Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside region (% of total merchandise imports)



Countries By Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside region (% of total merchandise imports)



Key points



Official Definition of Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside region (% of total merchandise imports)

Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside region are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from other low- and middle-income economies in other World Bank regions according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.



Importance

The statistic "Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside region (% of total merchandise imports)" is crucial for a country's economic analysis. The level of this statistic can have significant implications for a country's economy.

Implications of a low value:


Implications of a high value:



Top 10 Countries by Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside region (% of total merchandise imports)

Bottom 10 Countries by Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside region (% of total merchandise imports)



Regions

Europe

The data on merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside the region shows significant variation among the listed countries. Greece stands out with a high percentage of 37.8%, indicating a strong reliance on imports from such economies. Luxembourg has the lowest percentage at 2.8%. Countries like Russia, Spain, and the Netherlands also feature prominently in this statistic. High percentages may offer cost advantages but could pose risks in supply chain disruptions. For countries like Ireland with a lower percentage, there may be more diversified trade partners. This statistic influences economic development by showcasing trade diversification efforts and potential vulnerability to global economic shifts.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

Australia, Japan, and Singapore have relatively high percentages of merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside their regions, indicating strong trade connections with such countries. This statistic reflects a diverse range of trade partnerships and a reliance on these economies for goods. For Australia, this high percentage suggests a diversified import market but may indicate vulnerability to external economic fluctuations. Japan's strong reliance may signify cost-effective sourcing but could also suggest limited domestic production capabilities. Singapore benefits from a diverse trading network but may face challenges in ensuring supply chain stability. Overall, this statistic highlights the importance of international trade for economic development and the varying implications it has for each country's economic resilience and competitiveness.

ASEAN

The statistic on merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside the region reveals interesting insights into the import trends of selected countries. Brunei and Singapore stand out with high percentages of 45.70% and 44.34% respectively, indicating a heavy reliance on imports from such economies. This reliance could offer advantages such as access to cheaper goods but also pose a risk of vulnerability to external economic shocks. Countries like Cambodia and Laos, with lower percentages, demonstrate a more diversified import base, potentially fostering greater self-sufficiency and resilience. However, they might miss out on cost advantages. Overall, while high percentages reflect potential cost savings, countries should balance this with the need for economic diversity to ensure resilience in the face of global economic fluctuations.

Latin America

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay show varying levels of dependency on merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside their respective regions. Uruguay stands out with the highest percentage, indicating a significant reliance on such imports, while El Salvador and Nicaragua have the lowest percentages. Countries like Panama and Chile also have notable percentages, suggesting strong economic ties with low- and middle-income economies outside their regions. This statistic reflects both the economic diversification benefits and vulnerability to external shocks for each country, impacting their development trajectory uniquely based on their import dependencies.

Middle East

The data shows the percentage of merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside the region for each country listed. Iran has the highest percentage at 60.80%, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 54.07%, indicating a heavy reliance on imports from such economies. On the other hand, Georgia has the lowest percentage at 13.89%. High percentages, like for Iran and the UAE, may indicate diversified trade relations but could lead to vulnerability in times of global economic downturns. Lower percentages, like for Georgia, may suggest a more self-reliant economy but could signify limited access to a variety of goods. This statistic's impact on development varies, with high reliance potentially leading to economic stability or vulnerability depending on global conditions, while low reliance may indicate economic resilience or limited growth opportunities.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

Australia stands out with 46.33% of its total merchandise imports coming from low- and middle-income economies outside its region, indicating a significant reliance on these countries for imports. In contrast, China, with only 16.84%, shows a lower dependency. The United States leads the group with 49.76%, reflecting its diverse import partners. This statistic suggests that Australia may benefit from lower-cost imports but could be vulnerable to economic fluctuations in partner countries. Meanwhile, the U.S. enjoys a wide range of trade relationships but may face challenges in maintaining stable supply chains. Understanding this statistic is crucial for each country's development strategy and trade resilience.

