Data Sets

Terms and Conditions

By downloading a COW dataset, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

  • Data are not to be used for any commercial activity; users of COW data agree not to sell or use the data as part of any financial profit-making activity.
  • Users agree to cite each of the datasets they use in the manner described on each specific dataset web page.
  • Users agree not to distribute the dataset to any third party without written permission of the COW director and data host.
  • Users agree to ask permission for any dissemination, posting, or other use of the data that is not covered by the above restrictions.
  • COW Country Codes

    The list of states with COW abbreviations and ID numbers. COW Country Codes

  • State System Membership (v2016)

    This data set records the fluctuating composition of the state system since 1816. It also identifies countries corresponding to the standard Correlates of War country codes. State System Membership Overview This data set contains the list of states in the international system as updated and distributed by the Correlates of War Project. These data sets…

  • COW War Data, 1816 – 2007 (v4.0)

    The new list of wars that will be included in the COW war databases is available. Non-State War data set (v4.0), Intra-State War data set (v5.1), Inter-State War data set (v4.0), and Extra-State War data set (v4.0) are now available. COW Wars Overview The COW Project introduced COW Wars v4.0, 1816-2007 in 2010. The paper “The…

  • Militarized Interstate Disputes (v5.0)

    This data set records all instances of when one state threatened, displayed, or used force against another. Version 5.0 covers the 1816-2014 period. MIDs Overview Version 5 of the Militarized Interstate Dispute (MID) data collection compiled by the Correlates of War Project provides information about conflicts in which one or more states threaten, display, or…

  • National Material Capabilities (v6.0)

    Power is considered by many to be a central concept in explaining conflict, and six indicators – military expenditure, military personnel, energy consumption, iron and steel production, urban population, and total population – are included in this data set. It serves as the basis for the most widely used indicator of national capability, CINC (Composite…

  • Militarized Interstate Dispute Locations (v2.1)

    This data set records the geographic locations of MIDs in latitude/longitude coordinates, per dispute and per incident. Dispute version 2.1 (MIDLOC-A) covers the 1816-2010 period. Incident version 2.1 (MIDLOC-I) covers the 1993-2010 period. The population of disputes and incidents in both datasets match the population of disputes and incidents in MID v4.3. MID Locations, 1816-2010…

  • World Religion Data (v1.1)

    This data set aims to provide detailed information about religious adherence worldwide since 1945. This data set is hosted by Zeev Maoz, University of California-Davis, and Errol A. Henderson, Pennsylvania State University. World Religion Data (v1.1) Overview The World Religion Project (WRP) aims to provide detailed information about religious adherence worldwide from 1945 to 2010.…

  • Formal Alliances (v4.1)

    This data set records all formal alliances among states between 1816 and 2012, including mutual defense pacts, non-aggression treaties, and ententes. This data set is hosted by Douglas Gibler, University of Alabama. Formal Alliances (v4.1) Overview The Correlates of War Formal Alliance data set seeks to identify each formal alliance between at least two states…

  • Direct Contiguity (v3.2)

    The Direct Contiguity data set registers the land and sea borders of all states since the Congress of Vienna, and covers 1816-2016. This data set is hosted by Paul Hensel, University of North Texas. Direct Contiguity (v3.2) Overview Version 3.2 of the COW Direct Contiguity data identifies all direct contiguity relationships between states in the…

  • Territorial Change (v6)

    This data set records all peaceful and violent changes of territory from 1816-2018. This data set is hosted by Steven V. Miller, Clemson University. Territorial Change, 1816-2018 (v6) Overview The territorial change dataset is the result of the effort to identify and code all territorial changes involving at least one nation-state (as defined by the…

  • Colonial/Dependency Contiguity (v3.1)

    The Colonial/Dependency Contiguity data set registers contiguity relationships between the colonies/dependencies of states (by land and by sea up to 400 miles) from 1816-2016. Colonial/Dependency Contiguity, 1816-2016 Overview Version 3.1 of the Correlates of War Colonial/Dependency Contiguity data identifies all contiguity relationships between states in the international system from 1816 through 2016 through their colonies…

  • Intergovernmental Organizations (v3)

    Although the number of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) grew dramatically during the late 20th century, they have been part of the world scene for much longer. This data set tracks the status and membership of such organizations from 1815-2014. Access information about this data here. This data set is hosted by Timothy Nordstrom, University of Mississippi,…

  • Defense Cooperation Agreement Dataset

    This dataset covers bilateral defense treaties from 1980-2010. This data set is hosted by Brandon Kinne at University of California, Davis. DCAD 1980-2010 Overview The Defense Cooperation Agreement Dataset (DCAD) is a comprehensive, human-coded dataset on bilateral defense cooperation agreements (DCAs), covering all independent countries in the international system from 1980 through 2010. DCAs are framework treaties that…

  • Diplomatic Exchange (v2006.1)

    The Diplomatic Exchange data set tracks diplomatic representation at the level of chargé d’affaires, minister, and ambassador between states from 1817-2005. This data set is hosted by Reşat Bayer, Koç University. Diplomatic Exchange, 1817-2005 (v2006.1) Overview The Correlates of War Diplomatic Exchange data set captures diplomatic representation at the level of chargé d’affaires, minister, and…

  • Trade (v4.0)

    This data set tracks total national trade and bilateral trade flows between states from 1870-2014. This data set is hosted by Katherine Barbieri, University of South Carolina. International Trade, 1870-2014 (v4.0) Overview The trade dataset is the result of the effort to code trade flows between states (as defined by the Correlates of War project)…