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Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $4.03T for Japan, ranking 148/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $9.51T (236.1% of GDP) in Japan.

Equatorial Guinea vs Japan GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea Japan
2024 $12,765,777,677 $4,027,597,523,551
2023 $12,337,550,584 $4,213,167,237,906
2022 $13,687,643,436 $4,262,463,317,797
2021 $12,215,878,033 $5,039,148,168,861
2020 $9,893,816,008 $5,054,068,005,376
2019 $11,364,133,550 $5,117,993,853,017
2018 $13,097,012,134 $5,040,880,939,325
2017 $12,200,913,879 $4,930,837,369,151
2016 $11,240,808,848 $5,003,677,627,544
2015 $13,185,496,881 $4,444,930,651,964
2014 $21,765,453,082 $4,896,994,405,353
2013 $21,948,834,284 $5,212,328,181,166
2012 $22,388,344,144 $6,272,362,996,105
2011 $21,357,343,669 $6,233,147,172,341
2010 $16,314,443,436 $5,759,071,769,013
2009 $15,027,795,173 $5,289,493,117,994
2008 $19,749,893,536 $5,106,679,115,127
2007 $13,071,718,759 $4,579,750,920,355
2006 $10,086,528,699 $4,601,663,122,650
2005 $8,217,369,093 $4,831,467,035,390
2004 $4,410,764,339 $4,893,116,005,657
2003 $2,484,745,935 $4,519,561,645,254
2002 $1,806,742,742 $4,182,846,045,874
2001 $1,461,139,022 $4,374,711,694,091
2000 $1,045,998,496 $4,968,359,075,957
1999 $621,117,886 $4,635,982,224,064
1998 $370,687,634 $4,098,362,709,531
1997 $442,337,871 $4,492,448,605,639
1996 $232,463,023 $4,923,391,533,852
1995 $141,853,361 $5,545,563,663,890
1994 $100,807,003 $4,998,797,547,741
1993 $136,047,906 $4,536,940,479,038
1992 $134,707,184 $3,980,702,922,118
1991 $110,906,029 $3,648,065,760,649
1990 $112,119,411 $3,185,904,656,664
1989 $88,265,975 $3,109,455,047,824
1988 $100,534,657 $3,125,724,434,401
1987 $93,345,860 $2,580,748,422,781
1986 $76,407,396 $2,120,083,812,110
1985 $62,118,570 $1,427,019,759,717
1984 $50,320,914 $1,345,824,500,837
1983 $44,442,457 $1,270,859,919,743
1982 $44,294,648 $1,158,731,426,906
1981 $36,731,423 $1,245,221,410,764
1980 $50,642,881 $1,129,377,244,854
1979 - $1,077,910,077,676
1978 - $1,035,611,588,217
1977 $103,987,520 $737,069,290,928
1976 $103,653,050 $598,883,902,156
1975 $104,295,643 $532,861,438,885
1974 $94,159,863 $490,035,789,970
1973 $81,203,227 $441,460,582,536
1972 $65,429,198 $324,933,841,269
1971 $64,946,955 $245,364,056,622
1970 $66,331,429 $217,223,652,719
1969 $67,225,714 $184,298,841,305
1968 $67,514,286 $156,897,496,759
1967 $72,317,447 $132,475,614,227
1966 $69,110,000 $113,046,784,179
1965 $64,748,333 $97,338,107,606
1964 $51,915,000 $87,490,590,818
1963 $44,266,667 $74,379,284,603
1962 $37,253,333 $64,987,857,542
1961 - $57,266,758,180
1960 - $47,419,238,274

