Skip to content

Economy of Bahamas vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $1.33T for the Netherlands, ranking 145/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.7B in government debt (73.8% of GDP), compared to $578B (43.3% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Bahamas vs Netherlands GDP by year

Bahamas
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Netherlands
2025 - $1,332,767,651,100
2024 $15,832,800,000 $1,213,936,238,063
2023 $15,271,300,000 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $13,896,800,000 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $12,037,000,000 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $10,363,200,000 $932,560,861,701
2019 $13,277,000,000 $928,903,005,576
2018 $12,819,200,000 $929,733,599,797
2017 $12,446,900,000 $848,233,537,846
2016 $11,880,900,000 $797,163,949,290
2015 $11,837,600,000 $775,743,675,303
2014 $11,139,100,000 $901,556,501,756
2013 $10,475,300,000 $883,951,539,007
2012 $10,720,400,000 $845,689,017,066
2011 $10,070,450,000 $913,140,741,333
2010 $10,095,760,000 $852,464,982,433
2009 $9,981,960,000 $878,954,223,140
2008 $10,526,000,000 $957,901,566,041
2007 $10,618,340,000 $853,499,460,873
2006 $10,167,250,000 $737,593,995,289
2005 $9,836,200,000 $688,133,699,636
2004 $9,055,290,000 $661,224,886,143
2003 $8,870,090,000 $582,435,617,082
2002 $8,881,160,000 $475,529,972,123
2001 $8,317,830,000 $432,536,219,669
2000 $8,076,470,000 $417,649,282,154
1999 $7,683,870,000 $447,778,514,140
1998 $6,833,220,000 $438,612,530,549
1997 $6,332,360,000 $417,506,211,882
1996 $3,609,000,000 $451,372,549,020
1995 $3,429,000,000 $452,967,334,614
1994 $3,259,000,000 $379,688,232,232
1993 $3,092,000,000 $354,070,495,966
1992 $3,109,000,000 $363,497,050,125
1991 $3,111,160,000 $327,982,316,124
1990 $3,166,000,000 $318,799,003,994
1989 $3,062,000,000 $258,716,904,292
1988 $2,817,900,000 $262,295,966,105
1987 $2,713,999,900 $245,406,949,521
1986 $2,472,500,000 $201,157,708,221
1985 $2,320,699,900 $144,057,523,222
1984 $2,041,100,000 $144,124,462,912
1983 $1,732,800,000 $153,671,294,109
1982 $1,578,300,000 $158,712,765,536
1981 $1,426,500,000 $164,375,775,854
1980 $1,335,300,000 $195,439,301,707
1979 $1,139,800,100 $179,933,827,310
1978 $832,400,000 $156,089,077,205
1977 $713,000,000 $127,203,923,857
1976 $642,100,000 $109,329,386,564
1975 $596,200,000 $100,397,061,694
1974 $632,400,000 $87,371,810,804
1973 $670,900,000 $71,946,639,603
1972 $590,900,000 $54,787,070,173
1971 $573,400,000 $44,644,730,576
1970 $539,500,000 $38,220,884,519
1969 $538,700,000 $34,086,038,090
1968 $453,800,000 $30,097,635,751
1967 $398,000,000 $27,143,828,099
1966 $346,800,000 $24,741,480,717
1965 $300,272,048 $22,721,869,808
1964 $266,560,043 $20,232,048,553
1963 $237,650,038 $17,193,744,109
1962 $212,170,034 $15,847,582,341
1961 $190,022,030 $14,599,836,396
1960 $169,736,027 $13,282,979,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Netherlands by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $73,684 -
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $67,465 $86,174
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $11,291 - $17,423 -
1988 $10,576 - $17,771 -
1987 $10,361 - $16,734 -
1986 $9,601 - $13,804 -
1985 $9,167 - $9,941 -
1984 $8,202 - $9,992 -
1983 $7,081 - $10,696 -
1982 $6,559 - $11,089 -
1981 $6,029 - $11,537 -
1980 $5,743 - $13,812 -
1979 $4,994 - $12,817 -
1978 $3,720 - $11,196 -
1977 $3,253 - $9,180 -
1976 $2,993 - $7,937 -
1975 $2,841 - $7,346 -
1974 $3,080 - $6,450 -
1973 $3,341 - $5,353 -
1972 $3,014 - $4,110 -
1971 $3,004 - $3,384 -
1970 $2,916 - $2,931 -
1969 $3,027 - $2,647 -
1968 $2,668 - $2,364 -
1967 $2,453 - $2,155 -
1966 $2,239 - $1,986 -
1965 $2,030 - $1,848 -
1964 $1,883 - $1,668 -
1963 $1,759 - $1,437 -
1962 $1,651 - $1,342 -
1961 $1,555 - $1,254 -
1960 $1,459 - $1,156 -

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

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

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $73,684 in the Netherlands, ranking 12/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$1.33T
2025
GDP rank
145/197
2024
18/197
2025
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
1.78%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$73,684
2025
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
12/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2024
$578B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.8%
2025
43.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$29,123
2024
$31,942
2025
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
23/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,621
2026
$46,674
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,294,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.5%
2025
45.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
3.26%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
10.3%
2023
3.9%
2025
Population
405486
18243998

