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Imports (% of GDP) — all countries

Imports (% of GDP) — Low-income countries

Imports (% of GDP) in low-income countries in 2025 — 27.75%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 10.11 pp.

2025 27.75% +0.66 pp vs 2024
World rank —
Period maximum 33.17%2013
Period minimum 17.64%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of GDP

Imports (% of GDP) — Low-income countries, 1990–2025152025303519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 17.64%1991: 21.54%1992: 28.21%1993: 30.17%1994: 27.92%1995: 29.1%1996: 30.3%1997: 26.84%1998: 27.77%1999: 27.71%2000: 24.19%2001: 24.63%2002: 28.05%2003: 27.89%2004: 29.46%2005: 30.47%2006: 29.18%2007: 29.72%2008: 30.71%2009: 29.46%2010: 29.49%2011: 30.15%2012: 31.74%2013: 33.17%2014: 31.51%2015: 28.82%2016: 29.25%2017: 28.92%2018: 31.22%2019: 28.57%2020: 26%2021: 28.11%2022: 29.69%2023: 27.84%2024: 27.09%2025: 27.75%
Change over the period: +10.11 pp Annual average: 0.29 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Low-income countries 27.75%
World 28.5%
Imports (% of GDP) — Low-income countries, by year Low-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 27.75 +0.66 pp
2024 27.09 −0.75 pp
2023 27.84 −1.85 pp
2022 29.69 +1.57 pp
2021 28.11 +2.12 pp
2020 26 −2.57 pp
2019 28.57 −2.65 pp
2018 31.22 +2.3 pp
2017 28.92 −0.33 pp
2016 29.25 +0.43 pp
2015 28.82 −2.69 pp
2014 31.51 −1.66 pp
2013 33.17 +1.44 pp
2012 31.74 +1.59 pp
2011 30.15 +0.66 pp
2010 29.49 +0.03 pp
2009 29.46 −1.25 pp
2008 30.71 +0.99 pp
2007 29.72 +0.54 pp
2006 29.18 −1.29 pp
2005 30.47 +1 pp
2004 29.46 +1.57 pp
2003 27.89 −0.16 pp
2002 28.05 +3.43 pp
2001 24.63 +0.44 pp
2000 24.19 −3.51 pp
1999 27.71 −0.07 pp
1998 27.77 +0.94 pp
1997 26.84 −3.46 pp
1996 30.3 +1.2 pp
1995 29.1 +1.18 pp
1994 27.92 −2.26 pp
1993 30.17 +1.97 pp
1992 28.21 +6.66 pp
1991 21.54 +3.9 pp
1990 17.64 —

About the indicator

Imports of goods and services as a percent of GDP — a measure of how far an economy depends on supplies from abroad. High values are typical both of small open economies and of countries embedded in global supply chains, where imported components are processed and shipped back out.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.

Other indicators for low-income countries

Trade Exports (% of GDP)

How far the economy is oriented toward external markets.

Low-income countries by year Trade Trade openness

Exports plus imports as a percent of GDP — total foreign trade turnover.

Low-income countries by year Trade Imports of goods and services

The value of goods brought in and of services received from non-residents.

Low-income countries by year Trade Exports of goods and services

The value of goods shipped out and of services provided to non-residents, in US dollars.

Low-income countries by year Trade Merchandise exports

Exports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

Low-income countries by year
All indicators for low-income countries