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/japan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs Japan by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,745 $17,567 $32,487 $52,039
2023 $6,678 $17,412 $33,836 $50,662
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $34,066 $47,192
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $40,095 $44,355
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $40,029 $42,426
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $40,416 $42,678
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $39,751 $42,142
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $38,834 $41,444
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $39,375 $40,597
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $34,961 $40,899
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $38,475 $39,555
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $40,899 $39,402
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $49,145 $37,606
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $48,760 $36,214
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $44,968 $35,336
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $41,309 $33,543
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $39,876 $35,274
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $35,779 $35,015
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $35,992 $33,632
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $37,813 $32,170
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $38,299 $30,832
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $35,387 $29,392
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $32,821 $28,624
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $34,406 $27,943
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $39,169 $27,288
1999 $931 $6,470 $36,610 $25,736
1998 $578 $5,280 $32,424 $25,508
1997 $717 $4,387 $35,638 $25,619
1996 $392 $1,793 $39,150 $24,999
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $44,198 $23,858
1994 $183.2 $951 $39,934 $22,823
1993 $256.7 $828 $36,345 $22,168
1992 $263.7 $756 $31,993 $21,825
1991 $225.3 $569 $29,428 $21,227
1990 $236.4 $577 $25,801 $19,912
1989 $193.2 - $25,266 -
1988 $228.7 - $25,500 -
1987 $220.9 - $21,142 -
1986 $188.8 - $17,452 -
1985 $161.1 - $11,809 -
1984 $137.9 - $11,207 -
1983 $129.4 - $10,652 -
1982 $137.5 - $9,780 -
1981 $121.1 - $10,583 -
1980 $175.5 - $9,669 -
1979 - - $9,301 -
1978 - - $9,012 -
1977 $376 - $6,473 -
1976 $369 - $5,310 -
1975 $362 - $4,776 -
1974 $319 - $4,448 -
1973 $268.6 - $4,061 -
1972 $211.4 - $3,031 -
1971 $205.6 - $2,321 -
1970 $206.8 - $2,101 -
1969 $208.4 - $1,803 -
1968 $211.7 - $1,553 -
1967 $231.9 - $1,326 -
1966 $226.7 - $1,144 -
1965 $217.1 - $994 -
1964 $177.8 - $903 -
1963 $154.8 - $776 -
1962 $132.9 - $685 -
1961 - - $609 -
1960 - - $509 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/japan | CC BY

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $32,487 in Japan, ranking 38/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea Japan
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2024
$4.03T
2024
GDP rank
148/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP growth
0.91%
2023-2024
0.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,745
2024
$32,487
2024
GDP per capita rank
106/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
41/197
2024
Government debt
$4.65B
2024
$9.51T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
36.4%
2024
236.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,458
2024
$76,704
2024
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2024
3/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,042
2026
$23,653
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$6.31T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
2,732,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.1%
2022
23.9%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
2.4%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
39.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2023-2024
2.74%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
2.54%
2024
Population
1998075
122677250

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
Japan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Japan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.5% 36.4% 39.1% 236.1%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 39.2% 240.5%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 41.8% 248.2%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 42.5% 253.7%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 44.5% 258.4%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 37.3% 236.4%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 36.7% 232.4%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 36.7% 231.3%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 37.2% 232.4%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 37.3% 228.3%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 38.4% 233.3%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 38.8% 229.5%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 38.6% 226.1%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 38.6% 219.2%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 37.7% 205.9%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 38.7% 198.8%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 34.1% 180.9%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 33.1% 173%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 33.1% 174.1%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 33.5% 174.6%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 33.7% 169.5%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 35% 160%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 35.4% 154.1%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 35.2% 145.1%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 36% 135.6%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 35.6% 129.5%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 38.6% 116%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 33.1% 105%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 33.8% 98.1%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 33.4% 92.5%
1994 510% 216% 32.8% 84.4%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 32.1% 72.8%
1992 595% 136.9% 30.3% 66.8%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 29.3% 62.4%
1990 212.9% 157% 29.5% 63.2%
1989 116.8% 187% 29.2% 65.7%
1988 227.9% 154.5% 29.9% 71.9%
1987 183% 141.3% 30.6% 75.8%
1986 119% 152.5% 30.4% 74.1%
1985 115.4% 183.8% 30.4% 68.3%
1984 - - 31.2% 65.6%
1983 - - 31.8% 63.5%
1982 - - 31.7% 57.7%
1981 - - 31.5% 52.8%
1980 - - 33.5% 47.8%
1979 - - 33.2% 43.8%
1978 - - 32.1% 39%
1977 - - 30.4% 31.1%
1976 - - 29.1% 26.1%
1975 - - 28.5% 20.9%
1974 - - 25.5% 16.7%
1973 - - 23.3% 15.9%
1972 - - 23.1% 16.3%
1971 - - 21.8% 12.6%
1970 - - 20.2% 11.2%
1969 - - 19.8% 11.4%
1968 - - 20.1% 11.8%
1967 - - 19.9% 11.4%
1966 - - 20.8% 11.2%
1965 - - 20.4% 9.78%
1964 - - 19.8% 8.53%
1963 - - 20% 8.66%
1962 - - 19.4% 9.01%
1961 - - 18.2% 8.44%
1960 - - 18.4% 10.4%

