Skip to content

Economy of Denmark vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Denmark has a GDP of $463B compared to $1.33T for the Netherlands, ranking 36/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Denmark has $127B in government debt (27.5% of GDP), compared to $578B (43.3% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Denmark vs Netherlands GDP by year

Denmark
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Denmark Netherlands
2025 $462,526,660,468 $1,332,767,651,100
2024 $424,524,722,037 $1,213,936,238,063
2023 $404,651,706,118 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $400,114,306,337 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $406,110,162,088 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $355,631,021,932 $932,560,861,701
2019 $345,401,473,013 $928,903,005,576
2018 $355,293,374,912 $929,733,599,797
2017 $331,610,593,962 $848,233,537,846
2016 $312,181,849,372 $797,163,949,290
2015 $301,758,922,338 $775,743,675,303
2014 $352,832,602,064 $901,556,501,756
2013 $344,631,016,965 $883,951,539,007
2012 $326,792,574,245 $845,689,017,066
2011 $344,315,595,263 $913,140,741,333
2010 $322,345,594,075 $852,464,982,433
2009 $322,619,152,195 $878,954,223,140
2008 $354,979,471,960 $957,901,566,041
2007 $320,213,157,595 $853,499,460,873
2006 $283,386,151,544 $737,593,995,289
2005 $265,150,087,712 $688,133,699,636
2004 $251,986,155,631 $661,224,886,143
2003 $218,421,193,436 $582,435,617,082
2002 $178,788,209,558 $475,529,972,123
2001 $164,881,594,415 $432,536,219,669
2000 $164,043,817,224 $417,649,282,154
1999 $177,887,720,536 $447,778,514,140
1998 $176,877,077,513 $438,612,530,549
1997 $173,241,365,735 $417,506,211,882
1996 $187,481,157,846 $451,372,549,020
1995 $184,848,481,008 $452,967,334,614
1994 $156,017,919,221 $379,688,232,232
1993 $143,111,306,004 $354,070,495,966
1992 $152,966,494,260 $363,497,050,125
1991 $139,180,507,778 $327,982,316,124
1990 $138,217,740,684 $318,799,003,994
1989 $112,312,200,761 $258,716,904,292
1988 $115,540,189,705 $262,295,966,105
1987 $109,183,446,340 $245,406,949,521
1986 $87,748,695,217 $201,157,708,221
1985 $62,452,421,011 $144,057,523,222
1984 $58,868,891,335 $144,124,462,912
1983 $60,331,158,447 $153,671,294,109
1982 $60,084,214,872 $158,712,765,536
1981 $61,459,941,461 $164,375,775,854
1980 $70,811,287,816 $195,439,301,707
1979 $70,393,030,603 $179,933,827,310
1978 $60,320,089,218 $156,089,077,205
1977 $49,711,709,588 $127,203,923,857
1976 $44,503,607,444 $109,329,386,564
1975 $40,418,967,666 $100,397,061,694
1974 $34,125,712,481 $87,371,810,804
1973 $30,718,181,337 $71,946,639,603
1972 $23,230,667,549 $54,787,070,173
1971 $19,086,192,720 $44,644,730,576
1970 $17,075,457,733 $38,220,884,519
1969 $15,414,902,667 $34,086,038,090
1968 $13,505,574,133 $30,097,635,751
1967 $13,059,064,806 $27,143,828,099
1966 $11,931,740,293 $24,741,480,717
1965 $10,870,670,865 $22,721,869,808
1964 $9,677,401,337 $20,232,048,553
1963 $8,466,044,980 $17,193,744,109
1962 $7,953,274,741 $15,847,582,341
1961 $7,058,361,229 $14,599,836,396
1960 $6,361,166,545 $13,282,979,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Denmark vs Netherlands by year

