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Economy of Germany vs Italy compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $2.38T for Italy, ranking 3/197 and 8/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $3.22T (135.3% of GDP) in Italy.

Germany vs Italy GDP by year

Germany
Italy
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Italy
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $2,380,825,077,244
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $2,316,727,999,333
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $2,104,067,630,319
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $2,179,207,773,596
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $1,907,481,094,079
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $2,019,606,796,584
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $2,099,435,266,459
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $1,970,720,904,585
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $1,887,111,188,177
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $1,845,428,048,839
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $2,173,255,507,986
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $2,153,225,581,941
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $2,097,929,495,122
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $2,306,974,020,278
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $2,144,936,254,535
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $2,209,484,319,013
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $2,417,508,414,187
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $2,222,524,108,128
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $1,958,563,654,386
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $1,864,982,261,287
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $1,812,808,753,295
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $1,582,930,016,539
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $1,281,746,271,196
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $1,172,041,488,806
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $1,149,661,363,439
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $1,255,004,736,464
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $1,272,729,786,997
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $1,244,988,176,444
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $1,314,776,508,972
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $1,177,369,428,266
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $1,101,750,159,702
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $1,067,412,587,671
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $1,323,204,350,354
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $1,249,092,439,519
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $1,183,945,130,899
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $930,801,709,004
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $893,663,934,841
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $807,570,134,449
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $641,862,313,287
1985 $735,218,723,093 $453,259,761,687
1984 $727,767,760,979 $438,896,930,791
1983 $773,507,930,295 $444,063,496,940
1982 $779,421,633,755 $428,257,421,618
1981 $803,404,797,058 $431,695,533,981
1980 $953,772,499,462 $478,356,755,596
1979 $884,574,218,333 $394,584,507,108
1978 $743,182,891,918 $315,784,469,541
1977 $602,698,323,086 $258,190,019,750
1976 $521,658,712,133 $225,235,205,862
1975 $492,434,094,920 $228,220,643,535
1974 $446,934,971,657 $200,024,444,775
1973 $399,833,571,167 $175,896,529,392
1972 $300,899,944,795 $145,594,833,997
1971 $250,900,942,397 $124,959,712,859
1970 $216,629,229,947 $113,656,669,765
1969 $177,733,486,326 $100,996,667,239
1968 $156,527,292,653 $91,485,448,148
1967 $145,100,667,773 $84,401,995,573
1966 $143,304,275,684 $76,622,444,787
1965 $134,774,688,191 $70,717,012,186
1964 $123,330,404,665 $65,720,771,779
1963 $112,232,503,744 $60,035,924,618
1962 $105,895,435,234 $52,413,872,628
1961 $96,558,204,043 $46,649,487,320
1960 $84,619,845,881 $42,012,422,612

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

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Italy by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Italy
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $40,385 $62,014
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $39,277 $60,030
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $35,654 $57,261
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $36,853 $49,825
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $32,091 $44,436
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $33,813 $46,662
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $34,904 $43,387
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $32,844 $42,142
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $31,392 $40,483
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $30,640 $37,384
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $36,028 $36,666
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $35,702 $36,459
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $34,854 $36,281
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $38,432 $36,392
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $35,857 $34,974
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $37,100 $34,502
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $40,829 $35,422
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $37,826 $34,108
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $33,537 $32,454
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $32,063 $30,138
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $31,348 $29,581
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $27,578 $29,249
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $22,451 $28,833
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $20,570 $28,134
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $20,190 $27,152
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $22,050 $25,655
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $22,365 $25,075
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $21,884 $23,937
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $23,123 $23,101
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $20,712 $22,446
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $19,382 $21,369
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $18,782 $20,485
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $23,297 $20,196
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $22,007 $19,596
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $20,874 $18,680
1989 $17,829 - $16,424 -
1988 $17,997 - $15,781 -
1987 $16,739 - $14,268 -
1986 $13,511 - $11,341 -
1985 $9,464 - $8,009 -
1984 $9,347 - $7,758 -
1983 $9,900 - $7,851 -
1982 $9,950 - $7,574 -
1981 $10,246 - $7,640 -
1980 $12,183 - $8,476 -
1979 $11,322 - $7,006 -
1978 $9,517 - $5,623 -
1977 $7,711 - $4,614 -
1976 $6,659 - $4,042 -
1975 $6,259 - $4,116 -
1974 $5,660 - $3,629 -
1973 $5,065 - $3,213 -
1972 $3,824 - $2,677 -
1971 $3,204 - $2,311 -
1970 $2,771 - $2,112 -
1969 $2,281 - $1,886 -
1968 $2,025 - $1,718 -
1967 $1,886 - $1,595 -
1966 $1,871 - $1,459 -
1965 $1,774 - $1,357 -
1964 $1,637 - $1,272 -
1963 $1,502 - $1,171 -
1962 $1,431 - $1,030 -
1961 $1,316 - $923 -
1960 $1,162 - $837 -

