DHL Global Connectedness Tracker on Trade, Capital, Information, and People Flows
Last week, DHL released the new DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, which is a report on the state of globalization. According to the logistics provider’s press release, the tracker shows how trade, capital, information, and people flows move around the world.
Ratio of International to National Activity
The DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, as explained by DHL, measures the ratio of international to national activity on a scale from 0 percent to 100 percent.
The current value, according to DHL, is 25 percent, indicating a record level of globalization. This is despite geopolitical tensions and uncertainties. At the same time, the figure shows that the world is far from being fully interconnected.
Significance of Global Trade
Users of the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker can download and share programs and data to view trends in globalization and global trade, according to the press release. Based on the latest data, global trade continues to play a crucial role. In 2023, 21 percent of all goods and services produced worldwide were traded internationally, just slightly below the all-time high of 22 percent, first reached in 2008 and again in 2022, according to DHL.
“The Global Connectedness Tracker demonstrates that there are still countless opportunities for countries and companies to expand their markets globally. The international environment is evolving, but the fundamental drivers and benefits of international connectivity remain unchanged,” said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express.
No Broad Trend Towards Regionalization
The strongest flows are those of information, DHL notes in its analysis of the tracker. Over the past two decades, there has been the greatest increase in the degree of globalization in this area, largely due to digitalization.
Regarding the currently much-discussed topic of regionalization, the report further emphasizes the continued importance of globalization. DHL writes that regionalization does not overtake globalization.
About the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker
With the new DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, the Bonn-based logistics company has expanded its previous DHL Global Connectedness Report. According to the press release, DHL has been regularly publishing this report since 2011.
DHL states that the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker is produced by the New York University Stern School of Business. The tracker is regularly updated.