Traffic analytics, rankings, and competitive metrics for unctad.org as of September 2025

The statistics on international trade in information and communications technology (ICT) goods and services can provide insights on importance of ICT trade between the EU countries (intra-EU) and ICT goods and services traded by EU countries with non-EU countries (extra-EU). They measure the value of the international trade in ICT goods and services.

Following the definition of the https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2011/07/oecd-guide-to-measuring-the-information-society-2011_g1g139a7/9789264113541-en.pdf" target="_parent">OECD Guide to Measuring the Information Society 2011, “ICT products must primarily be intended to fulfil or enable the function of information processing and communication by electronic means, including transmission and display”.

The list of ICT goods was defined using the 2007 version of the Harmonised System (HS). This definition was revised in 2010 and then adapted to HS 2012 and HS 2017 by https://unctad.org/official-documents-search?f%5B0%5D=product%3A501" target="_parent">UNCTAD in collaboration with UNSD. The most recent list consists of 93 goods defined at the 6-digit level of HS 2017. The ICT goods include:

• Total ICT goods
• Computers and peripheral equipment
• Communication equipment
• Consumer electronic equipment
• Electronic components
• Miscellaneous ICT goods

The full list of HS codes constituting the ICT goods and each of the sub-categories, as well as the previous revisions of the definition can be found at https://unctadstat.unctad.org/EN/Classifications.html" target="_parent">Classifications | UNCTAD Data Hub and in the annex to this metadata.

ICT services can be defined, as BPM6(*) component telecommunication, computer and information services. These can be further disaggregated into sub-components:

• telecommunication services,
• computer services
• computer software
• software originals
• other computer services
• information services
• news agency services
• other information services.

For further detailed clarification of the definition and the scope please refer to the https://unstats.un.org/unsd/publication/seriesm/seriesm_86rev1e.pdf" target="_parent">Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services 2010, p. 70.

The data include three types of statistics:

International trade in ICT goods – presenting annual data on the value of ICT goods traded between the EU countries (intra-EU trade) and ICT goods traded by EU countries with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). They include the value in euros of the imports and exports for the total ICT goods and 5 sub-categories. These statistics are derived based on the available detailed data on the https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/bookmark/80f04b29-7476-4686-b95b-e9565299b9a6?lang=en&createdAt=2025-10-14T14:45:35Z" target="_parent">EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8. The information is also presented as the share of ICT goods in total trade, and as the share of each ICT goods group within total ICT goods trade, in the table Share of ICT goods in total international trade in goods.

International trade in ICT services by NACE Rev.2 activities of enterprises involved in the trade – presenting annual data on the value in thousand euro of the trade in telecommunications, computer, and information services (according to the https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Family/Detail/101" target="_parent">Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification 2010 (EBOPS 2010)). The data present the trade in ICT services by detailed geographical partner, including transactions among EU countries (intra-EU), and transactions of EU countries with non-EU countries (extra-EU). These statistics offer information on the imports and exports of ICT services by type of primary economic activity of enterprises involved in the trade. These statistics are part of the available data on the Services trade by enterprise characteristics (STEC) by EBOPS 2010 items and NACE Rev.2 activities.

International trade in ICT services by type of ICT service – presenting annual data on the value in million euro of the trade in ICT services by type of ICT service according to the sixth edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) and by detailed geographical partner (intra-EU and extra-EU). These statistics provide information on the total value of credits (or exports) and debits (or imports) for each balance of payments (BoP) item and on the net result or "balance" (credits minus debits) of the transactions with each partner. These statistics are part of the available data on the international trade in services (since 2010) (BPM6). The information is also presented as the share of ICT services in total trade, and as the share of each type of ICT service within total ICT service trade, in the table Share of ICT services in total international trade in services.

(*) Sixth edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual

The UNCTAD Trade Analysis Information System (TRAINS) contains information on tariffs and non-tariff measures for more than 160 countries. The data on tariffs and non-tariff measures are recorded at the most detailed Commodity Description and Coding System (HS), at the National Tariff Line Level. Tariff information contains not only applied MFN tariff rates, but also to the extent possible, various preferential regimes including the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) and other Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) rates including bilateral trade agreement tariff rates.

