China: Export volume index (2015 = 100)

Key figures

What the numbers say

In 2024, China's export volume index (2015 = 100) rose 18.7 on 2023 (from 140.2 to 158.9).

Across the 18 yearly changes before that (2006 to 2023), the average change was +5.46 and a typical year strayed about 6.4 from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 2.1 standard deviations above that average, so it was unusually large compared with the rest of the record.

On record, the biggest yearly rise was 20.5 in 2021 and the biggest yearly fall was 7 in 2009. The numbers show how large and when, not why; for the cause, look at what happened in that country in those years.

From 2015 to 2024 the straight-line trend is upward, about 6.18 a year. A straight line explains 93% of the movement over 10 observed years.

Worked out from the yearly values above. How the checks work: standard deviation, z-scores and straight-line trends.

How it compares

In 2024, China had the 36th highest value of the 203 economies reporting that year. Higher is not always better: for some indicators the lowest value is the one to aim for. See the full ranking.

Closest to China in the 2024 ranking

• Oman — 33rd of 203: 166.7
• Benin — 34th of 203: 161.9
• São Tomé and Principe — 35th of 203: 160
• Moldova — 37th of 203: 155.4
• Morocco — 38th of 203: 155.4
• Peru — 39th of 203: 154.4

What this measures

Export volume indexes are derived from UNCTAD's volume index series and are the ratio of the export value indexes to the corresponding unit value indexes. Unit value indexes are based on data reported by countries that demonstrate consistency under UNCTAD quality controls, supplemented by UNCTAD's estimates using the previous year's trade values at the Standard International Trade Classification three-digit level as weights.

All 20 values

Export volume index (2015 = 100) in nearby economies

• American Samoa — 62 (2024)
• Australia — 104.3 (2024)
• Brunei Darussalam — 121.3 (2024)
• Cambodia — 268.5 (2024)
• Fiji — 101.6 (2024)
• French Polynesia — 125.3 (2024)
• Guam — 111.3 (2024)
• Hong Kong SAR, China — 97.5 (2024)
• Indonesia — 124.6 (2024)
• Japan — 112.6 (2024)
• Kiribati — 182.2 (2024)

More trade data for China

• Tariff rate, applied, simple mean, manufactured products (%) — 5.21% (2022)
• Tariff rate, most favored nation, simple mean, manufactured products (%) — 6.8% (2022)
• Tariff rate, applied, weighted mean, manufactured products (%) — 2.45% (2022)
• Tariff rate, most favored nation, weighted mean, manufactured products (%) — 3.09% (2022)
• Tariff rate, applied, simple mean, all products (%) — 5.36% (2022)
• Tariff rate, most favored nation, simple mean, all products (%) — 7.42% (2022)
• Tariff rate, applied, weighted mean, all products (%) — 2.18% (2022)
• Tariff rate, most favored nation, weighted mean, all products (%) — 2.86% (2022)

Reading data like this

• Where to find free public data, and how to check it before you trust it — 2 min read
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• Real change or random noise? A plain guide to reading your numbers — 2 min read

Questions people ask

What is China's export volume index (2015 = 100)?

158.9 in 2024, according to the World Bank (World Development Indicators).

How has it changed since 2005?

It is up 279.24% from 41.9 in 2005 (7.27% a year on average, compounded). The highest value was 158.9 in 2024 and the lowest 41.9 in 2005.

How does China rank?

36th highest of 203 economies with data for 2024.

Is the latest change in export volume index (2015 = 100) unusual for China?

In 2024, China's export volume index (2015 = 100) rose 18.7 on 2023 (from 140.2 to 158.9). Across the 18 yearly changes before that (2006 to 2023), the average change was +5.46 and a typical year strayed about 6.4 from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 2.1 standard deviations above that average, so it was unusually large compared with the rest of the record.

Where does this data come from?

Source

World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator TX.QTY.MRCH.XD.WD, licensed CC BY 4.0. Original source: UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Figures are fetched from the World Bank API and refreshed monthly; see the series on data.worldbank.org. The full definition and method are in the World Bank's metadata glossary. Comparisons use the same World Bank release.

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