We propose a Bayesian factor analysis model as an alternative to the Human Development Index (HDI). Our model provides methodology which can either augment or build additional indices. In addition to addressing potential issues of the HDI, we estimate human development with three auxiliary...

We propose a Bayesian factor analysis model as an alternative to the Human Development Index (HDI). Our model provides methodology which can either augment or build additional indices. In addition to addressing potential issues of the HDI, we estimate human development with three auxiliary...

This paper uses a theoretically grounded model of international trade to estimate the cross-border tradability of services. The resulting indices cover up to 99 countries and ten sectors. The results show that information and communications technology capital and legal institutions are...

This paper constructs a Liquidity Mismatch Index (LMI) to gauge the mismatch between the market liquidity of assets and the funding liquidity of liabilities, for 2882 bank holding companies over 2002 to 2014. The aggregate LMI decreases from $4 trillion pre-crisis to -$6 trillion in 2008. We...

This paper describes a new index of the quality of the business environment for microfinance institutions (the Global Microscope on the Microfinance Business Environment). Regressions are used to validate the index by linking it and its subcomponents to microfinance outcomes. The main findings...

A number of researchers have studied the price appreciation over time of art objects. However, to our knowledge, no previous academic research has focused on Persian rugs. Using hedonic regression techniques in this paper we address this deficit and construct an index of Persian rug prices from...

The authors present an overview of the New York Fed's Survey of Consumer Expectations, a monthly online survey of a rotating panel of household heads. The survey collects timely information on respondents' expectations and decisions on a broad variety of topics, including inflation, household...

In this paper we develop an index to monitor the intensity of financial stress in the UK over a period of 45 years. By aggregating various market-based indicators of financial stress from six major markets, we allow each indicator to be assessed in terms of its systemic importance. This enables...