Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — all countries

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — High-income countries

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) in high-income countries in 2025 — 44.15%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 14.55 pp.

2025 44.15% −1.11 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 51.42%2022
Period minimum 27.5%1993

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of GDP

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — High-income countries, 1990–2025203040506019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 29.6%1991: 28.61%1992: 28.19%1993: 27.5%1994: 29.29%1995: 31.41%1996: 32.52%1997: 33.88%1998: 33.83%1999: 34.45%2000: 37.48%2001: 36.31%2002: 36.05%2003: 37.3%2004: 40%2005: 42.27%2006: 45.25%2007: 46.94%2008: 49.7%2009: 40.93%2010: 45.74%2011: 49.73%2012: 49.46%2013: 49.55%2014: 48.78%2015: 45.6%2016: 43.84%2017: 45.72%2018: 47.1%2019: 45.25%2020: 42.76%2021: 47.24%2022: 51.42%2023: 46.67%2024: 45.26%2025: 44.15%
Change over the period: +14.55 pp Annual average: 0.42 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

High-income countries 44.15%
World 43.89%
Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — High-income countries, by year High-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 44.15 −1.11 pp
2024 45.26 −1.42 pp
2023 46.67 −4.75 pp
2022 51.42 +4.18 pp
2021 47.24 +4.48 pp
2020 42.76 −2.49 pp
2019 45.25 −1.86 pp
2018 47.1 +1.39 pp
2017 45.72 +1.88 pp
2016 43.84 −1.77 pp
2015 45.6 −3.17 pp
2014 48.78 −0.78 pp
2013 49.55 +0.09 pp
2012 49.46 −0.27 pp
2011 49.73 +4 pp
2010 45.74 +4.81 pp
2009 40.93 −8.77 pp
2008 49.7 +2.76 pp
2007 46.94 +1.69 pp
2006 45.25 +2.98 pp
2005 42.27 +2.27 pp
2004 40 +2.69 pp
2003 37.3 +1.25 pp
2002 36.05 −0.26 pp
2001 36.31 −1.17 pp
2000 37.48 +3.03 pp
1999 34.45 +0.62 pp
1998 33.83 −0.05 pp
1997 33.88 +1.36 pp
1996 32.52 +1.11 pp
1995 31.41 +2.12 pp
1994 29.29 +1.79 pp
1993 27.5 −0.7 pp
1992 28.19 −0.42 pp
1991 28.61 −0.99 pp
1990 29.6

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.