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Economy of Denmark vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Denmark has a GDP of $425B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 37/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

Denmark has $134B in government debt (31.5% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Denmark vs Malaysia GDP by year

Denmark
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Denmark Malaysia
2024 $424,524,722,037 $422,227,005,429
2023 $404,651,706,118 $399,949,418,753
2022 $400,114,306,337 $407,830,525,990
2021 $406,110,162,088 $373,784,553,030
2020 $355,631,021,932 $337,456,163,961
2019 $345,401,473,013 $365,177,721,022
2018 $355,293,374,912 $358,788,845,713
2017 $331,610,593,962 $319,109,094,160
2016 $312,181,849,372 $301,256,033,870
2015 $301,758,922,338 $301,355,266,965
2014 $352,832,602,064 $338,066,095,097
2013 $344,631,016,965 $323,276,235,524
2012 $326,792,574,245 $314,443,047,642
2011 $344,315,595,263 $297,951,668,675
2010 $322,345,594,075 $255,017,638,456
2009 $322,619,152,195 $202,257,453,037
2008 $354,979,471,960 $230,811,614,370
2007 $320,213,157,595 $193,549,569,478
2006 $283,386,151,544 $162,692,258,307
2005 $265,150,087,712 $143,534,405,819
2004 $251,986,155,631 $124,749,473,684
2003 $218,421,193,436 $110,202,368,421
2002 $178,788,209,558 $100,845,526,316
2001 $164,881,594,415 $92,783,947,368
2000 $164,043,817,224 $93,789,736,842
1999 $177,887,720,536 $79,148,421,053
1998 $176,877,077,513 $72,167,498,981
1997 $173,241,365,735 $100,005,323,302
1996 $187,481,157,846 $100,855,393,910
1995 $184,848,481,008 $88,705,342,903
1994 $156,017,919,221 $74,478,356,958
1993 $143,111,306,004 $66,894,966,969
1992 $152,966,494,260 $59,167,550,163
1991 $139,180,507,778 $49,143,148,094
1990 $138,217,740,684 $44,024,585,240
1989 $112,312,200,761 $38,847,965,293
1988 $115,540,189,705 $35,272,109,220
1987 $109,183,446,340 $32,181,210,158
1986 $87,748,695,217 $27,734,111,400
1985 $62,452,421,011 $31,199,633,353
1984 $58,868,891,335 $33,942,897,422
1983 $60,331,158,447 $30,347,442,111
1982 $60,084,214,872 $26,804,493,635
1981 $61,459,941,461 $25,004,285,792
1980 $70,811,287,816 $24,488,224,677
1979 $70,393,030,603 $21,213,264,962
1978 $60,320,089,218 $16,358,079,862
1977 $49,711,709,588 $13,139,488,633
1976 $44,503,607,444 $11,050,234,599
1975 $40,418,967,666 $9,298,800,799
1974 $34,125,712,481 $9,496,204,302
1973 $30,718,181,337 $7,662,902,678
1972 $23,230,667,549 $5,043,347,250
1971 $19,086,192,720 $4,244,395,956
1970 $17,075,457,733 $3,864,145,667
1969 $15,414,902,667 $3,664,552,041
1968 $13,505,574,133 $3,330,371,551
1967 $13,059,064,806 $3,188,924,677
1966 $11,931,740,293 $3,143,517,944
1965 $10,870,670,865 $2,956,337,669
1964 $9,677,401,337 $2,674,423,922
1963 $8,466,044,980 $2,510,110,348
1962 $7,953,274,741 $2,001,489,602
1961 $7,058,361,229 $1,901,856,123
1960 $6,361,166,545 $1,916,229,477

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/malaysia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Denmark vs Malaysia by year

