Russia's external services trade data reveals shifts through 2025
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation (CBR) has published detailed monthly statistics on the external trade in services, covering the period from January 2018 to January 2026. The data, presented under the extended balance of payments methodology, reveals significant fluctuations in services exports and imports.
Fluctuations in overall services balance
The overall balance of external trade in services for the Russian Federation has consistently remained in deficit, indicating that imports of services have generally exceeded exports.
From January 2018 to December 2019, the monthly deficit typically ranged between 1.5 billion and 4.8 billion US dollars.
A notable shift occurred in 2020 and 2021, where the deficit significantly narrowed, often staying below 1.5 billion US dollars, with April 2020 showing a particularly low deficit of 329.71 million US dollars.
This period of reduced deficit was followed by a sharp increase in the services trade deficit starting in 2022, with balances becoming increasingly negative.
By late 2025 and early 2026, the deficit reached its most substantial levels, with December 2025 recording a deficit of 5.86 billion US dollars and January 2026 an estimated 3.42 billion US dollars.
Divergent paths in transport and travel
Individual service categories show distinct patterns.
Transport services, which recorded positive balances in 2018 and 2019, experienced a sharp decline in 2020, turning negative and remaining so through January 2026.
This suggests significant disruptions in international logistics.
The Travel services balance, in contrast, has consistently shown substantial deficits, reflecting a persistent outflow of funds for tourism.
This deficit deepened considerably from 2022, with several months of 2025 exceeding 5 billion US dollars.
Data highlights evolving economic landscape
This comprehensive dataset offers a crucial window into the structural shifts affecting Russia's external economic relations, particularly in the services sector.
The prolonged and deepening services deficit, especially in travel and transport, underscores the impact of global events and domestic policy changes on international engagement.
For analysts, these figures provide essential context for understanding the broader economic adjustments underway.