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Economy of Benin vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $347B for Portugal, ranking 124/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $312B (89.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Benin vs Portugal GDP by year

Benin
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Portugal
2025 $24,566,420,904 $346,639,825,142
2024 $21,482,643,706 $313,656,884,871
2023 $19,673,291,004 $292,323,800,949
2022 $17,425,405,091 $256,898,677,175
2021 $17,687,623,530 $256,055,879,091
2020 $15,686,741,884 $229,618,773,423
2019 $14,391,686,313 $240,115,970,063
2018 $14,262,408,090 $242,092,894,543
2017 $12,701,655,837 $220,862,990,767
2016 $11,821,065,853 $206,305,431,242
2015 $11,388,160,997 $199,038,523,120
2014 $13,284,527,847 $230,078,616,300
2013 $12,517,845,124 $226,677,408,292
2012 $11,141,358,116 $216,536,676,772
2011 $10,693,321,364 $245,426,767,676
2010 $9,535,345,016 $238,443,864,993
2009 $9,738,626,517 $244,667,762,836
2008 $9,787,734,526 $263,416,394,624
2007 $8,169,048,383 $240,496,147,317
2006 $7,034,111,315 $208,756,449,276
2005 $6,567,654,954 $197,253,876,705
2004 $6,190,270,380 $189,382,122,532
2003 $5,349,258,094 $165,226,175,537
2002 $4,194,342,686 $134,795,565,549
2001 $3,666,222,635 $121,604,107,165
2000 $3,519,991,440 $118,605,192,877
1999 $3,677,393,999 $127,470,385,557
1998 $2,455,092,686 $123,946,327,916
1997 $2,268,301,646 $117,016,535,163
1996 $2,361,116,449 $122,630,089,680
1995 $2,169,627,138 $118,122,007,430
1994 $1,598,075,944 $99,688,641,304
1993 $2,274,558,083 $95,009,751,901
1992 $1,695,315,306 $107,592,098,307
1991 $1,986,437,797 $89,233,599,278
1990 $1,959,965,330 $78,713,860,217
1989 $1,502,294,416 $60,594,092,182
1988 $1,620,246,084 $56,347,250,696
1987 $1,562,412,228 $48,182,925,857
1986 $1,336,102,025 $38,745,901,354
1985 $1,045,712,789 $27,115,807,742
1984 $1,051,134,009 $25,217,969,050
1983 $1,095,348,199 $27,239,650,742
1982 $1,267,778,670 $30,527,754,793
1981 $1,291,120,188 $31,977,276,873
1980 $1,405,251,847 $32,896,519,824
1979 $1,186,231,020 $26,622,819,672
1978 $928,843,469 $23,487,614,051
1977 $750,049,779 $21,439,523,311
1976 $698,408,262 $20,332,831,565
1975 $676,870,140 $19,347,607,843
1974 $554,654,861 $17,512,391,476
1973 $504,376,074 $15,090,564,186
1972 $410,331,857 $11,239,117,865
1971 $335,073,028 $9,201,604,240
1970 $333,627,713 $8,108,235,704
1969 $330,748,245 $7,287,555,035
1968 $326,323,105 $6,644,693,214
1967 $306,221,953 $6,002,607,030
1966 $302,925,235 $5,370,108,031
1965 $289,908,680 $4,901,711,248
1964 $269,819,006 $4,429,202,657
1963 $253,927,697 $4,084,251,593
1962 $236,434,954 $3,835,883,663
1961 $235,668,221 $3,573,719,085
1960 $226,195,578 $3,339,150,158

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Portugal by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $32,082 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $29,328 $51,680
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $973 $2,220 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $912 $2,136 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $809 $2,021 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $779 $1,946 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $759 $1,915 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $676 $1,842 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $546 $1,800 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $492 $1,746 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $487 $1,671 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $525 $1,592 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $362 $1,537 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $345 $1,508 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $369 $1,444 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $348 $1,395 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $387 $1,311 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $302 $1,265 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $365 $1,239 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $371 $1,186 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $293.3 - $6,056 -
1988 $326 - $5,624 -
1987 $324 - $4,804 -
1986 $285.8 - $3,862 -
1985 $230.4 - $2,705 -
1984 $238.6 - $2,523 -
1983 $256 - $2,735 -
1982 $305 - $3,080 -
1981 $320 - $3,246 -
1980 $358 - $3,368 -
1979 $311 - $2,756 -
1978 $249.8 - $2,457 -
1977 $207 - $2,267 -
1976 $197.7 - $2,173 -
1975 $196.5 - $2,128 -
1974 $164.9 - $2,000 -
1973 $153.6 - $1,748 -
1972 $127.9 - $1,302 -
1971 $106.9 - $1,065 -
1970 $108.8 - $934 -
1969 $110.3 - $832 -
1968 $111.2 - $752 -
1967 $106.6 - $676 -
1966 $107.6 - $601 -
1965 $105.1 - $545 -
1964 $99.8 - $490 -
1963 $95.7 - $452 -
1962 $90.8 - $426 -
1961 $92.1 - $400 -
1960 $89.9 - $377 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $32,082 in Portugal, ranking 43/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Benin Portugal
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$347B
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
46/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
1.86%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$32,082
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
43/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$312B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
89.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$28,843
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
26/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$16,647
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
181,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
43.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
2.34%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
6%
2025
Population
15358725
10788071

