This publication is an annual compilation of a wide range of international economic, social and environmental statistics on over 200 countries and areas, obtained from sources including United Nations agencies and other international, national and specialised organisations. The 55th edition contains data available to the Statistics Division as of 31 December 2011 and presents them in 60 tables on topics such as: agriculture, forestry and fishing; communication; development assistance; education; energy; environment; finance; gender; international merchandise trade; international tourism; labour force; manufacturing; national accounts; population; prices; and science and technology. The number of years of data shown in the tables varies from one to ten, with most tables covering the period up to 2009 or 2010. Accompanying the tables are technical notes providing brief descriptions of major statistical concepts, definitions and classifications.