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Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $484B for Norway, ranking 148/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $207B (42.7% of GDP) in Norway.

Equatorial Guinea vs Norway GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea Norway
2024 $12,765,777,677 $483,592,648,313
2023 $12,337,550,584 $482,949,731,777
2022 $13,687,643,436 $596,297,651,036
2021 $12,215,878,033 $503,367,986,030
2020 $9,893,816,008 $367,633,418,887
2019 $11,364,133,550 $408,742,840,909
2018 $13,097,012,134 $439,788,625,884
2017 $12,200,913,879 $401,745,275,035
2016 $11,240,808,848 $370,956,547,619
2015 $13,185,496,881 $388,159,512,246
2014 $21,765,453,082 $501,736,471,833
2013 $21,948,834,284 $526,014,468,085
2012 $22,388,344,144 $512,777,309,841
2011 $21,357,343,669 $501,360,549,669
2010 $16,314,443,436 $431,052,143,940
2009 $15,027,795,173 $387,976,400,617
2008 $19,749,893,536 $464,917,553,191
2007 $13,071,718,759 $402,643,260,488
2006 $10,086,528,699 $346,915,160,682
2005 $8,217,369,093 $309,978,579,744
2004 $4,410,764,339 $265,268,662,473
2003 $2,484,745,935 $229,385,469,337
2002 $1,806,742,742 $195,914,852,576
2001 $1,461,139,022 $174,239,354,071
2000 $1,045,998,496 $171,457,201,936
1999 $621,117,886 $162,383,706,021
1998 $370,687,634 $154,230,295,158
1997 $442,337,871 $161,356,631,888
1996 $232,463,023 $163,520,109,151
1995 $141,853,361 $152,029,612,325
1994 $100,807,003 $127,131,319,429
1993 $136,047,906 $120,579,213,713
1992 $134,707,184 $130,838,040,068
1991 $110,906,029 $121,872,464,483
1990 $112,119,411 $119,791,843,060
1989 $88,265,975 $102,633,934,391
1988 $100,534,657 $101,900,260,856
1987 $93,345,860 $94,229,907,236
1986 $76,407,396 $78,693,118,044
1985 $62,118,570 $65,416,879,914
1984 $50,320,914 $62,057,955,033
1983 $44,442,457 $61,627,240,831
1982 $44,294,648 $62,647,195,538
1981 $36,731,423 $63,596,654,761
1980 $50,642,881 $64,439,382,896
1979 - $53,132,244,624
1978 - $46,522,900,254
1977 $103,987,520 $41,508,030,431
1976 $103,653,050 $35,942,270,686
1975 $104,295,643 $32,877,805,200
1974 $94,159,863 $27,145,693,810
1973 $81,203,227 $22,534,253,703
1972 $65,429,198 $17,358,610,850
1971 $64,946,955 $14,583,114,840
1970 $66,331,429 $12,814,123,115
1969 $67,225,714 $11,136,187,440
1968 $67,514,286 $10,227,087,165
1967 $72,317,447 $9,577,383,653
1966 $69,110,000 $8,753,940,267
1965 $64,748,333 $8,111,945,661
1964 $51,915,000 $7,206,522,122
1963 $44,266,667 $6,553,269,536
1962 $37,253,333 $6,107,076,929
1961 - $5,669,689,210
1960 - $5,197,398,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs Norway by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,745 $17,567 $86,785 $102,038
2023 $6,678 $17,412 $87,497 $103,638
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $109,270 $125,490
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $93,073 $88,984
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $68,340 $67,111
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $76,431 $70,940
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $82,793 $70,254
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $76,132 $64,590
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $70,867 $59,280
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $74,810 $60,738
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $97,667 $66,332
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $103,554 $67,378
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $102,176 $65,774
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $101,222 $62,460
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $88,163 $58,213
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $80,348 $55,648
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $97,504 $62,073
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $85,502 $56,179
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $74,434 $54,358
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $67,047 $47,967
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $57,769 $42,667
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $50,250 $38,680
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $43,171 $38,056
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $38,602 $37,829
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $38,178 $36,994
1999 $931 $6,470 $36,393 $30,574
1998 $578 $5,280 $34,803 $28,200
1997 $717 $4,387 $36,629 $28,610
1996 $392 $1,793 $37,322 $26,826
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $34,876 $24,360
1994 $183.2 $951 $29,316 $23,027
1993 $256.7 $828 $27,964 $21,584
1992 $263.7 $756 $30,524 $20,623
1991 $225.3 $569 $28,597 $19,580
1990 $236.4 $577 $28,243 $18,461
1989 $193.2 - $24,281 -
1988 $228.7 - $24,207 -
1987 $220.9 - $22,506 -
1986 $188.8 - $18,883 -
1985 $161.1 - $15,754 -
1984 $137.9 - $14,989 -
1983 $129.4 - $14,928 -
1982 $137.5 - $15,225 -
1981 $121.1 - $15,513 -
1980 $175.5 - $15,772 -
1979 - - $13,047 -
1978 - - $11,463 -
1977 $376 - $10,266 -
1976 $369 - $8,927 -
1975 $362 - $8,204 -
1974 $319 - $6,812 -
1973 $268.6 - $5,690 -
1972 $211.4 - $4,414 -
1971 $205.6 - $3,736 -
1970 $206.8 - $3,306 -
1969 $208.4 - $2,894 -
1968 $211.7 - $2,680 -
1967 $231.9 - $2,531 -
1966 $226.7 - $2,333 -
1965 $217.1 - $2,179 -
1964 $177.8 - $1,951 -
1963 $154.8 - $1,787 -
1962 $132.9 - $1,678 -
1961 - - $1,571 -
1960 - - $1,451 -

