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Economy of Bhutan vs Italy compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $2.38T for Italy, ranking 170/197 and 8/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $3.22T (135.3% of GDP) in Italy.

Bhutan vs Italy GDP by year

Bhutan
Italy
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Italy
2024 - $2,380,825,077,244
2023 $3,012,896,789 $2,316,727,999,333
2022 $2,898,227,744 $2,104,067,630,319
2021 $2,768,802,960 $2,179,207,773,596
2020 $2,457,604,334 $1,907,481,094,079
2019 $2,735,683,570 $2,019,606,796,584
2018 $2,583,335,722 $2,099,435,266,459
2017 $2,591,358,009 $1,970,720,904,585
2016 $2,357,504,761 $1,887,111,188,177
2015 $2,187,815,803 $1,845,428,048,839
2014 $2,089,079,571 $2,173,255,507,986
2013 $1,943,696,952 $2,153,225,581,941
2012 $1,973,387,228 $2,097,929,495,122
2011 $1,977,728,659 $2,306,974,020,278
2010 $1,708,880,730 $2,144,936,254,535
2009 $1,331,343,798 $2,209,484,319,013
2008 $1,317,517,835 $2,417,508,414,187
2007 $1,255,767,964 $2,222,524,108,128
2006 $942,879,879 $1,958,563,654,386
2005 $860,391,000 $1,864,982,261,287
2004 $735,348,490 $1,812,808,753,295
2003 $651,935,430 $1,582,930,016,539
2002 $559,345,264 $1,281,746,271,196
2001 $496,110,226 $1,172,041,488,806
2000 $460,733,418 $1,149,661,363,439
1999 $399,311,200 $1,255,004,736,464
1998 $363,458,381 $1,272,729,786,997
1997 $352,229,077 $1,244,988,176,444
1996 $303,408,346 $1,314,776,508,972
1995 $290,490,984 $1,177,369,428,266
1994 $258,954,708 $1,101,750,159,702
1993 $225,973,693 $1,067,412,587,671
1992 $240,233,531 $1,323,204,350,354
1991 $240,294,286 $1,249,092,439,519
1990 $287,765,007 $1,183,945,130,899
1989 $264,798,626 $930,801,709,004
1988 $272,298,067 $893,663,934,841
1987 $242,742,766 $807,570,134,449
1986 $191,218,115 $641,862,313,287
1985 $163,288,815 $453,259,761,687
1984 $160,423,494 $438,896,930,791
1983 $156,704,290 $444,063,496,940
1982 $141,439,317 $428,257,421,618
1981 $139,174,178 $431,695,533,981
1980 $128,669,201 $478,356,755,596
1979 $105,377,995 $394,584,507,108
1978 $94,086,228 $315,784,469,541
1977 $97,884,434 $258,190,019,750
1976 $88,461,263 $225,235,205,862
1975 $86,820,762 $228,220,643,535
1974 $92,901,784 $200,024,444,775
1973 $78,900,289 $175,896,529,392
1972 $70,139,867 $145,594,833,997
1971 $66,289,450 $124,959,712,859
1970 $61,812,113 $113,656,669,765
1969 - $100,996,667,239
1968 - $91,485,448,148
1967 - $84,401,995,573
1966 - $76,622,444,787
1965 - $70,717,012,186
1964 - $65,720,771,779
1963 - $60,035,924,618
1962 - $52,413,872,628
1961 - $46,649,487,320
1960 - $42,012,422,612

