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Economy of Belgium vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 23/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Belgium vs Poland GDP by year

Belgium
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Poland
2024 $671,370,081,636 $917,767,106,147
2023 $651,330,595,110 $812,451,193,396
2022 $591,085,783,326 $695,607,470,875
2021 $598,522,422,242 $689,170,230,665
2020 $529,694,473,502 $605,914,237,904
2019 $536,726,344,405 $602,683,770,145
2018 $542,638,913,428 $594,616,687,350
2017 $500,908,767,352 $528,356,676,667
2016 $474,271,566,740 $473,259,583,970
2015 $461,044,767,545 $480,054,118,583
2014 $537,987,419,164 $542,134,167,179
2013 $524,097,026,599 $518,179,836,405
2012 $498,414,364,945 $498,148,649,703
2011 $527,196,649,049 $527,848,543,023
2010 $481,556,503,720 $478,111,630,684
2009 $485,014,525,992 $440,891,472,247
2008 $517,328,087,920 $535,612,030,672
2007 $470,922,156,309 $429,715,132,138
2006 $408,259,840,869 $345,897,630,736
2005 $385,714,762,230 $306,999,913,151
2004 $369,214,712,443 $256,268,656,145
2003 $318,082,528,507 $218,561,225,998
2002 $258,383,599,375 $199,694,463,256
2001 $236,746,141,604 $191,823,200,371
2000 $236,792,460,312 $172,953,527,033
1999 $258,245,733,221 $170,704,452,715
1998 $258,528,339,631 $175,282,269,667
1997 $252,708,051,421 $159,893,964,917
1996 $279,201,433,225 $160,813,026,223
1995 $288,025,588,396 $142,838,527,115
1994 $244,884,129,491 $110,803,635,288
1993 $224,721,795,709 $96,043,157,273
1992 $234,781,652,447 $94,337,050,693
1991 $210,510,999,409 $85,500,935,935
1990 $205,331,747,948 $65,977,748,211
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Poland by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $1,731 $6,185
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/poland | CC BY

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Belgium Poland
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$197B
2024
Number of millionaires
549,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2025
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
11902714
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 43.6% 53%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 41% 48.2%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 55.9% 105% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 55% 102.7% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 46% 53.7%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 44% 46.6%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 51% 101.7% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 51% 119.2% 44% 38.7%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 53.1% 129% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 54.7% 137.1% - 64.3%
1993 57.1% 138.9% - 83.9%
1992 55.9% 134.7% - 81.9%
1991 55.6% 131.8% - 76.9%
1990 54.4% 130.3% - 89.7%
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% 35.6% -
1978 52.8% 65.2% 35.8% -
1977 52.2% 61.6% 35.6% -
1976 50.4% 61.4% 34.8% -
1975 50.2% 59.5% 34.1% -
1974 44.5% 61.7% 28.6% -
1973 45% 63.7% 24.5% -
1972 45% 64.9% 24.1% -
1971 43.9% 63.5% 24.1% -
1970 42.7% 66.6% 25.8% -
1969 26.5% 51.6% 26.3% -
1968 26.7% 54.5% 27.3% -
1967 25.5% 54.1% 29.6% -
1966 25.1% 55.6% 31.7% -
1965 23.4% 57.6% 31.8% -
1964 22.5% 59.4% 33.5% -
1963 23.1% 64.1% 33.3% -
1962 22.5% 65.3% 43% -
1961 22.1% 67.8% 42.8% -
1960 23.7% 69.4% 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 19/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Poland
2024 -4.52% -6.59%
2023 -4.1% -5.27%
2022 -3.62% -3.44%
2021 -5.4% -1.75%
2020 -9.03% -6.85%
2019 -2.05% -0.73%
2018 -1.05% -0.24%
2017 -0.76% -1.49%
2016 -2.43% -2.38%
2015 -2.48% -2.59%
2014 -3.18% -3.66%
2013 -3.16% -4.25%
2012 -4.35% -3.8%
2011 -4.44% -4.97%
2010 -4.13% -7.43%
2009 -5.45% -7.24%
2008 -1.1% -3.6%
2007 0.07% -1.88%
2006 0.24% -3.53%
2005 -2.72% -3.93%
2004 -0.24% -4.99%
2003 -1.86% -6.02%
2002 -0.04% -4.8%
2001 0.23% -4.73%
2000 -0.08% -4%
1999 -0.65% -2.3%
1998 -1.03% -4.25%
1997 -2.15% -4.61%
1996 -4% -4.84%
1995 -4.51% -4.39%
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/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 2.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Poland
2024 3.14% 3.78%
2023 4.05% 11.5%
2022 9.6% 14.4%
2021 2.44% 5.06%
2020 0.74% 3.37%
2019 1.44% 2.23%
2018 2.05% 1.81%
2017 2.13% 2.08%
2016 1.97% -0.66%
2015 0.56% -0.87%
2014 0.34% 0.05%
2013 1.11% 0.99%
2012 2.84% 3.56%
2011 3.53% 4.24%
2010 2.19% 2.58%
2009 -0.05% 3.8%
2008 4.49% 4.16%
2007 1.82% 2.46%
2006 1.79% 1.28%
2005 2.78% 2.18%
2004 2.1% 3.38%
2003 1.59% 0.68%
2002 1.65% 1.91%
2001 2.47% 5.41%
2000 2.54% 9.9%
1999 1.12% 7.15%
1998 0.95% 11.6%
1997 1.63% 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.53B
Chemicals & pharma $4.06B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.76B
Metals $1.19B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.07B
Raw materials & minerals $949M
Animal & marine products $474M
Raw agricultural goods $309M
Transport & tourism services $226M
Wood & paper products $199M
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.99B
Chemicals & pharma $1.4B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.1B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $847M
Metals $748M
Raw materials & minerals $390M
Wood & paper products $371M
Animal & marine products $280M
Raw agricultural goods $258M
Business & finance services $57.2M

Balance of trade

Belgium Poland
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Poland
Economic freedom 69.2 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 46/197
Property rights 91.1 71.8
Government integrity 78.2 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 62.5
Tax burden 50.6 72.7
Government spending 14.6 35.1
Fiscal health 53.4 74.8
Business freedom 82.5 77.5
Labor freedom 57.5 53.7
Monetary freedom 76.8 73.8
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 85 80
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Poland
2026 69.2 68.5
2025 69 67.1
2024 65.6 66
2023 67.1 67.7
2022 69.6 68.7
2021 70.1 69.7
2020 68.9 69.1
2019 67.3 67.8
2018 67.5 68.5
2017 67.8 68.3
2016 68.4 69.3
2015 68.8 68.6
2014 69.9 67
2013 69.2 66
2012 69 64.2
2011 70.2 64.1
2010 70.1 63.2
2009 72.1 60.3
2008 71.7 60.3
2007 72.5 58.1
2006 71.8 59.3
2005 69 59.6
2004 68.7 58.7
2003 68.1 61.8
2002 67.6 65
2001 63.8 61.8
2000 63.5 60
1999 62.9 59.6
1998 64.7 59.2
1997 64.6 56.8
1996 66 57.8
1995 - 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Poland
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$10B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
17.8%
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).

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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 (1835–1994, 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 (2023–2024, 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.