Recent trends in ICT -related trade 
and digital developments
WTO Workshop on the Information Technology Agreement at 
its 25thanniversary
17 September 2021
Torbjörn Fredriksson, Head, E -commerce and Digital Economy Branch
UNCTAD
torbjorn.fredriksson@unctad.org
RD/IT/48New policies at national and international levels are 
needed to build an inclusive digital economy
2Digital technologies 
are not deterministic. 
They create both:
Opportunities 
ChallengesPolicy makers 
need to make 
choices that 
can help 
reverse...
...the trend 
towards widening
inequalities 
and power 
imbalances 
Digitalization
impacts 
all SDGsGovernments need in close dialogue with other 
stakeholders to set the rules of the game
3
GovernmentsAcademia
Private sector
Civil Society
Tech communityShaping the digital 
economy 
by defining the 
rules of the game
There are still huge digital divides , that need to be 
bridged
4
Almost half of the 
world remains 
offlineIn LDCs only
1 in 5 people 
is onlineGender gap 
is the widest in the 
poorest economies
Source: UNCTAD, based on ITU Statistics database.In the area of e -commerce divides are huge
Share of population shopping online in LDCs typically well below 5%
5 Source: UNCTAD, based on World Bank Findex data.
Opportunities
emerging from the 
crisis through 
increasing uptake of 
e-commerce and 
digital solutionsRisks
of rising digital inequalities, 
particularly in LDCs The COVID -19 pandemic 
has accelerated the shift 
towards a more digital 
world. The changes we 
make now will have lasting 
effects as the world 
economy begins to 
recoverShares of ICT services and Digitally Deliverable 
services in services trade shot up in 2020
Source: UNCTAD.ICT goods share in merchandize trade increased by 4 -5 
percentage points in developing countries
… but stayed relatively flat in LDCs and Africa
Notes: Based on data in current prices; not adjusted for re -exports/re -imports (data unavailability)
Source: UNCTAD based on UNCTADstat (https://unctadstat.unctad.org )
Trade in ICT goods reversed downward trend in 2020
Stands out against an almost -8% decline in overall merchandise trade (both 
exports and imports) driven by pandemic -related economic disruption.
Notes: Current prices; not adjusted for re -exports/re -imports (data unavailability)
Source: UNCTAD based on UNCTADstat (https://unctadstat.unctad.org )
Trade in ICT goods reversed downward trend in 2020
•Global imports of ICT goods reached almost $2.5 trillion, an increase 
of 1.1%
•Global exports of ICT goods were just shy of $2.3 trillion in 2020, 
having grown almost 4%
•Exports of ICT goods are concentrated: East and South -east Asia (led 
by China) account for four -fifths of the total
•Among large developing -economy exporters 2020:
•High growth: China, Hong Kong SAR China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan 
Province of China, Viet Nam
•Negative growth: India, Mexico, Turkey
•Big variation across regions and development groups
Source: UNCTAD based on UNCTADstat (https://unctadstat.unctad.org )Steep declines in LDCs and in Africa
In 2020, ICT goods trade rose by almost 10% in East and South -east Asia; 
fell in other regions –notably in Africa and LDCs
Notes: Based on data in current prices; not adjusted for re -exports/re -imports (data unavailability)
Source: UNCTAD based on UNCTADstat (https://unctadstat.unctad.org )
Electronic components dominate ICT goods trade
In 2020, computers and peripheral equipment overtook communication 
equipment for the first time since 2013
Notes: Current prices; not adjusted for re -imports (data unavailability)
Source: UNCTAD based on UNCTADstat (https://unctadstat.unctad.org )
13Investing in building digital readiness 
has become even more important due 
to the Pandemic
13THANK YOU!
Don’t miss UNCTAD’s 
Digital Economy Report 2021
Out on 
 29 September