Introducing a New Broad-based Index of Financial Development

Author/Editor:

Katsiaryna Svirydzenka

Publication Date:

January 12, 2016

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

There is a vast body of literature estimating the impact of financial development on economic growth, inequality, and economic stability. A typical empirical study approximates financial development with either one of two measures of financial depth – the ratio of private credit to GDP or stock market capitalization to GDP. However, these indicators do not take into account the complex multidimensional nature of financial development. The contribution of this paper is to create nine indices that summarize how developed financial institutions and financial markets are in terms of their depth, access, and efficiency. These indices are then aggregated into an overall index of financial development. With the coverage of 183 countries on annual frequency between 1980 and 2013, the database should offer a useful analytical tool for researchers and policy makers.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2016/005

Subject:

Notes:

The file accompanying this working paper is an updated version of the Financial Development Index that came out with the earlier Staff Discussion Note 15/07, which can be found here.  Link to data appendix for this paper.

English

Publication Date:

January 12, 2016

ISBN/ISSN:

9781513583709/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2016005

Pages:

43

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