Statistics Sources for Business Research

There are far too many statistics sources to list in one simple guide, so we've listed a few of our favourite sources, as well as some other SFU Library guides that you could check for further resources.

Searching for the right statistic can be very difficult -- you can quickly become overwhelmed by information, most of which isn't exactly what you need. As always, if you don't find what you need, contact the Business Librarian or use our Ask A Librarian email/chat/phone services.

• For more information on Canadian statistics, see the Library guides, Statistics - BC and Statistics - Canada.
• For suggestions concerning economic indicators, try the Library guide: Economic Indicators.
• For suggestions concerning company financial ratios, try the Library guide: Ratio Analysis.
• For suggestions concerning marketing data, see the Library guides: Market Research and International Market Research.

General and International

• Data on the Net
  UC San Diego’s collection of 800+ Internet sites of numeric Social Science statistical data, data catalogs, data libraries, social science gateways, addresses and more.

• Index to international statistics : IIS.  Available in print: HA 155 I58
  Guide to the statistical publications of international intergovernmental organizations.

• Research Data Library
  SFU Library's collection of data files. Check the Research Data Library Catalogue for a list of data files.

• Statistical Resources on the Internet
  From the University of Michigan Library, this site links to statistical resources on a wide variety of topics from all around the world.

• Statistics sources.  Available in print: HA 36 Z97
  Comprehensive guide to statistics from around the world.

• UNdata - United Nations Statistical Common Database
  UNdata provides selected series from 30 specialized international data sources for all available countries and areas.

• The Library has many statistical yearbooks for countries, regions, and international organizations. Search the catalogue using the keywords "statistic* (yearbook or or year book or abstract)" and the country, region, or organization name, e.g., statistic* and (yearbook or abstract) and Latin America

Canada

• BCSTATS
  The place to start for current BC socio-economic statistics, including quick facts and historical tables. Note that SFU researchers have access to several key BC Stats publications online. that are normally fee-based at the BC Stats site;

• CANSIM
  Time series of Canadian data on national accounts, financial institutions, corporate finance, government, population, labour, prices, construction, investment, trade, travel, and industry.

• E-Stat
  Some Canadian census data as well as access to CANSIM II - allows creation of customized graphs and maps.  Note that the E-Stat version of CANSIM is only updated once a year.  Use CANSIM (above) for the most current data.

• Statistics Canada
  Provides current and historical Canadian socio-economic statistics as well as descriptions of Statscan's products and services.  Always check the SFU Library catalogue to see if we own the material that you find cited at the Statistics Canada site. Note that SFU researchers have access to many Statistics Canada publications online from their home or office.

United States

• Fedstats
  More than 70 agencies in the United States Federal Government produce statistics of interest to the public. The Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy maintains this site to provide easy access to the full range of statistics and information produced by these agencies for public use. Most require use of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• US Bureau of the Census
  Locate detailed US socio-economic statistics based on the US Census and other surveys.