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Economy of Barbados vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 157/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

Barbados vs Spain GDP by year

Barbados
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Spain
2024 $7,498,050,000 $1,725,671,652,742
2023 $7,223,250,000 $1,619,481,980,720
2022 $6,884,900,000 $1,448,850,658,407
2021 $5,947,550,000 $1,461,244,901,853
2020 $5,407,050,000 $1,289,783,836,971
2019 $6,161,850,000 $1,403,496,387,686
2018 $6,001,950,000 $1,431,642,809,327
2017 $5,683,150,000 $1,321,754,088,819
2016 $5,674,600,000 $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $5,698,150,000 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $5,620,600,000 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $5,667,200,000 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $5,761,450,000 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $5,663,100,000 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $5,672,900,000 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $4,466,809,600 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $4,790,410,400 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $4,675,767,950 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $4,217,323,400 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $3,819,500,000 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $3,444,500,000 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $3,209,500,000 $907,963,217,058
2002 $3,106,500,000 $708,938,227,244
2001 $3,054,500,000 $627,798,682,379
2000 $3,059,500,000 $598,102,854,756
1999 $2,951,822,205 $634,394,904,387
1998 $2,817,083,478 $618,731,484,575
1997 $2,498,384,130 $589,739,772,727
1996 $2,363,645,403 $642,251,412,058
1995 $2,216,974,096 $614,170,002,669
1994 $2,151,344,901 $530,183,651,720
1993 $2,063,342,117 $524,700,572,624
1992 $1,957,000,000 $630,465,353,486
1991 $2,020,583,702 $576,753,902,322
1990 $2,012,131,457 $536,175,326,477
1989 $2,006,165,167 $414,460,794,097
1988 $1,812,757,918 $375,891,716,898
1987 $1,704,370,308 $318,520,253,335
1986 $1,547,755,183 $251,141,555,186
1985 $1,409,536,121 $180,664,322,896
1984 $1,346,890,071 $171,979,977,230
1983 $1,236,016,507 $170,829,074,246
1982 $1,163,923,830 $195,856,752,991
1981 $1,114,204,743 $202,663,023,968
1980 $1,012,280,615 $232,600,556,974
1979 $670,362,452 $214,448,666,336
1978 $552,883,707 $160,484,969,618
1977 $495,097,668 $132,354,665,936
1976 $435,911,269 $118,422,534,195
1975 $402,178,605 $114,695,060,870
1974 $311,804,630 $97,204,522,642
1973 $260,767,828 $78,583,355,226
1972 $213,725,217 $59,090,176,029
1971 $186,826,503 $46,586,119,760
1970 $166,210,203 $40,963,715,237
1969 $141,393,142 $37,090,689,288
1968 $125,733,669 $32,394,326,464
1967 $125,554,009 $32,570,905,397
1966 $113,195,123 $29,559,436,183
1965 $105,021,997 $25,479,619,607
1964 $99,252,731 $21,966,876,027
1963 $99,893,761 $19,631,714,760
1962 $88,782,583 $16,609,632,791
1961 $85,363,759 $14,238,126,760
1960 $80,021,847 $12,424,514,014

