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Economy of Central African Republic vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $347B for Portugal, ranking 171/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $312B (89.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Central African Republic vs Portugal GDP by year

Central African Republic
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Portugal
2025 $3,066,109,226 $346,639,825,142
2024 $2,751,494,281 $313,656,884,871
2023 $2,555,492,086 $292,323,800,949
2022 $2,382,618,615 $256,898,677,175
2021 $2,516,498,412 $256,055,879,091
2020 $2,326,720,900 $229,618,773,423
2019 $2,221,301,351 $240,115,970,063
2018 $2,220,979,146 $242,092,894,543
2017 $2,072,349,973 $220,862,990,767
2016 $1,825,018,145 $206,305,431,242
2015 $1,695,825,714 $199,038,523,120
2014 $1,894,813,389 $230,078,616,300
2013 $1,691,544,110 $226,677,408,292
2012 $2,510,126,512 $216,536,676,772
2011 $2,437,982,705 $245,426,767,676
2010 $2,142,591,540 $238,443,864,993
2009 $2,067,381,665 $244,667,762,836
2008 $1,993,407,888 $263,416,394,624
2007 $1,699,811,295 $240,496,147,317
2006 $1,461,859,762 $208,756,449,276
2005 $1,337,894,379 $197,253,876,705
2004 $1,272,360,517 $189,382,122,532
2003 $1,142,315,523 $165,226,175,537
2002 $996,068,145 $134,795,565,549
2001 $932,648,605 $121,604,107,165
2000 $916,777,283 $118,605,192,877
1999 $999,477,511 $127,470,385,557
1998 $967,338,390 $123,946,327,916
1997 $937,741,513 $117,016,535,163
1996 $1,007,791,127 $122,630,089,680
1995 $1,115,389,674 $118,122,007,430
1994 $851,174,357 $99,688,641,304
1993 $1,278,781,262 $95,009,751,901
1992 $1,411,917,553 $107,592,098,307
1991 $1,377,374,987 $89,233,599,278
1990 $1,440,711,459 $78,713,860,217
1989 $1,233,930,281 $60,594,092,182
1988 $1,264,899,288 $56,347,250,696
1987 $1,200,991,978 $48,182,925,857
1986 $1,122,265,013 $38,745,901,354
1985 $864,849,836 $27,115,807,742
1984 $637,820,670 $25,217,969,050
1983 $658,679,333 $27,239,650,742
1982 $748,312,391 $30,527,754,793
1981 $694,803,623 $31,977,276,873
1980 $797,048,199 $32,896,519,824
1979 $700,764,748 $26,622,819,672
1978 $610,578,632 $23,487,614,051
1977 $507,298,148 $21,439,523,311
1976 $451,152,461 $20,332,831,565
1975 $378,660,016 $19,347,607,843
1974 $281,398,706 $17,512,391,476
1973 $271,183,082 $15,090,564,186
1972 $230,317,883 $11,239,117,865
1971 $201,450,800 $9,201,604,240
1970 $189,106,529 $8,108,235,704
1969 $188,039,210 $7,287,555,035
1968 $191,767,442 $6,644,693,214
1967 $163,820,514 $6,002,607,030
1966 $157,930,018 $5,370,108,031
1965 $150,574,795 $4,901,711,248
1964 $142,025,079 $4,429,202,657
1963 $129,379,124 $4,084,251,593
1962 $124,482,774 $3,835,883,663
1961 $123,134,583 $3,573,719,085
1960 $112,155,598 $3,339,150,158

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/portugal | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Portugal by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $32,082 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $29,328 $51,680
2023 $496 $1,257 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $467 $1,218 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $492 $1,129 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $463 $1,066 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $449 $985 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $455 $906 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $432 $884 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $387 $826 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $366 $769 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $410 $699 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $364 $710 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $544 $1,062 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $534 $980 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $477 $936 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $456 $877 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $437 $798 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $381 $783 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $334 $743 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $312 $702 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $303 $690 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $278.4 $648 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $248.6 $688 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $238 $668 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $239.2 $640 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $268 $660 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $266.6 $645 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $265.5 $626 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $293.3 $601 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $333 $631 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $261.3 $592 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $405 $570 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $462 $573 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $465 $618 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $502 $620 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $443 - $6,056 -
1988 $466 - $5,624 -
1987 $450 - $4,804 -
1986 $426 - $3,862 -
1985 $333 - $2,705 -
1984 $248.3 - $2,523 -
1983 $259.6 - $2,735 -
1982 $298.4 - $3,080 -
1981 $280.3 - $3,246 -
1980 $325 - $3,368 -
1979 $289.1 - $2,756 -
1978 $254.6 - $2,457 -
1977 $213.8 - $2,267 -
1976 $192.1 - $2,173 -
1975 $163.6 - $2,128 -
1974 $124 - $2,000 -
1973 $121.8 - $1,748 -
1972 $105.5 - $1,302 -
1971 $94.1 - $1,065 -
1970 $90.2 - $934 -
1969 $91.7 - $832 -
1968 $95.6 - $752 -
1967 $83.6 - $676 -
1966 $82.3 - $601 -
1965 $80.2 - $545 -
1964 $77.2 - $490 -
1963 $71.8 - $452 -
1962 $70.4 - $426 -
1961 $71 - $400 -
1960 $65.9 - $377 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/portugal | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $32,082 in Portugal, ranking 43/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

