Current data and some interested studies are available through the access to a free downloadable version of World Economic Outlook. Another useful site for research on developed and developing economies. A really excellent web page largely because of the access it gives both to the Human Development Report and to the a large number of national Human Development Reports. The HDR gives access to the Human Development Index, an important supplement to GDP statistics and indices of competitiveness in evaluating economic success. The nations Reports are useful because they generally include background pieces and descriptions of economic structure and recent economic history.
Coverage is, however, patchy, very good for Europe east and west but poor for Asia and the Pacific.
Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development Unlike the above sites the OECD is not a part of the United nations system but it is probably the best site available for information on developed countries, The statistical series are comprehensive and standardized, and the OECD Surveys give a wealth of information on economic systems, institutions, policies and prospects. The Regional Economic Commissions of the United Nations are responsible for monitoring and analyzing economic developments by region. They provide useful country data and analysis, much of which can be obtained from their websites. A good starting point for work on liberalization and reform in Africa. The site allows free access to the ECA's annual report, a useful library, and good links.