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Economy of DR Congo vs Germany compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $4.69T for Germany, ranking 87/197 and 3/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $2.97T (63.5% of GDP) in Germany.

DR Congo vs Germany GDP by year

DR Congo
Germany
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Germany
2024 $70,962,185,791 $4,685,592,577,805
2023 $69,843,655,425 $4,562,207,532,490
2022 $70,422,346,142 $4,201,021,706,479
2021 $59,067,289,574 $4,355,251,953,411
2020 $46,691,989,749 $3,941,398,957,074
2019 $46,845,900,350 $3,959,894,794,039
2018 $46,659,954,092 $4,055,433,215,302
2017 $37,537,521,566 $3,765,351,626,106
2016 $38,600,224,214 $3,536,787,895,179
2015 $40,179,574,490 $3,425,099,578,746
2014 $38,352,980,553 $3,964,870,735,761
2013 $34,891,189,160 $3,807,023,797,051
2012 $30,029,369,929 $3,596,483,233,406
2011 $26,392,379,642 $3,823,575,803,794
2010 $24,161,641,931 $3,467,093,769,667
2009 $18,607,259,481 $3,478,545,516,684
2008 $22,723,488,723 $3,808,197,720,125
2007 $18,374,807,773 $3,484,056,680,855
2006 $15,484,044,535 $3,046,308,753,671
2005 $12,609,728,573 $2,893,393,187,362
2004 $10,297,483,481 $2,852,317,768,062
2003 $8,937,567,060 $2,534,715,518,349
2002 $8,728,038,525 $2,102,350,798,306
2001 $7,438,189,100 $1,966,381,496,642
2000 $19,088,046,306 $1,966,980,701,145
1999 $4,711,259,427 $2,213,873,468,587
1998 $6,217,805,821 $2,247,760,364,566
1997 $6,090,838,693 $2,218,790,886,533
1996 $5,771,456,952 $2,506,576,553,158
1995 $5,643,439,376 $2,593,053,091,306
1994 $5,820,382,248 $2,215,282,632,277
1993 $10,706,259,937 $2,078,954,217,438
1992 $8,227,343,907 $2,141,377,582,968
1991 $9,625,436,873 $1,875,792,575,133
1990 $9,349,764,580 $1,778,162,195,860
1989 $9,021,862,775 $1,404,092,925,205
1988 $8,861,299,977 $1,406,367,016,372
1987 $7,661,625,473 $1,302,932,318,825
1986 $8,095,367,168 $1,050,092,624,516
1985 $7,195,042,616 $735,218,723,093
1984 $7,857,729,193 $727,767,760,979
1983 $11,006,712,650 $773,507,930,295
1982 $13,651,667,371 $779,421,633,755
1981 $12,537,821,038 $803,404,797,058
1980 $14,394,927,495 $953,772,499,462
1979 $15,068,422,236 $884,574,218,333
1978 $15,372,608,002 $743,182,891,918
1977 $12,344,424,764 $602,698,323,086
1976 $9,648,583,225 $521,658,712,133
1975 $10,237,343,174 $492,434,094,920
1974 $9,596,960,180 $446,934,971,657
1973 $7,870,239,461 $399,833,571,167
1972 $6,173,712,814 $300,899,944,795
1971 $5,594,770,359 $250,900,942,397
1970 $4,877,684,910 $216,629,229,947
1969 $5,032,434,970 $177,733,486,326
1968 $3,909,780,539 $156,527,292,653
1967 $3,384,063,372 $145,100,667,773
1966 $4,532,660,182 $143,304,275,684
1965 $4,043,901,818 $134,774,688,191
1964 $2,881,545,273 $123,330,404,665
1963 $6,213,185,743 $112,232,503,744
1962 $3,779,841,429 $105,895,435,234
1961 $3,086,746,857 $96,558,204,043
1960 $3,359,404,118 $84,619,845,881

