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Economy of Belgium vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $540B for Israel, ranking 23/197 and 29/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $366B (67.6% of GDP) in Israel.

Belgium vs Israel GDP by year

Belgium
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Israel
2024 $671,370,081,636 $540,379,921,262
2023 $651,330,595,110 $512,184,638,999
2022 $591,085,783,326 $525,181,008,026
2021 $598,522,422,242 $489,851,549,972
2020 $529,694,473,502 $410,768,352,658
2019 $536,726,344,405 $400,645,216,359
2018 $542,638,913,428 $376,299,083,108
2017 $500,908,767,352 $358,451,839,053
2016 $474,271,566,740 $321,940,971,558
2015 $461,044,767,545 $303,469,434,072
2014 $537,987,419,164 $315,017,088,117
2013 $524,097,026,599 $298,478,070,673
2012 $498,414,364,945 $263,589,172,712
2011 $527,196,649,049 $268,094,998,225
2010 $481,556,503,720 $239,679,036,634
2009 $485,014,525,992 $213,403,181,853
2008 $517,328,087,920 $221,231,658,863
2007 $470,922,156,309 $184,681,214,673
2006 $408,259,840,869 $158,900,547,825
2005 $385,714,762,230 $147,519,922,009
2004 $369,214,712,443 $140,047,984,605
2003 $318,082,528,507 $131,408,914,824
2002 $258,383,599,375 $125,332,331,884
2001 $236,746,141,604 $135,002,039,613
2000 $236,792,460,312 $136,512,300,542
1999 $258,245,733,221 $121,417,185,062
1998 $258,528,339,631 $120,547,409,279
1997 $252,708,051,421 $119,459,826,347
1996 $279,201,433,225 $115,116,595,545
1995 $288,025,588,396 $105,497,418,059
1994 $244,884,129,491 $90,740,103,829
1993 $224,721,795,709 $79,855,877,174
1992 $234,781,652,447 $79,457,685,757
1991 $210,510,999,409 $70,998,755,007
1990 $205,331,747,948 $62,016,729,541
1989 $164,221,056,511 $52,443,479,454
1988 $162,299,103,675 $52,650,948,910
1987 $149,394,404,106 $43,049,543,635
1986 $120,018,787,249 $35,834,154,874
1985 $86,268,264,148 $28,905,736,367
1984 $83,349,530,159 $30,645,607,293
1983 $87,184,239,053 $32,675,755,462
1982 $92,095,926,188 $29,255,285,401
1981 $104,730,018,470 $26,882,009,819
1980 $126,829,314,388 $25,395,256,478
1979 $116,315,456,797 $22,609,741,060
1978 $101,246,526,194 $17,701,286,907
1977 $82,839,905,459 $18,257,113,904
1976 $71,113,882,968 $15,956,349,550
1975 $65,678,189,097 $16,141,767,373
1974 $56,033,077,879 $17,172,607,138
1973 $47,743,801,490 $11,902,574,259
1972 $37,209,418,019 $9,222,557,539
1971 $29,821,661,870 $7,052,544,000
1970 $26,706,196,047 $7,406,712,876
1969 $24,019,653,475 $6,297,852,761
1968 $21,654,856,965 $5,458,427,928
1967 $20,252,508,995 $4,762,386,783
1966 $18,894,891,312 $4,703,300,098
1965 $17,597,783,297 $4,329,084,429
1964 $16,168,044,450 $4,024,344,853
1963 $14,445,805,381 $3,535,949,089
1962 $13,436,827,167 $2,966,154,031
1961 $12,561,701,694 $3,708,586,471
1960 $11,810,619,368 $3,070,585,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Israel by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $54,177 $57,236
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $52,004 $55,171
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $54,950 $53,619
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $52,271 $46,162
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $44,576 $40,955
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $44,251 $41,325
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $42,363 $40,190
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $41,138 $39,471
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $37,672 $38,189
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $36,213 $35,871
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $38,343 $34,816
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $37,034 $34,827
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $33,321 $32,484
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $34,523 $31,314
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $31,439 $29,456
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $28,508 $28,087
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $30,269 $28,084
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $25,721 $28,307
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $22,527 $26,385
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $21,287 $25,701
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $20,568 $26,078
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $19,643 $24,702
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $19,076 $26,101
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $20,966 $25,806
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $21,707 $25,766
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $19,823 $23,415
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $20,189 $22,927
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $20,469 $22,279
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $20,224 $21,672
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $19,026 $20,642
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $16,807 $19,478
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $15,179 $18,218
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $15,510 $17,553
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $14,346 $16,486
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $13,308 $15,721
1989 $16,525 - $11,608 -
1988 $16,391 - $11,853 -
1987 $15,136 - $9,853 -
1986 $12,170 - $8,335 -
1985 $8,751 - $6,829 -
1984 $8,457 - $7,369 -
1983 $8,846 - $7,960 -
1982 $9,344 - $7,258 -
1981 $10,623 - $6,795 -
1980 $12,864 - $6,549 -
1979 $11,811 - $5,972 -
1978 $10,290 - $4,797 -
1977 $8,427 - $5,053 -
1976 $7,243 - $4,516 -
1975 $6,701 - $4,672 -
1974 $5,734 - $5,085 -
1973 $4,901 - $3,631 -
1972 $3,832 - $2,930 -
1971 $3,083 - $2,298 -
1970 $2,766 - $2,490 -
1969 $2,490 - $2,189 -
1968 $2,251 - $1,947 -
1967 $2,114 - $1,735 -
1966 $1,983 - $1,789 -
1965 $1,860 - $1,689 -
1964 $1,724 - $1,626 -
1963 $1,555 - $1,486 -
1962 $1,457 - $1,294 -
1961 $1,368 - $1,697 -
1960 $1,290 - $1,452 -