Denmark
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Denmark Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $76,970 - $73,684 -
2024 $71,026 $81,878 $67,465 $86,174
2023 $68,044 $77,892 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $67,781 $78,914 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $69,341 $69,715 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $60,985 $62,682 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $59,404 $60,595 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $61,325 $57,234 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $57,522 $55,272 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $54,501 $51,821 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $53,094 $48,897 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $62,520 $47,880 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $61,378 $46,869 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $58,444 $44,755 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $61,810 $44,444 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $58,105 $43,038 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $58,413 $40,524 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $64,617 $41,467 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $58,632 $39,110 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $52,119 $37,392 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $48,926 $34,238 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $46,625 $33,016 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $40,519 $30,864 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $33,257 $30,667 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $30,768 $29,459 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $30,722 $28,648 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $33,426 $26,642 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $33,346 $25,799 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $32,780 $24,887 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $35,622 $23,723 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $35,321 $22,677 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $29,968 $21,669 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $27,582 $20,217 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $29,579 $19,830 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $27,003 $19,067 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $26,886 $18,225 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $21,882 - $17,423 -
1988 $22,525 - $17,771 -
1987 $21,296 - $16,734 -
1986 $17,137 - $13,804 -
1985 $12,213 - $9,941 -
1984 $11,517 - $9,992 -
1983 $11,797 - $10,696 -
1982 $11,740 - $11,089 -
1981 $12,000 - $11,537 -
1980 $13,822 - $13,812 -
1979 $13,757 - $12,817 -
1978 $11,818 - $11,196 -
1977 $9,770 - $9,180 -
1976 $8,773 - $7,937 -
1975 $7,988 - $7,346 -
1974 $6,764 - $6,450 -
1973 $6,117 - $5,353 -
1972 $4,654 - $4,110 -
1971 $3,846 - $3,384 -
1970 $3,464 - $2,931 -
1969 $3,151 - $2,647 -
1968 $2,776 - $2,364 -
1967 $2,701 - $2,155 -
1966 $2,487 - $1,986 -
1965 $2,284 - $1,848 -
1964 $2,049 - $1,668 -
1963 $1,807 - $1,437 -
1962 $1,711 - $1,342 -
1961 $1,531 - $1,254 -
1960 $1,389 - $1,156 -

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

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

Denmark's GDP per capita is $76,970, ranking 11/197, compared to $73,684 in the Netherlands, ranking 12/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Denmark ranks 14th at $81,878, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Denmark Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$463B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GDP rank
36/197
2025
18/197
2025
GDP growth
2.93%
2024-2025
1.78%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$76,970
2025
$73,684
2025
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2025
12/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$81,878
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
14/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$127B
2025
$578B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.5%
2025
43.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$21,192
2025
$31,942
2025
Government debt per person rank
32/185
2025
23/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$52,602
2026
$46,674
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$151B
2004
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires
376,000
2025
1,294,000
2026
Number of billionaires
9
2026
13
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2023
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.6%
2025
45.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.89%
2024-2025
3.26%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.4%
2025
3.9%
2025
Population
6042125
18243998

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Denmark
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Denmark Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 47.6% 27.5% 45.1% 43.3%
2024 47.3% 30.5% 44.4% 43.7%
2023 47.4% 33% 44% 45.8%
2022 45.1% 33.3% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 49.7% 39.6% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 53.3% 45.2% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 49.8% 38.3% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 50.8% 38.5% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 50.6% 40.2% 42.8% 56%
2016 52.4% 41.7% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 54.4% 44.6% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 55.1% 48.7% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 55.6% 47.8% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 57.9% 48.7% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 56.3% 50% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 56.5% 46.1% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 56.3% 43% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 50.3% 35.5% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 49.5% 29.5% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 49.7% 33.2% 44% 45%
2005 51.1% 39.4% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 52.8% 46.2% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 53.5% 48.2% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 53.1% 50.3% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 53% 50.1% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 52.9% 53.6% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 54.7% 56.8% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 55.6% 60.3% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 56.2% 64.4% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 58.2% 68.3% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 58.7% 71.5% 53.9% 73%
1994 59.5% 75.3% 49.4% 73.5%
1993 59.5% 78.7% 50.9% 76.7%
1992 56.4% 66.7% 50.2% 75.6%
1991 55.5% 63.2% 49.6% 74.8%
1990 55.1% 62.4% 48.8% 75%
1989 56.2% 62.2% 54.5% 73.7%
1988 56.1% 64.7% 56.4% 73.7%
1987 54% 62.5% 58.5% 71.3%
1986 52.3% 66.8% 57% 68.9%
1985 55.5% 74.7% 57.3% 67.1%
1984 56.6% 77.7% 58.1% 61.9%
1983 57.9% 74.2% 59.1% 58.4%
1982 57.7% 64.5% 59.1% 52.4%
1981 56.3% 51.7% 56.8% 46.9%
1980 52.7% 39.2% 55.2% 43.6%
1979 49.6% 31.8% 53.7% 39.5%
1978 47.2% 25.5% 52.3% 38.1%
1977 45.6% 15.2% 50.6% 34.9%
1976 45% 11.4% 50.8% 35.2%
1975 45.3% 7.01% 50.8% 36.1%
1974 43.6% 6.2% 46.4% 36.3%
1973 39.5% 8.94% 44.6% 38.1%
1972 42.1% 11.5% 44.9% 41.3%
1971 42.2% 12.9% 44.6% 43.7%
1970 24.4% 7.62% 43.2% 46.1%
1969 25.3% 8.36% 42.1% 48.2%
1968 24.3% 9.36% 25.4% 54.4%
1967 22.2% 10.1% 24.1% 55%
1966 21.1% 11.2% 24.4% 55.6%
1965 17.1% 12.9% 23.4% 55.8%
1964 17.6% 14.5% 22.3% 57.1%
1963 18.2% 13.7% 21.9% 61.7%
1962 17% 15.3% 22.1% 63.8%
1961 15.6% 16.4% 22.2% 65.9%
1960 16.4% 20.1% 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 (1960–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Denmark's government spending was $220B, accounting for 47.6% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $602B, or 45.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.5% in Denmark and 43.3% in the Netherlands, ranking 161/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Denmark

