Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Middle in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Middle was 3.9% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Middle in Saudi Arabia, 1964–2023
Source: Staff estimates, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total merchandise imports.
Analysis
The most recent figure for merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in middle in Saudi Arabia is 3.9%, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 19.6% on the previous year and up 53.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in middle in Saudi Arabia peaked at 21.5% in 1974 and was at its lowest, 1.4%, in 1985.
That places Saudi Arabia 22nd out of 203 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Middle in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % of total merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 13.9% | — |
| 1965 | 17.3% | +24.3% |
| 1966 | 13.2% | -23.2% |
| 1967 | 13.0% | -1.6% |
| 1968 | 16.2% | +24.5% |
| 1969 | 15.1% | -7.1% |
| 1970 | 16.1% | +6.5% |
| 1971 | 17.5% | +8.8% |
| 1972 | 16.9% | -3.1% |
| 1973 | 17.0% | +0.3% |
| 1974 | 21.5% | +26.7% |
| 1975 | 17.4% | -19.1% |
| 1976 | 12.2% | -29.7% |
| 1977 | 7.9% | -35.3% |
| 1978 | 2.9% | -62.8% |
| 1979 | 2.8% | -5.4% |
| 1980 | 2.4% | -15.1% |
| 1981 | 2.4% | +3.6% |
| 1982 | 1.7% | -30.6% |
| 1983 | 1.5% | -10.9% |
| 1984 | 1.5% | -2.9% |
| 1985 | 1.4% | -4.0% |
| 1986 | 1.6% | +13.3% |
| 1987 | 1.8% | +12.7% |
| 1988 | 2.3% | +26.4% |
| 1989 | 2.4% | +3.4% |
| 1990 | 2.6% | +9.6% |
| 1991 | 2.5% | -1.9% |
| 1992 | 2.2% | -13.4% |
| 1993 | 2.8% | +25.8% |
| 1994 | 3.1% | +10.4% |
| 1995 | 2.8% | -9.8% |
| 1996 | 3.1% | +13.2% |
| 1997 | 2.7% | -11.8% |
| 1998 | 2.9% | +5.3% |
| 1999 | 3.6% | +25.7% |
| 2000 | 2.7% | -26.6% |
| 2001 | 3.3% | +22.3% |
| 2002 | 3.8% | +15.3% |
| 2003 | 3.4% | -9.4% |
| 2004 | 3.8% | +9.9% |
| 2005 | 4.3% | +15.2% |
| 2006 | 3.6% | -15.8% |
| 2007 | 3.4% | -6.7% |
| 2008 | 3.4% | -0.5% |
| 2009 | 3.4% | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 3.4% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 2.9% | -12.6% |
| 2012 | 2.7% | -8.6% |
| 2013 | 2.6% | -4.6% |
| 2014 | 2.6% | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 2.6% | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 2.9% | +11.3% |
| 2017 | 3.1% | +5.2% |
| 2018 | 2.5% | -18.3% |
| 2019 | 3.1% | +23.6% |
| 2020 | 3.5% | +14.4% |
| 2021 | 4.3% | +21.0% |
| 2022 | 4.9% | +14.2% |
| 2023 | 3.9% | -19.6% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 3.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 0.4%, 10.5× the median. (72 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 3.9% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 3.3%, 1.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 14.8% | 13.0% | 17.3% | 6 |
| 1970s | 13.2% | 2.8% | 21.5% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.9% | 1.4% | 2.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.8% | 2.2% | 3.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.5% | 2.7% | 4.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.8% | 2.5% | 3.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.2% | 3.5% | 4.9% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More private sector data for Saudi Arabia
- Merchandise trade 44.2% (2025)
- Food imports 13.0% (2024)
- Manufactures imports 70.5% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 254.06 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 1.9% (2024)
- Manufactures exports 15.9% (2024)
- Merchandise exports 310.67 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 8,403 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.2433 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), annual growth rate 1.69 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in middle in Saudi Arabia?
- Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in middle in Saudi Arabia was 3.9% in 2023, according to Staff estimates, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in middle recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 21.5% in 1974.
- What is the lowest merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in middle recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.4% in 1985.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in middle?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 22nd out of 203 countries with data for 2023.
- Is merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in middle rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), published as part of Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Middle East & North Africa (% of total merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Middle East and North Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Middle East and North Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.