Skip to content

Economy of Austria vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Austria has a GDP of $535B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 30/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Austria has $432B in government debt (80.8% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Austria vs Kuwait GDP by year

Austria
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Austria Kuwait
2024 $534,790,720,467 $160,227,273,053
2023 $516,670,509,629 $165,384,407,116
2022 $473,221,298,968 $183,502,046,694
2021 $480,466,363,177 $148,350,671,489
2020 $434,397,601,558 $111,045,470,606
2019 $442,983,642,372 $140,856,394,861
2018 $452,582,294,973 $138,646,316,351
2017 $414,926,138,133 $120,687,539,806
2016 $393,687,359,770 $109,406,674,125
2015 $379,546,097,301 $114,585,555,689
2014 $438,556,021,078 $162,650,450,685
2013 $426,580,502,769 $174,168,116,535
2012 $406,750,487,604 $174,047,662,680
2011 $428,954,737,064 $154,039,231,246
2010 $389,827,789,218 $115,416,245,242
2009 $399,290,118,782 $105,968,691,905
2008 $429,234,399,096 $147,379,737,230
2007 $386,760,177,589 $114,634,043,362
2006 $333,905,979,332 $101,557,330,723
2005 $313,952,317,331 $80,798,630,137
2004 $299,210,411,455 $59,439,090,601
2003 $260,779,834,340 $47,874,582,232
2002 $212,837,224,023 $38,135,788,414
2001 $196,477,206,829 $34,889,559,870
2000 $196,181,599,831 $37,718,743,480
1999 $216,421,809,126 $30,122,365,849
1998 $217,068,085,816 $25,943,705,784
1997 $211,724,812,267 $30,350,190,704
1996 $235,952,581,232 $31,492,373,309
1995 $240,094,169,510 $27,186,980,647
1994 $202,738,023,130 $24,848,483,838
1993 $189,634,029,339 $23,941,391,391
1992 $194,314,032,056 $19,858,555,215
1991 $173,113,449,617 $11,009,993,703
1990 $165,811,372,383 $18,427,777,778
1989 $132,584,448,258 $24,313,855,653
1988 $132,817,124,707 $20,690,322,153
1987 $123,682,091,859 $22,368,704,134
1986 $98,648,254,169 $17,903,989,745
1985 $69,114,996,010 $21,445,970,614
1984 $67,719,055,773 $21,700,082,753
1983 $71,838,528,420 $20,871,081,080
1982 $70,996,111,963 $21,577,153,356
1981 $70,755,997,062 $25,058,020,338
1980 $81,737,498,405 $28,638,868,356
1979 $73,647,694,287 $24,749,063,922
1978 $61,809,208,756 $15,503,557,496
1977 $51,343,861,460 $14,137,406,741
1976 $42,791,707,448 $13,132,252,802
1975 $39,902,300,703 $12,022,811,621
1974 $35,051,468,640 $13,006,948,296
1973 $29,399,860,145 $5,408,804,607
1972 $21,973,207,929 $4,450,537,925
1971 $17,788,536,733 $3,880,392,195
1970 $15,312,791,744 $2,873,638,851
1969 $13,647,475,854 $2,769,198,892
1968 $12,499,863,917 $2,662,798,935
1967 $11,634,569,522 $2,441,599,023
1966 $10,939,526,219 $2,391,199,044
1965 $10,041,659,445 $2,097,199,161
1964 $9,213,648,656 $2,071,668,533
1963 $8,414,050,621 $1,900,895,857
1962 $7,793,042,529 $1,828,107,503
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/kuwait | CC BY