We provide the data used for this research in both Excel (one file with one matrix per sheet, 'Allmatrices.xlsx'), and CSV (one file per matrix).

Patent applications (Patent_applications.csv) Patent applications from residents and no residents per million inhabitants. Data obtained from the World Development Indicators database (World Bank 2020). Normalization by the number of inhabitants was made by the authors.

High-tech exports (High-tech_exports.csv) The proportion of exports of high-level technology manufactures from total exports by technology intensity, obtained from the Trade Structure by Partner, Product or Service-Category database (Lall, 2000; UNCTAD, 2019)

Expenditure on education (Expenditure_on_education.csv) Per capita government expenditure on education, total (2010 US$). The data was obtained from the government expenditure on education (total % of GDP), GDP (constant 2010 US$), and population indicators of the World Development Indicators database (World Bank 2020). Normalization by the number of inhabitants was made by the authors.

Scientific publications (Scientific_publications.csv) Scientific and technical journal articles per million inhabitants. The data were obtained from the scientific and technical journal articles and population indicators of the World Development Indicators database (World Bank 2020). Normalization by the number of inhabitants was made by the authors.

Expenditure on R&D (Expenditure_on_R&D.csv) Expenditure on research and development. Data obtained from the research and development expenditure (% of GDP), GDP (constant 2010 US$), and population indicators of the World Development Indicators database (World Bank 2020). Normalization by the number of inhabitants was made by the authors.

Two centuries of GDP (GDP_two_centuries.csv) GDP per capita that accounts for inflation. Data obtained from the Maddison Project Database, version 2018 (Inklaar et al. 2018), and available from the Open Numbers community (open-numbers.github.io).

Inklaar, R., de Jong, H., Bolt, J., & van Zanden, J. (2018). Rebasing “Maddison”: new income comparisons and the shape of long-run economic development (GD-174; GGDC Research Memorandum). https://www.rug.nl/research/portal/files/53088705/gd174.pdf

Lall, S. (2000). The Technological Structure and Performance of Developing Country Manufactured Exports, 1985‐98. Oxford Development Studies, 28(3), 337–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/713688318

Unctad. 2019. “Trade Structure by Partner, Product or Service-Category.” 2019. https://unctadstat.unctad.org/EN/.

World Bank. (2020). World Development Indicators. https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators

Trinidad and Tobago TT: Import Unit Value Index data was reported at 162.327 2000=100 in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 174.942 2000=100 for 2015. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Import Unit Value Index data is updated yearly, averaging 101.880 2000=100 from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2016, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 231.309 2000=100 in 2011 and a record low of 69.026 2000=100 in 1980. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Import Unit Value Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Trinidad and Tobago – Table TT.World Bank.WDI: Trade Index. Import unit value indices come from UNCTAD's trade database. Unit value indices are based on data reported by countries that demonstrate consistency under UNCTAD quality controls, supplemented by UNCTAD’s estimates using the previous year’s trade values at the Standard International Trade Classification three-digit level as weights. To improve data coverage, especially for the latest periods, UNCTAD constructs a set of average prices indexes at the three-digit product classification of the Standard International Trade Classification revision 3 using UNCTAD’s Commodity Price Statistics, interna¬tional and national sources, and UNCTAD secretariat estimates.; ; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Handbook of Statistics and data files. (http://unctadstat.unctad.org); ;

