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Economy of Brunei vs Canada compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $2.24T for Canada, ranking 142/197 and 9/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $2.5T (111.3% of GDP) in Canada.

Brunei vs Canada GDP by year

Brunei
Canada
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Canada
2024 $15,340,808,592 $2,243,636,826,634
2023 $15,095,084,656 $2,173,339,670,064
2022 $16,681,536,467 $2,190,411,080,134
2021 $14,006,496,617 $2,022,378,748,423
2020 $12,005,799,654 $1,655,684,730,000
2019 $13,469,235,365 $1,743,725,183,673
2018 $13,566,908,391 $1,725,329,192,783
2017 $12,128,168,045 $1,649,265,644,244
2016 $11,400,266,045 $1,527,994,741,907
2015 $12,930,296,870 $1,556,508,816,217
2014 $17,097,797,386 $1,805,749,878,440
2013 $18,094,148,099 $1,846,597,421,835
2012 $19,048,443,341 $1,828,366,481,522
2011 $18,524,791,063 $1,793,326,630,175
2010 $13,707,121,038 $1,617,343,367,486
2009 $11,912,904,510 $1,374,625,142,157
2008 $15,926,456,515 $1,552,989,690,722
2007 $13,432,029,484 $1,468,820,407,783
2006 $12,644,616,419 $1,319,264,809,591
2005 $10,547,202,621 $1,173,108,598,779
2004 $8,619,178,774 $1,026,690,238,278
2003 $7,167,725,262 $895,540,646,635
2002 $6,333,082,876 $760,649,334,098
2001 $6,096,155,767 $738,981,792,355
2000 $6,570,999,088 $744,773,415,932
1999 $6,309,070,378 $678,412,196,271
1998 $5,550,846,020 $634,000,000,000
1997 $7,793,034,376 $654,986,999,856
1996 $7,663,377,306 $630,607,994,133
1995 $7,700,144,069 $605,961,090,061
1994 $6,467,782,518 $579,944,346,807
1993 $6,203,339,912 $579,053,561,739
1992 $6,327,966,435 $594,387,358,319
1991 $6,284,497,294 $612,527,712,316
1990 $6,039,881,087 $596,075,591,361
1989 $4,983,622,881 $567,211,993,243
1988 $4,535,130,305 $509,380,027,627
1987 $4,918,010,080 $433,134,238,311
1986 $4,190,280,003 $379,006,836,992
1985 $6,967,623,884 $366,186,012,450
1984 $7,632,788,075 $356,718,400,124
1983 $7,927,590,750 $341,866,277,183
1982 $8,932,198,186 $314,647,807,409
1981 $9,367,218,664 $307,246,642,756
1980 $10,795,432,294 $274,776,566,028
1979 $6,044,367,628 $243,891,124,296
1978 $4,100,423,674 $219,369,542,386
1977 $3,681,242,528 $212,325,176,305
1976 $3,054,765,590 $207,271,612,576
1975 $2,496,420,258 $174,419,757,177
1974 $2,319,576,214 $160,949,188,139
1973 $433,095,527 $131,764,343,566
1972 $270,822,782 $113,463,848,874
1971 $197,525,768 $99,606,454,744
1970 $179,078,929 $88,192,257,632
1969 $161,210,236 $79,405,011,125
1968 $160,818,236 $72,048,833,006
1967 $139,029,537 $65,856,924,424
1966 $132,757,528 $61,252,415,405
1965 $114,039,501 $54,649,410,479
1964 - $49,503,663,836
1963 - $45,140,337,827
1962 - $42,336,211,556
1961 - $41,038,192,838
1960 - $40,563,768,947

