Skip to content

Economy of France vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

France has a GDP of $3.16T compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 7/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

France has $3.58T in government debt (113.1% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

France vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

France
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
France Saudi Arabia
2024 $3,160,442,622,465 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $3,056,250,648,138 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $2,794,788,137,067 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $2,966,433,692,008 $982,661,066,667
2020 $2,647,926,055,110 $767,951,200,000
2019 $2,722,793,515,172 $888,890,133,333
2018 $2,781,576,320,884 $886,564,800,000
2017 $2,588,868,323,335 $741,266,133,333
2016 $2,470,407,619,777 $689,279,466,667
2015 $2,442,483,452,643 $693,414,400,000
2014 $2,861,236,112,552 $787,153,066,667
2013 $2,816,077,607,875 $769,755,733,333
2012 $2,683,007,095,787 $751,921,333,333
2011 $2,870,408,553,990 $680,660,800,000
2010 $2,646,230,027,988 $528,207,466,667
2009 $2,700,075,882,519 $429,097,866,667
2008 $2,926,802,941,586 $519,796,800,000
2007 $2,655,816,911,867 $415,964,509,673
2006 $2,317,861,544,691 $376,900,133,511
2005 $2,192,146,403,028 $328,459,608,764
2004 $2,109,792,297,237 $258,742,133,333
2003 $1,835,095,983,049 $215,807,733,333
2002 $1,492,427,756,382 $189,605,866,667
2001 $1,370,376,677,299 $184,137,600,000
2000 $1,360,959,069,477 $189,514,933,333
1999 $1,486,915,879,702 $161,717,066,667
1998 $1,496,906,382,032 $146,775,466,667
1997 $1,449,392,222,971 $165,963,684,913
1996 $1,598,889,216,566 $158,662,483,311
1995 $1,595,219,345,512 $143,343,124,166
1994 $1,385,822,778,828 $135,174,899,866
1993 $1,314,383,368,080 $132,967,957,276
1992 $1,389,663,073,110 $137,087,850,467
1991 $1,258,961,748,634 $132,223,230,975
1990 $1,257,649,439,827 $117,630,173,565
1989 $1,016,742,237,302 $95,344,459,279
1988 $1,010,827,662,152 $88,256,074,766
1987 $926,320,855,615 $85,695,861,148
1986 $764,946,585,851 $86,961,922,765
1985 $547,220,981,165 $103,897,846,494
1984 $525,033,325,828 $119,624,858,116
1983 $553,356,312,936 $129,171,635,311
1982 $578,152,310,610 $153,240,313,858
1981 $609,184,791,792 $184,291,360,139
1980 $694,529,183,483 $164,539,660,725
1979 $608,218,624,730 $111,858,444,786
1978 $501,724,418,605 $80,266,516,687
1977 $406,401,711,688 $74,188,986,586
1976 $368,363,152,144 $64,005,665,722
1975 $357,324,307,786 $46,773,208,643
1974 $282,739,225,314 $45,412,957,746
1973 $261,970,536,240 $14,947,435,499
1972 $201,738,881,664 $9,664,267,087
1971 $164,694,210,962 $7,184,806,909
1970 $147,312,861,698 $5,377,333,333
1969 $140,660,914,841 $4,485,777,644
1968 $128,710,572,572 $4,187,777,711
1967 $118,088,635,381 $3,257,022,223
1966 $109,306,730,313 $2,920,555,557
1965 $100,927,668,584 $2,647,955,558
1964 $93,424,179,943 $2,371,808,713
1963 $84,227,606,650 $2,207,393,172
1962 $75,196,980,365 $2,130,606,532
1961 $67,158,050,215 $1,920,811,284
1960 $61,959,085,885 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/france/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in France vs Saudi Arabia by year

