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Economy of Barbados vs Canada compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $2.32T for Canada, ranking 157/197 and 10/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $2.63T (113.5% of GDP) in Canada.

Barbados vs Canada GDP by year

Barbados
Canada
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Canada
2025 $8,016,550,000 $2,319,899,772,426
2024 $7,597,571,450 $2,270,076,189,683
2023 $7,223,248,150 $2,196,593,836,347
2022 $6,886,644,900 $2,200,562,785,046
2021 $5,948,900,600 $2,022,377,950,897
2020 $5,403,246,950 $1,655,686,966,882
2019 $6,166,710,800 $1,743,728,952,157
2018 $6,001,101,550 $1,725,330,736,238
2017 $5,847,381,600 $1,649,269,496,515
2016 $5,679,029,450 $1,527,996,250,641
2015 $5,699,619,150 $1,556,510,380,200
2014 $5,684,901,000 $1,805,751,688,809
2013 $5,660,059,700 $1,846,583,831,414
2012 $5,486,500,500 $1,828,359,477,072
2011 $5,563,162,050 $1,793,335,727,901
2010 $5,428,683,250 $1,617,349,192,091
2009 $4,466,809,600 $1,374,627,766,600
2008 $4,790,410,400 $1,552,993,439,550
2007 $4,675,767,950 $1,468,820,407,783
2006 $4,217,323,400 $1,319,291,255,289
2005 $3,819,500,000 $1,173,118,501,403
2004 $3,444,500,000 $1,026,691,006,918
2003 $3,209,500,000 $895,542,074,085
2002 $3,106,500,000 $760,650,608,552
2001 $3,054,500,000 $738,981,792,355
2000 $3,059,500,000 $744,773,415,932
1999 $2,951,822,205 $678,414,215,521
1998 $2,817,083,478 $633,999,325,918
1997 $2,498,384,130 $654,987,722,086
1996 $2,363,645,403 $630,607,994,133
1995 $2,216,974,096 $605,961,090,061
1994 $2,151,344,901 $579,944,346,807
1993 $2,063,342,117 $579,053,561,739
1992 $1,957,000,000 $594,387,358,319
1991 $2,020,583,702 $612,527,712,316
1990 $2,012,131,457 $596,075,591,361
1989 $2,006,165,167 $567,211,993,243
1988 $1,812,757,918 $509,380,027,627
1987 $1,704,370,308 $433,134,238,311
1986 $1,547,755,183 $379,006,836,992
1985 $1,409,536,121 $366,186,012,450
1984 $1,346,890,071 $356,718,400,124
1983 $1,236,016,507 $341,866,277,183
1982 $1,163,923,830 $314,647,807,409
1981 $1,114,204,743 $307,246,642,756
1980 $1,012,280,615 $274,776,566,028
1979 $670,362,452 $243,891,124,296
1978 $552,883,707 $219,369,542,386
1977 $495,097,668 $212,325,176,305
1976 $435,911,269 $207,271,612,576
1975 $402,178,605 $174,419,757,177
1974 $311,804,630 $160,949,188,139
1973 $260,767,828 $131,764,343,566
1972 $213,725,217 $113,463,848,874
1971 $186,826,503 $99,606,454,744
1970 $166,210,203 $88,192,257,632
1969 $141,393,142 $79,405,011,125
1968 $125,733,669 $72,048,833,006
1967 $125,554,009 $65,856,924,424
1966 $113,195,123 $61,252,415,405
1965 $105,021,997 $54,649,410,479
1964 $99,252,731 $49,503,663,836
1963 $99,893,761 $45,140,337,827
1962 $88,782,583 $42,336,211,556
1961 $85,363,759 $41,038,192,838
1960 $80,021,847 $40,563,768,947

