United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released Handbook of Statistics 2015 which provides a comprehensive collection of statistical data relevant to the analysis of international trade, investment and development, for individual countries and for economic and trade groupings.
- It revealed that the global trade in services grew by 5% while merchandise trade stagnates and foreign direct investment falls.
Highlights of Handbook of Statistics 2015
Service exports – International service exports accounted for 21% of total global exports ($5 trillion) in 2014 showing growth of 5% in comparison with the previous year.
- Services exports in developed economies – 5.3% ↑
- Services exports in developing economies – 4.8% ↑
- Services exports from the transition economies – declined sharply by 7%
Merchandise exports – They were valued at $19 trillion with an increased by 0.3% in 2014 as measured in current prices.
- Merchandise exports in developed economies – 0.4%↑
- Merchandise exports in developing economies – 0.6% ↑
Total exports – Total global exports for 2014 were valued at $24 trillion, up by 1.2% compared with the previous year.
- Total exports from developed economies – 55% ($13.2 trillion)
- Total exports from developing economies – 41% ($10 trillion)
- Total exports from transition economies – 4% ($890 million)
Commodity Prices – Total foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows were valued at $1.2 trillion, fell by 16% compared with the previous year.
- FDI flows in developed economies – 28% ↓
- FDI flows in developing economies – 1.6% ↑
- FDI flows in transition economies – 52 % ↓
Minerals, fuels, etc. – The value of exports of minerals, ores, metals and fuels fell sharply across countries in all regions irrespective of development status.
- The most significant declines were in the value of fuel exports from Africa (down by 13%) and minerals, ores and metals (including gold) from Asia (down by 11%).
About UNCTAD
UNCTAD is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and development issues.
- Formation – 1964
- Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
- Members – 194 states