Skip to content

Economy of Brazil vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brazil has a GDP of $2.19T compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 10/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brazil has $1.91T in government debt (87.3% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Brazil vs Lesotho GDP by year

Brazil
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brazil Lesotho
2024 $2,185,821,648,944 $2,271,759,455
2023 $2,191,131,869,706 $2,117,962,445
2022 $1,951,923,832,084 $2,354,980,960
2021 $1,670,647,464,063 $2,412,130,057
2020 $1,476,107,292,152 $2,053,699,864
2019 $1,873,288,158,839 $2,390,702,296
2018 $1,916,933,708,353 $2,556,247,292
2017 $2,063,514,688,806 $2,306,741,672
2016 $1,795,693,265,999 $2,114,426,452
2015 $1,802,211,999,456 $2,359,686,725
2014 $2,456,043,766,032 $2,441,063,054
2013 $2,472,819,362,044 $2,367,112,932
2012 $2,465,228,293,707 $2,477,702,216
2011 $2,616,156,606,579 $2,579,409,620
2010 $2,208,838,108,484 $2,234,754,242
2009 $1,666,996,294,252 $1,740,894,965
2008 $1,695,855,391,758 $1,766,902,709
2007 $1,397,114,247,189 $1,682,131,785
2006 $1,107,626,711,163 $1,800,092,564
2005 $891,633,826,625 $1,682,343,527
2004 $669,289,321,945 $1,511,236,656
2003 $558,233,724,165 $1,157,825,435
2002 $509,795,270,685 $775,777,239
2001 $559,983,704,094 $825,706,961
2000 $655,448,188,259 $887,291,688
1999 $599,642,075,004 $912,773,681
1998 $863,711,007,325 $928,460,893
1997 $883,206,452,795 $998,004,259
1996 $850,426,433,004 $946,112,493
1995 $769,333,330,412 $1,001,894,000
1994 $525,369,851,354 $878,250,945
1993 $368,295,778,245 $835,582,062
1992 $328,187,960,872 $831,029,862
1991 $342,609,231,343 $704,325,367
1990 $390,725,626,003 $596,410,264
1989 $412,990,820,287 $495,409,233
1988 $307,881,930,752 $470,395,801
1987 $283,056,836,894 $402,768,324
1986 $256,480,852,471 $318,858,423
1985 $210,879,844,639 $268,629,926
1984 $188,339,974,087 $333,163,670
1983 $189,656,506,321 $386,699,309
1982 $271,314,113,768 $348,741,684
1981 $258,015,174,749 $434,188,034
1980 $237,393,489,893 $431,542,537
1979 $221,338,204,480 $290,134,593
1978 $200,278,646,124 $266,570,067
1977 $176,344,101,402 $193,315,048
1976 $153,168,949,208 $147,660,037
1975 $129,203,555,239 $149,558,896
1974 $109,794,519,728 $150,851,317
1973 $83,592,275,863 $121,188,716
1972 $58,434,858,375 $80,913,200
1971 $48,869,830,902 $76,480,285
1970 $42,327,664,794 $68,739,973
1969 $37,171,640,819 $65,967,974
1968 $33,930,457,425 $61,445,975
1967 $31,086,389,195 $59,261,976
1966 $28,283,323,733 $56,699,977
1965 $22,465,522,884 $54,879,978
1964 $20,963,733,695 $51,939,979
1963 $23,287,712,878 $47,039,981
1962 $19,231,747,852 $41,859,983
1961 $17,275,940,449 $35,699,986
1960 $17,030,465,539 $34,579,986

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/lesotho | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brazil vs Lesotho by year

