External balance on goods and services in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: External balance on goods and services was -20.83 billion constant LCU in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
-20.83 billion constant LCU
Change on year
down 257.2%
World rank
96th
of 161 countries
All-time high
56.99 billion constant LCU
in 1997
All-time low
-23.88 billion constant LCU
in 2016
Years of data
56
1970–2025
External balance on goods and services in United Kingdom, 1970–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in constant LCU.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external balance on goods and services in United Kingdom is -20.83 billion constant LCU, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 257.2% on the previous year and down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services in United Kingdom peaked at 56.99 billion constant LCU in 1997 and was at its lowest, -23.88 billion constant LCU, in 2016.
That places United Kingdom 96th out of 161 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 in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | constant LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 17.02 billion constant LCU | — |
| 1971 | 19.54 billion constant LCU | +14.8% |
| 1972 | 11.63 billion constant LCU | -40.5% |
| 1973 | 14.19 billion constant LCU | +22.0% |
| 1974 | 22.31 billion constant LCU | +57.2% |
| 1975 | 25.76 billion constant LCU | +15.5% |
| 1976 | 32.29 billion constant LCU | +25.3% |
| 1977 | 40.02 billion constant LCU | +24.0% |
| 1978 | 38.63 billion constant LCU | -3.5% |
| 1979 | 33.17 billion constant LCU | -14.1% |
| 1980 | 37.23 billion constant LCU | +12.2% |
| 1981 | 39.84 billion constant LCU | +7.0% |
| 1982 | 35.66 billion constant LCU | -10.5% |
| 1983 | 30.59 billion constant LCU | -14.2% |
| 1984 | 28.41 billion constant LCU | -7.1% |
| 1985 | 35.04 billion constant LCU | +23.3% |
| 1986 | 32.36 billion constant LCU | -7.6% |
| 1987 | 30.96 billion constant LCU | -4.3% |
| 1988 | 9.71 billion constant LCU | -68.6% |
| 1989 | 4.47 billion constant LCU | -53.9% |
| 1990 | 14.76 billion constant LCU | +230.0% |
| 1991 | 24.52 billion constant LCU | +66.1% |
| 1992 | 21.01 billion constant LCU | -14.3% |
| 1993 | 24.66 billion constant LCU | +17.4% |
| 1994 | 34.38 billion constant LCU | +39.4% |
| 1995 | 46.98 billion constant LCU | +36.6% |
| 1996 | 45.01 billion constant LCU | -4.2% |
| 1997 | 56.99 billion constant LCU | +26.6% |
| 1998 | 44.84 billion constant LCU | -21.3% |
| 1999 | 33.51 billion constant LCU | -25.3% |
| 2000 | 39.07 billion constant LCU | +16.6% |
| 2001 | 25.56 billion constant LCU | -34.6% |
| 2002 | 10.86 billion constant LCU | -57.5% |
| 2003 | 10.93 billion constant LCU | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 1.90 billion constant LCU | -82.6% |
| 2005 | 2.81 billion constant LCU | +47.5% |
| 2006 | 11.39 billion constant LCU | +306.0% |
| 2007 | 8.68 billion constant LCU | -23.8% |
| 2008 | 29.83 billion constant LCU | +243.6% |
| 2009 | 23.83 billion constant LCU | -20.1% |
| 2010 | 13.02 billion constant LCU | -45.4% |
| 2011 | 35.53 billion constant LCU | +172.8% |
| 2012 | 26.27 billion constant LCU | -26.1% |
| 2013 | 10.96 billion constant LCU | -58.3% |
| 2014 | -10.38 billion constant LCU | -194.6% |
| 2015 | -18.52 billion constant LCU | +78.5% |
| 2016 | -23.88 billion constant LCU | +28.9% |
| 2017 | -2.94 billion constant LCU | -87.7% |
| 2018 | -171.23 million constant LCU | -94.2% |
| 2019 | -8.54 billion constant LCU | +4890.1% |
| 2020 | 15.67 billion constant LCU | -283.4% |
| 2021 | 1.13 billion constant LCU | -92.8% |
| 2022 | 9.79 billion constant LCU | +767.9% |
| 2023 | 4.03 billion constant LCU | -58.9% |
| 2024 | -5.83 billion constant LCU | -244.7% |
| 2025 | -20.83 billion constant LCU | +257.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 25.46 billion constant LCU | 11.63 billion constant LCU | 40.02 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 1980s | 28.43 billion constant LCU | 4.47 billion constant LCU | 39.84 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 1990s | 34.67 billion constant LCU | 14.76 billion constant LCU | 56.99 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.49 billion constant LCU | 1.90 billion constant LCU | 39.07 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.14 billion constant LCU | -23.88 billion constant LCU | 35.53 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2020s | 658.83 million constant LCU | -20.83 billion constant LCU | 15.67 billion constant LCU | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More economy & growth data for United Kingdom
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.14 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.42 Percent per annum (2029)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), annual growth 5.13 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per unit of GDP 0.6852 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per capita 39,472 current LCU per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), annual 1.41 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per unit 0.7556 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per 43,524 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant LCU), annual growth 1.41 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant LCU), per unit of 0.5615 constant LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services in United Kingdom?
- External balance on goods and services in United Kingdom was -20.83 billion constant LCU in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 56.99 billion constant LCU in 1997.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was -23.88 billion constant LCU in 2016.
- How does United Kingdom rank for external balance on goods and services?
- United Kingdom ranks 96th out of 161 countries with data for 2025.
- Is external balance on goods and services rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as part of External balance on goods and services (constant LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The balance of international trade in goods and services is the difference between the exports and imports of goods and services. This indicator is expressed in constant prices, meaning the series has been adjusted to account for price changes over time. The reference year for this adjustment varies by country. This series is expressed in local currency units.