Skip to content

Economy of Cape Verde vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $1.33T for the Netherlands, ranking 172/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $578B (43.3% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Cape Verde vs Netherlands GDP by year

Cape Verde
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Netherlands
2025 $3,056,630,435 $1,332,767,651,100
2024 $2,713,721,857 $1,213,936,238,063
2023 $2,504,525,538 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $2,247,003,344 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $2,051,842,619 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $1,821,565,614 $932,560,861,701
2019 $2,252,177,124 $928,903,005,576
2018 $2,205,099,507 $929,733,599,797
2017 $1,996,741,540 $848,233,537,846
2016 $1,849,789,986 $797,163,949,290
2015 $1,749,857,620 $775,743,675,303
2014 $2,041,930,125 $901,556,501,756
2013 $2,028,910,915 $883,951,539,007
2012 $1,913,081,210 $845,689,017,066
2011 $2,046,817,987 $913,140,741,333
2010 $1,824,751,468 $852,464,982,433
2009 $1,852,334,575 $878,954,223,140
2008 $1,959,620,648 $957,901,566,041
2007 $1,649,621,739 $853,499,460,873
2006 $1,107,571,458 $737,593,995,289
2005 $972,241,677 $688,133,699,636
2004 $924,940,012 $661,224,886,143
2003 $813,260,469 $582,435,617,082
2002 $620,507,387 $475,529,972,123
2001 $563,090,490 $432,536,219,669
2000 $539,227,278 $417,649,282,154
1999 $592,416,703 $447,778,514,140
1998 $521,910,561 $438,612,530,549
1997 $490,608,658 $417,506,211,882
1996 $501,979,270 $451,372,549,020
1995 $487,148,994 $452,967,334,614
1994 $406,580,652 $379,688,232,232
1993 $490,417,390 $354,070,495,966
1992 $357,160,985 $363,497,050,125
1991 $319,827,059 $327,982,316,124
1990 $306,890,963 $318,799,003,994
1989 $267,448,571 $258,716,904,292
1988 $264,308,140 $262,295,966,105
1987 $235,253,065 $245,406,949,521
1986 $190,651,168 $201,157,708,221
1985 $137,728,205 $144,057,523,222
1984 $132,019,039 $144,124,462,912
1983 $138,476,176 $153,671,294,109
1982 $140,630,679 $158,712,765,536
1981 $139,468,209 $164,375,775,854
1980 $142,246,815 $195,439,301,707
1979 - $179,933,827,310
1978 - $156,089,077,205
1977 - $127,203,923,857
1976 - $109,329,386,564
1975 - $100,397,061,694
1974 - $87,371,810,804
1973 - $71,946,639,603
1972 - $54,787,070,173
1971 - $44,644,730,576
1970 - $38,220,884,519
1969 - $34,086,038,090
1968 - $30,097,635,751
1967 - $27,143,828,099
1966 - $24,741,480,717
1965 - $22,721,869,808
1964 - $20,232,048,553
1963 - $17,193,744,109
1962 - $15,847,582,341
1961 - $14,599,836,396
1960 - $13,282,979,015

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/netherlands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Netherlands by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $73,684 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $67,465 $86,174
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $991 $1,540 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $908 $1,186 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $832 $1,069 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $817 $1,044 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $727 - $17,423 -
1988 $729 - $17,771 -
1987 $658 - $16,734 -
1986 $541 - $13,804 -
1985 $396 - $9,941 -
1984 $385 - $9,992 -
1983 $410 - $10,696 -
1982 $423 - $11,089 -
1981 $425 - $11,537 -
1980 $440 - $13,812 -
1979 - - $12,817 -
1978 - - $11,196 -
1977 - - $9,180 -
1976 - - $7,937 -
1975 - - $7,346 -
1974 - - $6,450 -
1973 - - $5,353 -
1972 - - $4,110 -
1971 - - $3,384 -
1970 - - $2,931 -
1969 - - $2,647 -
1968 - - $2,364 -
1967 - - $2,155 -
1966 - - $1,986 -
1965 - - $1,848 -
1964 - - $1,668 -
1963 - - $1,437 -
1962 - - $1,342 -
1961 - - $1,254 -
1960 - - $1,156 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/netherlands | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $73,684 in the Netherlands, ranking 12/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
18/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
1.78%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$73,684
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
12/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$578B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
43.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$31,942
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
23/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$46,674
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,294,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
45.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
3.26%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
3.9%
2025
Population
530853
18243998

