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Economy of Belgium vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Belgium has a GDP of $725B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 23/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $771B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Belgium vs Malta GDP by year

Belgium
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Malta
2025 $725,466,462,860 $27,771,821,561
2024 $670,983,130,619 $25,042,712,191
2023 $650,779,364,364 $22,625,329,776
2022 $591,474,463,579 $18,938,869,147
2021 $598,522,422,242 $19,730,119,031
2020 $529,694,473,502 $16,404,655,808
2019 $536,726,344,405 $16,337,788,881
2018 $542,638,913,428 $16,153,785,817
2017 $500,908,767,352 $14,161,374,599
2016 $474,271,566,740 $12,025,777,078
2015 $461,044,767,545 $11,340,789,706
2014 $537,987,419,164 $11,888,029,752
2013 $524,097,026,599 $10,796,780,874
2012 $498,414,364,945 $9,609,530,619
2011 $527,196,649,049 $9,789,363,086
2010 $481,556,503,720 $9,097,044,301
2009 $485,014,525,992 $8,769,897,418
2008 $517,328,087,920 $9,172,399,573
2007 $470,922,156,309 $7,908,412,374
2006 $408,259,840,869 $6,749,838,862
2005 $385,714,762,230 $6,393,234,965
2004 $369,214,712,443 $6,104,141,501
2003 $318,082,528,507 $5,418,315,225
2002 $258,383,599,375 $4,455,127,398
2001 $236,746,141,604 $4,070,867,153
2000 $236,792,460,312 $4,036,809,767
1999 $258,245,733,221 $4,111,857,836
1998 $258,528,339,631 $4,010,111,652
1997 $252,708,051,421 $3,787,023,655
1996 $279,201,433,225 $3,822,547,151
1995 $288,025,588,396 $3,709,396,089
1994 $244,884,129,491 $2,998,505,428
1993 $224,721,795,709 $2,709,193,538
1992 $234,781,652,447 $3,021,942,759
1991 $210,510,999,409 $2,750,216,747
1990 $205,331,747,948 $2,547,328,748
1989 $164,221,056,511 $2,118,655,677
1988 $162,299,103,675 $2,019,503,068
1987 $149,394,404,106 $1,751,293,461
1986 $120,018,787,249 $1,435,038,441
1985 $86,268,264,148 $1,117,797,439
1984 $83,349,530,159 $1,101,807,023
1983 $87,184,239,053 $1,165,729,707
1982 $92,095,926,188 $1,234,474,404
1981 $104,730,018,470 $1,243,509,394
1980 $126,829,314,388 $1,250,198,601
1979 $116,315,456,797 $1,001,288,847
1978 $101,246,526,194 $793,673,402
1977 $82,839,905,459 $625,563,171
1976 $71,113,882,968 $527,936,989
1975 $65,678,189,097 $474,618,321
1974 $56,033,077,879 $376,081,124
1973 $47,743,801,490 $345,616,106
1972 $37,209,418,019 $295,106,628
1971 $29,821,661,870 $264,578,485
1970 $26,706,196,047 $250,728,796
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/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Malta by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $60,750 - $47,907 -
2024 $56,582 $73,514 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $55,245 $71,946 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $50,639 $69,128 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $16,525 - $6,041 -
1988 $16,391 - $5,814 -
1987 $15,136 - $5,084 -
1986 $12,170 - $4,195 -
1985 $8,751 - $3,322 -
1984 $8,457 - $3,333 -
1983 $8,846 - $3,527 -
1982 $9,344 - $3,788 -
1981 $10,623 - $3,898 -
1980 $12,864 - $3,948 -
1979 $11,811 - $3,196 -
1978 $10,290 - $2,559 -
1977 $8,427 - $2,038 -
1976 $7,243 - $1,727 -
1975 $6,701 - $1,560 -
1974 $5,734 - $1,245 -
1973 $4,901 - $1,144 -
1972 $3,832 - $976 -
1971 $3,083 - $874 -
1970 $2,766 - $828 -
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/malta | CC BY

