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Economy of Brunei vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $531B for Norway, ranking 147/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $239B (45% of GDP) in Norway.

Brunei vs Norway GDP by year

Brunei
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Norway
2025 $15,031,980,994 $530,755,719,439
2024 $15,340,808,592 $500,886,328,034
2023 $15,095,084,656 $502,197,633,323
2022 $16,681,536,467 $617,321,834,099
2021 $14,006,496,617 $521,592,200,233
2020 $12,005,799,654 $382,252,517,922
2019 $13,469,235,365 $424,244,886,364
2018 $13,566,908,391 $454,588,871,811
2017 $12,128,168,045 $415,673,181,543
2016 $11,400,266,045 $383,284,047,619
2015 $12,930,296,870 $400,669,174,331
2014 $17,097,797,386 $515,829,568,897
2013 $18,094,148,099 $540,132,255,319
2012 $19,048,443,341 $525,082,939,407
2011 $18,524,791,063 $512,868,581,628
2010 $13,707,121,038 $440,132,138,425
2009 $11,912,904,510 $395,664,488,017
2008 $15,926,456,515 $472,060,283,688
2007 $13,432,029,484 $407,813,774,161
2006 $12,644,616,419 $349,773,283,645
2005 $10,547,202,621 $311,417,306,946
2004 $8,619,178,774 $265,662,977,688
2003 $7,167,725,262 $229,192,678,173
2002 $6,333,082,876 $195,359,978,957
2001 $6,096,155,767 $173,590,978,347
2000 $6,570,999,088 $170,620,327,660
1999 $6,309,070,378 $161,304,620,987
1998 $5,550,846,020 $152,955,958,172
1997 $7,793,034,376 $160,013,571,974
1996 $7,663,377,306 $162,427,517,132
1995 $7,700,144,069 $151,083,627,983
1994 $6,467,782,518 $126,324,387,894
1993 $6,203,339,912 $119,841,699,440
1992 $6,327,966,435 $129,998,873,602
1991 $6,284,497,294 $121,149,331,318
1990 $6,039,881,087 $119,344,377,526
1989 $4,983,622,881 $102,226,808,603
1988 $4,535,130,305 $101,497,621,605
1987 $4,918,010,080 $93,913,320,965
1986 $4,190,280,003 $78,438,205,742
1985 $6,967,623,884 $65,211,464,198
1984 $7,632,788,075 $61,866,078,539
1983 $7,927,590,750 $61,417,685,434
1982 $8,932,198,186 $62,453,362,256
1981 $9,367,218,664 $63,392,804,251
1980 $10,795,432,294 $64,176,789,764
1979 $6,044,367,628 $52,935,763,512
1978 $4,100,423,674 $46,355,988,784
1977 $3,681,242,528 $41,362,637,363
1976 $3,054,765,590 $35,815,449,464
1975 $2,496,420,258 $32,742,543,381
1974 $2,319,576,214 $27,033,413,362
1973 $433,095,527 $22,433,660,550
1972 $270,822,782 $17,283,931,878
1971 $197,525,768 $14,523,306,736
1970 $179,078,929 $12,753,503,479
1969 $161,210,236 $11,083,505,596
1968 $160,818,236 $10,178,705,992
1967 $139,029,537 $9,532,076,026
1966 $132,757,528 $8,712,528,095
1965 $114,039,501 $8,073,570,566
1964 - $7,172,430,304
1963 - $6,522,268,053
1962 - $6,078,186,245
1961 - $5,642,867,672
1960 - $5,172,811,442

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

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Norway by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $94,594 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $89,889 $102,038
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $90,984 $103,638
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $113,122 $125,490
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $96,443 $88,984
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $71,058 $67,111
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $79,329 $70,940
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $85,579 $70,254
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $78,771 $64,590
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $73,222 $59,280
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $77,221 $60,738
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $100,410 $66,332
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $106,333 $67,378
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $104,628 $65,774
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $103,545 $62,460
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $90,020 $58,213
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $81,940 $55,648
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $99,002 $62,073
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $86,600 $56,179
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $75,048 $54,358
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $67,358 $47,967
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $57,855 $42,667
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $50,208 $38,680
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $43,048 $38,056
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $38,458 $37,829
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $37,992 $36,994
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $36,151 $30,574
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $34,516 $28,200
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $36,324 $28,610
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $37,073 $26,826
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $34,659 $24,360
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $29,130 $23,027
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $27,793 $21,584
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $30,328 $20,623
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $28,427 $19,580
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $28,137 $18,461
1989 $20,090 - $24,185 -
1988 $18,825 - $24,112 -
1987 $21,030 - $22,430 -
1986 $18,501 - $18,822 -
1985 $31,827 - $15,704 -
1984 $36,061 - $14,943 -
1983 $38,720 - $14,877 -
1982 $45,075 - $15,178 -
1981 $48,793 - $15,463 -
1980 $58,005 - $15,708 -
1979 $33,501 - $12,998 -
1978 $23,447 - $11,421 -
1977 $21,747 - $10,230 -
1976 $18,671 - $8,896 -
1975 $15,793 - $8,171 -
1974 $15,195 - $6,783 -
1973 $2,939 - $5,664 -
1972 $1,905 - $4,395 -
1971 $1,432 - $3,721 -
1970 $1,325 - $3,291 -
1969 $1,226 - $2,881 -
1968 $1,274 - $2,667 -
1967 $1,149 - $2,519 -
1966 $1,146 - $2,321 -
1965 $1,029 - $2,168 -
1964 - - $1,941 -
1963 - - $1,779 -
1962 - - $1,670 -
1961 - - $1,563 -
1960 - - $1,444 -

