national data archiving and dissemination service that was founded in January 2003. It is funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Joint Information Systems Committee ....
(ESDS) International provides the macro-economic datasets free of charge for members of UK higher and further education institutions. In order to access the data, users have to be registered which can be done here. Alternatively, the data is available to download on the IMF website which requires a subscription.