Skip to content

Economy of Bahamas vs Greece compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $256B for Greece, ranking 140/197 and 53/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $397B (154.8% of GDP) in Greece.

Bahamas vs Greece GDP by year

Bahamas
Greece
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Greece
2024 $15,832,800,000 $256,238,371,778
2023 $15,271,300,000 $242,946,187,738
2022 $13,896,800,000 $217,990,189,601
2021 $12,037,000,000 $218,303,801,895
2020 $10,363,200,000 $191,362,985,555
2019 $13,277,000,000 $207,305,649,887
2018 $12,819,200,000 $213,298,873,494
2017 $12,446,900,000 $200,381,103,984
2016 $11,880,900,000 $193,097,239,006
2015 $11,837,600,000 $194,567,373,678
2014 $11,139,100,000 $233,911,581,521
2013 $10,475,300,000 $236,556,279,641
2012 $10,720,400,000 $238,841,140,018
2011 $10,070,450,000 $283,228,079,776
2010 $10,095,760,000 $296,417,644,404
2009 $9,981,960,000 $326,829,054,686
2008 $10,526,000,000 $351,121,399,546
2007 $10,618,340,000 $314,226,996,944
2006 $10,167,250,000 $269,073,415,334
2005 $9,836,200,000 $242,315,668,619
2004 $9,055,290,000 $234,979,615,898
2003 $8,870,090,000 $196,930,509,813
2002 $8,881,160,000 $150,253,800,086
2001 $8,317,830,000 $132,050,474,720
2000 $8,076,470,000 $125,760,166,225
1999 $7,683,870,000 $137,131,371,955
1998 $6,833,220,000 $139,612,812,176
1997 $6,332,360,000 $138,766,067,640
1996 $3,609,000,000 $142,502,984,145
1995 $3,429,000,000 $134,974,613,914
1994 $3,259,000,000 $114,980,063,202
1993 $3,092,000,000 $107,295,704,518
1992 $3,109,000,000 $114,608,178,405
1991 $3,111,160,000 $103,680,863,713
1990 $3,166,000,000 $96,529,587,274
1989 $3,062,000,000 $78,067,933,277
1988 $2,817,900,000 $75,200,610,137
1987 $2,713,999,900 $64,739,630,096
1986 $2,472,500,000 $55,595,445,472
1985 $2,320,699,900 $47,155,741,426
1984 $2,041,100,000 $47,352,146,312
1983 $1,732,800,000 $48,741,397,059
1982 $1,578,300,000 $53,858,346,939
1981 $1,426,500,000 $51,618,456,335
1980 $1,335,300,000 $56,039,256,595
1979 $1,139,800,100 $53,724,121,435
1978 $832,400,000 $43,654,480,519
1977 $713,000,000 $35,673,080,481
1976 $642,100,000 $30,719,552,239
1975 $596,200,000 $28,129,128,587
1974 $632,400,000 $24,998,715,909
1973 $670,900,000 $22,037,019,563
1972 $590,900,000 $16,650,659,091
1971 $573,400,000 $14,388,806,818
1970 $539,500,000 $12,957,113,636
1969 $538,700,000 $11,454,106,327
1968 $453,800,000 $9,950,331,206
1967 $398,000,000 $9,146,592,856
1966 $346,800,000 $8,472,021,467
1965 $300,272,048 $7,582,209,670
1964 $266,560,043 $6,576,906,345
1963 $237,650,038 $5,813,285,627
1962 $212,170,034 $5,140,542,929
1961 $190,022,030 $4,892,397,431
1960 $169,736,027 $4,274,890,307

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/greece | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Greece by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Greece
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Greece
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $24,626 $44,327
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $23,344 $42,711
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $20,887 $39,612
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $20,655 $33,531
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $17,887 $29,533
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $19,335 $31,927
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $19,873 $29,792
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $18,632 $28,682
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $17,919 $27,505
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $17,981 $26,608
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $21,475 $26,450
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $21,573 $25,731
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $21,624 $24,583
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $25,505 $25,693
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $26,653 $27,839
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $29,425 $29,963
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $31,696 $30,441
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $28,441 $28,896
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $24,416 $28,076
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $22,054 $25,004
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $21,449 $24,826
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $18,021 $23,253
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $13,782 $21,985
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $12,157 $20,304
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $11,638 $18,820
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $12,743 $17,758
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $13,023 $17,434
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $13,016 $16,630
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $13,433 $15,778
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $12,779 $15,218
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $10,937 $14,667
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $10,257 $14,150
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $11,021 $14,130
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $10,047 $13,824
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $9,467 $13,126
1989 $11,291 - $7,738 -
1988 $10,576 - $7,492 -
1987 $10,361 - $6,474 -
1986 $9,601 - $5,578 -
1985 $9,167 - $4,747 -
1984 $8,202 - $4,785 -
1983 $7,081 - $4,950 -
1982 $6,559 - $5,502 -
1981 $6,029 - $5,305 -
1980 $5,743 - $5,812 -
1979 $4,994 - $5,627 -
1978 $3,720 - $4,629 -
1977 $3,253 - $3,832 -
1976 $2,993 - $3,343 -
1975 $2,841 - $3,109 -
1974 $3,080 - $2,789 -
1973 $3,341 - $2,468 -
1972 $3,014 - $1,873 -
1971 $3,004 - $1,629 -
1970 $2,916 - $1,474 -
1969 $3,027 - $1,306 -
1968 $2,668 - $1,138 -
1967 $2,453 - $1,053 -
1966 $2,239 - $984 -
1965 $2,030 - $887 -
1964 $1,883 - $773 -
1963 $1,759 - $686 -
1962 $1,651 - $608 -
1961 $1,555 - $583 -
1960 $1,459 - $513 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/greece | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $24,626 in Greece, ranking 49/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Greece ranks 52nd at $44,327.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Greece
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$256B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
53/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
2.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$24,626
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
49/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$44,327
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
52/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$397B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
154.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$38,119
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
16/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$14,396
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$83.2B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
16
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
48%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
2.74%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
10%
2024
Population
405203
10181414

