Iran, Islamic Republic of Trade Openness
Trade as % of GDP NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS
Iran, Islamic Republic of's trade openness was 54.31% in 2025, ranked 141st globally. This represents a 4.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's trade openness stood at 54.31% in 2025, a rise of +2.25% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 54.31% by 2025. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 141st globally.
Iran’s trade openness has risen from 31.24 in 1960 to 54.31 in 2025, placing it 141st globally and aligning it closely with peers such as New Zealand (54.43) and the Dominican Republic (54.14). The indicator peaked at 76.12 in 1975, a period of rapid oil‑fuelled export growth, before collapsing to a trough of 14.14 in 1986 amid war‑induced sanctions and disrupted supply chains. Over the 66‑year series, the long‑term trajectory has been upward, reflecting successive liberalisation reforms and diversification efforts beyond hydrocarbons, yet the current level remains well below the 1975 high. Structural constraints, including persistent sanctions and limited non‑oil export capacity, continue to dampen further integration. If Iran can expand its manufacturing base, improve customs efficiency, and secure broader international market access, trade openness is likely to continue its gradual rise, potentially approaching the mid‑70s benchmark in the coming decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Openness | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 58.92% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 56.62% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 54.31% | - | - |
| 2025 | 54.31% | +2.25% | #141 |
| 2024 | 52.06% | +2.67% | #42 |
| 2023 | 49.39% | +0.48% | #35 |
| 2022 | 48.92% | +6.25% | #29 |
| 2021 | 42.67% | −1.21% | #24 |
| 2020 | 43.88% | −4.71% | #33 |
| 2019 | 48.59% | −8.02% | #34 |
| 2018 | 56.62% | +13.46% | #47 |
| 2017 | 43.16% | +3.28% | #25 |
| 2016 | 39.88% | +0.45% | #21 |
| 2015 | 39.42% | −5.93% | #16 |
| 2014 | 45.35% | −1.74% | #19 |
| 2013 | 47.09% | +3.00% | #25 |
| 2012 | 44.09% | +2.87% | #17 |
| 2011 | 41.22% | −2.55% | #13 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw trade openness improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iran, Islamic Republic of's trade openness was 54.31% in 2025. Ranked 141st globally. This represents a 4.3% increase from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's trade openness peaked at 76.12% in 1975.
The lowest trade openness in Iran, Islamic Republic of was 14.14% in 1986.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 141st globally in trade openness as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's trade openness is projected to reach 54.31% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade openness of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was 54.31%. This ranks 141st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_trade-openness,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of Trade Openness},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/trade-openness/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}