The Handbook of Statistics 2025 offers a comprehensive portfolio of internationally comparable data essential for understanding global trade, economic trends, investment, maritime transport and broader development issues.
In a period marked by uncertainty, access to reliable statistics is crucial for designing effective policies that support recovery from crises and foster a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable global economy.
Together with its online version in Data Insights and the UNCTADstat Data Centre, the handbook serves policymakers, researchers, national and international officials, journalists, academia, the private sector and civil society experts.
International Trade
In 2024, developing economies drove trade expansion, with Asia and Oceania seeing merchandise exports rise by 5.7%. Services trade also grew strongly, up by 10%, with Asia again recording the fastest regional growth at 11.5%.
Key stats
- In 2024, developing economies led trade growth, in particular Asia and Oceania, whose exports grew by 5.7% and imports by 5.9%.
- In 2024, South-South trade was $6.2 trillion, a 7% increase on 2023. Over time, South-South trade has increased its share of total merchandise trade from 11% in 2000 to 26% in 2024.
- In 2024, developing economies shipped most of their exports to the United States ($1.8 trillion), followed by China as the second most popular destination ($1.3 trillion).
- Global services exports reached $8.9 trillion in 2024, marking an annual increase of 10%. At the global level, services exports surpassed 8% of world gross domestic product (GDP) for the first time in 2024.
Economy, investment and finance
Economic growth was moderate in 2024. In developed economies, GDP grew by 1.8%, while developing economies’ growth remained stable at 4.3%. Significant disparities in GDP per capita persist throughout the world.
Key stats
- In 2024, global economic growth was stable at a rate of 8%.
- In least developed countries, GDP grew by 3.4% in 2024 but still well below the 7% growth target set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- In 2024, developing economies maintained a substantial trade surplus in goods and services, rising to $772 billion from $696 billion in 2023.
- Despite a 3% dip in value from the year before, developing Asia remained the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) recipient globally in 2014, attracting 40% of global inflows.
- Commodity prices dipped slightly by 0.9% in 2024, after having dropped sharply the previous year from their 2022 peak.
Maritime and other transport
World fleet capacity to carry goods is growing steadily. Ownership is spread across the globe, with 41% of carrying capacity held by entities in Greece, China and Japan. China remains the top maritime connectivity performer in Asia, with its major ports anchoring global shipping networks.
Key stats
- At the start of 2025, the global merchant fleet comprised around 112,500 vessels of at least 100 gross tons.
- In 2025, 93% of the world’s ship carrying capacity was owned by entities in Asia and Europe.
- In 2023, ports in developing economies of Asia handled the majority of the world’s port container traffic.
- In 2023, developing economies still accounted for most global seaborne trade. Developing economies in Asia alone discharged 47% and loaded 32% of the total volume.
- International transport costs per dollar value of merchandise trade increased over three years, reaching 8.1% in 2021. International transport costs for LDCs’ imports amounted to 14.8% relative to the goods’ value, more than twice the rate of imports to developed economies.
Population and inclusiveness
Over the last 25 years, the world population has increased by 2.1 billion people. The share of urban population was projected to have increased to 57.3% in 2023 and 58.1% in 2025. The world population is expected to pass the 9 billion mark by 2037.
Key stats
- All over the world, a growing proportion of the population lives in cities. In 2023, 3% lived in urban areas.
- Africa remained the fastest growing region with 2.3% growth in 2023 and will remain so until 2050 – though at a more moderate pace.
- Urbanization accelerated worldwide. Between 2013 and 2023, urbanization has been most pronounced in developing economies, especially those in Asia and Oceania, which saw the urban rate increase from 44.6% in 2013 to 51.1% in 2023.
- Globally, for every 100 working-age people there were 54 dependents in 2023. Africa had the highest child dependency ratio (69%). In developed economies, dependency ratios are already increasing and are projected to reach 72% by 2050, driven by rising old-age dependency.