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/germany | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Germany by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Germany
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $56,104 $73,552
2023 $660 $1,731 $54,777 $71,684
2022 $688 $1,590 $50,507 $69,049
2021 $596 $1,402 $52,349 $62,531
2020 $486 $1,089 $47,395 $58,686
2019 $504 $1,056 $47,656 $59,271
2018 $518 $1,049 $48,916 $56,273
2017 $431 $991 $45,554 $54,110
2016 $460 $950 $42,949 $51,570
2015 $496 $910 $41,930 $48,545
2014 $489 $859 $48,960 $47,939
2013 $460 $761 $47,207 $45,889
2012 $410 $648 $44,718 $44,229
2011 $373 $644 $47,631 $43,398
2010 $352 $606 $42,397 $39,726
2009 $280.2 $573 $42,472 $37,574
2008 $353 $584 $46,379 $38,444
2007 $294.1 $550 $42,351 $36,914
2006 $255.4 $508 $36,980 $34,741
2005 $214.5 $484 $35,084 $32,314
2004 $180.7 $456 $34,567 $31,753
2003 $161.5 $428 $30,711 $30,301
2002 $162.4 $410 $25,487 $29,514
2001 $142.7 $404 $23,878 $28,674
2000 $378 $417 $23,926 $27,474
1999 $96.3 $452 $26,965 $26,518
1998 $131.5 $481 $27,396 $25,446
1997 $132.3 $497 $27,047 $24,649
1996 $127.4 $526 $30,600 $24,169
1995 $127 $532 $31,747 $23,631
1994 $136.5 $540 $27,202 $22,869
1993 $263.3 $576 $25,617 $21,900
1992 $209.7 $674 $26,560 $21,746
1991 $253.8 $762 $23,443 $21,001
1990 $254.9 $832 $22,386 $19,468
1989 $254.2 - $17,829 -
1988 $257.7 - $17,997 -
1987 $230.1 - $16,739 -
1986 $250.9 - $13,511 -
1985 $230.1 - $9,464 -
1984 $259.8 - $9,347 -
1983 $376 - $9,900 -
1982 $482 - $9,950 -
1981 $456 - $10,246 -
1980 $539 - $12,183 -
1979 $582 - $11,322 -
1978 $615 - $9,517 -
1977 $509 - $7,711 -
1976 $408 - $6,659 -
1975 $445 - $6,259 -
1974 $428 - $5,660 -
1973 $361 - $5,065 -
1972 $290.5 - $3,824 -
1971 $270.3 - $3,204 -
1970 $242.2 - $2,771 -
1969 $257.1 - $2,281 -
1968 $205.6 - $2,025 -
1967 $183.3 - $1,886 -
1966 $252.8 - $1,871 -
1965 $232 - $1,774 -
1964 $169.9 - $1,637 -
1963 $376 - $1,502 -
1962 $235.1 - $1,431 -
1961 $197.1 - $1,316 -
1960 $220.1 - $1,162 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/germany | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $56,104 in Germany, ranking 19/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Germany ranks 20th at $73,552.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Germany
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$4.69T
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
3/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-0.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$56,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$73,552
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
20/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$2.97T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
63.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$35,606
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
21/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$41,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.04T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
2,675,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
171
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
25%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.9%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.26%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.37%
2024
Population
117507801
82575542

