Which country has the largest trade surplus?

Germany consistently has one of the largest trade surpluses at approximately 6.5% of GDP.

Why does the US have a trade deficit?

The US runs a large trade deficit (~3.7% of GDP) because of strong consumer demand, the dollar's reserve currency status, and the shift of manufacturing overseas.

Global Average Trade Balance

Last updated: February 1, 2026

-1.2%

% of GDP

The global average trade balance is approximately -1.2% of GDP, meaning most countries import slightly more than they export. Major exporters like Germany (+6.5%) and China (+2.8%) contrast with importers like the US (-3.7%) and UK (-2.1%).

Why This Average Exists

Trade balance data reveals economic competitiveness, manufacturing strength, and dependency on imports for essential goods.

Factors That Affect Global Average Trade Balance

Manufacturing competitiveness
Currency valuation
Trade agreements
Natural resources
Consumer demand
Supply chain location

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2023–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.