GDP per capita in Austria vs Kuwait by year

Austria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Austria Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $58,269 $73,911 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $56,580 $73,545 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $52,337 $72,065 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $53,649 $62,969 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $48,716 $58,523 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $49,886 $60,355 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $51,194 $56,636 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $47,164 $53,870 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $45,061 $52,398 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $43,915 $49,549 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $51,315 $48,355 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $50,305 $47,520 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $48,250 $46,156 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $51,117 $44,172 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $46,611 $41,735 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $47,857 $40,687 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $51,581 $41,047 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $46,623 $39,192 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $40,382 $37,388 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $38,157 $34,777 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $36,614 $33,519 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $32,110 $31,959 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $26,335 $30,952 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $24,430 $29,553 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $24,487 $29,221 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $27,079 $27,500 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $27,212 $26,531 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $26,572 $25,301 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $29,646 $24,427 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $30,207 $23,604 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $25,546 $22,553 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $23,987 $21,647 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $24,783 $21,209 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $22,323 $20,536 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $21,596 $19,396 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $17,401 - $10,965 -
1988 $17,510 - $9,692 -
1987 $16,329 - $10,896 -
1986 $13,032 - $9,077 -
1985 $9,136 - $11,322 -
1984 $8,956 - $11,919 -
1983 $9,500 - $11,965 -
1982 $9,373 - $12,979 -
1981 $9,348 - $15,825 -
1980 $10,827 - $19,032 -
1979 $9,755 - $17,386 -
1978 $8,173 - $11,567 -
1977 $6,784 - $11,238 -
1976 $5,656 - $11,141 -
1975 $5,265 - $10,882 -
1974 $4,613 - $12,527 -
1973 $3,875 - $5,532 -
1972 $2,913 - $4,836 -
1971 $2,372 - $4,486 -
1970 $2,051 - $3,552 -
1969 $1,834 - $3,695 -
1968 $1,686 - $3,872 -
1967 $1,577 - $3,887 -
1966 $1,494 - $4,176 -
1965 $1,381 - $4,024 -
1964 $1,275 - $4,379 -
1963 $1,173 - $4,445 -
1962 $1,093 - $4,748 -
1961 $1,037 - - -
1960 $940 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/kuwait | CC BY

Austria's GDP per capita is $58,269, ranking 16/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Austria ranks 19th at $73,911, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Austria Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$535B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
30/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.66%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$58,269
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
16/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,911
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
19/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$432B
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80.8%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$47,075
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
10/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,736
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$121B
2024
$141B
2024
Number of billionaires
9
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
56%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.94%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.16%
2024
2.16%
2016
Population
9163419
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Austria
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Austria Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 56% 80.8% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 52.7% 78.5% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 53% 78.4% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 56% 82.4% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 57.3% 83.2% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 49.1% 71% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 49.2% 74.6% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 49.8% 79.1% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 50.6% 83.4% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 51.2% 85.6% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 52.4% 85.2% 45% 3.43%
2013 52.4% 82.4% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 51.8% 82.9% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 51.3% 83.4% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 53.4% 83.7% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 54.6% 80.8% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 50.4% 69.5% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 49.7% 65.8% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 50.9% 68.2% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 51.7% 69.4% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 54.3% 65.9% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 51.8% 66.4% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 51.6% 67.4% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 51.8% 67.2% 41.4% 23%
2000 50.9% 66.1% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 50.5% 61.3% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 54.4% 69.2% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 52.5% 63.4% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 55.9% 68.2% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 56.1% 68.2% 52% 34.9%
1994 54.3% 64.1% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 54.3% 61% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 49.3% 56.3% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 47.9% 56.4% 208.9% 45.3%
1990 46.8% 56.2% 122.9% -
1989 51.6% 56.6% - -
1988 53.1% 57.7% - -
1987 54.5% 55.5% - -
1986 54.3% 52% - -
1985 53.5% 47.8% - -
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/kuwait | CC BY

In 2024, Austria's government spending was $300B, accounting for 56% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80.8% in Austria and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 44/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Austria

