Skip to content

Economy of Brunei vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $264B for New Zealand, ranking 147/197 and 53/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $145B (54.7% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Brunei vs New Zealand GDP by year

Brunei
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei New Zealand
2025 $15,031,980,994 $264,057,413,740
2024 $15,340,808,592 $261,497,198,364
2023 $15,095,084,656 $256,372,177,758
2022 $16,681,536,467 $249,723,029,451
2021 $14,006,496,617 $253,732,493,988
2020 $12,005,799,654 $213,318,129,989
2019 $13,469,235,365 $213,088,034,258
2018 $13,566,908,391 $211,726,161,989
2017 $12,128,168,045 $206,561,943,051
2016 $11,400,266,045 $188,980,351,891
2015 $12,930,296,870 $178,147,457,243
2014 $17,097,797,386 $201,435,445,068
2013 $18,094,148,099 $190,943,478,290
2012 $19,048,443,341 $176,508,049,114
2011 $18,524,791,063 $168,458,838,711
2010 $13,707,121,038 $146,887,902,524
2009 $11,912,904,510 $121,663,439,315
2008 $15,926,456,515 $133,437,126,590
2007 $13,432,029,484 $137,188,946,866
2006 $12,644,616,419 $111,538,810,713
2005 $10,547,202,621 $114,720,129,550
2004 $8,619,178,774 $103,905,210,084
2003 $7,167,725,262 $88,250,885,550
2002 $6,333,082,876 $66,627,729,311
2001 $6,096,155,767 $53,872,425,917
2000 $6,570,999,088 $52,623,281,957
1999 $6,309,070,378 $58,762,260,626
1998 $5,550,846,020 $56,227,169,851
1997 $7,793,034,376 $66,075,143,415
1996 $7,663,377,306 $70,140,835,299
1995 $7,700,144,069 $63,918,703,507
1994 $6,467,782,518 $55,314,732,279
1993 $6,203,339,912 $46,775,620,817
1992 $6,327,966,435 $41,649,829,860
1991 $6,284,497,294 $42,745,329,732
1990 $6,039,881,087 $45,495,129,385
1989 $4,983,622,881 $43,920,222,525
1988 $4,535,130,305 $45,176,811,594
1987 $4,918,010,080 $40,376,354,070
1986 $4,190,280,003 $30,604,668,357
1985 $6,967,623,884 $24,679,795,396
1984 $7,632,788,075 $21,665,975,319
1983 $7,927,590,750 $24,309,279,706
1982 $8,932,198,186 $24,164,603,059
1981 $9,367,218,664 $24,417,617,184
1980 $10,795,432,294 $23,244,547,385
1979 $6,044,367,628 $20,731,243,113
1978 $4,100,423,674 $18,530,518,395
1977 $3,681,242,528 $15,446,825,318
1976 $3,054,765,590 $13,604,832,424
1975 $2,496,420,258 $12,861,983,284
1974 $2,319,576,214 $13,940,981,798
1973 $433,095,527 $12,802,281,898
1972 $270,822,782 $9,567,331,065
1971 $197,525,768 $7,911,136,757
1970 $179,078,929 $6,495,605,331
1969 $161,210,236 $5,814,357,709
1968 $160,818,236 $5,228,045,415
1967 $139,029,537 $6,016,017,227
1966 $132,757,528 $5,917,437,693
1965 $114,039,501 $5,706,251,400
1964 - $7,340,766,415
1963 - $6,699,741,645
1962 - $6,133,158,532
1961 - $5,721,994,864
1960 - $5,536,098,360

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brunei vs New Zealand by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $49,591 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $49,432 $55,551
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $49,302 $54,697
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $49,142 $54,034
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $49,902 $48,249
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $42,055 $45,513
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $42,872 $45,278
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $43,204 $42,527
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $42,912 $42,244
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $40,088 $39,989
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $38,649 $37,513
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $44,600 $37,331
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $42,985 $36,263
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $40,042 $33,055
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $38,426 $32,739
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $13,663 $14,812
1989 $20,090 - $13,312 -
1988 $18,825 - $13,759 -
1987 $21,030 - $12,331 -
1986 $18,501 - $9,428 -
1985 $31,827 - $7,601 -
1984 $36,061 - $6,714 -
1983 $38,720 - $7,598 -
1982 $45,075 - $7,656 -
1981 $48,793 - $7,814 -
1980 $58,005 - $7,467 -
1979 $33,501 - $6,668 -
1978 $23,447 - $5,937 -
1977 $21,747 - $4,951 -
1976 $18,671 - $4,374 -
1975 $15,793 - $4,172 -
1974 $15,195 - $4,611 -
1973 $2,939 - $4,323 -
1972 $1,905 - $3,295 -
1971 $1,432 - $2,773 -
1970 $1,325 - $2,311 -
1969 $1,226 - $2,097 -
1968 $1,274 - $1,902 -
1967 $1,149 - $2,208 -
1966 $1,146 - $2,211 -
1965 $1,029 - $2,171 -
1964 - - $2,839 -
1963 - - $2,646 -
1962 - - $2,471 -
1961 - - $2,365 -
1960 - - $2,334 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/new-zealand | CC BY

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $49,591 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Brunei New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$264B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
53/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
0.46%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$49,591
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
26/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$145B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
54.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$27,139
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
27/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$36,222
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$103B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
41.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
2.84%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
5.26%
2025
Population
471596
5380024

