United Kingdom Trade Balance
External balance on goods and services NE.RSB.GNFS.CD
United Kingdom's trade balance was $-60.7B in 2025, ranked 175th globally. This represents a 88.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's trade balance stood at $-60.7B in 2025, a decline of +$28.6B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $-60.7B by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 175th globally.
The United Kingdom’s trade balance has deteriorated sharply, moving from a modest surplus of 1,393,813,294.94 in 1970 to a record deficit of ‑60,688,071,871.24 in 2025, the worst figure among 175 economies in the World Bank series. The only comparable surpluses occurred in the early 2020s, when the balance peaked at 20,087,190,388.42 in 2020, before reversing direction amid rising import costs, weaker export growth, and post‑Brexit supply‑chain adjustments. By contrast, peer economies such as Ukraine recorded a deficit of ‑51,971,102,884.57, while the Philippines posted ‑80,569,546,026.81, underscoring that the United Kingdom now sits among the most negative balances despite its advanced industrial base. The persistent widening of the deficit reflects structural trade imbalances and a reliance on high‑value services that have not offset the growing demand for imported goods. Continued efforts to diversify export markets and boost domestic production will be crucial if the United Kingdom is to reverse the current downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $-89.8B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $-75.3B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $-60.7B | - | - |
| 2025 | $-60.7B | −$28.6B | #175 |
| 2024 | $-32.1B | +$7.8B | #6 |
| 2023 | $-39.9B | −$5.7B | #6 |
| 2022 | $-34.2B | −$35.5B | #10 |
| 2021 | $1.3B | −$18.8B | #119 |
| 2020 | $20.1B | +$54.5B | #165 |
| 2019 | $-34.4B | +$338.2M | #4 |
| 2018 | $-34.8B | −$1.3B | #5 |
| 2017 | $-33.5B | +$12.9B | #4 |
| 2016 | $-46.5B | −$6.2B | #2 |
| 2015 | $-40.3B | +$13.9B | #3 |
| 2014 | $-54.2B | −$17.7B | #5 |
| 2013 | $-36.5B | −$10.1B | #6 |
| 2012 | $-26.4B | −$5.1B | #7 |
| 2011 | $-21.3B | +$17.7B | #7 |
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 trade balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The reported weakening of the British Pound (GBP) against the US Dollar (USD) following the UK Budget generally makes UK exports more competitive and imports more expensive. This currency depreciation typically influences the trade balance by potentially increasing export volumes and reducing import demand. However, the news does not provide specific data on the immediate impact of this currency movement on the UK's current trade deficit of -$60.7B.
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's trade balance was $-60.7B in 2025. Ranked 175th globally. This represents a 88.8% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's trade balance peaked at $20.1B in 2020.
The lowest trade balance in United Kingdom was $-60.7B in 2025.
United Kingdom ranks 175th globally in trade balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.RSB.GNFS.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's trade balance is projected to reach $-60.7B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade balance of United Kingdom in 2025 was $-60.7B. This ranks 175th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_trade-balance,
title = {United Kingdom Trade Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/trade-balance/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}