External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Canada
Canada: External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP was -0.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Canada, 1961–2025
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Canada is -0.8%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 361.5% on the previous year and up 65.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Canada peaked at 5.7% in 2001 and was at its lowest, -2.5%, in 2015.
That places Canada 85th out of 191 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Canada, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | -0.6% | — |
| 1962 | -0.4% | -43.1% |
| 1963 | 0.5% | -245.0% |
| 1964 | 1.0% | +82.0% |
| 1965 | -0.3% | -132.1% |
| 1966 | -0.2% | -41.0% |
| 1967 | 0.8% | -511.5% |
| 1968 | 0.9% | +21.7% |
| 1969 | -0.2% | -121.5% |
| 1970 | 2.2% | -1211.2% |
| 1971 | 1.3% | -40.6% |
| 1972 | 0.6% | -55.6% |
| 1973 | 1.1% | +88.3% |
| 1974 | -0.1% | -108.9% |
| 1975 | -1.9% | +1891.9% |
| 1976 | -0.9% | -53.5% |
| 1977 | -0.4% | -60.6% |
| 1978 | 0.2% | -161.4% |
| 1979 | 0.4% | +92.7% |
| 1980 | 1.7% | +305.0% |
| 1981 | 0.7% | -60.7% |
| 1982 | 3.8% | +465.3% |
| 1983 | 3.1% | -16.7% |
| 1984 | 3.4% | +8.1% |
| 1985 | 2.3% | -33.7% |
| 1986 | 0.9% | -59.6% |
| 1987 | 1.1% | +25.3% |
| 1988 | 0.7% | -35.1% |
| 1989 | 0.0% | -96.5% |
| 1990 | 0.2% | +491.5% |
| 1991 | -0.5% | -435.3% |
| 1992 | -0.3% | -34.3% |
| 1993 | 0.0% | -110.1% |
| 1994 | 1.2% | +3305.6% |
| 1995 | 3.1% | +167.5% |
| 1996 | 3.9% | +25.6% |
| 1997 | 1.9% | -51.0% |
| 1998 | 2.0% | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 3.6% | +82.4% |
| 2000 | 5.7% | +56.7% |
| 2001 | 5.7% | +1.5% |
| 2002 | 4.4% | -23.1% |
| 2003 | 3.9% | -11.8% |
| 2004 | 4.5% | +14.7% |
| 2005 | 4.0% | -11.4% |
| 2006 | 2.8% | -30.4% |
| 2007 | 2.2% | -21.0% |
| 2008 | 1.8% | -18.8% |
| 2009 | -1.4% | -181.7% |
| 2010 | -1.9% | +29.8% |
| 2011 | -1.1% | -39.0% |
| 2012 | -1.9% | +65.5% |
| 2013 | -1.6% | -17.1% |
| 2014 | -0.9% | -42.2% |
| 2015 | -2.5% | +172.2% |
| 2016 | -2.4% | -4.3% |
| 2017 | -2.2% | -7.1% |
| 2018 | -1.9% | -11.1% |
| 2019 | -1.5% | -24.8% |
| 2020 | -2.2% | +50.7% |
| 2021 | 0.1% | -104.7% |
| 2022 | 0.5% | +373.5% |
| 2023 | 0.1% | -77.8% |
| 2024 | -0.2% | -268.5% |
| 2025 | -0.8% | +361.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0.2% | -0.6% | 1.0% | 9 |
| 1970s | 0.3% | -1.9% | 2.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.8% | 0.0% | 3.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.5% | -0.5% | 3.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.3% | -1.4% | 5.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | -1.8% | -2.5% | -0.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.4% | -2.2% | 0.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More economy & growth data for Canada
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.8812 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.66 Percent per annum (2029)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current LCU) 4.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current LCU) 0.7799 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current LCU) 43,439 current LCU per person (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 2.32 % change on previous year (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 0.4843 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 26,972 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Final consumption expenditure (current US$), annual growth rate 3.06 % change on previous year (2025)
- Final consumption expenditure (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.7769 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Canada?
- External balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Canada was -0.8% in 2025, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 5.7% in 2001.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.5% in 2015.
- How does Canada rank for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp?
- Canada ranks 85th out of 191 countries with data for 2025.
- Is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 65.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Exports of goods and services minus imports of goods and services divided by gross domestic product, expressed as a percentage.