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Economy of Belgium vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 23/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Belgium vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Belgium
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Nicaragua
2024 $671,370,081,636 $19,693,982,968
2023 $651,330,595,110 $17,805,842,284
2022 $591,085,783,326 $15,634,572,502
2021 $598,522,422,242 $14,209,020,362
2020 $529,694,473,502 $12,726,422,432
2019 $536,726,344,405 $12,699,023,614
2018 $542,638,913,428 $13,025,221,974
2017 $500,908,767,352 $13,785,893,007
2016 $474,271,566,740 $13,286,093,388
2015 $461,044,767,545 $12,756,696,261
2014 $537,987,419,164 $11,880,438,824
2013 $524,097,026,599 $10,982,988,249
2012 $498,414,364,945 $10,532,017,232
2011 $527,196,649,049 $9,774,329,333
2010 $481,556,503,720 $8,758,602,233
2009 $485,014,525,992 $8,298,702,489
2008 $517,328,087,920 $8,496,967,597
2007 $470,922,156,309 $7,423,375,015
2006 $408,259,840,869 $6,763,672,381
2005 $385,714,762,230 $6,321,324,279
2004 $369,214,712,443 $5,792,932,838
2003 $318,082,528,507 $5,322,228,351
2002 $258,383,599,375 $5,223,727,303
2001 $236,746,141,604 $5,351,752,034
2000 $236,792,460,312 $5,109,587,050
1999 $258,245,733,221 $4,856,026,259
1998 $258,528,339,631 $4,635,347,386
1997 $252,708,051,421 $4,389,973,490
1996 $279,201,433,225 $4,308,351,903
1995 $288,025,588,396 $4,140,470,000
1994 $244,884,129,491 $3,863,185,119
1993 $224,721,795,709 $1,756,454,248
1992 $234,781,652,447 $1,792,800,000
1991 $210,510,999,409 $1,488,804,124
1990 $205,331,747,948 $1,009,455,484
1989 $164,221,056,511 $1,013,184,756
1988 $162,299,103,675 $2,630,900,096
1987 $149,394,404,106 $3,851,200,118
1986 $120,018,787,249 $2,885,799,994
1985 $86,268,264,148 $2,683,699,935
1984 $83,349,530,159 $3,117,599,872
1983 $87,184,239,053 $2,753,100,058
1982 $92,095,926,188 $2,454,499,872
1981 $104,730,018,470 $2,474,700,227
1980 $126,829,314,388 $2,144,300,006
1979 $116,315,456,797 $1,567,599,982
1978 $101,246,526,194 $2,127,699,979
1977 $82,839,905,459 $2,226,999,874
1976 $71,113,882,968 $1,836,899,999
1975 $65,678,189,097 $1,581,599,959
1974 $56,033,077,879 $1,521,400,012
1973 $47,743,801,490 $1,092,900,015
1972 $37,209,418,019 $878,570,045
1971 $29,821,661,870 $828,569,953
1970 $26,706,196,047 $778,569,939
1969 $24,019,653,475 $750,000,003
1968 $21,654,856,965 $692,859,985
1967 $20,252,508,995 $657,140,011
1966 $18,894,891,312 $607,140,010
1965 $17,597,783,297 $564,290,020
1964 $16,168,044,450 $347,119,918
1963 $14,445,805,381 $297,324,163
1962 $13,436,827,167 $269,283,804
1961 $12,561,701,694 $244,144,237
1960 $11,810,619,368 $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Nicaragua by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $980 $2,672
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $949 $2,497
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $913 $2,418
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $911 $2,325
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $892 $2,187
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $849 $2,064
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $394 $1,998
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $411 $2,003
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $350 $1,995
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $16,525 - $249.2 -
1988 $16,391 - $662 -
1987 $15,136 - $992 -
1986 $12,170 - $761 -
1985 $8,751 - $724 -
1984 $8,457 - $861 -
1983 $8,846 - $780 -
1982 $9,344 - $714 -
1981 $10,623 - $740 -
1980 $12,864 - $659 -
1979 $11,811 - $495 -
1978 $10,290 - $691 -
1977 $8,427 - $744 -
1976 $7,243 - $633 -
1975 $6,701 - $561 -
1974 $5,734 - $557 -
1973 $4,901 - $413 -
1972 $3,832 - $341 -
1971 $3,083 - $331 -
1970 $2,766 - $321 -
1969 $2,490 - $319 -
1968 $2,251 - $304 -
1967 $2,114 - $297.9 -
1966 $1,983 - $284 -
1965 $1,860 - $272.3 -
1964 $1,724 - $172.7 -
1963 $1,555 - $152.5 -
1962 $1,457 - $142.3 -
1961 $1,368 - $132.9 -
1960 $1,290 - $127.5 -

