Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lower-middle-income countries

Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) in lower-middle-income countries in 2023 — 22.52%. Since 1998, the indicator has risen by 10.43 pp.

2023 22.52% −1.95 pp vs 2022
World rank
Period maximum 26.5%2012
Period minimum 12.09%1998

Trend over time

1998–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lower-middle-income countries, 1998–202310152025301998200120042007201020132016201920221998: 12.09%1999: 15.15%2000: 19.55%2001: 17.29%2002: 16.49%2003: 17.64%2004: 19.11%2005: 21.74%2006: 22.28%2007: 22.25%2008: 24.67%2009: 20.91%2010: 21.09%2011: 23.73%2012: 26.5%2013: 25.21%2014: 24.21%2015: 17.61%2016: 15.64%2017: 17.6%2018: 20.53%2019: 19.5%2020: 15.65%2021: 18.4%2022: 24.47%2023: 22.52%
Change over the period: +10.43 pp Annual average: 0.42 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Lower-middle-income countries

Lower-middle-income countries 22.52%
World 14.07%
Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) — Lower-middle-income countries, by year Lower-middle-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 22.52 −1.95 pp
2022 24.47 +6.07 pp
2021 18.4 +2.75 pp
2020 15.65 −3.85 pp
2019 19.5 −1.03 pp
2018 20.53 +2.92 pp
2017 17.6 +1.96 pp
2016 15.64 −1.97 pp
2015 17.61 −6.6 pp
2014 24.21 −1 pp
2013 25.21 −1.29 pp
2012 26.5 +2.77 pp
2011 23.73 +2.64 pp
2010 21.09 +0.18 pp
2009 20.91 −3.76 pp
2008 24.67 +2.41 pp
2007 22.25 −0.02 pp
2006 22.28 +0.53 pp
2005 21.74 +2.63 pp
2004 19.11 +1.47 pp
2003 17.64 +1.15 pp
2002 16.49 −0.8 pp
2001 17.29 −2.26 pp
2000 19.55 +4.4 pp
1999 15.15 +3.05 pp
1998 12.09

About the indicator

The share of fuel in merchandise imports — the reverse side of fuel dependence. The indicator measures vulnerability to rising energy prices: a country spending a quarter of its imports on fuel loses as much when prices double as an exporter does when they fall. The series reacts visibly to oil shocks, and it shows that in the 1970s the share of fuel in the imports of developed countries rose several times over.

Important: The share is of value, not of volume, so it rises when fuel becomes more expensive even with no change in physical deliveries. The aggregate is weighted by merchandise imports — the denominator of the indicator.

Source: UNCTADstat (UNCTAD), license CC BY 3.0 IGO.