Skip to content

Economy of Austria vs Equatorial Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Austria has a GDP of $535B compared to $12.8B for Equatorial Guinea, ranking 30/197 and 148/197 by economy size, respectively.

Austria has $432B in government debt (80.8% of GDP), compared to $4.65B (36.4% of GDP) in Equatorial Guinea.

Austria vs Equatorial Guinea GDP by year

Austria
Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Austria Equatorial Guinea
2024 $534,790,720,467 $12,765,777,677
2023 $516,670,509,629 $12,337,550,584
2022 $473,221,298,968 $13,687,643,436
2021 $480,466,363,177 $12,215,878,033
2020 $434,397,601,558 $9,893,816,008
2019 $442,983,642,372 $11,364,133,550
2018 $452,582,294,973 $13,097,012,134
2017 $414,926,138,133 $12,200,913,879
2016 $393,687,359,770 $11,240,808,848
2015 $379,546,097,301 $13,185,496,881
2014 $438,556,021,078 $21,765,453,082
2013 $426,580,502,769 $21,948,834,284
2012 $406,750,487,604 $22,388,344,144
2011 $428,954,737,064 $21,357,343,669
2010 $389,827,789,218 $16,314,443,436
2009 $399,290,118,782 $15,027,795,173
2008 $429,234,399,096 $19,749,893,536
2007 $386,760,177,589 $13,071,718,759
2006 $333,905,979,332 $10,086,528,699
2005 $313,952,317,331 $8,217,369,093
2004 $299,210,411,455 $4,410,764,339
2003 $260,779,834,340 $2,484,745,935
2002 $212,837,224,023 $1,806,742,742
2001 $196,477,206,829 $1,461,139,022
2000 $196,181,599,831 $1,045,998,496
1999 $216,421,809,126 $621,117,886
1998 $217,068,085,816 $370,687,634
1997 $211,724,812,267 $442,337,871
1996 $235,952,581,232 $232,463,023
1995 $240,094,169,510 $141,853,361
1994 $202,738,023,130 $100,807,003
1993 $189,634,029,339 $136,047,906
1992 $194,314,032,056 $134,707,184
1991 $173,113,449,617 $110,906,029
1990 $165,811,372,383 $112,119,411
1989 $132,584,448,258 $88,265,975
1988 $132,817,124,707 $100,534,657
1987 $123,682,091,859 $93,345,860
1986 $98,648,254,169 $76,407,396
1985 $69,114,996,010 $62,118,570
1984 $67,719,055,773 $50,320,914
1983 $71,838,528,420 $44,442,457
1982 $70,996,111,963 $44,294,648
1981 $70,755,997,062 $36,731,423
1980 $81,737,498,405 $50,642,881
1979 $73,647,694,287 -
1978 $61,809,208,756 -
1977 $51,343,861,460 $103,987,520
1976 $42,791,707,448 $103,653,050
1975 $39,902,300,703 $104,295,643
1974 $35,051,468,640 $94,159,863
1973 $29,399,860,145 $81,203,227
1972 $21,973,207,929 $65,429,198
1971 $17,788,536,733 $64,946,955
1970 $15,312,791,744 $66,331,429
1969 $13,647,475,854 $67,225,714
1968 $12,499,863,917 $67,514,286
1967 $11,634,569,522 $72,317,447
1966 $10,939,526,219 $69,110,000
1965 $10,041,659,445 $64,748,333
1964 $9,213,648,656 $51,915,000
1963 $8,414,050,621 $44,266,667
1962 $7,793,042,529 $37,253,333
1961 $7,346,566,038 -
1960 $6,624,086,313 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Austria vs Equatorial Guinea by year

