Skip to content

Economy of Australia vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Australia has a GDP of $1.8T compared to $472B for Malaysia, ranking 15/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $918B in government debt (51% of GDP), compared to $334B (70.7% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Australia vs Malaysia GDP by year

Australia
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Malaysia
2025 $1,798,518,933,689 $472,193,128,645
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $422,227,005,429
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $399,949,418,753
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $407,830,525,990
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $373,784,553,030
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $337,456,163,961
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $365,177,721,022
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $358,788,845,713
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $319,109,094,160
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $301,256,033,870
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $301,355,266,965
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $338,066,095,097
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $323,276,235,524
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $314,443,047,642
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $297,951,668,675
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $255,017,638,456
2009 $931,761,689,771 $202,257,453,037
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $230,811,614,370
2007 $856,603,595,823 $193,549,569,478
2006 $749,708,370,333 $162,692,258,307
2005 $696,811,489,613 $143,534,405,819
2004 $615,643,050,221 $124,749,473,684
2003 $468,517,181,130 $110,202,368,421
2002 $396,436,967,263 $100,845,526,316
2001 $380,360,222,861 $92,783,947,368
2000 $416,901,962,163 $93,789,736,842
1999 $390,347,787,943 $79,148,421,053
1998 $400,361,527,505 $72,167,498,981
1997 $436,321,902,767 $100,005,323,302
1996 $401,962,517,479 $100,855,393,910
1995 $368,725,126,225 $88,705,342,903
1994 $323,269,456,935 $74,478,356,958
1993 $312,568,858,910 $66,894,966,969
1992 $325,982,966,981 $59,167,550,163
1991 $326,416,407,861 $49,143,148,094
1990 $311,840,666,465 $44,024,585,240
1989 $300,264,309,002 $38,847,965,293
1988 $236,461,079,970 $35,272,109,220
1987 $189,726,707,253 $32,181,210,158
1986 $182,707,050,923 $27,734,111,400
1985 $180,861,108,959 $31,199,633,353
1984 $193,749,932,078 $33,942,897,422
1983 $177,523,719,680 $30,347,442,111
1982 $194,323,071,831 $26,804,493,635
1981 $177,151,979,566 $25,004,285,792
1980 $150,200,557,103 $24,488,224,677
1979 $135,093,718,051 $21,213,264,962
1978 $118,660,813,780 $16,358,079,862
1977 $110,504,702,914 $13,139,488,633
1976 $105,209,354,856 $11,050,234,599
1975 $97,440,939,506 $9,298,800,799
1974 $89,086,219,602 $9,496,204,302
1973 $63,923,126,201 $7,662,902,678
1972 $52,117,990,654 $5,043,347,250
1971 $45,283,847,245 $4,244,395,956
1970 $41,395,206,623 $3,864,145,667
1969 $36,738,245,878 $3,664,552,041
1968 $32,763,365,242 $3,330,371,551
1967 $30,487,524,878 $3,188,924,677
1966 $27,349,284,376 $3,143,517,944
1965 $26,014,244,162 $2,956,337,669
1964 $23,835,843,814 $2,674,423,922
1963 $21,573,443,452 $2,510,110,348
1962 $19,953,923,193 $2,001,489,602
1961 $19,713,123,154 $1,901,856,123
1960 $18,635,682,982 $1,916,229,477

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malaysia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Malaysia by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $65,130 - $13,125 -
2024 $64,610 $72,111 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $17,858 - $2,244 -
1988 $14,303 - $2,100 -
1987 $11,666 - $1,977 -
1986 $11,406 - $1,760 -
1985 $11,455 - $2,046 -
1984 $12,436 - $2,300 -
1983 $11,532 - $2,124 -
1982 $12,798 - $1,938 -
1981 $11,871 - $1,866 -
1980 $10,223 - $1,886 -
1979 $9,308 - $1,680 -
1978 $8,264 - $1,327 -
1977 $7,786 - $1,092 -
1976 $7,497 - $940 -
1975 $7,014 - $811 -
1974 $6,492 - $848 -
1973 $4,778 - $701 -
1972 $3,955 - $472 -
1971 $3,500 - $407 -
1970 $3,310 - $380 -
1969 $2,996 - $368 -
1968 $2,728 - $342 -
1967 $2,584 - $335 -
1966 $2,347 - $339 -
1965 $2,284 - $326 -
1964 $2,134 - $303 -
1963 $1,970 - $291.8 -
1962 $1,858 - $238.8 -
1961 $1,880 - $232.9 -
1960 $1,813 - $240.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malaysia | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $65,130, ranking 14/197, compared to $13,125 in Malaysia, ranking 78/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Australia Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$1.8T
2025
$472B
2025
GDP rank
15/197
2025
35/197
2025
GDP growth
1.35%
2024-2025
5.17%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$65,130
2025
$13,125
2025
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$918B
2025
$334B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51%
2025
70.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$33,239
2025
$9,273
2025
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2025
62/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,637
2026
$11,034
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.05T
2025
$487B
2025
Number of millionaires
1,634,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2026
19
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.9%
2020
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.5%
2025
23.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2024-2025
1.38%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.35%
2026
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.2%
2025
3.9%
2022
Population
28010980
36600906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.5% 51% 23.4% 70.7%
2024 38.7% 50.6% 24% 69.8%
2023 37.4% 49.4% 25% 69.7%
2022 37.4% 50% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 41.7% 55.4% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 44.3% 56.9% 25% 67.7%
2019 38.8% 46.5% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 36.7% 41.6% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 36.6% 41% 22% 54.4%
2016 37.1% 40.5% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 37.1% 37.6% 24.7% 57%
2014 36.6% 33.9% 26% 55.4%
2013 36.2% 30.3% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 36.4% 27.4% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 36.2% 24% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 36.8% 20.3% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 37.6% 16.6% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 35% 11.7% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 34.2% 9.65% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 34.5% 9.92% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 34.5% 10.8% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 25.9% 42%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 34.9% 15% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 35.1% 19.5% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 33.6% 31.1% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 34.1% 30.6% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 34% 27.6% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 33% 21.6% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 30.4% 16.4% 30.5% 74.1%
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malaysia | CC BY

