Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $7.5B for Barbados, ranking 96/197 and 157/197 by economy size, respectively.
Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $7.97B (106.3% of GDP) in Barbados.
Bahrain vs Barbados GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|
| 2024 | $47,109,734,309 | $7,498,050,000 |
| 2023 | $46,192,260,638 | $7,223,250,000 |
| 2022 | $46,458,191,489 | $6,884,900,000 |
| 2021 | $40,840,212,766 | $5,947,550,000 |
| 2020 | $35,837,632,979 | $5,407,050,000 |
| 2019 | $40,446,808,511 | $6,161,850,000 |
| 2018 | $39,567,978,723 | $6,001,950,000 |
| 2017 | $37,204,813,830 | $5,683,150,000 |
| 2016 | $33,884,680,851 | $5,674,600,000 |
| 2015 | $32,523,297,872 | $5,698,150,000 |
| 2014 | $34,772,526,596 | $5,620,600,000 |
| 2013 | $33,823,324,468 | $5,667,200,000 |
| 2012 | $31,963,404,255 | $5,761,450,000 |
| 2011 | $29,914,680,851 | $5,663,100,000 |
| 2010 | $26,805,984,043 | $5,672,900,000 |
| 2009 | $22,938,218,085 | $4,466,809,600 |
| 2008 | $25,710,904,255 | $4,790,410,400 |
| 2007 | $21,730,000,000 | $4,675,767,950 |
| 2006 | $18,504,760,638 | $4,217,323,400 |
| 2005 | $15,968,723,404 | $3,819,500,000 |
| 2004 | $13,150,159,574 | $3,444,500,000 |
| 2003 | $11,074,813,830 | $3,209,500,000 |
| 2002 | $9,593,510,638 | $3,106,500,000 |
| 2001 | $8,976,196,809 | $3,054,500,000 |
| 2000 | $9,062,898,936 | $3,059,500,000 |
| 1999 | $7,528,469,149 | $2,951,822,205 |
| 1998 | $7,031,309,043 | $2,817,083,478 |
| 1997 | $7,219,407,713 | $2,498,384,130 |
| 1996 | $6,938,166,755 | $2,363,645,403 |
| 1995 | $6,651,180,851 | $2,216,974,096 |
| 1994 | $6,330,627,926 | $2,151,344,901 |
| 1993 | $5,913,001,064 | $2,063,342,117 |
| 1992 | $5,402,232,447 | $1,957,000,000 |
| 1991 | $5,248,911,170 | $2,020,583,702 |
| 1990 | $4,809,511,005 | $2,012,131,457 |
| 1989 | $4,393,093,963 | $2,006,165,167 |
| 1988 | $4,209,834,173 | $1,812,757,918 |
| 1987 | $3,856,922,694 | $1,704,370,308 |
| 1986 | $3,470,746,843 | $1,547,755,183 |
| 1985 | $4,152,376,484 | $1,409,536,121 |
| 1984 | $4,440,874,566 | $1,346,890,071 |
| 1983 | $4,247,030,468 | $1,236,016,507 |
| 1982 | $4,145,421,080 | $1,163,923,830 |
| 1981 | $3,943,109,532 | $1,114,204,743 |
| 1980 | $3,493,834,468 | $1,012,280,615 |
| 1979 | $2,710,160,739 | $670,362,452 |
| 1978 | $2,272,042,965 | $552,883,707 |
| 1977 | $1,989,060,283 | $495,097,668 |
| 1976 | $1,581,709,519 | $435,911,269 |
| 1975 | $1,099,107,601 | $402,178,605 |
| 1974 | $1,042,176,884 | $311,804,630 |
| 1973 | $761,132,545 | $260,767,828 |
| 1972 | $534,081,184 | $213,725,217 |
| 1971 | $422,181,562 | $186,826,503 |
| 1970 | $391,577,364 | $166,210,203 |
| 1969 | - | $141,393,142 |
| 1968 | - | $125,733,669 |
| 1967 | - | $125,554,009 |
| 1966 | - | $113,195,123 |
| 1965 | - | $105,021,997 |
| 1964 | - | $99,252,731 |
| 1963 | - | $99,893,761 |
| 1962 | - | $88,782,583 |
| 1961 | - | $85,363,759 |
| 1960 | - | $80,021,847 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/barbados | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Barbados by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $29,654 | $66,941 | $26,545 | $24,823 |
| 2023 | $29,290 | $64,171 | $25,584 | $23,660 |
| 2022 | $30,471 | $61,678 | $24,387 | $22,193 |
| 2021 | $27,148 | $54,955 | $21,080 | $17,683 |
| 2020 | $24,343 | $53,436 | $19,194 | $16,555 |
| 2019 | $27,260 | $56,600 | $21,912 | $19,971 |
| 2018 | $26,324 | $51,993 | $21,381 | $19,777 |
| 2017 | $24,785 | $50,185 | $20,285 | $18,437 |
| 2016 | $23,800 | $47,429 | $20,296 | $19,176 |
| 2015 | $23,734 | $48,034 | $20,424 | $19,186 |
| 2014 | $26,452 | $54,299 | $20,193 | $18,595 |
| 2013 | $26,990 | $56,310 | $20,410 | $19,032 |
| 2012 | $26,439 | $56,713 | $20,804 | $19,605 |
| 2011 | $25,033 | $52,677 | $20,508 | $20,316 |
| 2010 | $21,819 | $49,255 | $20,611 | $20,033 |
| 2009 | $19,465 | $48,626 | $16,295 | $20,324 |
| 2008 | $23,299 | $50,330 | $17,566 | $21,376 |
| 2007 | $20,908 | $49,347 | $17,235 | $20,949 |
| 2006 | $19,267 | $48,009 | $15,620 | $20,076 |
| 2005 | $17,966 | $47,268 | $14,214 | $18,450 |
| 2004 | $15,964 | $46,317 | $12,886 | $17,299 |
| 2003 | $14,486 | $45,427 | $12,076 | $16,707 |
| 2002 | $13,501 | $45,091 | $11,760 | $16,133 |
| 2001 | $13,573 | $46,162 | $11,640 | $15,866 |
| 2000 | $14,214 | $45,688 | $11,675 | $15,914 |
| 1999 | $12,123 | $43,561 | $11,244 | $14,873 |
| 1998 | $11,625 | $42,281 | $10,734 | $14,621 |
| 1997 | $12,255 | $40,965 | $9,522 | $13,941 |
| 1996 | $12,092 | $40,106 | $9,012 | $13,090 |
| 1995 | $11,901 | $38,839 | $8,460 | $12,375 |
| 1994 | $11,629 | $37,579 | $8,223 | $11,900 |
| 1993 | $11,152 | $37,870 | $7,905 | $11,448 |
| 1992 | $10,460 | $33,648 | $7,519 | $11,127 |
| 1991 | $10,434 | $31,657 | $7,790 | $11,576 |
| 1990 | $9,343 | $26,902 | $7,781 | $11,687 |
| 1989 | $8,833 | - | $7,773 | - |
| 1988 | $8,772 | - | $7,033 | - |
| 1987 | $8,333 | - | $6,625 | - |
| 1986 | $7,777 | - | $6,031 | - |
| 1985 | $9,649 | - | $5,510 | - |
| 1984 | $10,697 | - | $5,284 | - |
| 1983 | $10,599 | - | $4,866 | - |
| 1982 | $10,712 | - | $4,599 | - |
| 1981 | $10,557 | - | $4,417 | - |
| 1980 | $9,733 | - | $4,025 | - |
| 1979 | $7,891 | - | $2,668 | - |
| 1978 | $6,926 | - | $2,198 | - |
| 1977 | $6,358 | - | $1,968 | - |
| 1976 | $5,310 | - | $1,734 | - |
| 1975 | $3,880 | - | $1,601 | - |
| 1974 | $3,874 | - | $1,243 | - |
| 1973 | $2,981 | - | $1,042 | - |
| 1972 | $2,206 | - | $856 | - |
| 1971 | $1,830 | - | $750 | - |
| 1970 | $1,742 | - | $666 | - |
| 1969 | - | - | $567 | - |
| 1968 | - | - | $506 | - |
| 1967 | - | - | $508 | - |
| 1966 | - | - | $462 | - |
| 1965 | - | - | $433 | - |
| 1964 | - | - | $414 | - |
| 1963 | - | - | $421 | - |
| 1962 | - | - | $377 | - |
| 1961 | - | - | $366 | - |
| 1960 | - | - | $347 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/barbados | CC BY
Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $26,545 in Barbados, ranking 46/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823.