CAR Portugal
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$347B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
46/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
1.86%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$32,082
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
43/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$312B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
89.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$28,843
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
26/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$16,647
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
181,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
43.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
2.34%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
6%
2025
Population
5798457
10788071

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 43.7% 89.9%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 42.5% 93.5%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 41.9% 96.9%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 19% 46.3% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 24% 42.4% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 45.5% 126%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 48.2% 131%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 50% 130.8%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 50% 114%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 16% 20.3% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 16% 35.8% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 44.6% 72.7%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 45.2% 73.7%
2005 16.2% 103% 46.7% 72.2%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 46% 67.1%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 45.3% 63.9%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 44.2% 60%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 42.5% 55.4%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 42.6% 55.6%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 42.4% 58.7%
1996 11.7% 93% 43% 63.3%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 42.6% 62.2%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 42.8% 60.4%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 46.5% 57.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 48.2% 58.1%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 45.9% 63.9%
1990 22% 44.6% 42.2% 60.2%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 36.2% 55.4%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

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/central-african-republic/portugal | CC BY

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $152B, or 43.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 89.9% in Portugal, ranking 72/185 and 30/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Portugal
2025 -5.49% 0.31%
2024 -5.03% 0.5%
2023 -3.42% 1.26%
2022 -5.13% -0.31%
2021 -5.71% -2.83%
2020 -3.23% -5.75%
2019 1.33% 0.12%
2018 -0.93% -0.43%
2017 -1% -3%
2016 1.18% -1.94%
2015 -0.53% -4.37%
2014 -3.02% -7.32%
2013 -2.3% -5.21%
2012 -0.78% -6.2%
2011 -2.15% -7.73%
2010 -1.35% -11.4%
2009 -0.54% -9.87%
2008 -1.23% -3.81%
2007 1.04% -2.91%
2006 8.58% -4.06%
2005 -4.37% -6.05%
2004 -1.74% -5.91%
2003 -3.06% -5.57%
2002 -1.19% -3.7%
2001 -0.88% -4.68%
2000 -2.01% -3.32%
1999 -0.5% -2.93%
1998 0.001% -4.3%
1997 -1.57% -3.65%
1996 -1.06% -4.63%
1995 -4.84% -5.14%
1994 -7.57% -7.37%
1993 -5.66% -8.06%
1992 -7.33% -5.19%
1991 -8% -7.93%
1990 -6.6% -6.82%
1989 -3.25% -2.86%
1988 -3.72% -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

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/central-african-republic/portugal | CC BY

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $168M, equivalent to 5.49% of GDP. This compares to Portugal's surplus of $1.07B, or 0.31% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.39% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Portugal
2025 1% 2.34%
2024 1.5% 2.42%
2023 3% 4.31%
2022 5.6% 7.83%
2021 4.3% 1.27%
2020 0.9% -0.01%
2019 2.8% 0.34%
2018 1.6% 0.99%
2017 4.2% 1.37%
2016 4.9% 0.61%
2015 1.4% 0.49%
2014 17.8% -0.28%
2013 4% 0.27%
2012 5.9% 2.77%
2011 1.2% 3.65%
2010 1.5% 1.4%
2009 3.6% -0.84%
2008 9.2% 2.59%
2007 0.9% 2.45%
2006 6.9% 3.11%
2005 2.9% 2.28%
2004 -2.2% 2.37%
2003 4.4% 3.22%
2002 2.3% 3.6%
2001 3.8% 4.37%
2000 3.2% 2.85%
1999 -1.4% 2.34%
1998 -1.9% 2.57%
1997 1.6% 2.34%

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/central-african-republic/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 2.34% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.02M
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Wood & paper products $2K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.39M
Chemicals & pharma $192K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $131K
Wood & paper products $91K
Textiles & consumer goods $63K
Raw materials & minerals $36K
Raw agricultural goods $27K
Animal & marine products $21K
Metals $6K

Balance of trade

CAR Portugal
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
30/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
42.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
43.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Portugal
Economic freedom 43.1 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 33/197
Property rights 5.6 88.9
Government integrity 19.2 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 4 90.1
Tax burden 65.5 60.6
Government spending 90.1 44.6
Fiscal health 59 82
Business freedom 26.5 83.1
Labor freedom 48.5 54.8
Monetary freedom 75.6 77.7
Trade freedom 47.6 79.4
Investment freedom 45 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Portugal
2026 43.1 71.2
2025 42.8 70.5
2024 41.3 68.7
2023 43.8 69.5
2022 45.7 70.8
2021 48.8 67.5
2020 50.7 67
2019 49.1 65.3
2018 49.2 63.4
2017 51.8 62.6
2016 45.2 65.1
2015 45.9 65.3
2014 46.7 63.5
2013 50.4 63.1
2012 50.3 63
2011 49.3 64
2010 48.4 64.4
2009 48.3 64.9
2008 48.6 63.9
2007 50.6 64
2006 54.2 62.9
2005 56.5 62.4
2004 57.5 64.9
2003 60 64.9
2002 59.8 65.4
2001 - 66
2000 - 65.5
1999 - 65.6
1998 - 65
1997 - 63.6
1996 - 64.5
1995 - 62.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/portugal | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Portugal
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
66.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
18.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
1.96%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$323B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$52,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$68.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
39/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
21%
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/central-african-republic/portugal | 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 (1880–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, 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.

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.