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

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

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $54,177 in Israel, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Belgium Israel
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$540B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
0.87%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$54,177
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$366B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
67.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$36,645
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
18/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$43,003
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires
549,000
2025
179,905
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
41
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
26.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
43.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
3.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
2.9%
2024
Population
11902714
10290887

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 43.8% 67.6%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 39.3% 61.3%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 40% 67.7%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 38.3% 59.8%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 38.3% 64.9%
2013 55.9% 105% 39.7% 66%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 55% 102.7% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 39.7% 69%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 43% 88.3%
2003 51% 101.7% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 50% 87.2%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 51% 119.2% 55% 101%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 52.6% 99.3%
1996 53.1% 129% 53.2% 100.3%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 52.8% 102.3%
1994 54.7% 137.1% 41.7% 110.2%
1993 57.1% 138.9% 42.2% 118.3%
1992 55.9% 134.7% 44.1% 119.6%
1991 55.6% 131.8% 34.4% 123.7%
1990 54.4% 130.3% 46.8% 138.3%
1989 52.3% 126.4% 47.5% 147.4%
1988 53.9% 129.7% 46.5% 145.4%
1987 55.8% 129.2% 52.8% 143.2%
1986 57.6% 124.7% 55.7% 162.5%
1985 58.4% 119.4% 65.2% 199%
1984 59.1% 114.6% - 284%
1983 62.2% 110.3% - 260.5%
1982 59.6% 99.6% 69.7% -
1981 61.5% 89.7% 71.8% -
1980 54.9% 76.8% 69.4% 154.3%
1979 54.8% 69.2% 70.1% 155.5%
1978 52.8% 65.2% 62.2% 133.6%
1977 52.2% 61.6% 69.1% 142%
1976 50.4% 61.4% 66.3% 97.4%
1975 50.2% 59.5% 62% 85.1%
1974 44.5% 61.7% - 79.8%
1973 45% 63.7% - 62.1%
1972 45% 64.9% - 63.9%
1971 43.9% 63.5% - -
1970 42.7% 66.6% 41.6% -
1969 26.5% 51.6% 41.1% -
1968 26.7% 54.5% 39.4% -
1967 25.5% 54.1% 33.9% -
1966 25.1% 55.6% 29.6% -
1965 23.4% 57.6% 27.8% -
1964 22.5% 59.4% 28.2% -
1963 23.1% 64.1% 26.9% -
1962 22.5% 65.3% 27.7% -
1961 22.1% 67.8% 30.3% -
1960 23.7% 69.4% 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Israel spent $237B, or 43.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 67.6% in Israel, ranking 19/185 and 62/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Israel
2024 -4.52% -8.26%
2023 -4.1% -5.06%
2022 -3.62% 0.32%
2021 -5.4% -3.37%
2020 -9.03% -10.7%
2019 -2.05% -3.79%
2018 -1.05% -3.56%
2017 -0.76% -1.13%
2016 -2.43% -1.79%
2015 -2.48% -1.21%
2014 -3.18% -2.29%
2013 -3.16% -4.06%
2012 -4.35% -4.46%
2011 -4.44% -3.43%
2010 -4.13% -3.72%
2009 -5.45% -6.53%
2008 -1.1% -3.5%
2007 0.07% -0.43%
2006 0.24% -0.95%
2005 -2.72% -2.74%
2004 -0.24% -3.4%
2003 -1.86% -5.03%
2002 -0.04% -8.22%
2001 0.23% -4.06%
2000 -0.08% -0.8%
1999 -0.65% -6.26%
1998 -1.03% -7.99%
1997 -2.15% -4.84%
1996 -4% -5.97%
1995 -4.51% -4.28%
1994 -5.29% -5.62%
1993 -7.71% -5.62%
1992 -8.42% -8%
1991 -7.67% -7.04%
1990 -6.99% -9.67%
1989 -7.58% -9.03%
1988 -7.28% -7.57%
1987 -7.89% -7.47%
1986 -9.96% -7.51%
1985 -10.1% -14.2%
1984 -10.8% -
1983 -14.5% -
1982 -12.3% -13.8%
1981 -15.5% -23.5%
1980 -9.43% -19.6%
1979 -8.33% -16.7%
1978 -6.51% -14.7%
1977 -6.51% -20.3%
1976 -6.61% -19.4%
1975 -6.45% -19.6%
1974 -3.87% -
1973 -5.02% -
1972 -6.07% -
1971 -4.45% -
1970 -3.51% -16%
1969 -3.34% -15.3%
1968 -3.69% -11.7%
1967 -2.76% -7.68%
1966 -3.08% -4.35%
1965 -2.9% -2.72%
1964 -2.27% -3.65%
1963 -2.8% -4.41%
1962 -2.12% -4.09%
1961 -2.34% -5.86%
1960 -4.89% -6.62%
1959 -5.21% -7.23%
1958 -4.33% -8.31%
1957 -1.27% -7.17%
1956 1.85% -9.3%
1955 -1.05% -4.3%
1954 2.34% -7.84%
1953 0.14% -8.32%
1952 -0.26% -7.19%
1951 0.59% -8.13%
1950 -2.01% -10.7%
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 (1835–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $44.6B, or 8.26% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 58 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.34% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Israel
2024 3.14% 3.07%
2023 4.05% 4.23%
2022 9.6% 4.41%
2021 2.44% 1.48%
2020 0.74% -0.58%
2019 1.44% 0.82%
2018 2.05% 0.81%
2017 2.13% 0.25%
2016 1.97% -0.54%
2015 0.56% -0.62%
2014 0.34% 0.47%
2013 1.11% 1.59%
2012 2.84% 1.68%
2011 3.53% 3.49%
2010 2.19% 2.7%
2009 -0.05% 3.37%
2008 4.49% 4.53%
2007 1.82% 0.47%
2006 1.79% 2.05%
2005 2.78% 1.34%
2004 2.1% -0.42%
2003 1.59% 0.71%
2002 1.65% 5.8%
2001 2.47% 1.12%
2000 2.54% 1.03%
1999 1.12% 5.19%
1998 0.95% 5.49%
1997 1.63% 8.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.25% in Israel. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 3.07% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $890M
Chemicals & pharma $738M
Precious metals & jewellery $296M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $188M
Metals $69M
Raw materials & minerals $63.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $60.7M
Raw agricultural goods $45.9M
Miscellaneous $36.7M
Wood & paper products $19.7M
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $465M
Precious metals & jewellery $428M
Textiles & consumer goods $261M
Chemicals & pharma $215M
Raw materials & minerals $66.8M
Metals $29.6M
Wood & paper products $20.4M
Manufacturing & construction services $16.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15.5M
Raw agricultural goods $9.38M