Economic indicators
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$47.1B
2024 |
$7.5B
2024 |
| GDP rank |
96/197
2024 |
157/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
2.6%
2023-2024 |
2.48%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$29,654
2024 |
$26,545
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
42/197
2024 |
46/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$66,941
2024 |
$24,823
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
26/197
2024 |
84/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$62.8B
2024 |
$7.97B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
133.4%
2024 |
106.3%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$39,552
2024 |
$28,218
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
14/185
2024 |
26/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$23,253
2026 |
$18,869
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$20.4B
2024 |
$2.78B
2020 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
1
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% | n/a |
25.8%
2016 |
| Income share by poorest 10% | n/a |
2.5%
2016 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
29.1%
2024 |
30.2%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
0.92%
2023-2024 |
-0.44%
2023-2024 |
| Central bank interest rate |
4.25%
2025 |
2%
2020 |
| Unemployment rate |
1.2%
2012 |
6.54%
2023 |
| Population |
1669503
|
282798
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 29.1% | 133.4% | 30.2% | 106.3% |
| 2023 | 29.1% | 123% | 28.8% | 113.4% |
| 2022 | 28.4% | 111.6% | 30.3% | 116.9% |
| 2021 | 30.6% | 122.3% | 32.5% | 130.2% |
| 2020 | 34.6% | 125.7% | 30.3% | 128.4% |
| 2019 | 31.2% | 97.1% | 23.9% | 109.5% |
| 2018 | 32.1% | 90.4% | 26.9% | 115% |
| 2017 | 30.7% | 84% | 29.8% | 143.6% |
| 2016 | 33.3% | 77.4% | 30.7% | 136.5% |
| 2015 | 34.8% | 63.2% | 31.4% | 131.9% |
| 2014 | 27.3% | 42.6% | 29% | 122% |
| 2013 | 32% | 42.3% | 30.8% | 118.6% |
| 2012 | 31.1% | 34.8% | 30.6% | 109.4% |
| 2011 | 30.2% | 31.6% | 27.7% | 98.7% |
| 2010 | 31.1% | 28.8% | 29.7% | 96% |
| 2009 | 24.6% | 20.5% | 29.5% | 88.5% |
| 2008 | 22.7% | 12.1% | 28.1% | 72.6% |
| 2007 | 22.4% | 15.7% | 27.8% | 69% |
| 2006 | 23.1% | 19.4% | 27.2% | 69.8% |
| 2005 | 23.9% | 23.2% | 28.7% | 68.2% |
| 2004 | 25% | 28.2% | 28.5% | 66.5% |
| 2003 | 28.1% | 31.1% | 29.8% | 66.6% |
| 2002 | 30.6% | 27.2% | 31% | 66.1% |
| 2001 | 26.5% | 25% | 22% | 62.6% |
| 2000 | 22.2% | 24.7% | 20.8% | 56.6% |
| 1999 | 27.1% | 24.7% | 19.7% | 50.1% |
| 1998 | 25.7% | 20% | 19% | 50.5% |
| 1997 | 31% | 14.8% | 21.5% | 56.9% |
| 1996 | 22.7% | 13.1% | 20.5% | 56.1% |
| 1995 | 25.1% | 13.6% | 18.6% | 55.9% |
| 1994 | 26.1% | 5.62% | 17% | 55% |
| 1993 | 26.7% | 5.95% | - | - |
| 1992 | 29.4% | 6.45% | - | - |
| 1991 | 28.5% | 6.71% | - | - |
| 1990 | 32.4% | 7.24% | - | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/barbados | CC BY
In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Barbados spent $2.26B, or 30.2% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 106.3% in Barbados, ranking 9/185 and 18/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|
| 2024 | -10.6% | -0.89% |
| 2023 | -9.67% | -1.71% |
| 2022 | -6.02% | -1.96% |
| 2021 | -10.6% | -4.65% |
| 2020 | -17.3% | -4.16% |
| 2019 | -8.57% | 3.08% |
| 2018 | -11.3% | -0.34% |
| 2017 | -13.4% | -3.89% |
| 2016 | -16.6% | -4.88% |
| 2015 | -17.5% | -8.16% |
| 2014 | -3.32% | -6.57% |
| 2013 | -8.55% | -8.98% |
| 2012 | -5.77% | -7.07% |
| 2011 | -4.9% | -3.63% |
| 2010 | -9.29% | -7.55% |
| 2009 | -5.36% | -6.56% |
| 2008 | 4.08% | -4.1% |
| 2007 | 1.52% | -4.34% |
| 2006 | 2.24% | -3.41% |
| 2005 | 2.8% | -3.03% |
| 2004 | 0.24% | -2.97% |
| 2003 | -1.7% | -3.08% |
| 2002 | -3.27% | -5.28% |
| 2001 | 0.7% | 4.07% |
| 2000 | 7.33% | 4.94% |
| 1999 | -4.85% | 5.39% |
| 1998 | -5.49% | 6.03% |
| 1997 | -6.39% | 5.64% |
| 1996 | 0.24% | 3.76% |
| 1995 | -3.99% | 6.22% |
| 1994 | -5.18% | 6.72% |
| 1993 | -2.77% | - |
| 1992 | -5.41% | - |
| 1991 | -3.47% | - |
| 1990 | -6.79% | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/barbados | CC BY
In 2024, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Barbados' deficit of $66.8M, or 0.89% of GDP.
