Skip to content

Economy of Canada vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Canada has a GDP of $2.24T compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 9/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Canada has $2.5T in government debt (111.3% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Canada vs Poland GDP by year

Canada
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Canada Poland
2024 $2,243,636,826,634 $917,767,106,147
2023 $2,173,339,670,064 $812,451,193,396
2022 $2,190,411,080,134 $695,607,470,875
2021 $2,022,378,748,423 $689,170,230,665
2020 $1,655,684,730,000 $605,914,237,904
2019 $1,743,725,183,673 $602,683,770,145
2018 $1,725,329,192,783 $594,616,687,350
2017 $1,649,265,644,244 $528,356,676,667
2016 $1,527,994,741,907 $473,259,583,970
2015 $1,556,508,816,217 $480,054,118,583
2014 $1,805,749,878,440 $542,134,167,179
2013 $1,846,597,421,835 $518,179,836,405
2012 $1,828,366,481,522 $498,148,649,703
2011 $1,793,326,630,175 $527,848,543,023
2010 $1,617,343,367,486 $478,111,630,684
2009 $1,374,625,142,157 $440,891,472,247
2008 $1,552,989,690,722 $535,612,030,672
2007 $1,468,820,407,783 $429,715,132,138
2006 $1,319,264,809,591 $345,897,630,736
2005 $1,173,108,598,779 $306,999,913,151
2004 $1,026,690,238,278 $256,268,656,145
2003 $895,540,646,635 $218,561,225,998
2002 $760,649,334,098 $199,694,463,256
2001 $738,981,792,355 $191,823,200,371
2000 $744,773,415,932 $172,953,527,033
1999 $678,412,196,271 $170,704,452,715
1998 $634,000,000,000 $175,282,269,667
1997 $654,986,999,856 $159,893,964,917
1996 $630,607,994,133 $160,813,026,223
1995 $605,961,090,061 $142,838,527,115
1994 $579,944,346,807 $110,803,635,288
1993 $579,053,561,739 $96,043,157,273
1992 $594,387,358,319 $94,337,050,693
1991 $612,527,712,316 $85,500,935,935
1990 $596,075,591,361 $65,977,748,211
1989 $567,211,993,243 -
1988 $509,380,027,627 -
1987 $433,134,238,311 -
1986 $379,006,836,992 -
1985 $366,186,012,450 -
1984 $356,718,400,124 -
1983 $341,866,277,183 -
1982 $314,647,807,409 -
1981 $307,246,642,756 -
1980 $274,776,566,028 -
1979 $243,891,124,296 -
1978 $219,369,542,386 -
1977 $212,325,176,305 -
1976 $207,271,612,576 -
1975 $174,419,757,177 -
1974 $160,949,188,139 -
1973 $131,764,343,566 -
1972 $113,463,848,874 -
1971 $99,606,454,744 -
1970 $88,192,257,632 -
1969 $79,405,011,125 -
1968 $72,048,833,006 -
1967 $65,856,924,424 -
1966 $61,252,415,405 -
1965 $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/canada/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Canada vs Poland by year

Canada
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Canada Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $54,340 $64,610 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $54,220 $64,219 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $56,257 $63,944 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $52,887 $56,995 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $43,538 $48,591 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $46,353 $50,499 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $46,539 $49,983 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $45,130 $48,317 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $42,314 $46,471 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $43,594 $44,668 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $50,961 $45,758 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $52,638 $44,301 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $52,670 $42,292 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $52,224 $41,667 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $47,561 $40,103 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $40,875 $38,863 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $46,710 $40,376 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $44,660 $39,573 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $40,504 $38,123 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $36,384 $36,328 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $32,146 $33,929 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $28,302 $32,350 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $24,256 $30,964 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $23,822 $30,241 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $24,271 $29,348 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $22,315 $27,841 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $21,025 $26,324 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $21,902 $25,264 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $21,297 $24,055 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $20,680 $23,474 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $19,998 $22,624 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $20,187 $21,432 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $20,950 $20,619 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $21,847 $20,220 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $21,526 $20,226 $1,731 $6,185
1989 $20,795 - - -
1988 $19,013 - - -
1987 $16,378 - - -
1986 $14,521 - - -
1985 $14,170 - - -
1984 $13,930 - - -
1983 $13,477 - - -
1982 $12,527 - - -
1981 $12,379 - - -
1980 $11,208 - - -
1979 $10,078 - - -
1978 $9,154 - - -
1977 $8,949 - - -
1976 $8,839 - - -
1975 $7,537 - - -
1974 $7,057 - - -
1973 $5,858 - - -
1972 $5,107 - - -
1971 $4,535 - - -
1970 $4,136 - - -
1969 $3,776 - - -
1968 $3,473 - - -
1967 $3,226 - - -
1966 $3,055 - - -
1965 $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/canada/poland | CC BY

