SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Ministry of Commerce & Industry,
UNCTAD has released a Primer on Data for Trade in Services and Development Policies to help governments, researchers, and international organizations navigate more than 20 global datasets on services trade. The publication highlights persistent gaps in bilateral data, limited coverage of digitally deliverable services, and the lack of granularity in national reporting. By providing guidance on Extended Balance of Payments Services (EBOPS) classifications, Balance of Payments statistics, and resources such as TiSSTAT and UNCTADstat, the Primer enables countries to better measure services flows, integrate them into national accounts, and design policies that align with development goals. Between 2014 and 2024, services exports grew at 5.3 percent annually compared to 2.5 percent for goods, while digitally deliverable services expanded even faster, underlining the urgency of stronger statistical capacity.
Robust services trade data is critical for evidence-based policymaking, especially as developing countries seek to diversify beyond goods exports. Accurate, timely, and comparable datasets will support better trade negotiations, inform industrial and digital policy, and ensure that growth in services contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.
Follow the full report here:
https://unctad.org/publication/primer-data-trade-services-and-development-policies