Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — all countries

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Bhutan

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) in Bhutan in 2025 — 83.28%. Ranked 44 in the world out of 189. Since 1980, the indicator has risen by 31.21 pp.

2025 83.28% +17.7 pp vs 2024
World rank 44of 189
Period maximum 95.64%2007
Period minimum 52.07%1980

Trend over time

1980–2025 · % of GDP

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Bhutan, 1980–202540608010019801985199019952000200520102015202020251980: 52.07%1981: 63.23%1982: 60.1%1983: 56.16%1984: 56.72%1985: 64.92%1986: 66.42%1987: 58.5%1988: 74.18%1989: 60.42%1990: 52.47%1991: 60.76%1992: 79.51%1993: 68.59%1994: 61.01%1995: 74.01%1996: 75.15%1997: 72.4%1998: 66.58%1999: 74.63%2000: 60.34%2001: 59.87%2002: 55.42%2003: 58.59%2004: 80.78%2005: 74.85%2006: 88.45%2007: 95.64%2008: 80.76%2009: 76.99%2010: 87.48%2011: 86.87%2012: 77.33%2013: 74.75%2014: 72.52%2015: 73.59%2016: 64.77%2017: 61.82%2018: 64.03%2019: 60.5%2020: 63.07%2021: 72.38%2022: 77.12%2023: 64.85%2024: 65.59%2025: 83.28%
Change over the period: +31.21 pp Annual average: 0.69 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Bhutan

Bhutan 83.28%
World 43.89%
South Asia 30.04%
Southern Asia computed 30.86%
Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Bhutan, by year Bhutan All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 83.28 +17.7 pp
2024 65.59 +0.73 pp
2023 64.85 −12.26 pp
2022 77.12 +4.74 pp
2021 72.38 +9.31 pp
2020 63.07 +2.57 pp
2019 60.5 −3.53 pp
2018 64.03 +2.2 pp
2017 61.82 −2.95 pp
2016 64.77 −8.82 pp
2015 73.59 +1.07 pp
2014 72.52 −2.23 pp
2013 74.75 −2.57 pp
2012 77.33 −9.54 pp
2011 86.87 −0.62 pp
2010 87.48 +10.49 pp
2009 76.99 −3.77 pp
2008 80.76 −14.88 pp
2007 95.64 +7.19 pp
2006 88.45 +13.6 pp
2005 74.85 −5.93 pp
2004 80.78 +22.18 pp
2003 58.59 +3.17 pp
2002 55.42 −4.44 pp
2001 59.87 −0.47 pp
2000 60.34 −14.29 pp
1999 74.63 +8.05 pp
1998 66.58 −5.81 pp
1997 72.4 −2.75 pp
1996 75.15 +1.13 pp
1995 74.01 +13 pp
1994 61.01 −7.58 pp
1993 68.59 −10.91 pp
1992 79.51 +18.75 pp
1991 60.76 +8.29 pp
1990 52.47 −7.95 pp
1989 60.42 −13.76 pp
1988 74.18 +15.69 pp
1987 58.5 −7.92 pp
1986 66.42 +1.5 pp
1985 64.92 +8.19 pp
1984 56.72 +0.57 pp
1983 56.16 −3.94 pp
1982 60.1 −3.13 pp
1981 63.23 +11.16 pp
1980 52.07

About the indicator

The sum of exports and imports of goods as a percent of GDP. It differs from trade openness in that services are not counted here, and the difference between the two indicators is exactly what shows the weight of services in a country's foreign trade. The highest values come not from large exporters but from transshipment economies — Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg — where goods are brought in to be sent out again, and both flows are counted in full.

Important: Goods only. The value can exceed 100% of GDP: exports and imports are counted at the full value of the goods while GDP is counted as value added, so in transshipment economies the values run to several hundred percent.

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