WTO Trade Cost Index

The WTO Trade Cost Index dataset provides comprehensive estimates of bilateral trade costs across 74 economies and 31 sectors from 1995 to 2022. This index quantifies the additional costs incurred when trading internationally compared to domestic trade, encompassing various factors such as transport and travel expenses, information and transaction costs, information and communication technology (ICT) connectivity, trade policy and regulatory differences, and governance quality.

Key Data Components:
Trade Cost Estimates: Quantitative measures of trade costs for goods and services, expressed as ad valorem equivalents, allowing for comparison across economies and sectors.

Determinants of Trade Costs: Decomposition of trade costs into components such as trade policy, transport and travel costs, and communication, information and transaction costs.

This dataset serves as a valuable resource for analyzing the factors influencing international trade costs and their impact on global trade patterns.