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Economy of Germany vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Germany has a GDP of $5.05T compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 3/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $3.18T in government debt (62.9% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Germany vs Romania GDP by year

Germany
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Romania
2025 $5,050,922,925,047 $428,677,977,855
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $382,564,217,989
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $347,757,995,759
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $295,317,862,856
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $285,072,444,957
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $250,624,575,872
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $250,080,428,512
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $241,791,427,224
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $210,147,385,855
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $185,290,759,249
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $177,885,131,240
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $199,722,319,676
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $189,798,603,751
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $179,117,323,107
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $192,623,977,894
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $170,064,350,672
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $174,110,532,659
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $214,315,932,061
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $174,588,782,939
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $122,023,735,993
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $98,454,380,120
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $74,973,656,852
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $57,806,384,143
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $46,065,502,703
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $40,395,116,581
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $37,253,739,511
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $35,953,156,754
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $41,696,091,974
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $35,575,214,078
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $36,937,074,278
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $37,430,162,103
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $30,072,805,104
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $26,361,160,450
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $25,121,666,667
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $28,850,634,900
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $38,247,882,300
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $41,450,777,202
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $40,424,528,302
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $38,067,567,568
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 -
1985 $735,218,723,093 -
1984 $727,767,760,979 -
1983 $773,507,930,295 -
1982 $779,421,633,755 -
1981 $803,404,797,058 -
1980 $953,772,499,462 -
1979 $884,574,218,333 -
1978 $743,182,891,918 -
1977 $602,698,323,086 -
1976 $521,658,712,133 -
1975 $492,434,094,920 -
1974 $446,934,971,657 -
1973 $399,833,571,167 -
1972 $300,899,944,795 -
1971 $250,900,942,397 -
1970 $216,629,229,947 -
1969 $177,733,486,326 -
1968 $156,527,292,653 -
1967 $145,100,667,773 -
1966 $143,304,275,684 -
1965 $134,774,688,191 -
1964 $123,330,404,665 -
1963 $112,232,503,744 -
1962 $105,895,435,234 -
1961 $96,558,204,043 -
1960 $84,619,845,881 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Romania by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $60,496 - $22,538 -
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $17,829 - $1,790 -
1988 $17,997 - $1,753 -
1987 $16,739 - $1,659 -
1986 $13,511 - - -
1985 $9,464 - - -
1984 $9,347 - - -
1983 $9,900 - - -
1982 $9,950 - - -
1981 $10,246 - - -
1980 $12,183 - - -
1979 $11,322 - - -
1978 $9,517 - - -
1977 $7,711 - - -
1976 $6,659 - - -
1975 $6,259 - - -
1974 $5,660 - - -
1973 $5,065 - - -
1972 $3,824 - - -
1971 $3,204 - - -
1970 $2,771 - - -
1969 $2,281 - - -
1968 $2,025 - - -
1967 $1,886 - - -
1966 $1,871 - - -
1965 $1,774 - - -
1964 $1,637 - - -
1963 $1,502 - - -
1962 $1,431 - - -
1961 $1,316 - - -
1960 $1,162 - - -

