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Economy of Benin vs France compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $3.37T for France, ranking 124/197 and 7/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $3.9T (116% of GDP) in France.

Benin vs France GDP by year

Benin
France
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin France
2025 $24,566,420,904 $3,366,315,927,447
2024 $21,482,643,706 $3,160,442,622,465
2023 $19,673,291,004 $3,056,250,648,138
2022 $17,425,405,091 $2,794,788,137,067
2021 $17,687,623,530 $2,966,433,692,008
2020 $15,686,741,884 $2,647,926,055,110
2019 $14,391,686,313 $2,722,793,515,172
2018 $14,262,408,090 $2,781,576,320,884
2017 $12,701,655,837 $2,588,868,323,335
2016 $11,821,065,853 $2,470,407,619,777
2015 $11,388,160,997 $2,442,483,452,643
2014 $13,284,527,847 $2,861,236,112,552
2013 $12,517,845,124 $2,816,077,607,875
2012 $11,141,358,116 $2,683,007,095,787
2011 $10,693,321,364 $2,870,408,553,990
2010 $9,535,345,016 $2,646,230,027,988
2009 $9,738,626,517 $2,700,075,882,519
2008 $9,787,734,526 $2,926,802,941,586
2007 $8,169,048,383 $2,655,816,911,867
2006 $7,034,111,315 $2,317,861,544,691
2005 $6,567,654,954 $2,192,146,403,028
2004 $6,190,270,380 $2,109,792,297,237
2003 $5,349,258,094 $1,835,095,983,049
2002 $4,194,342,686 $1,492,427,756,382
2001 $3,666,222,635 $1,370,376,677,299
2000 $3,519,991,440 $1,360,959,069,477
1999 $3,677,393,999 $1,486,915,879,702
1998 $2,455,092,686 $1,496,906,382,032
1997 $2,268,301,646 $1,449,392,222,971
1996 $2,361,116,449 $1,598,889,216,566
1995 $2,169,627,138 $1,595,219,345,512
1994 $1,598,075,944 $1,385,822,778,828
1993 $2,274,558,083 $1,314,383,368,080
1992 $1,695,315,306 $1,389,663,073,110
1991 $1,986,437,797 $1,258,961,748,634
1990 $1,959,965,330 $1,257,649,439,827
1989 $1,502,294,416 $1,016,742,237,302
1988 $1,620,246,084 $1,010,827,662,152
1987 $1,562,412,228 $926,320,855,615
1986 $1,336,102,025 $764,946,585,851
1985 $1,045,712,789 $547,220,981,165
1984 $1,051,134,009 $525,033,325,828
1983 $1,095,348,199 $553,356,312,936
1982 $1,267,778,670 $578,152,310,610
1981 $1,291,120,188 $609,184,791,792
1980 $1,405,251,847 $694,529,183,483
1979 $1,186,231,020 $608,218,624,730
1978 $928,843,469 $501,724,418,605
1977 $750,049,779 $406,401,711,688
1976 $698,408,262 $368,363,152,144
1975 $676,870,140 $357,324,307,786
1974 $554,654,861 $282,739,225,314
1973 $504,376,074 $261,970,536,240
1972 $410,331,857 $201,738,881,664
1971 $335,073,028 $164,694,210,962
1970 $333,627,713 $147,312,861,698
1969 $330,748,245 $140,660,914,841
1968 $326,323,105 $128,710,572,572
1967 $306,221,953 $118,088,635,381
1966 $302,925,235 $109,306,730,313
1965 $289,908,680 $100,927,668,584
1964 $269,819,006 $93,424,179,943
1963 $253,927,697 $84,227,606,650
1962 $236,434,954 $75,196,980,365
1961 $235,668,221 $67,158,050,215
1960 $226,195,578 $61,959,085,885

