Skip to content

Economy of Belgium vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Belgium has a GDP of $725B compared to $100B for Serbia, ranking 23/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $771B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (42.4% of GDP) in Serbia.

Belgium vs Serbia GDP by year

Belgium
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Serbia
2025 $725,466,462,860 $99,953,324,473
2024 $670,983,130,619 $90,088,366,320
2023 $650,779,364,364 $81,343,999,280
2022 $591,474,463,579 $66,809,895,701
2021 $598,522,422,242 $66,159,884,073
2020 $529,694,473,502 $55,874,017,669
2019 $536,726,344,405 $53,864,693,665
2018 $542,638,913,428 $52,787,520,249
2017 $500,908,767,352 $45,972,834,714
2016 $474,271,566,740 $42,225,495,910
2015 $461,044,767,545 $41,297,410,635
2014 $537,987,419,164 $49,114,321,280
2013 $524,097,026,599 $50,455,529,604
2012 $498,414,364,945 $45,103,269,969
2011 $527,196,649,049 $51,251,098,408
2010 $481,556,503,720 $43,536,629,233
2009 $485,014,525,992 $46,955,984,410
2008 $517,328,087,920 $54,220,641,202
2007 $470,922,156,309 $44,888,028,946
2006 $408,259,840,869 $33,298,057,362
2005 $385,714,762,230 $28,334,256,181
2004 $369,214,712,443 $26,845,632,342
2003 $318,082,528,507 $23,593,044,418
2002 $258,383,599,375 $17,930,583,571
2001 $236,746,141,604 $13,599,378,662
2000 $236,792,460,312 $7,326,373,882
1999 $258,245,733,221 $20,878,694,851
1998 $258,528,339,631 $21,004,077,441
1997 $252,708,051,421 $27,153,408,995
1996 $279,201,433,225 $23,277,430,168
1995 $288,025,588,396 $17,921,892,655
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Serbia by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $60,750 - $15,262 -
2024 $56,582 $73,514 $13,678 $32,832
2023 $55,245 $71,946 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $50,639 $69,128 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $975 $6,416
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $24,209 $21,518 - -
1993 $22,284 $20,473 - -
1992 $23,373 $20,272 - -
1991 $21,042 $19,601 - -
1990 $20,600 $18,688 - -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Belgium's GDP per capita is $60,750, ranking 17/197, compared to $15,262 in Serbia, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Belgium Serbia
Gross domestic product
$725B
2025
$100B
2025
GDP rank
23/197
2025
76/197
2025
GDP growth
0.98%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$60,750
2025
$15,262
2025
GDP per capita rank
17/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$771B
2025
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2025
42.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$64,598
2025
$6,478
2025
Government debt per person rank
4/185
2025
75/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,730
2026
$12,492
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$4.06B
2011
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
2.5%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
55%
2025
43.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.47%
2024-2025
3.89%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.2%
2025
7.3%
2025
Population
11967185
6500256

