Économie numérique et technologie

In 2025, international trade in digitally deliverable products grew by over 9% for the third consecutive year. Growth has been sustained since 2010 but accelerated following the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2023, when restrictions on movement accelerated the digital transformation of businesses and consumer habits.

Digitally deliverable trade consists of products that can be delivered remotely over computer networks, which are classified as services in trade statistics. However, not all trade in these services is digitally delivered. The extent to which businesses participate in digitally delivered trade depends on factors such as digital infrastructure, skills, regulation and consumer preferences.

Three quarters of digitally deliverable exports, worth almost $4.2 trillion, originated from developed economies, while the developing world exported an estimated $1.3 trillion in 2025. Developed economies' exports rose by 9%, while those of developing economies registered a 10% growth. 

Among developing economies, the gap has widened between a relatively small number of more successful exporters and others that are struggling to increase their market share.

Digitally deliverable services – those that can be delivered remotely over computer networks such as the Internet – accounted for 56% of services exports worldwide in 2025. The share increased steadily over most of the last decade but ballooned during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2023, when digitally deliverable exports remained resilient while exports of services such as transport, accommodation and construction were depressed.

In 2025, this share is estimated at 15% for LDCs and 14% for Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), highlighting untapped potential for trade diversification but persistent barriers to participation.

International trade in information and communication technology (ICT) services - comprising telecommunication and computer services - amounted to $1.33 trillion in 2025. But only 2.5%, some $34 billion, originated from Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Most exports came from European economies (57%), followed by Asia and Oceania (32%). Northern America captured 9% of the global market.

Looking at trends over time, international trade in ICT services has recorded ample growth since 2017, further boosted by the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, Latin America and the Caribbean recorded the highest percentage increase (16.3%), followed by Asia and Oceania (11.7%) and Northern America (11.6%). Europe's ICT services exports went up by 10.6%, and Africa registered a 5.5% rise.