
Wealth
We provide wealth related indicators for countries and subnational regions within these countries. The heart of the Wealth indicators is the International Wealth Index (IWI), which is the first comparable asset-based wealth index covering the complete developing world. In addition we provide asset-specific indicators, poverty and inequality measures.
Computing IWI
To compute the IWI value of a household, information is needed on twelve assets. These assets include seven consumer durables, access to two public services, and three housing characteristics.
Play with IWI online
We provide an online form to quickly compute the IWI index for a household. This is done by filling out a form with questions pertaining to each of the indicators IWI accounts for.
Map visualisations
Our world maps allow the visualization of the Wealth indicators across all lower- and middle-income countries at a given point in time. This is a key instrument in visualizing regional differences within and across countries.
Data tables
We provide easy to navigate data tables displaying the wealth, poverty and inequality indicators in a grid-like format of rows and columns. Information is available along three dimensions: (i) country, (ii) time, and (iii) choice of indicator(s).
Frequently Asked Questions
Here, you find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the wealth indicators we have. Questions range from accessibility to validity. It is a good starting point before contacting us for more information.
Downloads
We have prepared an SPSS syntax file that contains the formulas for computing IWI, plus instructions on how to prepare the indicators. A free-of-charge registration with GDL is necessary. Registration takes less than 5 minutes.
How to cite us
For data retrieved from the Wealth indicators, please refer to both the data and the accompanying paper:
- Data retrieved from the Wealth indicators of the Global Data Lab, https://globaldatalab.org/wealth/, version v1.0.
- Smits, J. (2016), GDL Area Database: Sub-national development indicators for research and policy-making. GDL Working paper 16-101
- For the IWI also refer to Smits, J., and Steendijk, R. (2015), The International Wealth Index (IWI). Soc Indic Res 122: 65–85.