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/italy | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Italy by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Italy
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $40,385 $62,014
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $39,277 $60,030
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $35,654 $57,261
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $36,853 $49,825
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $32,091 $44,436
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $33,813 $46,662
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $34,904 $43,387
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $32,844 $42,142
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $31,392 $40,483
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $30,640 $37,384
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $36,028 $36,666
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $35,702 $36,459
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $34,854 $36,281
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $38,432 $36,392
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $35,857 $34,974
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $37,100 $34,502
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $40,829 $35,422
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $37,826 $34,108
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $33,537 $32,454
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $32,063 $30,138
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $31,348 $29,581
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $27,578 $29,249
2002 $896 $3,663 $22,451 $28,833
2001 $812 $3,338 $20,570 $28,134
2000 $772 $3,113 $20,190 $27,152
1999 $685 $3,017 $22,050 $25,655
1998 $638 $2,819 $22,365 $25,075
1997 $630 $2,683 $21,884 $23,937
1996 $553 $2,548 $23,123 $23,101
1995 $530 $2,374 $20,712 $22,446
1994 $467 $2,146 $19,382 $21,369
1993 $407 $2,001 $18,782 $20,485
1992 $416 $1,840 $23,297 $20,196
1991 $401 $1,657 $22,007 $19,596
1990 $488 $1,638 $20,874 $18,680
1989 $462 - $16,424 -
1988 $489 - $15,781 -
1987 $449 - $14,268 -
1986 $365 - $11,341 -
1985 $321 - $8,009 -
1984 $326 - $7,758 -
1983 $328 - $7,851 -
1982 $306 - $7,574 -
1981 $311 - $7,640 -
1980 $296.9 - $8,476 -
1979 $251.4 - $7,006 -
1978 $232.2 - $5,623 -
1977 $249.9 - $4,614 -
1976 $233.7 - $4,042 -
1975 $237.4 - $4,116 -
1974 $262.8 - $3,629 -
1973 $230.9 - $3,213 -
1972 $212.4 - $2,677 -
1971 $207.7 - $2,311 -
1970 $200.3 - $2,112 -
1969 - - $1,886 -
1968 - - $1,718 -
1967 - - $1,595 -
1966 - - $1,459 -
1965 - - $1,357 -
1964 - - $1,272 -
1963 - - $1,171 -
1962 - - $1,030 -
1961 - - $923 -
1960 - - $837 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/italy | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $40,385 in Italy, ranking 29/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Italy ranks 31st at $62,014.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Italy
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$2.38T
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
8/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
0.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$40,385
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
29/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$62,014
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
31/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$3.22T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
135.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$54,652
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
6/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$23,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$587B
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
1,344,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
74
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
25.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
50.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
0.98%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
6.5%
2024
Population
803385
58562681