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/equatorial-guinea/japan | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.57T, or 39.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 236.1% in Japan, ranking 143/185 and 3/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

Japan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Japan
2024 -0.55% -1.53%
2023 2.39% -2.26%
2022 11.7% -4.21%
2021 2.65% -6.13%
2020 -1.77% -9.08%
2019 1.82% -3.04%
2018 0.52% -2.47%
2017 -2.59% -3.1%
2016 -10.9% -3.6%
2015 -15.1% -3.68%
2014 -7.54% -5.62%
2013 -4.4% -7.61%
2012 -7.24% -8.2%
2011 0.83% -8.99%
2010 -4.53% -9.08%
2009 -6.47% -9.69%
2008 14.6% -4.11%
2007 17.2% -2.9%
2006 21.8% -3.03%
2005 18.5% -4.44%
2004 9.22% -5.31%
2003 9.99% -7.43%
2002 17.6% -7.34%
2001 14.9% -6.2%
2000 -2.67% -7.28%
1999 -0.19% -6.75%
1998 -7.65% -10%
1997 3.21% -3.53%
1996 -6.36% -4.87%
1995 -123.4% -4.3%
1994 -487% -3.76%
1993 -217.9% -2.39%
1992 -557% 0.57%
1991 -236% 1.67%
1990 -160.2% 1.96%
1989 -76.2% 1.23%
1988 -208.5% 0.49%
1987 -158% -0.36%
1986 -97.3% -1.36%
1985 -89.3% -1.37%
1984 - -2.62%
1983 - -3.95%
1982 - -3.81%
1981 - -3.85%
1980 - -4.66%
1979 - -5%
1978 - -5.79%
1977 - -4.02%
1976 - -3.89%
1975 - -2.92%
1974 - 0.38%
1973 - 0.56%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - 1.21%
1970 - 1.74%
1969 - 1.26%
1968 - 0.88%
1967 - 0.8%
1966 - -0.34%
1965 - 0.48%
1964 - 0.85%
1963 - 1.08%
1962 - 1.49%
1961 - 2.58%
1960 - 1.85%
1959 - 0.97%
1958 - -0.1%
1957 - 1.27%
1956 - 1.39%
1955 - -0.67%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.65%
1952 - 2.22%
1951 - 5.06%
1950 - 6.99%
1949 - 12.5%
1948 - 7.53%
1947 - 6.09%
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - 0.32%
1942 - -0.13%
1941 - -0.19%
1940 - 0.31%
1939 - 0.11%
1938 - 0.45%
1937 - 0.71%
1936 - 0.34%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.34%
1933 - 0.28%
1932 - 0.31%
1931 - 0.23%
1930 - 0.19%
1929 - 0.5%
1928 - 0.42%
1927 - 0.58%
1926 - 0.65%
1925 - 0.75%
1924 - 0.84%
1923 - 0.87%
1922 - 0.89%
1921 - 1.43%
1920 - 1.19%
1919 - 1.21%
1918 - 1.58%
1917 - 1.54%
1916 - 1.37%
1915 - 1.41%
1914 - 1.31%
1913 - 1.21%
1912 - 1.27%
1911 - 1.21%
1910 - 1.57%
1909 - 1.51%
1908 - 1.63%
1907 - 1.77%
1906 - 0.46%
1905 - -0.68%
1904 - -0.81%
1903 - 0.19%
1902 - 0.44%
1901 - 0.21%
1900 - 0.53%
1899 - 0.2%
1898 - 0.6%
1897 - 0.33%
1896 - 0.88%
1895 - 0.28%
1894 - -0.24%
1893 - 0.6%
1892 - 0.63%
1891 - 0.61%
1890 - 0.74%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - 0.13%
1887 - 0.11%
1886 - 0.03%
1885 - 0.01%
1884 - 0.001%
1883 - 0.03%
1882 - 0.001%
1881 - 0.001%
1880 - 0.004%
1879 - 0.02%
1878 - 0.02%
1877 - -0.29%
1876 - -0.42%
1875 - 0.005%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/japan | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $70.8M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to Japan's deficit of $61.6B, or 1.53% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 58.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.23% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea Japan
2024 3.4% 2.74%
2023 2.4% 3.27%
2022 4.9% 2.5%
2021 -0.1% -0.23%
2020 4.8% -0.02%
2019 1.2% 0.47%
2018 1.3% 0.99%
2017 0.7% 0.48%
2016 1.4% -0.13%
2015 1.7% 0.8%
2014 4.3% 2.76%
2013 3.2% 0.34%
2012 3.4% -0.04%
2011 4.8% -0.27%
2010 5.3% -0.73%
2009 5.7% -1.35%
2008 4.7% 1.38%
2007 2.8% 0.06%
2006 4.5% 0.25%
2005 5.6% -0.28%
2004 4.2% -0.009%
2003 7.3% -0.26%
2002 7.6% -0.92%
2001 8.7% -0.74%
2000 4.8% -0.68%
1999 0.4% -0.34%
1998 7.9% 0.66%
1997 3% 1.75%