In 2025, Australia's government spending was $710B, accounting for 39.5% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $111B, or 23.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51% in Australia and 70.7% in Malaysia, ranking 104/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Malaysia
2025 -2.78% -3.54%
2024 -2.25% -3.45%
2023 -1.26% -4.11%
2022 -2.21% -4.56%
2021 -6.35% -6.03%
2020 -8.7% -4.9%
2019 -4.39% -2.01%
2018 -1.25% -2.64%
2017 -1.71% -2.41%
2016 -2.41% -2.6%
2015 -2.78% -2.55%
2014 -2.91% -2.63%
2013 -2.8% -3.48%
2012 -3.5% -3.1%
2011 -4.51% -3.57%
2010 -5.1% -4.32%
2009 -4.55% -5.88%
2008 -1.1% -3.4%
2007 1.47% -2.57%
2006 1.77% -2.6%
2005 1.7% -2.83%
2004 1.32% -3.35%
2003 1.05% -4.6%
2002 0.19% -3.96%
2001 -0.03% -4.36%
2000 1.25% -6.05%
1999 0.66% -3%
1998 -0.25% -0.63%
1997 -0.49% 4.84%
1996 -1.45% 3.27%
1995 -2.6% 3.1%
1994 -3.79% 5.45%
1993 -4.72% 3.44%
1992 -4.74% 1.81%
1991 -2.78% 1.6%
1990 -0.23% 0.15%
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malaysia | CC BY

In 2025, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $50B, equivalent to 2.78% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.54% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Malaysia
2025 2.87% 1.38%
2024 3.17% 1.83%
2023 5.6% 2.49%
2022 6.59% 3.38%
2021 2.86% 2.48%
2020 0.85% -1.14%
2019 1.61% 0.66%
2018 1.91% 0.88%
2017 1.95% 3.87%
2016 1.28% 2.09%
2015 1.51% 2.1%
2014 2.49% 3.14%
2013 2.45% 2.11%
2012 1.76% 1.66%
2011 3.3% 3.17%
2010 2.92% 1.62%
2009 1.77% 0.58%
2008 4.35% 5.44%
2007 2.33% 2.03%
2006 3.56% 3.61%
2005 2.69% 2.98%
2004 2.34% 1.42%
2003 2.73% 1.09%
2002 2.98% 1.81%
2001 4.41% 1.42%
2000 4.46% 1.53%
1999 1.48% 2.74%
1998 0.86% 5.27%
1997 0.22% 2.66%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.67%, compared with 2.22% in Malaysia. In 2025, inflation was 2.87% in Australia and 1.38% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.25B
Metals $1.41B
Transport & tourism services $1.17B
Animal & marine products $573M
Raw agricultural goods $401M
Machinery & equipment $399M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $228M
Textiles & consumer goods $171M
Business & finance services $166M
Precious metals & jewellery $127M
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.44B
Machinery & equipment $2.96B
Transport & tourism services $959M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $762M
Chemicals & pharma $695M
Metals $628M
Textiles & consumer goods $397M
Business & finance services $285M
Wood & paper products $240M
Manufacturing & construction services $238M

Balance of trade

Australia Malaysia
Current account balance
-$48.2B
2025
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2025
29/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.68%
2025
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$309B
2025
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$337B
2025
$248B
2024
Service imports
$116B
2025
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$91.6B
2025
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.7%
2025
65.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
71%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Australia Malaysia
Economic freedom 80.1 68
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 51/197
Property rights 88.2 62.7
Government integrity 88.1 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 63.4
Tax burden 61.8 83.5
Government spending 56.6 82
Fiscal health 89 62.5
Business freedom 92.3 79.6
Labor freedom 61.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 77.2 80.8
Trade freedom 89.8 83
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Malaysia
2026 80.1 68
2025 79.3 67.1
2024 76.2 65.7
2023 74.8 67.3
2022 77.7 68.1
2021 82.4 74.4
2020 82.6 74.7
2019 80.9 74
2018 80.9 74.5
2017 81 73.8
2016 80.3 71.5
2015 81.4 70.8
2014 82 69.6
2013 82.6 66.1
2012 83.1 66.4
2011 82.5 66.3
2010 82.6 64.8
2009 82.6 64.6
2008 82.2 63.9
2007 81.1 63.8
2006 79.9 61.6
2005 79 61.9
2004 77.9 59.9
2003 77.4 61.1
2002 77.3 60.1
2001 77.4 60.2
2000 77.1 66
1999 76.4 68.9
1998 75.6 68.2
1997 75.5 66.8
1996 74 69.9
1995 74.1 71.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malaysia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
67.5%
2025
54.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
35.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.27%
2025
8.22%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.77T
2025
$445B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,930
2025
$40,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$72.6B
2025
$126B
2025
Total reserves ranking
37/177
2025
25/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$41.1B
2025
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.7B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$13B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
5.1%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
20.5%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malaysia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.