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Economy of Barbados vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $264B for New Zealand, ranking 157/197 and 53/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $145B (54.7% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Barbados vs New Zealand GDP by year

Barbados
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados New Zealand
2025 $8,016,550,000 $264,057,413,740
2024 $7,597,571,450 $261,497,198,364
2023 $7,223,248,150 $256,372,177,758
2022 $6,886,644,900 $249,723,029,451
2021 $5,948,900,600 $253,732,493,988
2020 $5,403,246,950 $213,318,129,989
2019 $6,166,710,800 $213,088,034,258
2018 $6,001,101,550 $211,726,161,989
2017 $5,847,381,600 $206,561,943,051
2016 $5,679,029,450 $188,980,351,891
2015 $5,699,619,150 $178,147,457,243
2014 $5,684,901,000 $201,435,445,068
2013 $5,660,059,700 $190,943,478,290
2012 $5,486,500,500 $176,508,049,114
2011 $5,563,162,050 $168,458,838,711
2010 $5,428,683,250 $146,887,902,524
2009 $4,466,809,600 $121,663,439,315
2008 $4,790,410,400 $133,437,126,590
2007 $4,675,767,950 $137,188,946,866
2006 $4,217,323,400 $111,538,810,713
2005 $3,819,500,000 $114,720,129,550
2004 $3,444,500,000 $103,905,210,084
2003 $3,209,500,000 $88,250,885,550
2002 $3,106,500,000 $66,627,729,311
2001 $3,054,500,000 $53,872,425,917
2000 $3,059,500,000 $52,623,281,957
1999 $2,951,822,205 $58,762,260,626
1998 $2,817,083,478 $56,227,169,851
1997 $2,498,384,130 $66,075,143,415
1996 $2,363,645,403 $70,140,835,299
1995 $2,216,974,096 $63,918,703,507
1994 $2,151,344,901 $55,314,732,279
1993 $2,063,342,117 $46,775,620,817
1992 $1,957,000,000 $41,649,829,860
1991 $2,020,583,702 $42,745,329,732
1990 $2,012,131,457 $45,495,129,385
1989 $2,006,165,167 $43,920,222,525
1988 $1,812,757,918 $45,176,811,594
1987 $1,704,370,308 $40,376,354,070
1986 $1,547,755,183 $30,604,668,357
1985 $1,409,536,121 $24,679,795,396
1984 $1,346,890,071 $21,665,975,319
1983 $1,236,016,507 $24,309,279,706
1982 $1,163,923,830 $24,164,603,059
1981 $1,114,204,743 $24,417,617,184
1980 $1,012,280,615 $23,244,547,385
1979 $670,362,452 $20,731,243,113
1978 $552,883,707 $18,530,518,395
1977 $495,097,668 $15,446,825,318
1976 $435,911,269 $13,604,832,424
1975 $402,178,605 $12,861,983,284
1974 $311,804,630 $13,940,981,798
1973 $260,767,828 $12,802,281,898
1972 $213,725,217 $9,567,331,065
1971 $186,826,503 $7,911,136,757
1970 $166,210,203 $6,495,605,331
1969 $141,393,142 $5,814,357,709
1968 $125,733,669 $5,228,045,415
1967 $125,554,009 $6,016,017,227
1966 $113,195,123 $5,917,437,693
1965 $105,021,997 $5,706,251,400
1964 $99,252,731 $7,340,766,415
1963 $99,893,761 $6,699,741,645
1962 $88,782,583 $6,133,158,532
1961 $85,363,759 $5,721,994,864
1960 $80,021,847 $5,536,098,360

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs New Zealand by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - $49,591 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $49,432 $55,551
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $49,302 $54,697
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $49,142 $54,034
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $49,902 $48,249
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $42,055 $45,513
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $42,872 $45,278
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $43,204 $42,527
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $42,912 $42,244
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $40,088 $39,989
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $38,649 $37,513
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $44,600 $37,331
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $42,985 $36,263
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $40,042 $33,055
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $38,426 $32,739
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $13,663 $14,812
1989 $7,773 - $13,312 -
1988 $7,033 - $13,759 -
1987 $6,625 - $12,331 -
1986 $6,031 - $9,428 -
1985 $5,510 - $7,601 -
1984 $5,284 - $6,714 -
1983 $4,866 - $7,598 -
1982 $4,599 - $7,656 -
1981 $4,417 - $7,814 -
1980 $4,025 - $7,467 -
1979 $2,668 - $6,668 -
1978 $2,198 - $5,937 -
1977 $1,968 - $4,951 -
1976 $1,734 - $4,374 -
1975 $1,601 - $4,172 -
1974 $1,243 - $4,611 -
1973 $1,042 - $4,323 -
1972 $856 - $3,295 -
1971 $750 - $2,773 -
1970 $666 - $2,311 -
1969 $567 - $2,097 -
1968 $506 - $1,902 -
1967 $508 - $2,208 -
1966 $462 - $2,211 -
1965 $433 - $2,171 -
1964 $414 - $2,839 -
1963 $421 - $2,646 -
1962 $377 - $2,471 -
1961 $366 - $2,365 -
1960 $347 - $2,334 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/new-zealand | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $49,591 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Barbados New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$264B
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
53/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
0.46%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$49,591
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
26/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$145B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
54.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$27,139
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
27/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$36,222
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$103B
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2026
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
41.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
2.84%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
5.26%
2025
Population
282789
5380024

