Skip to content

Economy of Belize vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.52B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 167/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.14B in government debt (59.5% of GDP), compared to $1.91B (74.5% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

The chart below compares the two countries' GDP growth in both current (nominal) and constant dollars, accounting for inflation over time.

Belize
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Saint Lucia
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Year GDP
Belize Saint Lucia
Current $ Constant $ Current $ Constant $
1960 $28,072,478 $141,975,429 - -
1961 $29,965,000 $148,921,260 - -
1962 $31,857,592 $156,207,459 - -
1963 $33,750,114 $163,949,779 - -
1964 $36,194,586 $172,147,071 - -
1965 $40,110,040 $180,634,853 - -
1966 $44,450,044 $189,252,662 - -
1967 $47,431,256 $198,550,879 - -
1968 $44,999,910 $213,178,569 - -
1969 $47,399,905 $224,064,266 - -
1970 $53,339,893 $234,836,589 - -
1971 $59,074,687 $244,134,805 - -
1972 $65,998,069 $269,081,241 - -
1973 $78,214,768 $283,482,184 - -
1974 $103,160,450 $321,922,327 - -
1975 $118,194,026 $333,488,431 - -
1976 $97,094,227 $333,374,975 - -
1977 $117,650,000 $355,032,995 - $483,071,666
1978 $136,300,000 $383,154,474 - $532,885,730
1979 $151,800,000 $411,956,277 - $553,096,671
1980 $257,400,000 $461,839,033 $170,370,370 $540,815,004
1981 $260,750,000 $467,073,042 $194,444,444 $574,941,800
1982 $248,550,000 $466,574,565 $183,333,333 $586,937,053
1983 $262,150,000 $456,555,176 $197,037,037 $616,080,731
1984 $290,350,000 $465,577,611 $251,481,481 $660,842,530
1985 $287,300,000 $470,263,296 $284,444,444 $715,611,607
1986 $311,500,000 $491,647,963 $340,000,000 $818,674,128
1987 $371,100,000 $544,386,841 $375,555,556 $850,796,702
1988 $421,450,000 $597,674,043 $429,629,630 $969,054,583
1989 $491,100,000 $675,436,470 $486,666,667 $1,056,085,416
1990 $547,150,000 $752,750,268 $579,629,630 $1,160,539,673
1991 $597,100,000 $841,429,344 $613,703,704 $1,164,899,565
1992 $696,250,000 $948,552,073 $674,074,074 $1,257,544,906
1993 $752,850,000 $1,006,774,198 $684,814,815 $1,264,878,904
1994 $772,300,000 $1,006,574,807 $713,703,704 $1,285,098,755
1995 $819,050,000 $1,013,952,268 $762,962,963 $1,307,565,184
1996 $850,850,000 $1,025,168,003 $788,888,889 $1,345,779,926
1997 $873,400,000 $1,068,585,359 $805,925,926 $1,336,438,462
1998 $929,500,000 $1,110,158,349 $877,407,407 $1,420,453,281
1999 $1,000,250,000 $1,214,788,692 $921,851,852 $1,458,387,956
2000 $1,138,900,000 $1,363,484,411 $932,592,593 $1,459,098,899
2001 $1,172,800,000 $1,431,576,383 $892,592,593 $1,409,371,876
2002 $1,244,650,000 $1,508,840,333 $900,000,000 $1,415,241,212
2003 $1,308,900,000 $1,654,694,732 $987,407,407 $1,475,595,751
2004 $1,400,850,000 $1,733,803,048 $1,066,666,667 $1,582,833,328
2005 $1,474,950,000 $1,772,285,480 $1,135,555,556 $1,576,338,888
2006 $1,591,150,000 $1,852,241,207 $1,268,319,185 $1,673,997,138
2007 $1,707,100,000 $1,914,351,454 $1,336,088,815 $1,702,314,784
2008 $1,738,900,000 $1,882,149,833 $1,437,731,111 $1,786,567,823
2009 $1,688,500,000 $1,874,822,220 $1,401,507,889 $1,736,027,614
2010 $1,745,700,000 $1,895,708,410 $1,482,385,185 $1,741,756,827
2011 $1,827,050,000 $1,891,072,573 $1,568,370,370 $1,817,121,649
2012 $1,909,400,000 $1,961,756,626 $1,598,207,407 $1,815,145,417
2013 $2,032,750,000 $2,049,139,661 $1,660,392,593 $1,782,131,987
2014 $2,138,250,000 $2,131,737,317 $1,749,185,185 $1,805,800,308
2015 $2,193,050,000 $2,193,050,000 $1,807,640,741 $1,807,640,741
2016 $2,240,200,000 $2,194,246,345 $1,868,544,444 $1,869,604,354
2017 $2,266,300,000 $2,154,467,872 $1,998,503,704 $1,932,793,731
2018 $2,293,250,000 $2,178,394,773 $2,060,955,556 $1,988,589,215
2019 $2,388,300,000 $2,271,360,752 $2,095,344,444 $1,974,662,680
2020 $2,042,850,000 $1,955,575,510 $1,499,274,074 $1,493,605,760
2021 $2,420,550,000 $2,302,615,267 $1,867,185,185 $1,666,845,860
2022 $2,846,700,000 $2,524,886,205 $2,342,714,815 $2,006,689,781
2023 $3,066,850,000 $2,553,897,572 $2,430,166,667 $2,051,035,272
2024 $3,515,783,329 $2,762,085,935 $2,549,062,963 $2,130,856,443

