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Economy of Belgium vs Cameroon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Belgium has a GDP of $725B compared to $58.9B for Cameroon, ranking 23/197 and 92/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $771B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $23.8B (40.4% of GDP) in Cameroon.

Belgium vs Cameroon GDP by year

Belgium
Cameroon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Cameroon
2025 $725,466,462,860 $58,933,453,924
2024 $670,983,130,619 $53,296,694,320
2023 $650,779,364,364 $48,814,501,547
2022 $591,474,463,579 $44,347,206,073
2021 $598,522,422,242 $45,011,937,347
2020 $529,694,473,502 $40,773,241,177
2019 $536,726,344,405 $39,667,757,528
2018 $542,638,913,428 $39,955,552,190
2017 $500,908,767,352 $36,098,547,033
2016 $474,271,566,740 $33,814,337,044
2015 $461,044,767,545 $32,210,233,020
2014 $537,987,419,164 $36,386,544,706
2013 $524,097,026,599 $33,728,621,180
2012 $498,414,364,945 $30,155,062,329
2011 $527,196,649,049 $30,630,910,495
2010 $481,556,503,720 $27,507,501,821
2009 $485,014,525,992 $27,932,970,317
2008 $517,328,087,920 $27,715,142,033
2007 $470,922,156,309 $23,928,250,433
2006 $408,259,840,869 $20,910,512,975
2005 $385,714,762,230 $19,509,852,207
2004 $369,214,712,443 $18,826,214,136
2003 $318,082,528,507 $15,970,315,035
2002 $258,383,599,375 $12,417,251,350
2001 $236,746,141,604 $10,953,485,349
2000 $236,792,460,312 $10,566,579,295
1999 $258,245,733,221 $11,565,826,465
1998 $258,528,339,631 $11,298,144,990
1997 $252,708,051,421 $10,789,458,433
1996 $279,201,433,225 $11,093,538,846
1995 $288,025,588,396 $10,864,772,471
1994 $244,884,129,491 $8,902,446,252
1993 $224,721,795,709 $16,181,814,713
1992 $234,781,652,447 $12,071,775,335
1991 $210,510,999,409 $11,840,192,296
1990 $205,331,747,948 $12,314,482,628
1989 $164,221,056,511 $11,012,566,195
1988 $162,299,103,675 $12,236,057,362
1987 $149,394,404,106 $13,049,659,981
1986 $120,018,787,249 $11,857,056,199
1985 $86,268,264,148 $8,544,810,498
1984 $83,349,530,159 $7,311,938,026
1983 $87,184,239,053 $6,870,200,010
1982 $92,095,926,188 $6,611,255,964
1981 $104,730,018,470 $6,610,938,617
1980 $126,829,314,388 $6,674,569,047
1979 $116,315,456,797 $5,919,002,983
1978 $101,246,526,194 $4,662,852,583
1977 $82,839,905,459 $3,394,664,024
1976 $71,113,882,968 $2,898,090,002
1975 $65,678,189,097 $2,857,037,371
1974 $56,033,077,879 $2,157,415,533
1973 $47,743,801,490 $1,901,393,361
1972 $37,209,418,019 $1,498,251,890
1971 $29,821,661,870 $1,236,941,394
1970 $26,706,196,047 $1,151,216,993
1969 $24,019,653,475 $1,100,551,489
1968 $21,654,856,965 $1,046,191,218
1967 $20,252,508,995 $936,175,260
1966 $18,894,891,312 $851,112,535
1965 $17,597,783,297 $814,083,266
1964 $16,168,044,450 $776,650,177
1963 $14,445,805,381 $718,320,845
1962 $13,436,827,167 $694,247,864
1961 $12,561,701,694 $652,777,608
1960 $11,810,619,368 $614,206,068

