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Economy of France vs Luxembourg compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

France has a GDP of $3.16T compared to $93.3B for Luxembourg, ranking 7/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

France has $3.58T in government debt (113.1% of GDP), compared to $24.5B (26.3% of GDP) in Luxembourg.

France vs Luxembourg GDP by year

France
Luxembourg
1x
Year GDP, current $
France Luxembourg
2024 $3,160,442,622,465 $93,279,851,863
2023 $3,056,250,648,138 $88,788,881,539
2022 $2,794,788,137,067 $80,801,680,397
2021 $2,966,433,692,008 $86,386,759,695
2020 $2,647,926,055,110 $73,670,782,100
2019 $2,722,793,515,172 $69,872,035,114
2018 $2,781,576,320,884 $71,085,623,495
2017 $2,588,868,323,335 $65,712,180,343
2016 $2,470,407,619,777 $62,216,885,436
2015 $2,442,483,452,643 $60,071,584,216
2014 $2,861,236,112,552 $68,804,811,898
2013 $2,816,077,607,875 $65,203,276,467
2012 $2,683,007,095,787 $59,776,383,527
2011 $2,870,408,553,990 $61,696,281,326
2010 $2,646,230,027,988 $56,213,985,987
2009 $2,700,075,882,519 $54,467,289,898
2008 $2,926,802,941,586 $58,844,277,702
2007 $2,655,816,911,867 $51,587,401,416
2006 $2,317,861,544,691 $42,910,146,296
2005 $2,192,146,403,028 $37,672,280,120
2004 $2,109,792,297,237 $35,064,843,793
2003 $1,835,095,983,049 $29,667,268,248
2002 $1,492,427,756,382 $23,649,833,332
2001 $1,370,376,677,299 $21,387,533,703
2000 $1,360,959,069,477 $21,230,182,989
1999 $1,486,915,879,702 $21,899,317,599
1998 $1,496,906,382,032 $20,150,053,345
1997 $1,449,392,222,971 $19,563,836,265
1996 $1,598,889,216,566 $20,895,314,658
1995 $1,595,219,345,512 $20,853,093,870
1994 $1,385,822,778,828 $17,701,798,891
1993 $1,314,383,368,080 $15,925,521,222
1992 $1,389,663,073,110 $15,518,702,635
1991 $1,258,961,748,634 $13,834,219,728
1990 $1,257,649,439,827 $12,778,792,854
1989 $1,016,742,237,302 $10,037,674,038
1988 $1,010,827,662,152 $9,418,167,855
1987 $926,320,855,615 $8,320,902,215
1986 $764,946,585,851 $6,685,595,088
1985 $547,220,981,165 $4,577,211,767
1984 $525,033,325,828 $4,438,435,493
1983 $553,356,312,936 $4,524,217,751
1982 $578,152,310,610 $4,602,316,793
1981 $609,184,791,792 $5,053,665,797
1980 $694,529,183,483 $6,019,805,490
1979 $608,218,624,730 $5,516,982,664
1978 $501,724,418,605 $4,718,539,772
1977 $406,401,711,688 $3,789,321,328
1976 $368,363,152,144 $3,423,586,207
1975 $357,324,307,786 $3,123,333,333
1974 $282,739,225,314 $3,183,637,117
1973 $261,970,536,240 $2,609,875,802
1972 $201,738,881,664 $1,901,697,370
1971 $164,694,210,962 $1,518,773,421
1970 $147,312,861,698 $1,457,768,455
1969 $140,660,914,841 $1,245,432,991
1968 $128,710,572,572 $1,075,561,623
1967 $118,088,635,381 $983,052,315
1966 $109,306,730,313 $976,717,015
1965 $100,927,668,584 $929,477,285
1964 $93,424,179,943 $910,877,686
1963 $84,227,606,650 $797,902,154
1962 $75,196,980,365 $747,846,862
1961 $67,158,050,215 $710,163,719
1960 $61,959,085,885 $709,941,874