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/equatorial-guinea/japan | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.93%, compared with 0.44% in Japan. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 2.74% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $199M
Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $366K
Chemicals & pharma $88K
Miscellaneous $34K
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Metals $10K

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea Japan
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$194B
2024
Current account balance ranking
101/190
1996
3/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+4.82%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$719B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$694B
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$246B
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$228B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
23.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.2%
2024
22.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Equatorial Guinea Japan
Economic freedom 47.4 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 36/197
Property rights 16.9 94.2
Government integrity 6.9 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 97.9
Tax burden 81 63
Government spending 90.8 52
Fiscal health 97.3 41.7
Business freedom 35.9 77.8
Labor freedom 45.2 65.9
Monetary freedom 73.5 74.3
Trade freedom 43.6 76.2
Investment freedom 40 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea Japan
2026 47.4 70.3
2025 47.7 70.2
2024 47.7 67.5
2023 48.3 69.3
2022 47.2 69.9
2021 49.2 74.1
2020 48.3 73.3
2019 41 72.1
2018 42 72.3
2017 45 69.6
2016 43.7 73.1
2015 40.4 73.3
2014 44.4 72.4
2013 42.3 71.8
2012 42.8 71.6
2011 47.5 72.8
2010 48.6 72.9
2009 51.3 72.8
2008 51.6 73
2007 53.2 72.7
2006 51.5 73.3
2005 53.3 67.3
2004 53.3 64.3
2003 53.1 67.6
2002 46.4 66.7
2001 47.9 70.9
2000 45.6 70.7
1999 45.1 69.1
1998 - 70.2
1997 - 70.3
1996 - 72.6
1995 - 75

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/japan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Equatorial Guinea Japan
Services, % of GDP
51.1%
2024
69.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
28.6%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.15%
2024
0.94%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$8.96B
2024
$4.46T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,330
2024
$55,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2023
$1.23T
2024
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2023
2/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
$191B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
$16.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$203B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.96%
2024
26.2%
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/equatorial-guinea/japan | 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 (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.

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.