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cameroon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Cameroon by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Cameroon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $60,750 - $1,972 -
2024 $56,582 $73,514 $1,830 $5,589
2023 $55,245 $71,946 $1,720 $5,411
2022 $50,639 $69,128 $1,605 $5,189
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $1,672 $4,794
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $1,556 $4,365
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $1,555 $4,241
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $1,611 $4,011
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $1,496 $3,767
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $1,442 $3,627
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $1,415 $3,498
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $1,649 $3,422
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $1,576 $3,239
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $1,449 $3,060
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $1,514 $2,989
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $1,399 $2,914
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $1,461 $2,879
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $1,492 $2,870
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $1,326 $2,818
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $1,191 $2,704
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $1,143 $2,598
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $1,133 $2,533
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $988 $2,368
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $790 $2,263
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $715 $2,191
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $709 $2,108
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $796 $2,039
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $799 $1,975
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $783 $1,915
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $827 $1,850
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $832 $1,790
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $701 $1,752
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $1,310 $1,731
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $1,005 $1,890
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $1,015 $1,963
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $1,087 $2,032
1989 $16,525 - $1,001 -
1988 $16,391 - $1,145 -
1987 $15,136 - $1,258 -
1986 $12,170 - $1,179 -
1985 $8,751 - $875 -
1984 $8,457 - $772 -
1983 $8,846 - $746 -
1982 $9,344 - $732 -
1981 $10,623 - $750 -
1980 $12,864 - $784 -
1979 $11,811 - $718 -
1978 $10,290 - $582 -
1977 $8,427 - $435 -
1976 $7,243 - $381 -
1975 $6,701 - $386 -
1974 $5,734 - $299.9 -
1973 $4,901 - $271.8 -
1972 $3,832 - $220.1 -
1971 $3,083 - $186.7 -
1970 $2,766 - $178.5 -
1969 $2,490 - $175.2 -
1968 $2,251 - $170.8 -
1967 $2,114 - $156.6 -
1966 $1,983 - $145.8 -
1965 $1,860 - $142.7 -
1964 $1,724 - $139.2 -
1963 $1,555 - $131.6 -
1962 $1,457 - $130 -
1961 $1,368 - $124.6 -
1960 $1,290 - $119.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cameroon | CC BY

Belgium's GDP per capita is $60,750, ranking 17/197, compared to $1,972 in Cameroon, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589.

Economic indicators

Belgium Cameroon
Gross domestic product
$725B
2025
$58.9B
2025
GDP rank
23/197
2025
92/197
2025
GDP growth
0.98%
2024-2025
3.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$60,750
2025
$1,972
2025
GDP per capita rank
17/197
2025
159/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$5,589
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
156/197
2024
Government debt
$771B
2025
$23.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2025
40.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$64,598
2025
$796
2025
Government debt per person rank
4/185
2025
151/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,730
2026
$1,941
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
556,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
31.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
55%
2025
16.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.47%
2024-2025
3.4%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.2%
2025
3.28%
2021
Population
11967185
31045453

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Cameroon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Cameroon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 55% 106.3% 16.3% 40.4%
2024 54.1% 103.9% 17.1% 43.4%
2023 52.8% 102.2% 17.3% 43.6%
2022 52.5% 103.1% 17.1% 45.6%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 17% 47.2%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 16.8% 44.9%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 19.1% 41.6%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 17.8% 38.3%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 18.2% 36.5%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 20.1% 32.1%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 17.9% 31.6%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 19.5% 20.7%
2013 55.9% 105% 19.2% 17.5%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 17% 14.9%
2011 55% 102.7% 17.1% 15.9%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 14.8% 14%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 14.7% 11.3%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 15.9% 11.2%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 13.5% 13.8%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 12% 18.4%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 11.4% 43.8%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 10.7% 51.7%
2003 51% 101.7% 10.6% 51.5%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 14% 56.6%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 14.4% 62.2%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 14.4% 75.9%
1999 50.5% 115.4% - 68.4%
1998 51% 119.2% - 67.8%
1997 51.6% 124.3% - -
1996 53.1% 129% - -
1995 52.6% 131.3% - -
1994 54.7% 137.1% - -
1993 57.1% 138.9% - -
1992 55.9% 134.7% - -
1991 55.6% 131.8% - -
1990 54.4% 130.3% - -
1989 52.3% 126.4% - -
1988 53.9% 129.7% - -
1987 55.8% 129.2% - -
1986 57.6% 124.7% - -
1985 58.4% 119.4% - -
1984 59.1% 114.6% - -
1983 62.2% 110.3% - -
1982 59.6% 99.6% - -
1981 61.5% 89.7% - -
1980 54.9% 76.8% - -
1979 54.8% 69.2% - -
1978 52.8% 65.2% - -
1977 52.2% 61.6% - -
1976 50.4% 61.4% - -
1975 50.2% 59.5% - -
1974 44.5% 61.7% - -
1973 45% 63.7% - -
1972 45% 64.9% - -
1971 43.9% 63.5% - -
1970 42.7% 66.6% - -
1969 26.5% 51.6% - -
1968 26.7% 54.5% - -
1967 25.5% 54.1% - -
1966 25.1% 55.6% - -
1965 23.4% 57.6% - -
1964 22.5% 59.4% - -
1963 23.1% 64.1% - -
1962 22.5% 65.3% - -
1961 22.1% 67.8% - -
1960 23.7% 69.4% - -

