About the Report

1998 was another tumultous year for emerging markets, with the downturn for developing countries proving to be steeper than expected. Global Development Finance provides comprehensive information on developing countries' external debt and financial flows.

The Analysis and Summary Tables volume provides expert commentary on trends in net official finance. It examines the prospects for economic growth and analyzes recent developments in private capital flows to developing countries. It also reviews debt restructuring agreements, privatization transactions, and contains summary data for country groups. Additional information about this volume can be found at www.worldbank.org/prospects.

The Country Tables volunme provides statistical data for 138 countries that report debt under the World Bank Debtor Reporting System, as well as summary data for regions and income groups. It contains data on total external debt stocks and flows, aggregates, and key debt ratios, and provides a detailed picture of debt, country-by-country. Further detail about the Country Table is available at www.worldbank.org/data.

CD-ROM and diskette versions of Global Development Finance are also available. The CD-ROM presents a database of more than 200 historical time series from 1970 to 1997 for 138 countries, with country group estimates for 1998. The full contents of both books are also included. The diskette provides the same database, but in a DOS interface. For further information about the content of these electronic versions, visit www.worldbank.org/data. For general and ordering information, please visit the World Bank publications website at www.worldbank.org/publications, or call (703) 661-1580. From within the U.S., please dial 1(800) 645-7247.

Global Development Finance is an indispensable reference guide for economists, bankers, country risk analysts, and others involved in investment lending and capital flows worldwide.