Economic indicators

Belize Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$3.52B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
167/197
2024
172/197
2024
GDP growth
14.6%
2023-2024
4.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,430
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
94/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,093
2024
$27,567
2024
Government debt
$2.14B
2024
$1.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.5%
2025
74.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,138
2024
$10,604
2024
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2024
57/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,036
2025
$10,481
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
25%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.4%
2024-2025
-0.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
10.1%
2024
Population
427523
180421

GDP per capita in Belize vs Saint Lucia

Belize's GDP per capita is $8,430, ranking 94/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 114th at $15,093, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Year Current $
Belize Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
1960 $307 - - -
1961 $320 - - -
1962 $332 - - -
1963 $342 - - -
1964 $356 - - -
1965 $383 - - -
1966 $412 - - -
1967 $426 - - -
1968 $392 - - -
1969 $402 - - -
1970 $442 - - -
1971 $481 - - -
1972 $529 - - -
1973 $619 - - -
1974 $805 - - -
1975 $906 - - -
1976 $729 - - -
1977 $866 - - -
1978 $983 - - -
1979 $1,071 - - -
1980 $1,774 - $1,428 -
1981 $1,753 - $1,605 -
1982 $1,629 - $1,489 -
1983 $1,677 - $1,576 -
1984 $1,814 - $1,979 -
1985 $1,754 - $2,202 -
1986 $1,859 - $2,591 -
1987 $2,166 - $2,819 -
1988 $2,406 - $3,182 -
1989 $2,742 - $3,565 -
1990 $2,989 $4,474 $4,205 $6,951
1991 $3,192 $5,061 $4,399 $7,127
1992 $3,646 $5,714 $4,760 $7,753
1993 $3,863 $6,084 $4,765 $7,865
1994 $3,879 $6,082 $4,892 $8,041
1995 $4,012 $6,100 $5,148 $8,222
1996 $4,046 $6,096 $5,244 $8,490
1997 $4,017 $6,252 $5,282 $8,456
1998 $4,128 $6,343 $5,673 $8,965
1999 $4,292 $6,801 $5,883 $9,214
2000 $4,730 $7,555 $5,880 $9,314
2001 $4,722 $7,864 $5,570 $9,106
2002 $4,862 $8,166 $5,568 $9,205
2003 $4,962 $8,863 $6,059 $9,707
2004 $5,156 $9,259 $6,495 $10,610
2005 $5,273 $9,480 $6,863 $10,818
2006 $5,527 $9,925 $7,611 $11,758
2007 $5,765 $10,243 $7,964 $12,199
2008 $5,713 $9,986 $8,517 $12,969
2009 $5,401 $9,744 $8,251 $12,600
2010 $5,451 $9,735 $8,674 $12,718
2011 $5,582 $9,698 $9,129 $13,471
2012 $5,710 $9,266 $9,260 $13,443
2013 $5,950 $9,514 $9,577 $14,010
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $10,045 $14,403
2015 $6,154 $9,538 $10,335 $14,353
2016 $6,142 $9,402 $10,638 $15,307
2017 $6,073 $9,122 $11,333 $16,131
2018 $6,031 $9,528 $11,643 $17,433
2019 $6,190 $10,531 $11,794 $18,710
2020 $5,227 $9,618 $8,411 $14,912
2021 $6,123 $11,677 $10,459 $19,101
2022 $7,068 $13,466 $13,104 $24,599
2023 $7,460 $13,823 $13,555 $25,975
2024 $8,430 $15,093 $14,182 $27,567

