Financial development and global trade: Insights from G20 economies

G. Kamali, R. Murugesan and R. Thatchayani

The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 2026, vol. 35, issue 2, 345-381

Abstract: This study examines the intricate relationship between financial development (FD) and international trade within the G20 from 1980 to 2021. A composite FD index, derived using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) from World Bank and IMF data, serves as the primary metric for analysis. Employing Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling, the study identifies a strong long-term positive correlation between FD and international trade, addressing a critical gap in the literature by integrating FD and trade dynamics at a macroeconomic scale. The findings reveal that FD negatively impacts trade and exports in the short run, but this relationship reverses in the long term, with FD positively influencing trade and exports while reducing imports. The bidirectional causality between FD and trade components highlights their reciprocal dependence, indicating that fluctuations in imports or exports can predict changes in FD and vice versa. These dynamics reflect the influence of G20 policies promoting financial stability and trade liberalization. This research underscores the pivotal role of advanced financial systems in fostering trade-driven economic growth. It offers policymakers critical insights for leveraging FD and trade integration as tools for sustainable development, providing a strategic framework to enhance global economic progress within the G20 context.

Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1080/09638199.2024.2443399

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