All data originates from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (INTRACEN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) data is collected following the International Monetary Fund's Balance of Payments Manual, Fifth Edition, BPM5, IMF 1993, the OECD's Detailed Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investment,Third Edition, BMD3, OECD 1996 and the updated OECD's benchmark definition (BMD4, OECD, 2008). The FDI sectoral disaggregation follows the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, Rev.4 (ISIC, Rev. 4). UNCTAD database presents time-series data from 1980 onwards to 2017 of FDI for most UN Members States and other territories. Data availability extends to approximately 80 countries for the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (AFF) as well as Food, Beverage and Tobacco (FBT) sectors. See link to UNCTAD data: - For the whole economy: http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx - For AFF and FBT: provided by UNCTAD (not available to the public). INTRACEN dataset extends from 2000 to 2019 for approximately 80 countries. See link to INTRACEN data: http://www.investmentmap.org/SelectionMenu.aspx (a username and a password need to be created to login). OECD dataset extends from 2011 to 2018 for approximately 34 OECD countries. See link to OECD data: http://www.oecd.org/investment/statistics.htm. Based on the FDI data sources, the FAO FDI dataset extends from 1991 to 2019. The availability of data for AFF and FBT was the highest between 1997 and 2011.

This dataset contains detailed annual export figures of key maritime transport services, reported by 212 economies between 2010 and 2023. It was compiled by UNCTAD and published via the World Bank Data360 platform under the UNCTAD Maritime Transport database.

The dataset includes:

1. 9 different maritime export indicators
2. Coverage across countries and years
3. Metadata on measurement units, gender, urbanisation, and more

This data is crucial for:

1. Analysing global trade in services
2. Understanding shipping sector trends
3. Studying development & policy in transport

All data originates from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (INTRACEN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) data is collected following the International Monetary Fund's Balance of Payments Manual, Fifth Edition, BPM5, IMF 1993, the OECD's Detailed Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investment,Third Edition, BMD3, OECD 1996 and the updated OECD's benchmark definition (BMD4, OECD, 2008). The FDI sectoral disaggregation follows the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, Rev.4 (ISIC, Rev. 4). UNCTAD database presents time-series data from 1980 onwards to 2017 of FDI for most UN Members States and other territories. Data availability extends to approximately 80 countries for the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (AFF) as well as Food, Beverage and Tobacco (FBT) sectors. See link to UNCTAD data: - For the whole economy: http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx - For AFF and FBT: provided by UNCTAD (not available to the public). INTRACEN dataset extends from 2000 to 2019 for approximately 80 countries. See link to INTRACEN data: http://www.investmentmap.org/SelectionMenu.aspx (a username and a password need to be created to login). OECD dataset extends from 2011 to 2018 for approximately 34 OECD countries. See link to OECD data: http://www.oecd.org/investment/statistics.htm. Based on the FDI data sources, the FAO FDI dataset extends from 1991 to 2019. The availability of data for AFF and FBT was the highest between 1997 and 2011.

International Imports in digitally-deliverable services. Values expressed in million current USD. Sources: UNCTAD estimates, based on UNCTAD-WTO common data set on international trade in services. For more details see: https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/reportInfo/US.DigitallyDeliverableServices

Short description Total imported plastic (million US dollars) Summary This indicator presents a time series of trade data containing the total imported value of plastic at country level. The total plastic trade encompasses full life-cycle of plastic, covering primary forms, intermediate forms, intermediate manufactured goods, final manufactured goods, and plastic waste. The trade data collection is from the UNSD Comtrade database, which has a dedicated methodology. Reporting is conducted globally by individual countries annually, covering the period from 2017 to 2022. The compartment is anthropogenic activities within the domain of production and consumption. The data is presented in the unit million US dollars, corresponding to the respective year of collection. It is essential to highlight that the US dollar values have not been adjusted for inflation or price fluctuations over the years but reflect the values in USD for the given year. Description Entity: United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade) Source URL: UNCTAD: https://unctad.org/ Data set: https://unctad.org/publication/global-trade-plastics-insights-first-life-cycle-trade-database Global trade in plastics: insights from the first life-cycle trade database: https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/ser-rp-2020d12_en.pdf UN Comtrade: https://comtradeplus.un.org/ Time Period: 2017-2022Methodology: UN Comtrade Methodology Frequency Update: Unknown Last Update: 27-12-2024 Geo-Coverage: Global Licensing: Public

