1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
5, rue Alphonse Weicker
L-2721 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
20 May 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
20 May 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
20 May 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 17 on revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under 'A new era for European Defence and Security' and 'Protecting our democracy, upholding our values'.
SDG 17 calls for a global partnership for sustainable development. It highlights the importance of macroeconomic stability and of mobilising financial resources for developing countries. It also stresses the importance of trade and equitable rules for governing it. The goal also emphasises the importance of access to science and technology, in particular internet-based information and communications technology.
The potential contribution of trade to sustainable development has long been acknowledged. The EU is leading the way towards a more equal global partnership with developing countries by taking a responsible approach to trade and investment policy, for instance through the ‘Trade for All’ strategy (2015) which aims to help developing countries participate more fully in the global market. Furthermore, the EU facilitates imports from developing countries by granting tariff reductions under its Generalised Scheme of Preferences and by providing ‘Aid for Trade’ targeted at supporting trade-related infrastructure, trade-related assistance and private sector development. Finally, the Cotonou Agreement regulates the EU’s relationship with 79 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP), focusing on development cooperation, political cooperation as well as economic and trade cooperation.
The EU updated its Aid for Trade Strategy in 2017, to reflect the significant political changes both globally — in particular, the 2030 Agenda — and at the EU level, including the new European Consensus on Development and Trade for All. The updated strategy aims to enhance the coherence of aid for trade with other EU policies and instruments, including EU trade agreements and unilateral preference schemes. The focus on LDCs constitutes a key part of the updated strategy. In 2021, the EU conducted a review of its trade strategy, with a view to reflecting its new, more sustainable growth model as well as the SDGs.
4.1. Data description
This indicator is defined as the share of all extra-EU imports coming from the countries classified by the UN as least developed. It indicates to what extent products from these countries access the EU market. Information for this indicator is provided by enterprises with a trade volume above a set threshold and is collected on the basis of customs declarations. This information is then adjusted by Member States to account for the impact of trade under this threshold.
4.2. Unit of measure
Million euro (current prices), Percentage of all extra EU imports
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics.
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: European Statistical System (ESS)
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
The Member States collect, compile and transmit international trade in goods statistics to Eurostat in line with the legislation in force. The information providers are generally enterprises with a trade volume above the threshold. Extra-EU trade statistics are collected on the basis of Customs declaration. In addition to the data collected from Customs declarations, Member States compile and provide Eurostat with adjustments in order to compensate the impact of the trade not collected due to the threshold system.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The indicator is updated annually. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2001.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_17_31
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