Spending and national debt comparison

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $869M, accounting for 24.1% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia's spent $618M, or 25% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.5% in Belize and 74.5% in Saint Lucia, ranking 84/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Belize
Government spending

Government debt
Saint Lucia
Government spending

Government debt
Year % of GDP
Belize Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1990 - - 16.7% 17%
1991 - - 18.4% 19.8%
1992 - - 18.4% 22.2%
1993 - - 21.8% 22.9%
1994 - - 19.1% 23.8%
1995 - - 19.2% 22.9%
1996 19.9% 39.4% 18.9% 24.1%
1997 19.9% 40.7% 19.5% 27.2%
1998 20.9% 40.3% 18.8% 29.4%
1999 23.6% 43.7% 20.9% 28.9%
2000 23.1% 79% 20.7% 32.5%
2001 25.8% 49.5% 22.1% 38.1%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 23.6% 48.8%
2003 24.5% 67.2% 22.9% 45.6%
2004 21.7% 70.6% 22.9% 49.6%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 26% 51.9%
2006 21.2% 71.3% 24.7% 48.6%
2007 22% 66.4% 22.6% 49.1%
2008 21.8% 64.6% 22.2% 46.7%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 24.5% 51%
2010 23.3% 68.5% 26% 53%
2011 23.5% 66.4% 27% 55.2%
2012 22.1% 63.4% 28% 60.8%
2013 23.8% 62.9% 25.4% 62.1%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 23.6% 62.4%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 23.7% 61.1%
2016 27.7% 70.4% 23% 61.3%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 23.3% 60.4%
2018 26.8% 78.8% 23.2% 60.5%
2019 27.4% 78.4% 25.1% 62.1%
2020 33.2% 103.3% 35.2% 100.8%
2021 25.8% 82.5% 27.5% 87.1%
2022 22.8% 66.8% 22.9% 74.1%
2023 24.8% 67.2% 24.4% 75.6%
2024 24.7% 61% 24.2% 74.8%
2025 24.1% 59.5% 25% 74.5%

Government deficit by year

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was -$83.1M, equivalent to -2.36% of GDP. This compares to Saint Lucia's deficit of -$33.4M, or -1.31% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to -3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of -2.9% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Saint Lucia
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Saint Lucia
1985 - -1.5%
1986 - -1.61%
1987 - 0.56%
1988 - 2.02%
1989 - 0.89%
1990 - 0.29%
1991 - -0.43%
1992 - -0.66%
1993 - -0.26%
1994 - -0.02%
1995 - -0.13%
1996 -1.76% -0.58%
1997 -1.81% -1.13%
1998 -2.69% 2.25%
1999 -6.51% 1.62%
2000 -6.68% -1.16%
2001 -7.23% -3.08%
2002 -5.4% -3.1%
2003 -8.41% -3.23%
2004 -4.52% -2.63%
2005 -3.7% -6.18%
2006 -2.27% -5.07%
2007 -0.19% -1.62%
2008 1.25% -0.72%
2009 -2.46% -2.67%
2010 -1.91% -4.17%
2011 -1.06% -5.38%
2012 -0.22% -7.62%
2013 -1.21% -4.84%
2014 -1.72% -3.08%
2015 -5.14% -2.35%
2016 -4.47% -0.79%
2017 -3.48% -1.14%
2018 -1.36% -1.03%
2019 -2.89% -3.51%
2020 -8.59% -12.1%
2021 -3.3% -5.1%
2022 -0.48% -1.67%
2023 -1.99% -2.65%
2024 -2.36% -1.31%
2025 -1.65% -2.15%

Inflation comparison by year

Over the past 29 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.89%, compared with 2% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 1.4% in Belize and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Inflation
Belize

