economy

Trade as a share of GDP

Exports plus imports as a share of GDP.

152.9%Belgium · 20256.1%
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Data insight

Global perspective

The world estimate was 54.1% in 2025, up 6.6% from 2015. Across the longer period from 2005, the global estimate changed by -3.1% (-5.4%). Latest country observations range from 2.4% in Sudan (2025) to 396.6% in Hong Kong SAR, China (2025), with the middle country observation at 83.4%; observation years may differ. Across the derived regional aggregates, Europe reports 77.1%, while South America reports 38.7%. Over roughly a decade, Europe changed by -2.2%; South America changed by +2.9%. Among countries with sufficient history, the largest absolute decade increase was +85.6% in Cuba, while the largest decrease was -66.1% in Sao Tome and Principe. Coverage includes 190 countries; their latest observation years span 2004-2025, with a median latest year of 2025.

Belgium over time

Belgium reports 152.9% in 2025. From 2015 to 2025, Belgium decreased by 2.2 percentage points (1.4%). From 2005 to 2025, Belgium increased by 8.4 percentage points (5.8%). The latest decade changed by −2.2 percentage points, versus +10.5 percentage points in the preceding decade, indicating a reversal in direction.

Europe and world context

This is 75.8 percentage points above Europe (2025). This is 98.9 percentage points above the world estimate (2025). From 2015 to 2025, Europe decreased by 2.2 percentage points (2.7%). The latest decade changed by −2.2 percentage points, versus +8.6 percentage points in the preceding decade, indicating a reversal in direction.

Belgium has the 22nd-highest latest observation among 190 countries and 7th among 41 countries in Europe. Latest observation years span 2004-2025, so ranks are descriptive rather than perfectly synchronized.

  • Regional spread: Europe is at 77.1% (2025), compared with 38.7% in South America (2025).
  • Largest observed decade increase: Cuba changed by +85.6%.
  • Largest observed decade decrease: Sao Tome and Principe changed by -66.1%.
  • Coverage: 190 countries; the median latest observation is 2025, with latest country observations spanning 2004-2025.
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Up to 50%50% to 70%70% to 90%90% to 130%Over 130%
2025
191.1%170.5%150%129.5%109%1990199620022008201320192025
Belgium

Source

World Bank

Source series NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. World and continent values are derived from available countries using population-weighted averages.