Global container ports handled 890 million TEU. World trade in goods and services reached 36.1 trillion dollars with merchandise exports at 24 trillion dollars. Tariffs remove 6.5 percent of merchandise trade value while non tariff measures raise costs by 12 to 20 percent for many goods.
Key Takeaways
- 4.7% expected growth in global merchandise trade volume in 2022 (UNCTAD estimate)
- 8.0% year-over-year growth in global merchandise trade volume in 2023 (WTO estimate)
- $6.9 trillion global trade in manufactured goods in 2023 (WTO)
- 1.2 billion containers are handled by ports worldwide each year (UNCTAD)
- Global liner shipping connectivity remained 16% below 2019 levels in 2022 (UNCTAD)
- 0.5% of global cross-border shipments used air transport in 2022 (UNCTAD)
- $7.2 trillion global services imports in 2022 (WTO)
- Hong Kong SAR, China accounted for 3.2% of global merchandise exports in 2023 (WTO)
- 2023 global container port throughput reached 890.0 million TEU (estimate), up 3.4% versus 2022.
- WTO notes that environmental goods trade has grown substantially; global exports of environmental goods reached about $1.1 trillion in 2022 (WTO)
- 6.1% of total global CO2 emissions come from international shipping (IEA estimate, 2023)
- At least 40% of global plastic waste is mismanaged (OECD/UNEP reporting relevant to trade of plastic)
- 6.5% of world merchandise trade value is estimated to be lost to tariffs (WTO)
- 6.1% average tariff rate on non-agricultural products applied by WTO members (WTO data)
- Non-tariff measures account for an estimated 12%–20% increase in trade costs for many goods (OECD estimate)
Global merchandise trade is rebounding but tariffs and non-tariff frictions still raise costs and slow logistics worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Trade Volume5 stats
01
4.7% expected growth in global merchandise trade volume in 2022 (UNCTAD estimate)
02
8.0% year-over-year growth in global merchandise trade volume in 2023 (WTO estimate)
03
$6.9 trillion global trade in manufactured goods in 2023 (WTO)
04
25% of world trade value accounted for by intermediate goods in 2022
05
16.4% of merchandise trade value globally in 2022 came from intra-EU trade (WTO)
Interpretation
Trade Volume Interpretation
For the trade volume outlook, global merchandise trade surged in 2023 with an 8.0% year over year increase after UNCTAD expected 4.7% growth in 2022, underscoring sustained momentum in how much goods are moving worldwide.
02 · Category
Logistics And Transport6 stats
01
1.2 billion containers are handled by ports worldwide each year (UNCTAD)
02
Global liner shipping connectivity remained 16% below 2019 levels in 2022 (UNCTAD)
03
0.5% of global cross-border shipments used air transport in 2022 (UNCTAD)
04
Average port call turnaround time for container ships improved to 1.0 day in 2022 (Drewry)
05
About 14.3 million TEU of container capacity was delivered globally in 2021 (UNCTAD)
06
2.0 days median border crossing time reduction associated with trade facilitation reforms (OECD estimate)
Interpretation
Logistics And Transport Interpretation
In logistics and transport, the sector is moving at a faster operational pace with port call turnaround improving to 1.0 day in 2022 and border crossing times cutting by a median 2.0 days, even as shipping connectivity stays 16% below 2019 levels and only 0.5% of cross-border shipments rely on air.
03 · Category
Market Size6 stats
01
$7.2 trillion global services imports in 2022 (WTO)
02
Hong Kong SAR, China accounted for 3.2% of global merchandise exports in 2023 (WTO)
03
2023 global container port throughput reached 890.0 million TEU (estimate), up 3.4% versus 2022.
04
2023 global trade in goods and services was estimated at $36.1 trillion, about 1.3% higher than 2022 levels (OECD compilation).
05
2023 world merchandise export value reached $24.0 trillion, up from $22.7 trillion in 2022 (WTO data).
06
2023 world commercial services imports were $8.2 trillion, up from $7.2 trillion in 2022 (WTO data).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
Global trade is expanding in scale, with 2023 goods and services totaling $36.1 trillion and world commercial services imports rising to $8.2 trillion, supported by continued port throughput growth to 890.0 million TEU, signaling a larger market size for both physical trade and services.
04 · Category
Sustainability And Compliance5 stats
01
WTO notes that environmental goods trade has grown substantially; global exports of environmental goods reached about $1.1 trillion in 2022 (WTO)
02
6.1% of total global CO2 emissions come from international shipping (IEA estimate, 2023)
03
At least 40% of global plastic waste is mismanaged (OECD/UNEP reporting relevant to trade of plastic)
04
EU CBAM initial reporting covers imports of cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity (European Commission list)
05
At least 3.9 million premature deaths per year are linked to air pollution attributable to energy use (WHO), relevant to energy-intensive trade
Interpretation
Sustainability And Compliance Interpretation
Sustainability and compliance in global trade are becoming harder to ignore as environmental goods exports hit about $1.1 trillion in 2022 and, at the same time, international shipping accounts for 6.1% of CO2 emissions while compliance pressures grow for carbon and pollution related products like those covered by the EU CBAM.