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% 41.6% 54.7%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 41.7% 51.4%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 41% 47.3%
2022 26.9% 104% 41.7% 46.9%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 41.8% 47.5%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 41.9% 43.2%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 38.7% 31.8%
2018 25% 107.2% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 28% 134.6% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 36.4% 33.4%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 37.6% 34.2%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 38.6% 34.6%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 42.3% 34.7%
2010 28% 90.3% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 38.4% 19%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 37% 16.3%
2006 25% 64.1% 37.8% 18.4%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 26.2% 61% 36.1% 22.5%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 36.6% 24.7%
2002 29.1% 62% 36.7% 26.4%
2001 20.7% 59% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 38.2% 30%
1999 18.5% 47% 39.2% 32%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 40.1% 34.5%
1997 19.6% 52% 39.3% 34.6%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 39.8% 37.3%
1995 17.3% 52% 41.6% 43.5%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 42.7% 48.9%
1993 - - 46.7% 54.6%
1992 - - 52.4% 58.7%
1991 - - 52.9% 58%
1990 - - 49.5% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

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/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $110B, or 41.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 54.7% in New Zealand, ranking 28/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados New Zealand
2025 -0.31% -3.86%
2024 -0.84% -3.21%
2023 -1.57% -3.22%
2022 -1.74% -3.96%
2021 -3.88% -3.35%
2020 -4.19% -4.21%
2019 2.86% -2.44%
2018 -0.32% 1.31%
2017 -3.64% 1.38%
2016 -4.55% 0.98%
2015 -7.58% 0.37%
2014 -6.2% -0.33%
2013 -8.46% -1.28%
2012 -6.69% -2.18%
2011 -3.47% -4.94%
2010 -7.1% -5.49%
2009 -6.19% -1.8%
2008 -3.94% 1.48%
2007 -4.08% 3.6%
2006 -3.13% 4.62%
2005 -2.78% 5.13%
2004 -2.73% 4.49%
2003 -2.86% 3.69%
2002 -4.96% 2.56%
2001 3.83% 1.29%
2000 4.68% 0.18%
1999 5.06% -1.1%
1998 5.63% -0.47%
1997 5.15% 1.24%
1996 3.5% 2.58%
1995 5.79% 3.7%
1994 6.28% 2%
1993 - -1.51%
1992 - -6.25%
1991 - -6.12%
1990 - -2.72%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/new-zealand | 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 New Zealand's deficit of $10.2B, or 3.86% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.04% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados New Zealand
2025 0.85% 2.84%
2024 1.45% 2.92%
2023 3.19% 5.73%
2022 - 7.17%
2021 - 3.94%
2020 - 1.71%
2019 1.68% 1.62%
2018 3.11% 1.6%
2017 4.66% 1.85%
2016 1.28% 0.65%
2015 -1.11% 0.29%
2014 1.77% 1.23%
2013 1.81% 1.13%
2012 4.53% 1.06%
2011 9.43% 4.03%
2010 5.82% 2.3%
2009 3.64% 2.12%
2008 8.11% 3.96%
2007 4.03% 2.38%
2006 7.31% 3.37%
2005 6.08% 3.04%
2004 1.39% 2.29%
2003 1.62% 1.75%
2002 0.13% 2.68%
2001 2.58% 2.63%
2000 2.44% 2.62%
1999 1.56% -0.11%
1998 -1.27% 1.27%
1997 7.71% 1.19%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 2.39% in New Zealand. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 2.84% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20K
Miscellaneous $1K
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $18.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $748K
Raw agricultural goods $432K
Transport & tourism services $100K
Machinery & equipment $61K
Metals $20K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Wood & paper products $8K

Balance of trade

Barbados New Zealand
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$9.56B
2025
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
174/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
-3.62%
2025
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$48.2B
2025
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$47.2B
2025
Service imports
$687M
2017
$20.3B
2025
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$19.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados New Zealand
Economic freedom 70.4 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 13/197
Property rights 76.4 85.4
Government integrity 71.3 90
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 95.9
Tax burden 83.2 66.1
Government spending 74.5 48
Fiscal health 76.5 72.2
Business freedom 72.3 89.1
Labor freedom 54.3 68.6
Monetary freedom 80.8 77.4
Trade freedom 48.2 90.6
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados New Zealand
2026 70.4 77.8
2025 68.9 78.1
2024 66.8 77.8
2023 69.8 78.9
2022 71.3 80.6
2021 65 83.9
2020 61.4 84.1
2019 64.7 84.4
2018 57 84.2
2017 54.5 83.7
2016 68.3 81.6
2015 67.9 82.1
2014 68.3 81.2
2013 69.3 81.4
2012 69 82.1
2011 68.5 82.3
2010 68.3 82.1
2009 71.5 82
2008 71.3 80.7
2007 70 81.4
2006 71.9 82
2005 70.1 82.3
2004 69.4 81.5
2003 71.3 81.1
2002 73.6 80.7
2001 71.5 81.1
2000 69.5 80.9
1999 66.7 81.7
1998 67.9 79.2
1997 64.5 79
1996 62.3 78.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/new-zealand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 77.8 for New Zealand, ranking 13/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
68.2%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
19.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
4.01%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$248B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$53,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$28.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
59/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$3.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$882M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
23.1%
2024

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/barbados/new-zealand | CC BY

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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 (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.