UN Millennium Development Goals e-learning materials

Macro and micro data

Throughout these e-learning materials you will see the terms macro and micro data:

Macro data are data aggregated to a country or regional level. The macro databanks in ESDS International all contain socio-economic time series data for a range of countries over a substantial time period. Many of the databanks are the current releases of the major statistical publications produced by intergovernmental organisations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund or United Nations. Topics covered include national accounts, industrial production, employment, trade, demography, human development and other indicators of national performance and development.

View the ESDS International macro data portfolio.

Micro data are typically survey or questionnaire datasets collected from groups of individuals within a number of different countries. International micro datasets such as Eurobarometer, International Social Survey Programme and the European and World Values Surveys cover a range of social science topics including household and demographic information, income, employment, education and housing. The macro databanks often contain secondary data derived from primary micro data sources.

View the ESDS International micro data portfolio.