An abundance of natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals is often seen as a good thing, but it can actually lead to economic problems and conflicts. Researchers have studied this issue for years, using indirect measures of natural wealth. New data from the World Bank now allows for a more direct look at the relationship between natural resources and economic growth. The findings show that there is no clear evidence that having lots of natural resources is always good or bad for a country's economy. The impact depends on other factors as well.