Economic research
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ provides analysis and data on economic and trade policy issues, with the aim of deepening understanding about trends in trade and the multilateral trading system. This page provides access to °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ research, databases, publications, webinars and information on cooperation with other organizations.
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News
Search research output by keyword
A keyword search function for research work and databases produced by the Economic Research and Statistics Division is available here.
Annual publications
World Trade Report
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's flagship publication on global trade policy focuses on a different theme each year.
World Trade Statistical Review
A detailed analysis of the latest developments in world trade.
Trade Profiles
Country-by-country data on trade flows and trade policy measures.
World Tariff Profiles
Country-by-country data on the “bound” or maximum tariff rates for over 170 economies and the rates they apply in practice.
back to topJoint publications with other international organizations
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ collaborates with other international organizations to focus on specific trade issues. Some of the most recent joint publications include:
See all co-publications
back to topResearch papers
Working papers
Working papers represent research in progress. They reflect the opinions of the authors and are the product of professional research. They do not necessarily represent the views of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ or its members. They are circulated for discussion and comment as critical review is an important aspect of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ research.
Special studies
The special studies make use of economic research to discuss issues of relevance to the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ and multilateral trade.
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ discussion papers
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ discussion papers are prepared by °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ staff and contributors from other intergovernmental organizations to stimulate discussion on specific issues relating to the multilateral trading system. The opinions expressed are those of the authors.
back to topResearch data and tools
The Economic Research and Statistics Division has created various tools and analytical databases that can be accessed or downloaded free of charge.
Structural gravity
The gravity model is one of the most successful frameworks in economics. Hundreds of papers have used the gravity model to study and quantify the effects of various factors on international trade.
- Advanced Guide to Trade Policy Analysis: The Structural Gravity Model
- Access to structural gravity database
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Data Portal
The portal provides access to a wide range of data on international trade, tariffs, non-tariff measures, trade in value added terms and other indicators. This includes data on trade in commercial services broken down by sector and country.
Tariff Data
The contains comprehensive information on °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ members' applied and bound tariffs, mainly for downloading. The data are available for up to six digits of the Harmonized System codes. shows tariffs on products defined at the highest level of detail (i.e. eight or more digits of the Harmonized System codes). It allows users to compile reports and download data, including on tariffs, tariff quotas, imports and countries' commitments on agricultural subsidies.
I-TIP Database
provides information on °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ members' tariff and non-tariff measures affecting trade in goods. provides information on °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ members'commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services, services commitments in regional trade agreements, measures applied by members, and services statistics.
Global value chain (GVC) statistics
The provides data on the value-added components of gross exports and the level of GVC participation broken down by economy and industry. The UIBE GVC Indicator Database provides access to the most widely used trade in value added and GVC indicators. The time series are computed from input-output tables released by the Asian Development Bank, the Global Trade Analysis Project, OECD, the World Input-Output Database and other global initiatives.
The Trade Cost Index has been produced by ERSD to complement other statistics the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ provides on trade costs, such as average tariffs or the number of non-tariff measures. The aim is to give a sense of the degree of restrictiveness of some of these measures, to measure how trade policy barriers compare to other trade costs, and to indicate who bears these costs.
Tariff Bindings Database: 1996-2011
The Tariff Bindings Database provides estimates of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ members' tariff binding rates — that is, the maximum upper bound rate at which a °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ member could set a tariff under °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ commitments — from 1996 to 2011. The database covers 143 members and 5,128 products at the HS6 level to allow for comparison across countries.
Trade maps
Trade maps display information on trade per capita, trade to GDP ratio, and °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ members' share in world merchandise or services trade.
![wto statistics](/english/res_e/reser_e/wto_statistics.jpg)
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Investment related databases
In order to facilitate research and to inform discussions on investment facilitation and more broadly on FDI and trade, the Economic Research and Statistics Division of the World Trade Organization (°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ) provides access to three investment related databases.
Trade Dialogues webinars and lectures
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ regularly invites leading experts to share their insights on various trade and economic issues. The webinars and lectures are part of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's Trade Dialogues initiative.
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Global Trade Data Portal
![Global Trade Data Portal](/images/img_index/photos/gtdp_31may23_md.jpg)
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ trade barometers
The barometers provide “real time” information on the trajectory of world trade. The Goods Trade Barometer and the Services Trade Barometer are intended to complement conventional trade statistics and forecasts.
![°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ trade barometer](/images/img_index/photos/wtoi_31may23_md.jpg)
Trade forecasts
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's annual trade forecasts and updates can be found here.
Outreach
- Geneva Trade and Development Workshops
A forum for discussion between academics and researchers working in the area of trade and development. Anyone wishing to present a paper in the workshop should submit it by email to the selection panel: [email protected]
- °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Chairs Programme
The programme aims to help academic institutions in developing and least-developed economies develop courses on trade policy and disseminate research on trade issues.
- °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Essay Award for Young Economists
The award promotes high-quality economic research on trade issues. It carries a prize of CHF 5,000.
- Support Programme for Doctoral Studies
The programme allows PhD researchers from developing countries to use a three to six month residency at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ to advance the completion of their doctoral thesis.
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