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/canada | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Canada by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Canada
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Canada
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - $55,698 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $55,016 $64,610
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $54,848 $64,219
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $56,497 $63,944
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $52,887 $56,995
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $43,538 $48,591
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $46,353 $50,499
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $46,539 $49,983
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $45,130 $48,317
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $42,314 $46,471
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $43,594 $44,668
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $50,961 $45,758
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $52,638 $44,301
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $52,670 $42,292
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $52,224 $41,667
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $47,561 $40,103
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $40,875 $38,863
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $46,710 $40,376
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $44,660 $39,573
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $40,505 $38,123
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $36,384 $36,328
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $32,146 $33,929
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $28,302 $32,350
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $24,256 $30,964
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $23,822 $30,241
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $24,271 $29,348
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $22,315 $27,841
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $21,025 $26,324
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $21,902 $25,264
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $21,297 $24,055
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $20,680 $23,474
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $19,998 $22,624
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $20,187 $21,432
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $20,950 $20,619
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $21,847 $20,220
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $21,526 $20,226
1989 $7,773 - $20,795 -
1988 $7,033 - $19,013 -
1987 $6,625 - $16,378 -
1986 $6,031 - $14,521 -
1985 $5,510 - $14,170 -
1984 $5,284 - $13,930 -
1983 $4,866 - $13,477 -
1982 $4,599 - $12,527 -
1981 $4,417 - $12,379 -
1980 $4,025 - $11,208 -
1979 $2,668 - $10,078 -
1978 $2,198 - $9,154 -
1977 $1,968 - $8,949 -
1976 $1,734 - $8,839 -
1975 $1,601 - $7,537 -
1974 $1,243 - $7,057 -
1973 $1,042 - $5,858 -
1972 $856 - $5,107 -
1971 $750 - $4,535 -
1970 $666 - $4,136 -
1969 $567 - $3,776 -
1968 $506 - $3,473 -
1967 $508 - $3,226 -
1966 $462 - $3,055 -
1965 $433 - $2,777 -
1964 $414 - $2,562 -
1963 $421 - $2,380 -
1962 $377 - $2,274 -
1961 $366 - $2,246 -
1960 $347 - $2,265 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/canada | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $55,698 in Canada, ranking 23/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Canada ranks 28th at $64,610.

Economic indicators

Barbados Canada
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$2.32T
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
10/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
1.74%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$55,698
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
23/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$64,610
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
28/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$2.63T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
113.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$63,220
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
5/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$36,531
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$4.62T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,098,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
82
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
24.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
44%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
2.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
6.82%
2025
Population
282789
42199836

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Canada
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Canada
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% 44% 113.5%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 44.3% 110%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 41.8% 105.1%
2022 26.9% 104% 40.4% 103.5%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 45.5% 112.6%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 52.4% 118.1%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 40.6% 90.1%
2018 25% 107.2% 40.7% 90.8%
2017 28% 134.6% 40.5% 91%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 40.8% 92.5%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 40% 92.3%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 38.4% 85.8%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 40% 87.7%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 40.9% 87%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 41.6% 84.3%
2010 28% 90.3% 43.1% 84%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 43.4% 81.8%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 38.8% 70.4%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 38.5% 67.2%
2006 25% 64.1% 38.7% 69.9%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 38.5% 70.6%
2004 26.2% 61% 39.1% 71.9%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 40.3% 75.9%
2002 29.1% 62% 40.4% 79.6%
2001 20.7% 59% 41.1% 81.5%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 40.6% 80.4%
1999 18.5% 47% 41.8% 89%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 43.4% 93.3%
1997 19.6% 52% 43.5% 95.3%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 45.9% 100.2%
1995 17.3% 52% 47.7% 100.1%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 49% 97.5%
1993 - - 51.5% 94.7%
1992 - - 52.5% 88.2%
1991 - - 51.4% 81.7%
1990 - - 48.1% 73.7%
1989 - - 45.8% 72.2%
1988 - - 45.4% 71.1%
1987 - - 46.1% 71.4%
1986 - - 47.6% 71%
1985 - - 48.3% 66.9%
1984 - - 47.5% 61.7%
1983 - - 47.9% 58.4%
1982 - - 47.3% 52.7%
1981 - - 42.5% 46.9%
1980 - - 41.6% 45.6%
1979 - - 40% 45.3%
1978 - - 41.6% 48%
1977 - - 41.4% 45.1%
1976 - - 40.2% 43.6%
1975 - - 41.1% 45.2%
1974 - - 37.6% 45.8%
1973 - - 36% 48%
1972 - - 37.5% 53.5%
1971 - - 37.3% 55.3%
1970 - - 36% 54.3%
1969 - - 33.9% 53%
1968 - - 33.8% 55.9%
1967 - - 32.9% 56.9%
1966 - - 30.8% 56.6%
1965 - - 29.8% 60.1%
1964 - - 29.7% 63.7%
1963 - - 30.3% 67%
1962 - - 30.6% 67.2%
1961 - - 30.6% 68.2%
1960 - - 14.9% 66.1%

