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Trade openness — all countries

Trade openness — Lower-middle-income countries

Trade openness in lower-middle-income countries in 2025 — 59.58%. Since 1981, the indicator has risen by 23.61 pp.

2025 59.58% +2.09 pp vs 2024
World rank —
Period maximum 65.06%2008
Period minimum 23.89%1986

Trend over time

1981–2025 · % of GDP

Trade openness — Lower-middle-income countries, 1981–20252040608019811986199119962001200620112016202120251981: 35.97%1983: 33.29%1984: 30.7%1985: 27.87%1986: 23.89%1987: 25.37%1988: 27.89%1989: 34.48%1990: 35.83%1991: 38.47%1992: 38.14%1993: 40.4%1994: 41.67%1995: 44.44%1996: 43.54%1997: 44.44%1998: 42.97%1999: 43.21%2000: 45.43%2001: 45.17%2002: 47.8%2003: 49.08%2004: 54.27%2005: 57.5%2006: 59.28%2007: 59.72%2008: 65.06%2009: 56.04%2010: 57.05%2011: 60.81%2012: 60.52%2013: 59.81%2014: 56.8%2015: 51.71%2016: 49.29%2017: 52.01%2018: 56.25%2019: 53.65%2020: 49.47%2021: 55.05%2022: 61%2023: 57.38%2024: 57.49%2025: 59.58%
Change over the period: +23.61 pp Annual average: 0.54 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Lower-middle-income countries 59.58%
World 68.49%
Trade openness — Lower-middle-income countries, by year Lower-middle-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 59.58 +2.09 pp
2024 57.49 +0.11 pp
2023 57.38 −3.62 pp
2022 61 +5.95 pp
2021 55.05 +5.58 pp
2020 49.47 −4.18 pp
2019 53.65 −2.6 pp
2018 56.25 +4.24 pp
2017 52.01 +2.73 pp
2016 49.29 −2.42 pp
2015 51.71 −5.09 pp
2014 56.8 −3.01 pp
2013 59.81 −0.71 pp
2012 60.52 −0.28 pp
2011 60.81 +3.75 pp
2010 57.05 +1.01 pp
2009 56.04 −9.02 pp
2008 65.06 +5.33 pp
2007 59.72 +0.44 pp
2006 59.28 +1.78 pp
2005 57.5 +3.23 pp
2004 54.27 +5.19 pp
2003 49.08 +1.28 pp
2002 47.8 +2.63 pp
2001 45.17 −0.26 pp
2000 45.43 +2.22 pp
1999 43.21 +0.24 pp
1998 42.97 −1.47 pp
1997 44.44 +0.9 pp
1996 43.54 −0.9 pp
1995 44.44 +2.77 pp
1994 41.67 +1.27 pp
1993 40.4 +2.26 pp
1992 38.14 −0.32 pp
1991 38.47 +2.64 pp
1990 35.83 +1.35 pp
1989 34.48 +6.59 pp
1988 27.89 +2.52 pp
1987 25.37 +1.47 pp
1986 23.89 −3.98 pp
1985 27.87 −2.83 pp
1984 30.7 −2.59 pp
1983 33.29 —
1981 35.97 —

About the indicator

The sum of exports and imports of goods and services as a percent of GDP — the standard indicator of the trade openness of an economy. Values above 100% are not an anomaly: they mean that trade turnover exceeds annual GDP, which is typical of trading hubs and of small economies built into supply chains.

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

Other indicators for lower-middle-income countries

Trade Merchandise trade (% of GDP)

Merchandise exports plus imports as a percent of GDP — without services.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Trade Exports (% of GDP)

How far the economy is oriented toward external markets.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Trade Imports (% of GDP)

How far the economy depends on supplies from abroad.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Trade Trade balance

The difference between exports and imports of goods and services. A minus means imports are larger.

Lower-middle-income countries by year
All indicators for lower-middle-income countries