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/belgium/cameroon | CC BY

In 2025, Belgium's government spending was $399B, accounting for 55% of its GDP, while Cameroon spent $9.58B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Belgium and 40.4% in Cameroon, ranking 17/185 and 133/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Cameroon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Cameroon
2025 -5.26% -2.01%
2024 -4.36% -1.51%
2023 -4.01% -0.64%
2022 -3.6% -1.11%
2021 -5.4% -2.88%
2020 -9.03% -3.52%
2019 -2.05% -3.65%
2018 -1.05% -2.3%
2017 -0.76% -3.68%
2016 -2.43% -5.79%
2015 -2.48% -2.86%
2014 -3.18% -3.36%
2013 -3.16% -3.54%
2012 -4.35% -1.22%
2011 -4.44% -1.55%
2010 -4.13% -0.57%
2009 -5.45% -0.05%
2008 -1.1% 1.94%
2007 0.07% 3.66%
2006 0.24% 6.34%
2005 -2.72% 3.43%
2004 -0.24% 2.07%
2003 -1.86% 3.51%
2002 -0.04% 1.59%
2001 0.23% 1.2%
2000 -0.08% 2.06%
1999 -0.65% -
1998 -1.03% -
1997 -2.15% -
1996 -4% -
1995 -4.51% -
1994 -5.29% -
1993 -7.71% -
1992 -8.42% -
1991 -7.67% -
1990 -6.99% -
1989 -7.58% -
1988 -7.28% -
1987 -7.89% -
1986 -9.96% -
1985 -10.1% -
1984 -10.8% -
1983 -14.5% -
1982 -12.3% -
1981 -15.5% -
1980 -9.43% -
1979 -8.33% -
1978 -6.51% -
1977 -6.51% -
1976 -6.61% -
1975 -6.45% -
1974 -3.87% -
1973 -5.02% -
1972 -6.07% -
1971 -4.45% -
1970 -3.51% -
1969 -3.34% -
1968 -3.69% -
1967 -2.76% -
1966 -3.08% -
1965 -2.9% -
1964 -2.27% -
1963 -2.8% -
1962 -2.12% -
1961 -2.34% -
1960 -4.89% -
1959 -5.21% -
1958 -4.33% -
1957 -1.27% -
1956 1.85% -
1955 -1.05% -
1954 2.34% -
1953 0.14% -
1952 -0.26% -
1951 0.59% -
1950 -2.01% -
1949 -2.05% -
1948 -2.29% -
1947 -14.5% -
1946 1.87% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -5.81% -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 -6.86% -
1938 -5.17% -
1937 -4.71% -
1936 -4.92% -
1935 -5.94% -
1934 -2.78% -
1933 -1.69% -
1932 - -
1931 - -
1930 -2.48% -
1929 - -
1928 - -
1927 3.06% -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 -5.53% -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -1.4% -
1912 -1.39% -
1911 -0.92% -
1910 -0.18% -
1909 0.13% -
1908 -0.95% -
1907 -0.81% -
1906 -1.35% -
1905 1.23% -
1904 0.004% -
1903 0.08% -
1902 0.22% -
1901 0.55% -
1900 -0.54% -
1899 -1.64% -
1898 -0.28% -
1897 -0.25% -
1896 0.94% -
1895 -0.33% -
1894 0.06% -
1893 0.07% -
1892 0.17% -
1891 -0.005% -
1890 -0.83% -
1889 0.3% -
1888 -0.21% -
1887 -0.12% -
1886 0.54% -
1885 -0.43% -
1884 -0.26% -
1883 -0.54% -
1882 -0.3% -
1881 0.08% -
1880 0.12% -
1879 -1.51% -
1878 -1.78% -
1877 -2.52% -
1876 -0.77% -
1875 -0.88% -
1874 -1.02% -
1873 -2.08% -
1872 -0.7% -
1871 -0.64% -
1870 -0.58% -
1869 -0.35% -
1868 -0.39% -
1867 -0.49% -
1866 -0.87% -
1865 -0.55% -
1864 -0.62% -
1863 -0.72% -
1862 -0.49% -
1861 -0.22% -
1860 -0.13% -
1859 0.1% -
1858 0.35% -
1857 0% -
1856 -0.26% -
1855 -0.28% -
1854 -0.4% -
1853 -0.3% -
1852 -0.44% -
1851 -0.05% -
1850 -0.11% -
1849 0.11% -
1848 -1.41% -
1847 -0.69% -
1846 -0.52% -
1845 -1.17% -
1844 -4.92% -
1843 -0.86% -
1842 -0.89% -
1841 -0.75% -
1840 0.16% -
1839 -0.43% -
1838 0.23% -
1837 -0.11% -
1836 0.18% -
1835 0.27% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1835–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cameroon | CC BY

