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Economy of Denmark vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Denmark has a GDP of $425B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 37/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Denmark has $134B in government debt (31.5% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Denmark vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Denmark
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Denmark UAE
2024 $424,524,722,037 $552,324,846,835
2023 $404,651,706,118 $522,622,191,967
2022 $400,114,306,337 $511,403,403,676
2021 $406,110,162,088 $422,441,388,700
2020 $355,631,021,932 $357,161,878,829
2019 $345,401,473,013 $433,926,208,305
2018 $355,293,374,912 $440,560,108,918
2017 $331,610,593,962 $403,365,010,211
2016 $312,181,849,372 $381,717,086,453
2015 $301,758,922,338 $381,973,042,886
2014 $352,832,602,064 $424,935,874,745
2013 $344,631,016,965 $409,632,675,289
2012 $326,792,574,245 $392,793,464,942
2011 $344,315,595,263 $368,881,143,635
2010 $322,345,594,075 $307,736,419,333
2009 $322,619,152,195 $253,547,358,747
2008 $354,979,471,960 $315,474,615,739
2007 $320,213,157,595 $257,916,133,424
2006 $283,386,151,544 $222,116,541,865
2005 $265,150,087,712 $180,617,467,965
2004 $251,986,155,631 $147,824,370,320
2003 $218,421,193,436 $124,346,358,067
2002 $178,788,209,558 $109,816,201,498
2001 $164,881,594,415 $103,311,640,572
2000 $164,043,817,224 $104,337,372,362
1999 $177,887,720,536 $84,445,473,111
1998 $176,877,077,513 $75,674,336,283
1997 $173,241,365,735 $78,839,008,445
1996 $187,481,157,846 $73,571,233,996
1995 $184,848,481,008 $65,743,666,576
1994 $156,017,919,221 $59,305,093,980
1993 $143,111,306,004 $55,625,170,253
1992 $152,966,494,260 $54,239,171,888
1991 $139,180,507,778 $51,552,165,622
1990 $138,217,740,684 $50,701,443,748
1989 $112,312,200,761 $41,464,995,914
1988 $115,540,189,705 $36,275,674,203
1987 $109,183,446,340 $36,384,908,744
1986 $87,748,695,217 $33,943,612,095
1985 $62,452,421,011 $40,603,650,232
1984 $58,868,891,335 $41,807,954,236
1983 $60,331,158,447 $42,803,323,345
1982 $60,084,214,872 $46,622,718,605
1981 $61,459,941,461 $49,333,424,135
1980 $70,811,287,816 $43,599,160,050
1979 $70,393,030,603 $31,225,659,621
1978 $60,320,089,218 $23,775,764,225
1977 $49,711,709,588 $24,871,775,165
1976 $44,503,607,444 $19,213,158,779
1975 $40,418,967,666 $14,720,728,249
1974 $34,125,712,481 $11,651,505,689
1973 $30,718,181,337 $4,231,243,616
1972 $23,230,667,549 $1,415,086,929
1971 $19,086,192,720 $939,893,600
1970 $17,075,457,733 $685,986,701
1969 $15,414,902,667 -
1968 $13,505,574,133 -
1967 $13,059,064,806 -
1966 $11,931,740,293 -
1965 $10,870,670,865 -
1964 $9,677,401,337 -
1963 $8,466,044,980 -
1962 $7,953,274,741 -
1961 $7,058,361,229 -
1960 $6,361,166,545 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Denmark vs United Arab Emirates by year

Denmark
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Denmark UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $71,026 $81,878 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $68,044 $77,892 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $67,781 $78,914 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $69,341 $69,715 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $60,985 $62,682 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $59,404 $60,595 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $61,325 $57,234 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $57,522 $55,272 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $54,501 $51,821 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $53,094 $48,897 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $62,520 $47,880 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $61,378 $46,869 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $58,444 $44,755 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $61,810 $44,444 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $58,105 $43,038 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $58,413 $40,524 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $64,617 $41,467 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $58,632 $39,110 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $52,119 $37,392 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $48,926 $34,238 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $46,625 $33,016 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $40,519 $30,864 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $33,257 $30,667 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $30,768 $29,459 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $30,722 $28,648 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $33,426 $26,642 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $33,346 $25,799 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $32,780 $24,887 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $35,622 $23,723 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $35,321 $22,677 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $29,968 $21,669 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $27,582 $20,217 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $29,579 $19,830 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $27,003 $19,067 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $26,886 $18,225 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $21,882 - $23,167 -
1988 $22,525 - $21,570 -
1987 $21,296 - $23,113 -
1986 $17,137 - $23,132 -
1985 $12,213 - $29,468 -
1984 $11,517 - $32,012 -
1983 $11,797 - $34,650 -
1982 $11,740 - $39,972 -
1981 $12,000 - $44,854 -
1980 $13,822 - $42,925 -
1979 $13,757 - $34,238 -
1978 $11,818 - $29,379 -
1977 $9,770 - $35,020 -
1976 $8,773 - $31,197 -
1975 $7,988 - $27,117 -
1974 $6,764 - $23,823 -
1973 $6,117 - $9,696 -
1972 $4,654 - $3,675 -
1971 $3,846 - $2,805 -
1970 $3,464 - $2,394 -
1969 $3,151 - - -
1968 $2,776 - - -
1967 $2,701 - - -
1966 $2,487 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,049 - - -
1963 $1,807 - - -
1962 $1,711 - - -
1961 $1,531 - - -
1960 $1,389 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Denmark's GDP per capita is $71,026, ranking 12/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Denmark ranks 14th at $81,878, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Denmark UAE
Gross domestic product
$425B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
37/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
3.48%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$71,026
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
12/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$81,878
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
14/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$134B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.5%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$22,340
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$53,468
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$151B
2004
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires
376,000
2025
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
9
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.3%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.37%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.6%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.15%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
6032403
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Denmark
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Denmark UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 47.3% 31.5% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 47.4% 33.8% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 45.1% 34.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 49.7% 40.7% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 53.3% 46.3% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 49.8% 38.3% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 50.8% 38.5% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 50.6% 40.2% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 52.4% 41.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 54.4% 44.6% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 55.1% 48.7% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 55.6% 47.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 57.9% 48.7% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 56.3% 50% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 56.5% 46.1% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 56.3% 43% 35% 21.1%
2008 50.3% 35.5% 22% 8.95%
2007 49.5% 29.5% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 49.7% 33.2% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 51.1% 39.4% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 52.8% 46.2% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 53.5% 48.2% 20% 3.33%
2002 53.1% 50.3% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 53% 50.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 52.9% 53.6% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 54.7% 56.8% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 55.6% 60.3% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 56.2% 64.4% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 58.2% 68.3% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 58.7% 71.5% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 59.5% 75.3% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 59.5% 78.7% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 56.4% 66.7% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 55.5% 63.2% 36% 4.97%
1990 55.1% 62.4% - -
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 (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Denmark's government spending was $201B, accounting for 47.3% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.5% in Denmark and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 155/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Denmark