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/canada | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Canada by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Canada
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Canada
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $54,340 $64,610
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $54,220 $64,219
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $56,257 $63,944
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $52,887 $56,995
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $43,538 $48,591
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $46,353 $50,499
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $46,539 $49,983
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $45,130 $48,317
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $42,314 $46,471
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $43,594 $44,668
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $50,961 $45,758
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $52,638 $44,301
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $52,670 $42,292
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $52,224 $41,667
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $47,561 $40,103
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $40,875 $38,863
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $46,710 $40,376
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $44,660 $39,573
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $40,504 $38,123
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $36,384 $36,328
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $32,146 $33,929
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $28,302 $32,350
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $24,256 $30,964
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $23,822 $30,241
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $24,271 $29,348
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $22,315 $27,841
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $21,025 $26,324
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $21,902 $25,264
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $21,297 $24,055
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $20,680 $23,474
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $19,998 $22,624
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $20,187 $21,432
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $20,950 $20,619
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $21,847 $20,220
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $21,526 $20,226
1989 $20,090 - $20,795 -
1988 $18,825 - $19,013 -
1987 $21,030 - $16,378 -
1986 $18,501 - $14,521 -
1985 $31,827 - $14,170 -
1984 $36,061 - $13,930 -
1983 $38,720 - $13,477 -
1982 $45,075 - $12,527 -
1981 $48,793 - $12,379 -
1980 $58,005 - $11,208 -
1979 $33,501 - $10,078 -
1978 $23,447 - $9,154 -
1977 $21,747 - $8,949 -
1976 $18,671 - $8,839 -
1975 $15,793 - $7,537 -
1974 $15,195 - $7,057 -
1973 $2,939 - $5,858 -
1972 $1,905 - $5,107 -
1971 $1,432 - $4,535 -
1970 $1,325 - $4,136 -
1969 $1,226 - $3,776 -
1968 $1,274 - $3,473 -
1967 $1,149 - $3,226 -
1966 $1,146 - $3,055 -
1965 $1,029 - $2,777 -
1964 - - $2,562 -
1963 - - $2,380 -
1962 - - $2,274 -
1961 - - $2,246 -
1960 - - $2,265 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/canada | CC BY

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $54,340 in Canada, ranking 20/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Canada ranks 28th at $64,610.

Economic indicators

Brunei Canada
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$2.24T
2024
GDP rank
142/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$54,340
2024
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$64,610
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
28/197
2024
Government debt
$351M
2024
$2.5T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
111.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$60,482
2024
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
4/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$37,320
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.37T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
2,098,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
76
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
44.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
2.38%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
6.35%
2024
Population
470884
42181965

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Canada
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Canada
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 44.7% 111.3%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 42.1% 107.7%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 40.6% 104.2%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 45.5% 112.6%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 52.4% 118.1%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 40.6% 90.2%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 40.7% 90.8%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 40.5% 90.9%
2016 39.4% 3% 40.8% 92.4%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 40% 92%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 38.4% 85.5%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 40% 87.6%
2012 31% 2.1% 40.9% 87.2%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 41.6% 84.3%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 43.1% 84%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 43.4% 81.8%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 38.8% 70.4%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 38.5% 67.2%
2006 28% 0.59% 38.7% 69.9%
2005 29.1% 0% 38.5% 70.6%
2004 33.2% 0% 39.1% 71.9%
2003 30.9% 0% 40.3% 75.9%
2002 41.4% 0% 40.4% 79.6%
2001 35.5% 0% 41.1% 81.5%
2000 37.5% 0% 40.6% 80.4%
1999 44.1% 0% 41.8% 89%
1998 45.4% 0% 43.4% 93.3%
1997 39% 0% 43.5% 95.3%
1996 36.9% 0% 45.9% 100.2%
1995 44% 0% 47.7% 100.1%
1994 47.1% 0% 49% 97.5%
1993 38% 0% 51.5% 94.7%
1992 34.1% 0% 52.5% 88.2%
1991 30.6% 0% 51.4% 81.7%
1990 32% 0% 48.1% 73.7%
1989 - - 45.8% 72.2%
1988 - - 45.4% 71.1%
1987 - - 46.1% 71.4%
1986 - - 47.6% 71%
1985 - - 48.3% 66.9%
1984 - - 47.5% 61.7%
1983 - - 47.9% 58.4%
1982 - - 47.3% 52.7%
1981 - - 42.5% 46.9%
1980 - - 41.6% 45.6%
1979 - - 40% 45.3%
1978 - - 41.6% 48%
1977 - - 41.4% 45.1%
1976 - - 40.2% 43.6%
1975 - - 41.1% 45.2%
1974 - - 37.6% 45.8%
1973 - - 36% 48%
1972 - - 37.5% 53.5%
1971 - - 37.3% 55.3%
1970 - - 36% 54.3%
1969 - - 33.9% 53%
1968 - - 33.8% 55.9%
1967 - - 32.9% 56.9%
1966 - - 30.8% 56.6%
1965 - - 29.8% 60.1%
1964 - - 29.7% 63.7%
1963 - - 30.3% 67%
1962 - - 30.6% 67.2%
1961 - - 30.6% 68.2%
1960 - - 14.9% 66.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/canada | CC BY

