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Economy of Germany vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 3/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Germany vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Germany
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Sierra Leone
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $6,971,127,235
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $6,415,852,767
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $7,121,125,278
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $7,166,931,485
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $6,688,307,703
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $6,523,577,594
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $6,390,514,689
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $5,749,846,528
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $6,084,297,211
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $6,788,352,975
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $7,686,138,791
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $7,502,762,863
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $6,141,666,509
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $4,861,632,885
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $4,262,805,967
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $3,953,403,098
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $4,157,895,298
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $3,632,957,611
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $3,263,697,467
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $2,545,275,313
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $2,237,350,687
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $2,142,618,046
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $1,933,863,911
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $1,681,473,894
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $635,866,404
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $669,386,624
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $672,368,187
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $850,232,760
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $941,709,423
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $870,740,292
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $911,853,802
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $768,867,883
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $679,940,814
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $779,981,987
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $649,644,098
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $932,974,420
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $1,055,083,933
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $660,106,336
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $490,181,457
1985 $735,218,723,093 $856,890,459
1984 $727,767,760,979 $1,087,471,862
1983 $773,507,930,295 $995,104,305
1982 $779,421,633,755 $1,295,361,886
1981 $803,404,797,058 $1,114,830,472
1980 $953,772,499,462 $1,100,685,845
1979 $884,574,218,333 $1,109,374,911
1978 $743,182,891,918 $960,728,339
1977 $602,698,323,086 $691,777,584
1976 $521,658,712,133 $594,895,942
1975 $492,434,094,920 $679,336,344
1974 $446,934,971,657 $648,590,643
1973 $399,833,571,167 $575,230,724
1972 $300,899,944,795 $465,381,340
1971 $250,900,942,397 $419,549,305
1970 $216,629,229,947 $434,410,974
1969 $177,733,486,326 $408,690,163
1968 $156,527,292,653 $329,859,732
1967 $145,100,667,773 $348,795,303
1966 $143,304,275,684 $375,479,850
1965 $134,774,688,191 $359,379,856
1964 $123,330,404,665 $371,847,461
1963 $112,232,503,744 $348,547,279
1962 $105,895,435,234 $342,721,416
1961 $96,558,204,043 $327,834,191
1960 $84,619,845,881 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Germany vs Sierra Leone by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $807 $3,522
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $758 $3,368
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $860 $3,144
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $885 $2,849
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $845 $2,719
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $844 $2,704
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $846 $2,640
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $779 $2,501
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $844 $2,635
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $965 $2,560
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $938 $2,317
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $761 $2,043
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $685 $1,900
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $653 $1,814
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $705 $1,824
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $632 $1,770
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $580 $1,698
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $463 $1,615
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $418 $1,541
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $414 $1,458
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $389 $1,360
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $358 $1,121
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $155 $1,167
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $185 $1,269
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $17,829 - $231.3 -
1988 $17,997 - $268.2 -
1987 $16,739 - $172.4 -
1986 $13,511 - $131.5 -
