WTO experts analyzed the impact of geopolitical and macroeconomic crises on world trade and global supply chains in 2022–2023.

The report presents the main statistical indicators by geographic origin, main product groups and sectors. The authors focus on GDP dynamics, commodity prices and exchange rate fluctuations.

Despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth of global debt and the tightening of monetary policy, the pace of international trade is increasing, acting as the main driver of the recovery in economic activity in the world. The organization estimates that global trade in goods grew by 2.7% in 2022, and in services by 15%. Digital services are a new source of growth: 54% of global service exports and 12% of total global trade.

Exports of goods and services from the least developed countries (LDCs) increased by 31% in the period 2019-2022, exports of goods during this period grew by 41% in value terms. Tourism services exports from Asian LDCs in 2022 were 74% lower than in 2019. In contrast, tourism services exports from African LDCs performed relatively well, only 9% below pre-COVID-19 levels.