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Spain by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $35,327 $57,965
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $33,493 $55,682
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $30,319 $51,399
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $30,799 $44,252
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $27,234 $39,328
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $29,787 $44,043
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $30,602 $41,015
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $28,381 $39,825
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $26,756 $37,613
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $14,743 $21,582
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $15,708 $19,938
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $15,382 $19,083
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $14,722 $17,903
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $16,101 $16,971
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $15,461 $16,276
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $13,406 $15,582
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $13,330 $14,973
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $16,101 $14,855
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $14,801 $14,461
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $13,795 $13,676
1989 $7,773 - $10,674 -
1988 $7,033 - $9,696 -
1987 $6,625 - $8,234 -
1986 $6,031 - $6,509 -
1985 $5,510 - $4,696 -
1984 $5,284 - $4,487 -
1983 $4,866 - $4,475 -
1982 $4,599 - $5,156 -
1981 $4,417 - $5,367 -
1980 $4,025 - $6,204 -
1979 $2,668 - $5,766 -
1978 $2,198 - $4,353 -
1977 $1,968 - $3,625 -
1976 $1,734 - $3,277 -
1975 $1,601 - $3,208 -
1974 $1,243 - $2,748 -
1973 $1,042 - $2,246 -
1972 $856 - $1,708 -
1971 $750 - $1,361 -
1970 $666 - $1,211 -
1969 $567 - $1,109 -
1968 $506 - $978 -
1967 $508 - $997 -
1966 $462 - $916 -
1965 $433 - $797 -
1964 $414 - $695 -
1963 $421 - $627 -
1962 $377 - $535 -
1961 $366 - $463 -
1960 $347 - $408 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Barbados Spain
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
15/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
34/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
34
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
2.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
11.3%
2024
Population
282798
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 45.3% 101.6%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 45.5% 105.1%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 46.4% 109.2%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 42% 97.6%
2018 26.9% 115% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 41% 101.1%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 42.1% 102%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 29% 122% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 46.2% 100%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 29.7% 96% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 27.8% 69% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 38.4% 39%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 31% 66.1% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 22% 62.6% 38.4% 54.1%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 39.1% 57.8%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 40% 60.9%
1998 19% 50.5% 41% 62.4%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 41.5% 64.3%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 42.9% 65.4%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 44.1% 61.6%
1994 17% 55% 44.8% 57%
1993 - - 46.3% 54.6%
1992 - - 43.9% 44.1%
1991 - - 42.6% 41.9%
1990 - - 41.1% 41.3%
1989 - - 32.1% 39.2%
1988 - - 28.6% 38.2%
1987 - - 31.1% 42.1%
1986 - - 28.4% 36.5%
1985 - - 27.6% 31.5%
1984 - - 27% 18.3%
1983 - - 26% 13.4%
1982 - - 21.5% 12%
1981 - - 18.1% 10.9%
1980 - - 16.3% 10.2%
1979 - - 14.3% 9.88%
1978 - - 14.3% 9.93%
1977 - - 12.8% 8.75%
1976 - - 11.5% 8.21%
1975 - - 11.4% 11.9%
1974 - - 11.4% 13.6%
1973 - - 9.88% 16.3%
1972 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1971 - - 14% 17.9%
1970 - - 12.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 12.3% 18.8%
1968 - - 12.8% 18.3%
1967 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1966 - - 11.8% 17.7%
1965 - - 14% 18.1%
1964 - - 12.7% 19.5%
1963 - - 12.4% 21%
1962 - - 10.6% 24.4%
1961 - - 9.97% 26.7%
1960 - - 11% 29.4%

