The UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics provides essential data for analyzing and measuring world trade, investment, international financial flows and development. Reliable statistical information is often considered as the first step during the preparation of making recommendations or taking decisions that countries will commit for many years as they strive to integrate into the world economy and improve the living standards of their citizens. Whether it is for research, consultation or technical cooperation, UNCTAD requires comparable, often detailed economic, demographic and social data, over several decades and for as many countries as possible.

In addition to facilitating the work of the secretariat’s economists, the UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics also enables other users, such as policy-makers, research specialists, academics, officials from national governments or international organizations, executive managers or members of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from developing, transition or developed countries to have access to this rich statistical information. The Handbook further offers journalists comprehensive information in a presentation that meets their needs.

In deviation to earlier editions, the online edition of the Handbook (www.unctad.org/statistics/handbook) is discontinued and replaced with a new data dissemination system UNCTADstat http://unctadstat.unctad.org . Not like the Handbook which captures statistics at one point of time, UNCTADstat will be continuously updated, enriched and providing users with the latest available data. In this regard, users should take caution when comparing data between the Handbook and UNCTADstat, as the date of update may differ.

Particular acknowledgement is due to the Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, as well as to other international organizations, for its help in preparing this publication.