France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
France Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $46,103 $62,557 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $44,700 $60,839 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $40,989 $57,043 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $43,725 $52,517 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $39,170 $49,482 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $40,408 $51,130 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $41,418 $46,381 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $38,687 $44,469 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $37,024 $42,880 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $36,702 $40,905 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $43,148 $40,218 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $42,669 $39,583 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $40,864 $37,671 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $43,930 $37,510 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $40,695 $35,908 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $41,728 $34,685 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $45,465 $35,053 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $41,486 $34,066 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $36,432 $32,424 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $34,696 $30,431 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $33,645 $28,921 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $29,480 $28,024 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $24,145 $28,350 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $22,332 $27,347 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $22,341 $26,007 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $24,576 $24,204 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $24,869 $23,263 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $24,169 $22,190 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $26,758 $21,268 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $26,792 $20,701 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $23,360 $19,892 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $22,239 $19,094 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $23,615 $18,801 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $21,501 $18,198 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $21,586 $17,475 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $17,547 - $9,414 -
1988 $17,550 - $9,165 -
1987 $16,176 - $9,386 -
1986 $13,430 - $10,078 -
1985 $9,657 - $12,745 -
1984 $9,312 - $15,541 -
1983 $9,862 - $17,810 -
1982 $10,360 - $22,454 -
1981 $10,956 - $28,703 -
1980 $12,565 - $27,206 -
1979 $11,063 - $19,612 -
1978 $9,167 - $14,914 -
1977 $7,459 - $14,595 -
1976 $6,792 - $13,313 -
1975 $6,617 - $10,266 -
1974 $5,261 - $10,503 -
1973 $4,907 - $3,640 -
1972 $3,809 - $2,474 -
1971 $3,137 - $1,929 -
1970 $2,833 - $1,509 -
1969 $2,729 - $1,313 -
1968 $2,518 - $1,276 -
1967 $2,328 - $1,032 -
1966 $2,173 - $961 -
1965 $2,024 - $904 -
1964 $1,891 - $840 -
1963 $1,723 - $812 -
1962 $1,554 - $813 -
1961 $1,402 - $760 -
1960 $1,307 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/france/saudi-arabia | CC BY

France's GDP per capita is $46,103, ranking 27/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), France ranks 30th at $62,557, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

France Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$3.16T
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
7/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
1.19%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$46,103
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
27/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,557
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
30/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$3.58T
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
113.1%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$52,165
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
8/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,669
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.37T
2018
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires
2,897,000
2025
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires
52
2025
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.44%
2024
3.52%
2024
Population
68788006
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

France
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
France Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.2% 113.1% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 56.8% 109.6% 28.3% 23%
2022 58.4% 111.4% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 59.5% 112.8% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 61.7% 114.9% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 55.3% 98.1% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 56.4% 98.5% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 57.7% 98.7% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 57.4% 98.1% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 57.6% 96.9% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 58.4% 96.1% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 58.6% 94.5% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 57.9% 91.7% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 57% 88.7% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 57.7% 86.3% 33% 8.43%
2009 58% 84.1% 37.1% 14%
2008 54.3% 69.8% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 53.6% 65.5% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 53.7% 65.4% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 54.3% 68.2% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 54% 66.9% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 54.4% 65.4% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 53.9% 61.3% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 52.8% 59.3% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 52.6% 59.7% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 53.7% 61.4% 30.3% 103%
1998 54% 62.1% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 55.6% 62% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 56% 60.6% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 56% 57.8% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 55.9% 51.6% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 56.5% 48.2% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 54% 41.7% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 52.7% 37.8% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 51.6% 36.8% 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, France's government spending was $1.81T, accounting for 57.2% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 113.1% in France and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 14/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
France

