Country Profiles
- Statista This link opens in a new windowWide range of statistics including consumer behavior, markets, industries, countries and trend forecasts.
- Fitch Connect This link opens in a new window*Country Risk--includes strategies, macroeconomic indicators, and Risk/Reward Ratings
*Country Forecast Reports
*Compare & Export tool--use for country comparisons, including import/export data - Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowSelect Country Report by "Publication Type" on the home search screen.
*Examples of helpful country reports included here are Political Risk Yearbook and Country Reviews from CountryWatch. Also an excellent source for magazine and journal articles about countries. - Nexis Uni This link opens in a new windowContains PRS Group's International Country Risk Guides with in-depth analyses of factors that could affect business, trade or investments in countries around the world.
FIND: Select "Search By Content Type" at top, then select "Country Information" under "People, Places and Things", then select the country and sources to search. - Passport This link opens in a new window(Note: Always have to click 'Accept')
*Country Profiles provide excellent country specific overviews.
*Country Pulse provide news items about consumer trends within the country.
*Country Briefing gives Business Environment for a country based on World Bank Doing Business Report. - International Security & Counter Terrorism Reference Center This link opens in a new windowNot all countries are included
*Provides some Country Reviews from CountryWatch, CIA Factbook entries, and International Country Risk Guides Annual
*Limit publication type to Country Reports - Factiva This link opens in a new windowTo find EIU Country Commerce reports:
- Click on Sources, start typing Economist Intelligence Unit, and select the title from the list
- In the search box type "country commerce [your country]"
*Every country may not be included
Culture and Customs
The databases below provide detailed information on customs and cultures of other countries.
- Global Guides to Culture, Customs and Etiquette-Covers both social and business etiquette practices
- CultureGrams This link opens in a new windowGREAT source for quick information on cultures and customs of different countries
"People" section--population, language, religion, and more
"Lifestyle" section--family, housing, diet, arts, and much more
"Society" section--transportation & communications, education, and health - Fitch Connect This link opens in a new windowPolitical and legal systems found in country's Business Environment reports
- Countries and Their CulturesInformation includes demography, linguistics, food, social stratification, and much more.
- The World Factbook (CIA)Great for cultural statistics but does not provide much analysis
- BBC Country ProfilesSearch by country or territory
*Instant guide to history and political leaders
*Specialized Media tab covers the use and sources of media available
- Statista This link opens in a new windowWide range of statistics including consumer behavior, markets, industries, countries and trend forecasts.
- Passport This link opens in a new window(Note: always have to select "Accept" on first screen)
Unique consumer data provided covering many aspects of consumer lifestyles, particularly requirements under "Living Conditions"
Tips:
Dashboards-->Country Overviews under Vis Apps provides quick, useful info on Business Environment, Key Economic Indicators, and Social & Cultural Factors
"Consumer Segmentation" is useful for population distribution
Search Don't overlook this useful function because it allows you to select many components needed for your notebook - Mintel Reports Database This link opens in a new windowBasic country custom and culture information in the Travel & Tourism Country Reports by country.
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new windowSelect a country in the COUNTRY PROFILE box on the right side of the home screen
--Results in a PDF Country Profile report
Contains info on Political and Legal systems, as well as religion
- globalEDGEArguably the best free online resource for global business information developed and hosted by Michigan State University.
TIP: Select a country and the "Resources" in the left column for links to that country's government resources--great for statistics, labor regulations, costs, etc.
NYT and Global Newspapers
- New York Times - Online Pass This link opens in a new windowGet unlimited access to NYTimes.com and some NYT mobile apps. You will need to claim your pass and register it with an online account first. After registration, simply login to NYTimes.com from anywhere and enjoy free access.
- Access World News This link opens in a new windowNews from 1978 to current. Search globally or restrict your search to a world region, country, state, or language.
- Factiva This link opens in a new windowAccess to global news and business information including the Wall Street Journal, as well as local newspapers, same-day newswires, company reports, and media programs. Not all content is available.
- BBCSearch by country or territory
*Instant guide to history and political leaders
*Specialized Media tab covers the use and sources of media available
Online Resources
- globalEDGEArguably the best free online resource for global business information developed and hosted by Michigan State University.
TIP: Select a country and the "Resources" in the left column for links to that country's government resources--great for statistics, labor regulations, costs, etc. - Encyclopedia of the NationsContains country information such as population, history, ethnic groups, culture, language, transportation, government structure, technology, and contain notes about museums, media, libraries, technology, and much more.
- NationmasterA vast compilation of data from such sources as the CIA World Factbook, UN, and OECD. You can generate maps and graphs on all kinds of statistics for different countries.
- Economic Freedom of the WorldAnnual reports available that uses 42 distinct pieces of data to measure economic freedom in 141 nations.
- Social Security Country ProfilesThe Country Profiles serve as an overview of social security programs in the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe. Scheme descriptions are provided for over 170 countries and territories, and profiles of complementary and private pensions in 50 countries. Cover national social security programs established by statute that insure individuals against interruption or loss of earnings resulting from old age, disability; sickness and maternity; work injury or occupational disease; unemployment; and child rearing.