Insights and Visualizations

At Econovis, we specialize in providing data-driven reports and visualizations to inform economic and business decisions. Our team of experts has extensive experience in economic, market, and trade data research, mining, analysis, reporting, and visualization, ensuring that our clients receive accurate and comprehensive analyses. Our services cover a diverse range of fields, from preparing reports and insights for decision-making to creating customized content for websites and social media.
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China Exports in 21st Century

China's merchandise exports increased from $266 billion in 2000 to $3,364 billion in 2021, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%, compared to the global average of 6.6%.

In the 21st century, the CAGR growth of China's exports slowed from 27.2% in 2001-2008 to 8.6% in 2008-2014, and then to 1.3% in 2014-2019. However, exports surged in 2021 due to easing COVID-19 restrictions.

The top 10 export markets for Chinese goods in 2021 were the United States ($580 billion), European Union ($520 billion), Hong Kong ($350 billion), Japan ($166 billion), South Korea ($150 billion), Vietnam ($140 billion), India ($98 billion), United Kingdom ($87 billion), Malaysia ($79 billion), and Taiwan ($78 billion). China also exported $1,100 billions of goods to the rest of the world.

In 2021, China's merchandise exports were divided into three almost equal parts: (1) the United States and European Union, (2) Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Taiwan, and (3) the rest of the world.

Between 2001-2003 and 2019-2021, China's goods exports to the world grew by an average of 720% per year. During this period, the growth of China's exports to Vietnam, India, and Malaysia was above the world average, while the growth of exports to Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the European Union, South Korea, and the United States was around the world average. The growth of exports to Hong Kong and Japan was below the world average.
The share of the United States and Japan in China's export markets fell from 37% in 2001 to 22% in 2021.

After conquering developed markets, China is now targeting developing markets. China's goods exports growth to the United States and Japan is 29% less than the world average, while its growth to the European Union is about the world average. However, China's goods exports growth to developing markets is 30% more than the world average. In particular, China's goods exports growth rate to Africa and Latin America is more than two times the world average.

Commodity Prices Return to Pre-Ukraine War

Global commodity prices experienced massive growth in 2021 and 2022 due to a surge in consumption demand following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions against the Russian economy and exports. The war and sanctions led to a surge in energy and other commodity prices from February to autumn 2022. However, all commodity price indices fell in March 2023 to levels below those seen before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to IMF data, the average annual commodity price index increased by 84% for all commodities, 132% for energy (fuels), 46% for food and beverages, 37% for industrial inputs, 43% for base metals, and 30% for precious metals during the period 2019-2022. Commodity prices remain high, with a 56% increase in March 2023 compared to March 2019.

Global Car Production and Trade

Global markets experienced massive growth in commodity prices in 2021 and 2022, due to a surge in consumption demand following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions against the Russian economy and exports. The war and sanctions on Russian energy exports resulted in a surge in energy and other commodity prices between February and autumn 2022, but all commodity price indices decreased in March 2023 to the level before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to IMF data, the average annual commodity price index increased for all commodities by 84%, energy (fuels) by 132%, food and beverage by 46%, industrial inputs by 37%, base metals by 43%, and precious metals by 30% between 2019 and 2022. Commodity prices remain high, with a 56% growth in March 2023 compared to 2019.

Car production in Europe decreased by 21% and in America by 49% between 2001 and 2021, but in Asia it increased by 186%. During this period, Asia's share of global car production doubled, reaching 67% in 2021. China, Japan, India, and Korea are the four largest car manufacturers, with a combined share of 61% of global car production in 2021. China increased its production drastically in the 2010s and became the world's largest producer in 2009. China is the biggest winner and the US is the biggest loser in the auto industry in recent years.

Mergers and acquisitions have shaped the global car industry to become more consolidated and globalized. Although most of the world's car producing capacity has shifted to emerging markets (mainly China and India), European, Japanese, and American automakers remain industry pioneers and lead markets and supply chains around the world.

Car manufacturing is a global industry. In 2021, Germany was the #1 exporter and #2 importer, Japan was the #2 exporter and #15 importer, and the US was the #3 exporter and #1 importer of passenger cars in the world. Despite being the world's number one car maker, China was the third largest car importer with a trade deficit of $30 billion in 2021. Japan and Germany are the world's car trade winners, with trade surpluses of around $73 billion each in 2021. The US car trade deficit reached $92 billion in 2021.

The global car industry will continue to evolve at an even faster pace in the coming years. Innovation and technology (such as electric cars, advanced robotics, and artificial intelligence) will be key drivers of the global car industry transition in the future.

Saudi Arabia Turns to China

China is Saudi Arabia's biggest trading partner. It's also the world's biggest buyer of oil. Saudi
China is Saudi Arabia's most significant trading partner and holds the distinction of being the world's largest purchaser of oil. Conversely, Saudi Arabia occupies a prominent role as China's primary trading partner in the Middle East and serves as the foremost global provider of crude oil. In the year 2021, the total trade between Saudi Arabia and China reached $87.3 billion. Notably, Saudi Arabia's trade volume with China has surpassed that with the European Union and the United States since the year 2020. Over the period spanning from 2001 to 2021, Saudi Arabia's trade with China has surged by over 2000%, contrasting sharply with a 100% increase in its trade with the combined entities of the EU-27 and the U.S.