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Austria Kuwait
2024 -4.64% 23.8%
2023 -2.62% 28.2%
2022 -3.31% 30%
2021 -5.69% 9.98%
2020 -8.2% 0.14%
2019 0.54% 13%
2018 0.2% 17.5%
2017 -0.78% 15.3%
2016 -1.45% 13.1%
2015 -0.48% 16.6%
2014 -1.92% 30%
2013 -1.99% 40.6%
2012 -2.18% 40.7%
2011 -2.48% 38.8%
2010 -4.46% 31.9%
2009 -5.38% 31.3%
2008 -1.57% 21.3%
2007 -1.56% 37.1%
2006 -2.61% 28%
2005 -2.59% 38.9%
2004 -4.94% 32.5%
2003 -1.84% 27.2%
2002 -1.43% 31%
2001 -0.71% 45.2%
2000 -2.07% 52.5%
1999 -2.63% 28.2%
1998 -2.68% 19.5%
1997 -2.38% 29.5%
1996 -4.38% 24.3%
1995 -6.17% 11.7%
1994 -5.04% 1.76%
1993 -4.57% -3.12%
1992 -2.15% -28.1%
1991 -2.96% -145%
1990 -2.58% -50%
1989 -3.07% -
1988 -3.43% -
1987 -4.33% -
1986 -3.84% -
1985 -2.71% -
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/kuwait | 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 Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Austria recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Austria posted an annual deficit equal to 2.85% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Austria

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Austria Kuwait
2024 2.94% 2.9%
2023 7.81% 3.64%
2022 8.55% 3.98%
2021 2.77% 3.42%
2020 1.38% 2.1%
2019 1.53% 1.09%
2018 2% 0.54%
2017 2.08% 2.17%
2016 0.89% 3.2%
2015 0.9% 3.27%
2014 1.61% 2.91%
2013 2% 2.68%
2012 2.49% 3.26%
2011 3.29% 4.84%
2010 1.81% 4.5%
2009 0.51% 4.61%
2008 3.22% 10.6%
2007 2.17% 5.48%
2006 1.44% 3.06%
2005 2.3% 4.14%
2004 2.06% 1.25%
2003 1.36% 0.96%
2002 1.81% 0.89%
2001 2.65% 1.3%
2000 2.34% 1.81%
1999 0.57% 2.99%
1998 0.92% 0.13%
1997 1.31% 0.68%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/kuwait | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Austria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 2.94% in Austria and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Austria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $62.5M
Wood & paper products $12.2M
Metals $5.72M
Chemicals & pharma $5M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.08M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.23M
Raw materials & minerals $433K
Raw agricultural goods $295K
Miscellaneous $148K
Animal & marine products $111K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $204K
Precious metals & jewellery $102K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Austria Kuwait
Current account balance
$8.19B
2024
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2024
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.53%
2024
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$195B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$201B
2024
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$90.5B
2024
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$96.6B
2024
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.1%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.7%
2024
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Austria Kuwait
Economic freedom 69.8 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 38/197 100/197
Property rights 95.7 42
Government integrity 75 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 94.8 43.4
Tax burden 45.7 97.7
Government spending 12.8 36.2
Fiscal health 67.1 99.9
Business freedom 78.7 57.4
Labor freedom 81.6 49.2
Monetary freedom 76.4 68.7
Trade freedom 79.4 75.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Austria
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Austria Kuwait
2026 69.8 59.9
2025 69.7 59.9
2024 68.4 58.5
2023 71.1 56.7
2022 73.8 58.3
2021 73.9 64.1
2020 73.3 63.2
2019 72 60.8
2018 71.8 62.2
2017 72.3 65.1
2016 71.7 62.7
2015 71.2 62.5
2014 72.4 62.3
2013 71.8 63.1
2012 70.3 62.5
2011 71.9 64.9
2010 71.6 67.7
2009 71.2 65.6
2008 71.4 68.1
2007 71.6 66.4
2006 71.1 66.5
2005 68.8 64.6
2004 67.6 63.6
2003 67.6 66.7
2002 67.4 65.4
2001 68.1 68.2
2000 68.4 69.7
1999 64 69.5
1998 65.4 66.3
1997 65.2 64.8
1996 68.9 66.1
1995 70 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/kuwait | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Austria is 69.8, ranking 38/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Austria Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.22%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$503B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,160
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$35.4B
2024
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
53/177
2024
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$135M
2024
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.8B
2024
$10.3B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
17.7%
2023

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/kuwait | 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.