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/france | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs France by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin France
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $48,986 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $46,103 $62,557
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $44,700 $60,839
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $40,989 $57,043
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $43,725 $52,517
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $39,170 $49,482
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $40,408 $51,130
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $41,418 $46,381
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $38,687 $44,469
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $37,024 $42,880
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $36,702 $40,905
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $43,148 $40,218
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $42,669 $39,583
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $40,864 $37,671
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $43,930 $37,510
2010 $973 $2,220 $40,695 $35,908
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $41,728 $34,685
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $45,465 $35,053
2007 $912 $2,136 $41,486 $34,066
2006 $809 $2,021 $36,432 $32,424
2005 $779 $1,946 $34,696 $30,431
2004 $759 $1,915 $33,645 $28,921
2003 $676 $1,842 $29,480 $28,024
2002 $546 $1,800 $24,145 $28,350
2001 $492 $1,746 $22,332 $27,347
2000 $487 $1,671 $22,341 $26,007
1999 $525 $1,592 $24,576 $24,204
1998 $362 $1,537 $24,869 $23,263
1997 $345 $1,508 $24,169 $22,190
1996 $369 $1,444 $26,758 $21,268
1995 $348 $1,395 $26,792 $20,701
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $23,360 $19,892
1993 $387 $1,311 $22,239 $19,094
1992 $302 $1,265 $23,615 $18,801
1991 $365 $1,239 $21,501 $18,198
1990 $371 $1,186 $21,586 $17,475
1989 $293.3 - $17,547 -
1988 $326 - $17,550 -
1987 $324 - $16,176 -
1986 $285.8 - $13,430 -
1985 $230.4 - $9,657 -
1984 $238.6 - $9,312 -
1983 $256 - $9,862 -
1982 $305 - $10,360 -
1981 $320 - $10,956 -
1980 $358 - $12,565 -
1979 $311 - $11,063 -
1978 $249.8 - $9,167 -
1977 $207 - $7,459 -
1976 $197.7 - $6,792 -
1975 $196.5 - $6,617 -
1974 $164.9 - $5,261 -
1973 $153.6 - $4,907 -
1972 $127.9 - $3,809 -
1971 $106.9 - $3,137 -
1970 $108.8 - $2,833 -
1969 $110.3 - $2,729 -
1968 $111.2 - $2,518 -
1967 $106.6 - $2,328 -
1966 $107.6 - $2,173 -
1965 $105.1 - $2,024 -
1964 $99.8 - $1,891 -
1963 $95.7 - $1,723 -
1962 $90.8 - $1,554 -
1961 $92.1 - $1,402 -
1960 $89.9 - $1,307 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/france | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $48,986 in France, ranking 27/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while France ranks 30th at $62,557.

Economic indicators

Benin France
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$3.37T
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
7/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
0.84%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$48,986
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
27/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$62,557
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
30/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$3.9T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
116%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$56,819
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
8/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$35,062
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.37T
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
2,388,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
51
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
57.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
0.94%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
7.7%
2025
Population
15358725
68871753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
France
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin France
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 57.5% 116%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 57.3% 113.2%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 56.8% 109.6%
2022 20% 59.7% 58.4% 111.4%
2021 20% 55.6% 59.5% 112.8%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 61.7% 114.9%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 55.3% 98.2%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 56.4% 98.5%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 57.7% 98.8%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 57.4% 98.1%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 57.6% 97%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 58.4% 96.2%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 58.6% 94.6%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 57.9% 91.7%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 57% 88.7%
2010 14.1% 21% 57.7% 86.3%
2009 17% 18.7% 58% 84.1%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 54.3% 69.8%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 53.6% 65.5%
2006 13% 8.37% 53.7% 65.4%
2005 14.1% 27% 54.3% 68.2%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 54% 66.9%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 54.4% 65.4%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 53.9% 61.3%
2001 15.4% 38% 52.8% 59.3%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 52.6% 59.7%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 53.7% 61.4%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 54% 62.1%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 55.6% 62%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 56% 60.6%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 56% 57.8%
1994 18.5% 64.6% 55.9% 51.6%
1993 16.4% 41.9% 56.5% 48.2%
1992 18.4% 41.8% 54% 41.7%
1991 17.2% 44% 52.7% 37.8%
1990 18.1% 45.3% 51.6% 36.8%
1989 17.1% 50.3% 48.9% 34%
1988 - - 50.1% 33.3%
1987 - - 50.7% 33.4%
1986 - - 51.3% 31.1%
1985 - - 51.9% 30.6%
1984 - - 51.2% 29%
1983 - - 50.2% 26.6%
1982 - - 49.9% 25.3%
1981 - - 48.5% 22%
1980 - - 46% 20.7%
1979 - - 44.9% 21.1%
1978 - - 44.7% 21.2%
1977 - - 21.4% 15%
1976 - - 21.7% 15.1%
1975 - - 22% 16.1%
1974 - - 19.9% 15.4%
1973 - - 19.7% 15.8%
1972 - - 19.8% 17.7%
1971 - - 20% 20.1%
1970 - - 20.5% 21%
1969 - - 21.5% 14.4%
1968 - - 22.7% 15.8%
1967 - - 21.4% 16.1%
1966 - - 21.4% 15.3%
1965 - - 21.1% 17.6%
1964 - - 21% 19.6%
1963 - - 22.6% 22.2%
1962 - - 21.7% 23.6%
1961 - - 21.9% 26.3%
1960 - - 22.2% 28.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/france | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while France spent $1.93T, or 57.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 116% in France, ranking 83/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

