## What’s not to love about free data

_IMF Blog, January 26, 2015_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [What’s not to love about free data](https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2015/01/26/whats-not-to-love-about-free-data)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/blogs/articles/2015/01/26/whats-not-to-love-about-free-data/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/blogs/articles/2015/01/26/whats-not-to-love-about-free-data/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/blogs/articles/2015/01/26/whats-not-to-love-about-free-data/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: January 26, 2015

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### Overview
- Publication date: January 26, 2015
- The IMF has released a new, free online data tool.
- Much of the IMF’s data has been available free of charge, but some data was available online for a fee. Not anymore—if it’s online, it’s free.
- You’re welcome.

### Data coverage and examples
- Includes budget numbers
- Includes balance of payments data
- Includes debt statistics
- Includes critical global indicators

### Features and functionality
- *Wonky Warning* The data platform provides greater dynamic data visualizations, which show development over time and interact with each other.
- Includes a richer library of statistical tools, such as forecasting, smoothing, and aggregation.
- The platform strengthens the narrative and analysis of any data and allows users to customize their data experience.

### Policy relevance and benefits
- Good data supports good policy choices.
- With reliable and timely economic data, people can identify turning points in the economy or see looming risks.

*Source: IMF blog page “What’s not to love about free data” (January 26, 2015).*

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## References

- [free online data tool](https://data.imf.org/)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2015/01/26/whats-not-to-love-about-free-data_