Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global in Asia

Asia: Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global was 38.7% in 2024. ▲ Rising

Latest (2024)
38.7%
Change on year
up 2.2%
Rank
3rd
of 25 regions
All-time high
39.0%
in 2021
All-time low
26.7%
in 2001
Years of data
25
2000–2024

Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global in Asia, 2000–2024

0102030402000201220242000: 27.52001: 26.72002: 27.42003: 27.92004: 29.12005: 29.92006: 30.12007: 30.32008: 31.82009: 332010: 35.42011: 36.42012: 37.62013: 382014: 37.82015: 37.32016: 36.72017: 37.62018: 37.92019: 37.82020: 38.22021: 392022: 38.22023: 37.92024: 38.7

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

In 2024, developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global in Asia stood at 38.7%.

The figure is up 2.2% on the previous year and up 2.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global in Asia peaked at 39.0% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 26.7%, in 2001.

That places Asia 3rd out of 25 regions with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 25 years of available data.

Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global in Asia, year by year

Annual values for Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global merchandise imports (%) in Asia, 2000 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2000 27.5%
2001 26.7% -2.7%
2002 27.4% +2.3%
2003 27.9% +2.1%
2004 29.1% +4.3%
2005 29.9% +2.5%
2006 30.1% +0.9%
2007 30.3% +0.6%
2008 31.8% +4.8%
2009 33.0% +3.8%
2010 35.4% +7.3%
2011 36.4% +2.8%
2012 37.6% +3.4%
2013 38.0% +0.9%
2014 37.8% -0.5%
2015 37.3% -1.1%
2016 36.7% -1.8%
2017 37.6% +2.5%
2018 37.9% +0.9%
2019 37.8% -0.2%
2020 38.2% +0.9%
2021 39.0% +2.3%
2022 38.2% -2.2%
2023 37.9% -0.8%
2024 38.7% +2.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 29.4% 26.7% 33.0% 10
2010s 37.2% 35.4% 38.0% 10
2020s 38.4% 37.9% 39.0% 5

Countries ranked near Asia

  1. 1 China 10.4% compare
  2. 2 Germany 5.7% compare
  3. 3 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 3.3% compare
  4. 4 Netherlands (Kingdom of the) 3.3% compare
  5. 5 France 3.0% compare
  6. 6 Japan 3.0% compare

See the full ranking of 262 places →

More infrastructure data for Asia

All data for Asia →

Frequently asked questions

What is developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global in Asia?
Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global in Asia was 38.7% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global recorded in Asia?
The highest recorded value was 39.0% in 2021.
What is the lowest developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global recorded in Asia?
The lowest recorded value was 26.7% in 2001.
How does Asia rank for developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global?
Asia ranks 3rd out of 25 regions with data for 2024.
Is developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global rising or falling in Asia?
Over the last ten years it is up 2.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Asia data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global merchandise imports (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global in Asia. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 22 August 2026, from https://infrastructure.statizoid.com/stat/developing-countries-and-least-developed-countries-share-of-global-merchandise-imports/asia/

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About this data

Indicator
Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global merchandise imports (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
262 places, 6,425 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed