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Economy of Belgium vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Belgium has a GDP of $725B compared to $611B for Israel, ranking 23/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $771B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $418B (68.5% of GDP) in Israel.

Belgium vs Israel GDP by year

Belgium
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Israel
2025 $725,466,462,860 $610,777,842,874
2024 $670,983,130,619 $542,284,494,491
2023 $650,779,364,364 $513,393,395,492
2022 $591,474,463,579 $525,157,951,213
2021 $598,522,422,242 $489,735,019,666
2020 $529,694,473,502 $410,908,899,711
2019 $536,726,344,405 $399,207,771,082
2018 $542,638,913,428 $375,470,422,244
2017 $500,908,767,352 $357,360,816,857
2016 $474,271,566,740 $321,083,954,798
2015 $461,044,767,545 $302,841,190,258
2014 $537,987,419,164 $314,376,760,832
2013 $524,097,026,599 $298,045,324,736
2012 $498,414,364,945 $263,172,104,091
2011 $527,196,649,049 $267,739,352,609
2010 $481,556,503,720 $239,372,857,534
2009 $485,014,525,992 $213,112,649,594
2008 $517,328,087,920 $220,952,472,408
2007 $470,922,156,309 $184,448,882,452
2006 $408,259,840,869 $158,706,516,002
2005 $385,714,762,230 $147,346,035,831
2004 $369,214,712,443 $139,925,423,025
2003 $318,082,528,507 $131,278,887,815
2002 $258,383,599,375 $125,215,963,105
2001 $236,746,141,604 $134,889,159,474
2000 $236,792,460,312 $136,409,902,632
1999 $258,245,733,221 $121,329,240,042
1998 $258,528,339,631 $120,468,659,246
1997 $252,708,051,421 $119,389,303,067
1996 $279,201,433,225 $115,051,957,577
1995 $288,025,588,396 $105,432,315,611
1994 $244,884,129,491 $90,684,108,118
1993 $224,721,795,709 $79,806,598,120
1992 $234,781,652,447 $79,408,652,426
1991 $210,510,999,409 $70,954,941,681
1990 $205,331,747,948 $61,978,459,022
1989 $164,221,056,511 $52,411,116,588
1988 $162,299,103,675 $52,618,458,014
1987 $149,394,404,106 $43,022,977,765
1986 $120,018,787,249 $35,812,041,620
1985 $86,268,264,148 $28,887,898,639
1984 $83,349,530,159 $30,626,695,891
1983 $87,184,239,053 $32,655,591,256
1982 $92,095,926,188 $29,237,231,967
1981 $104,730,018,470 $26,865,420,933
1980 $126,829,314,388 $25,379,585,067
1979 $116,315,456,797 $22,595,788,591
1978 $101,246,526,194 $17,690,363,444
1977 $82,839,905,459 $18,245,847,441
1976 $71,113,882,968 $15,946,502,888
1975 $65,678,189,097 $16,131,806,290
1974 $56,033,077,879 $17,162,009,924
1973 $47,743,801,490 $11,895,229,181
1972 $37,209,418,019 $9,216,866,299
1971 $29,821,661,870 $7,048,191,876
1970 $26,706,196,047 $7,402,142,195
1969 $24,019,653,475 $6,293,966,357
1968 $21,654,856,965 $5,455,059,532
1967 $20,252,508,995 $4,759,447,914
1966 $18,894,891,312 $4,700,397,692
1965 $17,597,783,297 $4,326,412,951
1964 $16,168,044,450 $4,021,861,430
1963 $14,445,805,381 $3,533,767,055
1962 $13,436,827,167 $2,964,323,618
1961 $12,561,701,694 $3,706,297,903
1960 $11,810,619,368 $3,068,690,949