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Canada spent $1T, or 44.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 111.3% in Canada, ranking 185/185 and 15/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Canada
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Canada
2024 -10.2% -2.01%
2023 -10.9% 0.07%
2022 2.53% 0.56%
2021 -8.16% -3.06%
2020 -15.8% -10.9%
2019 -3.69% -0.02%
2018 -3.59% 0.36%
2017 -10.4% -0.11%
2016 -21.7% -0.45%
2015 -14.5% -0.06%
2014 3.58% 0.17%
2013 13% -1.49%
2012 15.8% -2.52%
2011 25.6% -3.31%
2010 7.61% -4.74%
2009 3.61% -3.88%
2008 36.1% 0.18%
2007 3.12% 1.82%
2006 19.8% 1.83%
2005 16% 1.55%
2004 8.57% 0.77%
2003 8.06% -0.13%
2002 -4.61% -0.23%
2001 2.59% 0.53%
2000 6.86% 2.64%
1999 -18.3% 1.66%
1998 -24% 0.14%
1997 -11.8% 0.04%
1996 -8.7% -3.05%
1995 -19.8% -5.49%
1994 -22.6% -6.94%
1993 -12.8% -8.93%
1992 -8.28% -9.2%
1991 -1.06% -8.36%
1990 -1.63% -5.91%
1989 - -4.6%
1988 - -4.33%
1987 - -5.42%
1986 - -7.14%
1985 - -8.59%
1984 - -7.78%
1983 - -8.17%
1982 - -7.03%
1981 - -2.83%
1980 - -4.07%
1979 - -3.41%
1978 - -4.77%
1977 - -4.1%
1976 - -2.78%
1975 - -3.54%
1974 - 1.1%
1973 - 0.6%
1972 - -0.97%
1971 - -1.02%
1970 - -0.36%
1969 - 1.2%
1968 - -0.45%
1967 - -0.82%
1966 - -0.07%
1965 - -0.25%
1964 - -0.68%
1963 - -2.31%
1962 - -2.6%
1961 - -2.75%
1960 - -0.85%
1959 - -1.08%
1958 - -1.69%
1957 - -0.11%
1956 - 0.77%
1955 - -0.11%
1954 - -0.57%
1953 - 0.3%
1952 - 0.09%
1951 - 1.1%
1950 - 1.09%
1949 - 0.78%
1948 - 3.84%
1947 - 5.02%
1946 - 3.14%
1945 - -17.9%
1944 - -21.6%
1943 - -23.1%
1942 - -20.8%
1941 - -4.79%
1940 - -5.62%
1939 - -2.11%
1938 - -0.97%
1937 - -0.34%
1936 - -1.68%
1935 - -3.72%
1934 - -2.93%
1933 - -3.83%
1932 - -5.79%
1931 - -2.43%
1930 - -1.47%
1929 - 0.78%
1928 - 1.12%
1927 - 0.92%
1926 - 0.81%
1925 - 0.55%
1924 - 0.007%
1923 - 0.79%
1922 - -0.75%
1921 - -2%
1920 - -1.82%
1919 - -8.94%
1918 - -8.98%
1917 - -7.83%
1916 - -8.14%
1915 - -6.17%
1914 - -4.63%
1913 - -0.82%
1912 - 1.03%
1911 - 0.004%
1910 - -0.18%
1909 - -0.67%
1908 - -2.78%
1907 - -0.83%
1906 - 0.22%
1905 - -0.07%
1904 - -0.44%
1903 - 0.07%
1902 - 0.91%
1901 - -0.34%
1900 - -0.33%
1899 - 0.1%
1898 - -0.3%
1897 - -0.35%
1896 - -0.48%
1895 - -0.85%
1894 - -1.06%
1893 - -0.66%
1892 - -0.07%
1891 - 3.23%
1890 - -0.04%
1889 - 0%
1888 - -0.48%
1887 - -1.18%
1886 - -0.73%
1885 - -4.82%
1884 - -2.43%
1883 - -3.88%
1882 - -0.78%
1881 - 0.32%
1880 - -0.62%
1879 - -2.11%
1878 - -0.63%
1877 - -1.63%
1876 - -2.06%
1875 - -1.88%
1874 - -1.57%
1873 - -1.74%
1872 - -3.93%
1871 - -1.09%
1870 - 0.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1870–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/canada | CC BY

