International trade in ICT services

The indicator shows the share of information and communications technology (ICT) services in a country's imports and exports. TIt therefore provides insight into the relevance of ICT services for a given location. Compared to goods, services are becoming increasingly important in global trade, a trend that is further reinforced by new technologies and digitalization. ICT services are considered to have significant growth potential.

In 2023, the export of ICT services worldwide slightly increased again, however without returning to the peak level of 14 % seen in 2020 and 2021. The highest shares of ICT service exports among all service exports in a country were most recently reported in Ireland and Kuwait, at around 59% and 46%, followed by Angola and Ukraine. Germany, with its relatively weakly positioned services sector, is not among the frontrunners. Among European countries, Ireland, Finland and Cyprus recorded the most significant increases in their ICT exports.

Outside of Europe, Brazil and Botswana account for the largest share of ICT service imports in total service imports, at around 14 %, followed by New Zealand and Japan. Within Europe, Cyprus showed the highest share of ICT service imports among all service imports, at around 28%.

International trade in ICT services

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