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Economy of Germany vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 3/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Germany vs Switzerland GDP by year

Germany
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Switzerland
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $936,564,198,049
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $894,424,821,645
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $828,508,926,958
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $815,309,330,987
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $741,999,406,006
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $721,369,112,727
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $725,568,717,468
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $695,200,833,086
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $687,895,460,903
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $694,118,186,380
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $726,537,808,338
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $706,234,937,371
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $686,420,221,558
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $715,888,126,682
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $598,851,028,907
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $554,212,916,092
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $567,267,767,519
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $490,740,715,595
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $441,634,672,197
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $418,284,865,885
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $403,912,891,033
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $362,075,086,508
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $309,301,422,430
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $286,582,672,434
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $279,216,033,870
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $297,873,643,323
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $303,459,014,347
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $294,788,198,856
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $340,103,959,547
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $352,835,806,342
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $301,375,055,202
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $272,237,527,071
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $279,921,425,828
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $268,901,693,863
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $265,763,573,999
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $208,105,846,934
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $215,540,625,299
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $199,236,370,038
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $159,089,921,063
1985 $735,218,723,093 $110,980,314,192
1984 $727,767,760,979 $109,455,312,168
1983 $773,507,930,295 $114,634,358,535
1982 $779,421,633,755 $115,043,365,512
1981 $803,404,797,058 $112,244,805,519
1980 $953,772,499,462 $122,557,843,886
1979 $884,574,218,333 $114,970,094,425
1978 $743,182,891,918 $102,280,472,036
1977 $602,698,323,086 $73,135,771,167
1976 $521,658,712,133 $68,476,524,644
1975 $492,434,094,920 $65,466,081,819
1974 $446,934,971,657 $57,103,011,446
1973 $399,833,571,167 $49,550,006,320
1972 $300,899,944,795 $36,844,318,854
1971 $250,900,942,397 $30,040,171,751
1970 $216,629,229,947 $24,998,066,773
1969 $177,733,486,326 $22,442,043,274
1968 $156,527,292,653 $20,712,102,794
1967 $145,100,667,773 $19,397,044,714
1966 $143,304,275,684 $18,019,402,374
1965 $134,774,688,191 $16,780,226,225
1964 $123,330,404,665 $15,833,133,858
1963 $112,232,503,744 $14,283,872,299
1962 $105,895,435,234 $12,989,649,694
1961 $96,558,204,043 $11,713,348,834
1960 $84,619,845,881 $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Switzerland by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $17,829 - $31,309 -
1988 $17,997 - $32,690 -
1987 $16,739 - $30,441 -
1986 $13,511 - $24,460 -
1985 $9,464 - $17,152 -
1984 $9,347 - $16,991 -
1983 $9,900 - $17,859 -
1982 $9,950 - $18,000 -
1981 $10,246 - $17,665 -
1980 $12,183 - $19,394 -
1979 $11,322 - $18,266 -
1978 $9,517 - $16,282 -
1977 $7,711 - $11,644 -
1976 $6,659 - $10,865 -
1975 $6,259 - $10,328 -
1974 $5,660 - $9,005 -
1973 $5,065 - $7,856 -
1972 $3,824 - $5,885 -
1971 $3,204 - $4,835 -
1970 $2,771 - $4,044 -
1969 $2,281 - $3,657 -
1968 $2,025 - $3,413 -
1967 $1,886 - $3,237 -
1966 $1,871 - $3,045 -
1965 $1,774 - $2,865 -
1964 $1,637 - $2,735 -
1963 $1,502 - $2,508 -
1962 $1,431 - $2,330 -
1961 $1,316 - $2,155 -
1960 $1,162 - $1,954 -