In 2024, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.56B, equivalent to 10.2% of GDP. This compares to Canada's deficit of $45.2B, or 2.01% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Canada ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.96% of GDP for Canada.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Canada
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Canada
2024 -0.39% 2.38%
2023 0.36% 3.88%
2022 3.68% 6.8%
2021 1.73% 3.4%
2020 1.94% 0.72%
2019 -0.39% 1.95%
2018 1.03% 2.27%
2017 -1.26% 1.6%
2016 -0.28% 1.43%
2015 -0.49% 1.13%
2014 -0.21% 1.91%
2013 0.39% 0.94%
2012 0.11% 1.52%
2011 0.14% 2.91%
2010 0.36% 1.78%
2009 1.04% 0.3%
2008 2.08% 2.37%
2007 0.97% 2.14%
2006 0.16% 2%
2005 1.24% 2.21%
2004 0.81% 1.86%
2003 0.3% 2.76%
2002 -2.31% 2.26%
2001 0.6% 2.53%
2000 1.56% 2.72%
1999 -0.42% 1.73%
1998 -0.44% 1%
1997 1.71% 1.62%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/canada | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 2.15% in Canada. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 2.38% in Canada.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Metals $1.63M
Chemicals & pharma $1.47M
Machinery & equipment $389K
Miscellaneous $322K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $132K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Canada
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.85M
Raw agricultural goods $499K
Wood & paper products $446K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $323K
Chemicals & pharma $179K
Miscellaneous $148K
Textiles & consumer goods $62K
Weapons & explosives $54K
Raw materials & minerals $52K
Metals $45K

Balance of trade

Brunei Canada
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
-$10.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
177/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
-0.46%
2024
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$574B
2024
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$569B
2024
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$160B
2024
Service exports
$410M
2024
$159B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
32.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
32.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Canada
Economic freedom 67.5 75.6
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 17/197
Property rights 66.1 85.9
Government integrity 60.4 85.5
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 96
Tax burden 95 74.7
Government spending 75.6 45.9
Fiscal health 39 79.7
Business freedom 75.3 84.2
Labor freedom 75.1 68.3
Monetary freedom 74.8 73.8
Trade freedom 84.6 83.2
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Canada
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Canada
2026 67.5 75.6
2025 67 75.5
2024 65.9 72.4
2023 65.7 73.7
2022 64.8 76.6
2021 66.6 77.9
2020 66.6 78.2
2019 65.1 77.7
2018 64.2 77.7
2017 69.8 78.5
2016 67.3 78
2015 68.9 79.1
2014 69 80.2
2013 - 79.4
2012 - 79.9
2011 - 80.8
2010 - 80.4
2009 - 80.5
2008 - 80.2
2007 - 78
2006 - 77.4
2005 - 75.8
2004 - 75.3
2003 - 74.8
2002 - 74.6
2001 - 71.2
2000 - 70.5
1999 - 69.3
1998 - 68.5
1997 - 67.9
1996 - 70.3
1995 - 69.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/canada | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 75.6 for Canada, ranking 17/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Canada
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
66.4%
2021
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
25.3%
2021
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
1.6%
2021
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$2.2T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$63,630
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$120B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
23/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
$27.8B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$63.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$89.4B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
9.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
23.2%
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/brunei/canada | CC BY

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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 (1870–1989, 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)
  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.

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.