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Economy of Belgium vs Kiribati compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Belgium has a GDP of $725B compared to $349M for Kiribati, ranking 23/197 and 192/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $771B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $27.8M (7.95% of GDP) in Kiribati.

Belgium vs Kiribati GDP by year

Belgium
Kiribati
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Kiribati
2025 $725,466,462,860 $349,227,254
2024 $670,983,130,619 $343,153,235
2023 $650,779,364,364 $291,657,338
2022 $591,474,463,579 $271,214,375
2021 $598,522,422,242 $285,451,584
2020 $529,694,473,502 $220,909,307
2019 $536,726,344,405 $216,891,541
2018 $542,638,913,428 $233,859,230
2017 $500,908,767,352 $223,029,865
2016 $474,271,566,740 $206,467,819
2015 $461,044,767,545 $191,559,399
2014 $537,987,419,164 $200,287,282
2013 $524,097,026,599 $201,730,861
2012 $498,414,364,945 $207,001,546
2011 $527,196,649,049 $195,970,140
2010 $481,556,503,720 $165,458,433
2009 $485,014,525,992 $140,177,384
2008 $517,328,087,920 $147,017,895
2007 $470,922,156,309 $138,054,946
2006 $408,259,840,869 $112,338,353
2005 $385,714,762,230 $113,895,437
2004 $369,214,712,443 $104,085,892
2003 $318,082,528,507 $96,105,619
2002 $258,383,599,375 $74,743,869
2001 $236,746,141,604 $64,935,850
2000 $236,792,460,312 $74,910,527
1999 $258,245,733,221 $77,323,978
1998 $258,528,339,631 $74,905,706
1997 $252,708,051,421 $80,205,807
1996 $279,201,433,225 $81,456,854
1995 $288,025,588,396 $68,596,395
1994 $244,884,129,491 $67,055,334
1993 $224,721,795,709 $58,953,596
1992 $234,781,652,447 $61,491,369
1991 $210,510,999,409 $41,247,792
1990 $205,331,747,948 $36,534,295
1989 $164,221,056,511 $37,645,319
1988 $162,299,103,675 $38,278,810
1987 $149,394,404,106 $29,554,413
1986 $120,018,787,249 $25,993,009
1985 $86,268,264,148 $26,126,615
1984 $83,349,530,159 $34,394,167
1983 $87,184,239,053 $31,000,546
1982 $92,095,926,188 $32,742,713
1981 $104,730,018,470 $35,267,489
1980 $126,829,314,388 $33,157,723
1979 $116,315,456,797 $34,466,197
1978 $101,246,526,194 $36,563,965
1977 $82,839,905,459 $31,335,459
1976 $71,113,882,968 $33,246,817
1975 $65,678,189,097 $44,547,454
1974 $56,033,077,879 $69,256,489
1973 $47,743,801,490 $25,645,040
1972 $37,209,418,019 $15,314,346
1971 $29,821,661,870 $12,356,134
1970 $26,706,196,047 $11,560,877
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Kiribati by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Kiribati
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $60,750 - $2,559 -
2024 $56,582 $73,514 $2,551 $3,702
2023 $55,245 $71,946 $2,201 $3,486
2022 $50,639 $69,128 $2,079 $3,329
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $2,224 $3,020
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $1,752 $2,711
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $1,750 $2,763
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $1,916 $2,672
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $1,854 $2,562
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $1,743 $2,463
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $1,640 $2,311
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $1,737 $2,084
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $1,772 $2,049
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $1,844 $1,896
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $1,771 $1,786
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $1,522 $1,724
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $1,317 $1,718
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $1,411 $1,735
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $1,353 $1,792
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $1,123 $1,728
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $1,162 $1,617
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $1,083 $1,579
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $1,021 $1,578
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $810 $1,605
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $719 $1,591
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $845 $1,638
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $887 $1,526
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $874 $1,593
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $953 $1,535
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $986 $1,519
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $844 $1,518
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $838 $1,469
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $748 $1,431
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $792 $1,421
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $540 $1,139
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $488 $1,192
1989 $16,525 - $515 -
1988 $16,391 - $536 -
1987 $15,136 - $424 -
1986 $12,170 - $382 -
1985 $8,751 - $393 -
1984 $8,457 - $527 -
1983 $8,846 - $483 -
1982 $9,344 - $519 -
1981 $10,623 - $568 -
1980 $12,864 - $542 -
1979 $11,811 - $573 -
1978 $10,290 - $611 -
1977 $8,427 - $520 -
1976 $7,243 - $548 -
1975 $6,701 - $730 -
1974 $5,734 - $1,131 -
1973 $4,901 - $422 -
1972 $3,832 - $256.2 -
1971 $3,083 - $210.7 -
1970 $2,766 - $201 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Belgium's GDP per capita is $60,750, ranking 17/197, compared to $2,559 in Kiribati, ranking 152/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702.

