Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 148/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.
Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.
Equatorial Guinea vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|
| 2024 | $12,765,777,677 | $552,324,846,835 |
| 2023 | $12,337,550,584 | $522,622,191,967 |
| 2022 | $13,687,643,436 | $511,403,403,676 |
| 2021 | $12,215,878,033 | $422,441,388,700 |
| 2020 | $9,893,816,008 | $357,161,878,829 |
| 2019 | $11,364,133,550 | $433,926,208,305 |
| 2018 | $13,097,012,134 | $440,560,108,918 |
| 2017 | $12,200,913,879 | $403,365,010,211 |
| 2016 | $11,240,808,848 | $381,717,086,453 |
| 2015 | $13,185,496,881 | $381,973,042,886 |
| 2014 | $21,765,453,082 | $424,935,874,745 |
| 2013 | $21,948,834,284 | $409,632,675,289 |
| 2012 | $22,388,344,144 | $392,793,464,942 |
| 2011 | $21,357,343,669 | $368,881,143,635 |
| 2010 | $16,314,443,436 | $307,736,419,333 |
| 2009 | $15,027,795,173 | $253,547,358,747 |
| 2008 | $19,749,893,536 | $315,474,615,739 |
| 2007 | $13,071,718,759 | $257,916,133,424 |
| 2006 | $10,086,528,699 | $222,116,541,865 |
| 2005 | $8,217,369,093 | $180,617,467,965 |
| 2004 | $4,410,764,339 | $147,824,370,320 |
| 2003 | $2,484,745,935 | $124,346,358,067 |
| 2002 | $1,806,742,742 | $109,816,201,498 |
| 2001 | $1,461,139,022 | $103,311,640,572 |
| 2000 | $1,045,998,496 | $104,337,372,362 |
| 1999 | $621,117,886 | $84,445,473,111 |
| 1998 | $370,687,634 | $75,674,336,283 |
| 1997 | $442,337,871 | $78,839,008,445 |
| 1996 | $232,463,023 | $73,571,233,996 |
| 1995 | $141,853,361 | $65,743,666,576 |
| 1994 | $100,807,003 | $59,305,093,980 |
| 1993 | $136,047,906 | $55,625,170,253 |
| 1992 | $134,707,184 | $54,239,171,888 |
| 1991 | $110,906,029 | $51,552,165,622 |
| 1990 | $112,119,411 | $50,701,443,748 |
| 1989 | $88,265,975 | $41,464,995,914 |
| 1988 | $100,534,657 | $36,275,674,203 |
| 1987 | $93,345,860 | $36,384,908,744 |
| 1986 | $76,407,396 | $33,943,612,095 |
| 1985 | $62,118,570 | $40,603,650,232 |
| 1984 | $50,320,914 | $41,807,954,236 |
| 1983 | $44,442,457 | $42,803,323,345 |
| 1982 | $44,294,648 | $46,622,718,605 |
| 1981 | $36,731,423 | $49,333,424,135 |
| 1980 | $50,642,881 | $43,599,160,050 |
| 1979 | - | $31,225,659,621 |
| 1978 | - | $23,775,764,225 |
| 1977 | $103,987,520 | $24,871,775,165 |
| 1976 | $103,653,050 | $19,213,158,779 |
| 1975 | $104,295,643 | $14,720,728,249 |
| 1974 | $94,159,863 | $11,651,505,689 |
| 1973 | $81,203,227 | $4,231,243,616 |
| 1972 | $65,429,198 | $1,415,086,929 |
| 1971 | $64,946,955 | $939,893,600 |
| 1970 | $66,331,429 | $685,986,701 |
| 1969 | $67,225,714 | - |
| 1968 | $67,514,286 | - |
| 1967 | $72,317,447 | - |
| 1966 | $69,110,000 | - |
| 1965 | $64,748,333 | - |
| 1964 | $51,915,000 | - |
| 1963 | $44,266,667 | - |