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

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Germany Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires
171
2025
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
4.34%
2024
Population
82575542
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 50.7% 68% 34.4% 41%
2020 51.1% 68% 37% 43.2%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 32% 39.6%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 44.5% 64% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 48.1% 81% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 30% 44.8%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 47% 65% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 48.5% 60.3% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 48.3% 59.4% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 48.8% 58.8% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 49.6% 57.7% 33% 51.3%
1995 55.2% 54.9% 32.4% 50%
1994 48.3% 47.5% 32.5% 47.1%
1993 48.3% 45.1% 32.5% 44.4%
1992 47.4% 41.4% 31.3% 39.5%
1991 46.5% 39% 29.5% 35.1%
1990 44.7% 40.7% 27.6% 33.3%
1989 44.3% 39.2% 30% 32.5%
1988 45.6% 40.5% 30.3% 35%
1987 46% 40.1% 29.8% 36.5%
1986 45.7% 39.1% 29.8% 37.6%
1985 46.6% 39.2% 30.1% 39.1%
1984 47.2% 38.7% 30.4% 39.8%
1983 47.9% 38% 31.2% 40.2%
1982 49.1% 36.4% 30.5% 40%
1981 49% 33.6% 29.4% 40.8%
1980 48.2% 30.1% 29.9% 43.9%
1979 47.4% 28.2% 30.5% 44.6%
1978 47.7% 27.4% 30.4% 46.6%
1977 49% 26% 31% 46.9%
1976 49.4% 25.1% 31.6% 46.7%
1975 50.3% 23.7% 29.3% 42.3%
1974 46% 18.5% 27.5% 38.4%
1973 42.4% 17.3% 26.5% 37%
1972 41.8% 18% 25.7% 38%
1971 40.9% 17.7% 25.4% 38.7%
1970 39.5% 17.7% 25.8% 38.9%
1969 29.7% 20.3% 9.45% 7.08%
1968 28.5% 22.5% 8.87% 6.99%
1967 28.8% 22.5% 8.68% 7.26%
1966 28.3% 19.8% 8.95% 7.62%
1965 28.4% 18.7% 8.33% 8.28%
1964 29% 18.2% 8.85% 9.43%
1963 29.1% 18.1% 8.2% 10.8%
1962 29.2% 17.6% 8.1% 12%
1961 28.8% 18.7% 7.97% 14%
1960 22.9% 18.4% 7.11% 16.2%

