Skip to content

Economy of Belgium vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 23/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Belgium vs Gabon GDP by year

Belgium
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Gabon
2024 $671,370,081,636 $20,895,684,426
2023 $651,330,595,110 $19,388,372,071
2022 $591,085,783,326 $20,440,655,695
2021 $598,522,422,242 $19,444,935,097
2020 $529,694,473,502 $15,342,236,164
2019 $536,726,344,405 $16,874,405,465
2018 $542,638,913,428 $16,867,326,402
2017 $500,908,767,352 $14,929,487,485
2016 $474,271,566,740 $14,023,890,265
2015 $461,044,767,545 $14,383,107,763
2014 $537,987,419,164 $18,203,966,896
2013 $524,097,026,599 $17,595,744,798
2012 $498,414,364,945 $17,170,464,016
2011 $527,196,649,049 $18,210,307,744
2010 $481,556,503,720 $14,372,593,020
2009 $485,014,525,992 $12,113,699,068
2008 $517,328,087,920 $15,571,348,344
2007 $470,922,156,309 $12,455,409,587
2006 $408,259,840,869 $10,327,598,306
2005 $385,714,762,230 $9,582,783,991
2004 $369,214,712,443 $7,770,219,008
2003 $318,082,528,507 $6,511,903,365
2002 $258,383,599,375 $5,335,451,100
2001 $236,746,141,604 $5,023,265,413
2000 $236,792,460,312 $5,080,483,629
1999 $258,245,733,221 $4,662,992,036
1998 $258,528,339,631 $4,483,417,310
1997 $252,708,051,421 $5,326,817,115
1996 $279,201,433,225 $5,694,040,003
1995 $288,025,588,396 $4,958,845,648
1994 $244,884,129,491 $4,190,819,344
1993 $224,721,795,709 $4,378,645,081
1992 $234,781,652,447 $5,592,390,827
1991 $210,510,999,409 $5,402,919,785
1990 $205,331,747,948 $5,952,293,765
1989 $164,221,056,511 $4,186,411,464
1988 $162,299,103,675 $3,834,503,376
1987 $149,394,404,106 $3,281,797,043
1986 $120,018,787,249 $3,403,638,189
1985 $86,268,264,148 $3,339,914,757
1984 $83,349,530,159 $3,561,451,561
1983 $87,184,239,053 $3,391,275,732
1982 $92,095,926,188 $3,618,007,841
1981 $104,730,018,470 $3,862,269,121
1980 $126,829,314,388 $4,279,637,942
1979 $116,315,456,797 $3,030,251,120
1978 $101,246,526,194 $2,389,479,272
1977 $82,839,905,459 $2,809,349,069
1976 $71,113,882,968 $3,009,409,974
1975 $65,678,189,097 $2,157,592,940
1974 $56,033,077,879 $1,544,216,002
1973 $47,743,801,490 $722,780,701
1972 $37,209,418,019 $430,508,359
1971 $29,821,661,870 $381,687,073
1970 $26,706,196,047 $323,802,476
1969 $24,019,653,475 $318,124,701
1968 $21,654,856,965 $294,468,564
1967 $20,252,508,995 $271,543,680
1966 $18,894,891,312 $245,849,781
1965 $17,597,783,297 $226,474,286
1964 $16,168,044,450 $215,679,855
1963 $14,445,805,381 $154,480,244
1962 $13,436,827,167 $182,796,536
1961 $12,561,701,694 $167,637,907
1960 $11,810,619,368 $141,468,978

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

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

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Gabon by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $16,525 - $4,374 -
1988 $16,391 - $4,119 -
1987 $15,136 - $3,624 -
1986 $12,170 - $3,865 -
1985 $8,751 - $3,898 -
1984 $8,457 - $4,273 -
1983 $8,846 - $4,182 -
1982 $9,344 - $4,584 -
1981 $10,623 - $5,026 -
1980 $12,864 - $5,718 -
1979 $11,811 - $4,155 -
1978 $10,290 - $3,360 -
1977 $8,427 - $4,048 -
1976 $7,243 - $4,441 -
1975 $6,701 - $3,258 -
1974 $5,734 - $2,384 -
1973 $4,901 - $1,140 -
1972 $3,832 - $693 -
1971 $3,083 - $627 -
1970 $2,766 - $543 -
1969 $2,490 - $545 -
1968 $2,251 - $515 -
1967 $2,114 - $482 -
1966 $1,983 - $443 -
1965 $1,860 - $415 -
1964 $1,724 - $400 -
1963 $1,555 - $290.7 -
1962 $1,457 - $348 -
1961 $1,368 - $323 -
1960 $1,290 - $276.1 -