House Prices Growth Around the world

From 2010 to the second quarter of 2022, real housing prices exhibited notable trends in various countries. Notably, there was a substantial increase in real housing prices in countries such as New Zealand (97%), Chile (95%), Turkey (91%), Canada (90%), and the United States (63%). Conversely, real housing prices decreased in countries such as Russia (-33%), Greece (-26%), Italy (-24%), Romania (-20%), and Spain (-15%).

The significant surge in real housing prices in certain regions may suggest the emergence of a housing bubble and the anticipation of future price reductions or stagnation in the housing market. Conversely, a decline in the real price of housing could serve as an indicator of impending increases in housing prices.

It's worth noting that the growth rate of house prices in most countries worldwide surpassed the inflation rate during this period. Specifically, global real house prices increased by 27%, advanced economies witnessed a 39% rise, emerging market economies experienced an 18% uptick, and the Eurozone saw a 16% increase from 2010 to the second quarter of 2022. Notably, approximately 80% of economies recorded growth in real house prices during this period, which signifies a significant decline in the purchasing power of housing due to the prevailing real estate bubble in most markets.

*Real Price means the value after adjusting for inflation. Real price is expressed in constant values reflecting buying power relative to a base year.

World Population Density 2023

The world's 8 billion people live on 130 million square kilometers of land, with an average population density of 62 people per square kilometer. However, the distribution and density of population vary greatly across continents, regions, and countries, and do not solely depend on livability and resources.

More than three-quarters of the world's population live in countries that occupy just one-quarter of the world's land area. Asia, with 60% of the world's population, has a population density 2.5 times the world average. Although large parts of the Americas and Oceania continents, as well as countries like Russia, are covered by deserts, frozen areas, or thick forests and are not habitable, the population density of these areas is still relatively low.

A little more than 1 billion people live in the Americas, with a population density of 26 people per square kilometer (less than half the world average and one-sixth that of Asia). Western and Southern Europe are home to 400 million people with a population density of 160 people per square kilometer, while Eastern Europe (the former Eastern Bloc allied to the Soviet Union) has 170 million people with a population density of 80 people per square kilometer.

The Indian subcontinent (including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) has 23.6% of the world's population on just 3.2% of the world's land area. This results in a population density of 460 people per square kilometer, 7.5 times the world average. Estimates show that India's population will slightly surpass China's in 2023, making it the most populous country in the world with a population density of 480 people per square kilometer.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the top 10 most densely populated countries (with a population of more than 5 million) in 2023 will be Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Palestine, Taiwan, Rwanda, South Korea, Lebanon, the Netherlands, and Burundi. The 10 least densely populated countries (with a population of more than 5 million) include Australia, Libya, Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, the Central African Republic, Bolivia, Turkmenistan, Chad, and Norway.

Population Density Map 2023 (R1)-2400.jpg

Global Commodity Return 2022

Global commodity prices experienced significant changes in 2021-2022, driven by factors including increasing consumption demand, the Russia-Ukraine war, and US-Europe sanctions against Russia. Sanctions on Russia's energy exports resulted in soaring energy prices.

According to World Bank data, the average annual commodity price index increased by 60% for energy, 13% for food and agriculture, and remained unchanged for metals and minerals and precious metals in 2021-2022. During December 2021 to December 2022, the commodity price index changed by 16.5% for energy, 1.2% for food and agriculture, -7.8% for metals and minerals, and 1% for precious metals. Commodity price changes in 2021-2022 can be classified into four categories:

1. Commodities with prices increasing in both periods 2021 to 2022 and December 2021 to December 2022: Crude oil, natural gas (US), liquefied natural gas (Japan), coal, phosphate rock, potassium chloride, nickel, wheat (US), sugar (world), maize, soybeans, soybean meal, fish meal, chicken, groundnuts, tea (Colombo), banana (US), and orange.

2. Commodities with price increasing in 2021 to 2022 and price decreasing in December 2021 to December 2022: Natural gas (Europe), aluminum, zinc, DAP, TSP, urea, palm kernel oil, palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, beef, lamb, sugar (US), cotton, coffee, and tea (Kolkata).

3. Commodities with price decreasing in 2021 to 2022 and price increasing in December 2021 to December 2022: Silver, platinum, rice, and cocoa.

4. Commodities with prices decreasing in both periods 2021 to 2022 and December 2021 to December 2022: Copper, iron ore, lead, tin, sugar (EU), rubber, logs, sawn wood, and plywood.

Some commodities with price changes less than 5% in both periods 2021 to 2022 and December 2021 to December 2022 include: Gold, lead, sugar (world), and tobacco.