Data methodology

Core rule

A number is not publication-ready until its definition, unit, reference period, release date, geography, adjustment, source, status and revision position are known.

Source and vintage

Every current data record stores the official source, dataset/publication, table or series identifier, release date, retrieval date and vintage. Raw and transformed records are separated.

Compatibility

Before comparison, we check:

• nominal versus real;
• market exchange rates versus purchasing-power parity;
• quarter-on-quarter versus year-on-year;
• annualized versus non-annualized;
• seasonally adjusted versus original;
• current versus constant prices;
• national versus harmonized definition;
• sector and institutional perimeter;
• gross versus net;
• observed versus forecast/scenario;
• statistical-standard version.

Calculations

Original calculations disclose formula, inputs, conversions, rounding and method version. Missing values are not replaced with zero.

Aggregates

We do not create a “world” aggregate from whatever countries happen to be available. We use institution-produced aggregates or publish a documented weighting and missing-data method.

Charts

Charts show unit, period, geography, source, vintage and observed/forecast distinction. Every chart has an accessible data table. Truncated axes and transformations are disclosed.

Revisions

Old values are preserved in an immutable revision record. A revised historical series is not silently overwritten.

Standards

The site records whether relevant data follow the 2025 SNA, an earlier SNA version, BPM7, BPM6 or another framework. International release of a standard does not imply immediate national adoption.

Downloads and licensing

A downloadable transformed dataset is offered only after source rights are reviewed. When redistribution is unclear, we link to the official source and publish metadata/methodology instead.