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

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

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $86,785 in Norway, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea Norway
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2024
$484B
2024
GDP rank
148/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP growth
0.91%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,745
2024
$86,785
2024
GDP per capita rank
106/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$4.65B
2024
$207B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
36.4%
2024
42.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,458
2024
$37,074
2024
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2024
17/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,042
2026
$49,765
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.1%
2022
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
48.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2023-2024
3.15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
3.98%
2024
Population
1998075
5671119

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.5% 36.4% 48.5% 42.7%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 45.9% 44.1%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 37.5% 36.1%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 46.3% 41.6%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 56.7% 46%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 50.2% 40.5%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 47.7% 39.3%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 49.2% 38.2%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 50.4% 37.9%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 48.2% 34.3%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 45.2% 29.6%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 43.5% 31.4%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 42.4% 30.9%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 43.3% 29.6%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 44.5% 43%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 45.6% 42.5%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 39.8% 47.5%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 41% 49.5%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 40.5% 52.6%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 41.8% 42.3%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 47.6% 43.1%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 46.1% 33.9%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 43.2% 27.2%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 41.3% 28.7%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 46.4% 25%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 47.8% 23.6%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 45.5% 25.8%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 47% 28.4%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 49.3% 32.7%
1994 510% 216% 49.4% 50.6%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 50.2% 53.7%
1992 595% 136.9% 51.3% 45%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 50% 39.2%
1990 212.9% 157% 48.9% 28.9%
1989 116.8% 187% 52.2% 30.4%
1988 227.9% 154.5% 52.6% 30.5%
1987 183% 141.3% 50.5% 31.3%
1986 119% 152.5% 48.1% 37.8%
1985 115.4% 183.8% 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