France
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin France
2025 -2.9% -5.11%
2024 -3.06% -5.79%
2023 -4.13% -5.44%
2022 -5.55% -4.74%
2021 -2.53% -6.58%
2020 -4.68% -8.93%
2019 -0.53% -2.39%
2018 -2.96% -2.32%
2017 -4.18% -3.36%
2016 -4.29% -3.76%
2015 -5.55% -3.89%
2014 -1.65% -4.57%
2013 -1.37% -4.94%
2012 -0.22% -5.17%
2011 -0.98% -5.3%
2010 -0.28% -7.16%
2009 -2.24% -7.38%
2008 -0.04% -3.5%
2007 0.22% -2.99%
2006 -0.15% -2.66%
2005 -1.52% -3.5%
2004 -0.7% -3.55%
2003 -1.07% -4.09%
2002 -3.33% -3.18%
2001 -3.27% -1.42%
2000 -3.69% -1.32%
1999 1.94% -1.55%
1998 2.5% -2.39%
1997 0.64% -3.71%
1996 -0.15% -3.89%
1995 -2.61% -5.11%
1994 -2.14% -5.46%
1993 -0.56% -6.4%
1992 -2.71% -4.64%
1991 -3.08% -2.89%
1990 -3.24% -2.45%
1989 0.89% -1.9%
1988 - -2.7%
1987 - -2.13%
1986 - -3.3%
1985 - -3.08%
1984 - -2.8%
1983 - -2.58%
1982 - -2.91%
1981 - -2.39%
1980 - -0.27%
1979 - -0.36%
1978 - -1.73%
1977 - 0.9%
1976 - 1.01%
1975 - -0.28%
1974 - 3.05%
1973 - 1.97%
1972 - 1.94%
1971 - -0.13%
1970 - 0.02%
1969 - -0.49%
1968 - -2.54%
1967 - -0.8%
1966 - -0.57%
1965 - -0.07%
1964 - -0.25%
1963 - -2.24%
1962 - -1.53%
1961 - -1.36%
1960 - -1.95%
1959 - 0.56%
1958 - 0.08%
1957 - -1.99%
1956 - -2.62%
1955 - -1.04%
1954 - -0.78%
1953 - -4.79%
1952 - -6.82%
1951 - -4.42%
1950 - -5.56%
1949 - -7.31%
1948 - -9.11%
1947 - -7.6%
1946 - -8.1%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -6.89%
1936 - -4.76%
1935 - -4.22%
1934 - -4.31%
1933 - -4.96%
1932 - -1.86%
1931 - -2.06%
1930 - -1.65%
1929 - 1.48%
1928 - 1.13%
1927 - -0.04%
1926 - -0.02%
1925 - -0.87%
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.05%
1912 - 0.23%
1911 - 0.31%
1910 - -0.12%
1909 - -0.11%
1908 - -0.15%
1907 - 0.23%
1906 - -0.04%
1905 - 0.18%
1904 - 0.3%
1903 - 0.21%
1902 - -0.37%
1901 - -0.39%
1900 - 0.21%
1899 - 0.21%
1898 - 0.29%
1897 - 0.01%
1896 - -0.03%
1895 - -0.07%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - -0.3%
1892 - -0.03%
1891 - 0.36%
1890 - 0.31%
1889 - 0.09%
1888 - 0.18%
1887 - -0.07%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - -0.59%
1884 - -0.35%
1883 - -0.23%
1882 - -0.15%
1881 - 0.64%
1880 - 0.65%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/france | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $712M, equivalent to 2.9% of GDP. This compares to France's deficit of $172B, or 5.11% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while France ran a deficit in 37 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for France.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

