UNCTAD Report Highlights Services Reshaping Global Trade, but Least Developed Countries Lag in Digital Exports

A new Global Trade Update from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) indicates that services are increasingly reshaping global trade, now accounting for 71% of global intermediate inputs and with their share of global exports rising to 27% in 2025. Digitally deliverable services have grown at an average of 7.1% annually over the past decade and now constitute 56% of global services exports. However, the report notes that least developed countries (LDCs) are lagging, with their share of global services exports falling to 0.6% and digitally deliverable services making up only 16% of their services exports, compared to 61% in developed economies. Connectivity, payment, and skills gaps continue to hinder LDCs' participation in digital trade.