| 1962 | $37,253,333 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs United Arab Emirates by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $6,745 | $17,567 | $50,274 | $79,229 |
| 2023 | $6,678 | $17,412 | $49,851 | $77,955 |
| 2022 | $7,589 | $18,140 | $50,760 | $75,072 |
| 2021 | $6,946 | $16,821 | $44,119 | $68,580 |
| 2020 | $5,764 | $13,677 | $37,992 | $66,791 |
| 2019 | $6,804 | $16,451 | $45,939 | $79,816 |
| 2018 | $8,102 | $18,413 | $47,135 | $77,446 |
| 2017 | $7,809 | $18,435 | $43,734 | $70,282 |
| 2016 | $7,453 | $16,649 | $42,721 | $69,987 |
| 2015 | $9,069 | $19,479 | $44,910 | $73,986 |
| 2014 | $15,549 | $27,177 | $52,725 | $87,478 |
| 2013 | $16,304 | $27,910 | $53,247 | $87,526 |
| 2012 | $17,309 | $30,012 | $53,142 | $89,198 |
| 2011 | $17,198 | $27,242 | $51,922 | $89,665 |
| 2010 | $13,720 | $26,168 | $44,795 | $85,120 |
| 2009 | $13,233 | $29,722 | $37,803 | $84,780 |
| 2008 | $18,211 | $30,523 | $50,054 | $94,628 |
| 2007 | $12,617 | $26,611 | $45,855 | $100,813 |
| 2006 | $10,185 | $23,511 | $44,343 | $106,814 |
| 2005 | $8,674 | $22,137 | $38,719 | $101,301 |
| 2004 | $4,901 | $19,354 | $33,377 | $98,661 |
| 2003 | $2,931 | $14,496 | $29,660 | $92,636 |
| 2002 | $2,264 | $13,255 | $27,754 | $88,467 |
| 2001 | $1,949 | $11,627 | $27,745 | $90,370 |
| 2000 | $1,487 | $7,420 | $29,866 | $92,899 |
| 1999 | $931 | $6,470 | $25,856 | $87,658 |
| 1998 | $578 | $5,280 | $24,889 | $90,229 |
| 1997 | $717 | $4,387 | $27,983 | $96,009 |
| 1996 | $392 | $1,793 | $28,323 | $94,620 |
| 1995 | $248.3 | $1,098 | $27,003 | $93,702 |
| 1994 | $183.2 | $951 | $25,473 | $89,959 |
| 1993 | $256.7 | $828 | $25,033 | $86,330 |
| 1992 | $263.7 | $756 | $25,648 | $87,509 |
| 1991 | $225.3 | $569 | $25,691 | $87,250 |
| 1990 | $236.4 | $577 | $26,710 | $88,455 |
| 1989 | $193.2 | - | $23,167 | - |
| 1988 | $228.7 | - | $21,570 | - |
| 1987 | $220.9 | - | $23,113 | - |
| 1986 | $188.8 | - | $23,132 | - |
| 1985 | $161.1 | - | $29,468 | - |
| 1984 | $137.9 | - | $32,012 | - |
| 1983 | $129.4 | - | $34,650 | - |
| 1982 | $137.5 | - | $39,972 | - |
| 1981 | $121.1 | - | $44,854 | - |
| 1980 | $175.5 | - | $42,925 | - |
| 1979 | - | - | $34,238 | - |
| 1978 | - | - | $29,379 | - |
| 1977 | $376 | - | $35,020 | - |
| 1976 | $369 | - | $31,197 | - |
| 1975 | $362 | - | $27,117 | - |
| 1974 | $319 | - | $23,823 | - |
| 1973 | $268.6 | - | $9,696 | - |
| 1972 | $211.4 | - | $3,675 | - |
| 1971 | $205.6 | - | $2,805 | - |
| 1970 | $206.8 | - | $2,394 | - |
| 1969 | $208.4 | - | - | - |
| 1968 | $211.7 | - | - | - |
| 1967 | $231.9 | - | - | - |
| 1966 | $226.7 | - | - | - |
| 1965 | $217.1 | - | - | - |
| 1964 | $177.8 | - | - | - |
| 1963 | $154.8 | - | - | - |
| 1962 | $132.9 | - | - | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.