Brazil
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brazil Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,311 $22,338 $972 $3,001
2023 $10,378 $21,176 $916 $2,881
2022 $9,281 $19,877 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $7,973 $18,076 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $7,074 $16,102 $919 $2,559
2019 $9,030 $16,070 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $9,301 $15,464 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $10,081 $14,559 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $8,836 $14,309 $992 $2,942
2015 $8,936 $14,821 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $12,275 $15,827 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $12,459 $15,722 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $12,522 $15,198 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $13,397 $15,212 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $11,403 $14,452 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $8,679 $13,391 $879 $2,036
2008 $8,908 $13,445 $898 $2,064
2007 $7,410 $12,673 $861 $1,932
2006 $5,934 $11,751 $925 $1,813
2005 $4,828 $11,081 $861 $1,681
2004 $3,664 $10,526 $767 $1,561
2003 $3,091 $9,802 $583 $1,484
2002 $2,856 $9,617 $389 $1,385
2001 $3,176 $9,304 $413 $1,350
2000 $3,767 $9,092 $443 $1,273
1999 $3,494 $8,635 $456 $1,199
1998 $5,106 $8,599 $465 $1,179
1997 $5,299 $8,602 $502 $1,154
1996 $5,179 $8,301 $480 $1,103
1995 $4,757 $8,097 $513 $1,037
1994 $3,299 $7,727 $456 $995
1993 $2,349 $7,260 $439 $932
1992 $2,127 $6,869 $444 $893
1991 $2,258 $6,867 $382 $830
1990 $2,620 $6,688 $330 $764
1989 $2,819 - $279 -
1988 $2,141 - $270.4 -
1987 $2,006 - $236.5 -
1986 $1,854 - $191.4 -
1985 $1,556 - $165.4 -
1984 $1,420 - $211 -
1983 $1,461 - $252 -
1982 $2,138 - $233.9 -
1981 $2,080 - $299.8 -
1980 $1,959 - $307 -
1979 $1,870 - $212.4 -
1978 $1,733 - $200.8 -
1977 $1,562 - $149.9 -
1976 $1,390 - $117.8 -
1975 $1,201 - $123.2 -
1974 $1,045 - $128.7 -
1973 $815 - $107 -
1972 $583 - $74 -
1971 $500 - $72.4 -
1970 $444 - $67.4 -
1969 $399 - $67.1 -
1968 $374 - $64.8 -
1967 $351 - $64.8 -
1966 $328 - $64.3 -
1965 $268 - $64.3 -
1964 $257.3 - $62.6 -
1963 $294.2 - $58.4 -
1962 $250.2 - $53.5 -
1961 $231.6 - $47 -
1960 $235.3 - $47 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/lesotho | CC BY

Brazil's GDP per capita is $10,311, ranking 85/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brazil ranks 88th at $22,338, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Brazil Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$2.19T
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
10/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
3.42%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,311
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
85/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,338
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
88/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$1.91T
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.3%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,999
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
60/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,263
2026
$6,545
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$659B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
433,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
56
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
40.8%
2023
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.3%
2023
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.7%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.4%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.8%
2024
18.7%
2024
Population
213824938
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brazil
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brazil Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 45.7% 87.3% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 45.3% 84% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 43.4% 83.9% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 40.4% 88.9% 53.8% 58%
2020 46.2% 96% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 43% 87.1% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 44.2% 84.8% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 44.3% 82.7% 50.4% 41%
2016 45.5% 77.4% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 46.2% 71.7% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 41.4% 61.6% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 39.8% 59.6% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 39.3% 61.6% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 39.4% 60.6% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 39.5% 62.4% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 40.5% 64.7% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 39.9% 61.4% 54.1% 47%
2007 40.4% 63% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 42.6% 64.6% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 41.9% 67% 37.6% 41%
2004 39.7% 68% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 41.3% 71.5% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 44.5% 76.1% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 39.8% 67.3% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 34.5% 62.2% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 39.6% 44.5% 50.8% 83%
1998 40.9% 38.9% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 38.6% 31.8% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 38.2% 30.7% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 - 28% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 - 30% 40.2% 67%
1993 - 32.6% 36% 71.2%
1992 - 37.1% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 - 38.1% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 - 40.6% 32.9% 18%
1989 - 40.2% 35.8% 112.5%
1988 - 46.9% 35.3% 105.2%
1987 - 50.3% 40.3% 97.4%
1986 11.7% 49.4% 33.2% 92.5%
1985 11.1% 52.6% 32.8% 86.3%
1984 10% 55.8% 26.8% 57.2%
1983 9.7% 51.5% 27.2% 56.7%
1982 8.1% 32.8% 29.9% 61.4%
1981 7.8% 34.6% - -
1980 6.8% 39.7% - -
1979 9% 36.6% - -
1978 10.2% 37% - -
1977 10.4% 31% - -
1976 10.6% 31.8% - -
1975 10.7% 27.7% - -
1974 10.5% 25.7% - -
1973 11% 22.4% - -
1972 12.6% 22.5% - -
1971 11.7% 17.9% - -
1970 11.4% 17% - -
1969 11.2% 16.5% - -
1968 14.4% 15.8% - -
1967 13.5% 13.8% - -
1966 14.6% 19.6% - -
1965 14% 17.6% - -
1964 25.4% 22.2% - -
1963 22.8% 20.4% - -
1962 23.1% 23.7% - -
1961 12% 25.7% - -
1960 13.7% 22.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Brazil's government spending was $998B, accounting for 45.7% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.3% in Brazil and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 38/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brazil