This map is part of SDGs Today. Please see sdgstoday.orgForeign direct investment (FDI) is defined as an investment reflecting a lasting interest and control by a foreign direct investor, resident in one economy, in an enterprise resident in another economy (foreign affiliate). FDI is the most important source of external finance for developing countries. Its importance for development is essential, even if it does not necessarily constitute a panacea. The effects of FDI on development often depend on the initial conditions prevailing in the recipient countries, on the investment strategies of transnational corporations (TNCs) and on host government policies. Governments, therefore, cannot be passive and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) strives to support its member States attracting and benefitting from it. UNCTAD first estimated investment requirements for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2014. The Organization highlighted the need for private investment, including international investment, to supplement public and domestic investment in order to bridge the financing gap. UNCTAD also proposes a set of recommendations to mobilize and channel private investment towards the SDGs and ensure their positive impact on sustainable development. Sound FDI data is an essential tool for research and policy analysis, and a basis for policy formulation, implementation, and assessment. UNCTAD addresses countries’ needs through its analysis and dissemination of FDI statistics, including through its annual flagship World Investment Report and quarterly Global Investment Trends Monitors, enhancing the capacity of government agencies to collect and report FDI and TNC data, conducting leading-edge policy analysis and providing technical assistance.For more information, contact diaeinfo@unctad.org.

United States Import Volume Index data was reported at 117.927 2015=100 in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 105.232 2015=100 for 2020. United States Import Volume Index data is updated yearly, averaging 66.390 2015=100 from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2021, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 117.927 2015=100 in 2021 and a record low of 15.732 2015=100 in 1980. United States Import Volume Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Trade Index. Import volume indexes are derived from UNCTAD's volume index series and are the ratio of the import value indexes to the corresponding unit value indexes. Unit value indexes are based on data reported by countries that demonstrate consistency under UNCTAD quality controls, supplemented by UNCTAD’s estimates using the previous year’s trade values at the Standard International Trade Classification three-digit level as weights. To improve data coverage, especially for the latest periods, UNCTAD constructs a set of average prices indexes at the three-digit product classification of the Standard International Trade Classification revision 3 using UNCTAD’s Commodity Price Statistics, international and national sources, and UNCTAD secretariat estimates and calculates unit value indexes at the country level using the current year’s trade values as weights. For economies for which UNCTAD does not publish data, the import volume indexes (lines 73) in the IMF's International Financial Statistics are used.;United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Handbook of Statistics and data files, and International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics.;;

Data on digital economy collected from UNCTAD, includes figures about trade in ICT products and services for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).

Find more Pacific data on PDH.stat.

Overview of the status of adoption of e-commerce legislation in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) based on UNCTAD worldwide summary.

Find more Pacific data on PDH.stat.

This dataset contains comprehensive port call statistics from UNCTAD, tracking vessel traffic patterns, ship characteristics, and port efficiency metrics across global economies. The data covers key performance indicators including vessel age profiles, port turnaround times, and cargo capacity metrics.

Data Sources:

Collected from UNCTAD's Data Center (unctadstat.unctad.org)

Contains 4 original datasets concatenated into one unified view

Coverage:

803 port call records

Global coverage (Economy-level granularity)

Includes commercial market classifications

Key Metrics:

Vessel Characteristics: - Average age (years) - Size (Gross Tonnage - GT) - Cargo capacity (Deadweight Tonnage - DWT) - Container capacity (TEU)

Port Performance: - Median time in port (days) - Maximum Capacity Indicators: - Maximum vessel size (GT) - Peak cargo/container capacities

Potential Use Cases: - Benchmark port efficiency across regions - Analyze trends in vessel sizes and ages - Model port congestion using turnaround times - Study capacity evolution in container shipping

Data Notes: - Missing values occur where metrics are inapplicable (e.g., container capacity for non-container ships) - "period" field indicates reference year/quarter - CommercialMarket_Label identifies operator types (e.g., "Mainliner", "Feeder")