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/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 72/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Switzerland
2024 -2.66% 0.58%
2023 -2.49% 0.12%
2022 -1.91% 1.19%
2021 -3.17% -0.29%
2020 -4.38% -3.01%
2019 1.33% 1.34%
2018 1.88% 1.29%
2017 1.34% 1.13%
2016 1.13% 0.24%
2015 0.91% 0.55%
2014 0.73% -0.25%
2013 0.12% -0.43%
2012 -0.05% 0.24%
2011 -0.84% 0.68%
2010 -4.42% 0.35%
2009 -3.18% 0.5%
2008 -0.26% 1.93%
2007 0.15% 1.57%
2006 -1.76% 0.85%
2005 -3.37% -0.65%
2004 -3.42% -1.39%
2003 -3.83% -1.36%
2002 -4.09% -1.75%
2001 -3.12% 0.21%
2000 -1.71% 0.28%
1999 -1.87% -1.57%
1998 -2.65% -1.31%
1997 -3.03% -2.33%
1996 -3.64% -2.01%
1995 -9.44% -1.86%
1994 -2.54% -2.59%
1993 -3.11% -3.15%
1992 -2.63% -2.96%
1991 -3.21% -1.85%
1990 -1.94% -0.05%
1989 0.08% 0.2%
1988 -2.02% 0.42%
1987 -1.85% 0.78%
1986 -1.18% 0.93%
1985 -1.18% -0.25%
1984 -2.04% -0.52%
1983 -2.95% -1.23%
1982 -3.56% -1.21%
1981 -4.03% -0.54%
1980 -3.02% -1.34%
1979 -2.71% -1.79%
1978 -2.62% -1.12%
1977 -2.56% -1.64%
1976 -3.5% -1.89%
1975 -5.78% -0.93%
1974 -1.69% -1.01%
1973 1.14% -0.93%
1972 -0.37% -1.39%
1971 0.16% -1.41%
1970 0.53% -1.44%
1969 -0.43% -0.98%
1968 1.39% -0.73%
1967 2.73% -1.07%
1966 1.76% -0.87%
1965 2.26% 0.05%
1964 1.49% 0.77%
1963 1.43% 0.25%
1962 0.49% 0.95%
1961 -0.12% 0.34%
1960 -0.34% 1.95%
1959 0.77% 0.72%
1958 1.77% 0.59%
1957 1.99% 0.66%
1956 0.59% 2.24%
1955 -1.41% 1.1%
1954 -0.37% 1.44%
1953 -0.13% 0.38%
1952 0% -1.17%
1951 1.15% -0.36%
1950 1.81% 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 -0.64% -0.33%
1933 -0.43% -0.88%
1932 -1.11% -0.3%
1931 -1.03% 0.03%
1930 -1.52% 0.07%
1929 -0.9% 0.22%
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% -0.12%
1912 -0.26% 0.03%
1911 0.06% -0.006%
1910 -0.21% -0.14%
1909 0.11% -0.78%
1908 -0.11% -0.1%
1907 -0.14% -0.02%
1906 0.76% 0.15%
1905 1.21% 0.41%
1904 0.41% 0.002%
1903 0.88% 0.09%
1902 0.08% 0.02%
1901 0.91% -0.14%
1900 0.27% -0.07%
1899 0.6% 0.1%
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/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 46 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 38 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.53% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.48% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Switzerland
2024 2.26% 1.06%
2023 5.95% 2.14%
2022 6.87% 2.84%
2021 3.07% 0.58%
2020 0.14% -0.73%
2019 1.45% 0.36%
2018 1.73% 0.94%
2017 1.51% 0.53%
2016 0.49% -0.43%
2015 0.51% -1.14%
2014 0.91% -0.01%
2013 1.5% -0.22%
2012 2.01% -0.69%
2011 2.08% 0.23%
2010 1.1% 0.69%
2009 0.31% -0.48%
2008 2.63% 2.43%
2007 2.3% 0.73%
2006 1.58% 1.06%
2005 1.55% 1.17%
2004 1.67% 0.8%
2003 1.03% 0.64%
2002 1.42% 0.64%
2001 1.98% 0.99%
2000 1.44% 1.56%
1999 0.59% 0.81%
1998 0.91% 0.02%
1997 1.94% 0.52%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $24.4B
Chemicals & pharma $15.6B
Business & finance services $9.65B
Textiles & consumer goods $9.17B
Precious metals & jewellery $7.21B
Raw materials & minerals $5.83B
Transport & tourism services $5.52B
Metals $4.99B
Wood & paper products $2.5B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.29B
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $20.3B
Machinery & equipment $14.1B
Transport & tourism services $7.15B
Precious metals & jewellery $5.77B
IT & IP services $4.01B
Textiles & consumer goods $3.77B
Business & finance services $3.05B
Metals $2.81B
Raw materials & minerals $1.81B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.19B

Balance of trade

Germany Switzerland
Current account balance
$270B
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$548B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$470B
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Germany Switzerland
Economic freedom 71.7 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 2/197
Property rights 95.5 94.4
Government integrity 84.5 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 98.3
Tax burden 60.5 70.9
Government spending 28.8 69.5
Fiscal health 83.1 97.2
Business freedom 79.8 86.3
Labor freedom 52.2 60
Monetary freedom 72.5 82.3
Trade freedom 79.4 87
Investment freedom 60 85
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Switzerland
2026 71.7 83.7
2025 71.6 83.7
2024 72.1 83
2023 73.7 83.8
2022 76.1 84.2
2021 72.5 81.9
2020 73.5 82
2019 73.5 81.9
2018 74.2 81.7
2017 73.8 81.5
2016 74.4 81
2015 73.8 80.5
2014 73.4 81.6
2013 72.8 81
2012 71 81.1
2011 71.8 81.9
2010 71.1 81.1
2009 70.5 79.4
2008 70.6 79.5
2007 70.8 78
2006 70.8 78.9
2005 68.1 79.3
2004 69.5 79.5
2003 69.7 79
2002 70.4 79.3
2001 69.5 76
2000 65.7 76.8
1999 65.6 79.1
1998 64.3 79
1997 67.5 78.6
1996 69.1 76.8
1995 69.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Germany Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
27%
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/switzerland | CC BY

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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 (1880–1990, 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 (2022–2024, 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.