Saint Lucia
Year Inflation
Belize Saint Lucia Belize Saint Lucia
1996 6.4% 0.92%
1997 1% -0.006%
1998 -0.8% 3.2%
1999 -1.2% 3.5%
2000 0.6% 3.71%
2001 1.1% 5.31%
2002 2.2% -0.26%
2003 2.6% 1.03%
2004 3.1% 1.46%
2005 3.7% 3.9%
2006 4.2% 2.4%
2007 2.3% 2.82%
2008 6.4% 5.55%
2009 -1.1% -0.16%
2010 0.9% 3.25%
2011 1.7% 2.77%
2012 1.2% 4.18%
2013 0.5% 1.47%
2014 1.2% 3.52%
2015 -0.9% -0.98%
2016 0.7% -3.08%
2017 1.1% 0.1%
2018 0.3% 1.94%
2019 0.2% 0.54%
2020 0.1% -1.76%
2021 3.2% 2.41%
2022 6.3% 6.38%
2023 4.4% 4.07%
2024 3.3% -0.11%
2025 1.4% -

Top exports between countries

Belize
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.54M
Textiles & consumer goods $321K
Wood & paper products $38K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.34M
Machinery & equipment $14K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Belize Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
80/189
2024
82/189
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.47%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$362M
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.2%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2023
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Belize Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 64.2 67
Economic freedom ranking 73/197 53/197
Property rights 35.1 69.5
Government integrity 44.4 59
Judicial effectiveness 72.6 74.6
Tax burden 83.2 78.6
Government spending 82.2 82.5
Fiscal health 86.5 74.3
Business freedom 68.3 73.8
Labor freedom 65.1 64.9
Monetary freedom 71.2 76.6
Trade freedom 56.6 60
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom by year comparison

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.2, ranking 73/197, compared to 67 for Saint Lucia, ranking 53/197. The chart below displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Belize
Saint Lucia
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Saint Lucia
1995 62.9 -
1996 61.6 -
1997 64.3 -
1998 59.1 -
1999 60.7 -
2000 63.3 -
2001 65.9 -
2002 65.6 -
2003 63.5 -
2004 62.8 -
2005 64.5 -
2006 64.7 -
2007 63.3 -
2008 63 -
2009 63 68.8
2010 61.5 70.5
2011 63.8 70.8
2012 61.9 71.3
2013 57.3 70.4
2014 56.7 70.7
2015 56.8 70.2
2016 57.4 70
2017 58.6 65
2018 57.1 67.6
2019 55.4 68.7
2020 57.4 68.2
2021 57.5 67.5
2022 56.6 64.3
2023 59.8 60.7
2024 61.2 62.2
2025 64.2 67

More economic indicators

Belize Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2023
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2023
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.1%
2023
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.19B
2024
$2.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,530
2024
$25,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$179M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
-$8.14M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.86%
2023
3.07%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.3%
2023
n/a

