Analysis of Global GDP Growth

GINCA
Grupo de Investigación en

Using Descriptive Statistics P Ciencias Aplicadas

Silvana Pérez Torres ([email protected])

Luis Eduardo Suárez ([email protected])
Angelyne Juliana Torres ([email protected])

Abstrac
tThis study employs descriptive statistics to analyze global GDP growth from 1961 to 2020, aiming to identify historical
patterns, regional disparities, and economic stability trends. Using a dataset spanning 195 countries, the analysis
calculates central tendencies (mean, median, mode), volatility metrics (standard deviation, interquartile range), and
visualizations (line charts, heatmaps, density plots) to compare regional performance. Key findings reveal stark contrasts:
South America exhibits chronic volatility (e.g., Argentina’s 5%+ standard deviation), European economies demonstrate
stability (median ~1.5%), and Asian regions like China show sustained high growth (6.8% mean). The study underscores the
limitations of GDP as a standalone metric and advocates for context-sensitive policies, global resilience mechanisms, and
integration of equity and environmental indicators in future analyses. The methodology includes an interactive R Shiny
application to democratize data access for non-technical audiences.

Introduction Results
The global GDP growth rate serves as a critical barometer ❖ Regional Volatility: South America showed extreme
of economic health, reflecting production, consumption, fluctuations (e.g., Argentina: −10.9% in 2002, +10.5% in
and investment dynamics. However, decades of 1991; standard deviation >5%). In contrast, European
fragmented analyses have hindered holistic insights into economies like Germany maintained stable growth
how crises, regional disparities, and structural factors (2010–2023 mode: 1.5%).
shape economic trajectories. This study addresses these
gaps by analyzing a comprehensive dataset of annual GDP ❖ Growth Disparities: Asia-Pacific economies (e.g.,
growth rates for 195 countries (1961–2020) through China: 7.2% mean, 2000–2023) outperformed
descriptive statistics. The research questions focus on three commodity-dependent regions (Nigeria: bimodal
areas: (1) historical trends post-crises (e.g., 2008 recession, distribution with peaks at 5% and 14.6%).
COVID-19), (2) regional divergence (e.g., Asia’s growth vs.
Africa’s volatility), and (3) stability metrics. By leveraging ❖ Crisis Impacts: The 2008 recession reduced global GDP
accessible tools like interactive dashboards, the study by −1.5%, while COVID-19 caused a −3.4% contraction
bridges technical rigor with practical applicability, offering (2020). Synchronized declines in Europe highlighted
policymakers and academics actionable insights. The financial interdependence.
objectives include identifying central tendencies, comparing
regional performance, quantifying volatility, and visualizing ❖ Visual Insights: Heatmaps revealed stark contrasts
temporal-spatial trends. (e.g., China’s warm hues vs. Venezuela’s −3.4% in cool
tones), and density plots exposed non-normal
Methodology distributions (e.g., Nigeria’s bimodal growth).

The study employed the "World GDP Growth" dataset from Conclusion
Kaggle, covering annual GDP growth rates for 195 countries
(1980–2024), augmented with historical data (1961–2020) The analysis underscores structural asymmetries in global
for longitudinal analysis. An interactive R Shiny application economic growth. While descriptive statistics quantify
was developed using packages like ggplot2, plotly, and volatility and trends, they also reveal socio-political
leaflet to process data, conduct statistical analyses, and narratives: South America’s instability ties to commodity
generate visualizations. Central tendencies (mean, median, dependence, Europe’s stability masks aging population
custom mode algorithm) and volatility metrics (standard risks, and Asia’s growth reflects state-led investment. Key
deviation, interquartile range) were calculated, while visual recommendations include:
tools such as line charts, heatmaps, and density plots
highlighted trends and distributions. Data preprocessing ❖ Policy Differentiation: Tailored frameworks for
involved cleaning null values, standardizing formats, and volatility-prone vs. stable economies.
converting years into numeric variables. The application
included user-friendly features like country/year selectors ❖ Global Resilience: Enhanced cooperation to mitigate
and downloadable visualizations (PNG/PDF) with synchronized crises (e.g., pandemics).
colorblind-friendly palettes. Reproducibility was ensured
through code publication on PositConnect, aligning with ❖ Beyond GDP: Integrate metrics like inequality and
open-science practices. environmental sustainability. The study advocates for
ethically grounded economic analysis that prioritizes
Acknowledgements human well-being over mere numerical growth.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Universidad
Autónoma de Bucaramanga (UNAB) and its Department of References and Video
Basic Sciences for providing the academic framework and
resources essential to this research. Special thanks to our https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oSR0BQ82MDgOhtS
methodological advisor, Professor Ludwig Duhan Arocha, ZOzY1ag2DY2-K3GsLP0v3H_AU89Y/edit?usp=sharing
whose expertise in statistical analysis and unwavering
guidance were instrumental in shaping this project’s rigor
and clarity.
 Analysis of Global GDP Growth
GINCA
Grupo de Investigación en

Using Descriptive Statistics P Ciencias Aplicadas

Silvana Pérez Torres ([email protected])

Luis Eduardo Suárez ([email protected])
Angelyne Juliana Torres ([email protected])

Anexos
 Analysis of Global GDP Growth
GINCA
Grupo de Investigación en

Using Descriptive Statistics P Ciencias Aplicadas

Silvana Pérez Torres ([email protected])

Luis Eduardo Suárez ([email protected])
Angelyne Juliana Torres ([email protected])

Anexos
 Analysis of Global GDP Growth
GINCA
Grupo de Investigación en

Using Descriptive Statistics P Ciencias Aplicadas

Silvana Pérez Torres ([email protected])

Luis Eduardo Suárez ([email protected])
Angelyne Juliana Torres ([email protected])

Anexos
 Analysis of Global GDP Growth
GINCA
Grupo de Investigación en

Using Descriptive Statistics P Ciencias Aplicadas

Silvana Pérez Torres ([email protected])

Luis Eduardo Suárez ([email protected])
Angelyne Juliana Torres ([email protected])

Anexos
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7727168
4124?pwd=1vX7mOwauB1IVk3yY

GINCA
FNcit9pdvz3Z7.1

Analysis of Global GDP Growth Grupo de Investigación en

Using Descriptive Statistics P Ciencias Aplicadas

Silvana Pérez Torres ([email protected])

Luis Eduardo Suárez ([email protected])
Angelyne Juliana Torres ([email protected])

Anexos