Economy, investment and finance

Data insights

Economic, investment and financial data provide vital measurements of economies' health, overall development and capacity for growth. This collection of thematic insights explores critical dimensions of national accounts, economic potential and price signals.

Trade openness varies widely across economies

Trade openness index, 2025, percentage of GDP

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

This index reflects the degree of trade openness by comparing the combined value of exports and imports of goods and services to GDP.

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In 2025,  trade openness, defined as the sum of exports and imports of goods and services relative to GDP, was highest in economies closely integrated into international markets. China, Hong Kong SAR recorded the highest trade-to-GDP ratio at 399%, followed by Luxembourg at 362% and Singapore at 335%. Djibouti and Ireland also recorded high ratios, at 299% and 255%, respectively.

Among larger economies, Japan and India recorded ratios of around 46%, while China stood at 39% and the United States at 25%.

Data updated on 1 Sep 2026

Exports of goods and services reach new highs in developing economies and Least Developed Countries

Exports of goods and services, billions of dollars

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

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In 2025, exports of goods and services from developing economies increased by 8.7%, reaching $14.8 trillion. Goods exports rose by 8.8% to $11.8 trillion, while services exports increased by 8.5% to $2.9 trillion.

In Least Developed Countries, total exports increased by 8.8% to $358.1 billion. Goods exports grew by 9.5% to $300.1 billion, while services exports increased by 5.2% to $58.0 billion.

Data updated on 1 Sep 2026

Developing economies widen trade surplus while developed economies record a smaller surplus

Balances in trade of goods and services, billions of dollars

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

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Developing economies increased their trade surplus in goods and services in 2025 to $1.2 trillion, up from $908 billion in 2024. The increase was mainly driven by a larger goods surplus, which rose from $1.0 trillion to $1.2 trillion. At the same time, the services trade deficit narrowed substantially, from $108 billion to $12 billion.

Developed economies recorded a smaller trade surplus in 2025, at $55 billion, compared with $208 billion in 2024. Their services surplus increased slightly from $881 billion to $887 billion, but this was more than offset by a widening goods deficit, which increased from $673 billion to $832 billion.

Data updated on 1 Sep 2026

Metadata

The statistics presented correspond to the concepts and definitions of the IMF Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6), except those countries and territories who present their figures according to the fifth edition of the Manual (BPM5).

For full metadata are available in our Data Centre for Trade openness.

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