View source for Atlas method

The [[World Bank]] has used the '''Atlas method'''<ref name="a083">{{cite web | title=detailed methodology – World Bank Data Help Desk | website=The World Bank Atlas method | url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/378832-the-world-bank-atlas-method-detailed-methodology | access-date=10 August 2024}}</ref> since 1993 to estimate the economic size of countries based on their [[gross national income]] (GNI) in [[U.S. dollar]]s.

To convert a country's GNI from its local currency to U.S. dollars, the Atlas method uses a conversion factor that averages [[exchange rate]]s over three years. This helps reduce the impact of temporary exchange rate changes. Additionally, it adjusts for differences in [[inflation]] rates between the country (using its [[GDP deflator]]) and several [[Developed country|developed countries]] (using a [[weighted average]] of their GDP deflators in [[Special drawing rights|Special Drawing Rights]], or SDR, terms). The converted GNI in U.S. dollars is then divided by the country's midyear population to determine GNI per capita.<ref name="a083"/>

The World Bank prefers the Atlas method for comparing the economic sizes of countries. It is used to categorize countries into low, middle, and high-income groups and to determine their eligibility for loans. This method helps avoid abrupt changes in country classification due to short-term economic fluctuations.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|+Comparison of GNI (Atlas method) and GNI<br>2016 World Bank (millions of current US$)
!No. !! Country !! GNI (Atlas method)<ref>{{cite web |title=GNI, Atlas method (current US$) |publisher=World Bank |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.ATLS.CD}}</ref> !! GNI<ref>{{cite web |title=GNI (current US$) |publisher=World Bank |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.MKTP.CD}}</ref> !! Difference
|-
|1 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|United States}} || 18,357,322 || 18,968,714 || -611,392
|-
|2 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|China}} || 11,374,227 || 11,154,194 || 220,033
|-
|3 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Japan}} || 4,816,892 || 5,096,371 || -279,479
|-
|4 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Germany}} || 3,624,638 || 3,536,579 || 88,058
|-
|5 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 2,778,488 || 2,587,657 || 190,831
|-
|6 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|France}} || 2,590,030 || 2,504,684 || 85,346
|-
|7 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|India}} || 2,212,306 || 2,235,524 || -23,218
|-
|8 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Italy}} || 1,923,095 || 1,863,085 || 60,011
|-
|9 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Brazil}} || 1,835,993 || 1,758,527 || 77,466
|-
|10 || style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Canada}} || 1,584,177 || 1,508,495 || 75,682
|}

==See also==
*[[List of countries by GNI (nominal) per capita]]
*[[World Bank high-income economy]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Gross domestic product]]
[[Category:International macroeconomics]]
[[Category:World Bank]]