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 55% 106.3% 43.2% 42.4%
2024 54.1% 103.9% 42.2% 44.1%
2023 52.8% 102.2% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 52.5% 103.1% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 46% 54.3%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 39% 51.1%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 40.3% 65%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 41% 67.1%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 55.9% 105% 40.6% 61.2%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 43.3% 58%
2011 55% 102.7% 40% 46%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 41.2% 42.4%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 41.1% 35.3%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 40.6% 30%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 41.3% 37%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 51% 101.7% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 28% 200.6%
1999 50.5% 115.4% - -
1998 51% 119.2% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Belgium's government spending was $399B, accounting for 55% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $43.2B, or 43.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Belgium and 42.4% in Serbia, ranking 17/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Serbia
2025 -5.26% -2.21%
2024 -4.36% -1.73%
2023 -4.01% -1.21%
2022 -3.6% -0.14%
2021 -5.4% -3.16%
2020 -9.03% -6.91%
2019 -2.05% -0.004%
2018 -1.05% 0.78%
2017 -0.76% 1.32%
2016 -2.43% -1.08%
2015 -2.48% -3.25%
2014 -3.18% -5.61%
2013 -3.16% -4.79%
2012 -4.35% -6.11%
2011 -4.44% -3.75%
2010 -4.13% -3.35%
2009 -5.45% -3.3%
2008 -1.1% -4.25%
2007 0.07% -0.8%
2006 0.24% -0.9%
2005 -2.72% 1.02%
2004 -0.24% 0.06%
2003 -1.86% -2.39%
2002 -0.04% -2.33%
2001 0.23% 0.32%
2000 -0.08% -0.15%
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/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $2.21B, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 2.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Serbia
2025 2.47% 3.89%
2024 3.14% 4.67%
2023 4.05% 12.4%
2022 9.6% 12%
2021 2.44% 4.09%
2020 0.74% 1.58%
2019 1.44% 1.85%
2018 2.05% 1.96%
2017 2.13% 3.13%
2016 1.97% 1.12%
2015 0.56% 1.39%
2014 0.34% 2.08%
2013 1.11% 7.69%
2012 2.84% 7.33%
2011 3.53% 11.1%
2010 2.19% 6.14%
2009 -0.05% 8.12%
2008 4.49% 12.4%
2007 1.82% 6.39%
2006 1.79% 11.7%
2005 2.78% 16.1%
2004 2.1% 11%
2003 1.59% 9.88%
2002 1.65% 19.5%
2001 2.47% 95%
2000 2.54% 71.1%
1999 1.12% 42.5%
1998 0.95% 30.2%
1997 1.63% 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.26%, compared with 15.2% in Serbia. In 2025, inflation was 2.47% in Belgium and 3.89% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $269M
Machinery & equipment $237M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $96.2M
Raw materials & minerals $75.5M
Metals $49M
Textiles & consumer goods $29.5M
Raw agricultural goods $29M
Wood & paper products $8.58M
Animal & marine products $7.11M
Miscellaneous $6.3M
Serbia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $167M
Business & finance services $126M
Raw agricultural goods $86.2M
Machinery & equipment $84.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $62.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $59.4M
Metals $46.1M
IT & IP services $33.5M
Chemicals & pharma $28.8M
Government & miscellaneous services $14.4M

Balance of trade

Belgium Serbia
Current account balance
-$14B
2025
-$4.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
179/190
2025
164/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.93%
2025
-4.9%
2025
Goods imports
$386B
2025
$44B
2025
Goods exports
$387B
2025
$36.7B
2025
Service imports
$175B
2025
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$160B
2025
$17.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.5%
2025
58.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.5%
2025
54.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Serbia
Economic freedom 69.2 65
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 68/197
Property rights 91.1 57.2
Government integrity 78.2 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 50.1
Tax burden 50.6 88
Government spending 14.6 48.2
Fiscal health 53.4 94.3
Business freedom 82.5 73.6
Labor freedom 57.5 61.8
Monetary freedom 76.8 73
Trade freedom 79.4 76.6
Investment freedom 85 70
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Serbia
2026 69.2 65
2025 69 64.4
2024 65.6 62.7
2023 67.1 63.5
2022 69.6 65.2
2021 70.1 67.2
2020 68.9 66
2019 67.3 63.9
2018 67.5 62.5
2017 67.8 58.9
2016 68.4 62.1
2015 68.8 60
2014 69.9 59.4
2013 69.2 58.6
2012 69 58
2011 70.2 58
2010 70.1 56.9
2009 72.1 56.6
2008 71.7 -
2007 72.5 -
2006 71.8 -
2005 69 -
2004 68.7 -
2003 68.1 43.5
2002 67.6 46.6
2001 63.8 -
2000 63.5 -
1999 62.9 -
1998 64.7 -
1997 64.6 -
1996 66 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Serbia
Services, % of GDP
71.2%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.6%
2025
22.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.73%
2025
3.29%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$711B
2025
$88.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$75,620
2025
$31,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$56.4B
2025
$34.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
44/177
2025
55/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$9.47B
2025
-$2.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
23.4%
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).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2016–2025, 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.

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.