Denmark
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Denmark Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $71,026 $81,878 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $68,044 $77,892 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $67,781 $78,914 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $69,341 $69,715 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $60,985 $62,682 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $59,404 $60,595 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $61,325 $57,234 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $57,522 $55,272 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $54,501 $51,821 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $53,094 $48,897 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $62,520 $47,880 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $61,378 $46,869 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $58,444 $44,755 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $61,810 $44,444 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $58,105 $43,038 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $58,413 $40,524 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $64,617 $41,467 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $58,632 $39,110 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $52,119 $37,392 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $48,926 $34,238 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $46,625 $33,016 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $40,519 $30,864 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $33,257 $30,667 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $30,768 $29,459 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $30,722 $28,648 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $33,426 $26,642 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $33,346 $25,799 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $32,780 $24,887 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $35,622 $23,723 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $35,321 $22,677 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $29,968 $21,669 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $27,582 $20,217 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $29,579 $19,830 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $27,003 $19,067 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $26,886 $18,225 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $21,882 - $2,244 -
1988 $22,525 - $2,100 -
1987 $21,296 - $1,977 -
1986 $17,137 - $1,760 -
1985 $12,213 - $2,046 -
1984 $11,517 - $2,300 -
1983 $11,797 - $2,124 -
1982 $11,740 - $1,938 -
1981 $12,000 - $1,866 -
1980 $13,822 - $1,886 -
1979 $13,757 - $1,680 -
1978 $11,818 - $1,327 -
1977 $9,770 - $1,092 -
1976 $8,773 - $940 -
1975 $7,988 - $811 -
1974 $6,764 - $848 -
1973 $6,117 - $701 -
1972 $4,654 - $472 -
1971 $3,846 - $407 -
1970 $3,464 - $380 -
1969 $3,151 - $368 -
1968 $2,776 - $342 -
1967 $2,701 - $335 -
1966 $2,487 - $339 -
1965 $2,284 - $326 -
1964 $2,049 - $303 -
1963 $1,807 - $291.8 -
1962 $1,711 - $238.8 -
1961 $1,531 - $232.9 -
1960 $1,389 - $240.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/malaysia | CC BY

Denmark's GDP per capita is $71,026, ranking 12/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Denmark ranks 14th at $81,878, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Denmark Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$425B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
37/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
3.48%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$71,026
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
12/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$81,878
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
14/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$134B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.5%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$22,340
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$53,468
2026
$11,005
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$151B
2004
$449B
2024
Number of millionaires
376,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
9
2025
19
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2023
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.3%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.37%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.6%
2025
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.15%
2024
3.93%
2022
Population
6032403
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Denmark
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Denmark Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 47.3% 31.5% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 47.4% 33.8% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 45.1% 34.2% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 49.7% 40.7% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 53.3% 46.3% 25% 67.7%
2019 49.8% 38.3% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 50.8% 38.5% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 50.6% 40.2% 22% 54.4%
2016 52.4% 41.7% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 54.4% 44.6% 24.7% 57%
2014 55.1% 48.7% 26% 55.4%
2013 55.6% 47.8% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 57.9% 48.7% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 56.3% 50% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 56.5% 46.1% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 56.3% 43% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 50.3% 35.5% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 49.5% 29.5% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 49.7% 33.2% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 51.1% 39.4% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 52.8% 46.2% 25.9% 42%
2003 53.5% 48.2% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 53.1% 50.3% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 53% 50.1% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 52.9% 53.6% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 54.7% 56.8% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 55.6% 60.3% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 56.2% 64.4% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 58.2% 68.3% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 58.7% 71.5% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 59.5% 75.3% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 59.5% 78.7% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 56.4% 66.7% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 55.5% 63.2% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 55.1% 62.4% 30.5% 74.1%
1989 56.2% 62.2% - -
1988 56.1% 64.7% - -
1987 54% 62.5% - -
1986 52.3% 66.8% - -
1985 55.5% 74.7% - -
1984 56.6% 77.7% - -
1983 57.9% 74.2% - -
1982 57.7% 64.5% - -
1981 56.3% 51.7% - -
1980 52.7% 39.2% - -
1979 49.6% 31.8% - -
1978 47.2% 25.5% - -
1977 45.6% 15.2% - -
1976 45% 11.4% - -
1975 45.3% 7.01% - -
1974 43.6% 6.2% - -
1973 39.5% 8.94% - -
1972 42.1% 11.5% - -
1971 42.2% 12.9% - -
1970 24.4% 7.62% - -
1969 25.3% 8.36% - -
1968 24.3% 9.36% - -
1967 22.2% 10.1% - -
1966 21.1% 11.2% - -
1965 17.1% 12.9% - -
1964 17.6% 14.5% - -
1963 18.2% 13.7% - -
1962 17% 15.3% - -
1961 15.6% 16.4% - -
1960 16.4% 20.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/malaysia | CC BY