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

GeoRank.org/economy/france/luxembourg | CC BY

GDP per capita in France vs Luxembourg by year

France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Luxembourg
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
France Luxembourg
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $46,103 $62,557 $137,782 $155,941
2023 $44,700 $60,839 $133,231 $150,508
2022 $40,989 $57,043 $123,720 $146,919
2021 $43,725 $52,517 $134,966 $136,772
2020 $39,170 $49,482 $116,860 $122,067
2019 $40,408 $51,130 $112,697 $121,372
2018 $41,418 $46,381 $116,927 $116,638
2017 $38,687 $44,469 $110,193 $114,986
2016 $37,024 $42,880 $106,899 $113,365
2015 $36,702 $40,905 $105,462 $107,860
2014 $43,148 $40,218 $123,679 $105,296
2013 $42,669 $39,583 $120,000 $100,925
2012 $40,864 $37,671 $112,585 $96,636
2011 $43,930 $37,510 $119,025 $94,475
2010 $40,695 $35,908 $110,886 $90,336
2009 $41,728 $34,685 $109,420 $86,919
2008 $45,465 $35,053 $120,422 $90,971
2007 $41,486 $34,066 $107,475 $85,126
2006 $36,432 $32,424 $90,789 $78,861
2005 $34,696 $30,431 $80,988 $68,788
2004 $33,645 $28,921 $76,545 $64,686
2003 $29,480 $28,024 $65,689 $60,192
2002 $24,145 $28,350 $53,006 $58,576
2001 $22,332 $27,347 $48,440 $56,136
2000 $22,341 $26,007 $48,660 $55,136
1999 $24,576 $24,204 $50,872 $49,845
1998 $24,869 $23,263 $47,445 $44,270
1997 $24,169 $22,190 $46,642 $42,488
1996 $26,758 $21,268 $50,444 $39,722
1995 $26,792 $20,701 $51,032 $38,345
1994 $23,360 $19,892 $43,933 $37,551
1993 $22,239 $19,094 $40,067 $35,899
1992 $23,615 $18,801 $39,571 $34,108
1991 $21,501 $18,198 $35,747 $33,191
1990 $21,586 $17,475 $33,465 $29,949
1989 $17,547 - $26,618 -
1988 $17,550 - $25,219 -
1987 $16,176 - $22,443 -
1986 $13,430 - $18,150 -
1985 $9,657 - $12,482 -
1984 $9,312 - $12,127 -
1983 $9,862 - $12,374 -
1982 $10,360 - $12,591 -
1981 $10,956 - $13,837 -
1980 $12,565 - $16,531 -
1979 $11,063 - $15,204 -
1978 $9,167 - $13,034 -
1977 $7,459 - $10,486 -
1976 $6,792 - $9,491 -
1975 $6,617 - $8,701 -
1974 $5,261 - $8,967 -
1973 $4,907 - $7,447 -
1972 $3,809 - $5,487 -
1971 $3,137 - $4,435 -
1970 $2,833 - $4,298 -
1969 $2,729 - $3,690 -
1968 $2,518 - $3,203 -
1967 $2,328 - $2,935 -
1966 $2,173 - $2,925 -
1965 $2,024 - $2,804 -
1964 $1,891 - $2,779 -
1963 $1,723 - $2,462 -
1962 $1,554 - $2,332 -
1961 $1,402 - $2,241 -
1960 $1,307 - $2,261 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/france/luxembourg | CC BY

France's GDP per capita is $46,103, ranking 27/197, compared to $137,782 in Luxembourg, ranking 3/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), France ranks 30th at $62,557, while Luxembourg ranks 1st at $155,941.

Economic indicators

France Luxembourg
Gross domestic product
$3.16T
2024
$93.3B
2024
GDP rank
7/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP growth
1.19%
2023-2024
0.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$46,103
2024
$137,782
2024
GDP per capita rank
27/197
2024
3/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,557
2024
$155,941
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
30/197
2024
1/197
2024
Government debt
$3.58T
2024
$24.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
113.1%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$52,165
2024
$36,221
2024
Government debt per person rank
8/185
2024
19/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,669
2026
$69,593
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.37T
2018
$41.9B
2024
Number of millionaires
2,897,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
52
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2023
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
46.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2%
2023-2024
2.05%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
7.44%
2024
6.42%
2024
Population
68788006
693885

