Logistics Infrastructure and Trade Performance: A Cross-Country Analysis Using LPI and Export Data

This study investigates the relationship between logistics infrastructure and international trade performance across fifteen countries with varying levels of development. Using 2023 cross-sectional data from the World Bank, we analyze whether higher Logistics Performance Index (LPI) infrastructure scores are associated with greater export volumes (goods, services, and primary income). Employing Spearman’s rank-order correlation, the results reveal a strong and statistically significant positive relationship in the full sample (ρ = 0.841, p < 0.001), indicating that better logistics infrastructure correlates with higher export capacity. A partial Spearman correlation, controlling for GDP, confirms the robustness of this association (ρ = 0.67, p < 0.01). These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive logistics investment—especially in physical infrastructure such as ports, roads, and multimodal systems—as a strategic lever to improve export performance. The study reinforces the use of the LPI as a valuable diagnostic tool for trade policy and underlines the need to integrate physical, institutional, and digital infrastructure. Future research should adopt longitudinal approaches to better capture the dynamic interplay between infrastructure development and trade competitiveness.