Russia v Ukraine

In terms of merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside their region, the Russian Federation stands at 34.23%, while Ukraine is at 22.66%. The Russian Federation's higher percentage suggests a greater dependency on trade with low- and middle-income economies outside its region compared to Ukraine. This reliance could provide the Russian Federation with access to a diverse range of affordable goods, fostering economic growth. However, it also exposes the country to external economic risks and vulnerabilities. On the other hand, Ukraine's lower dependency may indicate a more diversified trade network, offering a level of insulation from external shocks. Overall, while the Russian Federation's higher percentage may contribute to faster economic development through trade, it also poses greater risks, whereas Ukraine's lower percentage provides stability but may limit access to new markets for development.

France v United Kingdom

France has a statistic of 17.66% for merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside its region, while the United Kingdom stands at a higher 27.41%. This indicates that the United Kingdom relies more heavily on imports from these economies compared to France. For France, a lower percentage suggests a more diversified import base which can reduce vulnerability to economic shocks in specific regions. However, it might also indicate missed opportunities for cost-effective trade. Conversely, the United Kingdom's higher percentage signifies stronger trade connections but could expose it to risks if these economies face instability. This statistic can impact both countries' development by influencing their trade relationships and economic resilience.

Israel v Iran

Iran has a high percentage of its merchandise imports coming from low- and middle-income economies outside its region, standing at 60.80%. In contrast, Israel's imports from such economies outside its region account for 22.23% of its total merchandise imports. Iran's heavy reliance on these economies may provide cost advantages but exposes it to potential supply chain vulnerabilities. On the other hand, Israel's lower dependency diversifies its import sources, reducing risk but potentially limiting cost competitiveness. This statistic suggests that Iran may benefit from lower production costs but faces greater exposure to external economic fluctuations, whereas Israel enjoys more resilience but may miss out on cost efficiencies.

Saudi Arabia v Iran

Iran's high percentage of merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside its region indicates a reliance on cheaper imports from such economies, possibly for cost-saving purposes. This may offer Iran a competitive edge in terms of pricing and access to a wider range of goods. However, this high dependency could expose Iran to risks such as supply chain disruptions or quality control issues. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia's lower percentage suggests a more diversified import base, potentially indicating a stronger economy and higher purchasing power. This diversity could provide Saudi Arabia with stability and resilience in the face of global economic fluctuations. Overall, the impact of this statistic on the countries' development lies in their ability to balance cost-efficiency with risk management in their import strategies, influencing their competitiveness and economic stability.

India v Pakistan

India has a percentage of merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside its region at 43.44%, while Pakistan's percentage stands higher at 50.62%. This statistic indicates that both countries have significant trade relationships with low- and middle-income economies in other regions. For India, this signifies diversification in its import sources, which can reduce dependency risks but might also indicate limited regional trade integration. On the other hand, Pakistan's higher percentage suggests a stronger reliance on these economies, potentially exposing it to external economic volatility. The impact of this statistic on development varies, with India benefiting from broader market access and possible technological transfers, while Pakistan could face risks of supply disruption and vulnerability to external shocks.

Turkey v Greece

In terms of merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies outside their region, Greece stands at 37.8% while Turkey is at 26.6%. Greece's higher percentage suggests a stronger reliance on imports from low- and middle-income economies outside its region compared to Turkey. This reliance may provide Greece with access to a wider range of affordable goods, fostering diversity in its import market. However, it also exposes Greece to external economic vulnerabilities. Conversely, Turkey's lower percentage indicates a more diversified import structure, potentially reducing the risk of dependency on specific markets. This statistic reflects each country's trade dynamics, highlighting the need for Greece to enhance domestic production and for Turkey to maintain a balanced trade portfolio for sustainable economic growth.

China v Japan

China, People's Republic of, imports 16.84% of its merchandise from low- and middle-income economies outside its region, while Japan imports a higher percentage, with 47.72% of its merchandise falling into this category. This statistic indicates that Japan has a stronger trade relationship with low- and middle-income economies outside its region compared to China. For China, this lower percentage may signify a greater reliance on trade within its own region or with higher-income economies. The advantage for Japan lies in diversifying its import sources, potentially accessing cheaper goods. However, this could also leave Japan more vulnerable to fluctuations in those economies. For China, a focus on regional trade may provide more stable relationships but could limit exposure to new markets and technologies.



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