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Greece
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Greece
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 48% 154.8%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 49.5% 165.2%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 52.8% 178.4%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 56.7% 197.8%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 59.3% 209.9%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 47.6% 183.7%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 48.6% 189.6%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 48.5% 182.6%
2016 19.4% 51% 50.3% 183.7%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 51.9% 180%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 51.5% 182.8%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 53% 180.5%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 54.9% 164.3%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 55.1% 175.1%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 53.1% 147.8%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 54.8% 128.5%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 51.5% 110.9%
2007 13.3% 23% 47.8% 104.6%
2006 13% 22.8% 45.9% 105.3%
2005 12.3% 22% 46.6% 109.9%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 48.8% 105.5%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 47.9% 104.3%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 47.1% 107.9%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 47.5% 110.5%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 48.2% 108.9%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 48% 102.8%
1998 11.6% 20% 46.7% 100.8%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 45.1% 102.6%
1996 11.2% 20.2% 46.1% 103.7%
1995 11.2% 20.5% 46.6% 100.4%
1994 11.4% 20.4% 36.9% 99.7%
1993 11.5% 19.8% 38.6% 101.7%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 36.9% 81.1%
1991 12% 15.4% 35.2% 75.7%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 38.5% 74.2%
1989 - - 34.8% 60.7%
1988 - - 33.8% 57.9%
1987 - - 34% 53.2%
1986 - - 33.8% 47.8%
1985 - - 34.2% 47.3%
1984 - - 32% 40.6%
1983 - - 30.2% 34.1%
1982 - - 28.7% 29.7%
1981 - - 28.1% 27.1%
1980 - - 24.5% 22.8%
1979 - - 24.1% 22.7%
1978 - - 30.1% 32.3%
1977 - - 30.1% 24.5%
1976 - - 29.1% 23.7%
1975 - - 28.7% 24.1%
1974 - - 25.3% 22.5%
1973 - - 24.3% 22%
1972 - - 26.8% 26.5%
1971 - - 25.8% 25%
1970 - - 25.2% 24.7%
1969 - - 29.7% 25.8%
1968 - - 26.3% 23%
1967 - - 24.6% 21.1%
1966 - - 22.8% 19%
1965 - - 21.7% 16.5%
1964 - - 20.4% 21.3%
1963 - - 19.5% 22.6%
1962 - - 19.7% 16.6%
1961 - - 19.3% 14.4%
1960 - - 20% 13.4%

