World exports of ICT services vs. goods
This chart compares how fast the world’s exports of ICT services (computer, telecommunications and information services sold across borders) have grown against its exports of goods, with both set to 100 in 2005. The figures are the World Bank’s world totals from balance-of-payments data in current US dollars, so they include price and exchange-rate changes. ICT services are still a small slice of trade, about 5% of goods exports in 2024, up from under 2% in 2005.
What does it show?
World ICT services exports grew about 7.2-fold from 2005 to 2024, to $1,280 billion, while goods exports grew 2.3-fold (nominal US dollars), though ICT services are still only about 5% the size of goods exports.
Methodology
World aggregates of two World Bank World Development Indicators, both on the IMF balance-of-payments basis in current US dollars: ICT service exports (BX.GSR.CCIS.CD: computer, telecommunications, postal and courier, and information services) and goods exports (BX.GSR.MRCH.CD). Each is divided by its own 2005 value and multiplied by 100, so the lines compare growth, not size: in 2005 ICT services exports were about 1.7% of goods exports and in 2024 about 5.4%. Values are nominal dollars, so price changes, including commodity prices in goods, and exchange rates move both lines. The World totals are the World Bank's published aggregates and the set of reporting economies changes over time; over a fixed set of 131 economies reporting both series every year, ICT services exports grew 7.0-fold and goods 2.3-fold. Ireland, where several large technology multinationals book international sales, rose from 11% to 24% of world ICT services exports; without it, ICT services exports grew 6.2-fold. Balance-of-payments services records miss some cross-border digital work, such as freelancers paid directly. 2024 is the latest year with a World figure for ICT services.