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brazil Lesotho
2024 -6.19% 9.04%
2023 -7.71% 7.31%
2022 -3.96% -6.41%
2021 -2.63% -4.95%
2020 -11.6% 1.18%
2019 -4.86% -5.72%
2018 -6.99% -4.41%
2017 -7.97% -2.02%
2016 -7.99% -9.43%
2015 -9.28% -1.38%
2014 -6.27% 3.16%
2013 -3.42% -2.58%
2012 -2.35% 4.56%
2011 -2.74% -9.85%
2010 -3.55% -1.49%
2009 -4.23% -4.16%
2008 -2.39% 8.1%
2007 -2.66% 10.8%
2006 -4.87% 11.6%
2005 -3.36% 4.46%
2004 -2.95% 6.05%
2003 -5.4% 0.89%
2002 -4.15% -2.44%
2001 -3.47% -2.76%
2000 -3.32% -0.95%
1999 -5.17% -15.3%
1998 -7.22% -11.8%
1997 -5.6% 0.27%
1996 -5.35% 2.11%
1995 - 5.13%
1994 - 5.69%
1993 - 7.55%
1992 - 4.65%
1991 - 9.74%
1990 - 8.78%
1989 - 3.88%
1988 - -1.87%
1987 - -2.85%
1986 -1.6% 0.87%
1985 -1.3% 1.68%
1984 -0.4% 4.82%
1983 0.1% 1.85%
1982 1.4% -2.03%
1981 1% -
1980 2.5% -
1979 0.4% -
1978 -0.1% -
1977 0.1% -
1976 0.1% -
1975 0% -
1974 0.6% -
1973 0.1% -
1972 -0.1% -
1971 -0.3% -
1970 -0.4% -
1969 -0.6% -
1968 -1.6% -
1967 -2.1% -
1966 -1.3% -
1965 -2% -
1964 -8.79% -
1963 -5.78% -
1962 -6.82% -
1961 -2.93% -
1960 -3.85% -
1959 -0.18% -
1958 -0.76% -
1957 -0.29% -
1956 -0.14% -
1955 -0.62% -
1954 -0.49% -
1953 -1.26% -
1952 0.64% -
1951 0.87% -
1950 -1.58% -
1949 -1.22% -
1948 0.002% -
1947 0.25% -
1946 -1.78% -
1945 -2.87% -
1944 -2.37% -
1943 -0.75% -
1942 -2.55% -
1941 -2.15% -
1940 -1.13% -
1939 -1.2% -
1938 -0.59% -
1937 -1.62% -
1936 -0.27% -
1935 -0.5% -
1934 -2.28% -
1933 -1.56% -
1932 -6.47% -
1931 -1.56% -
1930 -3.58% -
1929 -0.09% -
1928 0.57% -
1927 0.12% -
1926 -0.76% -
1925 -0.07% -
1924 -0.45% -
1923 -1.94% -
1922 -3.8% -
1921 -2.98% -
1920 -3.11% -
1919 -3.69% -
1918 -4.51% -
1917 -4.8% -
1916 -4.35% -
1915 -6.33% -
1914 -7.32% -
1913 -1.91% -
1912 -3.05% -
1911 -2.15% -
1910 -2.06% -
1909 -1.62% -
1908 -1.89% -
1907 0.38% -
1906 0.28% -
1905 0.96% -
1904 -0.62% -
1903 1.79% -
1902 1.59% -
1901 -2.46% -
1900 -5.57% -
1899 -2.13% -
1898 -14% -
1897 -2.38% -
1896 -0.79% -
1895 -1.33% -
1894 -4.11% -
1893 -1.77% -
1892 -2.6% -
1891 0.51% -
1890 -3.02% -
1889 -3.79% -
1888 0.63% -
1887 -0.76% -
1886 -3.8% -
1885 -5.71% -
1884 -3.89% -
1883 -3.33% -
1882 -1.58% -
1881 -1.9% -
1880 -4.84% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Brazil's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $135B, equivalent to 6.19% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Brazil recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Brazil posted an annual deficit equal to 4.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.74% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brazil