Economic indicators

Belgium Kiribati
Gross domestic product
$725B
2025
$349M
2025
GDP rank
23/197
2025
192/197
2025
GDP growth
0.98%
2024-2025
4.22%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$60,750
2025
$2,559
2025
GDP per capita rank
17/197
2025
152/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$3,702
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
169/197
2024
Government debt
$771B
2025
$27.8M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2025
7.95%
2025
Government debt per person
$64,598
2025
$203.4
2025
Government debt per person rank
4/185
2025
181/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,730
2026
$2,170
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
20.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
4.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
55%
2025
88.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.47%
2024-2025
6.5%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.2%
2025
2.79%
2023
Population
11967185
139471

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Kiribati
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Kiribati
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 55% 106.3% 88.2% 7.95%
2024 54.1% 103.9% 86.1% 8.9%
2023 52.8% 102.2% 94.4% 11.3%
2022 52.5% 103.1% 87.2% 16.2%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 84% 17.3%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 102.2% 21%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 108.3% 18.5%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 108.8% 19%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 92.1% 20.2%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 99% 21.2%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 90.9% 18.8%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 101.2% 8.97%
2013 55.9% 105% 78% 8.86%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 83.9% 8.13%
2011 55% 102.7% 80.9% 8.8%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 75.7% 9.43%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 74.7% 10.3%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 79.4% 13.9%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 77.3% 11.1%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 82.1% 12.9%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 95.6% 12.1%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 103.8% 13.6%
2003 51% 101.7% 84.4% 12.3%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 96.9% 13.3%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 101.3% 17%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 66% 12.7%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 77.6% 11.8%
1998 51% 119.2% 74.7% 9.81%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 70.9% 10.7%
1996 53.1% 129% 68.4% 11%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 69.6% 12.3%
1994 54.7% 137.1% 54.6% 12.3%
1993 57.1% 138.9% 55.3% 10.9%
1992 55.9% 134.7% 65.9% 7.31%
1991 55.6% 131.8% 82.1% 8.43%
1990 54.4% 130.3% 105.5% 7.72%
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/kiribati | CC BY

