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ICRG Researcher's Datasets (International Country Risk Guide): Overview

The ICRG Researcher's Datasets provide annual time-series for country risk ratings. Last update: 19 January 2022, adding 2021 annual data.

For monthly time-series for country risk ratings, see the ICRG Historical Datasets

About the ICRG Researcher's Datasets

The PRS Group's International Country Risk Guide rating comprises 22 variables forecasting political risk (12 variables), financial risk (5 variables), and economic risk (5 variables). To produce the ICRG risk assessments, political information and financial and economic data are collected and converted into "risk points" for each variable. Political risk assessments are based on subjective analysis, financial and economic risk assessments are based upon objective data.

ICRG ratings are calculated annually, 1984-present. The Penn Libraries generally do not purchase annual updates to the ICRG ratings data tables, instead updating them every two or three years. The PRS Group's annual publication is available online through Nexis Uni:

The three data tables constituting the ICRG Researcher's Dataset are:

  • Table 3B: Political Risk Rating. This table assesses a country's political stability.
  • Table 4B: Financial Risk Rating. This table assesses a country's ability to pay its way, that is, to finance its official, commercial, and trade debt obligations.
  • Table 5B: Economic Risk Rating. This table assesses a country's current economic strengths and weaknesses.

ICRG provides monthly component and subcomponent time series for Table 3B: Political Risk Rating:

  • Historical Dataset Table 3B: Political Risk Rating. Monthly components.
  • Historical Dataset Table 3Ba: Political Risk Rating. Monthly subcomponents.

More information on the ICRG rating is provided by:

 

Table 3B: Political Risk Points by Component

ICRG Researcher's Dataset - Table 3B provides annual averages of the twelve components of ICRG's Political Risk Ratings for individual countries, as published in the annual International Country Risk Guide, 1984-present.

The ICRG Researcher's Dataset - Table 3B consists of 12 variables:

Government Stability Socioeconomic Conditions Investment Profile
Internal Conflict External Conflict Corruption
Military in Politics Religion in Politics Law and Order
Ethnic Tensions Democractic Accountability Bureaucracy Quality

The ICRG Researcher's Dataset is licensed for use by Penn students, faculty, and staff. It should not be redistributed. Additional appropriate-use information is provided in the data file.

Table 4B: Financial Risk Points by Component

ICRG Researcher's Dataset - Table 4B provides annual averages of the five components of ICRG's Financial Risk Ratings for individual countries, as published in the annual International Country Risk Guide, 1984-present.

The ICRG Researcher's Dataset - Table 4B consists of 5 variables:

Foreign Debt as a Percentage of GDP Foreign Debt Services as a Percentage of Exports of Goods and Services
Current Account as a Percentage of Exports of Goods and Services Net International Liquidity as Months of Import Cover
Exchange Rate Stability

The ICRG Researcher's Dataset is licensed for use by Penn students, faculty, and staff. It should not be redistributed. Additional appropriate-use information is provided in the data file.

Table 5B: Economic Risk Points by Component

ICRG Researcher's Dataset - Table 5B provides annual averages of the five components of ICRG's Economic Risk Ratings for individual countries, as published in the annual International Country Risk Guide, 1984-present.

The ICRG Researcher's Dataset - Table 5B consists of 5 variables:

GDP per Head Real GDP Growth
Annual Inflation Rate Budget Balance as a Percentage of GDP
Current Account as a Percentage of GDP

The ICRG Researcher's Dataset is licensed for use by Penn students, faculty, and staff. It should not be redistributed. Additional appropriate-use information is provided in the data file.

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