Balance of trade

Belgium Israel
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
$15.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
21/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$96.3B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$70B
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$44.4B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$83.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
28.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Israel
Economic freedom 69.2 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 47/197
Property rights 91.1 73.1
Government integrity 78.2 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 68.1
Tax burden 50.6 60.2
Government spending 14.6 52
Fiscal health 53.4 60.8
Business freedom 82.5 72.4
Labor freedom 57.5 56.8
Monetary freedom 76.8 78.2
Trade freedom 79.4 82.8
Investment freedom 85 70
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Israel
2026 69.2 68.4
2025 69 69.9
2024 65.6 70.1
2023 67.1 68.9
2022 69.6 68
2021 70.1 73.8
2020 68.9 74
2019 67.3 72.8
2018 67.5 72.2
2017 67.8 69.7
2016 68.4 70.7
2015 68.8 70.5
2014 69.9 68.4
2013 69.2 66.9
2012 69 67.8
2011 70.2 68.5
2010 70.1 67.7
2009 72.1 67.6
2008 71.7 66.3
2007 72.5 64.8
2006 71.8 64.4
2005 69 62.6
2004 68.7 61.4
2003 68.1 62.7
2002 67.6 66.9
2001 63.8 66.1
2000 63.5 65.5
1999 62.9 68.3
1998 64.7 68
1997 64.6 62.7
1996 66 62
1995 - 61.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Israel
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
72.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
1.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$528B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$56,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$215B
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
18/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
-$4.86B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$9.92B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
23.4%
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).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1835–1999, 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 (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.