Economic indicators
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$12.8B
2024 |
$552B
2024 |
| GDP rank |
148/197
2024 |
27/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
0.91%
2023-2024 |
3.99%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$6,745
2024 |
$50,274
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
106/197
2024 |
24/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$17,567
2024 |
$79,229
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
106/197
2024 |
16/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$4.65B
2024 |
$193B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
36.4%
2024 |
34.9%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$2,458
2024 |
$17,568
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
110/185
2024 |
36/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$5,042
2026 |
$40,522
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$1.05T
2024 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
339,000
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
6
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
29.1%
2022 |
20.5%
2018 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.6%
2022 |
2.8%
2018 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
18.5%
2024 |
21.4%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
3.4%
2023-2024 |
1.7%
2023-2024 |
| Central bank interest rate | n/a |
3.65%
2025 |
| Unemployment rate |
8.6%
2014 |
1.88%
2024 |
| Population |
1998075
|
11686438
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 18.5% | 36.4% | 21.4% | 34.9% |
| 2023 | 19.2% | 39.1% | 22.7% | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 14.8% | 29.8% | 22.7% | 31.5% |
| 2021 | 12.7% | 42.3% | 25.9% | 35.7% |
| 2020 | 16.2% | 49.4% | 30.5% | 30.1% |
| 2019 | 16.8% | 43.2% | 27.4% | 25.8% |
| 2018 | 19.1% | 40.6% | 25.9% | 20.7% |
| 2017 | 20.1% | 36.2% | 27.2% | 21.2% |
| 2016 | 27.8% | 41.1% | 31.7% | 18.6% |
| 2015 | 41.6% | 31.7% | 26.4% | 15.6% |
| 2014 | 31.6% | 12.6% | 31.4% | 13.5% |
| 2013 | 29.3% | 6.27% | 28.9% | 15.3% |
| 2012 | 35.2% | 7.1% | 27.8% | 20.2% |
| 2011 | 27.5% | 7.17% | 29.6% | 20.4% |
| 2010 | 31.2% | 7.89% | 30.4% | 18.3% |
| 2009 | 39.8% | 4.34% | 35% | 21.1% |
| 2008 | 19.9% | 0.49% | 22% | 8.95% |
| 2007 | 19.7% | 0.75% | 17.7% | 8.89% |
| 2006 | 18.1% | 1.22% | 15.6% | 5.05% |
| 2005 | 14.1% | 2.85% | 15.7% | 4.48% |
| 2004 | 15.5% | 4.54% | 17.7% | 4.08% |
| 2003 | 11.8% | 6.77% | 20% | 3.33% |
| 2002 | 11.3% | 19.4% | 21.3% | 3.43% |
| 2001 | 13.5% | 25.5% | 25.2% | 2.69% |
| 2000 | 22.6% | 36.6% | 21.8% | 3.12% |
| 1999 | 18.7% | 60.5% | 24.3% | 4.73% |
| 1998 | 35.1% | 59.2% | 25.8% | 4.18% |
| 1997 | 14.8% | 46.3% | 22.6% | 2.86% |
| 1996 | 22.9% | 91.2% | 27.6% | 3.48% |
| 1995 | 141.5% | 136.9% | 26.1% | 5.06% |
| 1994 | 510% | 216% | 30.1% | 5.58% |
| 1993 | 256.3% | 152.6% | 31.5% | 6.01% |
| 1992 | 595% | 136.9% | 29.6% | 5.31% |
| 1991 | 284.5% | 169.5% | 36% | 4.97% |
| 1990 | 212.9% | 157% | - | - |
| 1989 | 116.8% | 187% | - | - |
| 1988 | 227.9% | 154.5% | - | - |
| 1987 | 183% | 141.3% | - | - |
| 1986 | 119% | 152.5% | - | - |
| 1985 | 115.4% | 183.8% | - | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 143/185 and 146/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|
| 2024 | -0.55% | 6.41% |
| 2023 | 2.39% | 5.82% |
| 2022 | 11.7% | 9.8% |
| 2021 | 2.65% | 3.96% |
| 2020 | -1.77% | -2.42% |
| 2019 | 1.82% | 2.5% |
| 2018 | 0.52% | 3.65% |
| 2017 | -2.59% | -0.16% |
| 2016 | -10.9% | -2.95% |
| 2015 | -15.1% | -6.35% |
| 2014 | -7.54% | 1.74% |
| 2013 | -4.4% | 7.99% |
| 2012 | -7.24% | 8.59% |
| 2011 | 0.83% | 5.05% |
| 2010 | -4.53% | 0.52% |
| 2009 | -6.47% | -6.13% |
| 2008 | 14.6% | 17.6% |
| 2007 | 17.2% | 17.1% |
| 2006 | 21.8% | 20.2% |
| 2005 | 18.5% | 16% |
| 2004 | 9.22% | 6.4% |
| 2003 | 9.99% | 2.35% |
| 2002 | 17.6% | -1.24% |
| 2001 | 14.9% | 1.21% |
| 2000 | -2.67% | 10.7% |
| 1999 | -0.19% | 1.31% |
| 1998 | -7.65% | 1% |
| 1997 | 3.21% | 6.71% |
| 1996 | -6.36% | 0.92% |
| 1995 | -123.4% | 3.58% |
| 1994 | -487% | -1.78% |
| 1993 | -217.9% | -2.89% |
| 1992 | -557% | 3.34% |
| 1991 | -236% | 3.89% |
| 1990 | -160.2% | - |
| 1989 | -76.2% | - |
| 1988 | -208.5% | - |
| 1987 | -158% | - |
| 1986 | -97.3% | - |
| 1985 | -89.3% | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.