Over the past 31 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Barbados ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.66% of GDP for Barbados.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|
| 2024 | 0.92% | -0.44% |
| 2023 | 0.07% | 9.79% |
| 2022 | 3.63% | - |
| 2021 | -0.61% | - |
| 2020 | -2.32% | - |
| 2019 | 1.01% | 4.1% |
| 2018 | 2.09% | 3.67% |
| 2017 | 1.39% | 4.66% |
| 2016 | 2.79% | 1.28% |
| 2015 | 1.85% | -1.11% |
| 2014 | 2.65% | 1.77% |
| 2013 | 3.3% | 1.81% |
| 2012 | 2.76% | 4.53% |
| 2011 | -0.4% | 9.43% |
| 2010 | 1.96% | 5.82% |
| 2009 | 2.8% | 3.64% |
| 2008 | 3.53% | 8.11% |
| 2007 | 3.26% | 4.03% |
| 2006 | 2.01% | 7.31% |
| 2005 | 2.59% | 6.08% |
| 2004 | 2.35% | 1.39% |
| 2003 | 1.59% | 1.62% |
| 2002 | -0.5% | 0.13% |
| 2001 | -1.21% | 2.58% |
| 2000 | -0.7% | 2.44% |
| 1999 | -1.29% | 1.56% |
| 1998 | -0.37% | -1.27% |
| 1997 | 2.43% | 7.71% |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/barbados | CC BY
Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 3.63% in Barbados. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and -0.44% in Barbados.
Top exports between countries
Balance of trade
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$2.28B
2024 |
-$296M
2017 |
| Current account balance ranking |
44/190
2024 |
100/190
2017 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+4.84%
2024 |
-5.22%
2017 |
| Goods imports |
$20.7B
2024 |
$1.53B
2017 |
| Goods exports |
$24.3B
2024 |
$705M
2017 |
| Service imports |
$12.4B
2024 |
$687M
2017 |
| Service exports |
$17B
2024 |
$1.52B
2017 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
70.1%
2024 |
n/a |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
87.7%
2024 |
14.5%
2025 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 65.7 | 70.4 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 63/197 | 34/197 |
| Property rights | 60.9 | 76.4 |
| Government integrity | 45.9 | 71.3 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 30 | 87.3 |
| Tax burden | 99.9 | 83.2 |
| Government spending | 75 | 74.5 |
| Fiscal health | 0 | 76.5 |
| Business freedom | 75.9 | 72.3 |
| Labor freedom | 55.5 | 54.3 |
| Monetary freedom | 88.8 | 80.8 |
| Trade freedom | 86.8 | 48.2 |
| Investment freedom | 90 | 60 |
| Financial freedom | 80 | 60 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|
| 2026 | 65.7 | 70.4 |
| 2025 | 65.6 | 68.9 |
| 2024 | 63.4 | 66.8 |
| 2023 | 62.5 | 69.8 |
| 2022 | 62 | 71.3 |
| 2021 | 69.9 | 65 |
| 2020 | 66.3 | 61.4 |
| 2019 | 66.4 | 64.7 |
| 2018 | 67.7 | 57 |
| 2017 | 68.5 | 54.5 |
| 2016 | 74.3 | 68.3 |
| 2015 | 73.4 | 67.9 |
| 2014 | 75.1 | 68.3 |
| 2013 | 75.5 | 69.3 |
| 2012 | 75.2 | 69 |
| 2011 | 77.7 | 68.5 |
| 2010 | 76.3 | 68.3 |
| 2009 | 74.8 | 71.5 |
| 2008 | 72.2 | 71.3 |
| 2007 | 71.2 | 70 |
| 2006 | 71.6 | 71.9 |
| 2005 | 71.2 | 70.1 |
| 2004 | 75.1 | 69.4 |
| 2003 | 76.3 | 71.3 |
| 2002 | 75.6 | 73.6 |
| 2001 | 75.9 | 71.5 |
| 2000 | 75.7 | 69.5 |
| 1999 | 75.2 | 66.7 |
| 1998 | 75.6 | 67.9 |
| 1997 | 76.1 | 64.5 |
| 1996 | 76.4 | 62.3 |
| 1995 | 76.2 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/barbados | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, compared to 70.4 for Barbados, ranking 34/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
Bahrain
|
Barbados
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
53.2%
2024 |
75.5%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
42.3%
2024 |
12.4%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
0.25%
2024 |
1.58%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$44.6B
2024 |
$7.1B
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$62,230
2024 |
$23,850
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$4.95B
2024 |
$1.65B
2024 |
| Total reserves ranking |
102/177
2024 |
131/177
2024 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$2.43B
2024 |
-$208M
2017 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$2.7B
2024 |
$303M
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$275M
2024 |
$18.6M
2024 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines | n/a |
25.7%
2016 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
28.4%
2024 |
n/a |
GDP per capita map
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/bahrain/barbados | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
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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.