We introduce two separate datasets (The Global Consumption Dataset (GCD) and The Global Income Dataset (GID)) containing an unprecedented portrait of consumption and income of persons over time, within and across countries, around the world. The benchmark version of the dataset presents estimates in PPP units of monthly real consumption and income for every decile of the population (a ‘consumption/income profile’) for 133 countries and more than half a century (1960-2012). We describe the construction of the datasets and demonstrate some possible uses by presenting preliminary results concerning the consumption distribution, poverty and inequality for the world and specific country aggregates.
1. Introduction -- 2. Existing databases -- 3. Construction of global consumption and income datasets -- 4. Preliminary results -- 5. Conclusion.

24 p. : graphs, tables

Includes bibliographical references (p. 24).