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Denmark Netherlands
2025 2.85% -1.84%
2024 4.46% -0.94%
2023 3.43% -0.37%
2022 3.39% 0.002%
2021 4.08% -2.26%
2020 0.36% -3.72%
2019 4.28% 1.91%
2018 0.81% 1.49%
2017 1.69% 1.35%
2016 0.3% 0.23%
2015 -0.9% -1.84%
2014 1.43% -2.17%
2013 -0.94% -2.87%
2012 -3.2% -3.83%
2011 -1.77% -4.42%
2010 -2.52% -5.3%
2009 -2.75% -5.06%
2008 3.46% -0.06%
2007 5.31% -0.16%
2006 5.29% 0.04%
2005 5.2% -0.51%
2004 2.23% -1.82%
2003 0.14% -3.19%
2002 0.25% -2.23%
2001 1.13% -0.47%
2000 1.79% 1.14%
1999 1.06% 0.28%
1998 -0.28% -1.34%
1997 -1.22% -1.6%
1996 -2.4% -1.91%
1995 -3.5% -8.72%
1994 -3.85% -3.53%
1993 -3.73% -3.13%
1992 -2.6% -3.12%
1991 -3.15% -2.05%
1990 -1.78% -4.08%
1989 0.3% -5%
1988 1.46% -4.23%
1987 2.46% -5.39%
1986 3.23% -4.62%
1985 -1.38% -3.6%
1984 -3.58% -5.25%
1983 -6.29% -5.47%
1982 -8.22% -6.17%
1981 -5.84% -4.92%
1980 -2.32% -3.95%
1979 -0.69% -2.46%
1978 0.41% -2.09%
1977 0.37% -0.75%
1976 0.19% -2.02%
1975 -1.23% -2.82%
1974 3.7% -0.26%
1973 4.97% 0.54%
1972 5.01% -0.7%
1971 4.96% -1.58%
1970 0.7% -1.52%
1969 0.3% -1.14%
1968 -0.06% -3.06%
1967 1.49% -1.97%
1966 0.99% -2.37%
1965 2.13% -1.15%
1964 1.79% -1.2%
1963 1.2% -0.54%
1962 -0.09% -1.38%
1961 1.73% -0.38%
1960 1.25% 0.9%
1959 0.79% -0.74%
1958 0.25% -0.89%
1957 0.26% 0.3%
1956 -0.01% -0.83%
1955 -1.17% -0.25%
1954 -0.84% 0.76%
1953 1.75% -2.95%
1952 1.18% 2.19%
1951 0.79% 2.13%
1950 1.08% 0.81%
1949 0.63% 2.3%
1948 1.07% -
1947 0.84% -
1946 2.69% -
1945 -1.03% -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 0% -
1941 0% -
1940 0% -
1939 0% -3.19%
1938 0.03% -0.37%
1937 0.22% 0.02%
1936 -1.36% -0.41%
1935 -0.97% -0.69%
1934 0.03% -0.92%
1933 1.69% -2.55%
1932 -3.22% -1.97%
1931 -1.67% -1.66%
1930 0.03% -0.55%
1929 0.13% -1.16%
1928 -4.99% -0.62%
1927 -2.33% -0.33%
1926 -0.48% -0.78%
1925 -3.1% -2.04%
1924 -0.8% -3.37%
1923 -0.56% -2.62%
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% -0.45%
1912 0.13% -0.47%
1911 -1.02% -0.13%
1910 -1.72% -0.93%
1909 -2.49% -0.34%
1908 -0.82% -0.57%
1907 0.26% 0.03%
1906 -0.42% 0.16%
1905 0.22% 0.1%
1904 -0.1% -0.72%
1903 0.03% 0.09%
1902 -0.06% -0.14%
1901 -0.71% 0.03%
1900 -0.84% 0.06%
1899 -0.59% -0.13%
1898 -0.43% -0.48%
1897 -0.61% -0.45%
1896 -0.07% 0.08%
1895 -0.17% -0.06%
1894 -0.26% 0.12%
1893 -0.42% -0.76%
1892 -0.73% -1.72%
1891 -0.76% -0.06%
1890 -0.97% -0.06%
1889 -0.55% 0.04%
1888 -0.49% -0.31%
1887 -0.68% -0.37%
1886 -0.39% -0.08%
1885 0.48% -0.55%
1884 1.2% 0%
1883 0.73% -2.1%
1882 0.35% -1.11%
1881 0.42% -1.06%
1880 -2.65% 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/denmark/netherlands | CC BY

