Guides: Economics: Raw Data & Data Sources

Using Sage Data

One of the best places to begin looking for raw datasets is Sage Data. You have the ability to search and refine the level of complexity of data that you want from thousands of datasets and then export it in a file that works for your research needs. Use the tutorial below to help you navigate Sage Data, as it requires a different type of searching than most databases.

Sage Data
Provides access to billions of statistical datasets across 16 topical areas, including Business, Education, Health, Criminal Justice and Law.

More Raw Data Sources

Data.gov
The home of the U.S. Government’s open data. Here you will find data, tools, and resources to conduct research, develop web and mobile applications, design data visualizations, and more.
National Center for Health Statistics
Offers downloadable public-use data files (data sets, documentation, and questionnaires) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) FTP file server.
IMF Data
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 189 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
UNdata
UNdata is an internet-based data service which brings UN statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point.
The World Bank
World Bank Open Data provides free and open access to global development data.
Open Access Directory of Data Repositories
A list of repositories and databases for open data
OpenFEMA Datasets
Download open source data on FEMA's disaster relief.

Data Sources

The following sources are less likely to give you a full raw dataset, but are helpful in searching for specific statistics.

Statista
Statistics portal integrating statistics and other quantitative data on over 80,000 topics including media, business, finance, politics, and more.

CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities.
Census Bureau Economic Statistics
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.
USDA National Agriculture Statistical Service
USDA National Agriculture Statistical Service provides access to data on agriculture.
Bureau of Economic Analysis
BEA produces economic accounts statistics that enable government and business decision-makers, researchers, and the American public to follow and understand the performance of the Nation's economy.

Available through Boston Public Library

All Massachusetts residents and students can sign up for a Boston Public Library ecard and access ebooks and databases, including the statistical databases listed below.

Boston Public Library
All Massachusetts residents can register for a BPL ecard to access all of Boston Public Libraries resources! Once you sign up for a BPL eCard you can access some of their public databases for further research.
BPL- Statistical Abstract of the US
Published annually by the Federal Government since 1878, The Statistical Abstract of the United States is the best-known statistical reference publication in the country, and perhaps, the world. Access using your Boston Public Library ecard.
BPL- Statistical Insight
Indexes U.S. Federal statistics (1973-present), state government and business statistics (1980-present), and international statistics (1880-present). Access using your Boston Public Library ecard.
Harvard Dataverse
Harvard Dataverse is a repository for research data.

Economics

Chicago Format for Citing Datasets

Using Sage Data

More Raw Data Sources

Data Sources

Available through Boston Public Library