Spending and national debt comparison by year

France
Spending

Debt
Luxembourg
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
France Luxembourg
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.2% 113.1% 46.9% 26.3%
2023 56.8% 109.6% 46.4% 24.7%
2022 58.4% 111.4% 44.3% 24.9%
2021 59.5% 112.8% 42.4% 24.2%
2020 61.7% 114.9% 47% 24.5%
2019 55.3% 98.1% 43.1% 22.3%
2018 56.4% 98.5% 42.3% 20.9%
2017 57.7% 98.7% 41.3% 21.8%
2016 57.4% 98.1% 40% 19.6%
2015 57.6% 96.9% 40.4% 21.1%
2014 58.4% 96.1% 40.6% 21.9%
2013 58.6% 94.5% 41.2% 22.4%
2012 57.9% 91.7% 41.8% 20.8%
2011 57% 88.7% 41.5% 18.5%
2010 57.7% 86.3% 42% 19.1%
2009 58% 84.1% 42.7% 15.3%
2008 54.3% 69.8% 37.9% 14.6%
2007 53.6% 65.5% 37.4% 8.09%
2006 53.7% 65.4% 39.4% 8.21%
2005 54.3% 68.2% 43.4% 7.95%
2004 54% 66.9% 43.7% 7.83%
2003 54.4% 65.4% 43.3% 7.43%
2002 53.9% 61.3% 41.8% 7.45%
2001 52.8% 59.3% 38.1% 7.62%
2000 52.6% 59.7% 38% 7.49%
1999 53.7% 61.4% 41.7% 8.39%
1998 54% 62.1% 43.9% 9.51%
1997 55.6% 62% 44.2% 10.1%
1996 56% 60.6% 42.5% 10.2%
1995 56% 57.8% 42% 10.3%
1994 55.9% 51.6% - -
1993 56.5% 48.2% - -
1992 54% 41.7% - -
1991 52.7% 37.8% - -
1990 51.6% 36.8% - -
1989 48.9% 34% - -
1988 50.1% 33.3% - -
1987 50.7% 33.4% - -
1986 51.3% 31.1% - -
1985 51.9% 30.6% - -
1984 51.2% 29% - -
1983 50.2% 26.6% - -
1982 49.9% 25.3% - -
1981 48.5% 22% - -
1980 46% 20.7% - -
1979 44.9% 21.1% - -
1978 44.7% 21.2% - -
1977 21.4% 15% - -
1976 21.7% 15.1% - -
1975 22% 16.1% - -
1974 19.9% 15.4% - -
1973 19.7% 15.8% - -
1972 19.8% 17.7% - -
1971 20% 20.1% - -
1970 20.5% 21% - -
1969 21.5% 14.4% - -
1968 22.7% 15.8% - -
1967 21.4% 16.1% - -
1966 21.4% 15.3% - -
1965 21.1% 17.6% - -
1964 21% 19.6% - -
1963 22.6% 22.2% - -
1962 21.7% 23.6% - -
1961 21.9% 26.3% - -
1960 22.2% 28.5% - -

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/france/luxembourg | CC BY

In 2024, France's government spending was $1.81T, accounting for 57.2% of its GDP, while Luxembourg spent $43.7B, or 46.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 113.1% in France and 26.3% in Luxembourg, ranking 14/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
France

Luxembourg
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
France Luxembourg
2024 -5.77% 1.03%
2023 -5.44% -0.78%
2022 -4.74% 0.18%
2021 -6.58% 1%
2020 -8.93% -3.09%
2019 -2.39% 2.68%
2018 -2.32% 3.17%
2017 -3.36% 1.37%
2016 -3.76% 1.89%
2015 -3.89% 1.3%
2014 -4.57% 1.33%
2013 -4.94% 0.84%
2012 -5.17% 0.5%
2011 -5.3% 0.65%
2010 -7.16% -0.26%
2009 -7.38% -0.21%
2008 -3.5% 3.37%
2007 -2.99% 4.35%
2006 -2.66% 1.9%
2005 -3.5% -0.21%
2004 -3.55% -1.39%
2003 -4.09% 0.28%
2002 -3.18% 2.03%
2001 -1.42% 5.62%
2000 -1.32% 5.55%
1999 -1.55% 3.24%
1998 -2.39% 2.98%
1997 -3.71% 2.65%
1996 -3.89% 2.37%
1995 -5.11% 2.71%
1994 -5.46% -
1993 -6.4% -
1992 -4.64% -
1991 -2.89% -
1990 -2.45% -
1989 -1.9% -
1988 -2.7% -
1987 -2.13% -
1986 -3.3% -
1985 -3.08% -
1984 -2.8% -
1983 -2.58% -
1982 -2.91% -
1981 -2.39% -
1980 -0.27% -
1979 -0.36% -
1978 -1.73% -
1977 0.9% -
1976 1.01% -
1975 -0.28% -
1974 3.05% -
1973 1.97% -
1972 1.94% -
1971 -0.13% -
1970 0.02% -
1969 -0.49% -
1968 -2.54% -
1967 -0.8% -
1966 -0.57% -
1965 -0.07% -
1964 -0.25% -
1963 -2.24% -
1962 -1.53% -
1961 -1.36% -
1960 -1.95% -
1959 0.56% -
1958 0.08% -
1957 -1.99% -
1956 -2.62% -
1955 -1.04% -
1954 -0.78% -
1953 -4.79% -
1952 -6.82% -
1951 -4.42% -
1950 -5.56% -
1949 -7.31% -
1948 -9.11% -
1947 -7.6% -
1946 -8.1% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 -6.89% -
1936 -4.76% -
1935 -4.22% -
1934 -4.31% -
1933 -4.96% -
1932 -1.86% -
1931 -2.06% -
1930 -1.65% -
1929 1.48% -
1928 1.13% -
1927 -0.04% -
1926 -0.02% -
1925 -0.87% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.05% -
1912 0.23% -
1911 0.31% -
1910 -0.12% -
1909 -0.11% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.23% -
1906 -0.04% -
1905 0.18% -
1904 0.3% -
1903 0.21% -
1902 -0.37% -
1901 -0.39% -
1900 0.21% -
1899 0.21% -
1898 0.29% -
1897 0.01% -
1896 -0.03% -
1895 -0.07% -
1894 -0.08% -
1893 -0.3% -
1892 -0.03% -
1891 0.36% -
1890 0.31% -
1889 0.09% -
1888 0.18% -
1887 -0.07% -
1886 -0.5% -
1885 -0.59% -
1884 -0.35% -
1883 -0.23% -
1882 -0.15% -
1881 0.64% -
1880 0.65% -

