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Economy of Belgium vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 23/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Belgium vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Belgium
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Saudi Arabia
2024 $671,370,081,636 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $651,330,595,110 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $591,085,783,326 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $598,522,422,242 $982,661,066,667
2020 $529,694,473,502 $767,951,200,000
2019 $536,726,344,405 $888,890,133,333
2018 $542,638,913,428 $886,564,800,000
2017 $500,908,767,352 $741,266,133,333
2016 $474,271,566,740 $689,279,466,667
2015 $461,044,767,545 $693,414,400,000
2014 $537,987,419,164 $787,153,066,667
2013 $524,097,026,599 $769,755,733,333
2012 $498,414,364,945 $751,921,333,333
2011 $527,196,649,049 $680,660,800,000
2010 $481,556,503,720 $528,207,466,667
2009 $485,014,525,992 $429,097,866,667
2008 $517,328,087,920 $519,796,800,000
2007 $470,922,156,309 $415,964,509,673
2006 $408,259,840,869 $376,900,133,511
2005 $385,714,762,230 $328,459,608,764
2004 $369,214,712,443 $258,742,133,333
2003 $318,082,528,507 $215,807,733,333
2002 $258,383,599,375 $189,605,866,667
2001 $236,746,141,604 $184,137,600,000
2000 $236,792,460,312 $189,514,933,333
1999 $258,245,733,221 $161,717,066,667
1998 $258,528,339,631 $146,775,466,667
1997 $252,708,051,421 $165,963,684,913
1996 $279,201,433,225 $158,662,483,311
1995 $288,025,588,396 $143,343,124,166
1994 $244,884,129,491 $135,174,899,866
1993 $224,721,795,709 $132,967,957,276
1992 $234,781,652,447 $137,087,850,467
1991 $210,510,999,409 $132,223,230,975
1990 $205,331,747,948 $117,630,173,565
1989 $164,221,056,511 $95,344,459,279
1988 $162,299,103,675 $88,256,074,766
1987 $149,394,404,106 $85,695,861,148
1986 $120,018,787,249 $86,961,922,765
1985 $86,268,264,148 $103,897,846,494
1984 $83,349,530,159 $119,624,858,116
1983 $87,184,239,053 $129,171,635,311
1982 $92,095,926,188 $153,240,313,858
1981 $104,730,018,470 $184,291,360,139
1980 $126,829,314,388 $164,539,660,725
1979 $116,315,456,797 $111,858,444,786
1978 $101,246,526,194 $80,266,516,687
1977 $82,839,905,459 $74,188,986,586
1976 $71,113,882,968 $64,005,665,722
1975 $65,678,189,097 $46,773,208,643
1974 $56,033,077,879 $45,412,957,746
1973 $47,743,801,490 $14,947,435,499
1972 $37,209,418,019 $9,664,267,087
1971 $29,821,661,870 $7,184,806,909
1970 $26,706,196,047 $5,377,333,333
1969 $24,019,653,475 $4,485,777,644
1968 $21,654,856,965 $4,187,777,711
1967 $20,252,508,995 $3,257,022,223
1966 $18,894,891,312 $2,920,555,557
1965 $17,597,783,297 $2,647,955,558
1964 $16,168,044,450 $2,371,808,713
1963 $14,445,805,381 $2,207,393,172
1962 $13,436,827,167 $2,130,606,532
1961 $12,561,701,694 $1,920,811,284
1960 $11,810,619,368 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Saudi Arabia by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $16,525 - $9,414 -
1988 $16,391 - $9,165 -
1987 $15,136 - $9,386 -
1986 $12,170 - $10,078 -
1985 $8,751 - $12,745 -
1984 $8,457 - $15,541 -
1983 $8,846 - $17,810 -
1982 $9,344 - $22,454 -
1981 $10,623 - $28,703 -
1980 $12,864 - $27,206 -
1979 $11,811 - $19,612 -
1978 $10,290 - $14,914 -
1977 $8,427 - $14,595 -
1976 $7,243 - $13,313 -
1975 $6,701 - $10,266 -
1974 $5,734 - $10,503 -
1973 $4,901 - $3,640 -
1972 $3,832 - $2,474 -
1971 $3,083 - $1,929 -
1970 $2,766 - $1,509 -
1969 $2,490 - $1,313 -
1968 $2,251 - $1,276 -
1967 $2,114 - $1,032 -
1966 $1,983 - $961 -
1965 $1,860 - $904 -
1964 $1,724 - $840 -
1963 $1,555 - $812 -
1962 $1,457 - $813 -
1961 $1,368 - $760 -
1960 $1,290 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Belgium Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires
549,000
2025
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
3.52%
2024
Population
11902714
