Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)



Countries By Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)



Key points



Official Definition of Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)

Fuels comprise the commodities in SITC section 3 (mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials).



Importance

The statistic "Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)" holds significant importance for a country's economy and geopolitical position.

A low value of this statistic indicates that the country is less dependent on foreign sources for its fuel supply. It may imply energy security, self-sufficiency, and reduced vulnerability to fluctuations in global fuel prices or disruptions in the supply chain. Additionally, a lower percentage of merchandise imports being fuel-related suggests that more capital can be allocated towards other sectors, promoting economic diversification and development.

Conversely, a high value of this statistic signifies heavy dependence on imported fuel. Such reliance can potentially pose risks to the country's economy, as it becomes more susceptible to price volatilities, supply interruptions, and geopolitical tensions in fuel-producing regions. High fuel imports can strain the country's trade balance, leading to increased trade deficits and potential currency depreciation.

In essence, the level of fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) is a crucial indicator of a country's energy resilience, economic stability, and external vulnerability in the global energy market.



Top 10 Countries by Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)

Bottom 10 Countries by Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports)



Regions

Europe

The data shows the percentage of fuel imports compared to merchandise imports for the listed countries. Countries like Albania, Andorra, Austria, and Denmark have relatively lower percentages indicating a lesser dependency on fuel imports, potentially providing more economic stability. On the other hand, countries like Belarus, Greece, and Ukraine have higher percentages, signaling a higher vulnerability to fluctuations in fuel prices. While lower dependency can offer resilience, it may also limit access to diverse energy sources. Higher dependency can leave a country exposed to external market volatilities but could also indicate efficient trade relations. Ultimately, this statistic impacts each country's economic development by influencing trade balance, energy security, and susceptibility to global market changes differently.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

When analyzing the fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) statistic for the listed countries, we observe varying degrees of dependency on imported fuels. Brunei has the highest percentage at 36.5%, indicating a heavy reliance on fuel imports, whereas Vietnam stands at the lowest with 4.9%. This data suggests that Brunei and Mongolia might face potential vulnerabilities due to high import reliance, potentially impacting their economic stability. Conversely, Vietnam's lower dependency signifies more energy independence. For countries like Japan and South Korea, with moderate percentages, there is a balance between import reliance and domestic production. Overall, high fuel import percentages can strain foreign exchange reserves and expose economies to external price fluctuations, while lower percentages offer more resilience and control over energy resources.

ASEAN

Analysis of Fuel Imports (% of merchandise imports) in selected countries:

Latin America

Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico have the lowest fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) among the listed countries, ranging from 5-6%. These countries exhibit a relative self-sufficiency in fuel production or efficient energy policies. In contrast, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and Honduras have higher percentages, indicating a heavy dependence on imported fuels. While lower imports can signify energy security and cost control for countries like Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, it may also limit access to diverse energy sources. On the other hand, countries with higher fuel imports like Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and Honduras may face vulnerability to global fuel price fluctuations and supply disruptions, impacting their economic stability and development.

Middle East

Being heavily reliant on fuel imports as a percentage of merchandise imports, countries like Lebanon (28.42%) and Bahrain (19.61%) face higher vulnerability to global oil price fluctuations, potentially impacting their trade balances and economic stability. In contrast, countries with lower percentages like Kuwait (0.44%) and Qatar (0.83%) have a more diversified economy and are less exposed to external shocks. The data reveals a spectrum of energy dependence among the listed countries. While high percentages indicate energy insecurity, they also signify the importance of energy conservation and sustainable development strategies for economic resilience.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

India has the highest Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) at 28.36%, indicating a significant dependency on imported fuel resources. South Africa and China follow with 13.96% and 14.07% respectively, reflecting their reliance on foreign fuel sources as well. Meanwhile, the Russian Federation stands out with the lowest percentage at 0.73%, showcasing a high level of energy self-sufficiency. For India and South Africa, high fuel import percentages can lead to vulnerability from price fluctuations and supply disruptions. Conversely, Russia's low dependency reduces exposure to external shocks. This statistic highlights the importance of energy security and self-sufficiency in ensuring stable economic development for these countries.