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

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $40,385 in Italy, ranking 29/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Italy ranks 31st at $62,014.

Economic indicators

Germany Italy
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$2.38T
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$40,385
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$62,014
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
31/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$3.22T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
135.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$54,652
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
6/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$23,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
$587B
2014
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
1,344,000
2025
Number of billionaires
171
2025
74
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
25.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
50.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
0.98%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
6.5%
2024
Population
82575542
58562681

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Italy
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Italy
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 50.6% 135.3%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 54% 134.6%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 54.9% 138.3%
2021 50.7% 68% 56% 145.8%
2020 51.1% 68% 56.8% 154.4%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 48.4% 133.9%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 48.3% 134.2%
2017 44.5% 64% 48.8% 133.7%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 49% 134.2%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 50.2% 134.8%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 50.7% 134.8%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 50.9% 131.9%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 50.5% 125.9%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 49% 119.1%
2010 48.1% 81% 49.8% 118.8%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 51.1% 116.1%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 47.8% 105.8%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 46.6% 103.5%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 47.6% 106.3%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 47.1% 106.2%
2004 47% 65% 46.7% 104.7%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 47% 105.1%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 46.5% 105.9%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 47.1% 108.5%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 46.4% 108.7%
1999 48.5% 60.3% 47.1% 113.1%
1998 48.3% 59.4% 48% 113.9%
1997 48.8% 58.8% 49.3% 116.5%
1996 49.6% 57.7% 51.3% 118.9%
1995 55.2% 54.9% 51.4% 119.1%
1994 48.3% 47.5% 55.1% 130.8%
1993 48.3% 45.1% 57.8% 124.1%
1992 47.4% 41.4% 56.8% 113%
1991 46.5% 39% 55.3% 105.3%
1990 44.7% 40.7% 54.2% 101.7%
1989 44.3% 39.2% 51.6% 91.8%
1988 45.6% 40.5% 50.4% 89.2%
1987 46% 40.1% 49.8% 87.4%
1986 45.7% 39.1% 50.5% 83.4%
1985 46.6% 39.2% 49.8% 79.1%
1984 47.2% 38.7% 49.1% 73.1%
1983 47.9% 38% 48.9% 67.8%
1982 49.1% 36.4% 46.7% 61.8%
1981 49% 33.6% 44.6% 57.3%
1980 48.2% 30.1% 40.8% 55.1%
1979 47.4% 28.2% 40.1% 58.9%
1978 47.7% 27.4% 40.9% 59.9%
1977 49% 26% 38.5% 56%
1976 49.4% 25.1% 38.1% 57.3%
1975 50.3% 23.7% 39.1% 57.9%
1974 46% 18.5% 34.8% 50.8%
1973 42.4% 17.3% 35.3% 51.1%
1972 41.8% 18% 36.4% 48.2%
1971 40.9% 17.7% 34.4% 42.4%
1970 39.5% 17.7% 32.3% 37.8%
1969 29.7% 20.3% 32.1% 37%
1968 28.5% 22.5% 32.6% 36.4%
1967 28.8% 22.5% 17.9% 33.3%
1966 28.3% 19.8% 19.1% 33.4%
1965 28.4% 18.7% 18.6% 28.4%
1964 29% 18.2% 18.2% 27.2%
1963 29.1% 18.1% 16.7% 27.2%
1962 29.2% 17.6% 17.5% 29%
1961 28.8% 18.7% 17.3% 30%
1960 22.9% 18.4% 16.5% 31.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Italy spent $1.2T, or 50.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 135.3% in Italy, ranking 72/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Italy
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Italy
2024 -2.66% -3.45%
2023 -2.49% -7.24%
2022 -1.91% -8.11%
2021 -3.17% -8.88%
2020 -4.38% -9.38%
2019 1.33% -1.45%
2018 1.88% -2.19%
2017 1.34% -2.51%
2016 1.13% -2.4%
2015 0.91% -2.46%
2014 0.73% -2.82%