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 28.3% 23%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 55.9% 105% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 55% 102.7% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 33% 8.43%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 37.1% 14%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 51% 101.7% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 30.3% 103%
1998 51% 119.2% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 53.1% 129% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 54.7% 137.1% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 57.1% 138.9% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 55.9% 134.7% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 55.6% 131.8% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 54.4% 130.3% 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 19/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Saudi Arabia
2024 -4.52% -2.49%
2023 -4.1% -1.77%
2022 -3.62% 2.24%
2021 -5.4% -1.99%
2020 -9.03% -10.2%
2019 -2.05% -3.96%
2018 -1.05% -5.21%
2017 -0.76% -8.57%
2016 -2.43% -13.2%
2015 -2.48% -14.9%
2014 -3.18% -3.4%
2013 -3.16% 5.47%
2012 -4.35% 11.7%
2011 -4.44% 11.4%
2010 -4.13% 4.39%
2009 -5.45% -5.38%
2008 -1.1% 29.8%
2007 0.07% 11.8%
2006 0.24% 20.8%
2005 -2.72% 18%
2004 -0.24% 9.72%
2003 -1.86% 1.2%
2002 -0.04% -5.91%
2001 0.23% -3.91%
2000 -0.08% 3.18%
1999 -0.65% -5.99%
1998 -1.03% -8.88%
1997 -2.15% -2.51%
1996 -4% -3.25%
1995 -4.51% -5.12%
1994 -5.29% -8.31%
1993 -7.71% -9.33%
1992 -8.42% -8.12%
1991 -7.67% -3.28%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 3.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Saudi Arabia
2024 3.14% 1.69%
2023 4.05% 2.33%
2022 9.6% 2.47%
2021 2.44% 3.06%
2020 0.74% 3.37%
2019 1.44% -1.19%
2018 2.05% 2.47%
2017 2.13% -0.83%
2016 1.97% 2.05%
2015 0.56% 1.22%
2014 0.34% 2.24%
2013 1.11% 3.51%
2012 2.84% 2.87%
2011 3.53% 5.83%
2010 2.19% 5.34%
2009 -0.05% 5.06%
2008 4.49% 9.87%
2007 1.82% 4.17%
2006 1.79% 2.21%
2005 2.78% 0.48%
2004 2.1% 0.52%
2003 1.59% 0.61%
2002 1.65% 0.25%
2001 2.47% -1.12%
2000 2.54% -1.12%
1999 1.12% -1.33%
1998 0.95% -0.37%
1997 1.63% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.54B
Machinery & equipment $704M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $315M
Raw materials & minerals $245M
Business & finance services $124M
IT & IP services $88.5M
Metals $73.7M
Transport & tourism services $65.3M
Wood & paper products $49.6M
Animal & marine products $45.6M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.03B
Raw materials & minerals $378M
Machinery & equipment $198M
Textiles & consumer goods $51.6M
Metals $39.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $29.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.98M
Wood & paper products $1.27M
Raw agricultural goods $712K
Miscellaneous $160K

Balance of trade

Belgium Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 69.2 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 65/197
Property rights 91.1 51.4
Government integrity 78.2 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 38.2
Tax burden 50.6 99.2
Government spending 14.6 77
Fiscal health 53.4 97.9
Business freedom 82.5 71.2
Labor freedom 57.5 41.8
Monetary freedom 76.8 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 73.8
Investment freedom 85 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Saudi Arabia
2026 69.2 65.4
2025 69 64.4
2024 65.6 61.9
2023 67.1 58.3
2022 69.6 55.5
2021 70.1 66
2020 68.9 62.4
2019 67.3 60.7
2018 67.5 59.6
2017 67.8 64.4
2016 68.4 62.1
2015 68.8 62.1
2014 69.9 62.2
2013 69.2 60.6
2012 69 62.5
2011 70.2 66.2
2010 70.1 64.1
2009 72.1 64.3
2008 71.7 62.5
2007 72.5 60.9
2006 71.8 63
2005 69 63
2004 68.7 60.4
2003 68.1 63.2
2002 67.6 65.3
2001 63.8 62.2
2000 63.5 66.5
1999 62.9 65.5
1998 64.7 69.3
1997 64.6 68.7
1996 66 68.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
30.2%
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 (1835–1989, 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.