Skip to content

Economy of Germany vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Germany has a GDP of $5.05T compared to $722B for Ireland, ranking 3/197 and 24/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $3.18T in government debt (62.9% of GDP), compared to $238B (32.9% of GDP) in Ireland.

Germany vs Ireland GDP by year

Germany
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Ireland
2025 $5,050,922,925,047 $721,701,359,046
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $609,157,459,747
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $567,372,737,459
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $548,341,794,599
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $530,394,123,830
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $436,009,027,819
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $407,211,793,801
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $395,780,319,817
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $348,355,212,569
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $305,431,252,709
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $302,101,388,556
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $266,490,442,124
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $242,924,245,719
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $226,921,827,888
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $240,975,871,047
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $221,732,824,603
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $236,443,115,854
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $275,447,471,451
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $270,079,279,420
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $232,180,617,162
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $211,876,989,656
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $194,372,115,041
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $164,670,771,260
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $128,596,035,288
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $109,346,669,230
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $100,207,610,430
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $98,893,958,263
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $90,199,410,116
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $82,856,648,758
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $75,790,786,290
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $69,139,823,232
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $57,097,656,066
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $52,417,477,614
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $55,918,538,121
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $49,787,501,584
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $49,305,632,408
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $39,238,392,678
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $37,772,896,221
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $33,920,518,493
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $28,714,571,852
1985 $735,218,723,093 $21,270,013,326
1984 $727,767,760,979 $20,106,648,455
1983 $773,507,930,295 $20,766,047,764
1982 $779,421,633,755 $21,474,752,962
1981 $803,404,797,058 $20,670,190,138
1980 $953,772,499,462 $21,747,855,640
1979 $884,574,218,333 $18,319,334,300
1978 $743,182,891,918 $14,647,996,074
1977 $602,698,323,086 $11,248,340,431
1976 $521,658,712,133 $9,453,756,015
1975 $492,434,094,920 $9,483,808,362
1974 $446,934,971,657 $7,896,860,615
1973 $399,833,571,167 $7,481,173,066
1972 $300,899,944,795 $6,318,060,582
1971 $250,900,942,397 $5,098,250,287
1970 $216,629,229,947 $4,395,995,086
1969 $177,733,486,326 $3,902,721,632
1968 $156,527,292,653 $3,378,701,147
1967 $145,100,667,773 $3,445,739,915
1966 $143,304,275,684 $3,198,820,904
1965 $134,774,688,191 $3,035,655,794
1964 $123,330,404,665 $2,851,091,646
1963 $112,232,503,744 $2,505,073,358
1962 $105,895,435,234 $2,329,372,972
1961 $96,558,204,043 $2,151,772,980
1960 $84,619,845,881 $1,998,550,222

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/ireland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Germany vs Ireland by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $60,496 - $131,592 -
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $17,829 - $11,176 -
1988 $17,997 - $10,716 -
1987 $16,739 - $9,582 -
1986 $13,511 - $8,112 -
1985 $9,464 - $6,012 -
1984 $9,347 - $5,692 -
1983 $9,900 - $5,915 -
1982 $9,950 - $6,161 -
1981 $10,246 - $5,986 -
1980 $12,183 - $6,372 -
1979 $11,322 - $5,430 -
1978 $9,517 - $4,400 -
1977 $7,711 - $3,427 -
1976 $6,659 - $2,920 -
1975 $6,259 - $2,973 -
1974 $5,660 - $2,517 -
1973 $5,065 - $2,424 -
1972 $3,824 - $2,080 -
1971 $3,204 - $1,704 -
1970 $2,771 - $1,487 -
1969 $2,281 - $1,331 -
1968 $2,025 - $1,159 -
1967 $1,886 - $1,187 -
1966 $1,871 - $1,107 -
1965 $1,774 - $1,055 -
1964 $1,637 - $995 -
1963 $1,502 - $878 -
1962 $1,431 - $821 -
1961 $1,316 - $762 -
1960 $1,162 - $707 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/ireland | CC BY

Germany's GDP per capita is $60,496, ranking 18/197, compared to $131,592 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Germany Ireland
Gross domestic product
$5.05T
2025
$722B
2025
GDP rank
3/197
2025
24/197
2025
GDP growth
0.24%
2024-2025
12.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$60,496
2025
$131,592
2025
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2025
4/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$3.18T
2025
$238B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
62.9%
2025
32.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$38,071
2025
$43,334
2025
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2025
14/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,352
2026
$47,174
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.9T
2025
$110B
2018
Number of millionaires
2,648,000
2026
192,000
2026
Number of billionaires
212
2026
11
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.2%
2022
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2022
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.5%
2025
21.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.17%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.8%
2025
4.7%
2025
Population
82830814
5562212

