Measuring Globalisation: OECD Economic Globalisation Indicators 2010
This second edition of the OECD Economic Globalisation Indicators presents a broad range of indicators showing the magnitude and intensity of globalisation. This process is becoming increasingly important for policymakers and other analysts, hence the need for a volume that brings together the existing measures, based on national data sources and comparable across countries. Together, the indicators shed new light on financial, technological and trade interdependencies within OECD and non-OECD countries.
Measures of globalisation include indicators on capital movements and foreign direct investments, international trade, the economic activity of multinational firms and the internationalisation of technology. In addition, the 2010 edition also includes indicators linked to the current financial crisis, portfolio investments, environmental aspects and the emergence of global value chains.
General foreign direct investment trends
Foreign direct investment transactions inform about inward and outward investments within a given period. Both inflows and outflows are estimated after deducting disinvestments and reimbursement of intercompany loans from new investments. The difference between inflows and outflows indicates whether a country is a net exporter or importer of capital in the form of FDI; this is referred to as total net flows. As shown in figure D.1.1, the OECD area is traditionally an exporter of FDI capital as total FDI outflows from the region are higher than total inflows.