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

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $60,496, ranking 18/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Germany Romania
Gross domestic product
$5.05T
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
3/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
0.24%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$60,496
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$3.18T
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
62.9%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$38,071
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,352
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.9T
2025
$70.9B
2025
Number of millionaires
2,648,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
212
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.2%
2022
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2022
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.5%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.17%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.8%
2025
6.1%
2025
Population
82830814
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 50.5% 62.9% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 49.4% 62.2% 40% 57.5%
2023 48.1% 62.3% 37% 52.6%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 50.7% 67.9% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 51.1% 68% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 44.5% 64% 31% 37.1%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 35% 32.6%
2010 48.1% 81% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 35.3% 13%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 47% 65% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 35% 29.6%
1999 48.5% 60.3% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 48.3% 59.4% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 48.8% 58.8% 33.5% 15%
1996 49.6% 57.7% 33.5% 11%
1995 55.2% 54.9% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 48.3% 47.5% 33.1% -
1993 48.3% 45.1% 33.5% -
1992 47.4% 41.4% 41.5% -
1991 46.5% 39% 38.3% -
1990 44.7% 40.7% 38.4% -
1989 44.3% 39.2% 40.1% -
1988 45.6% 40.5% 36.6% -
1987 46% 40.1% 40.7% -
1986 45.7% 39.1% 42.5% -
1985 46.6% 39.2% 41.6% -
1984 47.2% 38.7% 28.6% -
1983 47.9% 38% 25.8% -
1982 49.1% 36.4% 28.5% -
1981 49% 33.6% 30.4% -
1980 48.2% 30.1% 33.6% -
1979 47.4% 28.2% 42% -
1978 47.7% 27.4% 42.1% -
1977 49% 26% 39.9% -
1976 49.4% 25.1% 37.5% -
1975 50.3% 23.7% 40.6% -
1974 46% 18.5% 37.6% -
1973 42.4% 17.3% 32.6% -
1972 41.8% 18% 29.9% -
1971 40.9% 17.7% 27.2% -
1970 39.5% 17.7% 28.1% -
1969 29.7% 20.3% 32.1% -
1968 28.5% 22.5% 31.8% -
1967 28.8% 22.5% 30.6% -
1966 28.3% 19.8% 27.3% -
1965 28.4% 18.7% 25.6% -
1964 29% 18.2% 25.1% -
1963 29.1% 18.1% 23.1% -
1962 29.2% 17.6% 43.4% -
1961 28.8% 18.7% - -
1960 22.9% 18.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Germany's government spending was $2.55T, accounting for 50.5% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 62.9% in Germany and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 70/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Romania
2025 -2.67% -7.64%
2024 -2.66% -8.68%
2023 -2.49% -5.66%
2022 -1.91% -5.85%
2021 -3.17% -6.74%
2020 -4.38% -9.6%
2019 1.33% -4.58%
2018 1.88% -2.76%
2017 1.34% -2.86%
2016 1.13% -2.5%
2015 0.91% -1.35%
2014 0.73% -1.76%
2013 0.12% -2.44%
2012 -0.05% -2.39%
2011 -0.84% -4.14%
2010 -4.42% -6.22%
2009 -3.18% -6.86%
2008 -0.26% -4.6%
2007 0.15% -3.05%
2006 -1.76% -1.36%
2005 -3.37% -0.69%
2004 -3.42% -3.39%
2003 -3.83% -2.29%
2002 -4.09% -2.59%
2001 -3.12% -3.2%
2000 -1.71% -3.99%
1999 -1.87% -3.58%
1998 -2.65% -5.33%
1997 -3.03% -5.19%
1996 -3.64% -4.74%
1995 -9.44% -3.32%
1994 -2.54% -2.2%
1993 -3.11% -0.35%
1992 -2.63% -4.55%
1991 -3.21% 3.23%
1990 -1.94% 1.03%
1989 0.08% -2.87%
1988 -2.02% 8.4%
1987 -1.85% 2.37%
1986 -1.18% 5.72%
1985 -1.18% 6.36%
1984 -2.04% 15.2%
1983 -2.95% 9.35%
1982 -3.56% 0.36%
1981 -4.03% 0.61%
1980 -3.02% -1.95%
1979 -2.71% 0%
1978 -2.62% 0%
1977 -2.56% 0.23%
1976 -3.5% 0.66%
1975 -5.78% 0.41%
1974 -1.69% 0.51%
1973 1.14% 1.53%
1972 -0.37% 1.21%
1971 0.16% 0.89%
1970 0.53% 0.52%
1969 -0.43% 0.93%
1968 1.39% 1.65%
1967 2.73% 1.23%
1966 1.76% 0.91%
1965 2.26% -1.29%
1964 1.49% -3.11%
1963 1.43% -1.61%
1962 0.49% -4.86%
1961 -0.12% -
1960 -0.34% -
1959 0.77% -
1958 1.77% -
1957 1.99% -
1956 0.59% -
1955 -1.41% -
1954 -0.37% -
1953 -0.13% -
1952 0% -
1951 1.15% -
1950 1.81% -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 -0.64% -
1933 -0.43% -
1932 -1.11% -
1931 -1.03% -
1930 -1.52% -
1929 -0.9% -
1928 -1.47% -
1927 -0.44% -
1926 -1.3% -
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 (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 39 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.19% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Romania
2025 2.17% 7.3%
2024 2.26% 5.6%
2023 5.95% 10.4%
2022 6.87% 13.8%
2021 3.07% 5%
2020 0.14% 2.6%
2019 1.45% 3.8%
2018 1.73% 4.6%
2017 1.51% 1.3%
2016 0.49% -1.6%
2015 0.51% -0.6%
2014 0.91% 1.1%
2013 1.5% 4%
2012 2.01% 3.3%
2011 2.08% 5.8%
2010 1.1% 6.1%
2009 0.31% 5.6%
2008 2.63% 7.8%
2007 2.3% 4.8%
2006 1.58% 6.6%
2005 1.55% 9%
2004 1.67% 11.9%
2003 1.03% 15.4%
2002 1.42% 22.5%
2001 1.98% 34.5%
2000 1.44% 45.7%
1999 0.59% 45.8%
1998 0.91% 59.1%
1997 1.94% 154.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.83%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 2.17% in Germany and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $14.7B
Chemicals & pharma $3.92B
Metals $1.87B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.36B
Transport & tourism services $1.29B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.26B
Raw materials & minerals $770M
Animal & marine products $707M
Business & finance services $692M
IT & IP services $602M
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $16B
IT & IP services $2.45B
Transport & tourism services $2.34B
Business & finance services $2.03B
Metals $1.59B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.38B
Manufacturing & construction services $1.31B
Raw materials & minerals $1.1B
Chemicals & pharma $759M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $343M

Balance of trade

Germany Romania
Current account balance
$228B
2025
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2025
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.51%
2025
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$1.32T
2025
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$1.53T
2025
$102B
2025
Service imports
$602B
2025
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$518B
2025
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.1%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2025
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Germany Romania
Economic freedom 71.7 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 64/197
Property rights 95.5 81
Government integrity 84.5 50
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 67
Tax burden 60.5 89.1
Government spending 28.8 56.7
Fiscal health 83.1 21.4
Business freedom 79.8 74.4
Labor freedom 52.2 63.6
Monetary freedom 72.5 72.7
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Romania
2026 71.7 65.4
2025 71.6 66.5
2024 72.1 64.4
2023 73.7 64.5
2022 76.1 67.1
2021 72.5 69.5
2020 73.5 69.7
2019 73.5 68.6
2018 74.2 69.4
2017 73.8 69.7
2016 74.4 65.6
2015 73.8 66.6
2014 73.4 65.5
2013 72.8 65.1
2012 71 64.4
2011 71.8 64.7
2010 71.1 64.2
2009 70.5 63.2
2008 70.6 61.7
2007 70.8 61.2
2006 70.8 58.2
2005 68.1 52.1
2004 69.5 50
2003 69.7 50.6
2002 70.4 48.7
2001 69.5 50
2000 65.7 52.1
1999 65.6 50.1
1998 64.3 54.4
1997 67.5 50.8
1996 69.1 46.2
1995 69.8 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Germany Romania
Services, % of GDP
64.5%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.87%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$5.03T
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$78,140
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$572B
2025
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2025
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$12.9B
2025
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$62.6B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$87B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2025
25.9%
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/romania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2024–2025, 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.