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 50.5% 62.9% 21.6% 32.9%
2024 49.4% 62.2% 22.4% 38.3%
2023 48.1% 62.3% 22.2% 41.8%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 20.7% 42.9%
2021 50.7% 67.9% 23.5% 52.4%
2020 51.1% 68% 26.7% 56.9%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 23.9% 55.8%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 24.7% 61.3%
2017 44.5% 64% 25.3% 65.2%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 28.1% 74%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 48.1% 81% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 33% 26.1%
2004 47% 65% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 48.5% 60.3% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 48.3% 59.4% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 48.8% 58.8% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 49.6% 57.7% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 55.2% 54.9% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 48.3% 47.5% 43.9% 88%
1993 48.3% 45.1% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 47.4% 41.4% 44.8% 90.6%
1991 46.5% 39% 44.4% 93.8%
1990 44.7% 40.7% 42.8% 92.7%
1989 44.3% 39.2% 42.5% 97.9%
1988 45.6% 40.5% 48.2% 106.5%
1987 46% 40.1% 51.4% 108.3%
1986 45.7% 39.1% 52.9% 107.2%
1985 46.6% 39.2% 53.2% 93%
1984 47.2% 38.7% 52.7% 90.2%
1983 47.9% 38% 55.6% 86.1%
1982 49.1% 36.4% 56.7% 73.5%
1981 49% 33.6% 54.1% 68.8%
1980 48.2% 30.1% 53.7% 64.6%
1979 47.4% 28.2% 48.7% 63.5%
1978 47.7% 27.4% 46.2% 50.6%
1977 49% 26% 44.6% 49.2%
1976 49.4% 25.1% 47.8% 51.7%
1975 50.3% 23.7% 48.2% 48.3%
1974 46% 18.5% 44.3% 43.5%
1973 42.4% 17.3% 40.3% 35.1%
1972 41.8% 18% 41.5% 37.3%
1971 40.9% 17.7% 45.3% 39.8%
1970 39.5% 17.7% 44.1% 41.7%
1969 29.7% 20.3% 42.5% 42.6%
1968 28.5% 22.5% 40% 44.7%
1967 28.8% 22.5% 39.3% 47.1%
1966 28.3% 19.8% 36.9% 47.7%
1965 28.4% 18.7% 35.8% 44.6%
1964 29% 18.2% 34.8% 43.1%
1963 29.1% 18.1% 33.6% 45.2%
1962 29.2% 17.6% 31.7% 44.5%
1961 28.8% 18.7% 31.4% 44.3%
1960 22.9% 18.4% 29.1% 44.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/ireland | CC BY

In 2025, Germany's government spending was $2.55T, accounting for 50.5% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $156B, or 21.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 62.9% in Germany and 32.9% in Ireland, ranking 70/185 and 149/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Ireland
2025 -2.67% 1.54%
2024 -2.66% 4.02%
2023 -2.49% 1.36%
2022 -1.91% 1.58%
2021 -3.17% -1.31%
2020 -4.38% -4.87%
2019 1.33% 0.41%
2018 1.88% 0.09%
2017 1.34% -0.3%
2016 1.13% -0.76%
2015 0.91% -1.97%
2014 0.73% -3.52%
2013 0.12% -6.28%
2012 -0.05% -8.42%
2011 -0.84% -13.5%
2010 -4.42% -32.1%
2009 -3.18% -13.9%
2008 -0.26% -7.03%
2007 0.15% 0.27%
2006 -1.76% 2.78%
2005 -3.37% 1.57%
2004 -3.42% 1.3%
2003 -3.83% 0.35%
2002 -4.09% -0.52%
2001 -3.12% 0.96%
2000 -1.71% 4.86%
1999 -1.87% 3.54%
1998 -2.65% 2.07%
1997 -3.03% 1.37%
1996 -3.64% -0.2%
1995 -9.44% -2.07%
1994 -2.54% -1.98%
1993 -3.11% -2.7%
1992 -2.63% -2.92%
1991 -3.21% -2.82%
1990 -1.94% -2.77%
1989 0.08% -2.64%
1988 -2.02% -4.62%
1987 -1.85% -8.47%
1986 -1.18% -10.5%
1985 -1.18% -10.7%
1984 -2.04% -9.43%
1983 -2.95% -11.5%
1982 -3.56% -13.1%
1981 -4.03% -12.1%
1980 -3.02% -11.1%
1979 -2.71% -10%
1978 -2.62% -8.27%
1977 -2.56% -6.44%
1976 -3.5% -7.34%
1975 -5.78% -11.1%
1974 -1.69% -6.96%
1973 1.14% -3.84%
1972 -0.37% -3.23%
1971 0.16% -3.5%
1970 0.53% -3.64%
1969 -0.43% -3.4%
1968 1.39% -2.72%
1967 2.73% -2.69%
1966 1.76% -2.26%
1965 2.26% -3.5%
1964 1.49% -3.35%
1963 1.43% -2.92%
1962 0.49% -2.91%
1961 -0.12% -2.6%
1960 -0.34% -1.97%
1959 0.77% -2.16%
1958 1.77% -4.3%
1957 1.99% -5.19%
1956 0.59% -3.23%
1955 -1.41% -5.06%
1954 -0.37% -5.28%
1953 -0.13% -5.77%
1952 0% -7.84%
1951 1.15% -4.62%
1950 1.81% -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 -0.64% -
1933 -0.43% 2.97%
1932 -1.11% -
1931 -1.03% -1.63%
1930 -1.52% -
1929 -0.9% -3.41%
1928 -1.47% -
1927 -0.44% -
1926 -1.3% -1.95%
1925 0.34% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.007% -
1912 -0.26% -
1911 0.06% -
1910 -0.21% -
1909 0.11% -
1908 -0.11% -
1907 -0.14% -
1906 0.76% -
1905 1.21% -
1904 0.41% -
1903 0.88% -
1902 0.08% -
1901 0.91% -
1900 0.27% -
1899 0.6% -
1898 0.47% -
1897 0.39% -
1896 0.63% -
1895 0.47% -
1894 0.44% -
1893 0.42% -
1892 -0.24% -
1891 1.18% -
1890 0.12% -
1889 1.16% -
1888 0.62% -
1887 0.88% -
1886 0.23% -
1885 0.21% -
1884 0.23% -
1883 0.55% -
1882 0.41% -
1881 0.12% -
1880 -0.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/ireland | CC BY