2013 0.12% -2.87%
2012 -0.05% -2.99%
2011 -0.84% -3.52%
2010 -4.42% -4.16%
2009 -3.18% -5.06%
2008 -0.26% -2.58%
2007 0.15% -1.33%
2006 -1.76% -3.61%
2005 -3.37% -4.1%
2004 -3.42% -3.46%
2003 -3.83% -3.23%
2002 -4.09% -2.88%
2001 -3.12% -3.18%
2000 -1.71% -2.42%
1999 -1.87% -1.77%
1998 -2.65% -2.99%
1997 -3.03% -2.98%
1996 -3.64% -6.61%
1995 -9.44% -7.2%
1994 -2.54% -8.84%
1993 -3.11% -9.76%
1992 -2.63% -10.1%
1991 -3.21% -11.1%
1990 -1.94% -11.1%
1989 0.08% -11.4%
1988 -2.02% -11%
1987 -1.85% -11.5%
1986 -1.18% -12%
1985 -1.18% -12.4%
1984 -2.04% -11.5%
1983 -2.95% -10.1%
1982 -3.56% -10%
1981 -4.03% -10.9%
1980 -3.02% -6.97%
1979 -2.71% -8.23%
1978 -2.62% -8.47%
1977 -2.56% -6.96%
1976 -3.5% -7.88%
1975 -5.78% -10.3%
1974 -1.69% -6.24%
1973 1.14% -6.36%
1972 -0.37% -6.84%
1971 0.16% -4.71%
1970 0.53% -3.22%
1969 -0.43% -2.85%
1968 1.39% -2.55%
1967 2.73% -0.97%
1966 1.76% -1.59%
1965 2.26% -2.67%
1964 1.49% -2.35%
1963 1.43% -0.3%
1962 0.49% -0.95%
1961 -0.12% -0.57%
1960 -0.34% -0.28%
1959 0.77% -1%
1958 1.77% -0.98%
1957 1.99% -1.09%
1956 0.59% -1.46%
1955 -1.41% -2.03%
1954 -0.37% -1.84%
1953 -0.13% -2.33%
1952 0% -4.08%
1951 1.15% -3.86%
1950 1.81% -2.42%
1949 - -2.82%
1948 - -4.58%
1947 - -6.62%
1946 - -9.82%
1945 - -16.9%
1944 - -35.1%
1943 - -16.1%
1942 - -26.9%
1941 - -25.1%
1940 - -24.3%
1939 - -9.49%
1938 - -5.97%
1937 - -5.78%
1936 - -7.93%
1935 - -9.83%
1934 -0.64% -2.5%
1933 -0.43% -4.85%
1932 -1.11% -3.06%
1931 -1.03% -2.14%
1930 -1.52% -0.55%
1929 -0.9% -0.59%
1928 -1.47% -2.09%
1927 -0.44% -1.71%
1926 -1.3% -0.09%
1925 0.34% 1.7%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - -3.21%
1922 - -11%
1921 - -7.77%
1920 - -5.89%
1919 - -11.2%
1918 - -22.7%
1917 - -27.6%
1916 - -28.2%
1915 - -25.8%
1914 - -12.4%
1913 0.007% -0.86%
1912 -0.26% -1.86%
1911 0.06% -0.63%
1910 -0.21% -0.32%
1909 0.11% -0.69%
1908 -0.11% -1.31%
1907 -0.14% -0.51%
1906 0.76% -0.69%
1905 1.21% -1.57%
1904 0.41% 0.58%
1903 0.88% 0.32%
1902 0.08% 0.48%
1901 0.91% 0.36%
1900 0.27% 0.28%
1899 0.6% -0.11%
1898 0.47% -0.21%
1897 0.39% 0.009%
1896 0.63% -0.43%
1895 0.47% -0.69%
1894 0.44% -0.23%
1893 0.42% -0.49%
1892 -0.24% -0.25%
1891 1.18% -1.41%
1890 0.12% -0.32%
1889 1.16% -1.32%
1888 0.62% -2.11%
1887 0.88% -1.94%
1886 0.23% -0.5%
1885 0.21% 0.2%
1884 0.23% -1.46%
1883 0.55% -0.51%
1882 0.41% -0.5%
1881 0.12% -0.04%
1880 -0.13% 0.38%
1879 - 0.73%
1878 - 0.09%
1877 - -0.009%
1876 - -0.05%
1875 - 0.58%
1874 - -0.08%
1873 - 0.21%
1872 - 0%
1871 - -0.13%
1870 - -0.82%
1869 - 0.33%
1868 - -0.79%
1867 - -1.45%
1866 - -3.1%
1865 - -2.72%
1864 - -3.06%
1863 - -4.16%
1862 - -3.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $125B, equivalent to 2.66% of GDP. This compares to Italy's deficit of $82B, or 3.45% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 46 of those years, while Italy ran a deficit in 65 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.53% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.55% of GDP for Italy.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Italy
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Italy
2024 2.26% 0.98%
2023 5.95% 5.62%
2022 6.87% 8.2%
2021 3.07% 1.87%
2020 0.14% -0.14%
2019 1.45% 0.61%
2018 1.73% 1.14%
2017 1.51% 1.23%
2016 0.49% -0.09%
2015 0.51% 0.04%
2014 0.91% 0.24%
2013 1.5% 1.22%
2012 2.01% 3.04%
2011 2.08% 2.78%
2010 1.1% 1.53%
2009 0.31% 0.77%
2008 2.63% 3.35%
2007 2.3% 1.83%
2006 1.58% 2.09%
2005 1.55% 1.99%
2004 1.67% 2.21%
2003 1.03% 2.67%
2002 1.42% 2.47%
2001 1.98% 2.79%
2000 1.44% 2.54%
1999 0.59% 1.66%
1998 0.91% 1.96%
1997 1.94% 2.04%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.02% in Italy. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 0.98% in Italy.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $40.4B
Chemicals & pharma $17.2B
Metals $8.54B
Textiles & consumer goods $5.79B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.17B
Animal & marine products $3.65B
Transport & tourism services $3.04B
Wood & paper products $2.26B
Raw materials & minerals $2.25B
Business & finance services $1.92B
Italy
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $27.8B
Chemicals & pharma $12B
Metals $10.3B
Transport & tourism services $10.2B
Textiles & consumer goods $9.22B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.75B
Business & finance services $4.43B
Raw agricultural goods $3.19B
Raw materials & minerals $2.54B
Animal & marine products $1.75B