Canada's GDP per capita is $54,340, ranking 20/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Canada ranks 28th at $64,610, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Canada Poland
Gross domestic product
$2.24T
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
9/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
1.55%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$54,340
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
20/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$64,610
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
28/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$2.5T
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.3%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$60,482
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
4/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$37,320
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.37T
2024
$197B
2024
Number of millionaires
2,098,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
76
2025
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2021
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2021
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.7%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.38%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.25%
2025
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.35%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
42181965
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Canada
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Canada Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 44.7% 111.3% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 42.1% 107.7% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 40.6% 104.2% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 45.5% 112.6% 43.6% 53%
2020 52.4% 118.1% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 40.6% 90.2% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 40.7% 90.8% 41% 48.2%
2017 40.5% 90.9% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 40.8% 92.4% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 40% 92% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 38.4% 85.5% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 40% 87.6% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 40.9% 87.2% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 41.6% 84.3% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 43.1% 84% 46% 53.7%
2009 43.4% 81.8% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 38.8% 70.4% 44% 46.6%
2007 38.5% 67.2% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 38.7% 69.9% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 38.5% 70.6% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 39.1% 71.9% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 40.3% 75.9% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 40.4% 79.6% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 41.1% 81.5% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 40.6% 80.4% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 41.8% 89% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 43.4% 93.3% 44% 38.7%
1997 43.5% 95.3% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 45.9% 100.2% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 47.7% 100.1% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 49% 97.5% - 64.3%
1993 51.5% 94.7% - 83.9%
1992 52.5% 88.2% - 81.9%
1991 51.4% 81.7% - 76.9%
1990 48.1% 73.7% - 89.7%
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% 35.6% -
1978 41.6% 48% 35.8% -
1977 41.4% 45.1% 35.6% -
1976 40.2% 43.6% 34.8% -
1975 41.1% 45.2% 34.1% -
1974 37.6% 45.8% 28.6% -
1973 36% 48% 24.5% -
1972 37.5% 53.5% 24.1% -
1971 37.3% 55.3% 24.1% -
1970 36% 54.3% 25.8% -
1969 33.9% 53% 26.3% -
1968 33.8% 55.9% 27.3% -
1967 32.9% 56.9% 29.6% -
1966 30.8% 56.6% 31.7% -
1965 29.8% 60.1% 31.8% -
1964 29.7% 63.7% 33.5% -
1963 30.3% 67% 33.3% -
1962 30.6% 67.2% 43% -
1961 30.6% 68.2% 42.8% -
1960 14.9% 66.1% 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Canada's government spending was $1T, accounting for 44.7% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.3% in Canada and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 15/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Canada

