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Economy of Belgium vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 23/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Belgium vs Singapore GDP by year

Belgium
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Singapore
2024 $671,370,081,636 $547,386,645,892
2023 $651,330,595,110 $505,439,514,078
2022 $591,085,783,326 $509,017,841,147
2021 $598,522,422,242 $436,591,382,250
2020 $529,694,473,502 $349,165,858,545
2019 $536,726,344,405 $376,161,998,830
2018 $542,638,913,428 $377,123,710,561
2017 $500,908,767,352 $343,673,334,902
2016 $474,271,566,740 $319,646,468,521
2015 $461,044,767,545 $307,998,545,269
2014 $537,987,419,164 $314,863,580,758
2013 $524,097,026,599 $307,576,360,585
2012 $498,414,364,945 $295,092,888,077
2011 $527,196,649,049 $279,356,499,090
2010 $481,556,503,720 $239,807,980,591
2009 $485,014,525,992 $194,150,283,772
2008 $517,328,087,920 $193,617,323,539
2007 $470,922,156,309 $180,941,701,358
2006 $408,259,840,869 $148,627,286,361
2005 $385,714,762,230 $127,807,848,728
2004 $369,214,712,443 $115,033,593,101
2003 $318,082,528,507 $97,646,401,096
2002 $258,383,599,375 $92,538,372,870
2001 $236,746,141,604 $89,793,790,670
2000 $236,792,460,312 $96,076,539,926
1999 $258,245,733,221 $86,286,849,755
1998 $258,528,339,631 $85,728,207,782
1997 $252,708,051,421 $100,123,787,215
1996 $279,201,433,225 $96,293,086,513
1995 $288,025,588,396 $87,812,540,788
1994 $244,884,129,491 $73,688,724,431
1993 $224,721,795,709 $60,603,815,716
1992 $234,781,652,447 $52,131,320,033
1991 $210,510,999,409 $45,466,164,978
1990 $205,331,747,948 $36,144,336,769
1989 $164,221,056,511 $30,465,364,739
1988 $162,299,103,675 $25,371,462,488
1987 $149,394,404,106 $20,919,215,578
1986 $120,018,787,249 $18,586,746,057
1985 $86,268,264,148 $19,156,532,746
1984 $83,349,530,159 $19,749,361,098
1983 $87,184,239,053 $17,784,112,150
1982 $92,095,926,188 $16,084,252,378
1981 $104,730,018,470 $14,175,228,844
1980 $126,829,314,388 $11,896,256,783
1979 $116,315,456,797 $9,296,921,724
1978 $101,246,526,194 $7,517,176,355
1977 $82,839,905,459 $6,618,585,074
1976 $71,113,882,968 $6,327,077,974
1975 $65,678,189,097 $5,633,673,930
1974 $56,033,077,879 $5,221,534,956
1973 $47,743,801,490 $3,696,213,333
1972 $37,209,418,019 $2,721,440,981
1971 $29,821,661,870 $2,263,785,444
1970 $26,706,196,047 $1,920,574,150
1969 $24,019,653,475 $1,659,893,768
1968 $21,654,856,965 $1,425,706,091
1967 $20,252,508,995 $1,238,035,816
1966 $18,894,891,312 $1,096,425,608
1965 $17,597,783,297 $974,644,096
1964 $16,168,044,450 $894,153,311
1963 $14,445,805,381 $917,608,012
1962 $13,436,827,167 $826,239,212
1961 $12,561,701,694 $764,629,788
1960 $11,810,619,368 $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Singapore by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $16,525 - $10,395 -
1988 $16,391 - $8,914 -
1987 $15,136 - $7,539 -
1986 $12,170 - $6,800 -
1985 $8,751 - $7,002 -
1984 $8,457 - $7,228 -
1983 $8,846 - $6,633 -
1982 $9,344 - $6,078 -
1981 $10,623 - $5,597 -
1980 $12,864 - $4,928 -
1979 $11,811 - $3,901 -
1978 $10,290 - $3,194 -
1977 $8,427 - $2,846 -
1976 $7,243 - $2,759 -
1975 $6,701 - $2,490 -
1974 $5,734 - $2,342 -
1973 $4,901 - $1,685 -
1972 $3,832 - $1,264 -
1971 $3,083 - $1,071 -
1970 $2,766 - $926 -
1969 $2,490 - $813 -
1968 $2,251 - $709 -
1967 $2,114 - $626 -
1966 $1,983 - $567 -
1965 $1,860 - $517 -
1964 $1,724 - $486 -
1963 $1,555 - $511 -
1962 $1,457 - $472 -
1961 $1,368 - $449 -
1960 $1,290 - $428 -

