Bangladesh Trade Openness
Trade as % of GDP NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS
Bangladesh's trade openness was 30.39% in 2025, ranked 174th globally. This represents a 13.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's trade openness stood at 30.39% in 2025, a rise of +3.61% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 30.39% by 2025. Bangladesh ranked 174th globally.
Bangladesh’s trade openness, measured as the sum of exports and imports relative to GDP, has risen from 19.30 in 1960 to 30.39 in 2025, placing the country 174th globally. The indicator peaked at 48.11 in 2012, reflecting a period of accelerated export diversification and liberalised import policies, before receding to its current level. The all‑time trough of 11.00 in 1975 coincided with post‑war reconstruction and limited foreign exchange, underscoring how macro‑economic instability constrained external trade. Compared with peers, Bangladesh’s 2025 openness is slightly below Turkmenistan’s 29.83 and well under Brazil’s 36.38, suggesting room for further integration into global markets. Over the 66‑year series, the upward trajectory indicates a gradual opening, yet the gap between the 2012 peak and present levels signals that policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and diversification of export baskets will be decisive in sustaining higher openness in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Openness | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 31.24% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 30.82% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 30.39% | - | - |
| 2025 | 30.39% | +3.61% | #174 |
| 2024 | 26.78% | −4.20% | #4 |
| 2023 | 30.98% | −2.80% | #6 |
| 2022 | 33.78% | +6.06% | #5 |
| 2021 | 27.72% | +1.45% | #4 |
| 2020 | 26.27% | −5.31% | #4 |
| 2019 | 31.58% | −0.94% | #6 |
| 2018 | 32.51% | +2.51% | #7 |
| 2017 | 30.00% | −1.33% | #7 |
| 2016 | 31.33% | −10.75% | #12 |
| 2015 | 42.09% | −2.43% | #23 |
| 2014 | 44.51% | −1.78% | #18 |
| 2013 | 46.30% | −1.81% | #24 |
| 2012 | 48.11% | +0.69% | #25 |
| 2011 | 47.42% | +9.62% | #23 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw trade openness improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh's trade openness was 30.39% in 2025. Ranked 174th globally. This represents a 13.5% increase from the previous year.
Bangladesh's trade openness peaked at 48.11% in 2012.
The lowest trade openness in Bangladesh was 11.00% in 1975.
Bangladesh ranks 174th globally in trade openness as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bangladesh's trade openness is projected to reach 30.39% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade openness of Bangladesh in 2025 was 30.39%. This ranks 174th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_trade-openness,
title = {Bangladesh Trade Openness},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/trade-openness/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}