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Economy of Belgium vs Cape Verde compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $2.73B for Cape Verde, ranking 23/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $3.03B (111.2% of GDP) in Cape Verde.

Belgium vs Cape Verde GDP by year

Belgium
Cape Verde
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Cape Verde
2024 $671,370,081,636 $2,725,414,151
2023 $651,330,595,110 $2,504,525,549
2022 $591,085,783,326 $2,247,003,344
2021 $598,522,422,242 $2,051,842,619
2020 $529,694,473,502 $1,821,565,614
2019 $536,726,344,405 $2,252,177,124
2018 $542,638,913,428 $2,205,099,507
2017 $500,908,767,352 $1,996,741,540
2016 $474,271,566,740 $1,849,789,986
2015 $461,044,767,545 $1,749,857,620
2014 $537,987,419,164 $2,041,930,125
2013 $524,097,026,599 $2,028,910,915
2012 $498,414,364,945 $1,913,081,210
2011 $527,196,649,049 $2,046,817,987
2010 $481,556,503,720 $1,824,751,468
2009 $485,014,525,992 $1,852,334,575
2008 $517,328,087,920 $1,959,620,648
2007 $470,922,156,309 $1,649,621,739
2006 $408,259,840,869 $1,107,571,458
2005 $385,714,762,230 $972,241,677
2004 $369,214,712,443 $924,940,012
2003 $318,082,528,507 $813,260,469
2002 $258,383,599,375 $620,507,387
2001 $236,746,141,604 $563,090,490
2000 $236,792,460,312 $539,227,278
1999 $258,245,733,221 $592,416,703
1998 $258,528,339,631 $521,910,561
1997 $252,708,051,421 $490,608,658
1996 $279,201,433,225 $501,979,270
1995 $288,025,588,396 $487,148,994
1994 $244,884,129,491 $406,580,652
1993 $224,721,795,709 $490,417,390
1992 $234,781,652,447 $357,160,985
1991 $210,510,999,409 $319,827,059
1990 $205,331,747,948 $306,890,963
1989 $164,221,056,511 $267,448,571
1988 $162,299,103,675 $264,308,140
1987 $149,394,404,106 $235,253,065
1986 $120,018,787,249 $190,651,168
1985 $86,268,264,148 $137,728,205
1984 $83,349,530,159 $132,019,039
1983 $87,184,239,053 $138,476,176
1982 $92,095,926,188 $140,630,679
1981 $104,730,018,470 $139,468,209
1980 $126,829,314,388 $142,246,815
1979 $116,315,456,797 -
1978 $101,246,526,194 -
1977 $82,839,905,459 -
1976 $71,113,882,968 -
1975 $65,678,189,097 -
1974 $56,033,077,879 -
1973 $47,743,801,490 -
1972 $37,209,418,019 -
1971 $29,821,661,870 -
1970 $26,706,196,047 -
1969 $24,019,653,475 -
1968 $21,654,856,965 -
1967 $20,252,508,995 -
1966 $18,894,891,312 -
1965 $17,597,783,297 -
1964 $16,168,044,450 -
1963 $14,445,805,381 -
1962 $13,436,827,167 -
1961 $12,561,701,694 -
1960 $11,810,619,368 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cape-verde | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Cape Verde by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Cape Verde
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $5,192 $11,195
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $4,795 $10,242
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $4,323 $9,481
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $3,971 $7,685
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $3,539 $6,853
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $4,381 $8,646
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $4,295 $7,916
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $3,893 $7,936
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $3,609 $7,351
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $3,415 $6,773
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $3,986 $6,417
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $3,961 $6,367
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $3,737 $6,318
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $4,002 $6,384
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $3,579 $6,039
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $3,660 $5,901
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $3,909 $6,011
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $3,325 $5,567
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $2,257 $4,758
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $2,004 $4,324
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $1,929 $3,969
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $1,718 $3,551
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $1,329 $3,388
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $1,223 $3,217
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $1,190 $3,124
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $1,327 $2,714
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $1,187 $2,443
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $1,134 $2,182
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $1,180 $1,963
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $1,165 $1,762
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $991 $1,540
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $1,220 $1,291
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $908 $1,186
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $832 $1,069
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $817 $1,044
1989 $16,525 - $727 -
1988 $16,391 - $729 -
1987 $15,136 - $658 -
1986 $12,170 - $541 -
1985 $8,751 - $396 -
1984 $8,457 - $385 -
1983 $8,846 - $410 -
1982 $9,344 - $423 -
1981 $10,623 - $425 -
1980 $12,864 - $440 -
1979 $11,811 - - -
1978 $10,290 - - -
1977 $8,427 - - -
1976 $7,243 - - -
1975 $6,701 - - -
1974 $5,734 - - -
1973 $4,901 - - -
1972 $3,832 - - -
1971 $3,083 - - -
1970 $2,766 - - -
1969 $2,490 - - -
1968 $2,251 - - -
1967 $2,114 - - -
1966 $1,983 - - -
1965 $1,860 - - -
1964 $1,724 - - -
1963 $1,555 - - -
1962 $1,457 - - -
1961 $1,368 - - -
1960 $1,290 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cape-verde | CC BY

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $5,192 in Cape Verde, ranking 118/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195.