In 2024, Denmark's government spending was $201B, accounting for 47.3% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.5% in Denmark and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 155/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Denmark

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Denmark Malaysia
2024 4.46% -3.95%
2023 3.43% -3.97%
2022 3.39% -4.56%
2021 4.12% -6.03%
2020 0.36% -4.9%
2019 4.28% -2.01%
2018 0.81% -2.64%
2017 1.69% -2.41%
2016 0.3% -2.6%
2015 -0.9% -2.55%
2014 1.43% -2.63%
2013 -0.94% -3.48%
2012 -3.2% -3.1%
2011 -1.77% -3.57%
2010 -2.52% -4.32%
2009 -2.75% -5.88%
2008 3.46% -3.4%
2007 5.31% -2.57%
2006 5.29% -2.6%
2005 5.2% -2.83%
2004 2.23% -3.35%
2003 0.14% -4.6%
2002 0.25% -3.96%
2001 1.13% -4.36%
2000 1.79% -6.05%
1999 1.06% -3%
1998 -0.28% -0.63%
1997 -1.22% 4.84%
1996 -2.4% 3.27%
1995 -3.5% 3.1%
1994 -3.85% 5.45%
1993 -3.73% 3.44%
1992 -2.6% 1.81%
1991 -3.15% 1.6%
1990 -1.78% 0.15%
1989 0.3% -
1988 1.46% -
1987 2.46% -
1986 3.23% -
1985 -1.38% -
1984 -3.58% -
1983 -6.29% -
1982 -8.22% -
1981 -5.84% -
1980 -2.32% -
1979 -0.69% -
1978 0.41% -
1977 0.37% -
1976 0.19% -
1975 -1.23% -
1974 3.7% -
1973 4.97% -
1972 5.01% -
1971 4.96% -
1970 0.7% -
1969 0.3% -
1968 -0.06% -
1967 1.49% -
1966 0.99% -
1965 2.13% -
1964 1.79% -
1963 1.2% -
1962 -0.09% -
1961 1.73% -
1960 1.25% -
1959 0.79% -
1958 0.25% -
1957 0.26% -
1956 -0.01% -
1955 -1.17% -
1954 -0.84% -
1953 1.75% -
1952 1.18% -
1951 0.79% -
1950 1.08% -
1949 0.63% -
1948 1.07% -
1947 0.84% -
1946 2.69% -
1945 -1.03% -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 0% -
1941 0% -
1940 0% -
1939 0% -
1938 0.03% -
1937 0.22% -
1936 -1.36% -
1935 -0.97% -
1934 0.03% -
1933 1.69% -
1932 -3.22% -
1931 -1.67% -
1930 0.03% -
1929 0.13% -
1928 -4.99% -
1927 -2.33% -
1926 -0.48% -
1925 -3.1% -
1924 -0.8% -
1923 -0.56% -
1922 -1.33% -
1921 -2.41% -
1920 -0.46% -
1919 -0.38% -
1918 1.95% -
1917 3.1% -
1916 1.51% -
1915 -0.48% -
1914 0.43% -
1913 0.07% -
1912 0.13% -
1911 -1.02% -
1910 -1.72% -
1909 -2.49% -
1908 -0.82% -
1907 0.26% -
1906 -0.42% -
1905 0.22% -
1904 -0.1% -
1903 0.03% -
1902 -0.06% -
1901 -0.71% -
1900 -0.84% -
1899 -0.59% -
1898 -0.43% -
1897 -0.61% -
1896 -0.07% -
1895 -0.17% -
1894 -0.26% -
1893 -0.42% -
1892 -0.73% -
1891 -0.76% -
1890 -0.97% -
1889 -0.55% -
1888 -0.49% -
1887 -0.68% -
1886 -0.39% -
1885 0.48% -
1884 1.2% -
1883 0.73% -
1882 0.35% -
1881 0.42% -
1880 -2.65% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/malaysia | CC BY