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Italy
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Italy
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 50.6% 135.3%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 54% 134.6%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 54.9% 138.3%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 56% 145.8%
2020 30.9% 116% 56.8% 154.4%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 48.4% 133.9%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 48.3% 134.2%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 48.8% 133.7%
2016 30.5% 103% 49% 134.2%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 50.2% 134.8%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 50.7% 134.8%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 50.9% 131.9%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 50.5% 125.9%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 49% 119.1%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 49.8% 118.8%
2009 39.3% 61% 51.1% 116.1%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 47.8% 105.8%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 46.6% 103.5%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 47.6% 106.3%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 47.1% 106.2%
2004 31% 76% 46.7% 104.7%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 47% 105.1%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 46.5% 105.9%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 47.1% 108.5%
2000 43% 44% 46.4% 108.7%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 47.1% 113.1%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 48% 113.9%
1997 37.8% 33% 49.3% 116.5%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 51.3% 118.9%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 51.4% 119.1%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 55.1% 130.8%
1993 35.2% 60.2% 57.8% 124.1%
1992 34.5% 35.6% 56.8% 113%
1991 30.8% 33.5% 55.3% 105.3%
1990 35.8% 27.4% 54.2% 101.7%
1989 46.8% 26.4% 51.6% 91.8%
1988 45.3% 24.7% 50.4% 89.2%
1987 47.5% 17.3% 49.8% 87.4%
1986 - - 50.5% 83.4%
1985 - - 49.8% 79.1%
1984 - - 49.1% 73.1%
1983 - - 48.9% 67.8%
1982 - - 46.7% 61.8%
1981 - - 44.6% 57.3%
1980 - - 40.8% 55.1%
1979 - - 40.1% 58.9%
1978 - - 40.9% 59.9%
1977 - - 38.5% 56%
1976 - - 38.1% 57.3%
1975 - - 39.1% 57.9%
1974 - - 34.8% 50.8%
1973 - - 35.3% 51.1%
1972 - - 36.4% 48.2%
1971 - - 34.4% 42.4%
1970 - - 32.3% 37.8%
1969 - - 32.1% 37%
1968 - - 32.6% 36.4%
1967 - - 17.9% 33.3%
1966 - - 19.1% 33.4%
1965 - - 18.6% 28.4%
1964 - - 18.2% 27.2%
1963 - - 16.7% 27.2%
1962 - - 17.5% 29%
1961 - - 17.3% 30%
1960 - - 16.5% 31.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/italy | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Italy spent $1.2T, or 50.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 135.3% in Italy, ranking 17/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Italy
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Italy
2024 -0.17% -3.45%
2023 -4.73% -7.24%
2022 -6.95% -8.11%
2021 -5.76% -8.88%
2020 -1.81% -9.38%
2019 -1.49% -1.45%
2018 -1.52% -2.19%
2017 -4.49% -2.51%
2016 -2.31% -2.4%
2015 -0.49% -2.46%
2014 2.46% -2.82%
2013 -4.55% -2.87%
2012 -2.1% -2.99%
2011 -3.02% -3.52%
2010 1.92% -4.16%
2009 -0.8% -5.06%
2008 -2.57% -2.58%
2007 0.79% -1.33%
2006 -0.07% -3.61%
2005 -6.96% -4.1%
2004 1.8% -3.46%
2003 -10.2% -3.23%
2002 -4.33% -2.88%
2001 -12.2% -3.18%
2000 -3.39% -2.42%
1999 -1.28% -1.77%
1998 1.28% -2.99%
1997 -1.92% -2.98%
1996 2.55% -6.61%
1995 -0.88% -7.2%
1994 -0.13% -8.84%
1993 4.71% -9.76%
1992 -3.47% -10.1%
1991 -0.48% -11.1%
1990 -7.21% -11.1%
1989 -10.1% -11.4%
1988 1.33% -11%
1987 -0.56% -11.5%
1986 - -12%
1985 - -12.4%
1984 - -11.5%
1983 - -10.1%
1982 - -10%
1981 - -10.9%
1980 - -6.97%
1979 - -8.23%
1978 - -8.47%
1977 - -6.96%
1976 - -7.88%
1975 - -10.3%
1974 - -6.24%
1973 - -6.36%
1972 - -6.84%
1971 - -4.71%
1970 - -3.22%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.55%
1967 - -0.97%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.67%
1964 - -2.35%
1963 - -0.3%
1962 - -0.95%
1961 - -0.57%
1960 - -0.28%
1959 - -1%
1958 - -0.98%
1957 - -1.09%
1956 - -1.46%
1955 - -2.03%
1954 - -1.84%
1953 - -2.33%
1952 - -4.08%
1951 - -3.86%
1950 - -2.42%
1949 - -2.82%
1948 - -4.58%
1947 - -6.62%
1946 - -9.82%
1945 - -16.9%
1944 - -35.1%
1943 - -16.1%
1942 - -26.9%
1941 - -25.1%
1940 - -24.3%
1939 - -9.49%
1938 - -5.97%
1937 - -5.78%
1936 - -7.93%
1935 - -9.83%
1934 - -2.5%
1933 - -4.85%
1932 - -3.06%
1931 - -2.14%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -0.59%
1928 - -2.09%
1927 - -1.71%
1926 - -0.09%
1925 - 1.7%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - -3.21%
1922 - -11%
1921 - -7.77%
1920 - -5.89%
1919 - -11.2%
1918 - -22.7%
1917 - -27.6%
1916 - -28.2%
1915 - -25.8%
1914 - -12.4%
1913 - -0.86%
1912 - -1.86%
1911 - -0.63%
1910 - -0.32%
1909 - -0.69%
1908 - -1.31%
1907 - -0.51%
1906 - -0.69%
1905 - -1.57%
1904 - 0.58%
1903 - 0.32%
1902 - 0.48%
1901 - 0.36%
1900 - 0.28%
1899 - -0.11%
1898 - -0.21%
1897 - 0.009%
1896 - -0.43%
1895 - -0.69%
1894 - -0.23%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.25%
1891 - -1.41%
1890 - -0.32%
1889 - -1.32%
1888 - -2.11%
1887 - -1.94%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - 0.2%
1884 - -1.46%
1883 - -0.51%
1882 - -0.5%
1881 - -0.04%
1880 - 0.38%
1879 - 0.73%
1878 - 0.09%
1877 - -0.009%
1876 - -0.05%
1875 - 0.58%
1874 - -0.08%
1873 - 0.21%
1872 - 0%
1871 - -0.13%
1870 - -0.82%
1869 - 0.33%
1868 - -0.79%
1867 - -1.45%
1866 - -3.1%
1865 - -2.72%
1864 - -3.06%
1863 - -4.16%
1862 - -3.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/italy | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Italy's deficit of $168B, or 7.24% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Italy ran a deficit in 37 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.39% of GDP for Italy.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Italy
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Italy
2024 4.3% 0.98%
2023 4.5% 5.62%
2022 5.9% 8.2%
2021 8.2% 1.87%
2020 3% -0.14%
2019 2.8% 0.61%
2018 3.6% 1.14%
2017 4.3% 1.23%
2016 3.3% -0.09%
2015 6.7% 0.04%
2014 9.6% 0.24%
2013 8.1% 1.22%
2012 10.1% 3.04%
2011 8.6% 2.78%
2010 4.8% 1.53%
2009 7.1% 0.77%
2008 6.3% 3.35%
2007 5.2% 1.83%
2006 4.9% 2.09%
2005 4.8% 1.99%
2004 3.3% 2.21%
2003 2.5% 2.67%
2002 2.9% 2.47%
2001 3.7% 2.79%
2000 7.2% 2.54%
1999 9.1% 1.66%
1998 7.6% 1.96%
1997 8.6% 2.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/italy | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 2.02% in Italy. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 0.98% in Italy.

