Skip to content

Economy of Germany vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 3/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Germany vs Singapore GDP by year

Germany
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Singapore
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $547,386,645,892
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $505,439,514,078
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $509,017,841,147
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $436,591,382,250
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $349,165,858,545
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $376,161,998,830
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $377,123,710,561
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $343,673,334,902
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $319,646,468,521
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $307,998,545,269
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $314,863,580,758
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $307,576,360,585
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $295,092,888,077
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $279,356,499,090
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $239,807,980,591
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $194,150,283,772
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $193,617,323,539
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $180,941,701,358
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $148,627,286,361
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $127,807,848,728
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $115,033,593,101
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $97,646,401,096
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $92,538,372,870
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $89,793,790,670
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $96,076,539,926
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $86,286,849,755
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $85,728,207,782
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $100,123,787,215
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $96,293,086,513
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $87,812,540,788
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $73,688,724,431
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $60,603,815,716
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $52,131,320,033
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $45,466,164,978
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $36,144,336,769
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $30,465,364,739
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $25,371,462,488
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $20,919,215,578
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $18,586,746,057
1985 $735,218,723,093 $19,156,532,746
1984 $727,767,760,979 $19,749,361,098
1983 $773,507,930,295 $17,784,112,150
1982 $779,421,633,755 $16,084,252,378
1981 $803,404,797,058 $14,175,228,844
1980 $953,772,499,462 $11,896,256,783
1979 $884,574,218,333 $9,296,921,724
1978 $743,182,891,918 $7,517,176,355
1977 $602,698,323,086 $6,618,585,074
1976 $521,658,712,133 $6,327,077,974
1975 $492,434,094,920 $5,633,673,930
1974 $446,934,971,657 $5,221,534,956
1973 $399,833,571,167 $3,696,213,333
1972 $300,899,944,795 $2,721,440,981
1971 $250,900,942,397 $2,263,785,444
1970 $216,629,229,947 $1,920,574,150
1969 $177,733,486,326 $1,659,893,768
1968 $156,527,292,653 $1,425,706,091
1967 $145,100,667,773 $1,238,035,816
1966 $143,304,275,684 $1,096,425,608
1965 $134,774,688,191 $974,644,096
1964 $123,330,404,665 $894,153,311
1963 $112,232,503,744 $917,608,012
1962 $105,895,435,234 $826,239,212
1961 $96,558,204,043 $764,629,788
1960 $84,619,845,881 $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Singapore by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $17,829 - $10,395 -
1988 $17,997 - $8,914 -
1987 $16,739 - $7,539 -
1986 $13,511 - $6,800 -
1985 $9,464 - $7,002 -
1984 $9,347 - $7,228 -
1983 $9,900 - $6,633 -
1982 $9,950 - $6,078 -
1981 $10,246 - $5,597 -
1980 $12,183 - $4,928 -
1979 $11,322 - $3,901 -
1978 $9,517 - $3,194 -
1977 $7,711 - $2,846 -
1976 $6,659 - $2,759 -
1975 $6,259 - $2,490 -
1974 $5,660 - $2,342 -
1973 $5,065 - $1,685 -
1972 $3,824 - $1,264 -
1971 $3,204 - $1,071 -
1970 $2,771 - $926 -
1969 $2,281 - $813 -
1968 $2,025 - $709 -
1967 $1,886 - $626 -
1966 $1,871 - $567 -
1965 $1,774 - $517 -
1964 $1,637 - $486 -
1963 $1,502 - $511 -
1962 $1,431 - $472 -
1961 $1,316 - $449 -
1960 $1,162 - $428 -

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

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Germany Singapore
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires
171
2025
49
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
2.74%
2024
Population
82575542
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 15% 154.3%
2021 50.7% 68% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 51.1% 68% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 14% 127.9%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 44.5% 64% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 48.1% 81% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 14% 97.9%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 47% 65% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 48.5% 60.3% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 48.3% 59.4% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 48.8% 58.8% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 49.6% 57.7% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 55.2% 54.9% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 48.3% 47.5% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 48.3% 45.1% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 47.4% 41.4% 14.5% 79%
1991 46.5% 39% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 44.7% 40.7% 15.1% 73.5%
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 (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/singapore | CC BY

