Pakistan Trade Balance
External balance on goods and services NE.RSB.GNFS.CD
Pakistan's trade balance was $-28.9B in 2025, ranked 172nd globally. This represents a 14.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Pakistan's trade balance stood at $-28.9B in 2025, a decline of +$3.6B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $-28.9B by 2025. Pakistan ranked 172nd globally.
Pakistan’s trade balance has consistently reflected a deficit, with the latest data from 2025 showing a deficit of $28.89 billion, ranking the country 172nd globally. This contrasts sharply with its all-time peak surplus of $34.33 million recorded in 1973, a period marked by state-led industrialization and favorable external conditions. The deficit deepened significantly over the decades, reaching an all-time trough of $44.80 billion in 2022 amid rising import demands, energy shortages, and subdued export growth. Compared to peer economies, Pakistan’s trade imbalance is narrower than Mexico’s $43.82 billion deficit but wider than Bangladesh’s $27.95 billion, suggesting regional disparities in export competitiveness and import dependency. Over the 66-year coverage period, structural constraints such as low industrial diversification, political instability, and reliance on imported energy have contributed to persistent external imbalances. The deficit narrowed slightly from 2022 to 2025, potentially reflecting import compression and remittance inflows. Sustained improvement in the trade balance will likely depend on export promotion, energy sector reforms, and increased foreign direct investment.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $-28.1B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $-28.5B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $-28.9B | - | - |
| 2025 | $-28.9B | −$3.6B | #172 |
| 2024 | $-25.3B | −$74.3M | #9 |
| 2023 | $-25.2B | +$19.6B | #9 |
| 2022 | $-44.8B | −$13.7B | #6 |
| 2021 | $-31.1B | −$6.7B | #6 |
| 2020 | $-24.4B | +$8.1B | #6 |
| 2019 | $-32.5B | +$4.8B | #5 |
| 2018 | $-37.3B | −$6.6B | #4 |
| 2017 | $-30.6B | −$8.0B | #6 |
| 2016 | $-22.7B | −$2.5B | #10 |
| 2015 | $-20.2B | −$1.0B | #13 |
| 2014 | $-19.2B | −$2.3B | #9 |
| 2013 | $-16.9B | +$2.0B | #11 |
| 2012 | $-18.9B | −$6.5B | #10 |
| 2011 | $-12.4B | +$762.2M | #13 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Pakistan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw trade balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Pakistan's trade balance was $-28.9B in 2025. Ranked 172nd globally. This represents a 14.4% decrease from the previous year.
Pakistan's trade balance peaked at $34.3M in 1973.
The lowest trade balance in Pakistan was $-44.8B in 2022.
Pakistan ranks 172nd globally in trade balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.RSB.GNFS.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Pakistan's trade balance is projected to reach $-28.9B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade balance of Pakistan in 2025 was $-28.9B. This ranks 172nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_pakistan_trade-balance,
title = {Pakistan Trade Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/pakistan/trade-balance/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}