Imports of goods and services in South Asia
South Asia: Imports of goods and services was 23.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Imports of goods and services in South Asia, 1960–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs). Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for imports of goods and services in South Asia is 23.5%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 1.0% on the previous year and up 3.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, imports of goods and services in South Asia peaked at 31.4% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 5.3%, in 1972.
South Asia ranks 41st of 45 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Imports of goods and services in South Asia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 8.2% | — |
| 1961 | 7.5% | -8.3% |
| 1962 | 7.4% | -0.9% |
| 1963 | 7.2% | -3.4% |
| 1964 | 7.1% | -1.5% |
| 1965 | 6.6% | -6.1% |
| 1966 | 8.2% | +23.0% |
| 1967 | 7.4% | -9.0% |
| 1968 | 6.4% | -13.8% |
| 1969 | 5.7% | -10.9% |
| 1970 | 5.8% | +2.2% |
| 1971 | 5.6% | -4.5% |
| 1972 | 5.3% | -5.6% |
| 1973 | 6.1% | +15.8% |
| 1974 | 7.5% | +23.4% |
| 1975 | 8.0% | +6.1% |
| 1976 | 8.1% | +1.8% |
| 1977 | 7.6% | -6.0% |
| 1978 | 8.2% | +7.1% |
| 1979 | 9.8% | +20.4% |
| 1980 | 11.2% | +13.3% |
| 1981 | 10.1% | -9.0% |
| 1982 | 9.9% | -2.9% |
| 1983 | 9.4% | -4.8% |
| 1984 | 9.2% | -2.3% |
| 1985 | 9.1% | -0.9% |
| 1986 | 8.3% | -8.0% |
| 1987 | 8.2% | -1.2% |
| 1988 | 8.8% | +6.5% |
| 1989 | 9.5% | +7.8% |
| 1990 | 9.8% | +3.6% |
| 1991 | 10.1% | +2.9% |
| 1992 | 11.1% | +10.3% |
| 1993 | 11.7% | +5.3% |
| 1994 | 12.1% | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 14.1% | +16.5% |
| 1996 | 13.5% | -4.0% |
| 1997 | 13.8% | +2.3% |
| 1998 | 14.4% | +4.6% |
| 1999 | 15.0% | +3.8% |
| 2000 | 15.8% | +5.2% |
| 2001 | 15.3% | -3.1% |
| 2002 | 16.5% | +8.2% |
| 2003 | 16.8% | +1.6% |
| 2004 | 20.4% | +21.5% |
| 2005 | 23.2% | +13.6% |
| 2006 | 25.2% | +8.7% |
| 2007 | 25.6% | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 29.8% | +16.3% |
| 2009 | 26.2% | -11.8% |
| 2010 | 27.0% | +3.0% |
| 2011 | 31.2% | +15.6% |
| 2012 | 31.4% | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 28.6% | -8.8% |
| 2014 | 26.3% | -8.1% |
| 2015 | 22.8% | -13.5% |
| 2016 | 21.0% | -7.7% |
| 2017 | 21.9% | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 23.7% | +8.4% |
| 2019 | 21.4% | -9.7% |
| 2020 | 19.0% | -11.4% |
| 2021 | 23.5% | +23.6% |
| 2022 | 26.2% | +11.7% |
| 2023 | 23.5% | -10.4% |
| 2024 | 23.2% | -1.1% |
| 2025 | 23.5% | +1.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 7.2% | 5.7% | 8.2% | 10 |
| 1970s | 7.2% | 5.3% | 9.8% | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.4% | 8.2% | 11.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 12.6% | 9.8% | 15.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 21.5% | 15.3% | 29.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.5% | 21.0% | 31.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 23.1% | 19.0% | 26.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
- 38 Bahrain 70.0% compare
- 39 Netherlands 69.5% compare
- 40 Lithuania 69.1% compare
- 41 Switzerland 69.1% compare
- 42 Hungary 68.1% compare
- 43 Afghanistan 68.1% compare
- 44 Cambodia 67.4% compare
More economy & growth data for South Asia
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) 1,589 current US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 6.17 % change on previous year (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 0.0821 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 221.99 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) 5.38 % change on previous year (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) 0.5874 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 0.5559 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Final consumption expenditure (current US$), annual growth rate 5.44 % change on previous year (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 1,504 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 275.19 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is imports of goods and services in South Asia?
- Imports of goods and services in South Asia was 23.5% in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs).
- What is the highest imports of goods and services recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 31.4% in 2012.
- What is the lowest imports of goods and services recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.3% in 1972.
- How does South Asia rank for imports of goods and services?
- South Asia ranks 41st out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is imports of goods and services rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Asia data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), published as part of Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Imports of goods includes change in the economic ownership of goods from non-residents to residents of the compiling economy, irrespective of physical movement of goods across national borders. Imports of services includes services provided by non-residents to residents. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.