GDP per capita map

GDP per capita

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Economy comparisons

Economy vs Belize vs Saint Lucia
Afghanistan Compare Compare
Albania Compare Compare
Algeria Compare Compare
Andorra Compare Compare
Angola Compare Compare
Antigua Compare Compare
Argentina Compare Compare
Armenia Compare Compare
Australia Compare Compare
Austria Compare Compare
Azerbaijan Compare Compare
Bahamas Compare Compare
Bahrain Compare Compare
Bangladesh Compare Compare
Barbados Compare Compare
Belarus Compare Compare
Belgium Compare Compare
Benin Compare Compare
Bhutan Compare Compare
Bolivia Compare Compare
Bosnia Compare Compare
Botswana Compare Compare
Brazil Compare Compare
Brunei Compare Compare
Bulgaria Compare Compare
Burkina Faso Compare Compare
Burundi Compare Compare
Cambodia Compare Compare
Cameroon Compare Compare
Canada Compare Compare
Cape Verde Compare Compare
Cayman Islands Compare Compare
CAR Compare Compare
Chad Compare Compare
Chile Compare Compare
China Compare Compare
Colombia Compare Compare
Comoros Compare Compare
Congo Compare Compare
Costa Rica Compare Compare
Croatia Compare Compare
Cuba Compare Compare
Curacao Compare Compare
Cyprus Compare Compare
Czech Republic Compare Compare
DR Congo Compare Compare
Denmark Compare Compare
Djibouti Compare Compare
Dominica Compare Compare
Dominican Republic Compare Compare
East Timor Compare Compare
Ecuador Compare Compare
Egypt Compare Compare
El Salvador Compare Compare
Equatorial Guinea Compare Compare
Eritrea Compare Compare
Estonia Compare Compare
Eswatini Compare Compare
Ethiopia Compare Compare
Fiji Compare Compare
Finland Compare Compare
France Compare Compare
Gabon Compare Compare
Gambia Compare Compare
Georgia Compare Compare
Germany Compare Compare
Ghana Compare Compare
Greece Compare Compare
Grenada Compare Compare
Guatemala Compare Compare
Guinea Compare Compare
Guinea-Bissau Compare Compare
Guyana Compare Compare
Haiti Compare Compare
Honduras Compare Compare
Hungary Compare Compare
Iceland Compare Compare
India Compare Compare
Indonesia Compare Compare
Iran Compare Compare
Iraq Compare Compare
Ireland Compare Compare
Israel Compare Compare
Italy Compare Compare
Ivory Coast Compare Compare
Jamaica Compare Compare
Japan Compare Compare
Jordan Compare Compare
Kazakhstan Compare Compare
Kenya Compare Compare
Kiribati Compare Compare
Kuwait Compare Compare
Kyrgyzstan Compare Compare
Laos Compare Compare
Latvia Compare Compare
Lebanon Compare Compare
Lesotho Compare Compare
Liberia Compare Compare
Libya Compare Compare
Liechtenstein Compare Compare
Lithuania Compare Compare
Luxembourg Compare Compare
Madagascar Compare Compare
Malawi Compare Compare
Malaysia Compare Compare
Maldives Compare Compare
Mali Compare Compare
Malta Compare Compare
Marshall Islands Compare Compare
Mauritania Compare Compare
Mauritius Compare Compare
Mexico Compare Compare
Moldova Compare Compare
Monaco Compare Compare
Mongolia Compare Compare
Montenegro Compare Compare
Morocco Compare Compare
Mozambique Compare Compare
Myanmar Compare Compare
Namibia Compare Compare
Nauru Compare Compare
Nepal Compare Compare
Netherlands Compare Compare
New Zealand Compare Compare
Nicaragua Compare Compare
Niger Compare Compare
Nigeria Compare Compare
North Korea Compare Compare
North Macedonia Compare Compare
Norway Compare Compare
Oman Compare Compare
Pakistan Compare Compare
Palau Compare Compare
Palestine Compare Compare
Panama Compare Compare
Papua New Guinea Compare Compare
Paraguay Compare Compare
Peru Compare Compare
Philippines Compare Compare
Poland Compare Compare
Portugal Compare Compare
Qatar Compare Compare
Romania Compare Compare
Russia Compare Compare
Rwanda Compare Compare
Saint Kitts Compare Compare
Saint Vincent Compare Compare
Samoa Compare Compare
San Marino Compare Compare
Sao Tome Compare Compare
Saudi Arabia Compare Compare
Senegal Compare Compare
Serbia Compare Compare
Seychelles Compare Compare
Sierra Leone Compare Compare
Singapore Compare Compare
Slovakia Compare Compare
Slovenia Compare Compare
Solomon Islands Compare Compare
Somalia Compare Compare
South Africa Compare Compare
South Korea Compare Compare
South Sudan Compare Compare
Spain Compare Compare
Sri Lanka Compare Compare
Sudan Compare Compare
Suriname Compare Compare
Sweden Compare Compare
Switzerland Compare Compare
Syria Compare Compare
Taiwan Compare Compare
Tajikistan Compare Compare
Tanzania Compare Compare
Thailand Compare Compare
Togo Compare Compare
Tonga Compare Compare
Trinidad Compare Compare
Tunisia Compare Compare
Turkey Compare Compare
Turkmenistan Compare Compare
Tuvalu Compare Compare
Uganda Compare Compare
Ukraine Compare Compare
UAE Compare Compare
United Kingdom Compare Compare
United States Compare Compare
Uruguay Compare Compare
Uzbekistan Compare Compare
Vanuatu Compare Compare
Vatican Compare Compare
Venezuela Compare Compare
Vietnam Compare Compare
Yemen Compare Compare
Zambia Compare Compare
Zimbabwe Compare Compare

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.