A stochastic generative model of the World Trade Network

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 6;9(1):18539. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-54979-1.

Abstract

The World Trade Network (WTN) is a network of exchange flows among countries whose topological and statistical properties are a valuable source of information. Degree and strength (weighted degree) are key magnitudes to understand its structure and generative mechanisms. In this work, we describe a stochastic model that yields synthetic networks that closely mimic the properties of annual empirical data. The model combines two popular mechanisms of network generation: preferential attachment and multiplicative process. Agreement between empirical and synthetic networks is checked using the available series from 1962 to 2017.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't