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Germany
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Germany
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 49.4% 63.5%
2023 16.5% 27% 48.1% 62.4%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 48.6% 64.4%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 50.7% 68%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 51.1% 68%
2019 14% 19.4% 45.5% 58.7%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 44.7% 60.8%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 44.5% 64%
2016 14.3% 33% 44.7% 68.3%
2015 16% 25.5% 44.5% 71.2%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 44.5% 74.5%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 45.2% 77.5%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 45.1% 79.8%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 45.3% 78.5%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 48.1% 81%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 48.3% 72.4%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 44.4% 65.2%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 43.5% 63.7%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 45.3% 66.4%
2005 7.59% 112% 46.9% 67.1%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 47% 65%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 48.5% 63.3%
2002 4.17% 136% 48.2% 59.8%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 47.7% 58.1%
2000 2.49% 135% 48.1% 59.2%
1999 2.15% - 48.5% 60.3%
1998 2.78% - 48.3% 59.4%
1997 2.51% - 48.8% 58.8%
1996 2.17% - 49.6% 57.7%
1995 - - 55.2% 54.9%
1994 - - 48.3% 47.5%
1993 - - 48.3% 45.1%
1992 - - 47.4% 41.4%
1991 - - 46.5% 39%
1990 - - 44.7% 40.7%
1989 - - 44.3% 39.2%
1988 - - 45.6% 40.5%
1987 - - 46% 40.1%
1986 - - 45.7% 39.1%
1985 - - 46.6% 39.2%
1984 - - 47.2% 38.7%
1983 - - 47.9% 38%
1982 - - 49.1% 36.4%
1981 - - 49% 33.6%
1980 - - 48.2% 30.1%
1979 - - 47.4% 28.2%
1978 - - 47.7% 27.4%
1977 - - 49% 26%
1976 - - 49.4% 25.1%
1975 - - 50.3% 23.7%
1974 - - 46% 18.5%
1973 - - 42.4% 17.3%
1972 - - 41.8% 18%
1971 - - 40.9% 17.7%
1970 - - 39.5% 17.7%
1969 - - 29.7% 20.3%
1968 - - 28.5% 22.5%
1967 - - 28.8% 22.5%
1966 - - 28.3% 19.8%
1965 - - 28.4% 18.7%
1964 - - 29% 18.2%
1963 - - 29.1% 18.1%
1962 - - 29.2% 17.6%
1961 - - 28.8% 18.7%
1960 - - 22.9% 18.4%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/germany | CC BY

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Germany spent $2.32T, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 63.5% in Germany, ranking 172/185 and 72/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Germany
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Germany
2024 -1.48% -2.66%
2023 -1.65% -2.49%
2022 -1.01% -1.91%
2021 -1.68% -3.17%
2020 -3.17% -4.38%
2019 -3.17% 1.33%
2018 -1.34% 1.88%
2017 -0.05% 1.34%
2016 -0.93% 1.13%
2015 -1.35% 0.91%
2014 3.73% 0.73%
2013 3.28% 0.12%
2012 1.71% -0.05%
2011 -0.94% -0.84%
2010 -0.95% -4.42%
2009 0.92% -3.18%
2008 -0.41% -0.26%
2007 1.12% 0.15%
2006 1.97% -1.76%
2005 1.3% -3.37%
2004 -0.17% -3.42%
2003 -3.92% -3.83%
2002 0.89% -4.09%
2001 -1.13% -3.12%
2000 -1.85% -1.71%
1999 -1.35% -1.87%
1998 -1.55% -2.65%
1997 -1.06% -3.03%
1996 -0.56% -3.64%
1995 - -9.44%
1994 - -2.54%
1993 - -3.11%
1992 - -2.63%
1991 - -3.21%
1990 - -1.94%
1989 - 0.08%
1988 - -2.02%
1987 - -1.85%
1986 - -1.18%
1985 - -1.18%
1984 - -2.04%
1983 - -2.95%
1982 - -3.56%
1981 - -4.03%
1980 - -3.02%
1979 - -2.71%
1978 - -2.62%
1977 - -2.56%
1976 - -3.5%
1975 - -5.78%
1974 - -1.69%
1973 - 1.14%
1972 - -0.37%
1971 - 0.16%
1970 - 0.53%
1969 - -0.43%
1968 - 1.39%
1967 - 2.73%
1966 - 1.76%
1965 - 2.26%
1964 - 1.49%
1963 - 1.43%
1962 - 0.49%
1961 - -0.12%
1960 - -0.34%
1959 - 0.77%
1958 - 1.77%
1957 - 1.99%
1956 - 0.59%
1955 - -1.41%
1954 - -0.37%
1953 - -0.13%
1952 - 0%
1951 - 1.15%
1950 - 1.81%
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 - -0.64%
1933 - -0.43%
1932 - -1.11%
1931 - -1.03%
1930 - -1.52%
1929 - -0.9%
1928 - -1.47%
1927 - -0.44%
1926 - -1.3%
1925 - 0.34%
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.007%
1912 - -0.26%
1911 - 0.06%
1910 - -0.21%
1909 - 0.11%
1908 - -0.11%
1907 - -0.14%
1906 - 0.76%
1905 - 1.21%
1904 - 0.41%
1903 - 0.88%
1902 - 0.08%
1901 - 0.91%
1900 - 0.27%
1899 - 0.6%
1898 - 0.47%
1897 - 0.39%
1896 - 0.63%
1895 - 0.47%
1894 - 0.44%
1893 - 0.42%
1892 - -0.24%
1891 - 1.18%
1890 - 0.12%
1889 - 1.16%
1888 - 0.62%
1887 - 0.88%
1886 - 0.23%
1885 - 0.21%
1884 - 0.23%
1883 - 0.55%
1882 - 0.41%
1881 - 0.12%
1880 - -0.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/germany | CC BY

