Locating data as part of your research can be a real pain.  Add an international dimension to your research, and the problem can get worse.  We are trialing a new online resource that could help with your search, the International Historical Statistics Online database.  (We currently have print versions of different regional versions of this title; details here).  Obviously, if folks like this version and we can swing the dough ($), having this data available online would be nice.

To use this work, hit the link and use the table of contents on the left-hand side of the page to drill into the various sections to browse the available data tables.  The tables display in-page as PDFs, and can be downloaded in PDF or Excel workbook format. It’s organized in three regional groupings: Africa, Asia, Oceania; the Americas; Europe.  Within each region, it breaks into chapters on population & vital statistics, labour force, agriculture, industry, external trade, transport & communications, finance, prices, education, and national accounts.

This online version covers from 1750-2010 (five more years than the last print version).  It appears that this source will not be updated, so you’ll need to consider this truly a historical resource.  As with all statistical sources, the frequency and completeness of the data will vary by country and source.

The trial is available through May 16; please send any comments you have to John Heintz, jpheintz@stthomas.edu.