This list reveals the top 10 electronics importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world electronics imports totaled
US$2.736 trillion.
African Importers
Africa imported $40.1 billion worth of electronics led by the following countries:
1. South Africa: $8.5 billion
2. Egypt: $4.8 billion
3. Morocco: $4.6 billion
4. Algeria: $4 billion
5. Tunisia: $2.7 billion
6. Nigeria: $1.7 billion
7. Ethiopia: $1.3 billion
8. Ghana: $1.2 billion
9. Kenya: $1.1 billion
10. Angola: $1 billion
Asian Importers
Asia imported $1,375 billion worth of electronics led by the following countries:
1. China: $455.5 billion
2. Hong Kong: $303.6 billion
3. Japan: $97.7 billion
4. Singapore: $93.2 billion
5. South Korea: $82.9 billion
6. Taiwan: $67.4 billion
7. Vietnam: $60.7 billion
8. Malaysia: $54.4 billion
9. Thailand: $42.3 billion
10. India: $35.6 billion
European Union (EU) Importers
European Union imported $621.7 billion worth of electronics led by the following EU members:
1. Germany: $147.3 billion
2. Netherlands: $86.8 billion
3. United Kingdom: $60 billion
4. France: $54.9 billion
5. Italy: $34.5 billion
6. Czech Republic: $30.6 billion
7. Spain: $25.82 billion
8. Poland: $25.77 billion
9. Hungary: $22 billion
10. Austria: $20.4 billion
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $62.2 billion worth of electronics led by the following countries:
1. Brazil: $20.7 billion
2. Argentina: $8.6 billion
3. Chile: $7.1 billion
4. Colombia: $5 billion
5. Peru: $4.3 billion
6. Paraguay: $1.9 billion
7. Ecuador: $1.74 billion
8. Panama: $1.73 billion
9. Costa Rica: $1.65 billion
10. Guatemala: $1.56 billion
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $63.5 billion worth of electronics led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $23 billion
2. Saudi Arabia: $14.2 billion
3. Israel: $7.3 billion
4. Iran: $4.7 billion
5. Kuwait: $4.3 billion
6. Iraq: $2.9 billion
7. Qatar: $2.3 billion
8. Oman: $1.5 billion
9. Jordan: $1.2 billion
10. Bahrain: $872.7 million
North American Importers
North America imported $485.4 billion worth of electronics led by the following countries:
1. United States: $356.8 billion
2. Mexico: $85.9 billion
3. Canada: $42.8 billion
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $27.2 billion worth of electronics led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $22.8 billion
2. New Zealand: $3.3 billion
3. Papua New Guinea: $359.1 million
4. Marshall Islands: $234.9 million
5. Fiji: $135.1 million
6. New Caledonia: $120.4 million
7. French Polynesia: $88.5 million
8. Samoa: $26.1 million
9. Vanuatu: $24.5 million
10. Solomon Islands: $22 million
To see the 25 fastest-growing electronics importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported electronics was 8.7%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Electronics Importers 2017
Fastest-Growing Electronics Import Countries
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.