In 2025, Germany's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $135B, equivalent to 2.67% of GDP. This compares to Ireland's surplus of $11.2B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 66 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 47 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 50 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.07% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Ireland
2025 2.17% 2.21%
2024 2.26% 2.11%
2023 5.95% 6.3%
2022 6.87% 7.83%
2021 3.07% 2.34%
2020 0.14% -0.33%
2019 1.45% 0.94%
2018 1.73% 0.47%
2017 1.51% 0.36%
2016 0.49% 0.02%
2015 0.51% -0.33%
2014 0.91% 0.19%
2013 1.5% 0.52%
2012 2.01% 1.69%
2011 2.08% 2.55%
2010 1.1% -0.92%
2009 0.31% -4.45%
2008 2.63% 4.04%
2007 2.3% 4.89%
2006 1.58% 3.94%
2005 1.55% 2.46%
2004 1.67% 2.18%
2003 1.03% 3.49%
2002 1.42% 4.63%
2001 1.98% 4.85%
2000 1.44% 5.58%
1999 0.59% 1.63%
1998 0.91% 2.41%
1997 1.94% 1.54%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/ireland | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.83%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2025, inflation was 2.17% in Germany and 2.21% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $8.68B
Machinery & equipment $6.25B
Chemicals & pharma $3.46B
IT & IP services $3.29B
Transport & tourism services $1.71B
Manufacturing & construction services $930M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $650M
Textiles & consumer goods $568M
Metals $502M
Miscellaneous $288M
Ireland
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $23.9B
Chemicals & pharma $12.4B
Business & finance services $5.58B
Government & miscellaneous services $3.69B
Machinery & equipment $3.13B
Transport & tourism services $2.3B
Animal & marine products $728M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $406M
Metals $153M
Textiles & consumer goods $121M

Balance of trade

Germany Ireland
Current account balance
$228B
2025
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2025
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.51%
2025
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$1.32T
2025
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$1.53T
2025
$356B
2024
Service imports
$602B
2025
$467B
2024
Service exports
$518B
2025
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.1%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2025
140.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Germany Ireland
Economic freedom 71.7 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 3/197
Property rights 95.5 94.4
Government integrity 84.5 84
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 95.4
Tax burden 60.5 77.7
Government spending 28.8 85.9
Fiscal health 83.1 97
Business freedom 79.8 85.5
Labor freedom 52.2 61.3
Monetary freedom 72.5 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 70 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Ireland
2026 71.7 83.3
2025 71.6 83.1
2024 72.1 82.6
2023 73.7 82
2022 76.1 82
2021 72.5 81.4
2020 73.5 80.9
2019 73.5 80.5
2018 74.2 80.4
2017 73.8 76.7
2016 74.4 77.3
2015 73.8 76.6
2014 73.4 76.2
2013 72.8 75.7
2012 71 76.9
2011 71.8 78.7
2010 71.1 81.3
2009 70.5 82.2
2008 70.6 82.5
2007 70.8 82.6
2006 70.8 82.2
2005 68.1 80.8
2004 69.5 80.3
2003 69.7 80.9
2002 70.4 80.5
2001 69.5 81.2
2000 65.7 76.1
1999 65.6 74.6
1998 64.3 73.7
1997 67.5 72.6
1996 69.1 68.5
1995 69.8 68.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/ireland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Germany Ireland
Services, % of GDP
64.5%
2025
56.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
37.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.87%
2025
1.06%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$5.03T
2025
$479B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$78,140
2025
$106,310
2025
Total reserves including gold
$572B
2025
$13.7B
2025
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2025
73/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$12.9B
2025
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$62.6B
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$87B
2024
$67.1B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2025
22.9%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/ireland | 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.