In 2025, Belgium's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $38.1B, equivalent to 5.26% of GDP. This compares to Cameroon's deficit of $1.18B, or 2.01% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Cameroon ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 2.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.56% of GDP for Cameroon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Cameroon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Cameroon
2025 2.47% 3.4%
2024 3.14% 4.53%
2023 4.05% 7.38%
2022 9.6% 6.25%
2021 2.44% 2.27%
2020 0.74% 2.44%
2019 1.44% 2.45%
2018 2.05% 1.07%
2017 2.13% 0.64%
2016 1.97% 0.87%
2015 0.56% 2.68%
2014 0.34% 1.85%
2013 1.11% 2.05%
2012 2.84% 2.74%
2011 3.53% 2.94%
2010 2.19% 1.28%
2009 -0.05% 3.04%
2008 4.49% 5.34%
2007 1.82% 0.92%
2006 1.79% 5.12%
2005 2.78% 2.01%
2004 2.1% 0.23%
2003 1.59% 0.62%
2002 1.65% 2.83%
2001 2.47% 4.42%
2000 2.54% 1.23%
1999 1.12% 1.87%
1998 0.95% 3.17%
1997 1.63% 4.79%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cameroon | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.26%, compared with 2.77% in Cameroon. In 2025, inflation was 2.47% in Belgium and 3.4% in Cameroon.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $123M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $41M
Chemicals & pharma $37.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $27.4M
Raw materials & minerals $17.1M
Metals $9.26M
Animal & marine products $6.42M
Raw agricultural goods $4.14M
Wood & paper products $4.11M
Weapons & explosives $2.26M
Cameroon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $135M
Wood & paper products $76.1M
Raw agricultural goods $37.8M
Raw materials & minerals $18.7M
Machinery & equipment $1.36M
Textiles & consumer goods $267K
Chemicals & pharma $28K
Metals $15K
Animal & marine products $14K
Precious metals & jewellery $12K

Balance of trade

Belgium Cameroon
Current account balance
-$14B
2025
-$1.75B
2024
Current account balance ranking
179/190
2025
134/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.93%
2025
-3.28%
2024
Goods imports
$386B
2025
$7.77B
2024
Goods exports
$387B
2025
$6.79B
2024
Service imports
$175B
2025
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$160B
2025
$1.81B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.5%
2025
20.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.5%
2025
13.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Cameroon
Economic freedom 69.2 52
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 151/197
Property rights 91.1 28.1
Government integrity 78.2 21
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 10.1
Tax burden 50.6 72.2
Government spending 14.6 91.4
Fiscal health 53.4 94.5
Business freedom 82.5 48.6
Labor freedom 57.5 45.6
Monetary freedom 76.8 75.3
Trade freedom 79.4 57.2
Investment freedom 85 30
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Cameroon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Cameroon
2026 69.2 52
2025 69 52.1
2024 65.6 53.6
2023 67.1 51.9
2022 69.6 52.9
2021 70.1 53.4
2020 68.9 53.6
2019 67.3 52.4
2018 67.5 51.9
2017 67.8 51.8
2016 68.4 54.2
2015 68.8 51.9
2014 69.9 52.6
2013 69.2 52.3
2012 69 51.8
2011 70.2 51.8
2010 70.1 52.3
2009 72.1 53
2008 71.7 54.3
2007 72.5 55.6
2006 71.8 54.6
2005 69 53
2004 68.7 52.3
2003 68.1 52.7
2002 67.6 52.8
2001 63.8 53.3
2000 63.5 49.9
1999 62.9 50.3
1998 64.7 48
1997 64.6 44.6
1996 66 45.7
1995 - 51.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cameroon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 52 for Cameroon, ranking 151/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Cameroon
Services, % of GDP
71.2%
2025
50.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.6%
2025
24.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.73%
2025
16.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$711B
2025
$55.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$75,620
2025
$5,700
2025
Total reserves including gold
$56.4B
2025
$5.06B
2024
Total reserves ranking
44/177
2025
105/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.47B
2025
-$825M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$888M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$63.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.21%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
37.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
19.3%
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 (1835–1989, 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 (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.