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Economy of El Salvador vs Finland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $299B for Finland, ranking 105/197 and 47/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $245B (82.1% of GDP) in Finland.

El Salvador vs Finland GDP by year

El Salvador
Finland
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Finland
2024 $35,364,960,000 $298,696,961,298
2023 $33,853,940,000 $295,021,982,463
2022 $31,870,120,000 $280,253,099,309
2021 $29,043,140,000 $294,223,210,496
2020 $24,921,190,000 $270,000,311,606
2019 $26,881,140,000 $267,014,821,129
2018 $26,020,850,000 $273,869,255,596
2017 $24,979,190,000 $253,846,138,440
2016 $24,191,430,000 $238,777,818,793
2015 $23,438,240,000 $233,210,733,506
2014 $22,593,470,000 $273,478,528,955
2013 $21,990,960,000 $270,268,036,626
2012 $21,386,150,000 $257,443,384,493
2011 $20,283,780,000 $275,126,915,516
2010 $18,447,920,000 $249,429,613,683
2009 $17,601,620,000 $253,480,783,439
2008 $17,986,890,000 $285,698,662,071
2007 $17,011,750,000 $256,360,251,538
2006 $15,999,890,000 $217,044,068,234
2005 $14,698,000,000 $204,859,368,791
2004 $13,724,810,900 $197,458,297,640
2003 $13,243,892,200 $171,612,867,736
2002 $12,664,190,300 $140,360,963,812
2001 $12,282,533,600 $129,519,672,869
2000 $11,784,927,700 $125,967,821,111
1999 $11,284,197,000 $135,234,241,918
1998 $10,936,669,900 $133,990,876,725
1997 $10,221,705,900 $126,862,902,302
1996 $9,586,327,800 $131,991,975,149
1995 $8,921,947,100 $134,060,457,516
1994 $7,679,384,000 $103,182,697,780
1993 $6,680,269,200 $89,112,105,756
1992 $5,813,399,300 $112,537,828,511
1991 $5,252,342,400 $127,794,441,994
1990 $4,817,542,204 $141,446,120,355
1989 $4,372,215,300 $118,991,270,611
1988 $4,189,880,000 $109,039,090,263
1987 $3,958,045,800 $91,564,993,913
1986 $3,771,663,200 $73,511,611,541
1985 $3,800,368,600 $55,856,676,899
1984 $3,661,683,400 $52,870,993,273
1983 $3,506,347,800 $50,956,447,481
1982 $3,399,189,100 $52,784,013,815
1981 $3,437,200,200 $52,440,066,134
1980 $3,573,959,900 $53,649,984,061
1979 $3,463,639,900 $44,469,218,440
1978 $3,127,960,000 $36,259,392,058
1977 $2,941,640,100 $33,502,784,418
1976 $2,328,280,100 $31,852,352,670
1975 $1,884,120,100 $29,475,251,333
1974 $1,665,880,000 $24,851,036,710
1973 $1,442,320,000 $19,474,098,335
1972 $1,263,720,000 $14,744,499,570
1971 $1,186,120,000 $12,528,522,307
1970 $1,132,920,000 $11,358,529,162
1969 $1,049,400,000 $10,177,524,839
1968 $1,009,760,100 $8,916,565,041
1967 $976,200,000 $9,468,272,357
1966 $929,520,000 $9,306,142,172
1965 $877,720,000 $8,680,393,839
1964 - $7,848,987,793
1963 - $6,958,916,548
1962 - $6,407,796,043
1961 - $5,984,433,774
1960 - $5,279,481,824