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

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $94,594 in Norway, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Brunei Norway
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$531B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
32/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
1.09%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$94,594
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
9/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$239B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
45%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$42,567
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
15/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$50,036
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
49.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
4.5%
2025
Population
471596
5660666

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 49.6% 45%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 46.9% 52.8%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 44.2% 42.4%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 36.2% 34.8%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 44.7% 40.1%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 54.5% 44.3%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 48.4% 39%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 46.1% 38.1%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 47.6% 36.9%
2016 39.8% 3% 48.8% 36.7%
2015 37% 2.95% 46.7% 33.2%
2014 34% 3.23% 44% 28.8%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 42.3% 30.6%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 41.4% 30.2%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 42.3% 28.9%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 43.6% 42.1%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 44.7% 41.7%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 39.2% 46.8%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 40.5% 48.9%
2006 28% 0.59% 40.1% 52.2%
2005 29.1% 0% 41.6% 42.1%
2004 33.2% 0% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 30.9% 0% 47.7% 43.1%
2002 41.4% 0% 46.3% 34%
2001 35.5% 0% 43.4% 27.3%
2000 37.5% 0% 41.5% 28.8%
1999 44.1% 0% 46.7% 25.1%
1998 45.4% 0% 48.2% 23.8%
1997 39% 0% 45.9% 26%
1996 36.9% 0% 47.4% 28.6%
1995 44% 0% 49.6% 32.9%
1994 47.1% 0% 49.7% 51%
1993 38% 0% 50.5% 54%
1992 34.1% 0% 51.6% 45.3%
1991 30.6% 0% 50.3% 39.5%
1990 32% 0% 49.1% 29.1%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

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/norway | CC BY

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Norway spent $263B, or 49.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 45% in Norway, ranking 185/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Norway
2025 -13.4% 9.34%
2024 -12.9% 12.8%
2023 -8.62% 15.9%
2022 -0.25% 24.7%
2021 -8.34% 9.93%
2020 -16.2% -2.46%
2019 -4.16% 6.28%
2018 -2.9% 7.56%
2017 -13.8% 4.79%
2016 -16.7% 3.91%
2015 -11.4% 5.8%
2014 1.25% 8.34%
2013 10.4% 10.3%
2012 19.5% 13.4%
2011 21.5% 13%
2010 11.3% 10.6%
2009 3.61% 10%
2008 36.1% 18.3%
2007 3.12% 16.8%
2006 19.8% 17.7%
2005 16% 14.7%
2004 8.57% 10.8%
2003 8.06% 7.21%
2002 -4.61% 9.05%
2001 2.59% 13.2%
2000 6.86% 15.1%
1999 -18.3% 5.75%
1998 -24% 3.09%
1997 -11.8% 7.41%
1996 -8.7% 6.05%
1995 -19.8% 2.98%
1994 -22.6% 0.04%
1993 -12.8% -1.65%
1992 -8.28% -2.08%
1991 -1.06% -0.12%
1990 -1.63% 1.96%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/norway | 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 Norway's surplus of $49.6B, or 9.34% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.62% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Norway
2025 -0.3% 3.06%
2024 -0.39% 3.15%
2023 0.36% 5.52%
2022 3.68% 5.76%
2021 1.73% 3.48%
2020 1.94% 1.29%
2019 -0.39% 2.17%
2018 1.03% 2.76%
2017 -1.26% 1.88%
2016 -0.28% 3.55%
2015 -0.49% 2.17%
2014 -0.21% 2.04%
2013 0.39% 2.12%
2012 0.11% 0.7%
2011 0.14% 1.28%
2010 0.36% 2.42%
2009 1.04% 2.2%
2008 2.08% 3.75%
2007 0.97% 0.71%
2006 0.16% 2.33%
2005 1.24% 1.53%
2004 0.81% 0.45%
2003 0.3% 2.49%
2002 -2.31% 1.29%
2001 0.6% 3%
2000 1.56% 3.09%
1999 -0.42% 2.37%
1998 -0.44% 2.25%
1997 1.71% 2.57%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 2.46% in Norway. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 3.06% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $193K
Miscellaneous $9K
Metals $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Norway
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $88.9M
Machinery & equipment $1.3M
Animal & marine products $335K
Metals $170K
Chemicals & pharma $129K
Miscellaneous $76K
Textiles & consumer goods $29K
Wood & paper products $6K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Brunei Norway
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
$74.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
10/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
+14%
2025
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$105B
2025
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$177B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$73.9B
2025
Service exports
$463M
2025
$63.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
45.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Norway
Economic freedom 67.5 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 9/197
Property rights 66.1 99.6
Government integrity 60.4 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 96.4
Tax burden 95 63.3
Government spending 75.6 42
Fiscal health 39 96.4
Business freedom 75.3 91.2
Labor freedom 75.1 69.3
Monetary freedom 74.8 72.4
Trade freedom 84.6 85.6
Investment freedom 65 75
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Norway
2026 67.5 78.8
2025 67 78.3
2024 65.9 77.5
2023 65.7 76.9
2022 64.8 76.9
2021 66.6 73.4
2020 66.6 73.4
2019 65.1 73
2018 64.2 74.3
2017 69.8 74
2016 67.3 70.8
2015 68.9 71.8
2014 69 70.9
2013 - 70.5
2012 - 68.8
2011 - 70.3
2010 - 69.4
2009 - 70.2
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 67.9
2005 - 64.5
2004 - 66.2
2003 - 67.2
2002 - 67.4
2001 - 67.1
2000 - 70.1
1999 - 68.6
1998 - 68
1997 - 65.1
1996 - 65.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Norway
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
34.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
1.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$546B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$107,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$85.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
34/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$12.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$5.62B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
23.2%
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/brunei/norway | 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 (1881–1989, 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)

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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.