Inter-American Development Bank, et al. (2009). Benchmarking Index 2009: Economist Intelligence Unit. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/qox7en86

1. English

What is the Benchmarking Index 2009 dataset?

The Benchmarking Index 2009 dataset provides comparative metrics for assessing countries’ infrastructure investment environments, capital market readiness, and policy performance.
It was developed to benchmark national capacities across multiple dimensions—ranging from financial facilities and governance to project delivery and market maturity.

What kind of information does the dataset include?

The dataset contains: - Country rankings and normalized scores (Scores, Rankings summary) - Indicator-level evaluations by sector and theme (Indicator_ranking, tblIndicators) - Country profiles and background data (CountryData, CountryProfile) - Weights and normalization parameters (Weights, uxb_weights) These tables together provide a structured view of how countries perform across multiple infrastructure and policy indicators.

Which countries are covered in the Benchmarking Index 2009?

The dataset includes multiple Latin American and Caribbean economies—such as Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela—as well as other benchmark economies where comparable data were available.
Country codes are referenced across sheets like Scores and Rankings summary.

What are the leading indicators measured?

The dataset evaluates: - Capital market and private infrastructure finance readiness
- Regulatory quality and policy support
- Project implementation and delivery performance
- Financial facilities and institutional strength
- Risk management and investment attractiveness

Each indicator is assigned a normalized score, enabling cross-country comparisons.

How are scores and rankings calculated?

The “Scores” and “Weights” sheets show how indicator data were standardized and aggregated: - Raw metrics are normalized to comparable scales.
- Weighting schemes (uxb_weights) assign importance by policy area.
- Country-level composite scores are then ranked in the “Rankings summary”.

This enables consistent, transparent comparisons across economies and indicators.

What insights can this dataset provide?

Researchers and policymakers can use this dataset to: - Identify strengths and weaknesses in a country’s infrastructure investment climate.
- Benchmark regional performance in financing, governance, and delivery.
- Analyze correlations between institutional quality and infrastructure outcomes.
- Support data-driven investment strategies and reforms.

Does the dataset track changes over time?

No — the Benchmarking Index 2009 represents a single-year snapshot of comparative performance.
For temporal trends, additional datasets or subsequent index releases would be required.

What are the limitations of the dataset?

• Some indicators are aggregated or normalized, not raw statistics.
• Not all countries have complete data coverage across every indicator.
• The dataset measures enabling environments, not specific project outcomes.

How can this dataset be used for research or policy?

The dataset is valuable for: - Cross-country benchmarking in infrastructure finance and development.
- Supporting policy diagnostics in regulatory reform and private participation.
- Conducting comparative analysis of capital market depth and institutional strength.
- Informing multilateral and regional policy discussions within Latin America and the Caribbean.

Who developed and maintains the Benchmarking Index?

The dataset was compiled and analyzed as part of a benchmarking initiative supported by regional development partners, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
It forms part of the IDB’s broader commitment to evidence-based research on infrastructure and investment policy.

What is the Benchmarking Index 2009 dataset?

The Benchmarking Index 2009 dataset provides comparative metrics for assessing countries’ infrastructure investment environments, capital market readiness, and policy performance.
It was developed to benchmark national capacities across multiple dimensions—ranging from financial facilities and governance to project delivery and market maturity.

What kind of information does the dataset include?

The dataset contains: - Country rankings and normalized scores (Scores, Rankings summary) - Indicator-level evaluations by sector and theme (Indicator_ranking, tblIndicators) - Country profiles and background data (CountryData, CountryProfile) - Weights and normalization parameters (Weights, uxb_weights) These tables together provide a structured view of how countries perform across multiple infrastructure and policy indicators.

Which countries are covered in the Benchmarking Index 2009?

The dataset includes multiple Latin American and Caribbean economies—such as Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela—as well as other benchmark economies for which comparable data were available.
Country codes are referenced across sheets like Scores and Rankings summary.

What are the leading indicators measured?

The dataset evaluates: - Capital market and private infrastructure finance readiness
- Regulatory quality and policy support
- Project implementation and delivery performance
- Financial facilities and institutional strength
- Risk management and investment attractiveness

Each indicator is assigned a normalized score, enabling cross-country comparisons.

How are scores and rankings calculated?

The “Scores” and “Weights” sheets show how indicator data were standardized and aggregated: - Raw metrics are normalized to comparable scales.
- Weighting schemes (uxb_weights) assign importance by policy area.
- Country-level composite scores are then ranked in the “Rankings summary”.

This enables consistent, transparent comparisons across economies and indicators.