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/barbados/canada | CC BY

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Canada spent $1.02T, or 44% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 113.5% in Canada, ranking 28/185 and 14/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Canada
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Canada
2025 -0.31% -1.77%
2024 -0.84% -2.12%
2023 -1.57% -0.16%
2022 -1.74% 0.62%
2021 -3.88% -3.06%
2020 -4.19% -10.9%
2019 2.86% -0.02%
2018 -0.32% 0.36%
2017 -3.64% -0.11%
2016 -4.55% -0.45%
2015 -7.58% -0.06%
2014 -6.2% 0.17%
2013 -8.46% -1.49%
2012 -6.69% -2.52%
2011 -3.47% -3.31%
2010 -7.1% -4.74%
2009 -6.19% -3.88%
2008 -3.94% 0.18%
2007 -4.08% 1.82%
2006 -3.13% 1.83%
2005 -2.78% 1.55%
2004 -2.73% 0.77%
2003 -2.86% -0.13%
2002 -4.96% -0.23%
2001 3.83% 0.53%
2000 4.68% 2.64%
1999 5.06% 1.66%
1998 5.63% 0.14%
1997 5.15% 0.04%
1996 3.5% -3.05%
1995 5.79% -5.49%
1994 6.28% -6.94%
1993 - -8.93%
1992 - -9.2%
1991 - -8.36%
1990 - -5.91%
1989 - -4.6%
1988 - -4.33%
1987 - -5.42%
1986 - -7.14%
1985 - -8.59%
1984 - -7.78%
1983 - -8.17%
1982 - -7.03%
1981 - -2.83%
1980 - -4.07%
1979 - -3.41%
1978 - -4.77%
1977 - -4.1%
1976 - -2.78%
1975 - -3.54%
1974 - 1.1%
1973 - 0.6%
1972 - -0.97%
1971 - -1.02%
1970 - -0.36%
1969 - 1.2%
1968 - -0.45%
1967 - -0.82%
1966 - -0.07%
1965 - -0.25%
1964 - -0.68%
1963 - -2.31%
1962 - -2.6%
1961 - -2.75%
1960 - -0.85%
1959 - -1.08%
1958 - -1.69%
1957 - -0.11%
1956 - 0.77%
1955 - -0.11%
1954 - -0.57%
1953 - 0.3%
1952 - 0.09%
1951 - 1.1%
1950 - 1.09%
1949 - 0.78%
1948 - 3.84%
1947 - 5.02%
1946 - 3.14%
1945 - -17.9%
1944 - -21.6%
1943 - -23.1%
1942 - -20.8%
1941 - -4.79%
1940 - -5.62%
1939 - -2.11%
1938 - -0.97%
1937 - -0.34%
1936 - -1.68%
1935 - -3.72%
1934 - -2.93%
1933 - -3.83%
1932 - -5.79%
1931 - -2.43%
1930 - -1.47%
1929 - 0.78%
1928 - 1.12%
1927 - 0.92%
1926 - 0.81%
1925 - 0.55%
1924 - 0.007%
1923 - 0.79%
1922 - -0.75%
1921 - -2%
1920 - -1.82%
1919 - -8.94%
1918 - -8.98%
1917 - -7.83%
1916 - -8.14%
1915 - -6.17%
1914 - -4.63%
1913 - -0.82%
1912 - 1.03%
1911 - 0.004%
1910 - -0.18%
1909 - -0.67%
1908 - -2.78%
1907 - -0.83%
1906 - 0.22%
1905 - -0.07%
1904 - -0.44%
1903 - 0.07%
1902 - 0.91%
1901 - -0.34%
1900 - -0.33%
1899 - 0.1%
1898 - -0.3%
1897 - -0.35%
1896 - -0.48%
1895 - -0.85%
1894 - -1.06%
1893 - -0.66%
1892 - -0.07%
1891 - 3.23%
1890 - -0.04%
1889 - 0%
1888 - -0.48%
1887 - -1.18%
1886 - -0.73%
1885 - -4.82%
1884 - -2.43%
1883 - -3.88%
1882 - -0.78%
1881 - 0.32%
1880 - -0.62%
1879 - -2.11%
1878 - -0.63%
1877 - -1.63%
1876 - -2.06%
1875 - -1.88%
1874 - -1.57%
1873 - -1.74%
1872 - -3.93%
1871 - -1.09%
1870 - 0.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1870–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/canada | CC BY