Belgium's GDP per capita is $60,750, ranking 17/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Belgium Malta
Gross domestic product
$725B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
23/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
0.98%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$60,750
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
17/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$771B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$64,598
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
4/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,730
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$5.35B
2025
Number of millionaires
556,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
55%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.47%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.2%
2025
3.1%
2025
Population
11967185
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 55% 106.3% 37% 46.8%
2024 54.1% 103.9% 37.4% 46%
2023 52.8% 102.2% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 52.5% 103.1% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 37.8% 55%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 55.9% 105% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 55% 102.7% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 40.1% 65%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 41.1% 66%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 41.2% 62%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 42% 70.4%
2003 51% 101.7% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 44.4% 70%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 50.5% 115.4% - 69.8%
1998 51% 119.2% - 66.4%
1997 51.6% 124.3% - 60.8%
1996 53.1% 129% - 51.5%
1995 52.6% 131.3% - 45.3%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Belgium's government spending was $399B, accounting for 55% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Belgium and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 17/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Malta
2025 -5.26% -3.1%
2024 -4.36% -3.51%
2023 -4.01% -4.43%
2022 -3.6% -5.33%
2021 -5.4% -6.96%
2020 -9.03% -8.71%
2019 -2.05% 0.72%
2018 -1.05% 1.86%
2017 -0.76% 3.4%
2016 -2.43% 1.1%
2015 -2.48% -0.84%
2014 -3.18% -1.49%
2013 -3.16% -2.19%
2012 -4.35% -3.31%
2011 -4.44% -2.99%
2010 -4.13% -2.22%
2009 -5.45% -3.11%
2008 -1.1% -4.06%
2007 0.07% -2.05%
2006 0.24% -2.46%
2005 -2.72% -2.83%
2004 -0.24% -4.28%
2003 -1.86% -9.04%
2002 -0.04% -5.62%
2001 0.23% -6.5%
2000 -0.08% -5.83%
1999 -0.65% -
1998 -1.03% -
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/malta | 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 Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 2.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Malta
2025 2.47% 2.36%
2024 3.14% 1.65%
2023 4.05% 5.09%
2022 9.6% 6.15%
2021 2.44% 1.5%
2020 0.74% 0.64%
2019 1.44% 1.64%
2018 2.05% 1.16%
2017 2.13% 1.36%
2016 1.97% 0.64%
2015 0.56% 1.1%
2014 0.34% 0.31%
2013 1.11% 1.18%
2012 2.84% 2.38%
2011 3.53% 2.96%
2010 2.19% 1.52%
2009 -0.05% 2.08%
2008 4.49% 4.26%
2007 1.82% 1.25%
2006 1.79% 2.77%
2005 2.78% 3.01%
2004 2.1% 2.79%
2003 1.59% 1.3%
2002 1.65% 2.19%
2001 2.47% 2.93%
2000 2.54% 2.37%
1999 1.12% 2.13%
1998 0.95% 2.39%
1997 1.63% 3.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.26%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 2.47% in Belgium and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $289M
Raw materials & minerals $133M
IT & IP services $124M
Business & finance services $64.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $59.5M
Machinery & equipment $57.9M
Chemicals & pharma $37M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27.2M
Animal & marine products $12M
Government & miscellaneous services $6.49M
Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $112M
Business & finance services $104M
Machinery & equipment $17.2M
Chemicals & pharma $8.24M
IT & IP services $7.68M
Manufacturing & construction services $4.77M
Government & miscellaneous services $237K
Wood & paper products $221K
Precious metals & jewellery $187K
Textiles & consumer goods $134K

Balance of trade

Belgium Malta
Current account balance
-$14B
2025
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
179/190
2025
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.93%
2025
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$386B
2025
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$387B
2025
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$175B
2025
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$160B
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.5%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.5%
2025
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Malta
Economic freedom 69.2 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 49/197
Property rights 91.1 85.5
Government integrity 78.2 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 80.2
Tax burden 50.6 68.5
Government spending 14.6 58.4
Fiscal health 53.4 63.2
Business freedom 82.5 83.2
Labor freedom 57.5 62.6
Monetary freedom 76.8 73.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 85 60
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Malta
2026 69.2 68.2
2025 69 66.8
2024 65.6 64.5
2023 67.1 67.5
2022 69.6 71.5
2021 70.1 70.2
2020 68.9 69.5
2019 67.3 68.6
2018 67.5 68.5
2017 67.8 67.7
2016 68.4 66.7
2015 68.8 66.5
2014 69.9 66.4
2013 69.2 67.5
2012 69 67
2011 70.2 65.7
2010 70.1 67.2
2009 72.1 66.1
2008 71.7 66
2007 72.5 66.1
2006 71.8 67.3
2005 69 68.9
2004 68.7 63.3
2003 68.1 61.1
2002 67.6 62.2
2001 63.8 62.9
2000 63.5 58.3
1999 62.9 59.3
1998 64.7 61.2
1997 64.6 57.9
1996 66 55.8
1995 - 56.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Malta
Services, % of GDP
71.2%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.6%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.73%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$711B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$75,620
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$56.4B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
44/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$9.47B
2025
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
18.7%
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).

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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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.