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 72/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Singapore
2024 -2.66% 4.44%
2023 -2.49% 3.47%
2022 -1.91% 1.21%
2021 -3.17% 1.13%
2020 -4.38% -6.73%
2019 1.33% 3.77%
2018 1.88% 3.68%
2017 1.34% 5.24%
2016 1.13% 3.25%
2015 0.91% 2.86%
2014 0.73% 4.6%
2013 0.12% 5.96%
2012 -0.05% 7.34%
2011 -0.84% 7.96%
2010 -4.42% 5.68%
2009 -3.18% -0.09%
2008 -0.26% 3.59%
2007 0.15% 7.12%
2006 -1.76% 2.16%
2005 -3.37% 2.56%
2004 -3.42% 2.06%
2003 -3.83% 0.68%
2002 -4.09% 2.23%
2001 -3.12% 1.2%
2000 -1.71% 4.59%
1999 -1.87% 5.2%
1998 -2.65% 2.41%
1997 -3.03% 5.66%
1996 -3.64% 1.98%
1995 -9.44% 4.8%
1994 -2.54% 7.9%
1993 -3.11% 4.36%
1992 -2.63% 2.7%
1991 -3.21% 0.68%
1990 -1.94% 1.97%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 2.03% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Singapore
2024 2.26% 2.39%
2023 5.95% 4.83%
2022 6.87% 6.13%
2021 3.07% 2.32%
2020 0.14% -0.17%
2019 1.45% 0.57%
2018 1.73% 0.44%
2017 1.51% 0.58%
2016 0.49% -0.53%
2015 0.51% -0.52%
2014 0.91% 1.03%
2013 1.5% 2.36%
2012 2.01% 4.58%
2011 2.08% 5.25%
2010 1.1% 2.83%
2009 0.31% 0.59%
2008 2.63% 6.64%
2007 2.3% 2.11%
2006 1.58% 0.97%
2005 1.55% 0.43%
2004 1.67% 1.66%
2003 1.03% 0.51%
2002 1.42% -0.39%
2001 1.98% 1%
2000 1.44% 1.36%
1999 0.59% 0.02%
1998 0.91% -0.27%
1997 1.94% 2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.47B
Chemicals & pharma $1.21B
Miscellaneous $887M
Transport & tourism services $847M
Business & finance services $709M
Metals $300M
IT & IP services $234M
Raw materials & minerals $223M
Textiles & consumer goods $208M
Manufacturing & construction services $184M
Singapore
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.02B
Transport & tourism services $1.98B
Government & miscellaneous services $1.25B
Business & finance services $1.05B
Chemicals & pharma $525M
Miscellaneous $222M
IT & IP services $146M
Manufacturing & construction services $108M
Precious metals & jewellery $97.5M
Metals $73.5M

Balance of trade

Germany Singapore
Current account balance
$270B
2024
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$583B
2024
Service imports
$548B
2024
$351B
2024
Service exports
$470B
2024
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Germany Singapore
Economic freedom 71.7 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 1/197
Property rights 95.5 89.2
Government integrity 84.5 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 58.3
Tax burden 60.5 89.5
Government spending 28.8 93.4
Fiscal health 83.1 80
Business freedom 79.8 90.6
Labor freedom 52.2 77
Monetary freedom 72.5 83.5
Trade freedom 79.4 95
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Singapore
2026 71.7 84.4
2025 71.6 84.1
2024 72.1 83.5
2023 73.7 83.9
2022 76.1 84.4
2021 72.5 89.7
2020 73.5 89.4
2019 73.5 89.4
2018 74.2 88.8
2017 73.8 88.6
2016 74.4 87.8
2015 73.8 89.4
2014 73.4 89.4
2013 72.8 88
2012 71 87.5
2011 71.8 87.2
2010 71.1 86.1
2009 70.5 87.1
2008 70.6 87.3
2007 70.8 87.1
2006 70.8 88
2005 68.1 88.6
2004 69.5 88.9
2003 69.7 88.2
2002 70.4 87.4
2001 69.5 87.8
2000 65.7 87.7
1999 65.6 86.9
1998 64.3 87
1997 67.5 87.3
1996 69.1 86.5
1995 69.8 86.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Germany Singapore
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$55.3B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
22.2%
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/germany/singapore | 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 (1880–1990, 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 (2019–2024, 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.