IMF DataMapper: see growth, inflation and debt forecasts on a map
The IMF's free visual tool for its key datasets, including World Economic Outlook figures, for quick country comparisons and a forward look at economies.
The site: IMF DataMapper. Cost: Free. Useful for: culture and countries.
What it is
DataMapper is the International Monetary Fund’s visualisation and download tool. The IMF describes it as covering data from 13 key IMF datasets, including a wide selection of regional and country economic indicators.
The best known source inside it is the World Economic Outlook (WEO), which the IMF prepares twice a year for publications in April and in September or October. WEO series include the IMF’s own projections for coming years, which makes DataMapper useful for a forward look and not only a history. The IMF’s terms allow free use of its data with attribution, and ask you to request permission for commercial reuse.
Use it for
- A quick view of real GDP growth, inflation or government debt across a region
- Checking the IMF’s projections before writing a market outlook
- Comparing a target country with its neighbours or with the world as a whole
- Finding a citable, official figure for a slide or report
Because the map view is quick to read, it works well at the start of a discussion, when people need the same picture of the economic backdrop.
How to use it
- Open DataMapper at imf.org/external/datamapper.
- Pick an indicator from the list, for example real GDP growth from the World Economic Outlook.
- Read the world map, then select the countries or regions you want to compare over time.
- Check which years are actual figures and which are projections before you quote any number.
- Use the download option to take the data into a spreadsheet, and cite the dataset and edition.
If you present a forecast, say which WEO edition it comes from. A number quoted in April may have changed by October.
Example
A manager weighing Kenya against Nigeria for an expansion can open real GDP growth and inflation from the WEO and compare the two countries. The view shows past years and the IMF’s projected years together, so the discussion starts from an official forecast rather than a guess.
Watch out for
- Projections are revised with every edition, so record which edition you used.
- Commercial reuse of IMF data needs permission under the IMF’s terms.
- Headline economic figures say little about a specific sector or city.
It works well alongside World Bank Open Data, OECD Data and FRED.
Checklist
Put it to work
Recap cards
Tap a card to check yourself.
Sources and credits
