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Economy of Belgium vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 23/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

Belgium vs Latvia GDP by year

Belgium
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Latvia
2024 $671,370,081,636 $43,684,254,432
2023 $651,330,595,110 $42,779,550,937
2022 $591,085,783,326 $38,003,198,509
2021 $598,522,422,242 $38,183,326,785
2020 $529,694,473,502 $33,379,927,435
2019 $536,726,344,405 $33,099,503,951
2018 $542,638,913,428 $33,247,935,477
2017 $500,908,767,352 $29,391,059,767
2016 $474,271,566,740 $27,117,105,060
2015 $461,044,767,545 $26,344,565,877
2014 $537,987,419,164 $30,277,203,767
2013 $524,097,026,599 $29,152,128,168
2012 $498,414,364,945 $27,116,149,949
2011 $527,196,649,049 $26,575,547,901
2010 $481,556,503,720 $23,468,324,572
2009 $485,014,525,992 $25,691,530,442
2008 $517,328,087,920 $34,135,200,994
2007 $470,922,156,309 $29,420,499,248
2006 $408,259,840,869 $20,434,922,247
2005 $385,714,762,230 $16,306,935,905
2004 $369,214,712,443 $13,827,070,379
2003 $318,082,528,507 $11,244,337,720
2002 $258,383,599,375 $9,249,030,241
2001 $236,746,141,604 $8,190,888,740
2000 $236,792,460,312 $7,761,252,607
1999 $258,245,733,221 $7,324,192,890
1998 $258,528,339,631 $6,974,112,951
1997 $252,708,051,421 $6,349,481,007
1996 $279,201,433,225 $5,799,465,288
1995 $288,025,588,396 $5,608,208,785
1994 $244,884,129,491 -
1993 $224,721,795,709 -
1992 $234,781,652,447 -
1991 $210,510,999,409 -
1990 $205,331,747,948 -
1989 $164,221,056,511 -
1988 $162,299,103,675 -
1987 $149,394,404,106 -
1986 $120,018,787,249 -
1985 $86,268,264,148 -
1984 $83,349,530,159 -
1983 $87,184,239,053 -
1982 $92,095,926,188 -
1981 $104,730,018,470 -
1980 $126,829,314,388 -
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/latvia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Latvia by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $23,409 $43,394
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $24,209 $21,518 - $5,012
1993 $22,284 $20,473 - $4,722
1992 $23,373 $20,272 - $4,760
1991 $21,042 $19,601 - $6,762
1990 $20,600 $18,688 - $7,448
1989 $16,525 - - -
1988 $16,391 - - -
1987 $15,136 - - -
1986 $12,170 - - -
1985 $8,751 - - -
1984 $8,457 - - -
1983 $8,846 - - -
1982 $9,344 - - -
1981 $10,623 - - -
1980 $12,864 - - -
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/latvia | CC BY

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Belgium Latvia
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
99/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$17,033
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
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
6.88%
2024
Population
11902714
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 44.5% 46.8%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 43.1% 44.6%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 43.5% 44.4%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 42.6% 44%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 39% 37.9%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 55.9% 105% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 55% 102.7% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 34.8% 9%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 51% 101.7% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 35% 17.8%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 37% 15.1%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 51% 119.2% 38.1% 9.81%
1997 51.6% 124.3% - -
1996 53.1% 129% - -
1995 52.6% 131.3% - -
1994 54.7% 137.1% - -
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 19/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Latvia
2024 -4.52% -1.82%
2023 -4.1% -3.38%
2022 -3.62% -3.94%
2021 -5.4% -5.71%
2020 -9.03% -3.85%
2019 -2.05% -0.39%
2018 -1.05% -0.77%
2017 -0.76% -0.85%
2016 -2.43% -0.41%
2015 -2.48% -1.57%
2014 -3.18% -1.74%
2013 -3.16% -0.58%
2012 -4.35% 0.18%
2011 -4.44% -3.38%
2010 -4.13% -6.56%
2009 -5.45% -7.14%
2008 -1.1% -3.29%
2007 0.07% 0.63%
2006 0.24% -0.48%
2005 -2.72% -1.06%
2004 -0.24% -1.04%
2003 -1.86% -1.67%
2002 -0.04% -2.59%
2001 0.23% -2.03%
2000 -0.08% -2.57%
1999 -0.65% -3.54%
1998 -1.03% -0.66%
1997 -2.15% -
1996 -4% -
1995 -4.51% -
1994 -5.29% -
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/latvia | 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 Latvia's deficit of $797M, or 1.82% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 2.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Latvia
2024 3.14% 1.27%
2023 4.05% 8.94%
2022 9.6% 17.3%
2021 2.44% 3.28%
2020 0.74% 0.22%
2019 1.44% 2.81%
2018 2.05% 2.53%
2017 2.13% 2.93%
2016 1.97% 0.14%
2015 0.56% 0.17%
2014 0.34% 0.62%
2013 1.11% -0.03%
2012 2.84% 2.26%
2011 3.53% 4.37%
2010 2.19% -1.08%
2009 -0.05% 3.53%
2008 4.49% 15.4%
2007 1.82% 10.1%
2006 1.79% 6.54%
2005 2.78% 6.75%
2004 2.1% 6.19%
2003 1.59% 2.94%
2002 1.65% 1.94%
2001 2.47% 2.49%
2000 2.54% 2.65%
1999 1.12% 2.36%
1998 0.95% 4.64%
1997 1.63% 8.45%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 4.28% in Latvia. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 1.27% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $162M
Textiles & consumer goods $92.1M
Chemicals & pharma $78.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $54.8M
Raw materials & minerals $48.1M
IT & IP services $29.5M
Metals $23.7M
Raw agricultural goods $22.3M
Animal & marine products $19.2M
Transport & tourism services $16.1M
Latvia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $128M
Wood & paper products $60.8M
Chemicals & pharma $54.8M
Raw agricultural goods $48.5M
Machinery & equipment $42.5M
Metals $23.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21.8M
Business & finance services $19.4M
Raw materials & minerals $17.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $10.8M

Balance of trade

Belgium Latvia
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Latvia
Economic freedom 69.2 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 31/197
Property rights 91.1 88.8
Government integrity 78.2 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 70.9
Tax burden 50.6 70.9
Government spending 14.6 42.7
Fiscal health 53.4 80.8
Business freedom 82.5 80.7
Labor freedom 57.5 60.5
Monetary freedom 76.8 76.3
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 85 80
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Latvia
2026 69.2 71.6
2025 69 71.4
2024 65.6 71.5
2023 67.1 72.8
2022 69.6 74.8
2021 70.1 72.3
2020 68.9 71.9
2019 67.3 70.4
2018 67.5 73.6
2017 67.8 74.8
2016 68.4 70.4
2015 68.8 69.7
2014 69.9 68.7
2013 69.2 66.5
2012 69 65.2
2011 70.2 65.8
2010 70.1 66.2
2009 72.1 66.6
2008 71.7 68.3
2007 72.5 67.9
2006 71.8 66.9
2005 69 66.3
2004 68.7 67.4
2003 68.1 66
2002 67.6 65
2001 63.8 66.4
2000 63.5 63.4
1999 62.9 64.2
1998 64.7 63.4
1997 64.6 62.4
1996 66 55

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Latvia
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$257M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
20.9%
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/latvia | CC BY

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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 (1835–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.

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.