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Economy of Belgium vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 23/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Belgium vs Thailand GDP by year

Belgium
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Thailand
2024 $671,370,081,636 $526,517,658,842
2023 $651,330,595,110 $515,906,283,941
2022 $591,085,783,326 $495,644,697,588
2021 $598,522,422,242 $506,194,668,790
2020 $529,694,473,502 $500,461,898,480
2019 $536,726,344,405 $543,976,691,794
2018 $542,638,913,428 $506,754,208,404
2017 $500,908,767,352 $456,356,813,537
2016 $474,271,566,740 $413,366,349,748
2015 $461,044,767,545 $401,296,238,228
2014 $537,987,419,164 $407,339,040,198
2013 $524,097,026,599 $420,333,654,593
2012 $498,414,364,945 $397,558,325,279
2011 $527,196,649,049 $370,818,739,624
2010 $481,556,503,720 $341,104,766,329
2009 $485,014,525,992 $281,710,630,187
2008 $517,328,087,920 $291,382,982,431
2007 $470,922,156,309 $262,942,621,455
2006 $408,259,840,869 $221,758,296,022
2005 $385,714,762,230 $189,318,408,469
2004 $369,214,712,443 $172,895,685,155
2003 $318,082,528,507 $152,280,615,246
2002 $258,383,599,375 $134,300,904,400
2001 $236,746,141,604 $120,296,476,180
2000 $236,792,460,312 $126,392,224,254
1999 $258,245,733,221 $126,669,211,779
1998 $258,528,339,631 $113,675,596,788
1997 $252,708,051,421 $150,180,456,566
1996 $279,201,433,225 $183,035,237,429
1995 $288,025,588,396 $169,278,916,593
1994 $244,884,129,491 $146,683,778,959
1993 $224,721,795,709 $128,889,262,951
1992 $234,781,652,447 $111,452,746,518
1991 $210,510,999,409 $98,234,714,971
1990 $205,331,747,948 $85,343,190,719
1989 $164,221,056,511 $72,250,748,100
1988 $162,299,103,675 $61,667,253,471
1987 $149,394,404,106 $50,535,446,555
1986 $120,018,787,249 $43,096,773,981
1985 $86,268,264,148 $38,900,711,333
1984 $83,349,530,159 $41,797,647,776
1983 $87,184,239,053 $40,042,798,388
1982 $92,095,926,188 $36,589,772,404
1981 $104,730,018,470 $34,846,039,194
1980 $126,829,314,388 $32,353,514,989
1979 $116,315,456,797 $27,371,650,825
1978 $101,246,526,194 $24,006,566,637
1977 $82,839,905,459 $19,779,312,261
1976 $71,113,882,968 $16,985,208,648
1975 $65,678,189,097 $14,882,770,594
1974 $56,033,077,879 $13,702,998,512
1973 $47,743,801,490 $10,838,587,358
1972 $37,209,418,019 $8,177,873,151
1971 $29,821,661,870 $7,375,000,024
1970 $26,706,196,047 $7,086,538,438
1969 $24,019,653,475 $6,695,336,567
1968 $21,654,856,965 $6,081,009,428
1967 $20,252,508,995 $5,638,461,442
1966 $18,894,891,312 $5,279,230,817
1965 $17,597,783,297 $4,388,937,649
1964 $16,168,044,450 $3,889,129,942
1963 $14,445,805,381 $3,540,403,457
1962 $13,436,827,167 $3,308,912,797
1961 $12,561,701,694 $3,034,037,811
1960 $11,810,619,368 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Thailand by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $16,525 - $1,342 -
1988 $16,391 - $1,164 -
1987 $15,136 - $970 -
1986 $12,170 - $842 -
1985 $8,751 - $774 -
1984 $8,457 - $847 -
1983 $8,846 - $827 -
1982 $9,344 - $770 -
1981 $10,623 - $748 -
1980 $12,864 - $709 -
1979 $11,811 - $612 -
1978 $10,290 - $548 -
1977 $8,427 - $462 -
1976 $7,243 - $405 -
1975 $6,701 - $364 -
1974 $5,734 - $343 -
1973 $4,901 - $278.3 -
1972 $3,832 - $215.6 -
1971 $3,083 - $199.7 -
1970 $2,766 - $197.1 -
1969 $2,490 - $191.4 -
1968 $2,251 - $178.8 -
1967 $2,114 - $170.7 -
1966 $1,983 - $164.5 -
1965 $1,860 - $140.9 -
1964 $1,724 - $128.6 -
1963 $1,555 - $120.7 -
1962 $1,457 - $116.2 -
1961 $1,368 - $109.7 -
1960 $1,290 - $102.8 -