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 43.7% 89.9%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 42.5% 93.5%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 41.9% 96.9%
2022 20% 59.7% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 20% 55.6% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 45.5% 126%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 48.2% 131%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 50% 130.8%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 50% 114%
2010 14.1% 21% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 17% 18.7% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 44.6% 72.7%
2006 13% 8.37% 45.2% 73.7%
2005 14.1% 27% 46.7% 72.2%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 46% 67.1%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 45.3% 63.9%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 44.2% 60%
2001 15.4% 38% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 42.5% 55.4%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 42.6% 55.6%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 42.4% 58.7%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 43% 63.3%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 42.6% 62.2%
1994 18.5% 64.6% 42.8% 60.4%
1993 16.4% 41.9% 46.5% 57.2%
1992 18.4% 41.8% 48.2% 58.1%
1991 17.2% 44% 45.9% 63.9%
1990 18.1% 45.3% 42.2% 60.2%
1989 17.1% 50.3% 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

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

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

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $152B, or 43.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 89.9% in Portugal, ranking 83/185 and 30/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Portugal
2025 -2.9% 0.31%
2024 -3.06% 0.5%
2023 -4.13% 1.26%
2022 -5.55% -0.31%
2021 -2.53% -2.83%
2020 -4.68% -5.75%
2019 -0.53% 0.12%
2018 -2.96% -0.43%
2017 -4.18% -3%
2016 -4.29% -1.94%
2015 -5.55% -4.37%
2014 -1.65% -7.32%
2013 -1.37% -5.21%
2012 -0.22% -6.2%
2011 -0.98% -7.73%
2010 -0.28% -11.4%
2009 -2.24% -9.87%
2008 -0.04% -3.81%
2007 0.22% -2.91%
2006 -0.15% -4.06%
2005 -1.52% -6.05%
2004 -0.7% -5.91%
2003 -1.07% -5.57%
2002 -3.33% -3.7%
2001 -3.27% -4.68%
2000 -3.69% -3.32%
1999 1.94% -2.93%
1998 2.5% -4.3%
1997 0.64% -3.65%
1996 -0.15% -4.63%
1995 -2.61% -5.14%
1994 -2.14% -7.37%
1993 -0.56% -8.06%
1992 -2.71% -5.19%
1991 -3.08% -7.93%
1990 -3.24% -6.82%
1989 0.89% -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

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/portugal | 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 Portugal's surplus of $1.07B, or 0.31% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.41% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Portugal
2025 1.1% 2.34%
2024 1.2% 2.42%
2023 2.7% 4.31%
2022 1.4% 7.83%
2021 1.7% 1.27%
2020 3% -0.01%
2019 -0.9% 0.34%
2018 0.8% 0.99%
2017 1.8% 1.37%
2016 -0.8% 0.61%
2015 0.2% 0.49%
2014 -0.6% -0.28%
2013 0.4% 0.27%
2012 6.7% 2.77%
2011 2.7% 3.65%
2010 2.1% 1.4%
2009 0.9% -0.84%
2008 7.4% 2.59%
2007 1.3% 2.45%
2006 3.8% 3.11%
2005 5.4% 2.28%
2004 0.9% 2.37%
2003 1.5% 3.22%
2002 2.4% 3.6%
2001 4% 4.37%
2000 4.2% 2.85%
1999 0.3% 2.34%
1998 5.8% 2.57%
1997 3.8% 2.34%

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/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 2.34% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $8.13M
Raw agricultural goods $471K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $84K
Wood & paper products $30K
Chemicals & pharma $14K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.64M
Animal & marine products $2.84M
Metals $2.12M
Wood & paper products $1.34M
Chemicals & pharma $732K
Textiles & consumer goods $586K
Raw agricultural goods $276K
Raw materials & minerals $225K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $220K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K

Balance of trade

Benin Portugal
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
30/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
42.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
43.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Portugal
Economic freedom 60 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 33/197
Property rights 46.4 88.9
Government integrity 44.1 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 90.1
Tax burden 69.4 60.6
Government spending 89.1 44.6
Fiscal health 65.4 82
Business freedom 53.3 83.1
Labor freedom 60.2 54.8
Monetary freedom 82.1 77.7
Trade freedom 62.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Portugal
2026 60 71.2
2025 58.5 70.5
2024 57.7 68.7
2023 59.8 69.5
2022 61 70.8
2021 59.6 67.5
2020 55.2 67
2019 55.3 65.3
2018 56.7 63.4
2017 59.2 62.6
2016 59.3 65.1
2015 58.8 65.3
2014 57.1 63.5
2013 57.6 63.1
2012 55.7 63
2011 56 64
2010 55.4 64.4
2009 55.4 64.9
2008 55.2 63.9
2007 55.1 64
2006 54 62.9
2005 52.3 62.4
2004 54.6 64.9
2003 54.9 64.9
2002 57.3 65.4
2001 60.1 66
2000 61.5 65.5
1999 60.6 65.6
1998 61.7 65
1997 61.3 63.6
1996 54.5 64.5
1995 - 62.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Portugal
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
66.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
18.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
1.96%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$323B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$52,240
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$68.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
39/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
21%
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/portugal | 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 (2021–2025, 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.