The World Bank Atlas 1988 [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION This twenty-first edition of the Atlas presents current economic and social indicators that describe trends, indicate orders of magnitude, and characterize significant differences among countries. Since the indicators are not always strictly comparable in coverage and definition, readers should refer to the Technical Notes. This year's most recent estimates (1987) are more preliminary than usual because the publication cycle has been speeded up to release the latest data more promptly. The Atlas reveals that real per capita income has risen during the 1980s for the majority of countries. Some sixty developing countries, however, have suffered declining gnp per capita. Relative income levels are also affected by currency fluctuations, which have been sharp during the decade. Hence the levels and the ranking of gnp per capita estimates have changed in ways not necessarily related to economic performance. The social indicators provide evidence of improved standards of living since the early 1970s. Recent trends are difficult to discern because conditions change gradually and data on those conditions are less current and less frequently gathered.