Economic indicators

Belgium Cape Verde
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$2.73B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
172/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
7.24%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$5,192
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
118/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$11,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
129/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$3.03B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
111.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$5,776
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
76/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$2,576
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
549,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
32.3%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.2%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
26.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
11902714
530391

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Cape Verde
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 26.1% 111.2%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 25.7% 117.5%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 26.6% 127.6%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 30.8% 149.5%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 34.5% 144.3%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 27.5% 109.8%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 27.5% 112.3%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 28% 113%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 26.6% 115.6%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 28.7% 115.7%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 27.8% 105.7%
2013 55.9% 105% 30.9% 93.5%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 31.6% 82.9%
2011 55% 102.7% 30.3% 71.6%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 35.7% 73.5%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 30.6% 58.8%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 27.6% 57.5%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 27.1% 59.6%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 28.4% 66.2%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 26.2% 66.7%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 26.3% 67.8%
2003 51% 101.7% 23.4% 65.6%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 28.5% 64.7%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 24.2% 62.2%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 36.7% 71.9%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 35% 66.4%
1998 51% 119.2% 29.8% 72.9%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 34.8% 79.3%
1996 53.1% 129% 38.9% 85.7%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 44.5% 74.3%
1994 54.7% 137.1% 48.1% 73.4%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cape-verde | CC BY

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Cape Verde spent $711M, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 111.2% in Cape Verde, ranking 19/185 and 16/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Cape Verde
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Cape Verde
2024 -4.52% -1.07%
2023 -4.1% -0.28%
2022 -3.62% -4.25%
2021 -5.4% -7.51%
2020 -9.03% -9.29%
2019 -2.05% -1.62%
2018 -1.05% -2.36%
2017 -0.76% -2.63%
2016 -2.43% -2.73%
2015 -2.48% -4.16%
2014 -3.18% -6.93%
2013 -3.16% -8.49%
2012 -4.35% -9.36%
2011 -4.44% -6.98%
2010 -4.13% -9.6%
2009 -5.45% -5.32%
2008 -1.1% -1.42%
2007 0.07% -0.86%
2006 0.24% -4.32%
2005 -2.72% -4.69%
2004 -0.24% -2.98%
2003 -1.86% -3.63%
2002 -0.04% -6.14%
2001 0.23% -5.03%
2000 -0.08% -15.5%
1999 -0.65% -10.9%
1998 -1.03% -3.16%
1997 -2.15% -10.2%
1996 -4% -11.2%
1995 -4.51% -11.1%
1994 -5.29% -12.8%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cape-verde | CC BY

In 2024, Belgium's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.3B, equivalent to 4.52% of GDP. This compares to Cape Verde's deficit of $29.1M, or 1.07% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Cape Verde ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 2.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.02% of GDP for Cape Verde.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Cape Verde
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Cape Verde
2024 3.14% 1%
2023 4.05% 3.7%
2022 9.6% 7.9%
2021 2.44% 1.9%
2020 0.74% 0.6%
2019 1.44% 1.1%
2018 2.05% 1.3%
2017 2.13% 0.8%
2016 1.97% -1.4%
2015 0.56% 0.1%
2014 0.34% -0.2%
2013 1.11% 1.5%
2012 2.84% 2.5%
2011 3.53% 4.5%
2010 2.19% 2.1%
2009 -0.05% 1%
2008 4.49% 6.8%
2007 1.82% 4.4%
2006 1.79% 4.8%
2005 2.78% 0.4%
2004 2.1% -1.9%
2003 1.59% 1.2%
2002 1.65% 1.9%
2001 2.47% 3.7%
2000 2.54% -2.4%
1999 1.12% 4.3%
1998 0.95% 4.4%
1997 1.63% 8.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cape-verde | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.31% in Cape Verde. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 1% in Cape Verde.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $25.5M
Animal & marine products $10.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.95M
Machinery & equipment $2.84M
Chemicals & pharma $1.04M
Raw agricultural goods $885K
Textiles & consumer goods $726K
Wood & paper products $316K
Metals $275K
Miscellaneous $129K
Cape Verde
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Belgium Cape Verde
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
$107M
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
67/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$1.17B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$328M
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$298M
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$830M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
54%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Cape Verde
Economic freedom 69.2 71.4
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 32/197
Property rights 91.1 72.7
Government integrity 78.2 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 77.1
Tax burden 50.6 84.4
Government spending 14.6 79.5
Fiscal health 53.4 74.4
Business freedom 82.5 78.9
Labor freedom 57.5 59.5
Monetary freedom 76.8 80.4
Trade freedom 79.4 66.6
Investment freedom 85 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Cape Verde
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Cape Verde
2026 69.2 71.4
2025 69 68.7
2024 65.6 62.9
2023 67.1 65.8
2022 69.6 66.7
2021 70.1 63.8
2020 68.9 63.6
2019 67.3 63.1
2018 67.5 60
2017 67.8 56.9
2016 68.4 66.5
2015 68.8 66.4
2014 69.9 66.1
2013 69.2 63.7
2012 69 63.5
2011 70.2 64.6
2010 70.1 61.8
2009 72.1 61.3
2008 71.7 57.9
2007 72.5 56.5
2006 71.8 58.6
2005 69 57.8
2004 68.7 58.1
2003 68.1 56.1
2002 67.6 57.6
2001 63.8 56.3
2000 63.5 51.9
1999 62.9 50.7
1998 64.7 48
1997 64.6 47.7
1996 66 49.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/cape-verde | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 71.4 for Cape Verde, ranking 32/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Cape Verde
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
68.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
4.92%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$2.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$11,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$783M
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
144/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
-$89.2M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$110M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$20.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
24.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
16.4%
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 (1835–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (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.

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.