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

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/finland | CC BY

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Finland by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Finland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Finland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $53,150 $65,378
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $52,834 $63,415
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $50,441 $62,133
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $53,099 $56,790
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $48,829 $53,297
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $48,358 $52,276
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $49,654 $49,249
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $46,085 $47,235
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $43,451 $44,562
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $42,560 $42,258
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $50,074 $41,547
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $49,691 $41,326
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $47,552 $40,739
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $51,060 $40,846
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $46,506 $38,946
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $47,478 $37,988
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $53,769 $40,081
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $48,473 $37,843
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $41,214 $34,440
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $39,050 $32,048
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $37,768 $31,195
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $32,920 $29,043
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $26,989 $28,596
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $24,965 $27,798
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $24,336 $26,783
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $26,180 $24,762
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $26,000 $23,570
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $24,682 $21,787
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $25,757 $20,067
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $26,246 $19,568
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $20,278 $18,458
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $17,589 $17,458
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $22,320 $17,271
1991 $956 $2,945 $25,489 $17,563
1990 $892 $2,856 $28,366 $18,149
1989 $825 - $23,969 -
1988 $806 - $22,044 -
1987 $777 - $18,565 -
1986 $755 - $14,947 -
1985 $776 - $11,394 -
1984 $763 - $10,830 -
1983 $745 - $10,494 -
1982 $735 - $10,935 -
1981 $752 - $10,925 -
1980 $787 - $11,225 -
1979 $773 - $9,333 -
1978 $712 - $7,629 -
1977 $684 - $7,070 -
1976 $553 - $6,740 -
1975 $457 - $6,256 -
1974 $413 - $5,298 -
1973 $366 - $4,174 -
1972 $329 - $3,178 -
1971 $316 - $2,716 -
1970 $309 - $2,466 -
1969 $293.4 - $2,201 -
1968 $290.1 - $1,927 -
1967 $288.4 - $2,056 -
1966 $282.4 - $2,032 -
1965 $274.3 - $1,902 -
1964 - - $1,726 -
1963 - - $1,538 -
1962 - - $1,427 -
1961 - - $1,341 -
1960 - - $1,192 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/finland | CC BY

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $53,150 in Finland, ranking 23/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Finland ranks 27th at $65,378.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Finland
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$299B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
47/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
0.42%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$53,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
23/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$65,378
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
27/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$245B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
82.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$43,662
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
12/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$36,394
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$20.3B
2004
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
22.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
57.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
1.57%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
8.34%
2024
Population
6399793
5631965

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Finland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Finland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 57.7% 82.1%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 55.9% 77.5%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 52.6% 74%
2021 31.1% 88% 55.2% 73.2%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 56.5% 75.3%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 52.6% 65.3%
2018 27.6% 77% 52.7% 65.3%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 52.8% 66.6%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 55.1% 68.6%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 55.7% 68.8%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 57.6% 64.8%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 57.1% 60.8%
2012 27.4% 70% 55.7% 57.9%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 53.8% 52%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 54% 50.1%
2009 26% 65.8% 54.1% 41.5%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 47.9% 32.6%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 46.7% 33.9%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 48.3% 38%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 49.2% 39.9%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 48.2% 42.6%
2003 22.6% 46% 48.3% 42.7%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 47.5% 40.1%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 46.2% 40.9%
2000 21% 29.6% 46.9% 42.4%
1999 19.7% 28% 49.9% 44%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 51.3% 46.8%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 54.9% 52.2%
1996 21% 28.5% 58.5% 55.4%
1995 18.6% 28% 60% 55.2%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 62.2% 56.2%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 63.7% 54.2%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 60.8% 39.3%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 55.8% 21.9%
1990 15.9% - 47.1% 13.9%
1989 - - 44.4% 14.3%
1988 - - 46.4% 16.5%
1987 - - 47.8% 17.6%
1986 - - 46.9% 16.4%
1985 - - 46.3% 15.8%
1984 - - 44.4% 15.2%
1983 - - 44.4% 15.4%
1982 - - 42.7% 13.9%
1981 - - 41% 11.5%
1980 - - 40.1% 10.9%
1979 - - 40.3% 11%
1978 - - 41.3% 10.7%
1977 - - 41.7% 8.22%
1976 - - 39.8% 7.09%
1975 - - 38.6% 6.76%
1974 - - 22.9% 2.97%
1973 - - 21.8% 4.42%
1972 - - 20.4% 6.46%
1971 - - 22.8% 7.94%
1970 - - 21.9% 9.19%
1969 - - 22.2% 10.8%
1968 - - 25.5% 13.9%
1967 - - 23.5% 14.2%
1966 - - 23.3% 13.7%
1965 - - 23.2% 13%
1964 - - 22.8% 12.5%
1963 - - 21.6% 12.2%
1962 - - 23.9% 10.3%
1961 - - 22.7% 9.12%
1960 - - 22.5% 9.96%

