Resource information
This is the fourth annual edition of the
World Bank's statistical reference. It provides an
expanded view of the world economy for 148 countries with
chapters focusing on world view, people, environment,
economy, states and markets, and global links as well as
introductions highlighting recent research on major
development issues. This edition includes some key
indicators for 1999. This report aims to make statistics
lively and comprehensive-to paint a picture of the world and
its people. The numbers in this book tell the reader that
people in most places are living longer, but that in
countries gripped by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, life
expectancies are declining. Average incomes continue to rise
for most developing countries, but some of the poorest have
slipped backwards, subjecting millions more to extreme
poverty. It can also be seen that the developing countries
are becoming more important participants in the global
economy. But the picture is flawed because too often the
data are incomplete or unreliable or entirely unavailable.
Recognizing the many flaws in the statistical system and the
need to address them directly by improving the capacity of
countries to produce statistics, a consortium of more than
90 countries and international organizations has come
together and pledged to increase the resources for
statistical capacity building in developing countries. Hence
future editions of this report may prove even more useful.