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Canada Poland
2024 -2.01% -6.59%
2023 0.07% -5.27%
2022 0.56% -3.44%
2021 -3.06% -1.75%
2020 -10.9% -6.85%
2019 -0.02% -0.73%
2018 0.36% -0.24%
2017 -0.11% -1.49%
2016 -0.45% -2.38%
2015 -0.06% -2.59%
2014 0.17% -3.66%
2013 -1.49% -4.25%
2012 -2.52% -3.8%
2011 -3.31% -4.97%
2010 -4.74% -7.43%
2009 -3.88% -7.24%
2008 0.18% -3.6%
2007 1.82% -1.88%
2006 1.83% -3.53%
2005 1.55% -3.93%
2004 0.77% -4.99%
2003 -0.13% -6.02%
2002 -0.23% -4.8%
2001 0.53% -4.73%
2000 2.64% -4%
1999 1.66% -2.3%
1998 0.14% -4.25%
1997 0.04% -4.61%
1996 -3.05% -4.84%
1995 -5.49% -4.39%
1994 -6.94% -
1993 -8.93% -
1992 -9.2% -
1991 -8.36% -
1990 -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/canada/poland | CC BY

In 2024, Canada's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $45.2B, equivalent to 2.01% of GDP. This compares to Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Canada recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Canada posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Canada

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Canada Poland
2024 2.38% 3.78%
2023 3.88% 11.5%
2022 6.8% 14.4%
2021 3.4% 5.06%
2020 0.72% 3.37%
2019 1.95% 2.23%
2018 2.27% 1.81%
2017 1.6% 2.08%
2016 1.43% -0.66%
2015 1.13% -0.87%
2014 1.91% 0.05%
2013 0.94% 0.99%
2012 1.52% 3.56%
2011 2.91% 4.24%
2010 1.78% 2.58%
2009 0.3% 3.8%
2008 2.37% 4.16%
2007 2.14% 2.46%
2006 2% 1.28%
2005 2.21% 2.18%
2004 1.86% 3.38%
2003 2.76% 0.68%
2002 2.26% 1.91%
2001 2.53% 5.41%
2000 2.72% 9.9%
1999 1.73% 7.15%
1998 1% 11.6%
1997 1.62% 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Canada has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.15%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 2.38% in Canada and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Canada
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $471M
Raw materials & minerals $136M
Chemicals & pharma $72M
Transport & tourism services $49.1M
Metals $42.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29.3M
Weapons & explosives $21M
Raw agricultural goods $18.9M
Miscellaneous $18.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $15.2M
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.62B
Chemicals & pharma $191M
Textiles & consumer goods $133M
Metals $106M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $97.1M
Raw materials & minerals $37.4M
Raw agricultural goods $31.4M
Wood & paper products $19.8M
Transport & tourism services $18.1M
Animal & marine products $13.7M

Balance of trade

Canada Poland
Current account balance
-$10.3B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
177/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.46%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$574B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$569B
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$160B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$159B
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.7%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.4%
2024
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Canada Poland
Economic freedom 75.6 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 17/197 46/197
Property rights 85.9 71.8
Government integrity 85.5 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 96 62.5
Tax burden 74.7 72.7
Government spending 45.9 35.1
Fiscal health 79.7 74.8
Business freedom 84.2 77.5
Labor freedom 68.3 53.7
Monetary freedom 73.8 73.8
Trade freedom 83.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Canada
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Canada Poland
2026 75.6 68.5
2025 75.5 67.1
2024 72.4 66
2023 73.7 67.7
2022 76.6 68.7
2021 77.9 69.7
2020 78.2 69.1
2019 77.7 67.8
2018 77.7 68.5
2017 78.5 68.3
2016 78 69.3
2015 79.1 68.6
2014 80.2 67
2013 79.4 66
2012 79.9 64.2
2011 80.8 64.1
2010 80.4 63.2
2009 80.5 60.3
2008 80.2 60.3
2007 78 58.1
2006 77.4 59.3
2005 75.8 59.6
2004 75.3 58.7
2003 74.8 61.8
2002 74.6 65
2001 71.2 61.8
2000 70.5 60
1999 69.3 59.6
1998 68.5 59.2
1997 67.9 56.8
1996 70.3 57.8
1995 69.4 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Canada is 75.6, ranking 17/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Canada Poland
Services, % of GDP
66.4%
2021
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2021
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.6%
2021
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.2T
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,630
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$120B
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
23/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$27.8B
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$63.1B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4B
2024
$10B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.4%
2020
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
17.8%
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/canada/poland | 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 (1870–1994, 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.