It is generally believed that an adequate set of indices can serve as a useful tool for monitoring processes or developments like integration, measuring and comparing performance for policy analysis and evaluation. To this aim, many institutions and especially statistical offices all over the world prepare several hundreds of such indicators to monitor their development targets. Unfortunately, many of them are quite deficient in several aspects. This article introduces indices as practical tools to monitor integration, globalization, and development, and puts its main focus on multidimensionality, feasibility, universality and comparability. This indicator system is easily implemented and applicable worldwide; it applies equally well to North-North, North-South, or South-South agreements. The indices are illustrated by monitoring and comparing the WAEMU (representing South-South areas), the NAFTA (North-South area), the ANZCERTA and the EU-15 (North-North areas). Due to the issue of measurability and as they often are of major interest, special focus is put on economic aspects.

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Until recently, it has been argued in economic theory that regional integration and trade agreements among developing countries may achieve negative growth effects. This study tests empirically the effects of such South–South agreements on growth and convergence. All three world regions in question are considered: South America, Southeast Asia, and Sub‐Saharan Africa. A comprehensive panel data analysis is conducted that distinguishes between the problems of testing for stronger growth and accelerated convergence, respectively. The data indicate that the considered South–South agreements promote both.

Some of the findings from new trade and economic geography theory are quite critical concerning the South-South agreements. This study contributes to the discussion by means of different empirical analyses of a representative set of South-South integrations. The income developments of its member states are studied with a special focus on income dispersion between and within member states. The results show that income dispersion has slightly decreased, within and between member states. The findings are placed in relation to growth models and beta convergence as other studies have found ambivalent results for growth and convergence in South-South integration areas.