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brazil Lesotho
2024 4.4% 6.11%
2023 4.6% 6.34%
2022 9.3% 8.27%
2021 8.3% 6.05%
2020 3.2% 4.98%
2019 3.7% 5.19%
2018 3.7% 4.75%
2017 3.4% 4.45%
2016 8.7% 6.6%
2015 9% 3.22%
2014 6.3% 5.37%
2013 6.2% 4.87%
2012 5.4% 6.05%
2011 6.6% 5.04%
2010 5% -2.41%
2009 4.9% -16.9%
2008 5.7% 10.7%
2007 3.6% 8.01%
2006 4.2% 6.07%
2005 6.9% 3.44%
2004 6.6% 5.02%
2003 14.7% 6.63%
2002 8.4% 33.8%
2001 6.8% -9.62%
2000 7% 6.13%
1999 4.9% -
1998 3.2% -
1997 6.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/lesotho | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, Brazil has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.26%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 4.4% in Brazil and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Brazil
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $73K
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K

Balance of trade

Brazil Lesotho
Current account balance
-$66.2B
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
188/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.03%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$274B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$340B
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$103B
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$48.1B
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.9%
2024
42.9%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Brazil Lesotho
Economic freedom 52.4 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 148/197 130/197
Property rights 49.2 41.7
Government integrity 37.2 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 55.6 43.6
Tax burden 70.6 76.4
Government spending 39.8 21.3
Fiscal health 28 93.5
Business freedom 65.7 50.6
Labor freedom 57 57
Monetary freedom 76 74.8
Trade freedom 69 65.4
Investment freedom 40 55
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brazil
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brazil Lesotho
2026 52.4 54.9
2025 55.1 54.1
2024 53.2 51.9
2023 53.5 51.6
2022 53.3 48.1
2021 53.4 53.5
2020 53.7 54.5
2019 51.9 53.1
2018 51.4 53.9
2017 52.9 53.9
2016 56.5 50.6
2015 56.6 49.6
2014 56.9 49.5
2013 57.7 47.9
2012 57.9 46.6
2011 56.3 47.5
2010 55.6 48.1
2009 56.7 49.7
2008 56.2 52.1
2007 56.2 53.2
2006 60.9 54.7
2005 61.7 53.9
2004 62 50.3
2003 63.4 52
2002 61.5 48.9
2001 61.9 50.6
2000 61.1 48.4
1999 61.3 48.2
1998 52.3 48.4
1997 52.6 47.2
1996 48.1 47
1995 51.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/lesotho | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Brazil is 52.4, ranking 148/197, compared to 54.9 for Lesotho, ranking 130/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brazil Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
59.2%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.75%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.11T
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,590
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$330B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
11/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$47.8B
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$74.1B
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$26.3B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.4%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
4.2%
2020
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
2024
27.2%
2023

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/brazil/lesotho | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–2000, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.