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

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

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Belgium Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$2,318
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
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
5.2%
2018
Population
11902714
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 26% 42.3%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 30% 48.4%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 55.9% 105% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 55% 102.7% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 21.9% 26%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 20.8% 84%
2003 51% 101.7% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 51% 119.2% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 53.1% 129% 18% -
1995 52.6% 131.3% 17.7% -
1994 54.7% 137.1% 18.4% -
1993 57.1% 138.9% 18.4% -
1992 55.9% 134.7% 18.4% -
1991 55.6% 131.8% 16.8% -
1990 54.4% 130.3% 28.2% -
1989 52.3% 126.4% - -
1988 53.9% 129.7% 24.8% -
1987 55.8% 129.2% - 266.6%
1986 57.6% 124.7% 26.1% 159.2%
1985 58.4% 119.4% 29.9% 218%
1984 59.1% 114.6% 31.9% 198%
1983 62.2% 110.3% 33.8% 211.6%
1982 59.6% 99.6% 49.4% 159.1%
1981 61.5% 89.7% 39.3% 149.1%
1980 54.9% 76.8% 30.4% 152.1%
1979 54.8% 69.2% 20.7% 116.3%
1978 52.8% 65.2% 17.7% 76.9%
1977 52.2% 61.6% 19.9% 62.7%
1976 50.4% 61.4% 16.2% 59.5%
1975 50.2% 59.5% 17.5% 57.8%
1974 44.5% 61.7% 15.3% 40%
1973 45% 63.7% 12.8% 32.9%
1972 45% 64.9% 15.1% 30.2%
1971 43.9% 63.5% 15.1% 31.6%
1970 42.7% 66.6% 13.2% 35.4%
1969 26.5% 51.6% 11.1% -
1968 26.7% 54.5% 10.9% -
1967 25.5% 54.1% 12.7% -
1966 25.1% 55.6% 12.2% -
1965 23.4% 57.6% 10.9% -
1964 22.5% 59.4% 10.2% -
1963 23.1% 64.1% 10.5% -
1962 22.5% 65.3% 10.6% -
1961 22.1% 67.8% 9.93% -
1960 23.7% 69.4% 11.2% -

