Skip to content

Economy of China vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 2/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

China vs Iceland GDP by year

China
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Iceland
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $33,255,181,469
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $31,677,891,897
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $29,166,102,877
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $26,234,872,402
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $22,034,665,041
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $24,985,687,022
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $26,677,652,544
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $25,060,086,488
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $21,083,713,310
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $17,700,486,957
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $18,052,183,515
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $16,244,319,959
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $14,943,757,823
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $15,394,005,872
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $13,922,711,577
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $13,212,543,838
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $18,247,921,360
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $21,960,110,030
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $17,671,649,843
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $17,146,410,561
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $13,963,943,244
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $11,564,687,742
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $9,416,199,700
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $8,323,401,820
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $9,140,168,922
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $9,107,644,691
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $8,637,732,542
1997 $967,753,570,435 $7,716,781,803
1996 $868,523,936,530 $7,686,566,105
1995 $738,190,896,228 $7,372,640,169
1994 $566,929,539,493 $6,612,804,056
1993 $446,557,291,212 $6,435,952,174
1992 $428,502,354,788 $7,328,497,599
1991 $384,510,452,962 $7,151,260,062
1990 $361,560,229,446 $6,694,851,159
1989 $348,380,566,802 $5,870,854,233
1988 $312,888,888,889 $6,320,093,411
1987 $273,455,156,951 $5,713,281,235
1986 $301,310,144,928 $4,129,080,094
1985 $310,064,625,850 $3,088,359,967
1984 $260,442,857,143 $2,964,568,006
1983 $231,130,268,199 $2,862,634,164
1982 $205,480,916,031 $3,318,714,326
1981 $196,218,253,968 $3,615,094,820
1980 $191,487,500,000 $3,499,616,683
1979 $178,573,913,043 $2,953,176,971
1978 $149,788,617,886 $2,599,627,089
1977 $175,226,595,860 $2,285,707,749
1976 $154,196,810,059 $1,727,845,419
1975 $163,687,619,736 $1,456,052,700
1974 $144,418,433,058 $1,568,154,077
1973 $138,764,340,892 $1,194,794,186
1972 $113,871,930,714 $869,002,946
1971 $99,959,013,880 $693,679,545
1970 $92,752,930,873 $545,115,909
1969 $79,847,786,729 $435,659,610
1968 $70,980,323,819 $498,365,200
1967 $73,011,350,596 $652,609,076
1966 $76,854,053,259 $660,663,763
1965 $70,565,994,356 $550,150,988
1964 $59,821,862,703 $456,206,299
1963 $50,812,227,919 $357,240,896
1962 $47,310,737,754 $299,309,938
1961 $50,162,299,350 $266,711,460
1960 $59,846,235,025 $260,984,499

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/iceland | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Iceland by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $969 $2,964 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $881 $2,690 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $835 $2,483 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $787 $2,297 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $713 $2,088 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $613 $1,884 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $476 $1,680 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $379 $1,471 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $368 $1,276 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $334 $1,105 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $319 $991 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $311 - $23,219 -
1988 $284 - $25,307 -
1987 $252.3 - $23,238 -
1986 $282.4 - $16,980 -
1985 $295 - $12,793 -
1984 $251.2 - $12,378 -
1983 $225.9 - $12,080 -
1982 $203.7 - $14,191 -
1981 $197.4 - $15,666 -
1980 $195.1 - $15,340 -
1979 $184.3 - $13,082 -
1978 $156.7 - $11,630 -
1977 $185.7 - $10,305 -
1976 $165.7 - $7,848 -
1975 $178.6 - $6,680 -
1974 $160.4 - $7,287 -
1973 $157.3 - $5,627 -
1972 $132.1 - $4,155 -
1971 $118.8 - $3,366 -
1970 $113.3 - $2,666 -
1969 $100.3 - $2,142 -
1968 $91.6 - $2,473 -
1967 $96.8 - $3,284 -
1966 $104.5 - $3,378 -
1965 $98.7 - $2,861 -
1964 $85.7 - $2,414 -
1963 $74.5 - $1,924 -
1962 $71.1 - $1,641 -
1961 $76 - $1,490 -
1960 $89.7 - $1,486 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/iceland | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

