Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Countries By Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Key points
- Importance of Trade: The statistic "Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)" reflects the extent to which a country relies on foreign goods and services. Countries with high percentages like Luxembourg (169.15%) and Seychelles (101.56%) are highly dependent on imports, indicating significant integration with the global economy.
- Economic Vulnerability: Nations with high import percentages may be vulnerable to external shocks such as currency fluctuations, trade barriers, or supply chain disruptions. It is crucial for such countries to diversify their sources of imports to mitigate risks.
- Development Indicators: Lower percentages, like in Sudan (4.83%) and Cuba (7.51%), may suggest self-reliance in domestic production or economic isolation. This could impact the availability of goods, technology transfer, and overall economic development.
- Policy Implications: Governments use this statistic to assess trade policies, competitiveness, and economic sustainability. It reflects a country's openness to international trade and influences decisions on tariffs, quotas, and trade agreements.
- Global Economic Relationships: Disparities in import percentages among countries, such as the difference between the United States (13.18%) and Singapore (150.79%), highlight varied levels of economic interdependence and specialization on a global scale.
Official Definition of Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Imports of goods and services represent the value of all goods and other market services received from the rest of the world. They include the value of merchandise, freight, insurance, transport, travel, royalties, license fees, and other services, such as communication, construction, financial, information, business, personal, and government services. They exclude compensation of employees and investment income (formerly called factor services) and transfer payments.
Importance
The statistic "Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)" holds significant importance for a country's economic wellbeing. A low value of this statistic suggests that the nation is more self-sufficient and relies less on international trade to meet its consumption needs. This could indicate a strong domestic production base, potentially fostering economic independence and stability. However, an excessively low value may also indicate inefficiency or limited access to diverse goods and services from the global market, hindering economic growth and innovation. On the other hand, a high value of imports relative to GDP can signify a country's reliance on foreign markets to fulfill its consumption requirements. While this may indicate access to a wide variety of goods and services, it also exposes the nation to external economic shocks and dependencies. High import levels can lead to trade deficits, currency depreciation, and vulnerability to global market fluctuations. Overreliance on imports may also inhibit the development of domestic industries and job creation. Balancing the imports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP is crucial for sustainable economic growth. It requires striking a harmony between leveraging international trade opportunities for efficiency and innovation while safeguarding domestic industries and economic resilience.
Top 10 Countries by Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Bottom 10 Countries by Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Regions
Europe
The data on imports of goods and services (% of GDP) for the listed countries varies significantly, ranging from 20.44% for the Russian Federation to 169.15% for Luxembourg. The countries can be categorized into high importers like Luxembourg, Ireland, and Slovakia, and low importers like Russia, Italy, and the United Kingdom. High import levels can indicate strong consumer demand, access to a wide variety of goods, and efficient global trade networks but also vulnerability to external shocks and trade deficits. On the other hand, low import levels may signify a more closed economy, self-sufficiency, and lower exposure to global market fluctuations but could lead to limited choices and higher prices for consumers. The impact of this statistic on a country's development includes influencing economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and overall trade balance stability, each with unique implications for the countries involved.
Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia
Brunei and Singapore have the highest imports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP, indicating their reliance on international trade. Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand also have relatively high values, reflecting their integration into global supply chains. These countries benefit from access to a wide range of goods and services but are exposed to fluctuations in global demand and prices. In contrast, Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea have lower percentages, suggesting a more self-sufficient economy in terms of imports. While this may indicate greater domestic production capabilities, it could also imply limited access to certain goods and services. Overall, high import percentages can drive economic growth through access to resources and technology but also expose countries to external shocks and dependencies.
ASEAN
Imports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP indicate the degree of a country's dependence on foreign products and services. Singapore stands out with the highest value at 150.79%, reflecting its role as a global trading hub. Vietnam follows closely at 78.86%, showing its reliance on imports for economic growth. Cambodia and Brunei have relatively high percentages, 61.64% and 52.93%, respectively, indicating their vulnerability to external disruptions. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand have lower percentages, demonstrating more self-sufficiency but potentially limiting access to diverse goods and services for development. While high import levels can spur economic growth and innovation, they also pose risks in terms of trade imbalances and external dependencies for these countries.
Latin America
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) vary across the selected countries, with El Salvador having the highest value at 41.72% and Cuba the lowest at 7.51%. Honduras follows closely behind El Salvador at 50.52%, indicating a heavy reliance on imported goods and services. High import percentages can signify a strong need for foreign goods but may also lead to vulnerability in times of economic downturns or trade disruptions. In contrast, countries like Cuba may have more self-sufficiency but could miss out on benefits from international trade. Overall, the impact of this statistic on each country's development lies in its ability to balance economic diversification and resilience with potential trade dependencies.
Middle East
The data on Imports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP reveals varying levels among the listed countries, ranging from 19.65% in Egypt to 82.05% in Cyprus. While Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates have high values indicating a high dependency on foreign goods and services, countries like Egypt and Iran show lower reliance. High import percentages can indicate a strong domestic demand for foreign products but also vulnerability to external shocks. Conversely, low import percentages could suggest a more self-sufficient economy but might also indicate limited access to international goods and services, potentially hindering competitiveness and innovation.
