Atlas method

The World Bank has used the Atlas method{{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}} since 1993 to estimate the economic size of countries based on their gross national income (GNI) in U.S. dollars.

To convert a country's GNI from its local currency to U.S. dollars, the Atlas method uses a conversion factor that averages exchange rates 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 countries (using a weighted average of their GDP deflators in 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.

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 2016 World Bank (millions of current US$) !No. !! Country !! GNI (Atlas method){{cite web |title=GNI, Atlas method (current US$) |publisher=World Bank |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.ATLS.CD}} !! GNI{{cite web |title=GNI (current US$) |publisher=World Bank |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.MKTP.CD}} !! 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