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/barbados/spain | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 18/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Spain
2024 -0.89% -3.15%
2023 -1.71% -3.52%
2022 -1.96% -4.63%
2021 -4.65% -6.66%
2020 -4.16% -10%
2019 3.08% -3.04%
2018 -0.34% -2.58%
2017 -3.89% -3.1%
2016 -4.88% -4.26%
2015 -8.16% -5.26%
2014 -6.57% -6.07%
2013 -8.98% -7.49%
2012 -7.07% -11.5%
2011 -3.63% -9.69%
2010 -7.55% -9.49%
2009 -6.56% -11.2%
2008 -4.1% -4.56%
2007 -4.34% 1.88%
2006 -3.41% 2.12%
2005 -3.03% 1.23%
2004 -2.97% -0.1%
2003 -3.08% -0.37%
2002 -5.28% -0.32%
2001 4.07% -0.45%
2000 4.94% -1.16%
1999 5.39% -1.24%
1998 6.03% -2.63%
1997 5.64% -3.86%
1996 3.76% -5.87%
1995 6.22% -6.79%
1994 6.72% -6.31%
1993 - -6.89%
1992 - -4.26%
1991 - -4.58%
1990 - -3.9%
1989 - -3.24%
1988 - -2.95%
1987 - -3.52%
1986 - -5.18%
1985 - -6.04%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -4.77%
1982 - -5.76%
1981 - -2.88%
1980 - -2.55%
1979 - -1.51%
1978 - -1.63%
1977 - -0.24%
1976 - 0.43%
1975 - 0.26%
1974 - 0.11%
1973 - 1.09%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - 0.09%
1969 - -0.06%
1968 - -0.55%
1967 - -0.32%
1966 - 0.07%
1965 - -0.04%
1964 - 0.18%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - 1.27%
1961 - 1.9%
1960 - 0.69%
1959 - 0.54%
1958 - 0.23%
1957 - 1.13%
1956 - -0.05%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.02%
1952 - 0.81%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.44%
1949 - -0.35%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.09%
1946 - -2.24%
1945 - -4.56%
1944 - -5.44%
1943 - -7.73%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -4.34%
1940 - -3.54%
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -0.49%
1934 - -1.17%
1933 - -0.72%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.1%
1930 - 0.3%
1929 - -0.07%
1928 - -0.31%
1927 - -0.54%
1926 - -0.65%
1925 - -1.19%
1924 - -1.76%
1923 - -1.89%
1922 - -2.26%
1921 - -3.33%
1920 - -2.4%
1919 - -1.82%
1918 - -1.8%
1917 - -1.49%
1916 - -1.15%
1915 - -2.97%
1914 - -1.04%
1913 - -0.09%
1912 - -0.33%
1911 - 0.19%
1910 - 0.09%
1909 - -0.29%
1908 - 0.59%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.91%
1905 - 0.71%
1904 - 0.52%
1903 - 0.28%
1902 - 0.74%
1901 - 0.69%
1900 - 1.04%
1899 - 2.75%
1898 - 0.13%
1897 - -0.64%
1896 - 0.46%
1895 - 0.83%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - 0.87%
1892 - -0.67%
1891 - -0.41%
1890 - -0.4%
1889 - -0.38%
1888 - -0.97%
1887 - -0.73%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.78%
1884 - -0.23%
1883 - -0.38%
1882 - 0.38%
1881 - 0.08%
1880 - -0.02%
1879 - -0.52%
1878 - -0.08%
1877 - 0.11%
1876 - 0.1%
1875 - -1.42%
1874 - -0.1%
1873 - 2.22%
1872 - -2.27%
1871 - -2.64%
1870 - -3.42%
1869 - -2.64%
1868 - -1.46%
1867 - -0.79%
1866 - -0.83%
1865 - -1.84%
1864 - -2.48%
1863 - -1.55%
1862 - -1.76%
1861 - -1.77%
1860 - -0.94%
1859 - 0.39%
1858 - -0.44%
1857 - -0.41%
1856 - -0.46%
1855 - -0.76%
1854 - -0.32%
1853 - -0.02%
1852 - -0.11%
1851 - -0.25%
1850 - 0.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to Spain's deficit of $54.3B, or 3.15% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.2% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Spain
2024 -0.44% 2.77%
2023 9.79% 3.53%
2022 - 8.39%
2021 - 3.09%
2020 - -0.32%
2019 4.1% 0.7%
2018 3.67% 1.67%
2017 4.66% 1.96%
2016 1.28% -0.2%
2015 -1.11% -0.5%
2014 1.77% -0.15%
2013 1.81% 1.41%
2012 4.53% 2.45%
2011 9.43% 3.2%
2010 5.82% 1.8%
2009 3.64% -0.29%
2008 8.11% 4.08%
2007 4.03% 2.79%
2006 7.31% 3.52%
2005 6.08% 3.37%
2004 1.39% 3.04%
2003 1.62% 3.04%
2002 0.13% 3.07%
2001 2.58% 3.59%
2000 2.44% 3.43%
1999 1.56% 2.31%
1998 -1.27% 1.83%
1997 7.71% 1.97%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.34% in Spain. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $336K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $86K
Machinery & equipment $72K
Wood & paper products $49K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Metals $5K
Miscellaneous $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Spain
Export category Export value
Metals $4.08M
Machinery & equipment $3.55M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.12M
Wood & paper products $1.94M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.41M
Raw materials & minerals $468K
Miscellaneous $407K
Chemicals & pharma $383K
Animal & marine products $87K
Raw agricultural goods $22K

Balance of trade

Barbados Spain
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$419B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$111B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
37.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Spain
Economic freedom 70.4 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 59/197
Property rights 76.4 88
Government integrity 71.3 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 74.3
Tax burden 83.2 58.2
Government spending 74.5 37.3
Fiscal health 76.5 57.3
Business freedom 72.3 82.6
Labor freedom 54.3 61.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 78.2
Trade freedom 48.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Spain
2026 70.4 66.8
2025 68.9 66.3
2024 66.8 63.3
2023 69.8 65
2022 71.3 68.2
2021 65 69.9
2020 61.4 66.9
2019 64.7 65.7
2018 57 65.1
2017 54.5 63.6
2016 68.3 68.5
2015 67.9 67.6
2014 68.3 67.2
2013 69.3 68
2012 69 69.1
2011 68.5 70.2
2010 68.3 69.6
2009 71.5 70.1
2008 71.3 69.1
2007 70 69.2
2006 71.9 68.2
2005 70.1 67
2004 69.4 68.9
2003 71.3 68.8
2002 73.6 68.8
2001 71.5 68.1
2000 69.5 65.9
1999 66.7 65.1
1998 67.9 62.6
1997 64.5 59.6
1996 62.3 59.6
1995 - 62.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 66.8 for Spain, ranking 59/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Spain
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$71.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
21.2%
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).

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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)

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.