Development Futures Lab

Database Host Classification
(IO, NGO, GOV, PRI, AC, CSO, MLT)
Host API Availability Available Data Description Pros Cons
2
1 OECD Development Data IO OECD Y
3
2 OECD Data Explorer (Development) IO OECD Y - Emphasis on OECD countries + several emerging economies
- Key indicators of informality (e.g., economic activity outside of a formal regulatory environment)
- ODA flows; donors (including MLOs); recipients
- Scope: Primary OECD database; covers a variety of indicators from agriculture, employment, and development - Multiple options for displaying data (tables, charts, different types of graphs) - Limited search options (must rely on OECD reports)
- Navigating back to previous search criteria is tedious
- Does NOT appear to list individual projects, ongoing projects, completed projects, etc.
4
3 UNDP Data Center IO UNDP Y - All countries
- 1990 to present
- Human Development Index (HDI); Gender Development Index (GDI); Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI); Gender Inequality Index (GII); Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI); Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI); Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- Scope: Development indicators for all countries
- Primary use of the UNDP Data Center is for measuring various indicators of human development. Data is exhaustive within this limited range.
- Useful explanation of indicators
- Simple search mechanism
- Not useful for understanding development projects
5
4 IATI d-portal MLT IATI Y
6
5 World Bank Open Data IO World Bank Y - 1960 to present
- All countries
- Massive number of indicators, including aid indicators
Perhaps the most comprehensive database of development indicators by year, country, and region. Contains series of databases. Very useful for identifying and comparing trends across countries. - Comprehensive data on a large number of indicators
- Easy to download in CSV form
- Easy to tweak search results
- ODA data comes from OECD Data Explorer
- Significant difference in scope between World Bank Open Data and World Bank DataBank
7
6 FAOSTAT
Food and Agricultural Data
IO UN Food and Agriculture Organization Y - 1961 to present
- Agriculture, nutrition, climate change, forestry, etc.
Exhaustive data within the limited scope of food and agriculture related data. At a glance, it is not useful for understanding ODA. - Poor visualization of data
8
7 Humanitarian Data Exchange IO UNOCHA Y - Conflict, war, and disaster-related data
- Updates differently according to data series
> Ex: Myanmar updates annually
> Ex: Yemen updates weekly
Database focused on providing information about humanitarian crises. Some examples include: civiliation targeting events in conflict zones, funding needs and gaps, and political violence. As you can see, this data is extremely specialized. - Provides detailed and comprehensive "Data Grids" on particular humanitarian issues - Relatively unorganized; requires expertise to navigate and understand provided data
9
8 Relief Web IO UNOCHA - Updates weekly
- Hosts reports for seemingly every country
- Reports on humanitarian issues (displacement, conflict, drought, etc.)
- No data
Part of UNOCHA Services - Updates frequenty
- Offers different type of information in the form of reports, maps, and infographics
- Does not host data in the traditional sense, i.e., there are not charts, graphs, and data that can be downloaded; everything is prepared
10
9 Financial Tracking Service IO UNOCHA
- 1980 to present
- Humanitarian funding flows
- IOs, NGOs, MLTs, country-level
- Funding (in $) for recipient countries; funding (in $) from donor countries
Part of UNOCHA Services.
A database that shares regularly updated data and information on humanitarian funding flows. Allows viewers to view dollar amounts in funding, both from donor countries and to recipient countries.
- Possesses a well-developed data visualization tool
- Easy to identify funding totals
- Does not track precise aid flows; you can see total aid flows per unit such as country, but not a breakdown of that aid
11
10 Relief Web Response IO UNOCHA Y *Data redirects to Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX)
*Seems to have some overlap with Relief Web
Part of UNOCHA Services
12
11 Humanitarian Action IO UNOCHA - 2023 to 2024 (might be earlier reports)
- Population; funding required; funding needs met; allocation; population; targeted population
Part of UNOCHA Services.
Displays funds required, paid, and remaining to cover the cost of humanitarian relief efforts in regions and states facing crises.
- Publishes detailed "Humanitarian Response Plans" - Data comes in form of reports; not accessible in spreadsheet-friendly format
13
12 Transparency International NGO - 1995 to present
- Corruptions Perception Index
- 180 countries
A very limited database only containing information ranging from 1995 to the present on perceived levels of corruption (CPI).
14
13 AidData AC William & Mary N - Focus on security, public diplomacy A research institute associated with William and Mary University. Publishes data and reports primarily on Chinese development initiatives. - Data and reports are detailed, containing not only numerical figures but also descriptions of aid projects
- Similar to IATI layout, though with more description
* Would be useful to cross reference with IATI d-portal
- Number of topics seems to be limited
- Very hard to navigate; it is unclear from the search menu how extensive or limited the data are
15
14 UNDP Transparency Portal IO UNDP Y - 2012 to 2023
- Budget
- Donor
- Relevant SDG per project
- Project Duration
UNDP Portal focused on showing all UNDP project - Has undergone recent updates, facilitating user experience
- Visualizations available
- Filters available to explore data (added financial flows)
- Limited filters
16
15 US Aid Data GOV US Y
financial assistance, grants, loans, and other forms of aid provided by the United States
Provides data related to United States foreign aid and development assistance programs.