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/el-salvador/finland | CC BY

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Finland spent $172B, or 57.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 82.1% in Finland, ranking 36/185 and 42/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Finland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Finland
2024 -4.55% -4.41%
2023 -4.69% -2.98%
2022 -2.68% -0.18%
2021 -5.53% -2.69%
2020 -8.18% -5.53%
2019 -3.07% -0.93%
2018 -2.71% -0.87%
2017 -2.53% -0.63%
2016 -3.1% -1.7%
2015 -3.63% -2.43%
2014 -4.02% -2.99%
2013 -4.46% -2.52%
2012 -3.81% -2.15%
2011 -4.47% -1.01%
2010 -4.97% -2.57%
2009 -6.65% -2.48%
2008 -3.8% 4.18%
2007 -2.32% 5.12%
2006 -3.42% 3.93%
2005 -3.47% 2.59%
2004 -2.76% 2.16%
2003 -4.23% 2.34%
2002 -5.5% 3.97%
2001 -4.95% 4.89%
2000 -3.45% 6.73%
1999 -3.08% 1.6%
1998 -2.94% 1.54%
1997 -1.97% -1.33%
1996 -2.7% -3.37%
1995 -0.18% -5.98%
1994 -0.94% -6.41%
1993 -1.42% -8.09%
1992 -4.29% -4.88%
1991 -2.3% 0.3%
1990 -0.61% 6.63%
1989 - 6.73%
1988 - 5.09%
1987 - 1.63%
1986 - 3.83%
1985 - 3.33%
1984 - 3.23%
1983 - 1.52%
1982 - 3.06%
1981 - 5.11%
1980 - 3.7%
1979 - 3.41%
1978 - 3.83%
1977 - 6.27%
1976 - 7.65%
1975 - 4.96%
1974 - -0.03%
1973 - 1.48%
1972 - -0.18%
1971 - 0.15%
1970 - 1.06%
1969 - 0.94%
1968 - -1.69%
1967 - -0.26%
1966 - -1.08%
1965 - -1.67%
1964 - -1.35%
1963 - -2.5%
1962 - -2.37%
1961 - -3.03%
1960 - -0.52%
1959 - -0.12%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -1.14%
1955 - -1%
1954 - -0.17%
1953 - 0.02%
1952 - -1.24%
1951 - 1.1%
1950 - -0.26%
1949 - -2.77%
1948 - 1.88%
1947 - -5.99%
1946 - -15.3%
1945 - -6.35%
1944 - -21.5%
1943 - -14.2%
1942 - -16.4%
1941 - -35.8%
1940 - -36.9%
1939 - -9.76%
1938 - -1.48%
1937 - -4.44%
1936 - -3.75%
1935 - -3.81%
1934 - -2.81%
1933 - -1.63%
1932 - -2.61%
1931 - -2.32%
1930 - -1.94%
1929 - -0.78%
1928 - -2.07%
1927 - -0.32%
1926 - -2.9%
1925 - -2.92%
1924 - 0.04%
1923 - -2.3%
1922 - 0.62%
1921 - -2.59%
1920 - -2.6%
1919 - -7.49%
1918 - -11.4%
1917 - -1.27%
1916 - 1.48%
1915 - -0.29%
1914 - -1.15%
1913 - -0.25%
1912 - 0.33%
1911 - -0.14%
1910 - -0.3%
1909 - -2.64%
1908 - -1.92%
1907 - 0.24%
1906 - 0.86%
1905 - -1.28%
1904 - -1.63%
1903 - -0.3%
1902 - -1.74%
1901 - -2.13%
1900 - -0.52%
1899 - -1%
1898 - -4.55%
1897 - -0.37%
1896 - -0.56%
1895 - -1.21%
1894 - -0.62%
1893 - 0%
1892 - 0.82%
1891 - 0.16%
1890 - 0.17%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - -0.59%
1887 - -1.46%
1886 - 0%
1885 - -1.2%
1884 - -0.2%
1883 - 0%
1882 - 0.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/finland | CC BY