Balance of trade

Germany Italy
Current account balance
$270B
2024
$25.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
19/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
+1.08%
2024
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$562B
2024
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$621B
2024
Service imports
$548B
2024
$160B
2024
Service exports
$470B
2024
$155B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
30.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
32.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Germany Italy
Economic freedom 71.7 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 80/197
Property rights 95.5 84.8
Government integrity 84.5 60.8
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 80.9
Tax burden 60.5 57.5
Government spending 28.8 15.3
Fiscal health 83.1 17.2
Business freedom 79.8 74.5
Labor freedom 52.2 70.6
Monetary freedom 72.5 79.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Italy
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Italy
2026 71.7 63.3
2025 71.6 60.9
2024 72.1 60.1
2023 73.7 62.3
2022 76.1 65.4
2021 72.5 64.9
2020 73.5 63.8
2019 73.5 62.2
2018 74.2 62.5
2017 73.8 62.5
2016 74.4 61.2
2015 73.8 61.7
2014 73.4 60.9
2013 72.8 60.6
2012 71 58.8
2011 71.8 60.3
2010 71.1 62.7
2009 70.5 61.4
2008 70.6 62.6
2007 70.8 62.8
2006 70.8 62
2005 68.1 64.9
2004 69.5 64.2
2003 69.7 64.3
2002 70.4 63.6
2001 69.5 63
2000 65.7 61.9
1999 65.6 61.6
1998 64.3 59.1
1997 67.5 58.1
1996 69.1 60.8
1995 69.8 61.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, compared to 63.3 for Italy, ranking 80/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Germany Italy
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
65%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
22.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$2.28T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$61,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$291B
2024
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
12/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
$19B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
$26.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$45.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
20.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
22.6%
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/germany/italy | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1862–1990, 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)
  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.