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.5% 73.8% 45.1% 43.3%
2024 21% 73.8% 44.4% 43.7%
2023 23.2% 78.3% 44% 45.8%
2022 25.6% 84.7% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 28.9% 90.7% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 24.8% 71.9% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 20.3% 60.3% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 19.4% 61.5% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 23.1% 54.6% 42.8% 56%
2016 19.4% 51.1% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 18.4% 49.9% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 18.1% 47.7% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 18.1% 44.2% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 17% 37.6% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 15.4% 33.9% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 15.2% 30.1% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 14.3% 25.3% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 13.6% 23.5% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 13.2% 23.2% 44% 45%
2005 12.9% 23% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 12.5% 21.6% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 11.8% 20.8% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 11.6% 19.4% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 11.4% 18.5% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 11.6% 19.2% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 9.3% 19.8% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 12% 20.8% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 12.9% 21.5% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 11.5% 20.7% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 11.5% 21% 53.9% 73%
1994 11.7% 20.9% 49.4% 73.5%
1993 11.5% 19.7% 50.9% 76.7%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 50.2% 75.6%
1991 11.9% 15.3% 49.6% 74.8%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

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/bahamas/netherlands | CC BY

In 2025, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.32B, accounting for 21.5% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $602B, or 45.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.8% in the Bahamas and 43.3% in the Netherlands, ranking 52/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Netherlands
2025 -0.49% -1.84%
2024 -1.2% -0.94%
2023 -3.65% -0.37%
2022 -5.53% 0.002%
2021 -11.9% -2.26%
2020 -7.11% -3.72%
2019 -1.68% 1.91%
2018 -3.28% 1.49%
2017 -6.05% 1.35%
2016 -2.61% 0.23%
2015 -3.34% -1.84%
2014 -4.51% -2.17%
2013 -5.1% -2.87%
2012 -3.25% -3.83%
2011 -2.87% -4.42%
2010 -2.57% -5.3%
2009 -2.39% -5.06%
2008 -0.82% -0.06%
2007 -0.77% -0.16%
2006 -0.44% 0.04%
2005 -1.16% -0.51%
2004 -1.95% -1.82%
2003 -1.63% -3.19%
2002 -1.67% -2.23%
2001 0.3% -0.47%
2000 0.09% 1.14%
1999 1.78% 0.28%
1998 -0.43% -1.34%
1997 -1.6% -1.6%
1996 -0.15% -1.91%
1995 0.18% -8.72%
1994 -0.4% -3.53%
1993 -1.05% -3.13%
1992 -2.23% -3.12%
1991 -2.27% -2.05%
1990 -2.64% -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $190M, equivalent to 1.2% of GDP. This compares to the Netherlands' deficit of $11.5B, or 0.94% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.84% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Netherlands
2025 - 3.26%
2024 0.41% 3.35%
2023 3.05% 3.84%
2022 5.61% 10%
2021 2.9% 2.68%
2020 0.04% 1.27%
2019 2.49% 2.63%
2018 2.27% 1.7%
2017 1.52% 1.38%
2016 -0.35% 0.32%
2015 1.86% 0.6%
2014 1.51% 0.98%
2013 0.72% 2.51%
2012 1.97% 2.46%
2011 3.2% 2.34%
2010 1.34% 1.28%
2009 2.06% 1.19%
2008 4.49% 2.49%
2007 2.49% 1.61%
2006 2.39% 1.1%
2005 1.59% 1.69%
2004 0.98% 1.26%
2003 3.03% 2.09%
2002 2.17% 3.29%
2001 2.04% 4.16%
2000 1.61% 2.36%
1999 1.25% 2.16%
1998 1.34% 1.96%
1997 0.54% 2.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.31% in the Netherlands. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 3.26% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $786K
Animal & marine products $640K
Machinery & equipment $82K
Metals $28K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Wood & paper products $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $16.3M
Machinery & equipment $9.35M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.4M
Animal & marine products $2.02M
Chemicals & pharma $1.78M
Raw materials & minerals $715K
Textiles & consumer goods $653K
Precious metals & jewellery $545K
Metals $361K
Wood & paper products $329K

Balance of trade

Bahamas Netherlands
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
120/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
+9.14%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$693B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$262B
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
69.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
80.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahamas Netherlands
Economic freedom 65.1 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 11/197
Property rights 62.7 96
Government integrity 67.1 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 96.1
Tax burden 96.1 54
Government spending 83.8 42.2
Fiscal health 9.1 95.9
Business freedom 69.4 85
Labor freedom 66.5 59.3
Monetary freedom 77.2 77
Trade freedom 59.4 79.4
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Netherlands
2026 65.1 78.5
2025 63.2 78.2
2024 62.5 77.3
2023 62.6 78
2022 68.7 79.5
2021 64.6 76.8
2020 64.5 77
2019 62.9 76.8
2018 63.3 76.2
2017 61.1 75.8
2016 70.9 74.6
2015 68.7 73.7
2014 69.8 74.2
2013 70.1 73.5
2012 68 73.3
2011 68 74.7
2010 67.3 75
2009 70.3 77
2008 71.1 77.4
2007 72 75.5
2006 72.3 75.4
2005 72.6 72.9
2004 72.1 74.5
2003 73.5 74.6
2002 74.4 75.1
2001 74.8 73
2000 73.9 70.4
1999 74.7 70.2
1998 74.5 69.2
1997 74.5 70.4
1996 74 69.7
1995 71.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
70.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
17.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
1.68%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$1.24T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,610
2024
$85,480
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.63B
2024
$118B
2025
Total reserves ranking
123/177
2024
27/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
19.8%
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/bahamas/netherlands | 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 (1880–1989, 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 (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.