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 41.6% 54.7%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 41.7% 51.4%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 41% 47.3%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 41.7% 46.9%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 41.8% 47.5%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 41.9% 43.2%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 38.7% 31.8%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 39.8% 3% 36.4% 33.4%
2015 37% 2.95% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 34% 3.23% 37.6% 34.2%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 38.6% 34.6%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 42.3% 34.7%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 38.4% 19%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 37% 16.3%
2006 28% 0.59% 37.8% 18.4%
2005 29.1% 0% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 33.2% 0% 36.1% 22.5%
2003 30.9% 0% 36.6% 24.7%
2002 41.4% 0% 36.7% 26.4%
2001 35.5% 0% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 37.5% 0% 38.2% 30%
1999 44.1% 0% 39.2% 32%
1998 45.4% 0% 40.1% 34.5%
1997 39% 0% 39.3% 34.6%
1996 36.9% 0% 39.8% 37.3%
1995 44% 0% 41.6% 43.5%
1994 47.1% 0% 42.7% 48.9%
1993 38% 0% 46.7% 54.6%
1992 34.1% 0% 52.4% 58.7%
1991 30.6% 0% 52.9% 58%
1990 32% 0% 49.5% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $110B, or 41.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 54.7% in New Zealand, ranking 185/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei New Zealand
2025 -13.4% -3.86%
2024 -12.9% -3.21%
2023 -8.62% -3.22%
2022 -0.25% -3.96%
2021 -8.34% -3.35%
2020 -16.2% -4.21%
2019 -4.16% -2.44%
2018 -2.9% 1.31%
2017 -13.8% 1.38%
2016 -16.7% 0.98%
2015 -11.4% 0.37%
2014 1.25% -0.33%
2013 10.4% -1.28%
2012 19.5% -2.18%
2011 21.5% -4.94%
2010 11.3% -5.49%
2009 3.61% -1.8%
2008 36.1% 1.48%
2007 3.12% 3.6%
2006 19.8% 4.62%
2005 16% 5.13%
2004 8.57% 4.49%
2003 8.06% 3.69%
2002 -4.61% 2.56%
2001 2.59% 1.29%
2000 6.86% 0.18%
1999 -18.3% -1.1%
1998 -24% -0.47%
1997 -11.8% 1.24%
1996 -8.7% 2.58%
1995 -19.8% 3.7%
1994 -22.6% 2%
1993 -12.8% -1.51%
1992 -8.28% -6.25%
1991 -1.06% -6.12%
1990 -1.63% -2.72%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2025, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.02B, equivalent to 13.4% of GDP. This compares to New Zealand's deficit of $10.2B, or 3.86% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.5% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei New Zealand
2025 -0.3% 2.84%
2024 -0.39% 2.92%
2023 0.36% 5.73%
2022 3.68% 7.17%
2021 1.73% 3.94%
2020 1.94% 1.71%
2019 -0.39% 1.62%
2018 1.03% 1.6%
2017 -1.26% 1.85%
2016 -0.28% 0.65%
2015 -0.49% 0.29%
2014 -0.21% 1.23%
2013 0.39% 1.13%
2012 0.11% 1.06%
2011 0.14% 4.03%
2010 0.36% 2.3%
2009 1.04% 2.12%
2008 2.08% 3.96%
2007 0.97% 2.38%
2006 0.16% 3.37%
2005 1.24% 3.04%
2004 0.81% 2.29%
2003 0.3% 1.75%
2002 -2.31% 2.68%
2001 0.6% 2.63%
2000 1.56% 2.62%
1999 -0.42% -0.11%
1998 -0.44% 1.27%
1997 1.71% 1.19%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 2.39% in New Zealand. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 2.84% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $34.9M
Machinery & equipment $1.61M
Animal & marine products $72K
Textiles & consumer goods $65K
Chemicals & pharma $48K
Miscellaneous $11K
Wood & paper products $9K
Metals $4K
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $3.34M
Transport & tourism services $2.8M
Machinery & equipment $1.36M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $131K
Raw agricultural goods $85K
Chemicals & pharma $78K
Textiles & consumer goods $72K
Metals $56K
Wood & paper products $5K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Brunei New Zealand
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
-$9.56B
2025
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
174/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
-3.62%
2025
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$48.2B
2025
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$47.2B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$20.3B
2025
Service exports
$463M
2025
$19.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei New Zealand
Economic freedom 67.5 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 13/197
Property rights 66.1 85.4
Government integrity 60.4 90
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 95.9
Tax burden 95 66.1
Government spending 75.6 48
Fiscal health 39 72.2
Business freedom 75.3 89.1
Labor freedom 75.1 68.6
Monetary freedom 74.8 77.4
Trade freedom 84.6 90.6
Investment freedom 65 70
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei New Zealand
2026 67.5 77.8
2025 67 78.1
2024 65.9 77.8
2023 65.7 78.9
2022 64.8 80.6
2021 66.6 83.9
2020 66.6 84.1
2019 65.1 84.4
2018 64.2 84.2
2017 69.8 83.7
2016 67.3 81.6
2015 68.9 82.1
2014 69 81.2
2013 - 81.4
2012 - 82.1
2011 - 82.3
2010 - 82.1
2009 - 82
2008 - 80.7
2007 - 81.4
2006 - 82
2005 - 82.3
2004 - 81.5
2003 - 81.1
2002 - 80.7
2001 - 81.1
2000 - 80.9
1999 - 81.7
1998 - 79.2
1997 - 79
1996 - 78.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/new-zealand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 77.8 for New Zealand, ranking 13/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
68.2%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
19.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
4.01%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$248B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$53,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$28.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
59/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$3.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$882M
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
23.1%
2024

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/brunei/new-zealand | 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 (1960–2025, 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 (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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.

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.