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
France Saudi Arabia
2024 -5.77% -2.49%
2023 -5.44% -1.77%
2022 -4.74% 2.24%
2021 -6.58% -1.99%
2020 -8.93% -10.2%
2019 -2.39% -3.96%
2018 -2.32% -5.21%
2017 -3.36% -8.57%
2016 -3.76% -13.2%
2015 -3.89% -14.9%
2014 -4.57% -3.4%
2013 -4.94% 5.47%
2012 -5.17% 11.7%
2011 -5.3% 11.4%
2010 -7.16% 4.39%
2009 -7.38% -5.38%
2008 -3.5% 29.8%
2007 -2.99% 11.8%
2006 -2.66% 20.8%
2005 -3.5% 18%
2004 -3.55% 9.72%
2003 -4.09% 1.2%
2002 -3.18% -5.91%
2001 -1.42% -3.91%
2000 -1.32% 3.18%
1999 -1.55% -5.99%
1998 -2.39% -8.88%
1997 -3.71% -2.51%
1996 -3.89% -3.25%
1995 -5.11% -5.12%
1994 -5.46% -8.31%
1993 -6.4% -9.33%
1992 -4.64% -8.12%
1991 -2.89% -3.28%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, France recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, France posted an annual deficit equal to 4.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
France

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
France Saudi Arabia
2024 2% 1.69%
2023 4.88% 2.33%
2022 5.22% 2.47%
2021 1.64% 3.06%
2020 0.48% 3.37%
2019 1.11% -1.19%
2018 1.85% 2.47%
2017 1.03% -0.83%
2016 0.18% 2.05%
2015 0.04% 1.22%
2014 0.51% 2.24%
2013 0.86% 3.51%
2012 1.95% 2.87%
2011 2.11% 5.83%
2010 1.53% 5.34%
2009 0.09% 5.06%
2008 2.81% 9.87%
2007 1.49% 4.17%
2006 1.68% 2.21%
2005 1.75% 0.48%
2004 2.14% 0.52%
2003 2.1% 0.61%
2002 1.92% 0.25%
2001 1.63% -1.12%
2000 1.68% -1.12%
1999 0.54% -1.33%
1998 0.65% -0.37%
1997 1.2% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/france/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, France has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.61%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 2% in France and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

France
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.96B
Chemicals & pharma $917M
Transport & tourism services $682M
Business & finance services $626M
Manufacturing & construction services $292M
Animal & marine products $215M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $215M
IT & IP services $172M
Metals $172M
Textiles & consumer goods $112M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.29B
Machinery & equipment $386M
Miscellaneous $293M
Chemicals & pharma $40.7M
Metals $33.8M
Precious metals & jewellery $29.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.94M
Raw agricultural goods $2.15M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.26M
Wood & paper products $1.12M

Balance of trade

France Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$2.69B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$733B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$668B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$341B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$403B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.2%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

France Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 64.6 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 72/197 65/197
Property rights 91.2 51.4
Government integrity 73.4 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 84.7 38.2
Tax burden 54.6 99.2
Government spending 0.9 77
Fiscal health 34.8 97.9
Business freedom 78.4 71.2
Labor freedom 59.1 41.8
Monetary freedom 73.2 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 73.8
Investment freedom 75 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

France
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
France Saudi Arabia
2026 64.6 65.4
2025 64.4 64.4
2024 62.5 61.9
2023 63.6 58.3
2022 65.9 55.5
2021 65.7 66
2020 66 62.4
2019 63.8 60.7
2018 63.9 59.6
2017 63.3 64.4
2016 62.3 62.1
2015 62.5 62.1
2014 63.5 62.2
2013 64.1 60.6
2012 63.2 62.5
2011 64.6 66.2
2010 64.2 64.1
2009 63.3 64.3
2008 64.7 62.5
2007 62.1 60.9
2006 61.1 63
2005 60.5 63
2004 60.9 60.4
2003 59.2 63.2
2002 58 65.3
2001 58 62.2
2000 57.4 66.5
1999 59.1 65.5
1998 58.9 69.3
1997 59.1 68.7
1996 63.7 68.3
1995 64.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/france/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for France is 64.6, ranking 72/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

France Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
70.9%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.3%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1T
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,880
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$283B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
13/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.3B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$52.1B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$41.7B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.6%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
30.2%
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/france/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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.