In 2025, Denmark's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $13.2B, equivalent to 2.85% of GDP. This compares to the Netherlands' deficit of $24.5B, or 1.84% of GDP.

Over the past 66 years, Denmark recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 56 years. On average, Denmark posted an annual surplus equal to 0.41% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Denmark

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Denmark Netherlands
2025 1.89% 3.26%
2024 1.37% 3.35%
2023 3.31% 3.84%
2022 7.7% 10%
2021 1.85% 2.68%
2020 0.42% 1.27%
2019 0.76% 2.63%
2018 0.81% 1.7%
2017 1.15% 1.38%
2016 0.25% 0.32%
2015 0.45% 0.6%
2014 0.56% 0.98%
2013 0.79% 2.51%
2012 2.4% 2.46%
2011 2.76% 2.34%
2010 2.31% 1.28%
2009 1.3% 1.19%
2008 3.42% 2.49%
2007 1.69% 1.61%
2006 1.92% 1.1%
2005 1.82% 1.69%
2004 1.15% 1.26%
2003 2.08% 2.09%
2002 2.42% 3.29%
2001 2.34% 4.16%
2000 2.9% 2.36%
1999 2.5% 2.16%
1998 1.85% 1.96%
1997 2.18% 2.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Denmark has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.94%, compared with 2.35% in the Netherlands. In 2025, inflation was 1.89% in Denmark and 3.26% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Denmark
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $2.5B
Machinery & equipment $2.28B
Chemicals & pharma $1.93B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.17B
Animal & marine products $914M
Business & finance services $865M
Raw materials & minerals $789M
IT & IP services $486M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $433M
Metals $339M
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.77B
Chemicals & pharma $1.64B
Transport & tourism services $1.49B
Business & finance services $1.47B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.23B
IT & IP services $998M
Raw agricultural goods $944M
Raw materials & minerals $864M
Textiles & consumer goods $832M
Animal & marine products $698M

Balance of trade

Denmark Netherlands
Current account balance
$51.8B
2024
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
13/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+12.2%
2024
+9.14%
2024
Goods imports
$132B
2024
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$172B
2024
$693B
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$262B
2024
Service exports
$129B
2024
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
59.1%
2025
69.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
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.

Denmark Netherlands
Economic freedom 79 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 8/197 11/197
Property rights 99.9 96
Government integrity 98 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 89.3 96.1
Tax burden 43.4 54
Government spending 34.8 42.2
Fiscal health 98 95.9
Business freedom 90.4 85
Labor freedom 65 59.3
Monetary freedom 80.1 77
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 90 90
Financial freedom 80 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Denmark
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Denmark Netherlands
2026 79 78.5
2025 79.1 78.2
2024 77.8 77.3
2023 77.6 78
2022 78 79.5
2021 77.8 76.8
2020 78.3 77
2019 76.7 76.8
2018 76.6 76.2
2017 75.1 75.8
2016 75.3 74.6
2015 76.3 73.7
2014 76.1 74.2
2013 76.1 73.5
2012 76.2 73.3
2011 78.6 74.7
2010 77.9 75
2009 79.6 77
2008 79.2 77.4
2007 77 75.5
2006 75.4 75.4
2005 75.3 72.9
2004 72.4 74.5
2003 73.2 74.6
2002 71.1 75.1
2001 68.3 73
2000 68.3 70.4
1999 68.1 70.2
1998 67.5 69.2
1997 67.5 70.4
1996 67.3 69.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Denmark is 79, ranking 8/197, 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

Denmark Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
62.7%
2025
70.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
17.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2025
1.68%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$464B
2025
$1.24T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$85,460
2025
$85,480
2025
Total reserves including gold
$128B
2025
$118B
2025
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2025
27/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$12.5B
2024
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.2B
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30.7B
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2021
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.1%
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/denmark/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2024–2025, 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.

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.