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

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

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Belgium Thailand
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires
549,000
2025
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
0.78%
2024
Population
11902714
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 55.9% 105% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 55% 102.7% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 22% 39.8%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 20% 36%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 51% 101.7% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 51% 119.2% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 53.1% 129% 18% 15.2%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 54.7% 137.1% 16% 6.69%
1993 57.1% 138.9% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 55.9% 134.7% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 55.6% 131.8% 17% 14.1%
1990 54.4% 130.3% 16.6% 18%
1989 52.3% 126.4% 16.5% 23.7%
1988 53.9% 129.7% 15.1% 30.3%
1987 55.8% 129.2% 17.5% 38.8%
1986 57.6% 124.7% 19.5% 40.1%
1985 58.4% 119.4% 20.5% 36.8%
1984 59.1% 114.6% 19.3% 30.6%
1983 62.2% 110.3% 19.5% 28.9%
1982 59.6% 99.6% 20.2% 27.1%
1981 61.5% 89.7% 19.1% 24.4%
1980 54.9% 76.8% 18.7% 22.1%
1979 54.8% 69.2% 16.9% 23.7%
1978 52.8% 65.2% 16.6% 22.8%
1977 52.2% 61.6% 16.1% 22.4%
1976 50.4% 61.4% 15.6% 22%
1975 50.2% 59.5% 14.2% 15.8%
1974 44.5% 61.7% 13.2% 16.3%
1973 45% 63.7% 15.9% 21.2%
1972 45% 64.9% 18.5% 26.8%
1971 43.9% 63.5% 18.8% 21.5%
1970 42.7% 66.6% 17.6% 18.5%
1969 26.5% 51.6% 15.9% 17.7%
1968 26.7% 54.5% 16% 15.5%
1967 25.5% 54.1% 15.5% 15%
1966 25.1% 55.6% 14.7% 14.4%
1965 23.4% 57.6% 14.7% 14.8%
1964 22.5% 59.4% 13.3% 13.3%
1963 23.1% 64.1% 12% 12.6%
1962 22.5% 65.3% 11.9% 13.4%
1961 22.1% 67.8% 9.58% 12.9%
1960 23.7% 69.4% 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 19/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Thailand
2024 -4.52% -1.29%
2023 -4.1% -1.98%
2022 -3.62% -4.61%
2021 -5.4% -6.74%
2020 -9.03% -4.47%
2019 -2.05% 0.43%
2018 -1.05% 0.2%
2017 -0.76% -0.42%
2016 -2.43% 0.41%
2015 -2.48% 0.19%
2014 -3.18% -0.7%
2013 -3.16% 0.6%
2012 -4.35% -0.86%
2011 -4.44% 0.09%
2010 -4.13% -1.07%
2009 -5.45% -2.21%
2008 -1.1% 0.8%
2007 0.07% 0.22%
2006 0.24% 1.87%
2005 -2.72% 2.17%
2004 -0.24% 1.11%
2003 -1.86% 1.98%
2002 -0.04% -6.72%
2001 0.23% -1.77%
2000 -0.08% -1.79%
1999 -0.65% -9.02%
1998 -1.03% -6.29%
1997 -2.15% -1.68%
1996 -4% 2.75%
1995 -4.51% 3.05%
1994 -5.29% 2.78%
1993 -7.71% 6.67%
1992 -8.42% -0.18%
1991 -7.67% 1.6%
1990 -6.99% 1.41%
1989 -7.58% 0.16%
1988 -7.28% 0.58%
1987 -7.89% -2.38%
1986 -9.96% -4.32%
1985 -10.1% -5.11%
1984 -10.8% -3.85%
1983 -14.5% -4.02%
1982 -12.3% -6.18%
1981 -15.5% -4.07%
1980 -9.43% -4.41%
1979 -8.33% -3.62%
1978 -6.51% -3.31%
1977 -6.51% -2.91%
1976 -6.61% -3.35%
1975 -6.45% -1.73%
1974 -3.87% 1.29%
1973 -5.02% -2.7%
1972 -6.07% -4.81%
1971 -4.45% -5.47%
1970 -3.51% -3.73%
1969 -3.34% -2.53%
1968 -3.69% -2.79%
1967 -2.76% -2.1%
1966 -3.08% -1.13%
1965 -2.9% -1.05%
1964 -2.27% -1.01%
1963 -2.8% -0.81%
1962 -2.12% -0.27%
1961 -2.34% 0.05%
1960 -4.89% 0.48%
1959 -5.21% -1.15%
1958 -4.33% -0.91%
1957 -1.27% -1.31%
1956 1.85% -1.38%
1955 -1.05% -1.65%
1954 2.34% -3.46%
1953 0.14% -3.56%
1952 -0.26% -2.4%
1951 0.59% -3.54%
1950 -2.01% -0.7%
1949 -2.05% 0.7%
1948 -2.29% -0.1%
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 (1835–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 42 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.52% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Thailand
2024 3.14% 1.37%
2023 4.05% 8.48%
2022 9.6% -1.61%
2021 2.44% 1.23%
2020 0.74% -0.85%
2019 1.44% 0.71%
2018 2.05% 1.06%
2017 2.13% 0.67%
2016 1.97% 0.19%
2015 0.56% -0.9%
2014 0.34% 1.9%
2013 1.11% 2.18%
2012 2.84% 3.01%
2011 3.53% 3.81%
2010 2.19% 3.25%
2009 -0.05% -0.85%
2008 4.49% 5.47%
2007 1.82% 2.24%
2006 1.79% 4.64%
2005 2.78% 4.54%
2004 2.1% 2.76%
2003 1.59% 1.8%
2002 1.65% 0.7%
2001 2.47% 1.63%
2000 2.54% 1.59%
1999 1.12% 0.28%
1998 0.95% 7.99%
1997 1.63% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $513M
Machinery & equipment $204M
Metals $126M
Transport & tourism services $68.1M
Wood & paper products $64.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $60.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $49.7M
Raw materials & minerals $39.8M
Business & finance services $28.1M
IT & IP services $21.2M
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $698M
Precious metals & jewellery $305M
Chemicals & pharma $175M
Textiles & consumer goods $155M
Raw materials & minerals $115M
Metals $91.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $85.3M
Raw agricultural goods $29.9M
Wood & paper products $20M
Animal & marine products $5.53M

