DHL GLOBAL CONNECTEDNESS INDEX 2012

Ten Key Take-aways
1
The world today is less globally connected than it was in 2007. Global connectedness
was hit hard at the onset of the financial crisis and despite modest gains since 2009
has yet to recapture its pre-crisis peak.
2
Capital markets are fragmenting and services trade is stagnant. While merchandise
trade has recovered robustly since 2009 and information flows continue growing,
capital connectedness is on a declining trend and the intensity of services trade has not
risen since 2009.
3
Global connectedness is also weaker than is commonly perceived, which softens and
even reverses some widespread fears about globalization.
4
Distance and borders still matter – even online. Most international flows take place
within rather than between regions. Even online connections are mainly domestic and
decline with distance.
5
Europe is the world’s most globally connected region: a reminder of what EU
integration has managed to achieve – and what its fragmentation might put at risk.
The Netherlands retains the top rank on this year’s DHL Global Connectedness Index,
and 9 of the 10 most connected countries are in Europe.
6
Sub-Saharan African countries averaged the largest connectedness increases.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the least connected region, but the top 5 countries in terms
of connectedness increases over the past year were all in this region.
7
Potential gains from boosting global connectedness can reach trillions of dollars.
As global growth slows and much of the world struggles with its debts, increasing
global connectedness can accelerate growth.
8
Every country has untapped possibilities to benefit from more connectedness.
Even in the most connected countries, most activities that could take place either
within or across borders are domestic, not international.
9
Countries’ domestic and international policies can help them connect more. This report
identifies a broad array of policy levers that have been shown to deepen connectedness.
10
The world’s shifting economic center of gravity reshapes industry connectedness,
with significant business implications as shown in this report’s analyses of the mobile
phone, passenger car, and pharmaceutical industries.