The World Development Indicators (WDI) The World Development Indicators (WDI) is a premier cross-country database compiled by the World Bank, offering a comprehensive collection of development data from a wide range of international sources. It provides a vast array of over 1,400 time-series indicators for more than 200 economies, covering crucial aspects of global development. The indicators are organized into six key analytical areas: World View, People, Environment, Economy, States and Markets, and Global Links. As a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, and the public, the WDI serves as an essential tool for monitoring global trends, analyzing economic and social progress, and evaluating the effectiveness of development policies. Indicator Name Description 1. Poverty headcount ratio at $6.85 a day (2017 PPP) (% of population) The percentage of the population living on less than $6.85 a day at 2017 international prices. 2. Gini index (World Bank estimate...
The Global Divide: Understanding Income Inequality Income inequality is a critical measure of a country's economic and social health. It reveals how a nation's total income is distributed among its population. A high level of income inequality indicates a significant gap between the richest and the poorest, often with a small portion of the population holding a disproportionately large share of the wealth. This phenomenon is a subject of intense study and debate among economists, sociologists, and policymakers, as it can have far-reaching consequences on social stability, economic growth, and overall well-being. One of the most widely used metrics for measuring income inequality is the Gini coefficient. This index ranges from 0 to 1 (or 0% to 100%), where 0 represents perfect equality (everyone has the same income) and 1 represents perfect inequality (one person has all the income). Another key metric is the "income share of the highest 10%," which shows the percen...