France
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin France
2025 1.1% 0.94%
2024 1.2% 2%
2023 2.7% 4.88%
2022 1.4% 5.22%
2021 1.7% 1.64%
2020 3% 0.48%
2019 -0.9% 1.11%
2018 0.8% 1.85%
2017 1.8% 1.03%
2016 -0.8% 0.18%
2015 0.2% 0.04%
2014 -0.6% 0.51%
2013 0.4% 0.86%
2012 6.7% 1.95%
2011 2.7% 2.11%
2010 2.1% 1.53%
2009 0.9% 0.09%
2008 7.4% 2.81%
2007 1.3% 1.49%
2006 3.8% 1.68%
2005 5.4% 1.75%
2004 0.9% 2.14%
2003 1.5% 2.1%
2002 2.4% 1.92%
2001 4% 1.63%
2000 4.2% 1.68%
1999 0.3% 0.54%
1998 5.8% 0.65%
1997 3.8% 1.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/france | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 1.59% in France. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 0.94% in France.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $24.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.21M
Raw agricultural goods $2.81M
Machinery & equipment $1.92M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.06M
Precious metals & jewellery $198K
Animal & marine products $130K
Metals $95K
Chemicals & pharma $94K
Wood & paper products $79K
France
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $113M
Chemicals & pharma $68.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $37.5M
Metals $23.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $21.6M
Animal & marine products $16.5M
Raw agricultural goods $8.9M
Wood & paper products $7.74M
Raw materials & minerals $6.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $5.04M

Balance of trade

Benin France
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$9.24B
2025
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
173/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-0.27%
2025
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$770B
2025
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$704B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$370B
2025
Service exports
$461M
2023
$429B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
33.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
33.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin France
Economic freedom 60 64.6
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 72/197
Property rights 46.4 91.2
Government integrity 44.1 73.4
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 84.7
Tax burden 69.4 54.6
Government spending 89.1 0.9
Fiscal health 65.4 34.8
Business freedom 53.3 78.4
Labor freedom 60.2 59.1
Monetary freedom 82.1 73.2
Trade freedom 62.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 75
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
France
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin France
2026 60 64.6
2025 58.5 64.4
2024 57.7 62.5
2023 59.8 63.6
2022 61 65.9
2021 59.6 65.7
2020 55.2 66
2019 55.3 63.8
2018 56.7 63.9
2017 59.2 63.3
2016 59.3 62.3
2015 58.8 62.5
2014 57.1 63.5
2013 57.6 64.1
2012 55.7 63.2
2011 56 64.6
2010 55.4 64.2
2009 55.4 63.3
2008 55.2 64.7
2007 55.1 62.1
2006 54 61.1
2005 52.3 60.5
2004 54.6 60.9
2003 54.9 59.2
2002 57.3 58
2001 60.1 58
2000 61.5 57.4
1999 60.6 59.1
1998 61.7 58.9
1997 61.3 59.1
1996 54.5 63.7
1995 - 64.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/france | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 64.6 for France, ranking 72/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin France
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
70.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
16.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
1.4%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$3.34T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$65,110
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$428B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
12/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$7.24B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$52.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$41.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
15.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
21.9%
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/benin/france | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (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.