This phenomenon has boosted global GDP by 10% in 2 years

The amount of data flowing between countries has grown 45 times larger in the last decade and now has a bigger impact on GDP growth than traditional trade in goods.

These are the remarkable findings of a report from McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) which looks at digital globalisation and how the flow of information via cross-border bandwidth has changed in recent years

There’s a lot of information out there

This visualisation shows the rapid growth in connectivity since 2005.

In the ten years from 2005 cross-border inter-regional bandwidth between the USA and Europe has grown from less than 1,000 gigabits per second to more than 24,000 gigabits per second.

Worldwide, the total amount of cross-border bandwidth used increased from 4.7 thousand gigabits per second in 2005 to over 210 thousand in 2014.

The impact on GDP growth

It is estimated that this flow of data has boosted global GDP by 10% over the past two years, and was worth $7.8 trillion in 2014.

Digital flows across the world have opened up the global economy to everyone with an internet connection.

Smaller firms are now able to compete with larger multinationals. Of the tech-based start-ups surveyed, 86% report some type of cross-border activity.

“Global flows of all type support growth by raising productivity,” the report notes. “Data flows are amplifying this effect by broadening participation and creating more efficient markets.”

The report states that both inflows and outflows matter for growth, noting that they “expose economies to ideas, research, technologies, talent, and best practices from around the world.”

It’s not just companies that benefit

Individuals were found to benefit from the growth of cross-border connections in a wide variety of ways ranging from international social and business networking to international working and studying.

Which countries are the most connected?

The MGI Connectedness Index ranks countries on inflows and outflows of goods, services, finance, people, and data.

Of the 139 countries surveyed, it found that in general advanced economies remain more connected than developing countries, with each type of flow being primarily concentrated among a small set of highly connected countries.

Singapore tops the rankings, followed by the Netherlands, the United States and Germany. China has grown more connected, reaching 7th place.

The report recommends that lagging countries focus on increasing participation in global flows to benefit the global economy.

“For countries that have been slow to participate, the opportunities for catch-up growth are too substantial to ignore.”

Have you read?

How will trade policy play out in cyberspace?

3 ways to safeguard the future of digital trade

How can Africa boost its bandwidth?