New Zealand Trade Openness
Trade as % of GDP NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS
New Zealand's trade openness was 54.43% in 2025, ranked 140th globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
New Zealand's trade openness stood at 54.43% in 2025, a rise of +3.21% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 54.43% by 2025. New Zealand ranked 140th globally.
New Zealand’s trade openness, measured as the sum of exports and imports as a share of GDP, has risen from 47.16 in 1970 to a peak of 68.52 in 2000 before falling to a trough of 43.98 in 2020, reflecting the impact of the global financial crisis and pandemic‑related disruptions. By 2025 the indicator recovered to 54.43, placing the country at 140th in the world and closely aligned with peers such as Peru (54.79) and Iran (54.31). The post‑2000 decline contrasts with the earlier liberalisation wave that expanded New Zealand’s external sector, while the recent rebound suggests a re‑integration into global value chains driven by renewed commodity demand and trade‑facilitating reforms. Continued diversification of export markets and investment in high‑value services could sustain this upward trajectory, whereas protectionist shifts or supply‑chain shocks would likely reverse the modest gains observed since 2020.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Openness | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 57.70% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 56.07% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 54.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 54.43% | +3.21% | #140 |
| 2024 | 51.22% | +0.82% | #38 |
| 2023 | 50.41% | −3.07% | #38 |
| 2022 | 53.48% | +4.93% | #37 |
| 2021 | 48.54% | +4.56% | #36 |
| 2020 | 43.98% | −10.48% | #34 |
| 2019 | 54.45% | −1.31% | #44 |
| 2018 | 55.77% | +1.62% | #43 |
| 2017 | 54.14% | +1.74% | #46 |
| 2016 | 52.41% | −2.45% | #44 |
| 2015 | 54.85% | −0.25% | #46 |
| 2014 | 55.10% | −0.89% | #42 |
| 2013 | 55.99% | −0.92% | #41 |
| 2012 | 56.91% | −2.26% | #41 |
| 2011 | 59.17% | +1.07% | #48 |
Analysis
New Zealand's trade openness was 54.43% in 2025, a rise of +3.21% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 54.43% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's trade openness was 54.43% in 2025. Ranked 140th globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from the previous year.
New Zealand's trade openness peaked at 68.52% in 2000.
The lowest trade openness in New Zealand was 43.98% in 2020.
New Zealand ranks 140th globally in trade openness as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's trade openness is projected to reach 54.43% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade openness of New Zealand in 2025 was 54.43%. This ranks 140th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_trade-openness,
title = {New Zealand Trade Openness},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/trade-openness/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}