Global Digital Services Export Share in 2023

The World Trade Organization (WTO) report, *Global Trade Outlook and Statistics*, reveals that exports of digitally delivered services reached US$4.25 trillion in 2023.

The WTO states that this export value increased by 9% year-on-year and contributed 13.8% to global goods and services exports.

Last year, the value of these digitally delivered services—traded via computer networks and encompassing everything from professional and management services to music and video streaming, online gaming, and distance education—surpassed pre-pandemic levels by more than 50%.

"Unlike merchandise trade, which fell in 2023 globally and across all regions, exports of digitally delivered services continued to grow," the WTO wrote, as quoted on Monday (December 9, 2024).

By component, the sector with the largest exports of digitally delivered services was computer services, amounting to US$8.7 billion or a 20.5% market share.

Second was financial services at US$6.8 billion or 16%. Third were intellectual property-related services at US$4.6 billion or 10.9%.

Fourth were insurance services at US$2.2 billion or 5.2%. Fifth were telecommunication services at US$1.1 billion or 2.6%.

This was followed by audio-visual services and other personal, cultural, and recreational services at US$900 million (2.1%) and information services at US$600 million (1.5%). Other business services totaled US$17.5 billion (41.2%).

The WTO also reported that in Europe and Asia, with global shares of 52.4% and 23.8% respectively, exports increased by 11% and 9%. Growth accelerated in Africa and in South and Central America and the Caribbean, exceeding the global average.

"These two regions, which only accounted for 0.9% and 1.6% of global exports in 2023, are increasingly leveraging trade in digitally delivered services," the WTO wrote.

(See also: 10 Largest Global Exporting Countries in 2023, China Leads)