Austria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Austria Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $58,269 $73,911 $6,745 $17,567
2023 $56,580 $73,545 $6,678 $17,412
2022 $52,337 $72,065 $7,589 $18,140
2021 $53,649 $62,969 $6,946 $16,821
2020 $48,716 $58,523 $5,764 $13,677
2019 $49,886 $60,355 $6,804 $16,451
2018 $51,194 $56,636 $8,102 $18,413
2017 $47,164 $53,870 $7,809 $18,435
2016 $45,061 $52,398 $7,453 $16,649
2015 $43,915 $49,549 $9,069 $19,479
2014 $51,315 $48,355 $15,549 $27,177
2013 $50,305 $47,520 $16,304 $27,910
2012 $48,250 $46,156 $17,309 $30,012
2011 $51,117 $44,172 $17,198 $27,242
2010 $46,611 $41,735 $13,720 $26,168
2009 $47,857 $40,687 $13,233 $29,722
2008 $51,581 $41,047 $18,211 $30,523
2007 $46,623 $39,192 $12,617 $26,611
2006 $40,382 $37,388 $10,185 $23,511
2005 $38,157 $34,777 $8,674 $22,137
2004 $36,614 $33,519 $4,901 $19,354
2003 $32,110 $31,959 $2,931 $14,496
2002 $26,335 $30,952 $2,264 $13,255
2001 $24,430 $29,553 $1,949 $11,627
2000 $24,487 $29,221 $1,487 $7,420
1999 $27,079 $27,500 $931 $6,470
1998 $27,212 $26,531 $578 $5,280
1997 $26,572 $25,301 $717 $4,387
1996 $29,646 $24,427 $392 $1,793
1995 $30,207 $23,604 $248.3 $1,098
1994 $25,546 $22,553 $183.2 $951
1993 $23,987 $21,647 $256.7 $828
1992 $24,783 $21,209 $263.7 $756
1991 $22,323 $20,536 $225.3 $569
1990 $21,596 $19,396 $236.4 $577
1989 $17,401 - $193.2 -
1988 $17,510 - $228.7 -
1987 $16,329 - $220.9 -
1986 $13,032 - $188.8 -
1985 $9,136 - $161.1 -
1984 $8,956 - $137.9 -
1983 $9,500 - $129.4 -
1982 $9,373 - $137.5 -
1981 $9,348 - $121.1 -
1980 $10,827 - $175.5 -
1979 $9,755 - - -
1978 $8,173 - - -
1977 $6,784 - $376 -
1976 $5,656 - $369 -
1975 $5,265 - $362 -
1974 $4,613 - $319 -
1973 $3,875 - $268.6 -
1972 $2,913 - $211.4 -
1971 $2,372 - $205.6 -
1970 $2,051 - $206.8 -
1969 $1,834 - $208.4 -
1968 $1,686 - $211.7 -
1967 $1,577 - $231.9 -
1966 $1,494 - $226.7 -
1965 $1,381 - $217.1 -
1964 $1,275 - $177.8 -
1963 $1,173 - $154.8 -
1962 $1,093 - $132.9 -
1961 $1,037 - - -
1960 $940 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

Austria's GDP per capita is $58,269, ranking 16/197, compared to $6,745 in Equatorial Guinea, ranking 106/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Austria ranks 19th at $73,911, while Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567.

Economic indicators

Austria Equatorial Guinea
Gross domestic product
$535B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GDP rank
30/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.66%
2023-2024
0.91%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$58,269
2024
$6,745
2024
GDP per capita rank
16/197
2024
106/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,911
2024
$17,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
19/197
2024
106/197
2024
Government debt
$432B
2024
$4.65B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80.8%
2024
36.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$47,075
2024
$2,458
2024
Government debt per person rank
10/185
2024
110/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,736
2026
$5,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$121B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
9
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2023
29.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
56%
2024
18.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.94%
2023-2024
3.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.16%
2024
8.6%
2014
Population
9163419
1998075