Dominican Republic DO: Import Unit Value Index data was reported at 117.200 2015=100 in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 123.700 2015=100 for 2022. Dominican Republic DO: Import Unit Value Index data is updated yearly, averaging 72.250 2015=100 from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2023, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 123.700 2015=100 in 2022 and a record low of 48.900 2015=100 in 1980. Dominican Republic DO: Import Unit Value Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Dominican Republic – Table DO.World Bank.WDI: Trade Index. Import unit value indices come from UNCTAD's trade database. Unit value indices are based on data reported by countries that demonstrate consistency under UNCTAD quality controls, supplemented by UNCTAD’s estimates using the previous year’s trade values at the Standard International Trade Classification three-digit level as weights. To improve data coverage, especially for the latest periods, UNCTAD constructs a set of average prices indexes at the three-digit product classification of the Standard International Trade Classification revision 3 using UNCTAD’s Commodity Price Statistics, interna¬tional and national sources, and UNCTAD secretariat estimates.;United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Handbook of Statistics and data files. (http://unctadstat.unctad.org);;

The Eora global supply chain database consists of a multi-region input-output table (MRIO) model that provides a time series of high-resolution IO tables with matching environmental and social satellite accounts for 190 countries.

Trinidad and Tobago TT: Export Unit Value Index data was reported at 198.842 2000=100 in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 243.824 2000=100 for 2015. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Export Unit Value Index data is updated yearly, averaging 127.725 2000=100 from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2016, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 340.944 2000=100 in 2012 and a record low of 73.121 2000=100 in 1988. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Export Unit Value Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Trinidad and Tobago – Table TT.World Bank.WDI: Trade Index. Export unit value indices come from UNCTAD's trade database. Unit value indices are based on data reported by countries that demonstrate consistency under UNCTAD quality controls, supplemented by UNCTAD’s estimates using the previous year’s trade values at the Standard International Trade Classification three-digit level as weights. To improve data coverage, especially for the latest periods, UNCTAD constructs a set of average prices indexes at the three-digit product classification of the Standard International Trade Classification revision 3 using UNCTAD’s Commodity Price Statistics, interna¬tional and national sources, and UNCTAD secretariat estimates.; ; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Handbook of Statistics and data files. (http://unctadstat.unctad.org); ;

Dominican Republic DO: Export Unit Value Index data was reported at 116.200 2015=100 in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 116.100 2015=100 for 2022. Dominican Republic DO: Export Unit Value Index data is updated yearly, averaging 80.000 2015=100 from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2023, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 116.200 2015=100 in 2023 and a record low of 57.800 2015=100 in 1992. Dominican Republic DO: Export Unit Value Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Dominican Republic – Table DO.World Bank.WDI: Trade Index. Export unit value indices come from UNCTAD's trade database. Unit value indices are based on data reported by countries that demonstrate consistency under UNCTAD quality controls, supplemented by UNCTAD’s estimates using the previous year’s trade values at the Standard International Trade Classification three-digit level as weights. To improve data coverage, especially for the latest periods, UNCTAD constructs a set of average prices indexes at the three-digit product classification of the Standard International Trade Classification revision 3 using UNCTAD’s Commodity Price Statistics, interna¬tional and national sources, and UNCTAD secretariat estimates.;United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Handbook of Statistics and data files. (http://unctadstat.unctad.org);;

Portugal PT: Import Unit Value Index data was reported at 134.709 2000=100 in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 138.962 2000=100 for 2015. Portugal PT: Import Unit Value Index data is updated yearly, averaging 143.443 2000=100 from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 189.705 2000=100 in 2008 and a record low of 98.508 2000=100 in 2001. Portugal PT: Import Unit Value Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Portugal – Table PT.World Bank.WDI: Trade Index. Import unit value indices come from UNCTAD's trade database. Unit value indices are based on data reported by countries that demonstrate consistency under UNCTAD quality controls, supplemented by UNCTAD’s estimates using the previous year’s trade values at the Standard International Trade Classification three-digit level as weights. To improve data coverage, especially for the latest periods, UNCTAD constructs a set of average prices indexes at the three-digit product classification of the Standard International Trade Classification revision 3 using UNCTAD’s Commodity Price Statistics, interna¬tional and national sources, and UNCTAD secretariat estimates.; ; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Handbook of Statistics and data files. (http://unctadstat.unctad.org); ;