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

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

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 19/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Nicaragua
2024 -4.52% 2.48%
2023 -4.1% 2.31%
2022 -3.62% 0.65%
2021 -5.4% -1.26%
2020 -9.03% -2.57%
2019 -2.05% -1.12%
2018 -1.05% -4.35%
2017 -0.76% -1.75%
2016 -2.43% -1.92%
2015 -2.48% -1.64%
2014 -3.18% -0.89%
2013 -3.16% -0.3%
2012 -4.35% 0.22%
2011 -4.44% 0.59%
2010 -4.13% 0.69%
2009 -5.45% -0.9%
2008 -1.1% 0.27%
2007 0.07% 1.88%
2006 0.24% 1.36%
2005 -2.72% 1.72%
2004 -0.24% 1.69%
2003 -1.86% 1.3%
2002 -0.04% 2.07%
2001 0.23% 0.34%
2000 -0.08% 2.15%
1999 -0.65% -6.86%
1998 -1.03% -2.88%
1997 -2.15% -3.31%
1996 -4% -5%
1995 -4.51% -4.62%
1994 -5.29% -5.79%
1993 -7.71% -4.66%
1992 -8.42% -3.8%
1991 -7.67% -3.45%
1990 -6.99% -15.2%
1989 -7.58% -
1988 -7.28% -22.4%
1987 -7.89% -
1986 -9.96% -7.33%
1985 -10.1% -11.3%
1984 -10.8% -11.8%
1983 -14.5% -15.6%
1982 -12.3% -20.2%
1981 -15.5% -10.6%
1980 -9.43% -6.53%
1979 -8.33% -5.89%
1978 -6.51% -4.44%
1977 -6.51% -5.91%
1976 -6.61% -2.2%
1975 -6.45% -3.53%
1974 -3.87% -1.41%
1973 -5.02% 1.21%
1972 -6.07% -2.61%
1971 -4.45% -2.33%
1970 -3.51% -2.69%
1969 -3.34% -1.57%
1968 -3.69% -1.21%
1967 -2.76% -2.11%
1966 -3.08% -1.04%
1965 -2.9% 0.3%
1964 -2.27% 0.2%
1963 -2.8% 0.75%
1962 -2.12% -0.29%
1961 -2.34% 0.04%
1960 -4.89% -1.28%
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 (1835–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 43 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.09% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Nicaragua
2024 3.14% 4.6%
2023 4.05% 8.4%
2022 9.6% 10.5%
2021 2.44% 4.9%
2020 0.74% 3.7%
2019 1.44% 5.4%
2018 2.05% 4.9%
2017 2.13% 3.9%
2016 1.97% 3.5%
2015 0.56% 4%
2014 0.34% 6%
2013 1.11% 7.1%
2012 2.84% 7.2%
2011 3.53% 8.1%
2010 2.19% 5.5%
2009 -0.05% 3.7%
2008 4.49% 19.8%
2007 1.82% 11.1%
2006 1.79% 9.1%
2005 2.78% 9.6%
2004 2.1% 8.5%
2003 1.59% 5.3%
2002 1.65% 3.8%
2001 2.47% 7.4%
2000 2.54% 11.5%
1999 1.12% 11.2%
1998 0.95% 13%
1997 1.63% 9.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.75M
Chemicals & pharma $6.75M
Machinery & equipment $2.68M
Wood & paper products $2.2M
Raw agricultural goods $2.08M
Miscellaneous $1.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $813K
Raw materials & minerals $660K
Metals $249K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $112M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.48M
Animal & marine products $1.04M
Metals $351K
Chemicals & pharma $69K
Wood & paper products $31K
Machinery & equipment $29K
Miscellaneous $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K

Balance of trade

Belgium Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Nicaragua
Economic freedom 69.2 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 139/197
Property rights 91.1 23.8
Government integrity 78.2 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 8.8
Tax burden 50.6 74.5
Government spending 14.6 77.7
Fiscal health 53.4 96.9
Business freedom 82.5 54.4
Labor freedom 57.5 47.3
Monetary freedom 76.8 69.4
Trade freedom 79.4 67
Investment freedom 85 60
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Nicaragua
2026 69.2 53.6
2025 69 54
2024 65.6 53.4
2023 67.1 54.9
2022 69.6 54.8
2021 70.1 56.3
2020 68.9 57.2
2019 67.3 57.7
2018 67.5 58.9
2017 67.8 59.2
2016 68.4 58.6
2015 68.8 57.6
2014 69.9 58.4
2013 69.2 56.6
2012 69 57.9
2011 70.2 58.8
2010 70.1 58.3
2009 72.1 59.8
2008 71.7 60.8
2007 72.5 62.7
2006 71.8 63.8
2005 69 62.5
2004 68.7 61.4
2003 68.1 62.6
2002 67.6 61.1
2001 63.8 58
2000 63.5 56.9
1999 62.9 54
1998 64.7 53.8
1997 64.6 53.3
1996 66 54.1
1995 - 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
24.7%
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/nicaragua | 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 (1835–1999, 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 (2020–2024, 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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.