Russia v Ukraine

Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) reveal that Russia has a low dependency on fuel imports, accounting for only 0.73% of its merchandise imports, indicating a strong domestic fuel production capacity. Contrastingly, Ukraine relies significantly more on fuel imports, with fuels constituting around 13.83% of its merchandise imports. Russia's self-sufficiency in fuel reduces its vulnerability to global fuel price fluctuations, providing economic stability. However, it may hinder Ukraine's energy security and expose it to geopolitical risks, given its reliance on external fuel sources. This statistic underscores the importance of energy policies for both countries' economic development and national security.

France v United Kingdom

France has a fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) percentage of 6.89, whereas the United Kingdom has a lower percentage of 5.31. France's higher percentage indicates a higher dependency on imported fuels compared to the United Kingdom. This reliance can be advantageous in ensuring a stable energy supply but may pose risks regarding price fluctuations and supply disruptions. In contrast, the United Kingdom's lower percentage signifies a lesser reliance on fuel imports, potentially offering more energy security and independence. However, this could also limit access to diverse energy sources. The impact of this statistic on their development includes potential vulnerability to geopolitical tensions for France and limitations in accessing competitive energy markets for the United Kingdom.

Israel v Iran

Iran has a relatively low dependency on fuel imports, constituting only about 1.18% of its merchandise imports, indicating a higher level of self-sufficiency in energy production. In contrast, Israel has a much higher percentage, with fuel imports making up around 8.07% of its merchandise imports, signaling a heavier reliance on external sources for energy needs. For Iran, this low percentage signifies a certain level of energy security and potential cost savings, while for Israel, it exposes the country to the volatility of international fuel markets and geopolitical risks. This statistic can impact Iran positively by enhancing economic stability and reducing vulnerability to external factors, whereas for Israel, it poses a risk to economic stability and national security due to dependence on foreign energy sources.

Saudi Arabia v Iran

Iran has a relatively low percentage of fuel imports, standing at 1.18% of merchandise imports. In contrast, Saudi Arabia has a higher dependency on fuel imports, accounting for 3.08% of its merchandise imports. This indicates that Iran is less reliant on imported fuel compared to Saudi Arabia. For Iran, this could offer greater energy security and reduced vulnerability to international fuel price fluctuations. However, Saudi Arabia's higher import percentage may suggest potential supply chain risks and exposure to global market volatility. While Iran may benefit from reduced import costs, Saudi Arabia could face challenges in ensuring energy stability and managing trade deficits, impacting their overall economic development strategies differently.

India v Pakistan

India has a Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) of 28.36%, indicating a significant reliance on imported fuels for its energy needs. In contrast, Pakistan's percentage stands at 22.54%, reflecting a slightly lower dependency on foreign fuel sources. India's higher reliance may provide a more stable energy supply but also exposes it to global price fluctuations and supply disruptions. On the other hand, Pakistan's lower percentage implies a comparatively lower vulnerability to international fuel market dynamics but could limit its energy diversification efforts. This statistic impacts both countries' development by influencing their energy security, trade balances, and susceptibility to external shocks, shaping their strategic economic decisions in the energy sector.

Turkey v Greece

Both Greece and Turkey have notable percentages of fuel imports as a share of their total merchandise imports, with Greece at approximately 19.91% and Turkey at around 4.96%. This indicates a significant dependency on imported fuels for both countries, albeit to a greater extent for Greece. For Greece, while a high fuel import percentage may pose risks in terms of vulnerability to price fluctuations and supply disruptions, it also reflects a developed energy infrastructure. In contrast, Turkey's lower percentage suggests a relatively diverse import profile but may signify less energy security. Ultimately, these statistics highlight the importance of energy policies and investments for long-term economic stability and development in both countries.

China v Japan

China, People's Republic of, has a fuel imports (% of merchandise imports) of 14.07%, while Japan's fuel imports account for 16.60% of its merchandise imports. China's relatively lower percentage signifies a greater self-sufficiency in fuel production compared to Japan. However, this could also indicate reduced diversification in energy sources, potentially impacting China's energy security. On the other hand, Japan's higher percentage suggests a heavier reliance on fuel imports, which may leave it vulnerable to price fluctuations in the global market. While China's self-sufficiency enhances its energy security, Japan's dependency exposes it to external supply disruptions, affecting its economic stability and competitiveness.



FAQs