Data stories | UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Analysis of global trade and development trends through graphs, maps and charts.

Our data stories break down complex trends shaping the global economy and its future. They unpack the numbers behind the issues that matter, delivering clear analysis to guide decisions.

An automobile assembly plant in Kedah, Malaysia.

2025: The most-read stories reflecting key forces in the global economy

From record trade flows and rapid advances in artificial intelligence to slowing investment and mounting debt pressures, 2025 sent strong and often contradictory signals about the state of the global economy.

A bar chart showing that global trade growth remains strong in 2025, but slowed in 3rd and 4th quarters

Global trade to hit record $35 trillion despite slowing momentum

Downtown, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Eastern and Southern Africa: Foreign investment surged to record highs

A graph showing that global growth shows no signs of picking up in the near term

Global growth expected to slow to 2.6% through 2026

Graph showing that world trade and the global financial cycle move in sync

Over 90% of global trade now depends on finance, deepening vulnerabilities

Graph showing US tariffs have risen sharply on least developed countries' light-manufacturing exports

How can least developed countries strengthen resilience to tariff shocks?

A graph showing global trade growth from Q4 2024 to Q3 20205

Global trade up 2.5% in second quarter, on track for record highs in 2025

Foreign direct investment explorer

Explore global investment data and changing trends

Graph showing tariff hikes per sector if the US-Africa trade deal ends

AGOA expiry impact on African export diversification

A graph showing how tariffs on African imports could change in the US

Tariffs, trade and preferences: What if AGOA ends?

Graph showing maritime trade volume growth from 2000 to 2025

Maritime trade under pressure – growth set to stall in 2025

Graph showing US tariffs on vulnerable economies vs. their tariffs on the US

A tectonic shift in tariff policy

A graph showing how trade policy uncertainty and global economic uncertainty are rising together

Trade policy shifts are fuelling global uncertainties

A pie chart showing that developing countries in Asia attract a third of global investment in digital services

Global investment in the digital economy surges but remains uneven

Graph showing global trade values in plastics

Ending plastic pollution: Why trade matters

Countries facing acute food insecurity often depend on imports

How trade helps fight hunger and prevent famine

Commodity dependence by dominant export product group

Commodity dependence runs deep. Change is needed, and possible

Graph showing global trade in goods and services from 2019 through 2025 first quarter

Global trade grew $300 billion in the first half of 2025, led by US imports and EU exports

A pie chart showing a few companies dominate the generative AI market

Highly concentrated digital markets put consumers at risk

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