TRADING ECONOMICS | QGIS

QGIS is a free, open-source desktop GIS application that lets you load, visualize, edit, and analyze spatial data from virtually any source — files, databases, web services, or live APIs. Download the Long term Release QGIS Desktop 3.40 LTR

Accessing Data In QGIS

Trading Economics exposes its data through the OGC API – Features standard, which QGIS supports natively. There are two ways to connect: browsing all available collections through an OGC connection, or loading a specific filtered dataset directly via URL. Use Method 1 to explore what’s available; use Method 2 when you already know the exact endpoint and filters you need.

Method 1 — OGC API Connection

This creates a persistent connection in QGIS that lists every Trading Economics collection. You can browse, preview, and add layers without memorising endpoint URLs.

  1. Layer → Add Layer → Add WFS/OGC API – Features Layer…
  2. Click New and set:
    • Name: Trading Economics GIS
    • URL: http://localhost:8080/gis
  3. Click OK → Connect.
  4. Select a collection from the list → Add.

Method 2 — Vector Layer (direct URL with filters)

Use this when you want to load a specific filtered dataset. You can append any query parameters from the Indicators, Markets, Federal Reserves, or Comtrade endpoint pages directly in the URL.

  1. Layer → Add Layer → Add Vector Layer…
  2. Source type: Protocol: HTTP(S), cloud, etc. → Protocol: HTTP/HTTPS/FTP
  3. Paste the full URL → Add:
http://localhost:8080/gis/collections/indicators/gdp/items?countries=China,Germany

Styling Examples

Once a Trading Economics layer is loaded, QGIS renders it with a default single-colour fill. The sections below show how to turn the raw data into meaningful visualisations

1. Choropleth Map

A choropleth map shades each country or region according to its indicator value, making it easy to spot patterns at a glance — for example, which countries have the highest GDP or the steepest inflation.

  1. Right-click layer → Properties → Symbology → Graduated
  2. Set Value to the indicator field (e.g. gdp_value, inflation_rate_value, bond_yield)
  3. Choose a color ramp (e.g. yellow→red for intensity, green→red for good/bad)
  4. Set Mode to Natural Breaks (Jenks), choose number of classes → Classify → OK

Example Project

The map below was created by loading US state GDP data directly into ArcGIS Pro from the FRED States endpoint and applying a graduated color scheme.

http://localhost:8080/gis/collections/fred/states/indicators/gdp/items

US State GDP Choropleth Map

2. Trade Flow Line Width (data-driven)

Comtrade trade-flow layers are rendered as lines connecting exporter and importer countries. Scaling line width by trade value makes major trade corridors stand out immediately.

  1. Symbology → click the Line symbol → Data defined override next to Stroke width → Assistant…
  2. Configure:
    • Source: trade_value
    • Values from: click Fetch value range from layer
    • Size from: 0.1 to 1.5 mm
    • Scale method: Exponential, Exponent: 0.52
  3. Click OK

3. Temporal Animations

Several Trading Economics endpoints support historical ranges via yearFrom and yearTo query parameters. When you load multi-year data, each feature carries a date field that QGIS can use to animate changes over time — watch GDP shift across continents, track rising unemployment, or see trade flows evolve year by year.

http://localhost:8080/gis/collections/indicators/population/items?yearFrom=2015&yearTo=2025

Set up temporal control:

  1. Right-click layer → Properties → Temporal
  2. Enable Dynamic Temporal Control
  3. Set configuration to Single field with Date/Time, field: date, duration: 1 Year
  4. Click OK

Animate:

  1. View → Panels → Temporal Controller
  2. Set Start: 2015-01-01, End: 2025-12-31, Step: 1 Year
  3. Press Play (optionally enable Loop)