Cross-sectional data
Cross-sectional data consists of observations on multiple units — individuals, firms, or countries — collected at a single point in time, providing a snapshot for comparing differences across units.
Also known ascross-section
See it move
A side-by-side comparison contrasts cross-sectional data — 200 retailers observed in a single year (2024), addressing the question of who earns more — with time-series data for one retailer measured monthly from 2015 to 2024, addressing how that retailer's performance changed over time. A note adds that panel data combines both dimensions, tracking the same many units across multiple periods.
Check yourself
An analyst collects the profit margins of 400 European retail firms for the calendar year 2024, with one observation per firm and no data from earlier or later years. Which label correctly describes this dataset?