Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South in China
China: Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South was 1.0% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South in China, 1961–2023
Source: Staff estimates, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total merchandise imports.
Analysis
China recorded 1.0% for merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south in 2023.
The figure is up 10.4% on the previous year and down 19.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south in China peaked at 4.6% in 1961 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 1987.
China ranks 162nd of 205 countries on this measure, in the bottom 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 South in China, year by year
| Year | % of total merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 4.6% | — |
| 1978 | 1.1% | -76.4% |
| 1979 | 0.7% | -39.9% |
| 1980 | 1.4% | +108.4% |
| 1981 | 2.4% | +76.9% |
| 1982 | 1.5% | -39.3% |
| 1983 | 1.1% | -25.7% |
| 1984 | 0.6% | -45.9% |
| 1985 | 0.3% | -46.7% |
| 1986 | 0.3% | -4.4% |
| 1987 | 0.3% | -12.2% |
| 1988 | 0.4% | +58.9% |
| 1989 | 0.7% | +67.4% |
| 1990 | 0.4% | -39.5% |
| 1991 | 0.4% | -12.1% |
| 1992 | 0.4% | -2.8% |
| 1993 | 0.5% | +45.0% |
| 1994 | 0.5% | -12.2% |
| 1995 | 0.5% | +15.5% |
| 1996 | 0.8% | +53.4% |
| 1997 | 1.0% | +18.4% |
| 1998 | 1.0% | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 0.8% | -20.4% |
| 2000 | 0.9% | +12.0% |
| 2001 | 1.0% | +13.4% |
| 2002 | 1.0% | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 1.3% | +22.5% |
| 2004 | 1.6% | +27.1% |
| 2005 | 1.8% | +10.9% |
| 2006 | 1.6% | -8.9% |
| 2007 | 1.8% | +13.2% |
| 2008 | 2.1% | +13.2% |
| 2009 | 1.7% | -20.1% |
| 2010 | 1.8% | +9.3% |
| 2011 | 1.6% | -10.1% |
| 2012 | 1.4% | -16.0% |
| 2013 | 1.2% | -13.0% |
| 2014 | 1.1% | -5.3% |
| 2015 | 1.2% | +3.3% |
| 2016 | 1.0% | -12.8% |
| 2017 | 1.1% | +12.4% |
| 2018 | 1.1% | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 1.1% | -2.5% |
| 2020 | 1.3% | +13.8% |
| 2021 | 1.3% | +5.9% |
| 2022 | 0.9% | -34.5% |
| 2023 | 1.0% | +10.4% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 1.0% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.0%, 47% of the median. (59 countries reporting)
- China's 1.0% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.0%, 98% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 4.6% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 1 |
| 1970s | 0.9% | 0.7% | 1.1% | 2 |
| 1980s | 0.9% | 0.3% | 2.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.6% | 0.4% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.5% | 0.9% | 2.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.3% | 1.0% | 1.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.1% | 0.9% | 1.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
More private sector data for China
- Merchandise trade 32.6% (2025)
- Food imports 8.1% (2024)
- Manufactures imports 49.3% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 2.58 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 2.4% (2024)
- Manufactures exports 91.2% (2024)
- Merchandise exports 3.77 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 2,682 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1934 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), annual growth rate 5.48 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south in China?
- Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south in China was 1.0% in 2023, according to Staff estimates, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 4.6% in 1961.
- What is the lowest merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 1987.
- How does China rank for merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south?
- China ranks 162nd out of 205 countries with data for 2023.
- Is merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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 South Asia (% 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 South Asia are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the South Asia 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.