Abstract: This chapter provides a general overview that sets out the economic importance of services and the concept of trade in services as illustrated in the GATS four modes of supply. The relevant statistical framework recently developed on the basis of two major statistical domains is then set out, with a focus on key concepts related to trade between residents and non-residents as defined in international guidelines and with statistics on operations of services foreign affiliates. Also discussed are the current state of play with regard to statistics on the presence of natural persons; the different methods that statisticians use to collect statistics on trade in services; indications of the statistics that are currently available; and recent developments in the domain of statistics on trade in services. Finally, a review of US statistical practices for measuring trade in services is presented.

Keywords: GATS modes of supply, statistical domains, residents and non-residents, international guidelines, foreign affiliates, natural persons, US statistical practices,