International trade

All main services categories recorded solid growth in international trade in 2025, except transport, whose exports grew by a modest 2.8% amid tariff changes and disruptions along main transport routes. Telecommunications, computer, and information services continued their robust growth, growing by over 11% annually for a third consecutive year, driven by strong demand for new technologies. Insurance, financial and other business services exports gained 9.3% in 2025, reflecting the continued expansion of trade in digitally deliverable services.

Developed economies' exports rose by 9%, while those of developing economies registered a 10% growth. 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. 

Exports of digitally deliverable services in developing economies remained lower in value than exports of other services. Moreover, 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.

Travel and transport remained the main services categories exported by African economies. In 2025, they accounted for over 62% of their total services exports. In Latin America and the Caribbean, their share was slightly lower (58%). In the developing economies of Asia and Oceania, services exports were more diversified across categories, with travel and transport representing 46% of total services exports. 

Services exports from developed economies were dominated by knowledge-intensive services, such as insurance, financial, telecommunication, computer, information, other business services and intellectual property charges. Most of these services can be digitally delivered, accounting for just over 60% of their total services exports.