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 45.1% 43.3%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 44.4% 43.7%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 44% 45.8%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 28% 113% 42.8% 56%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 44% 45%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 35% 66.4% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 53.9% 73%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 49.4% 73.5%
1993 - - 50.9% 76.7%
1992 - - 50.2% 75.6%
1991 - - 49.6% 74.8%
1990 - - 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/netherlands | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $602B, or 45.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 43.3% in the Netherlands, ranking 23/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Netherlands
2025 1.06% -1.84%
2024 -1.07% -0.94%
2023 -0.28% -0.37%
2022 -4.25% 0.002%
2021 -7.51% -2.26%
2020 -9.29% -3.72%
2019 -1.62% 1.91%
2018 -2.36% 1.49%
2017 -2.63% 1.35%
2016 -2.73% 0.23%
2015 -4.16% -1.84%
2014 -6.93% -2.17%
2013 -8.49% -2.87%
2012 -9.36% -3.83%
2011 -6.98% -4.42%
2010 -9.6% -5.3%
2009 -5.32% -5.06%
2008 -1.42% -0.06%
2007 -0.86% -0.16%
2006 -4.32% 0.04%
2005 -4.69% -0.51%
2004 -2.98% -1.82%
2003 -3.63% -3.19%
2002 -6.14% -2.23%
2001 -5.03% -0.47%
2000 -15.5% 1.14%
1999 -10.9% 0.28%
1998 -3.16% -1.34%
1997 -10.2% -1.6%
1996 -11.2% -1.91%
1995 -11.1% -8.72%
1994 -12.8% -3.53%
1993 - -3.13%
1992 - -3.12%
1991 - -2.05%
1990 - -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/netherlands | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.3M, equivalent to 1.06% of GDP. This compares to the Netherlands' deficit of $24.5B, or 1.84% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.68% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Netherlands
2025 2.3% 3.26%
2024 1.1% 3.35%
2023 3.7% 3.84%
2022 7.9% 10%
2021 1.9% 2.68%
2020 0.6% 1.27%
2019 1.1% 2.63%
2018 1.3% 1.7%
2017 0.8% 1.38%
2016 -1.4% 0.32%
2015 0.1% 0.6%
2014 -0.2% 0.98%
2013 1.5% 2.51%
2012 2.5% 2.46%
2011 4.5% 2.34%
2010 2.1% 1.28%
2009 1% 1.19%
2008 6.8% 2.49%
2007 4.4% 1.61%
2006 4.8% 1.1%
2005 0.4% 1.69%
2004 -1.9% 1.26%
2003 1.2% 2.09%
2002 1.9% 3.29%
2001 3.7% 4.16%
2000 -2.4% 2.36%
1999 4.3% 2.16%
1998 4.4% 1.96%
1997 8.6% 2.11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/netherlands | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.35% in the Netherlands. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 3.26% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $299K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.5M
Machinery & equipment $9.54M
Animal & marine products $7.58M
Raw agricultural goods $3.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.54M
Chemicals & pharma $808K
Metals $491K
Raw materials & minerals $277K
Wood & paper products $128K
Miscellaneous $67K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Netherlands
Current account balance
$108M
2025
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
+9.14%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$693B
2024
Service imports
$350M
2025
$262B
2024
Service exports
$940M
2025
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
69.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
80.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Netherlands
Economic freedom 71.4 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 11/197
Property rights 72.7 96
Government integrity 63.3 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 96.1
Tax burden 84.4 54
Government spending 79.5 42.2
Fiscal health 74.4 95.9
Business freedom 78.9 85
Labor freedom 59.5 59.3
Monetary freedom 80.4 77
Trade freedom 66.6 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Netherlands
2026 71.4 78.5
2025 68.7 78.2
2024 62.9 77.3
2023 65.8 78
2022 66.7 79.5
2021 63.8 76.8
2020 63.6 77
2019 63.1 76.8
2018 60 76.2
2017 56.9 75.8
2016 66.5 74.6
2015 66.4 73.7
2014 66.1 74.2
2013 63.7 73.5
2012 63.5 73.3
2011 64.6 74.7
2010 61.8 75
2009 61.3 77
2008 57.9 77.4
2007 56.5 75.5
2006 58.6 75.4
2005 57.8 72.9
2004 58.1 74.5
2003 56.1 74.6
2002 57.6 75.1
2001 56.3 73
2000 51.9 70.4
1999 50.7 70.2
1998 48 69.2
1997 47.7 70.4
1996 49.7 69.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/netherlands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
70.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
17.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
1.68%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$1.24T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$85,480
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$118B
2025
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
27/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
19.8%
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/cape-verde/netherlands | 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 (1880–1996, 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 (2022–2025, 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.

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.