Rivals
Anglosphere v BRICS
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) data shows that Canada has the highest percentage at 31.68%, followed by the United Kingdom at 29.08% and South Africa at 23.16%. The United States has the lowest percentage at 13.18%. High import levels can indicate a strong domestic demand, access to a variety of goods and services, and integration into the global economy; however, it also exposes the country to external shocks and trade imbalances. Lower import percentages may suggest self-sufficiency but can limit access to diverse products and technologies. For each country, managing imports is crucial for economic stability, trade competitiveness, and ensuring sustainable development.
Russia v Ukraine
Importance of Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) can be seen through the data for the Russian Federation at 20.44% and Ukraine at 40.33%. Ukraine's higher percentage indicates a greater reliance on imported goods and services compared to Russia. This may pose a disadvantage for Ukraine in terms of vulnerability to currency fluctuations and external shocks. However, it also signifies potential advantages such as access to a diverse range of products and technologies. For Russia, a lower percentage indicates a relatively more self-sufficient economy, reducing exposure to international market risks but potentially limiting access to innovations and global trade networks. The impact of this statistic on development varies for each country, with Ukraine benefiting from increased consumption diversity but facing higher economic volatility, while Russia maintains stability at the cost of potential growth limitations.
France v United Kingdom
France and the United Kingdom both have similar levels of imports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP, with France at 29.45% and the United Kingdom at 29.08%. This indicates that both countries heavily rely on imports to meet their consumption and production needs. For France, the high level of imports could suggest a strong demand for foreign goods and services, potentially indicating a diverse and globalized economy. However, this dependency on imports may also pose a risk in terms of external shocks and currency fluctuations. In contrast, the United Kingdom's high import percentage could be attributed to its position as a major global financial hub, with a strong demand for international services. Nonetheless, this reliance may expose the country to supply chain disruptions and trade uncertainties, especially post-Brexit. Overall, a high import percentage can stimulate economic growth through access to a variety of goods and services, but it also underscores a vulnerability to external factors beyond the countries' control.
Israel v Iran
Iran and Israel both have relatively high percentages of imports of goods and services compared to their GDP, with Iran standing at 24.39% and Israel at 23.45%. This indicates a significant dependency on foreign goods and services in both countries. Iran's higher import percentage may suggest a greater reliance on external markets for its economic activities, potentially leaving it vulnerable to external shocks or trade disruptions. On the other hand, Israel's relatively high import percentage could be attributed to its smaller domestic market and the need to import goods to sustain its economy. While imports can provide access to necessary resources and technology, over-dependence may lead to trade imbalances and impact domestic industries. Therefore, both countries need to carefully manage their import levels to ensure sustainable development and economic resilience.
Saudi Arabia v Iran
Iran and Saudi Arabia both have relatively similar levels of imports of goods and services as a percentage of their GDP, with Iran at 24.39% and Saudi Arabia at 24.81%. This indicates that both countries heavily rely on imported goods and services to meet their domestic needs and sustain their economies. An advantage of such high import levels is access to a wide variety of products and services, which can drive economic growth. However, a major disadvantage is vulnerability to external shocks and fluctuations in global trade. This statistic suggests that both countries may need to focus on enhancing domestic production capabilities to reduce dependency on imports and build a more resilient economy.
India v Pakistan
India has a higher percentage of imports of goods and services compared to Pakistan, with 19.10% of its GDP being attributed to imports as opposed to Pakistan's 17.42%. This indicates that India is more reliant on foreign goods and services to meet its domestic demand than Pakistan. For India, this high percentage could signal a strong domestic market with a high consumer demand for foreign products but could also pose risks in terms of trade balance and currency fluctuations. On the other hand, Pakistan's lower percentage suggests a more self-sufficient economy but could also indicate limited access to a variety of goods and services available internationally. For both countries, managing this statistic is crucial for economic growth, with India needing to focus on trade balance and Pakistan on diversification of its trade partners.
Turkey v Greece
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) for Greece stands at 39.78% and for Turkey at 32.22%. Greece's higher percentage indicates a greater dependency on imports, potentially exposing its economy to external shocks and fluctuations in global trade. However, it also signifies access to a wide variety of goods and services from around the world, fostering diversity and competitiveness. In contrast, Turkey's lower percentage suggests a relatively more self-sustaining economy with lower reliance on imported goods and services. This could imply better resilience to international economic turbulence but may limit exposure to technological advancements and global market trends. Overall, while high import percentages can indicate economic vulnerability, they can also drive innovation and growth through increased market integration, while lower import percentages may offer stability but at the cost of potential stagnation in a rapidly changing global economy.
China v Japan
China, People's Republic of, has imports of goods and services equivalent to 16.17% of its GDP, while Japan has imports at 15.80% of its GDP. China's higher percentage indicates a more open economy reliant on foreign goods and services, potentially exposing it to global economic fluctuations. This openness can bring diversity and innovation through imported products but may also lead to trade imbalances. Japan, with a slightly lower percentage, shows a level of economic self-sufficiency compared to China. However, a lower percentage might indicate limited access to global markets, potentially hindering innovation and economic growth. Overall, a high import percentage can suggest economic integration but also vulnerability to external shocks, while a lower percentage can imply protectionism but potentially limited growth opportunities in the global market.
FAQs
- Which country has the most Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)?
Luxembourg has the highest Imports of goods and services, accounting for 169.15% of its GDP. - Which country has the least Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)?
Sudan has the lowest Imports of goods and services, representing only 4.83% of its GDP. - What is the average Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) among the listed countries?
The average Imports of goods and services among the listed countries is 44.15% of GDP.