Balance of trade

Belgium Thailand
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belgium Thailand
Economic freedom 69.2 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 88/197
Property rights 91.1 41.8
Government integrity 78.2 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 35
Tax burden 50.6 80.8
Government spending 14.6 83.6
Fiscal health 53.4 81
Business freedom 82.5 69.9
Labor freedom 57.5 56.4
Monetary freedom 76.8 73.3
Trade freedom 79.4 70.2
Investment freedom 85 55
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Thailand
2026 69.2 62.2
2025 69 60.6
2024 65.6 59
2023 67.1 60.6
2022 69.6 63.2
2021 70.1 69.7
2020 68.9 69.4
2019 67.3 68.3
2018 67.5 67.1
2017 67.8 66.2
2016 68.4 63.9
2015 68.8 62.4
2014 69.9 63.3
2013 69.2 64.1
2012 69 64.9
2011 70.2 64.7
2010 70.1 64.1
2009 72.1 63
2008 71.7 62.3
2007 72.5 63.5
2006 71.8 63.3
2005 69 62.5
2004 68.7 63.7
2003 68.1 65.8
2002 67.6 69.1
2001 63.8 68.9
2000 63.5 66.6
1999 62.9 66.9
1998 64.7 67.3
1997 64.6 66.1
1996 66 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Thailand
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
21.6%
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/thailand | 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 (1835–1995, 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.

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.