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/bahamas/greece | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Greece spent $123B, or 48% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 154.8% in Greece, ranking 53/185 and 7/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Greece
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Greece
2024 -1.18% 1.34%
2023 -3.49% -1.35%
2022 -5.16% -2.46%
2021 -11.1% -7.58%
2020 -8.09% -10.3%
2019 -1.65% -0.09%
2018 -3.24% 0.78%
2017 -5.92% 1.05%
2016 -2.61% 0.28%
2015 -3.24% -3.03%
2014 -4.38% -4.29%
2013 -5.16% -4.06%
2012 -3.15% -6.94%
2011 -2.87% -10.5%
2010 -2.56% -11.4%
2009 -2.45% -15.4%
2008 -0.83% -10.3%
2007 -0.76% -6.81%
2006 -0.43% -6.04%
2005 -1.11% -6.33%
2004 -1.93% -9.05%
2003 -1.63% -8.05%
2002 -1.62% -6.2%
2001 0.3% -5.64%
2000 0.09% -4.21%
1999 1.68% -6.02%
1998 -0.41% -6.48%
1997 -1.56% -6.25%
1996 -0.15% -8.35%
1995 0.18% -9.87%
1994 -0.39% -8.48%
1993 -1.05% -11.5%
1992 -2.23% -10.6%
1991 -2.29% -9.63%
1990 -2.64% -13.3%
1989 - -11.9%
1988 - -9.63%
1987 - -8.09%
1986 - -8.62%
1985 - -9.56%
1984 - -7.19%
1983 - -6.17%
1982 - -5.49%
1981 - -7.08%
1980 - -2.5%
1979 - -2.34%
1978 - -5.39%
1977 - -5.21%
1976 - -5.05%
1975 - -5.3%
1974 - -4.39%
1973 - -3.71%
1972 - -4.16%
1971 - -3.32%
1970 - -3.24%
1969 - -6.65%
1968 - -3.39%
1967 - -2.59%
1966 - -2.17%
1965 - -2.55%
1964 - -2.89%
1963 - -2.25%
1962 - -2.4%
1961 - -2.69%
1960 - -3.3%
1959 - -2.77%
1958 - -2.27%
1957 - -2.45%
1956 - -0.39%
1955 - -3.57%
1954 - -2.87%
1953 - -3.01%
1952 - -7.21%
1951 - -11.5%
1950 - -12.7%
1949 - -10.4%
1948 - -7.65%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - 0.48%
1938 - 1.78%
1937 - 1.06%
1936 - 0.95%
1935 - 0.72%
1934 - 0.88%
1933 - -2.79%
1932 - -1.78%
1931 - -4%
1930 - -2.23%
1929 - -18.7%
1928 - -0.27%
1927 - 2.65%
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -8.96%
1912 - -7.43%
1911 - -4.61%
1910 - -1.53%
1909 - -2.64%
1908 - -1.54%
1907 - -1.23%
1906 - 0.66%
1905 - 0.91%
1904 - -0.04%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.67%
1901 - 0.1%
1900 - 0.41%
1899 - 0.86%
1898 - -34.5%
1897 - -8.46%
1896 - 0.82%
1895 - 0.37%
1894 - 2.91%
1893 - 0.14%
1892 - -2.28%
1891 - -6.48%
1890 - -11.2%
1889 - -15.7%
1888 - -3.59%
1887 - -4.88%
1886 - -11.5%
1885 - -12.1%
1884 - -7.16%
1883 - -2.42%
1882 - -1.69%
1881 - -14.5%
1880 - -13.5%

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/bahamas/greece | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to Greece's surplus of $3.43B, or 1.34% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Greece ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.49% of GDP for Greece.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Greece
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Greece
2024 0.41% 2.74%
2023 3.05% 3.46%
2022 5.61% 9.65%
2021 2.9% 1.22%
2020 0.04% -1.25%
2019 2.49% 0.25%
2018 2.27% 0.63%
2017 1.52% 1.12%
2016 -0.35% -0.83%
2015 1.86% -1.74%
2014 1.51% -1.31%
2013 0.72% -0.92%
2012 1.97% 1.5%
2011 3.2% 3.33%
2010 1.34% 4.71%
2009 2.06% 1.21%
2008 4.49% 4.15%
2007 2.49% 2.9%
2006 2.39% 3.2%
2005 1.59% 3.55%
2004 0.98% 2.9%
2003 3.03% 3.53%
2002 2.17% 3.63%
2001 2.04% 3.37%
2000 1.61% 3.15%
1999 1.25% 2.64%
1998 1.34% 4.77%
1997 0.54% 5.54%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/greece | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.4% in Greece. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 2.74% in Greece.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Greece
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $78.1M
Machinery & equipment $5.38M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.83M
Metals $1.66M
Raw agricultural goods $1.57M
Miscellaneous $1.4M
Animal & marine products $948K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $879K
Chemicals & pharma $715K
Wood & paper products $169K

Balance of trade

Bahamas Greece
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$18.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
182/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
-7.11%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$91.2B
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$52.6B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$31.1B
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$55.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
47.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
42.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahamas Greece
Economic freedom 65.1 63.2
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 82/197
Property rights 62.7 78
Government integrity 67.1 54.8
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 68
Tax burden 96.1 59.9
Government spending 83.8 24.7
Fiscal health 9.1 78.9
Business freedom 69.4 77.8
Labor freedom 66.5 59.7
Monetary freedom 77.2 72.6
Trade freedom 59.4 79.4
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Greece
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Greece
2026 65.1 63.2
2025 63.2 60.6
2024 62.5 55.1
2023 62.6 56.9
2022 68.7 61.5
2021 64.6 60.9
2020 64.5 59.9
2019 62.9 57.7
2018 63.3 57.3
2017 61.1 55
2016 70.9 53.2
2015 68.7 54
2014 69.8 55.7
2013 70.1 55.4
2012 68 55.4
2011 68 60.3
2010 67.3 62.7
2009 70.3 60.8
2008 71.1 60.6
2007 72 58.7
2006 72.3 60.1
2005 72.6 59
2004 72.1 59.1
2003 73.5 58.8
2002 74.4 59.1
2001 74.8 63.4
2000 73.9 61
1999 74.7 61
1998 74.5 60.6
1997 74.5 59.6
1996 74 60.5
1995 71.8 61.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/greece | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 63.2 for Greece, ranking 82/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Greece
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
68%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
15%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
3.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$236B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$43,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$15.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
67/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$4.52B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$6.74B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$2.22B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
18.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
18.3%
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/bahamas/greece | 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 (2022–2024, 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) (2020, 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.