In 2024, Denmark's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $18.9B, equivalent to 4.46% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Denmark recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Denmark posted an annual surplus equal to 0.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Denmark

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Denmark Malaysia
2024 1.37% 1.83%
2023 3.31% 2.49%
2022 7.7% 3.38%
2021 1.85% 2.48%
2020 0.42% -1.14%
2019 0.76% 0.66%
2018 0.81% 0.88%
2017 1.15% 3.87%
2016 0.25% 2.09%
2015 0.45% 2.1%
2014 0.56% 3.14%
2013 0.79% 2.11%
2012 2.4% 1.66%
2011 2.76% 3.17%
2010 2.31% 1.62%
2009 1.3% 0.58%
2008 3.42% 5.44%
2007 1.69% 2.03%
2006 1.92% 3.61%
2005 1.82% 2.98%
2004 1.15% 1.42%
2003 2.08% 1.09%
2002 2.42% 1.81%
2001 2.34% 1.42%
2000 2.9% 1.53%
1999 2.5% 2.74%
1998 1.85% 5.27%
1997 2.18% 2.66%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Denmark has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 1.37% in Denmark and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Denmark
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $451M
Machinery & equipment $105M
Animal & marine products $78.8M
Chemicals & pharma $46.8M
Business & finance services $40.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36.3M
Metals $13.7M
IT & IP services $12.4M
Manufacturing & construction services $7.48M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.38M
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $88.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $62.5M
Chemicals & pharma $22.2M
Raw materials & minerals $21.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $11.2M
Wood & paper products $3.31M
Metals $2.11M
Miscellaneous $542K
Animal & marine products $286K
Precious metals & jewellery $123K

Balance of trade

Denmark Malaysia
Current account balance
$52.1B
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
14/190
2024
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+12.3%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$132B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$172B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$129B
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2024
71.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Denmark Malaysia
Economic freedom 79 68
Economic freedom ranking 8/197 51/197
Property rights 99.9 62.7
Government integrity 98 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 89.3 63.4
Tax burden 43.4 83.5
Government spending 34.8 82
Fiscal health 98 62.5
Business freedom 90.4 79.6
Labor freedom 65 55.4
Monetary freedom 80.1 80.8
Trade freedom 79.4 83
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Denmark
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Denmark Malaysia
2026 79 68
2025 79.1 67.1
2024 77.8 65.7
2023 77.6 67.3
2022 78 68.1
2021 77.8 74.4
2020 78.3 74.7
2019 76.7 74
2018 76.6 74.5
2017 75.1 73.8
2016 75.3 71.5
2015 76.3 70.8
2014 76.1 69.6
2013 76.1 66.1
2012 76.2 66.4
2011 78.6 66.3
2010 77.9 64.8
2009 79.6 64.6
2008 79.2 63.9
2007 77 63.8
2006 75.4 61.6
2005 75.3 61.9
2004 72.4 59.9
2003 73.2 61.1
2002 71.1 60.1
2001 68.3 60.2
2000 68.3 66
1999 68.1 68.9
1998 67.5 68.2
1997 67.5 66.8
1996 67.3 69.9
1995 - 71.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/malaysia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Denmark is 79, ranking 8/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Denmark Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.93%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$434B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,680
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$108B
2024
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2024
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$11.9B
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.5B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30.7B
2024
$13B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2021
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
22%
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/denmark/malaysia | CC BY

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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 (1880–1991, 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 (2022–2024, 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.

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.