Database for Institutional Comparisons in Europe (DICE)
The Database for Institutional Comparisons in Europe – DICE – is one of Ifo’s service products and can be accessed free-of-charge online. The database allows users to search for cross-country comparisons of systematic information on institutions, regulatory systems, legal requirements and the mechanisms of their application. Although DICE is not a statistical database, it also contains data on the outputs (economic effects) of institutions and regulations where relevant.
DICE covers a broad range of institutional themes. To navigate, please click on the relevant field on the left-hand side and click through the folders for further topics.
Why DICE?
The institutional framework of an economy and its implied incentive structure are central to any analysis of a nation’s welfare. At a time of rapid globalisation when people, businesses, capital and goods are becoming increasingly mobile internationally, countries are compelled to compete on the basis of their institutions. No country can afford not to compare its institutions with those of its neighbours, and all countries must aim to comply with international benchmarks and best practices. International institutional data that allow a country to assess its own situation and to prepare reforms are consequently in great demand.
DICE Formats
The information is presented in tables (text or data), charts, and reports. In most cases, the 27 EU countries are covered as well as some major OECD countries. Users can choose between current comparisons, archived contents from previous years and time series that show developments over time.
- DICE tables cover a wide range of topics and offer more detailed and in-depth information. They present quantitative indicators in the form of time series and qualitative information in descriptive form on regulations and institutions.
- DICE charts depict selected features of important new institutional-economic developments and are therefore of interest to a broad public.
- DICE reports highlight topical economic developments with brief texts built around graphical illustrations and tables. They are regularly published in the quarterly CESifo DICE Report.