Over the past 34 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 45.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|
| 2024 | 3.4% | 1.7% |
| 2023 | 2.4% | 1.6% |
| 2022 | 4.9% | 4.8% |
| 2021 | -0.1% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 4.8% | -2.1% |
| 2019 | 1.2% | -1.9% |
| 2018 | 1.3% | 3.1% |
| 2017 | 0.7% | 2% |
| 2016 | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| 2015 | 1.7% | 4.1% |
| 2014 | 4.3% | 2.3% |
| 2013 | 3.2% | 1.1% |
| 2012 | 3.4% | 0.7% |
| 2011 | 4.8% | 0.9% |
| 2010 | 5.3% | 0.9% |
| 2009 | 5.7% | -4.7% |
| 2008 | 4.7% | 12.3% |
| 2007 | 2.8% | 11.1% |
| 2006 | 4.5% | 9.3% |
| 2005 | 5.6% | 6.2% |
| 2004 | 4.2% | 5% |
| 2003 | 7.3% | 3.1% |
| 2002 | 7.6% | 2.9% |
| 2001 | 8.7% | 2.8% |
| 2000 | 4.8% | 1.3% |
| 1999 | 0.4% | 2.1% |
| 1998 | 7.9% | 2% |
| 1997 | 3% | 3% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
Over the past 28 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.93%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.
Top exports between countries
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Wood & paper products | $1.29M |
| Metals | $1.16M |
| Machinery & equipment | $1K |
| Raw materials & minerals | $1K |
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Machinery & equipment | $17.5M |
| Chemicals & pharma | $5.44M |
| Raw materials & minerals | $2.56M |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $2.15M |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $1.73M |
| Metals | $1.06M |
| Wood & paper products | $532K |
| Animal & marine products | $87K |
| Miscellaneous | $82K |
| Raw agricultural goods | $33K |
Balance of trade
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$344M
1996 |
$80B
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
101/190
1996 |
9/190
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-148%
1996 |
+14.5%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$292M
1996 |
$400B
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$175M
1996 |
$467B
2024 |
| Service imports |
$185M
1996 |
$117B
2024 |
| Service exports |
$4.88M
1996 |
$181B
2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
25.4%
2024 |
92.2%
2023 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
35.2%
2024 |
106.8%
2023 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 47.4 | 71.9 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 175/197 | 29/197 |
| Property rights | 16.9 | 62.9 |
| Government integrity | 6.9 | 65.3 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 7.2 | 34.4 |
| Tax burden | 81 | 99.9 |
| Government spending | 90.8 | 85.1 |
| Fiscal health | 97.3 | 97.6 |
| Business freedom | 35.9 | 84.5 |
| Labor freedom | 45.2 | 63.2 |
| Monetary freedom | 73.5 | 81.2 |
| Trade freedom | 43.6 | 78.6 |
| Investment freedom | 40 | 50 |
| Financial freedom | 30 | 60 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|
| 2026 | 47.4 | 71.9 |
| 2025 | 47.7 | 71.6 |
| 2024 | 47.7 | 71.1 |
| 2023 | 48.3 | 70.9 |
| 2022 | 47.2 | 70.2 |
| 2021 | 49.2 | 76.9 |
| 2020 | 48.3 | 76.2 |
| 2019 | 41 | 77.6 |
| 2018 | 42 | 77.6 |
| 2017 | 45 | 76.9 |
| 2016 | 43.7 | 72.6 |
| 2015 | 40.4 | 72.4 |
| 2014 | 44.4 | 71.4 |
| 2013 | 42.3 | 71.1 |
| 2012 | 42.8 | 69.3 |
| 2011 | 47.5 | 67.8 |
| 2010 | 48.6 | 67.3 |
| 2009 | 51.3 | 64.7 |
| 2008 | 51.6 | 62.6 |
| 2007 | 53.2 | 62.6 |
| 2006 | 51.5 | 62.2 |
| 2005 | 53.3 | 65.2 |
| 2004 | 53.3 | 67.2 |
| 2003 | 53.1 | 73.4 |
| 2002 | 46.4 | 73.6 |
| 2001 | 47.9 | 74.9 |
| 2000 | 45.6 | 74.2 |
| 1999 | 45.1 | 71.5 |
| 1998 | - | 72.2 |
| 1997 | - | 71.9 |
| 1996 | - | 71.6 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
51.1%
2024 |
54.9%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
45.8%
2024 |
44.3%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
3.15%
2024 |
0.77%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$8.96B
2024 |
$566B
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$12,330
2024 |
$81,530
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$1.54B
2023 |
$238B
2024 |
| Total reserves ranking |
134/177
2023 |
14/177
2024 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$376M
1996 |
$31.5B
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$188M
2024 |
$45.6B
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$154M
2024 |
$77.2B
2024 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
50.7%
2022 |
19.5%
2020 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
8.96%
2024 |
26.6%
2023 |
GDP per capita map
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.
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.