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/norway | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Norway spent $234B, or 48.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 42.7% in Norway, ranking 143/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Norway
2024 -0.55% 13.2%
2023 2.39% 16.6%
2022 11.7% 25.5%
2021 2.65% 10.3%
2020 -1.77% -2.56%
2019 1.82% 6.52%
2018 0.52% 7.81%
2017 -2.59% 4.96%
2016 -10.9% 4.04%
2015 -15.1% 5.99%
2014 -7.54% 8.57%
2013 -4.4% 10.6%
2012 -7.24% 13.7%
2011 0.83% 13.3%
2010 -4.53% 10.9%
2009 -6.47% 10.2%
2008 14.6% 18.5%
2007 17.2% 17%
2006 21.8% 17.9%
2005 18.5% 14.7%
2004 9.22% 10.8%
2003 9.99% 7.2%
2002 17.6% 9.03%
2001 14.9% 13.2%
2000 -2.67% 15%
1999 -0.19% 5.71%
1998 -7.65% 3.07%
1997 3.21% 7.35%
1996 -6.36% 6.01%
1995 -123.4% 2.96%
1994 -487% 0.04%
1993 -217.9% -1.64%
1992 -557% -2.07%
1991 -236% -0.12%
1990 -160.2% 1.95%
1989 -76.2% 1.81%
1988 -208.5% 2.65%
1987 -158% 4.56%
1986 -97.3% 5.87%
1985 -89.3% 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/norway | 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 Norway's surplus of $64.1B, or 13.2% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 58.6% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.27% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea Norway
2024 3.4% 3.15%
2023 2.4% 5.52%
2022 4.9% 5.76%
2021 -0.1% 3.48%
2020 4.8% 1.29%
2019 1.2% 2.17%
2018 1.3% 2.76%
2017 0.7% 1.88%
2016 1.4% 3.55%
2015 1.7% 2.17%
2014 4.3% 2.04%
2013 3.2% 2.12%
2012 3.4% 0.7%
2011 4.8% 1.28%
2010 5.3% 2.42%
2009 5.7% 2.2%
2008 4.7% 3.75%
2007 2.8% 0.71%
2006 4.5% 2.33%
2005 5.6% 1.53%
2004 4.2% 0.45%
2003 7.3% 2.49%
2002 7.6% 1.29%
2001 8.7% 3%
2000 4.8% 3.09%
1999 0.4% 2.37%
1998 7.9% 2.25%
1997 3% 2.57%

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/norway | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.93%, compared with 2.44% in Norway. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 3.15% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $136K
Metals $47K
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.02M
Metals $702K
Animal & marine products $488K
Wood & paper products $424K
Textiles & consumer goods $238K
Chemicals & pharma $202K
Raw materials & minerals $102K
Miscellaneous $24K

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea Norway
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$71.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
101/190
1996
11/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+14.8%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$97.5B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$162B
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$63.6B
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$55.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.2%
2024
47.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Equatorial Guinea Norway
Economic freedom 47.4 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 9/197
Property rights 16.9 99.6
Government integrity 6.9 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 96.4
Tax burden 81 63.3
Government spending 90.8 42
Fiscal health 97.3 96.4
Business freedom 35.9 91.2
Labor freedom 45.2 69.3
Monetary freedom 73.5 72.4
Trade freedom 43.6 85.6
Investment freedom 40 75
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea Norway
2026 47.4 78.8
2025 47.7 78.3
2024 47.7 77.5
2023 48.3 76.9
2022 47.2 76.9
2021 49.2 73.4
2020 48.3 73.4
2019 41 73
2018 42 74.3
2017 45 74
2016 43.7 70.8
2015 40.4 71.8
2014 44.4 70.9
2013 42.3 70.5
2012 42.8 68.8
2011 47.5 70.3
2010 48.6 69.4
2009 51.3 70.2
2008 51.6 68.6
2007 53.2 67.9
2006 51.5 67.9
2005 53.3 64.5
2004 53.3 66.2
2003 53.1 67.2
2002 46.4 67.4
2001 47.9 67.1
2000 45.6 70.1
1999 45.1 68.6
1998 - 68
1997 - 65.1
1996 - 65.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Equatorial Guinea Norway
Services, % of GDP
51.1%
2024
51.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.15%
2024
2.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$8.96B
2024
$547B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,330
2024
$106,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2023
$81.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2023
32/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
-$7.83B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
$12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$4.95B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.96%
2024
24.1%
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/norway | 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 (1881–1989, 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 (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) (2014, 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.