In 2024, El Salvador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.61B, equivalent to 4.55% of GDP. This compares to Finland's deficit of $13.2B, or 4.41% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Finland ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.58% of GDP for Finland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Finland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Finland
2024 0.85% 1.57%
2023 4.05% 6.25%
2022 7.2% 7.12%
2021 3.47% 2.19%
2020 -0.37% 0.29%
2019 0.08% 1.02%
2018 1.09% 1.08%
2017 1.01% 0.75%
2016 0.6% 0.36%
2015 -0.73% -0.21%
2014 1.14% 1.04%
2013 0.76% 1.48%
2012 1.73% 2.81%
2011 5.13% 3.42%
2010 1.18% 1.18%
2009 1.06% -0%
2008 6.71% 4.07%
2007 4.58% 2.51%
2006 4.04% 1.57%
2005 4.69% 0.62%
2004 4.45% 0.19%
2003 2.12% 0.88%
2002 1.87% 1.57%
2001 3.75% 2.58%
2000 2.27% 3.04%
1999 0.51% 1.16%
1998 2.55% 1.4%
1997 4.49% 1.19%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/finland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 1.83% in Finland. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 1.57% in Finland.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.51M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $833K
Machinery & equipment $27K
Metals $15K
Wood & paper products $12K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Finland
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $3.86M
Machinery & equipment $1.9M
Chemicals & pharma $1.23M
Textiles & consumer goods $374K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $191K
Metals $47K
Raw materials & minerals $38K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Finland
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$1.99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
143/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-0.67%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$76.6B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$47.4B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
41.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Finland
Economic freedom 57.7 76.6
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 15/197
Property rights 42.7 99.9
Government integrity 31.5 95.4
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 96.4
Tax burden 76.8 68.4
Government spending 72.7 7.9
Fiscal health 59.4 76.3
Business freedom 65.7 85.3
Labor freedom 51.6 65.4
Monetary freedom 70.6 80.3
Trade freedom 76.4 79.4
Investment freedom 70 85
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Finland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Finland
2026 57.7 76.6
2025 56.6 77
2024 54.4 76.3
2023 56 77.1
2022 59.6 78.3
2021 61 76.1
2020 61.6 75.7
2019 61.8 74.9
2018 63.2 74.1
2017 64.1 74
2016 65.1 72.6
2015 65.7 73.4
2014 66.2 73.4
2013 66.7 74
2012 68.7 72.3
2011 68.8 74
2010 69.9 73.8
2009 69.8 74.5
2008 68.5 74.6
2007 68.9 74
2006 69.6 72.9
2005 71.5 71
2004 71.2 73.4
2003 71.5 73.7
2002 73 73.6
2001 73 69.7
2000 76.3 64.3
1999 75.1 63.9
1998 70.2 63.5
1997 70.5 65.2
1996 70.1 63.7
1995 69.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/finland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 76.6 for Finland, ranking 15/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Finland
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
62.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
22.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
2.47%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$290B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$65,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$18B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
65/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
$3.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$8.74B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$12B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
12.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
22.3%
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/el-salvador/finland | 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 (1882–1989, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
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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.