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Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $313B for Portugal, ranking 148/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $297B (94.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Equatorial Guinea vs Portugal GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea Portugal
2024 $12,765,777,677 $313,271,185,085
2023 $12,337,550,584 $292,323,800,949
2022 $13,687,643,436 $256,898,677,175
2021 $12,215,878,033 $256,055,879,091
2020 $9,893,816,008 $229,618,773,423
2019 $11,364,133,550 $240,115,970,063
2018 $13,097,012,134 $242,092,894,543
2017 $12,200,913,879 $220,862,990,767
2016 $11,240,808,848 $206,305,431,242
2015 $13,185,496,881 $199,038,523,120
2014 $21,765,453,082 $230,078,616,300
2013 $21,948,834,284 $226,677,408,292
2012 $22,388,344,144 $216,536,676,772
2011 $21,357,343,669 $245,426,767,676
2010 $16,314,443,436 $238,443,864,993
2009 $15,027,795,173 $244,667,762,836
2008 $19,749,893,536 $263,416,394,624
2007 $13,071,718,759 $240,496,147,317
2006 $10,086,528,699 $208,756,449,276
2005 $8,217,369,093 $197,253,876,705
2004 $4,410,764,339 $189,382,122,532
2003 $2,484,745,935 $165,226,175,537
2002 $1,806,742,742 $134,795,565,549
2001 $1,461,139,022 $121,604,107,165
2000 $1,045,998,496 $118,605,192,877
1999 $621,117,886 $127,470,385,557
1998 $370,687,634 $123,946,327,916
1997 $442,337,871 $117,016,535,163
1996 $232,463,023 $122,630,089,680
1995 $141,853,361 $118,122,007,430
1994 $100,807,003 $99,688,641,304
1993 $136,047,906 $95,009,751,901
1992 $134,707,184 $107,592,098,307
1991 $110,906,029 $89,233,599,278
1990 $112,119,411 $78,713,860,217
1989 $88,265,975 $60,594,092,182
1988 $100,534,657 $56,347,250,696
1987 $93,345,860 $48,182,925,857
1986 $76,407,396 $38,745,901,354
1985 $62,118,570 $27,115,807,742
1984 $50,320,914 $25,217,969,050
1983 $44,442,457 $27,239,650,742
1982 $44,294,648 $30,527,754,793
1981 $36,731,423 $31,977,276,873
1980 $50,642,881 $32,896,519,824
1979 - $26,622,819,672
1978 - $23,487,614,051
1977 $103,987,520 $21,439,523,311
1976 $103,653,050 $20,332,831,565
1975 $104,295,643 $19,347,607,843
1974 $94,159,863 $17,512,391,476
1973 $81,203,227 $15,090,564,186
1972 $65,429,198 $11,239,117,865
1971 $64,946,955 $9,201,604,240
1970 $66,331,429 $8,108,235,704
1969 $67,225,714 $7,287,555,035
1968 $67,514,286 $6,644,693,214
1967 $72,317,447 $6,002,607,030
1966 $69,110,000 $5,370,108,031
1965 $64,748,333 $4,901,711,248
1964 $51,915,000 $4,429,202,657
1963 $44,266,667 $4,084,251,593
1962 $37,253,333 $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

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

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

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs Portugal by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,745 $17,567 $29,292 $51,680
2023 $6,678 $17,412 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $931 $6,470 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $578 $5,280 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $717 $4,387 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $392 $1,793 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $183.2 $951 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $256.7 $828 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $263.7 $756 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $225.3 $569 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $236.4 $577 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $193.2 - $6,056 -
1988 $228.7 - $5,624 -
1987 $220.9 - $4,804 -
1986 $188.8 - $3,862 -
1985 $161.1 - $2,705 -
1984 $137.9 - $2,523 -
1983 $129.4 - $2,735 -
1982 $137.5 - $3,080 -
1981 $121.1 - $3,246 -
1980 $175.5 - $3,368 -
1979 - - $2,756 -
1978 - - $2,457 -
1977 $376 - $2,267 -
1976 $369 - $2,173 -
1975 $362 - $2,128 -
1974 $319 - $2,000 -
1973 $268.6 - $1,748 -
1972 $211.4 - $1,302 -
1971 $205.6 - $1,065 -
1970 $206.8 - $934 -
1969 $208.4 - $832 -
1968 $211.7 - $752 -
1967 $231.9 - $676 -
1966 $226.7 - $601 -
1965 $217.1 - $545 -
1964 $177.8 - $490 -
1963 $154.8 - $452 -
1962 $132.9 - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

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

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $29,292 in Portugal, ranking 44/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea Portugal
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2024
$313B
2024
GDP rank
148/197
2024
46/197
2024
GDP growth
0.91%
2023-2024
2.14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,745
2024
$29,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
106/197
2024
44/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$4.65B
2024
$297B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
36.4%
2024
94.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,458
2024
$27,807
2024
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2024
27/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,042
2026
$16,747
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
171,797
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.1%
2022
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
42.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2023-2024
2.42%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
6.43%
2024
Population
1998075
10667081