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

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

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Belgium Gabon
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$5,368
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
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
1.17%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
20.4%
2010
Population
11902714
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 19.8% 83%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 55.9% 105% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 55% 102.7% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 22.6% 26%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 51% 101.7% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 27.8% 81%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 51% 119.2% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 29.7% 57%
1996 53.1% 129% 22.2% 64.5%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 25.1% 73.4%
1994 54.7% 137.1% 23.9% 71.3%
1993 57.1% 138.9% 26.9% 90.1%
1992 55.9% 134.7% 26.5% 87.9%
1991 55.6% 131.8% 25.1% 89.3%
1990 54.4% 130.3% 22.6% 90%
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 19/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Gabon
2024 -4.52% -3.84%
2023 -4.1% 1.79%
2022 -3.62% -0.89%
2021 -5.4% -1.93%
2020 -9.03% -2.19%
2019 -2.05% 2.13%
2018 -1.05% -0.21%
2017 -0.76% -1.7%
2016 -2.43% -4.71%
2015 -2.48% -1.12%
2014 -3.18% 5.98%
2013 -3.16% -3.07%
2012 -4.35% 6.2%
2011 -4.44% 1.41%
2010 -4.13% 2.7%
2009 -5.45% 6.77%
2008 -1.1% 11%
2007 0.07% 8.06%
2006 0.24% 8.67%
2005 -2.72% 7.98%
2004 -0.24% 6.99%
2003 -1.86% 7.75%
2002 -0.04% 3.72%
2001 0.23% 4.07%
2000 -0.08% 11.1%
1999 -0.65% 1.11%
1998 -1.03% -13.1%
1997 -2.15% 1.41%
1996 -4% 2.12%
1995 -4.51% 2.64%
1994 -5.29% -1.53%
1993 -7.71% -5.35%
1992 -8.42% -4.9%
1991 -7.67% -2.03%
1990 -6.99% -3.83%
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/gabon | 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 Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 3.26% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.52% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Gabon
2024 3.14% 1.17%
2023 4.05% 3.63%
2022 9.6% 4.23%
2021 2.44% 1.09%
2020 0.74% 1.35%
2019 1.44% 2.46%
2018 2.05% 4.75%
2017 2.13% 2.65%
2016 1.97% 2.11%
2015 0.56% -0.34%
2014 0.34% 4.69%
2013 1.11% 0.51%
2012 2.84% 2.65%
2011 3.53% 1.26%
2010 2.19% 1.46%
2009 -0.05% 1.89%
2008 4.49% 5.26%
2007 1.82% 5.03%
2006 1.79% -1.41%
2005 2.78% 3.71%
2004 2.1% 0.41%
2003 1.59% 2.24%
2002 1.65% 0.04%
2001 2.47% 2.14%
2000 2.54% 0.5%
1999 1.12% -1.94%
1998 0.95% 1.45%
1997 1.63% 3.97%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $79.6M
Raw materials & minerals $38.8M
Metals $16.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $15.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15.3M
Raw agricultural goods $11.3M
Chemicals & pharma $7.02M
Animal & marine products $6.35M
Wood & paper products $601K
Miscellaneous $88K
Gabon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $67.5M
Raw materials & minerals $21M
Metals $5.32M
Machinery & equipment $3.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $469K
Chemicals & pharma $113K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30K
Precious metals & jewellery $27K

Balance of trade

Belgium Gabon
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$164B
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$150B
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Gabon
Economic freedom 69.2 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 120/197
Property rights 91.1 30
Government integrity 78.2 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 19.9
Tax burden 50.6 76.5
Government spending 14.6 85.5
Fiscal health 53.4 87.9
Business freedom 82.5 63.6
Labor freedom 57.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 76.8 80.9
Trade freedom 79.4 57.4
Investment freedom 85 60
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Gabon
2026 69.2 56.6
2025 69 56.3
2024 65.6 56.9
2023 67.1 56.1
2022 69.6 55.8
2021 70.1 58.1
2020 68.9 56.7
2019 67.3 56.3
2018 67.5 58
2017 67.8 58.6
2016 68.4 59
2015 68.8 58.3
2014 69.9 57.8
2013 69.2 57.8
2012 69 56.4
2011 70.2 56.7
2010 70.1 55.4
2009 72.1 55
2008 71.7 54.2
2007 72.5 54.8
2006 71.8 56.1
2005 69 54.8
2004 68.7 57.1
2003 68.1 58.7
2002 67.6 58
2001 63.8 55
2000 63.5 58.2
1999 62.9 60.5
1998 64.7 59.2
1997 64.6 58.8
1996 66 55.7
1995 - 57.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Gabon
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
19.1%
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).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1835–1989, 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 (2023–2024, 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.