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Denmark UAE
2024 4.46% 6.41%
2023 3.43% 5.82%
2022 3.39% 9.8%
2021 4.12% 3.96%
2020 0.36% -2.42%
2019 4.28% 2.5%
2018 0.81% 3.65%
2017 1.69% -0.16%
2016 0.3% -2.95%
2015 -0.9% -6.35%
2014 1.43% 1.74%
2013 -0.94% 7.99%
2012 -3.2% 8.59%
2011 -1.77% 5.05%
2010 -2.52% 0.52%
2009 -2.75% -6.13%
2008 3.46% 17.6%
2007 5.31% 17.1%
2006 5.29% 20.2%
2005 5.2% 16%
2004 2.23% 6.4%
2003 0.14% 2.35%
2002 0.25% -1.24%
2001 1.13% 1.21%
2000 1.79% 10.7%
1999 1.06% 1.31%
1998 -0.28% 1%
1997 -1.22% 6.71%
1996 -2.4% 0.92%
1995 -3.5% 3.58%
1994 -3.85% -1.78%
1993 -3.73% -2.89%
1992 -2.6% 3.34%
1991 -3.15% 3.89%
1990 -1.78% -
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/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Denmark recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Denmark posted an annual surplus equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Denmark

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Denmark UAE
2024 1.37% 1.7%
2023 3.31% 1.6%
2022 7.7% 4.8%
2021 1.85% -0.1%
2020 0.42% -2.1%
2019 0.76% -1.9%
2018 0.81% 3.1%
2017 1.15% 2%
2016 0.25% 1.6%
2015 0.45% 4.1%
2014 0.56% 2.3%
2013 0.79% 1.1%
2012 2.4% 0.7%
2011 2.76% 0.9%
2010 2.31% 0.9%
2009 1.3% -4.7%
2008 3.42% 12.3%
2007 1.69% 11.1%
2006 1.92% 9.3%
2005 1.82% 6.2%
2004 1.15% 5%
2003 2.08% 3.1%
2002 2.42% 2.9%
2001 2.34% 2.8%
2000 2.9% 1.3%
1999 2.5% 2.1%
1998 1.85% 2%
1997 2.18% 3%

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/denmark/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Denmark has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 1.37% in Denmark and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Denmark
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $327M
Animal & marine products $63.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $53.2M
Chemicals & pharma $50.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $41M
Precious metals & jewellery $16.1M
Metals $13.5M
Raw materials & minerals $7.17M
Miscellaneous $6.06M
Wood & paper products $3.63M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $53M
Precious metals & jewellery $18.4M
Metals $9.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.9M
Raw materials & minerals $3.13M
Chemicals & pharma $2.31M
Animal & marine products $1.89M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $704K
Raw agricultural goods $627K
Wood & paper products $224K

Balance of trade

Denmark UAE
Current account balance
$52.1B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
14/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+12.3%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$132B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$172B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$129B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Denmark UAE
Economic freedom 79 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 8/197 29/197
Property rights 99.9 62.9
Government integrity 98 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 89.3 34.4
Tax burden 43.4 99.9
Government spending 34.8 85.1
Fiscal health 98 97.6
Business freedom 90.4 84.5
Labor freedom 65 63.2
Monetary freedom 80.1 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Denmark
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Denmark UAE
2026 79 71.9
2025 79.1 71.6
2024 77.8 71.1
2023 77.6 70.9
2022 78 70.2
2021 77.8 76.9
2020 78.3 76.2
2019 76.7 77.6
2018 76.6 77.6
2017 75.1 76.9
2016 75.3 72.6
2015 76.3 72.4
2014 76.1 71.4
2013 76.1 71.1
2012 76.2 69.3
2011 78.6 67.8
2010 77.9 67.3
2009 79.6 64.7
2008 79.2 62.6
2007 77 62.6
2006 75.4 62.2
2005 75.3 65.2
2004 72.4 67.2
2003 73.2 73.4
2002 71.1 73.6
2001 68.3 74.9
2000 68.3 74.2
1999 68.1 71.5
1998 67.5 72.2
1997 67.5 71.9
1996 67.3 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/denmark/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Denmark is 79, ranking 8/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Denmark UAE
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.93%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$434B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,680
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$108B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$11.9B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.5B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30.7B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.