Abstract:Modernization is not only a world phenomenon, but also a civilization progress and a development goal. Modernization indicators could reflect the level, characteristics, and states of modernization, which can be organized as the modernization indicator system with systematic structure according to the modernization principles. Based on a brief review of the research on modernization indicators since the 1950s, this paper mainly focuses on the establishment of the indicator system of world modernization in the light of the second modernization theory and modernization science, aiming to identify the level, characteristics, and states of national modernization from a global perspective. And the world-renowned indicator systems, such as Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Country Profiles, World Development Indicators of World Bank, and the Indicators of World Modernization Outline have been referred as indicator sources. The Indicator System of World Modernization includes 100 modernization indicators, covering 6 fields, 15 themes, 35 sub-themes, and 5 dimensions of world modernization (Behaviors, Structures, Institutions, Concepts, and Side effects). Among them, there are 50 indicators applied for reflecting the level of modernization, 28 for characteristics, and 22 for states. It could provide scientific reference for exploring and establishing an indicator system of China modernization with Chinese characteristics.