- Has various datasets available
- Has various filters
- Seems to update regularly
- No visualizations
- Needs certain access levels
17
16 ADB Data Library IO ADB
macroeconomic indicators, development projects, trade, finance, infrastructure, and poverty
Offers a wide range of economic, financial, and social data related to the Asian region.
- Has various datasets available
- Has various filters
- Limited visualizations in the form of dashboards
- Limited filters
18
17 Key Indicators Database (KIDB) IO ADB Y - 2000~2024
- 49 member economies
- Population, GDP, labor force, CPI…
Provides key economic indicators for countries around the world.
- Organized by themes
- Visualizations available
- Visualizations require tweaking
- Kind of slow
19
18 Asian Bonds Online MLT ASEAN+3, ADB, JAPAN N
- 1997~2024
- ASEAN members per grouping/individual
- size of LCY Bond Markets, Bonds Outstanding, Government Securities, etc.
Offers data on bond markets in the Asian region.
- Visualizations available
- Data Portal guides user on building visualization
- Kind of slow
20
19 BIS Data MLT Central Banks Y
- 1977~2024
- Data on all banks
- banking statistics, foreign exchange, interest rates, and international debt securities
Offers data on international banking and financial markets.
- Visualizations available
- Has sparklines available
- Various filters
- Data exploration is not as intuitive
- Too many filters
21
20 The World Factbook GOV US N
geography, demographics, government, economy, and other aspects of countries around the world
Published by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), provides comprehensive information on the geography, demographics, government, economy, and other aspects of countries around the world.
- Visualizations available
- Has textual data
- Easily legible
- No filters
- No user-based visualizations
22
21 IMF Data IO IMF Y
GDP, inflation, fiscal balances, balance of payments, exchange rates, and international reserves
Offers a wide range of economic and financial data at both the global and country levels.
- Visualizations available
- Various datasets available
- Slow
23
22 UNICEF Data IO UNICEF Y
- 2010~2024
- child mortality, education, health, nutrition, and child protection
Provides data on children's rights, well-being, and development indicators.
- Easily legible
- Visualizations available
- By country, by theme
- Various datasets available
- Slow
24
23 UN Data MLT UNDESA Y - Organizes UN Databases (containing input data)
Offers a wide range of United Nations datasets covering various topics such as population, environment, education, health, and socio-economic indicators.
- Well structured
- Organizes UN Databases (containing input data)
- No visualizations
25
24 myData IADB IO IADB Y
economic indicators, social development, infrastructure, and environment
Provides data related to development in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Various datasets
- Has visualizations
- Has filters
- Language is in submitted language
- Embedded in website
- Requires link after link to explore dashboard
- Slow
- Non-tailorable visualizations
26
25 Development Initiatives CSO Development Initiatives Poverty Research Ltd> Y
- 2000-2024
- aid flows, financing for development, and resource allocation for development projects
Offers data and analysis related to global development finance, aid, and humanitarian assistance
- Well structured
- Visualizations per download
- No visualizations on site
- Non-tailorable
27
26 IO UNESCO Y
- 1970-2024
- literacy rates, school enrollment, educational attainment, research and development, and cultural statistics
Provides data on education, science, technology, culture, and communication
- Needs to be requested
- Based on Adobe Flash
- Needs to be requested
- Based on Adobe Flash
28
27 UNEP Data Series IO UNEP
environmental indicators, climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and natural resource management
Has a series of databases within, UNEP Open Data offers data on projects+donors
- Easily to navigate
- Map available
- No tailorable visualizations
- Incomplete
29
28 UN-HABITAT DATA IO UN-HABITAT - ArcGIS datasets - Requires login
30
29 UN Stats IO UNDESA Y
- 2000~2023
- population, environment, trade, and economic indicators
Has a series of databases within - Organized data on SDGs
- Visualizations not as intuitive to make
31
30 UNCTAD Statistics IO UNCTAD - Year
- Economy
- Flow
- % of change
- Statistics relevant to trade and development, organized by database (updated quite often)
- Seems to offer thorough data (various breakdowns on data, datasets, etc)
- Expandable data (structured, CSV files available)
- Lacks access to user-made visualizations
32
31 ILOSTAT IO ILO Y - 6 topics (country, source, year, % of change, etc) - Aims to cover all statistics related to labor
- Seems to offer thorough data (various breakdowns on data, datasets, etc)
- Wide range of dates available (1996~2024)
- Expandable data (structured, CSV files available)
- Low readibility
33
34
AC NYU
Overlap between our work as of now, but lack of updates
35
SDSN CSO SDSN