Top exports between countries

Bhutan
Export category Export value
Metals $18.5M
Miscellaneous $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Italy
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $807K
Textiles & consumer goods $758K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $128K
Metals $81K
Chemicals & pharma $65K
Raw materials & minerals $58K
Animal & marine products $22K
Wood & paper products $12K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K

Balance of trade

Bhutan Italy
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$25.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
19/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+1.08%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$562B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$621B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$160B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$155B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
30.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
32.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Italy
Economic freedom 57.5 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 80/197
Property rights 69.2 84.8
Government integrity 72.2 60.8
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 80.9
Tax burden 83.4 57.5
Government spending 74.1 15.3
Fiscal health 25.8 17.2
Business freedom 67.8 74.5
Labor freedom 60.1 70.6
Monetary freedom 71.6 79.1
Trade freedom 63.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 80
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Italy
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Italy
2026 57.5 63.3
2025 57.5 60.9
2024 55.4 60.1
2023 59 62.3
2022 59.3 65.4
2021 58.3 64.9
2020 62.1 63.8
2019 62.9 62.2
2018 61.8 62.5
2017 58.4 62.5
2016 59.5 61.2
2015 57.4 61.7
2014 56.7 60.9
2013 55 60.6
2012 56.6 58.8
2011 57.6 60.3
2010 57 62.7
2009 57.7 61.4
2008 - 62.6
2007 - 62.8
2006 - 62
2005 - 64.9
2004 - 64.2
2003 - 64.3
2002 - 63.6
2001 - 63
2000 - 61.9
1999 - 61.6
1998 - 59.1
1997 - 58.1
1996 - 60.8
1995 - 61.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/italy | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 63.3 for Italy, ranking 80/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Italy
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
65%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
22.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$2.28T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$61,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$291B
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
12/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
$19B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$26.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$45.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
20.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
22.6%
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/bhutan/italy | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1862–1992, 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 (2021–2024, 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.