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/france/luxembourg | CC BY

In 2024, France's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $182B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Luxembourg's surplus of $961M, or 1.03% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, France recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Luxembourg ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, France posted an annual deficit equal to 4.15% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.57% of GDP for Luxembourg.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
France

Luxembourg
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
France Luxembourg
2024 2% 2.05%
2023 4.88% 3.74%
2022 5.22% 6.34%
2021 1.64% 2.53%
2020 0.48% 0.82%
2019 1.11% 1.74%
2018 1.85% 1.53%
2017 1.03% 1.73%
2016 0.18% 0.29%
2015 0.04% 0.47%
2014 0.51% 0.63%
2013 0.86% 1.73%
2012 1.95% 2.66%
2011 2.11% 3.41%
2010 1.53% 2.27%
2009 0.09% 0.37%
2008 2.81% 3.4%
2007 1.49% 2.31%
2006 1.68% 2.67%
2005 1.75% 2.49%
2004 2.14% 2.23%
2003 2.1% 2.05%
2002 1.92% 2.07%
2001 1.63% 2.66%
2000 1.68% 3.15%
1999 0.54% 1.03%
1998 0.65% 0.96%
1997 1.2% 1.37%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/france/luxembourg | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, France has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.61%, compared with 2.1% in Luxembourg. In 2024, inflation was 2% in France and 2.05% in Luxembourg.

Top exports between countries

France
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $6.86B
Business & finance services $6.74B
Machinery & equipment $840M
IT & IP services $688M
Manufacturing & construction services $654M
Metals $453M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $421M
Animal & marine products $415M
Chemicals & pharma $259M
Textiles & consumer goods $252M
Luxembourg
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $2.79B
Transport & tourism services $2.03B
Machinery & equipment $697M
Chemicals & pharma $447M
Metals $389M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $190M
Textiles & consumer goods $179M
Wood & paper products $172M
Raw materials & minerals $144M
Animal & marine products $121M

Balance of trade

France Luxembourg
Current account balance
$2.69B
2024
$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2024
35/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2024
+4.4%
2024
Goods imports
$733B
2024
$29.4B
2024
Goods exports
$668B
2024
$31.3B
2024
Service imports
$341B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$403B
2024
$150B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.2%
2024
159.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
191.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

France Luxembourg
Economic freedom 64.6 79.7
Economic freedom ranking 72/197 7/197
Property rights 91.2 96.6
Government integrity 73.4 88.7
Judicial effectiveness 84.7 99.1
Tax burden 54.6 62.3
Government spending 0.9 36.9
Fiscal health 34.8 98.6
Business freedom 78.4 89.5
Labor freedom 59.1 56.7
Monetary freedom 73.2 74.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 75 95
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

France
Luxembourg
1x
Year Economic freedom index
France Luxembourg
2026 64.6 79.7
2025 64.4 79.5
2024 62.5 79.2
2023 63.6 78.4
2022 65.9 80.6
2021 65.7 76
2020 66 75.8
2019 63.8 75.9
2018 63.9 76.4
2017 63.3 75.9
2016 62.3 73.9
2015 62.5 73.2
2014 63.5 74.2
2013 64.1 74.2
2012 63.2 74.5
2011 64.6 76.2
2010 64.2 75.4
2009 63.3 75.2
2008 64.7 74.7
2007 62.1 74.6
2006 61.1 75.3
2005 60.5 76.3
2004 60.9 78.9
2003 59.2 79.9
2002 58 79.4
2001 58 80.1
2000 57.4 76.4
1999 59.1 72.4
1998 58.9 72.7
1997 59.1 72.8
1996 63.7 72.5
1995 64.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/france/luxembourg | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for France is 64.6, ranking 72/197, compared to 79.7 for Luxembourg, ranking 7/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

France Luxembourg
Services, % of GDP
70.9%
2024
81.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
9.66%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.3%
2024
0.21%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1T
2024
$57.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,880
2024
$110,650
2024
Total reserves including gold
$283B
2024
$2.79B
2024
Total reserves ranking
13/177
2024
119/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.3B
2024
$21.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$52.1B
2024
$106B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$41.7B
2024
$109B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.6%
2021
17.3%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
15.8%
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/france/luxembourg | 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 (1880–1989, 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 (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.