In 2025, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.8M, equivalent to 0.31% of GDP. This compares to Canada's deficit of $41B, or 1.77% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Canada ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.19% of GDP for Canada.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Canada
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Canada
2025 0.85% 2.07%
2024 1.45% 2.38%
2023 3.19% 3.88%
2022 - 6.8%
2021 - 3.4%
2020 - 0.72%
2019 1.68% 1.95%
2018 3.11% 2.27%
2017 4.66% 1.6%
2016 1.28% 1.43%
2015 -1.11% 1.13%
2014 1.77% 1.91%
2013 1.81% 0.94%
2012 4.53% 1.52%
2011 9.43% 2.91%
2010 5.82% 1.78%
2009 3.64% 0.3%
2008 8.11% 2.37%
2007 4.03% 2.14%
2006 7.31% 2%
2005 6.08% 2.21%
2004 1.39% 1.86%
2003 1.62% 2.76%
2002 0.13% 2.26%
2001 2.58% 2.53%
2000 2.44% 2.72%
1999 1.56% 1.73%
1998 -1.27% 1%
1997 7.71% 1.62%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/canada | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 2.14% in Canada. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 2.07% in Canada.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Metals $12M
Machinery & equipment $2.83M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.74M
Wood & paper products $2.23M
Chemicals & pharma $181K
Miscellaneous $130K
Precious metals & jewellery $124K
Raw agricultural goods $48K
Textiles & consumer goods $21K
Animal & marine products $2K
Canada
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $327M
IT & IP services $27.9M
Transport & tourism services $22.7M
Manufacturing & construction services $10.7M
Machinery & equipment $10.4M
Animal & marine products $8.2M
Chemicals & pharma $5.97M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5M
Wood & paper products $4.65M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.5M

Balance of trade

Barbados Canada
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$22B
2025
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
184/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
-0.95%
2025
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$577B
2025
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$555B
2025
Service imports
$687M
2017
$169B
2025
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$172B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
32.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
31.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Canada
Economic freedom 70.4 75.6
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 17/197
Property rights 76.4 85.9
Government integrity 71.3 85.5
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 96
Tax burden 83.2 74.7
Government spending 74.5 45.9
Fiscal health 76.5 79.7
Business freedom 72.3 84.2
Labor freedom 54.3 68.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 73.8
Trade freedom 48.2 83.2
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Canada
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Canada
2026 70.4 75.6
2025 68.9 75.5
2024 66.8 72.4
2023 69.8 73.7
2022 71.3 76.6
2021 65 77.9
2020 61.4 78.2
2019 64.7 77.7
2018 57 77.7
2017 54.5 78.5
2016 68.3 78
2015 67.9 79.1
2014 68.3 80.2
2013 69.3 79.4
2012 69 79.9
2011 68.5 80.8
2010 68.3 80.4
2009 71.5 80.5
2008 71.3 80.2
2007 70 78
2006 71.9 77.4
2005 70.1 75.8
2004 69.4 75.3
2003 71.3 74.8
2002 73.6 74.6
2001 71.5 71.2
2000 69.5 70.5
1999 66.7 69.3
1998 67.9 68.5
1997 64.5 67.9
1996 62.3 70.3
1995 - 69.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/canada | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 75.6 for Canada, ranking 17/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Canada
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
64.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
27.4%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
1.93%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$2.35T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$66,820
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$126B
2025
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
26/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$11.9B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$63.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$89.4B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
9.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
23.2%
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).

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1870–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2010–2025, 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.