The search typology of the countries of the world. Part 3. Factor analysis of indicators

This third article in the series continues the preliminary study of indicators, based on which a typology of 197 countries of the world will be subsequently produced. 60 indicators are divided into groups by means of factor analysis. The method allows us to identify in a wide range of indicators those that most strongly determine the similarity and difference of the countries of the world. It also allows you to repeat and supplement the results of correlation analysis. Latent combinations of statistical indicators (factors) identified in the course of this study are given names that simultaneously contain their interpretation. The following names of 10 factors are proposed: the level of socio-economic development, the size of the economy, population and territory, the level of government intervention in the economy, population dynamics, rates and sources of economic growth, population density and excess labor, poverty and income inequality, inflation, government debt, the level of human development and science. If necessary, you can use a list of factors as a new list of indicators that will replace the several dozen that were relevant at the beginning of the study. But the main result, presumably, is a deeper understanding of the causes and mechanisms of socio-economic differentiation of the countries of the world.