In 2025, Belgium's government spending was $399B, accounting for 55% of its GDP, while Kiribati spent $308M, or 88.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Belgium and 7.95% in Kiribati, ranking 17/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Kiribati
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Kiribati
2025 -5.26% -14.5%
2024 -4.36% -14.1%
2023 -4.01% 1.81%
2022 -3.6% -18.2%
2021 -5.4% -10.8%
2020 -9.03% 3.57%
2019 -2.05% 10.8%
2018 -1.05% 5.18%
2017 -0.76% 34.1%
2016 -2.43% 20.1%
2015 -2.48% 42.5%
2014 -3.18% 35%
2013 -3.16% 11.8%
2012 -4.35% -5.43%
2011 -4.44% -17.6%
2010 -4.13% -7.8%
2009 -5.45% -8.56%
2008 -1.1% -15.8%
2007 0.07% -12.5%
2006 0.24% -12.3%
2005 -2.72% -9.96%
2004 -0.24% -19.2%
2003 -1.86% -8.93%
2002 -0.04% 3.13%
2001 0.23% -10.9%
2000 -0.08% -0.03%
1999 -0.65% -1.81%
1998 -1.03% 14.6%
1997 -2.15% 5.92%
1996 -4% -20.2%
1995 -4.51% -5.14%
1994 -5.29% 0.74%
1993 -7.71% 6.27%
1992 -8.42% 0.79%
1991 -7.67% 3.87%
1990 -6.99% -4.62%
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/kiribati | 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 Kiribati's deficit of $50.6M, or 14.5% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Kiribati ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 3.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for Kiribati.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Kiribati
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Kiribati
2025 2.47% 6.5%
2024 3.14% 2.5%
2023 4.05% 9.3%
2022 9.6% 5.3%
2021 2.44% 2.1%
2020 0.74% 2.6%
2019 1.44% -1.8%
2018 2.05% 0.6%
2017 2.13% 0.4%
2016 1.97% 1.9%
2015 0.56% 0.6%
2014 0.34% 2.1%
2013 1.11% -1.5%
2012 2.84% -3%
2011 3.53% 1.5%
2010 2.19% -3.9%
2009 -0.05% 9.8%
2008 4.49% 13.7%
2007 1.82% 3.6%
2006 1.79% -1%
2005 2.78% -0.4%
2004 2.1% -0.7%
2003 1.59% 1.6%
2002 1.65% 3.2%
2001 2.47% 6%
2000 2.54% 0.4%
1999 1.12% 1.8%
1998 0.95% 3.7%
1997 1.63% 2.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.26%, compared with 2.4% in Kiribati. In 2025, inflation was 2.47% in Belgium and 6.5% in Kiribati.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $59K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Kiribati
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Belgium Kiribati
Current account balance
-$14B
2025
-$61.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
179/190
2025
77/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.93%
2025
-17.6%
2025
Goods imports
$386B
2025
$270M
2025
Goods exports
$387B
2025
$17.3M
2025
Service imports
$175B
2025
$110M
2025
Service exports
$160B
2025
$8.63M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.5%
2025
97.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.5%
2025
4.52%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Kiribati
Economic freedom 69.2 50.8
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 158/197
Property rights 91.1 69.6
Government integrity 78.2 50.5
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 54.6
Tax burden 50.6 72.6
Government spending 14.6 0
Fiscal health 53.4 19.8
Business freedom 82.5 60.2
Labor freedom 57.5 65.3
Monetary freedom 76.8 76.7
Trade freedom 79.4 80
Investment freedom 85 30
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Kiribati
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Kiribati
2026 69.2 50.8
2025 69 50.9
2024 65.6 51.3
2023 67.1 58.8
2022 69.6 59.2
2021 70.1 44.4
2020 68.9 45.2
2019 67.3 47.3
2018 67.5 50.8
2017 67.8 50.9
2016 68.4 46.2
2015 68.8 46.4
2014 69.9 46.3
2013 69.2 45.9
2012 69 46.9
2011 70.2 44.8
2010 70.1 43.7
2009 72.1 45.7
2008 71.7 -
2007 72.5 -
2006 71.8 -
2005 69 -
2004 68.7 -
2003 68.1 -
2002 67.6 -
2001 63.8 -
2000 63.5 -
1999 62.9 -
1998 64.7 -
1997 64.6 -
1996 66 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 50.8 for Kiribati, ranking 158/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Kiribati
Services, % of GDP
71.2%
2025
70.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.6%
2025
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.73%
2025
23.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$711B
2025
$537M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$75,620
2025
$6,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$56.4B
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
44/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$9.47B
2025
-$4.14M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$8.07M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$16.4K
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
5.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
29.9%
2024

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/kiribati | CC BY

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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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.

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.