Services Trade Restrictions Database

Note to users: The information on applied services trade policies and the Services Trade Restrictions Indices (STRI) provided on this page reflect results published in 2012. They refer to the policies applied in 2008 (2011 for certain economies). Updated data for a selection of economies and an improved methodology for the STRI is available via the Integrated Trade Information Portal (I-TIP) at https://i-tip.wto.org/services.

The World Bank's Services Trade Restrictions Database aims to facilitate dialogue about, and analysis of, services trade policies. The database provides comparable information on services trade policy measures on five sectors (telecommunications, finance, transportation, retail and professional services) and key modes of delivery. It makes available information for 103 countries. Services policies of 79 developing countries were surveyed, and comparable information was obtained for 24 OECD countries. The information refers to 2008 (2011 for certain countries). The database also contains Services Trade Restrictions Indices for all countries covered by the database, at the modal-subsector, subsector, sector and economy level.

For more information about the database, download this short primer or the full Guide to the Services Trade Restrictions Database. 

Files

• Services Trade Regulatory Dataset
• Services Trade Policy Summaries
• STRI: Services Trade Restriction Indices
   

Research and Analysis

Publications and research papers drawing upon the Services Trade Restrictions database are requested to cite it appropriately. Depending on the specific use, the citation should be to either one or both of the following papers:

• Borchert, Ingo, Batshur Gootiiz and Aaditya Mattoo (2012), “Guide to the Services Trade Restrictions Database”, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper (WPS6108).
• Borchert, Ingo, Batshur Gootiiz and Aaditya Mattoo (2012), "Policy Barriers To International Trade in Services: New Empirical Evidence", World Bank Policy Research Working Paper (WPS6109).

Researchers are also encouraged to supply us with the title, full citation and, where feasible, the electronic versions of any publications, research papers, or educational materials that make use of the database or documentation. These may be, if the authors wish, posted in the research segment of the website. The material will be gratefully received at servicestrade@worldbank.org.

Below is a selection of papers and notes that have been written drawing upon the information provided by the Services Trade Restrictions Database:

• Borchert, Ingo, Batshur Gootiiz and Aaditya Mattoo (2012), “Guide to the Services Trade Restrictions Database”, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper (WPS6108). Link 
• Borchert, Ingo, Batshur Gootiiz and Aaditya Mattoo (2012), "Policy Barriers To International Trade in Services: New Empirical Evidence", World Bank Policy Research Working Paper (WPS6109). Link
• Borchert, Ingo, Batshur Gootiiz and Aaditya Mattoo, "Services in Doha: What’s on the Table?" World Bank and CEPR book "Unfinished Business? The WTO’s Doha Agenda", page 115-143. Link
• Borchert, Ingo, Batshur Gootiiz, Arti Grover and Aaditya Mattoo (2012), "Landlocked or Policy Locked? How Services Trade Protection Deepens Economic Isolation". World Bank Policy Research Working Paper (WPS5942). Link

Acknowledgments. The database project was funded in part by the Governments of Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom through the Multidonor Trust Fund for Trade and Development, and by the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

Feedback. We would like to hear from you. If you would like to comment on the policy information for a country, please send an email to servicestrade@worldbank.org with your questions, feedback, and contact details.

Disclaimer. Any data, comments, summaries, findings, interpretations, or conclusions expressed on this website or expressed in documents available from this website are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the Governments they represent, or any of the institutions that funded this project. We see this database as providing not a definitive picture of trade policy, but a first approximation which will through feedback from various interested parties evolve into a collectively created public good. Please send comments to the email listed above.