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

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
2025 $60,750 - $60,337 -
2024 $56,582 $73,514 $54,217 $57,236
2023 $55,245 $71,946 $52,126 $55,171
2022 $50,639 $69,128 $54,947 $53,619
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $52,258 $46,162
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $44,591 $40,955
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $44,092 $41,325
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $42,269 $40,190
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $41,013 $39,471
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $37,571 $38,189
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $36,138 $35,871
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $38,265 $34,816
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $36,981 $34,827
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $33,269 $32,484
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $34,477 $31,314
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $31,399 $29,456
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $28,470 $28,087
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $30,231 $28,084
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $25,689 $28,307
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $22,500 $26,385
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $21,262 $25,701
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $20,550 $26,078
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $19,624 $24,702
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $19,059 $26,101
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $20,949 $25,806
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $21,690 $25,766
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $19,809 $23,415
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $20,176 $22,927
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $20,457 $22,279
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $20,213 $21,672
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $19,014 $20,642
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $16,796 $19,478
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $15,169 $18,218
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $15,500 $17,553
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $14,337 $16,486
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $13,300 $15,721
1989 $16,525 - $11,601 -
1988 $16,391 - $11,846 -
1987 $15,136 - $9,847 -
1986 $12,170 - $8,330 -
1985 $8,751 - $6,824 -
1984 $8,457 - $7,364 -
1983 $8,846 - $7,955 -
1982 $9,344 - $7,253 -
1981 $10,623 - $6,791 -
1980 $12,864 - $6,545 -
1979 $11,811 - $5,968 -
1978 $10,290 - $4,794 -
1977 $8,427 - $5,050 -
1976 $7,243 - $4,514 -
1975 $6,701 - $4,669 -
1974 $5,734 - $5,082 -
1973 $4,901 - $3,629 -
1972 $3,832 - $2,928 -
1971 $3,083 - $2,297 -
1970 $2,766 - $2,489 -
1969 $2,490 - $2,188 -
1968 $2,251 - $1,946 -
1967 $2,114 - $1,734 -
1966 $1,983 - $1,788 -
1965 $1,860 - $1,688 -
1964 $1,724 - $1,625 -
1963 $1,555 - $1,485 -
1962 $1,457 - $1,293 -
1961 $1,368 - $1,696 -
1960 $1,290 - $1,452 -

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

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

Belgium's GDP per capita is $60,750, ranking 17/197, compared to $60,337 in Israel, ranking 19/197. 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
$725B
2025
$611B
2025
GDP rank
23/197
2025
27/197
2025
GDP growth
0.98%
2024-2025
2.93%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$60,750
2025
$60,337
2025
GDP per capita rank
17/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$771B
2025
$418B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2025
68.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$64,598
2025
$41,338
2025
Government debt per person rank
4/185
2025
16/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,730
2026
$48,251
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires
556,000
2026
195,000
2026
Number of billionaires
11
2026
42
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
27%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
55%
2025
43.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.47%
2024-2025
3.04%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
6.2%
2025
3%
2025
Population
11967185
10334048

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
2025 55% 106.3% 43.6% 68.5%
2024 54.1% 103.9% 43.7% 67.7%
2023 52.8% 102.2% 39.6% 61.3%
2022 52.5% 103.1% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 40.1% 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% 38.4% 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% 65.8%
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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Belgium's government spending was $399B, accounting for 55% of its GDP, while Israel spent $266B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Belgium and 68.5% in Israel, ranking 17/185 and 60/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Israel
2025 -5.26% -5.22%
2024 -4.36% -8.07%
2023 -4.01% -5.38%
2022 -3.6% 0.3%
2021 -5.4% -3.37%
2020 -9.03% -10.6%
2019 -2.05% -3.79%
2018 -1.05% -3.58%
2017 -0.76% -1.17%
2016 -2.43% -1.78%
2015 -2.48% -1.2%
2014 -3.18% -2.28%
2013 -3.16% -4.07%
2012 -4.35% -4.46%
2011 -4.44% -3.43%
2010 -4.13% -3.72%
2009 -5.45% -6.53%
2008 -1.1% -3.49%
2007 0.07% -0.43%
2006 0.24% -0.94%
2005 -2.72% -2.74%
2004 -0.24% -3.4%
2003 -1.86% -5.03%
2002 -0.04% -8.21%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $31.9B, or 5.22% of GDP.

Over the past 66 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 63 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 59 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 4.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.31% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Israel
2025 2.47% 3.04%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.26%, compared with 2.27% in Israel. In 2025, inflation was 2.47% in Belgium and 3.04% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $908M
Chemicals & pharma $693M
Precious metals & jewellery $234M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $213M
Metals $73.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $70.6M
Raw materials & minerals $66.1M
Raw agricultural goods $47.4M
Miscellaneous $36.8M
Wood & paper products $22.8M
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $387M
Precious metals & jewellery $327M
Textiles & consumer goods $300M
Chemicals & pharma $165M
Raw materials & minerals $80M
Metals $34.7M
Wood & paper products $20.9M
Manufacturing & construction services $15.2M
Raw agricultural goods $15.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.3M

Balance of trade

Belgium Israel
Current account balance
-$14B
2025
$8.53B
2025
Current account balance ranking
179/190
2025
26/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.93%
2025
+1.4%
2025
Goods imports
$386B
2025
$102B
2025
Goods exports
$387B
2025
$76.2B
2025
Service imports
$175B
2025
$53.2B
2025
Service exports
$160B
2025
$92.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.5%
2025
25.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.5%
2025
27.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
71.2%
2025
72.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.6%
2025
17.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.73%
2025
1.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$711B
2025
$569B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$75,620
2025
$58,870
2025
Total reserves including gold
$56.4B
2025
$229B
2025
Total reserves ranking
44/177
2025
18/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$9.47B
2025
-$11.8B
2025
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
25.7%
2025
24.3%
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).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1835–1999, 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 (2017–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.

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.