Industry Information: Industry statistics

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Quick data

When you just want some stats quickly, try some of these sources ...

Although 'market share' is not the same as production, inventory, or sales data, sometimes it will work as a good substitute. If you try the Market Share Reporter linked below, search on a product name, rather than a company or brand name (athletic shoes instead of Nike), and often you'll get useful data.

Market Share Reporter (in Gale Business Insights)
Use the Search Within Publication box (upper-right) to search for a company name, product or brand.
Business Rankings Annual (in Gale Business Insights)
Use the Search Within Publication box (upper-right) to search for a company name, product or brand. Sometimes there is market share data here ...

Data for the US -- the Census Bureau and other federal agencies ...

For the United States, the main source of industry data is the US Census Bureau, which produces a huge volume of data. It mostly uses the NAICS code to organize the data. (So if you're not sure what codes may apply to the industry you're researching, please click here.) Below are links to the websites for many of the programs and publications from the Census Bureau.

Census Data
Works best with Chrome.
Although this is a wonderful resource, because so much is there, expect to spend some time figuring it out.
The Guidance pages can be helpful.

Although the Census Bureau's Data.census.gov site is very useful, it encompasses so much that it can be overwhelming. Below are links to:

Webpages for individual Census Bureau programs.
Data.gov, a US federal government data search tool.

Data.gov - Data catalog
Portal to the federal government's open data, providing not only data but tools and resources
Economic Census
Conducted every five years (in years ending in 2 and 7), this provides the most detailed and comprehensive data.
Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM)
A survey conducted each year of the manufacturing sector.
Business Dynamics Statistics
Has data about firm size and age; by industry sector, state, and more.
Current Industrial Reports (CIR)
Sadly, this program was terminated in 2010. Monthly, quarterly and annual data on production and shipments of selected products. If you're lucky and your industry is covered, this is a really great resource.
E-Commerce Statistics (E-STATS)
This is the Census Bureau's attempt to 'measure the electronic economy'.
Retail Trade Reports
Annual and monthly data.
Quarterly Services Surveys (QSS)
Annual and quarterly data for the services sectors.
Wholesale Trade Reports
Annual and monthly data.
BLS Industry Data (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Ok it's true, the BLS is not part of the Census Bureau! But their employment data complements the Census data beautifully ...
BEA Industry Economic Accounts (Bureau of Economic Analysis)
And the BEA is also not part of the Census Bureau ... But their GDP by industry data can be useful too.
National and State Trade Data from TradeStats Express (ITA)
From the International Trade Administration, Dept. of Commerce.

Databases for data -- time series

If you need a longer run of data, data that show how well or poorly the industry has fared through time, try some of these databases.

From commercial vendors:

Passport This link opens in a new window
On first use only, acknowledgement of privacy and security policy required.
Data, reports and analysis about countries, industries, companies and consumers. Includes: economic and social data for ~200 countries; market research reports for ~80 countries; company and consumer profiles. We do NOT subscribe to the Sustainability module.
Video demo on how to search in Passport.
Economic and social indicator data redistributed from IMF, UN, World Bank, OECD. Annual data only.
Mergent Archives from Mergent This link opens in a new window
Especially useful for the CRB Commodity Yearbooks and industry reports. Look in the left margin for CRB and Industry Reports.
An archival collection of corporate and industry related documents.
Formerly called Mergent WebReports.

From international organizations:

More international organizations are offering their data and data platforms for free. Not all of course, but the more popular datasets.

The big names:

  –  UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade & Development)
  –  World Bank
  –  IMF (International Monetary Fund)
  –  OECD (Organization for Economic and Commercial Development)

UNCTAD STAT - Data Centre
From the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Has data for trade, commodities, economic trends, FDI, maritime transport, and more.

World Bank DataBank from World Bank This link opens in a new window
Free data from the World Bank, including: World Development Indicators (WDI), Statistical Capacity Indicators, Education Statistics, Gender Statistics, and Health Nutrition and Population Statistics, and more. Annual data only, mostly 1960 - present.
IMF Data from International Monetary Fund This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Download time series data for international financial variables. Mostly 1970's to present, but some go much further back.
From the IMF's monthly publication of the same name. Variables include: GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, payments balances, exports, imports, external debt, capital flows, commodity prices, and more.

Main Economic Indicators
Economic data from the OECD member countries, and 6 developing countries. Mostly 1950's - present.
Our subscription ended in 2021.

Books for industry data

Some of them are classics, and you'll find them mentioned regularly. Online versions are now also available for some.

Business Statistics of the United States
Call Number: Raynor Ref HC 101 .A13122
Recent and historical data on both the US economy as a whole, and on major industry groups (arranged by SIC). Mostly federal government sources.
CRB Commodity Year Book by Commodity Research Bureau
Call Number: Raynor Ref HF 1041 .C56
Comprehensive appraisal of trends in worldwide supply and demand, prices, and trading for 100+ basic commodities, mostly agricultural and mineral.
Industrial Commodity Statistics Yearbook by United Nations
Call Number: Raynor Ref HC 10 .I59
Compilation of statistics on world industry in two parts: data on production of about 530 commodities by geographic area; and data by country on consumption of over 230 industrial commodities.
International Trade Statistics Yearbook by United Nations
Call Number: Raynor Ref HF 91 .U473
Trade (imports and exports) by country and by commodity. Organized by SITC codes.
International Yearbook of Industrial Statistics by United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Call Number: Raynor Ref HC 10 .H34
Country production by ISIC code.