05 · Category
Trade Costs And Tariffs7 stats
01
6.5% of world merchandise trade value is estimated to be lost to tariffs (WTO)
02
6.1% average tariff rate on non-agricultural products applied by WTO members (WTO data)
03
Non-tariff measures account for an estimated 12%–20% increase in trade costs for many goods (OECD estimate)
04
Average MFN applied tariff rates for goods were 2.2% in 2022 for WTO members (WTO)
05
WTO estimates that full implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement could reduce trade costs by an average of 14.3% (WTO)
06
About 80% of global trade is affected by non-tariff measures (WTO)
07
Tariff increases during 2018–2019 episodes were estimated to reduce global trade volumes by about 0.4% (IMF)
Interpretation
Trade Costs And Tariffs Interpretation
For the trade costs and tariffs picture, tariffs are estimated to account for about 6.5% of lost world merchandise trade value while non-tariff measures are even more pervasive, affecting roughly 80% of global trade and adding an estimated 12% to 20% in trade costs for many goods.
More related reading
06 · Category
Technology And Customs3 stats
01
About 90% of international trade is carried by sea (UNCTAD)
02
60% of organizations use e-invoicing for cross-border transactions in 2023 (OECD survey)
03
Over 100 countries have implemented Single Window systems for trade by 2023 (UNCTAD)
Interpretation
Technology And Customs Interpretation
With 90% of global trade moving by sea and more than 100 countries adopting Single Window systems, the Technology and Customs landscape is accelerating so cross-border processes can keep pace while 60% of organizations already use e-invoicing for cross-border transactions in 2023.
07 · Category
Trade Performance4 stats
01
In 2023, global merchandise trade volumes grew by 2.3% (World Bank forecast update relative to 2022).
02
2022 global container shipping supply (fleet capacity) was 26.0 million TEU, a 5.8% increase compared with 2021 (industry estimate compiled in Drewry report).
03
In 2022, the global average time spent in port by container ships was 1.9 days, reflecting post-pandemic operational normalization (industry benchmarking study).
04
2023 global freight rates (composite) averaged about 10% higher than 2022, reflecting renewed congestion and equipment imbalances (Drewry benchmarking).
Interpretation
Trade Performance Interpretation
Under the Trade Performance lens, 2023 saw global merchandise trade volumes rise by 2.3% while freight rates averaged about 10% higher than 2022 and container ships spent about 1.9 days in port, signaling a return to normalization but with renewed congestion and equipment tightness keeping costs elevated.
08 · Category
Cost Analysis2 stats
01
The Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) averaged 2.6 in 2022 and then eased to 0.9 in 2023, indicating improved trade logistics conditions (Federal Reserve Bank of New York).
02
In 2023, the OECD estimated that non-tariff measures add 7.0% on average to trade costs for many goods, with ranges by sector (OECD trade cost estimates).
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
From a cost analysis perspective, trade logistics costs eased sharply as the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index fell from 2.6 in 2022 to 0.9 in 2023, yet OECD estimates still show non-tariff measures add an average 7.0% to trade costs in 2023.
09 · Category
Technology & Compliance2 stats
01
2023: 12.0 GW of renewable capacity under development in major port-adjacent industrial clusters was announced, reflecting decarbonization investment pressures on trade-linked logistics (industry energy transition report).
02
In 2022, ISO 28000-certified supply chain security management adoption reached 5,600 certificates worldwide (ISO survey for supply chain security standard).
Interpretation
Technology & Compliance Interpretation
For the Technology and Compliance angle, the momentum is clear as 12.0 GW of renewable capacity is being lined up in major port-adjacent industrial clusters in 2023 while supply chain security technology is scaling with ISO 28000 adoption reaching 5,600 certificates worldwide in 2022.
10 · Category
Industry Trends2 stats
01
2023: 21.6% of surveyed importers reported using AI-enabled customs or trade compliance checks (industry survey by logistics tech publisher).
02
2024: Sanctions-related trade compliance costs increased by 8% year-over-year for multinational shippers (industry compliance benchmarking report).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
In current industry trends for global trade, adoption of AI in customs and trade compliance is already at 21.6% among surveyed importers in 2023 while sanctions-related compliance costs rose 8% year over year in 2024, signaling strong pressure to modernize compliance as costs climb.
report visual · Key figures
Global Trade Momentum (2022–2023)
Recent estimates point to renewed growth in global merchandise trade volumes alongside evolving trade pressure and logistics conditions.
4.7%
4.7% expected growth in global merchandise trade volume in 2022 (UNCTAD estimate)
8%
8.0% year-over-year growth in global merchandise trade volume in 2023 (WTO estimate)
2.3%
In 2023, global merchandise trade volumes grew by 2.3% (World Bank forecast update relative to 2022).
2.6
The Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) averaged 2.6 in 2022 and then eased to 0.9 in 2023, indicating improved t
source-verifiedunctad.org · wto.org · worldbank.org · newyorkfed.org2023
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Global Trade Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/global-trade-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "Global Trade Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/global-trade-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Global Trade Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/global-trade-statistics.
Sources & references
42 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+27 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)