1985 $9,464 - $235.5 -
1984 $9,347 - $306 -
1983 $9,900 - $285.8 -
1982 $9,950 - $380 -
1981 $10,246 - $334 -
1980 $12,183 - $336 -
1979 $11,322 - $346 -
1978 $9,517 - $305 -
1977 $7,711 - $224.2 -
1976 $6,659 - $196.4 -
1975 $6,259 - $228.4 -
1974 $5,660 - $222.1 -
1973 $5,065 - $200.6 -
1972 $3,824 - $165.4 -
1971 $3,204 - $151.8 -
1970 $2,771 - $160.2 -
1969 $2,281 - $153.6 -
1968 $2,025 - $126.3 -
1967 $1,886 - $136.1 -
1966 $1,871 - $149.3 -
1965 $1,774 - $145.6 -
1964 $1,637 - $153.4 -
1963 $1,502 - $146.3 -
1962 $1,431 - $146.3 -
1961 $1,316 - $142.3 -
1960 $1,162 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/sierra-leone | CC BY

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Germany Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
171
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
82575542
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 16.7% 54%
2021 50.7% 68% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 51.1% 68% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 44.5% 64% 15% 44.2%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 48.1% 81% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 47% 65% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 10.3% -
1999 48.5% 60.3% - -
1998 48.3% 59.4% - -
1997 48.8% 58.8% - -
1996 49.6% 57.7% - -
1995 55.2% 54.9% - -
1994 48.3% 47.5% - -
1993 48.3% 45.1% - -
1992 47.4% 41.4% - -
1991 46.5% 39% - -
1990 44.7% 40.7% - -
1989 44.3% 39.2% - -
1988 45.6% 40.5% - -
1987 46% 40.1% - -
1986 45.7% 39.1% - -
1985 46.6% 39.2% - -
1984 47.2% 38.7% - -
1983 47.9% 38% - -
1982 49.1% 36.4% - -
1981 49% 33.6% - -
1980 48.2% 30.1% - -
1979 47.4% 28.2% - -
1978 47.7% 27.4% - -
1977 49% 26% - -
1976 49.4% 25.1% - -
1975 50.3% 23.7% - -
1974 46% 18.5% - -
1973 42.4% 17.3% - -
1972 41.8% 18% - -
1971 40.9% 17.7% - -
1970 39.5% 17.7% - -
1969 29.7% 20.3% - -
1968 28.5% 22.5% - -
1967 28.8% 22.5% - -
1966 28.3% 19.8% - -
1965 28.4% 18.7% - -
1964 29% 18.2% - -
1963 29.1% 18.1% - -
1962 29.2% 17.6% - -
1961 28.8% 18.7% - -
1960 22.9% 18.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 72/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Sierra Leone
2024 -2.66% -4.53%
2023 -2.49% -4.99%
2022 -1.91% -5.93%
2021 -3.17% -4.35%
2020 -4.38% -3.5%
2019 1.33% -1.95%
2018 1.88% -3.57%
2017 1.34% -5.61%
2016 1.13% -5.41%
2015 0.91% -2.86%
2014 0.73% -2.77%
2013 0.12% -1.74%
2012 -0.05% -3.41%
2011 -0.84% -2.78%
2010 -4.42% -3.09%
2009 -3.18% -1.51%
2008 -0.26% -2.22%
2007 0.15% 12.6%
2006 -1.76% -0.93%
2005 -3.37% -1.17%
2004 -3.42% -1.46%
2003 -3.83% -2.78%
2002 -4.09% -3.03%
2001 -3.12% -3.22%
2000 -1.71% -1.94%
1999 -1.87% -
1998 -2.65% -
1997 -3.03% -
1996 -3.64% -
1995 -9.44% -
1994 -2.54% -
1993 -3.11% -
1992 -2.63% -
1991 -3.21% -
1990 -1.94% -
1989 0.08% -
1988 -2.02% -
1987 -1.85% -
1986 -1.18% -
1985 -1.18% -
1984 -2.04% -
1983 -2.95% -
1982 -3.56% -
1981 -4.03% -
1980 -3.02% -
1979 -2.71% -
1978 -2.62% -
1977 -2.56% -
1976 -3.5% -
1975 -5.78% -
1974 -1.69% -
1973 1.14% -
1972 -0.37% -
1971 0.16% -
1970 0.53% -
1969 -0.43% -
1968 1.39% -
1967 2.73% -
1966 1.76% -
1965 2.26% -
1964 1.49% -
1963 1.43% -
1962 0.49% -
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Sierra Leone
2024 2.26% 28.4%
2023 5.95% 47.7%
2022 6.87% 27.2%
2021 3.07% 11.9%
2020 0.14% 13.4%
2019 1.45% 14.8%
2018 1.73% 16%
2017 1.51% 18.2%
2016 0.49% 10.9%
2015 0.51% 6.7%
2014 0.91% 4.6%
2013 1.5% 5.5%
2012 2.01% 6.6%
2011 2.08% 6.8%
2010 1.1% 7.2%
2009 0.31% 7.5%
2008 2.63% 8.2%
2007 2.3% 17%
2006 1.58% 10.5%
2005 1.55% 13.7%
2004 1.67% 12.9%
2003 1.03% 4%
2002 1.42% 0.1%
2001 1.98% 2.6%
2000 1.44% -0.9%
1999 0.59% 34.1%
1998 0.91% 36%
1997 1.94% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $15.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.86M
Chemicals & pharma $2.87M
Miscellaneous $1.09M
Raw materials & minerals $773K
Textiles & consumer goods $733K
Metals $510K
Wood & paper products $214K
Animal & marine products $193K
Raw agricultural goods $22K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $8.33M
Machinery & equipment $1.76M
Metals $640K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $48K
Raw agricultural goods $36K
Miscellaneous $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Germany Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$270B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$548B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$470B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Germany Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 71.7 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 165/197
Property rights 95.5 32.9
Government integrity 84.5 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 42
Tax burden 60.5 88.2
Government spending 28.8 92.4
Fiscal health 83.1 54.1
Business freedom 79.8 44.8
Labor freedom 52.2 38.2
Monetary freedom 72.5 53.6
Trade freedom 79.4 63.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Sierra Leone
2026 71.7 49.6
2025 71.6 48
2024 72.1 44.6
2023 73.7 50.2
2022 76.1 52
2021 72.5 51.7
2020 73.5 48
2019 73.5 47.5
2018 74.2 51.8
2017 73.8 52.6
2016 74.4 52.3
2015 73.8 51.7
2014 73.4 50.5
2013 72.8 48.3
2012 71 49.1
2011 71.8 49.6
2010 71.1 47.9
2009 70.5 47.8
2008 70.6 48.3
2007 70.8 47
2006 70.8 45.2
2005 68.1 44.8
2004 69.5 43.6
2003 69.7 42.2
2002 70.4 -
2001 69.5 -
2000 65.7 44.2
1999 65.6 47.2
1998 64.3 47.7
1997 67.5 45
1996 69.1 52.3
1995 69.8 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Germany Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, 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 (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.