Oxford Brookes UniversityCommentary on world economies
General sources
OECD Sources
Asia and the Pacific
European economy
French economy
German economy
UK economy
This page is intended to outline the major sources available in Oxford Brookes University Libraries that provide regularly updated commentary on, and analysis of the economies of individual countries. The sources range from books that are regularly revised, to monthly bulletins and daily newspapers. It should be emphasised that very many other books and journals provide current information, but if they are not updated regularly, they are not included here.
Although many of the sources mentioned include statistics, this is not intended to be a guide to them. Other pages are available on sources of International and UK statistics.
This page is organised to deal first with the sources that cover every country in the world, and to end with those that cover one country only, of which the majority cover the UK. As might be expected, most detailed information is available on the UK, followed by European and OECD countries. Please remember when looking at the UK section that the sources in every preceding section contain commentary on the UK economy.
General Sources
Economist Intelligence Unit (in Business Source
Complete)
The excellent Country Profiles and Country Reports are published by the Economist Intelligence Unit on many countries and are available
on the Business Source Complete database.
These are recognised as the most authoritative reports on the market.
The Country Profiles are major, lengthy reports produced on many countries
annually. The Country Reports are briefer, but still quite extensive, monthly
updates. The Business Source Complete guide gives details on searching for them under the section on country information.
Economist in Factiva (UK version) and in Business Source Complete (USA version) Print available at (W) J330 E
Extensive regional surveys are regularly included in this publication,
apart from regular news features. Please note that the UK edition of the Economist is available on the Factiva database. It is important that you use the guide for searching Factiva, hyperlinked above, to ensure you search this vast newspaper database effectively. .The USA edition
of the Economist is available on the Business Source Complete database.
Financial Times (in Factiva)
The Financial Times in particular contains news of other companies,
and regular surveys of other world economies. Other quality UK and International newspapers
are also available on Factiva. It is important that you use the guide for searching Factiva, hyperlinked above, to ensure you search this vast newspaper database effectively..
Globaledge http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/ibrd.asp
This Internet site is organised by the Michigan State University
Center for Business Education and Research. It is a guide and a
gateway to a large variety of Internet sites providing inforrmation
on countries economies, and their social, business, and political
background, and in addition, advice on exporting and trade, and
company directories.
Library of Congress Country Studies http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html
This web site provides reports on the economic, social, political
and national security background of more than 100 countries and regions.
Europa World Year Book (H) QR 900 EUR (Current edition)
Europa World Year Book (W) QR 900 EUR (Previous edition)
Revised annually, this contains a brief economic, social and political
survey of every country in the world, and a statistical summary.
This is a satisfactory starting point to place the remainder of
the information gathered into context.
Regional Surveys of the World
Related to the Europa World Yearbook above, these volumes are in
similar format, but provide more detailed commentary on each country.
The volumes are:
Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (H) QR 947.086 EAS
The Middle East and North Africa (H) QR 956.054 MID
Africa South of the Sahara (H) QR 967.0329 AFR
South America, Central America and the Caribbean (H) QR 980.04 SOU
Encyclopaedia Britannica (H ) QR 032 BRI
Provides comprehensive entries on all aspects of all world countries.
OECD Sources
The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) produces most information on member countries, but briefly surveys other countries in the journal "Economic Outlook" listed below.
The members of the OECD are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, and USA.
Two series of publications provide information:
OECD Economic Surveys (in Business Source Complete) Print available at (H) & (W) STATS 330.9 ORG
The OECD produce an annual survey up to 100 pages long for every
member country listed above. Every aspect of the economy and economic
policy is covered with a useful list of further references, and
a calendar of economic events at the end.
In addition, further reports on non member countries and regions are published. These are: Baltic States, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Euro area, Romania, Russian Federation and Slovenia. A title search of the Catalogue inputting "Economic surveys" will give exact details of printed holdings. In Business Source Complete, click on the "Publications" button, and in the Search Box that appears, enter "OECD" for a full listing of reports.
OECD Economic Outlook (in
Business Source Complete) Print available at (W) STATS 338.0212 ORG
A biannual journal, this largely contains statistical tables. However,
a brief updating of developments in member countries is included,
and there is a section on economic developments outside the OECD.
In Business Source Complete click on the "Publications button",
and in the Search Box that appears, enter "OECD" to find
the listing for this journal.
Asia and the Pacific
Asian Development Outlook (W) Oversize 330.95 ASI
Available at: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/
This annual publication, produced by the Asian Development Bank,
reviews the economic situation over Asia and the Pacific region
and reviews each country, including Pacific islands separately.
United Nations Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific
(W) STATS 315 ECO
Available at: http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/
Reviews economic trends over the entire Pacific Rim region.
European economies
European Central Bank Monthly Bulletin (W) STATS 332.11094 MON
Available at: http://www.ecb.int/home/html/index.en.html
Reviews the economy of Europe and the Euro area. Can be downloaded
from the European Central Bank web site by clicking on "Publications"
and then selecting "Monthly Bulletin".
Economic Survey of Europe (in Business Source Complete) Print available at (W) & (H) STATS 330.94 ECO
This United Nations publication regularly reviews every aspect of
Europe's economy. It includes Eastern Europe. In Business Source Complete, click on the "Publications" button, and
in the Search Box that appears, enter the title.
French economy
Quarterly Selection of Articles (QSA)
Available at: http://banque-france.fr/gb/publications/bulletin/qsa.htm
(Formerly Banque de France Bulletin Digest (W) STATS 339.021244
BAN)
This quarterly publication in English is the equivalent of the Bank
of England Quarterly Bulletin and provides a review of the state
of the French economy.
German economy
Monthly Report of the Deutsche Bundesbank (W) STATS 330.02130943 MON
Available at: http://www.bundesbank.de/index.en.php
Available in English translation this publication provides a regular
review of the German economy, followed by articles on varying topics.
This publication is also available on the internet at the URL above,
together with the text of major speeches; press releases, and articles
on varying subjects, including EMU, can also be accessed.
UK economy
Two journals provide detailed analysis:
Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin (in Business Source Complete) Print available at (W) J 332.1 B
Provides detailed analysis under regular headings, and provides
a review of the international environment.
National Institute Economic Review (in the Library
A-Z list of electronic journals) Print available at (W) J 330N
Also published quarterly, each issue contains a general survey of
the economic situation and prospects, together with special articles
on topical economic problems and studies of underlying trends.
Two internet sites are worth exploring. The first is the more comprehensive:
HM Treasury website http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/
The treasury site contains a variety of useful information, including:
the minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee; background economic
information; issues of "Economic briefing"; Treasury Occasional
Papers; news releases: the text of major speeches and the Chancellor's
statements on matters of particular importance.
Bank of England website http://www.bankofengland.co.uk
Also includes the minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee, and
the text of press releases.