China Iceland
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$55,565
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
3.56%
2024
Population
1402578808
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 32.7% 82% 45% 61.5%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 34.8% 69% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 43% 65.7%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 32% 53.9% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 31% 40.8% 43% 96.3%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 50% 136.6%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 25.2% 34% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 18% 25.9% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 17.6% 26% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 18% 26.4% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 45% 81.3%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 11% 21.2% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 12.4% - 45% 54.8%
1993 13.4% - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 14.6% - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 16.5% - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 18.2% - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 18.6% - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 41.4% 30.6%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 36.5% 27.3%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 39.5% 29.9%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 37% 32%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 34.7% 32.4%
1983 28.3% - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 27.9% - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 34/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Iceland
2024 -7.34% -3.51%
2023 -6.71% -2.28%
2022 -7.32% -3.93%
2021 -5.9% -8.33%
2020 -9.56% -8.73%
2019 -6% -1.57%
2018 -4.2% 0.94%
2017 -3.34% 0.97%
2016 -3.33% 12.4%
2015 -2.5% -0.39%
2014 -0.67% 0.29%
2013 -0.82% -1.24%
2012 -0.3% -2.59%
2011 -0.1% -6.46%
2010 -0.36% -6.58%
2009 -1.72% -8.54%
2008 -0.02% -12%
2007 0.06% 5.52%
2006 -1.13% 6.37%
2005 -1.38% 4.92%
2004 -1.49% 0.28%
2003 -2.36% -2.3%
2002 -2.84% -2.25%
2001 -2.56% -0.28%
2000 -2.81% 1.43%
1999 -2.3% 1.3%
1998 -1.08% -0.56%
1997 -0.73% 0.04%
1996 -0.73% -1.52%
1995 -0.94% -2.87%
1994 -1.68% -4.59%
1993 -0.89% -4.36%
1992 -1.22% -1.86%
1991 -1.04% -0.66%
1990 -0.72% -3.16%
1989 -0.91% -4.29%
1988 -2.22% -1.93%
1987 -2.08% -0.79%
1986 -1.82% -3.93%
1985 -0.45% -1.56%
1984 -1.44% 2.25%
1983 -1.61% -1.96%
1982 -1.33% 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.55% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Iceland
2024 0.2% 5.86%
2023 0.2% 8.74%
2022 2% 8.31%
2021 0.9% 4.44%
2020 2.5% 2.85%
2019 2.9% 3.01%
2018 2.1% 2.68%
2017 1.6% 1.76%
2016 2% 1.7%
2015 1.5% 1.63%
2014 2% 2.04%
2013 2.7% 3.87%
2012 2.6% 5.19%
2011 5.4% 4%
2010 3.3% 5.4%
2009 -0.7% 12%
2008 5.9% 12.7%
2007 4.7% 5.05%
2006 1.5% 6.69%
2005 1.8% 3.99%
2004 3.9% 3.16%
2003 1.1% 2.06%
2002 -0.8% 5.2%
2001 0.7% 6.41%
2000 0.4% 5.14%
1999 -1.4% 3.23%
1998 -0.8% 1.66%
1997 2.8% 1.82%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/iceland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $170M
Textiles & consumer goods $33.6M
Metals $30.8M
Miscellaneous $16.5M
Raw materials & minerals $11M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.34M
Chemicals & pharma $4.88M
Wood & paper products $2.78M
Weapons & explosives $1.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $623K
Iceland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $117M
Metals $12.8M
Transport & tourism services $9.22M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.61M
IT & IP services $5.08M
Machinery & equipment $4.28M
Business & finance services $3.43M
Miscellaneous $2.29M
Government & miscellaneous services $2.13M
Chemicals & pharma $1.49M

Balance of trade

China Iceland
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Iceland
Economic freedom 48.3 75
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 19/197
Property rights 40.9 94.9
Government integrity 42.3 85
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 95.2
Tax burden 69.3 72.2
Government spending 67.8 37
Fiscal health 4.4 76.2
Business freedom 68.7 86.8
Labor freedom 57.9 59.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 73.5
Trade freedom 73.4 79.8
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Iceland
2026 48.3 75
2025 49 72.8
2024 48.5 70.5
2023 48.3 72.2
2022 48 77
2021 58.4 77.4
2020 59.5 77.1
2019 58.4 77.1
2018 57.8 77
2017 57.4 74.4
2016 52 73.3
2015 52.7 72
2014 52.5 72.4
2013 51.9 72.1
2012 51.2 70.9
2011 52 68.2
2010 51 73.7
2009 53.2 75.9
2008 53.1 75.8
2007 52 76
2006 53.6 75.8
2005 53.7 76.6
2004 52.5 72.1
2003 52.6 73.5
2002 52.8 73.1
2001 52.6 73.4
2000 56.4 74
1999 54.8 71.4
1998 53.1 71.2
1997 51.7 70.5
1996 51.3 -
1995 52 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/iceland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Iceland
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
26.1%
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/china/iceland | 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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, 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)

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.