United Kingdom Reserves in Months of Imports
Total reserves in months of imports FI.RES.TOTL.MO
United Kingdom's reserves in months of imports was 0.9 in 2025, ranked 142nd globally. This represents a 30.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's reserves in months of imports stood at 0.9 in 2025, a decline of +0.4 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.9 by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 142nd globally.
The United Kingdom’s reserves of foreign exchange and gold cover only 0.85 months of imports in 2025, placing it 142nd in the World Bank ranking and well below the 56‑year average of 1.22 months recorded in 1970. The indicator peaked at 3.36 months in 1971, reflecting the post‑oil‑crisis accumulation of ample buffers, but fell sharply to a trough of 0.53 months during the global financial crisis of 2008, when capital outflows and currency volatility strained sovereign liquidity. Compared with peers of similar rank, the United Kingdom’s coverage is slightly lower than Bangladesh’s 0.96 months and higher than Guyana’s 0.74 months, indicating a modestly tighter position than some emerging economies but a more comfortable cushion than others in the lower tier. The downward drift from the historic high suggests limited room for error in external financing, and unless policy measures bolster reserve accumulation or improve trade balances, the upward trajectory is likely to remain constrained.
Data & projection
| Year | Reserves in Months of Imports | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.4 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.6 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.9 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.9 | −0.4 | #142 |
| 2024 | 1.2 | −0.0 | #116 |
| 2023 | 1.3 | −0.2 | #135 |
| 2022 | 1.4 | −0.5 | #137 |
| 2021 | 1.9 | −0.2 | #136 |
| 2020 | 2.1 | +0.4 | #138 |
| 2019 | 1.7 | +0.1 | #137 |
| 2018 | 1.6 | +0.0 | #136 |
| 2017 | 1.6 | +0.1 | #141 |
| 2016 | 1.5 | −0.1 | #144 |
| 2015 | 1.6 | +0.4 | #141 |
| 2014 | 1.2 | +0.0 | #151 |
| 2013 | 1.2 | −0.0 | #150 |
| 2012 | 1.2 | +0.1 | #150 |
| 2011 | 1.1 | −0.0 | #148 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw reserves in months of imports improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's reserves in months of imports was 0.9 in 2025. Ranked 142nd globally. This represents a 30.5% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's reserves in months of imports peaked at 3.4 in 1971.
The lowest reserves in months of imports in United Kingdom was 0.5 in 2008.
United Kingdom ranks 142nd globally in reserves in months of imports as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FI.RES.TOTL.MO. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's reserves in months of imports is projected to reach 0.9 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The reserves in months of imports of United Kingdom in 2025 was 0.9. This ranks 142nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_reserves-months-imports,
title = {United Kingdom Reserves in Months of Imports},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/reserves-months-imports/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}