Data insights

What do UNCTAD’s data reveal?

Data Insights of UN Trade and Development highlight key messages extracted from UNCTADstat data through careful analysis, highlighting key global trends in trade and development. Decision-makers, researchers and stakeholders can explore the numbers behind the critical issues shaping the future.

International trade

Merchandise, Services, Creative goods and services, Food by processing level, Trade and transport

76 per cent of Africa’s exports were primary goods

21 Oct 2024

In 2023 South-South trade was $5.7 trillion, a 7 per cent drop on 2022

21 Oct 2024

Western Asia and Northern Africa have the highest export concentration ratio among regions

21 Oct 2024

Global export value reduced by 4.3 per cent in 2023, but remains significantly higher than pre-COVID-levels

10 Oct 2024

Economy, investment and finance

National accounts, Investment and balance of payments, Productive capacities, Inflation and exchange rates, Commodity prices

In 2023, Developing Asia and Oceania accounted for almost half of global foreign direct investment inflows and remained the largest recipient of FDI

30 Oct 2024

In 2023, the share of developed economies in global outward foreign direct investment remained stable, at two thirds of the global total

30 Oct 2024

In 2023, economic growth slowed to 2.7 per cent, with 2024 nowcast to be 2.8 per cent

30 Oct 2024

Although lower in 2023, the current account surplus of developing economies remained ample

11 Oct 2024

Maritime transport

Merchant fleet, Freight volume, by sea, Liner shipping connectivity

China still clearly the economy most integrated into global liner shipping networks

12 Sep 2024

Ninety per cent of world ship carrying capacity owned in Asia and Europe

5 Jun 2024

In 2022, ports in developing economies of Asia handled the majority of world port container traffic

11 Dec 2023

Maritime trade deficit reached 648 million tons in 2021 for developing economies

18 Jul 2023

Environment and related trade

Biodiversity-based products, Ocean goods and services, Plastic-based products

Global plastics trade continues to thrive

1 May 2024

Half of global exports of plastics consist of primary forms, but manufactured plastics is booming

1 May 2024

Over time, Europe has been the largest biodiversity-based products’ exporter globally

21 Nov 2023

Digital economy and technology

Digital economy, Technology and innovation

Digitally deliverable services growing faster than other services in both developed and developing economies

30 Sep 2024

Digitally deliverable services have increased their share of total services trade

30 Sep 2024

Population and inclusiveness

Population, Inclusive growth, Gender and trade

Population growth robust in Africa, while Europe stagnates

11 Sep 2024

Dependency ratios are highest in Africa

11 Sep 2024

Developing economies experience fastest population growth

11 Sep 2024

Developed economies’ population keeps ageing

11 Sep 2024