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Update of the CNTS Data Archive

The new edition (July 2012) of the CNTS Data Archive from Databanks International contains 196 years of global data, from 1815 through 2011. A new option this year is the Domestic Conflict Event Variable LINKS, which provides links to news reports of each event, starting with the 2011 data. Additionally, the World Bank country codes and country names have been matched to the data.

Global Health Observatory (GHO)

The Global Health Observatory database is the World Health Organization's main health statistics repository. It provides data and analyses for key health themes, as well as direct access to the full database. The WHO Statistical Information System (WHOSIS) has been upgraded and incorporated into the latest version (February 2011) of the GHO, to provide more data, more tools, more analysis and more reports.

World Bank Frees up Data

In April 2010 the World Bank Group opened up the World Development Indicators database (and several other databases) and offered free access to more than 2,000 financial, business, health, economic and human development statistics that had mostly been available only to paying subscribers. The decision was part of a larger effort to increase access to information at the World Bank. And, for the first time, data was made available in languages other than English, with an initial 330 indicators translated into French, Spanish and Arabic.

European Social Survey: Contextual data

This 2008 report formed the origins of this website. It examines the availability and comparability of extant sources of contextual statistics of particular interest to users of ESS data. This website seeks to broaden the scope and be a valuable resource for social science data users worldwide (PDF).

 

 

IDEA - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Institution

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organisation that was founded by 14 member states in 1995. In 2011 International IDEA consists of 28 members, through whom the organisation is partly financed. International IDEA also gets complimentary funds from various other sources, i.e. the European Commission, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). International IDEA is mandated with the responsibility of sustaining and promoting democracy worldwide, and intends to do that through providing comparative knowledge, assisting in democratic reform, and influencing policies and politics.

International IDEA offers a variety of publications, studies, handbooks, databases, training courses, etc. According to the International IDEA website, the organisation was unique from the start in being a bridge between academic researchers and democracy practitioners in the field. International IDEA operates at international, regional and national levels, in partnership with a range of institutions.

Database

International IDEA has created the Unified Database which incorporates data from previously separate databases and resources. See the International IDEA website for information about each individual database.

IDEA - Unified Database

Data types and sources

The Unified Database contains a wide array of statistics from all over the world. The database consists of data gathered from various different sources, i.e. CIA World Factbook, Eurostat, OSCE, National Statistiscs Bureaus and National Electoral Management Bodies.

Data download

Unified Database

Topics

The database contains regularly updated Voter Turnout figures for national presidential and parliamentary elections since 1945, as well as European Parliament elections (including Voting from Abroad). In addition it contains data on Direct Democracy, Electoral Justice, Electoral System Design and Gender Quotas.

Geographical coverage

The Unified Database has global coverage, including data from provinces and previously existing, now dissolved, states.

Time coverage and updates

The database is updated regularly. Contains data from 1945 to present.

Documentation

The Unified Database consists of data gathered from desk research by IDEA staff. The sources of the data are listed under "Methodology & Sources" on the database’s website, where links to the majority of them are provided. On the same site challenges related to registration rates and estimated numbers of registered voters are accounted for, as well as criterion for including elections in the database.

Access conditions and cost

Available free of charge.

Access procedures

The database allows you to customise the data in accordance with your needs, and the data are available either through on-screen tables (HTML) or through download in Excel or CSV format.

Data formats

On-screen tables (HTML), Excel and CSV, Excel.

Comparability and data quality

Not examined.

Electronic resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Sources

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