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

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

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Belgium Singapore
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires
549,000
2025
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
49
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
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
2.74%
2024
Population
11902714
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 15% 154.3%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 14% 127.9%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 55.9% 105% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 55% 102.7% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 14% 97.9%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 51% 101.7% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 51% 119.2% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 53.1% 129% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 54.7% 137.1% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 57.1% 138.9% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 55.9% 134.7% 14.5% 79%
1991 55.6% 131.8% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 54.4% 130.3% 15.1% 73.5%
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/singapore | CC BY

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 19/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Singapore
2024 -4.52% 4.44%
2023 -4.1% 3.47%
2022 -3.62% 1.21%
2021 -5.4% 1.13%
2020 -9.03% -6.73%
2019 -2.05% 3.77%
2018 -1.05% 3.68%
2017 -0.76% 5.24%
2016 -2.43% 3.25%
2015 -2.48% 2.86%
2014 -3.18% 4.6%
2013 -3.16% 5.96%
2012 -4.35% 7.34%
2011 -4.44% 7.96%
2010 -4.13% 5.68%
2009 -5.45% -0.09%
2008 -1.1% 3.59%
2007 0.07% 7.12%
2006 0.24% 2.16%
2005 -2.72% 2.56%
2004 -0.24% 2.06%
2003 -1.86% 0.68%
2002 -0.04% 2.23%
2001 0.23% 1.2%
2000 -0.08% 4.59%
1999 -0.65% 5.2%
1998 -1.03% 2.41%
1997 -2.15% 5.66%
1996 -4% 1.98%
1995 -4.51% 4.8%
1994 -5.29% 7.9%
1993 -7.71% 4.36%
1992 -8.42% 2.7%
1991 -7.67% 0.68%
1990 -6.99% 1.97%
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/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 3.26% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Singapore
2024 3.14% 2.39%
2023 4.05% 4.83%
2022 9.6% 6.13%
2021 2.44% 2.32%
2020 0.74% -0.17%
2019 1.44% 0.57%
2018 2.05% 0.44%
2017 2.13% 0.58%
2016 1.97% -0.53%
2015 0.56% -0.52%
2014 0.34% 1.03%
2013 1.11% 2.36%
2012 2.84% 4.58%
2011 3.53% 5.25%
2010 2.19% 2.83%
2009 -0.05% 0.59%
2008 4.49% 6.64%
2007 1.82% 2.11%
2006 1.79% 0.97%
2005 2.78% 0.43%
2004 2.1% 1.66%
2003 1.59% 0.51%
2002 1.65% -0.39%
2001 2.47% 1%
2000 2.54% 1.36%
1999 1.12% 0.02%
1998 0.95% -0.27%
1997 1.63% 2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $836M
Machinery & equipment $627M
Business & finance services $283M
Transport & tourism services $182M
Precious metals & jewellery $139M
Raw materials & minerals $128M
Metals $106M
Manufacturing & construction services $88.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $52.4M
IT & IP services $37.9M
Singapore
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.11B
Machinery & equipment $803M
Miscellaneous $121M
Precious metals & jewellery $80.4M
Raw materials & minerals $40M
Metals $16.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $10.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.6M
Wood & paper products $3.9M
Animal & marine products $1.31M

Balance of trade

Belgium Singapore
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$583B
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$351B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Singapore
Economic freedom 69.2 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 1/197
Property rights 91.1 89.2
Government integrity 78.2 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 58.3
Tax burden 50.6 89.5
Government spending 14.6 93.4
Fiscal health 53.4 80
Business freedom 82.5 90.6
Labor freedom 57.5 77
Monetary freedom 76.8 83.5
Trade freedom 79.4 95
Investment freedom 85 90
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Singapore
2026 69.2 84.4
2025 69 84.1
2024 65.6 83.5
2023 67.1 83.9
2022 69.6 84.4
2021 70.1 89.7
2020 68.9 89.4
2019 67.3 89.4
2018 67.5 88.8
2017 67.8 88.6
2016 68.4 87.8
2015 68.8 89.4
2014 69.9 89.4
2013 69.2 88
2012 69 87.5
2011 70.2 87.2
2010 70.1 86.1
2009 72.1 87.1
2008 71.7 87.3
2007 72.5 87.1
2006 71.8 88
2005 69 88.6
2004 68.7 88.9
2003 68.1 88.2
2002 67.6 87.4
2001 63.8 87.8
2000 63.5 87.7
1999 62.9 86.9
1998 64.7 87
1997 64.6 87.3
1996 66 86.5
1995 - 86.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Singapore
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$55.3B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
22.2%
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 (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.