In 2024, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.05B, equivalent to 1.48% of GDP. This compares to Germany's deficit of $125B, or 2.66% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Germany ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.66% of GDP for Germany.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Germany
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Germany
2024 - 2.26%
2023 - 5.95%
2022 - 6.87%
2021 - 3.07%
2020 - 0.14%
2019 - 1.45%
2018 - 1.73%
2017 - 1.51%
2016 2.89% 0.49%
2015 0.74% 0.51%
2014 1.24% 0.91%
2013 0.81% 1.5%
2012 9.72% 2.01%
2011 15.3% 2.08%
2010 7.1% 1.1%
2009 2.8% 0.31%
2008 17.3% 2.63%
2007 16.9% 2.3%
2006 13.1% 1.58%
2005 21.3% 1.55%
2004 3.99% 1.67%
2003 12.9% 1.03%
2002 31.5% 1.42%
2001 360% 1.98%
2000 514% 1.44%
1999 284.9% 0.59%
1998 29.1% 0.91%
1997 198.5% 1.94%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/germany | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 1.4% in Germany. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 2.26% in Germany.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $6.06M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $187K
Textiles & consumer goods $116K
Precious metals & jewellery $67K
Wood & paper products $63K
Metals $57K
Machinery & equipment $22K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Animal & marine products $4K
Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $60.5M
Chemicals & pharma $18.4M
Animal & marine products $17.2M
Raw agricultural goods $15.3M
Miscellaneous $7.79M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.52M
Metals $4.47M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.55M
Raw materials & minerals $2.41M
Wood & paper products $2.28M

Balance of trade

DR Congo Germany
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$270B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
2/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+5.77%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$1.21T
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$1.47T
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$548B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$470B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
37.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Germany
Economic freedom 47 71.7
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 30/197
Property rights 15.4 95.5
Government integrity 12.8 84.5
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 94.6
Tax burden 73.8 60.5
Government spending 91.2 28.8
Fiscal health 95.9 83.1
Business freedom 32.3 79.8
Labor freedom 54.2 52.2
Monetary freedom 58.6 72.5
Trade freedom 68.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Germany
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Germany
2026 47 71.7
2025 47.3 71.6
2024 47.6 72.1
2023 47.9 73.7
2022 47.6 76.1
2021 49 72.5
2020 49.5 73.5
2019 50.3 73.5
2018 52.1 74.2
2017 56.4 73.8
2016 46.4 74.4
2015 45 73.8
2014 40.6 73.4
2013 39.6 72.8
2012 41.1 71
2011 40.7 71.8
2010 41.4 71.1
2009 42.8 70.5
2008 - 70.6
2007 - 70.8
2006 - 70.8
2005 - 68.1
2004 - 69.5
2003 - 69.7
2002 - 70.4
2001 - 69.5
2000 34.8 65.7
1999 34 65.6
1998 40.6 64.3
1997 39.5 67.5
1996 39.5 69.1
1995 41.4 69.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/germany | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 71.7 for Germany, ranking 30/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Germany
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
64%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
0.91%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$4.6T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$76,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$378B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
10/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$47.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$80.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
14.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
21.5%
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/dr-congo/germany | 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, 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)

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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.