Abstract

ALIPHAT RODRIGUEZ, Rodrigo  and  BLANCAS NERIA, Andrés. The Global Economic Development Index: an economic, social, and institutional approach. Prob. Des [online]. 2025, vol.56, n.222, pp.115-146.  Epub Mar 09, 2026. ISSN 0301-7036.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iiec.20078951e.2025.222.70297.

This paper proposes an original composite index, the Global Economic Deve lopment Index (GEDI), uniquely integrating economic, social, and institutional factors. GEDI distinguishes emerging from developed economies, identifying specific economic, social, and institutional challenges and opportunities. It examines 129 economies, re presenting approximately 95% of global GDP in 2017, using over 30 indicators across 10 variables, including financial development, income distribution, environmental sus tainability, and corruption. This index improves upon traditional income-based classi fications used by institutions such as the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF), which often group diverse economies like China, Vietnam, and Bulgaria together despite significant structural and developmental differences. Thus, GEDI pro vides a more comprehensive understanding of economic gaps between developed and emerging economies.

Keywords : emerging economies; economic and social development.

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