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.5% 36.4% 42.8% 94.9%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 42.3% 97.7%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 45.5% 126%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 48.2% 131%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 50% 130.8%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 50% 114%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 44.5% 72.7%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 45.1% 73.7%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 46.8% 72.2%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 46.1% 67.1%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 45.4% 63.9%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 44.2% 60%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 42.5% 55.4%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 42.6% 55.6%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 42.4% 58.7%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 43% 63.3%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 42.6% 62.2%
1994 510% 216% 42.8% 60.4%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 46.5% 57.2%
1992 595% 136.9% 48.2% 58.1%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 45.9% 63.9%
1990 212.9% 157% 42.2% 60.2%
1989 116.8% 187% 36.2% 55.4%
1988 227.9% 154.5% 36.2% 56.8%
1987 183% 141.3% 37.5% 57.2%
1986 119% 152.5% 38.9% 59.8%
1985 115.4% 183.8% 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

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/portugal | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $134B, or 42.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 94.9% in Portugal, ranking 143/185 and 27/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Portugal
2024 -0.55% 0.7%
2023 2.39% 1.21%
2022 11.7% -0.31%
2021 2.65% -2.83%
2020 -1.77% -5.75%
2019 1.82% 0.12%
2018 0.52% -0.43%
2017 -2.59% -3%
2016 -10.9% -1.94%
2015 -15.1% -4.37%
2014 -7.54% -7.32%
2013 -4.4% -5.21%
2012 -7.24% -6.2%
2011 0.83% -7.73%
2010 -4.53% -11.4%
2009 -6.47% -9.87%
2008 14.6% -3.81%
2007 17.2% -2.91%
2006 21.8% -4.07%
2005 18.5% -6.11%
2004 9.22% -5.99%
2003 9.99% -5.66%
2002 17.6% -3.73%
2001 14.9% -4.73%
2000 -2.67% -3.35%
1999 -0.19% -2.99%
1998 -7.65% -4.3%
1997 3.21% -3.65%
1996 -6.36% -4.63%
1995 -123.4% -5.14%
1994 -487% -7.37%
1993 -217.9% -8.06%
1992 -557% -5.19%
1991 -236% -7.93%
1990 -160.2% -6.82%
1989 -76.2% -2.86%
1988 -208.5% -3.52%
1987 -158% -6.79%
1986 -97.3% -7.45%
1985 -89.3% -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

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/equatorial-guinea/portugal | 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 Portugal's surplus of $2.19B, or 0.7% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 37 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 58.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.75% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea Portugal
2024 3.4% 2.42%
2023 2.4% 4.31%
2022 4.9% 7.83%
2021 -0.1% 1.27%
2020 4.8% -0.01%
2019 1.2% 0.34%
2018 1.3% 0.99%
2017 0.7% 1.37%
2016 1.4% 0.61%
2015 1.7% 0.49%
2014 4.3% -0.28%
2013 3.2% 0.27%
2012 3.4% 2.77%
2011 4.8% 3.65%
2010 5.3% 1.4%
2009 5.7% -0.84%
2008 4.7% 2.59%
2007 2.8% 2.45%
2006 4.5% 3.11%
2005 5.6% 2.28%
2004 4.2% 2.37%
2003 7.3% 3.22%
2002 7.6% 3.6%
2001 8.7% 4.37%
2000 4.8% 2.85%
1999 0.4% 2.34%
1998 7.9% 2.57%
1997 3% 2.34%

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/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.93%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 2.42% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $10.5M
Machinery & equipment $17K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.03M
Chemicals & pharma $1.6M
Machinery & equipment $1.39M
Animal & marine products $796K
Raw agricultural goods $579K
Wood & paper products $267K
Textiles & consumer goods $229K
Raw materials & minerals $66K
Metals $26K
Miscellaneous $23K

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea Portugal
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
101/190
1996
28/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
43.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.2%
2024
45.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Equatorial Guinea Portugal
Economic freedom 47.4 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 33/197
Property rights 16.9 88.9
Government integrity 6.9 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 90.1
Tax burden 81 60.6
Government spending 90.8 44.6
Fiscal health 97.3 82
Business freedom 35.9 83.1
Labor freedom 45.2 54.8
Monetary freedom 73.5 77.7
Trade freedom 43.6 79.4
Investment freedom 40 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea Portugal
2026 47.4 71.2
2025 47.7 70.5
2024 47.7 68.7
2023 48.3 69.5
2022 47.2 70.8
2021 49.2 67.5
2020 48.3 67
2019 41 65.3
2018 42 63.4
2017 45 62.6
2016 43.7 65.1
2015 40.4 65.3
2014 44.4 63.5
2013 42.3 63.1
2012 42.8 63
2011 47.5 64
2010 48.6 64.4
2009 51.3 64.9
2008 51.6 63.9
2007 53.2 64
2006 51.5 62.9
2005 53.3 62.4
2004 53.3 64.9
2003 53.1 64.9
2002 46.4 65.4
2001 47.9 66
2000 45.6 65.5
1999 45.1 65.6
1998 - 65
1997 - 63.6
1996 - 64.5
1995 - 62.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Equatorial Guinea Portugal
Services, % of GDP
51.1%
2024
66.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
18.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.15%
2024
2.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$8.96B
2024
$288B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,330
2024
$50,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2023
$42.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2023
48/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.96%
2024
20.4%
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/portugal | 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 (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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)
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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.