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Austria
Spending

Debt
Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Austria Equatorial Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 56% 80.8% 18.5% 36.4%
2023 52.7% 78.5% 19.2% 39.1%
2022 53% 78.4% 14.8% 29.8%
2021 56% 82.4% 12.7% 42.3%
2020 57.3% 83.2% 16.2% 49.4%
2019 49.1% 71% 16.8% 43.2%
2018 49.2% 74.6% 19.1% 40.6%
2017 49.8% 79.1% 20.1% 36.2%
2016 50.6% 83.4% 27.8% 41.1%
2015 51.2% 85.6% 41.6% 31.7%
2014 52.4% 85.2% 31.6% 12.6%
2013 52.4% 82.4% 29.3% 6.27%
2012 51.8% 82.9% 35.2% 7.1%
2011 51.3% 83.4% 27.5% 7.17%
2010 53.4% 83.7% 31.2% 7.89%
2009 54.6% 80.8% 39.8% 4.34%
2008 50.4% 69.5% 19.9% 0.49%
2007 49.7% 65.8% 19.7% 0.75%
2006 50.9% 68.2% 18.1% 1.22%
2005 51.7% 69.4% 14.1% 2.85%
2004 54.3% 65.9% 15.5% 4.54%
2003 51.8% 66.4% 11.8% 6.77%
2002 51.6% 67.4% 11.3% 19.4%
2001 51.8% 67.2% 13.5% 25.5%
2000 50.9% 66.1% 22.6% 36.6%
1999 50.5% 61.3% 18.7% 60.5%
1998 54.4% 69.2% 35.1% 59.2%
1997 52.5% 63.4% 14.8% 46.3%
1996 55.9% 68.2% 22.9% 91.2%
1995 56.1% 68.2% 141.5% 136.9%
1994 54.3% 64.1% 510% 216%
1993 54.3% 61% 256.3% 152.6%
1992 49.3% 56.3% 595% 136.9%
1991 47.9% 56.4% 284.5% 169.5%
1990 46.8% 56.2% 212.9% 157%
1989 51.6% 56.6% 116.8% 187%
1988 53.1% 57.7% 227.9% 154.5%
1987 54.5% 55.5% 183% 141.3%
1986 54.3% 52% 119% 152.5%
1985 53.5% 47.8% 115.4% 183.8%
1984 52.6% 46% - -
1983 52.4% 43.7% - -
1982 52% 39.7% - -
1981 51.5% 37.5% - -
1980 50% 35.6% - -
1979 49.8% 34.1% - -
1978 50.8% 32.2% - -
1977 47.6% 28.5% - -
1976 47.9% 26.2% - -
1975 46.1% 22.8% - -
1974 42% 16.8% - -
1973 41.5% 16.7% - -
1972 40.1% 16.7% - -
1971 40% 17.4% - -
1970 39.5% 18.6% - -
1969 40.7% 16.8% - -
1968 40.9% 16.8% - -
1967 40.7% 15.6% - -
1966 38.7% 14.1% - -
1965 38.3% 14.8% - -
1964 38.7% 15.5% - -
1963 38.6% 15.6% - -
1962 37.6% 15.5% - -
1961 35.7% 16% - -
1960 36.3% 17.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Austria's government spending was $300B, accounting for 56% of its GDP, while Equatorial Guinea spent $2.36B, or 18.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80.8% in Austria and 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea, ranking 44/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Austria

Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Austria Equatorial Guinea
2024 -4.64% -0.55%
2023 -2.62% 2.39%
2022 -3.31% 11.7%
2021 -5.69% 2.65%
2020 -8.2% -1.77%
2019 0.54% 1.82%
2018 0.2% 0.52%
2017 -0.78% -2.59%
2016 -1.45% -10.9%
2015 -0.48% -15.1%
2014 -1.92% -7.54%
2013 -1.99% -4.4%
2012 -2.18% -7.24%
2011 -2.48% 0.83%
2010 -4.46% -4.53%
2009 -5.38% -6.47%
2008 -1.57% 14.6%
2007 -1.56% 17.2%
2006 -2.61% 21.8%
2005 -2.59% 18.5%
2004 -4.94% 9.22%
2003 -1.84% 9.99%
2002 -1.43% 17.6%
2001 -0.71% 14.9%
2000 -2.07% -2.67%
1999 -2.63% -0.19%
1998 -2.68% -7.65%
1997 -2.38% 3.21%
1996 -4.38% -6.36%
1995 -6.17% -123.4%
1994 -5.04% -487%
1993 -4.57% -217.9%
1992 -2.15% -557%
1991 -2.96% -236%
1990 -2.58% -160.2%
1989 -3.07% -76.2%
1988 -3.43% -208.5%
1987 -4.33% -158%
1986 -3.84% -97.3%
1985 -2.71% -89.3%
1984 -2.67% -
1983 -4.22% -
1982 -3.29% -
1981 -1.79% -
1980 -1.62% -
1979 -2.3% -
1978 -2.67% -
1977 -2.11% -
1976 -3.61% -
1975 -2.41% -
1974 1.23% -
1973 1.24% -
1972 1.97% -
1971 1.46% -
1970 1.16% -
1969 -0.08% -
1968 -0.83% -
1967 -0.56% -
1966 1.73% -
1965 1.38% -
1964 0.48% -
1963 -0.5% -
1962 1.12% -
1961 1.68% -
1960 -0.49% -
1959 -2.16% -
1958 -3.52% -
1957 -0.7% -
1956 -0.78% -
1955 -0.5% -
1954 -0.35% -
1953 -0.24% -
1952 -0.73% -
1951 -1.57% -
1950 -7.72% -
1949 -9.23% -
1948 -9.3% -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 -2.84% -
1936 -3.91% -
1935 -5.46% -
1934 -5.28% -
1933 -3.55% -
1932 -9.16% -
1931 -11.5% -
1930 -9.68% -
1929 -6.83% -
1928 -7.63% -
1927 -7.3% -
1926 -6.18% -
1925 -4.96% -
1924 -5.69% -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 -0.69% -
1911 0.03% -
1910 -0.42% -
1909 -5.51% -
1908 -1.24% -
1907 -2.73% -
1906 -0.05% -
1905 -0.71% -
1904 -1.12% -
1903 -0.97% -
1902 -0.75% -
1901 -0.56% -
1900 -0.05% -
1899 -0.08% -
1898 -0.17% -
1897 0.1% -
1896 0.03% -
1895 0.36% -
1894 -1.16% -
1893 -1.31% -
1892 -0.86% -
1891 -4.01% -
1890 -0.26% -
1889 -1.61% -
1888 -0.97% -
1887 -1.09% -
1886 -0.43% -
1885 -0.57% -
1884 -6.43% -
1883 -0.69% -
1882 -1.06% -
1881 -3.91% -
1880 -1.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Austria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.8B, equivalent to 4.64% of GDP. This compares to Equatorial Guinea's deficit of $70.8M, or 0.55% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Austria recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Equatorial Guinea ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Austria posted an annual deficit equal to 2.93% of GDP, compared to deficit of 58.6% of GDP for Equatorial Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Austria

Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Austria Equatorial Guinea
2024 2.94% 3.4%
2023 7.81% 2.4%
2022 8.55% 4.9%
2021 2.77% -0.1%
2020 1.38% 4.8%
2019 1.53% 1.2%
2018 2% 1.3%
2017 2.08% 0.7%
2016 0.89% 1.4%
2015 0.9% 1.7%
2014 1.61% 4.3%
2013 2% 3.2%
2012 2.49% 3.4%
2011 3.29% 4.8%
2010 1.81% 5.3%
2009 0.51% 5.7%
2008 3.22% 4.7%
2007 2.17% 2.8%
2006 1.44% 4.5%
2005 2.3% 5.6%
2004 2.06% 4.2%
2003 1.36% 7.3%
2002 1.81% 7.6%
2001 2.65% 8.7%
2000 2.34% 4.8%
1999 0.57% 0.4%
1998 0.92% 7.9%
1997 1.31% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Austria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 3.93% in Equatorial Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 2.94% in Austria and 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Austria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $263K
Machinery & equipment $107K
Chemicals & pharma $104K
Animal & marine products $56K
Textiles & consumer goods $34K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8K

Balance of trade

Austria Equatorial Guinea
Current account balance
$8.19B
2024
-$344M
1996
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2024
101/190
1996
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.53%
2024
-148%
1996
Goods imports
$195B
2024
$292M
1996
Goods exports
$201B
2024
$175M
1996
Service imports
$90.5B
2024
$185M
1996
Service exports
$96.6B
2024
$4.88M
1996
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.1%
2024
25.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.7%
2024
35.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Austria Equatorial Guinea
Economic freedom 69.8 47.4
Economic freedom ranking 38/197 175/197
Property rights 95.7 16.9
Government integrity 75 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 94.8 7.2
Tax burden 45.7 81
Government spending 12.8 90.8
Fiscal health 67.1 97.3
Business freedom 78.7 35.9
Labor freedom 81.6 45.2
Monetary freedom 76.4 73.5
Trade freedom 79.4 43.6
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Austria
Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Austria Equatorial Guinea
2026 69.8 47.4
2025 69.7 47.7
2024 68.4 47.7
2023 71.1 48.3
2022 73.8 47.2
2021 73.9 49.2
2020 73.3 48.3
2019 72 41
2018 71.8 42
2017 72.3 45
2016 71.7 43.7
2015 71.2 40.4
2014 72.4 44.4
2013 71.8 42.3
2012 70.3 42.8
2011 71.9 47.5
2010 71.6 48.6
2009 71.2 51.3
2008 71.4 51.6
2007 71.6 53.2
2006 71.1 51.5
2005 68.8 53.3
2004 67.6 53.3
2003 67.6 53.1
2002 67.4 46.4
2001 68.1 47.9
2000 68.4 45.6
1999 64 45.1
1998 65.4 -
1997 65.2 -
1996 68.9 -
1995 70 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Austria is 69.8, ranking 38/197, compared to 47.4 for Equatorial Guinea, ranking 175/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Austria Equatorial Guinea
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
51.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
45.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.22%
2024
3.15%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$503B
2024
$8.96B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,160
2024
$12,330
2024
Total reserves including gold
$35.4B
2024
$1.54B
2023
Total reserves ranking
53/177
2024
134/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$135M
2024
-$376M
1996
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
$188M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.8B
2024
$154M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
50.7%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
8.96%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/equatorial-guinea | 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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.