Skip to content

Economy of Greece vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Greece has a GDP of $281B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 52/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Greece has $409B in government debt (145.7% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Greece vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Greece
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Greece UAE
2025 $280,635,521,324 -
2024 $256,238,371,778 $552,324,919,096
2023 $242,946,187,738 $522,622,268,401
2022 $217,990,189,601 $511,403,404,642
2021 $218,303,801,895 $422,441,282,436
2020 $191,362,985,555 $357,161,776,271
2019 $207,305,649,887 $433,926,218,686
2018 $213,298,873,494 $440,560,003,161
2017 $200,381,103,984 $403,365,056,079
2016 $193,097,239,006 $381,717,208,621
2015 $194,567,373,678 $381,973,135,513
2014 $233,911,581,521 $424,935,834,104
2013 $236,556,279,641 $409,632,574,703
2012 $238,841,140,018 $392,793,559,051
2011 $283,228,079,776 $368,881,033,963
2010 $296,417,644,404 $307,736,348,527
2009 $326,829,054,686 $253,547,358,747
2008 $351,121,399,546 $315,474,615,741
2007 $314,226,996,944 $257,916,148,767
2006 $269,073,415,334 $222,116,532,963
2005 $242,315,668,619 $180,617,467,954
2004 $234,979,615,898 $147,824,249,958
2003 $196,930,509,813 $124,346,476,180
2002 $150,253,800,086 $109,816,091,079
2001 $132,050,474,720 $103,311,631,797
2000 $125,760,166,225 $104,337,463,730
1999 $137,131,371,955 $84,445,399,335
1998 $139,612,812,176 $75,674,384,205
1997 $138,766,067,640 $78,838,886,862
1996 $142,502,984,145 $73,571,217,377
1995 $134,974,613,914 $65,743,604,966
1994 $114,980,063,202 $59,305,111,228
1993 $107,295,704,518 $55,625,269,485
1992 $114,608,178,405 $54,239,188,746
1991 $103,680,863,713 $51,552,058,250
1990 $96,529,587,274 $50,701,374,187
1989 $78,067,933,277 $41,464,966,302
1988 $75,200,610,137 $36,275,613,877
1987 $64,739,630,096 $36,384,802,310
1986 $55,595,445,472 $33,943,568,481
1985 $47,155,741,426 $40,603,631,079
1984 $47,352,146,312 $41,807,931,453
1983 $48,741,397,059 $42,803,373,390
1982 $53,858,346,939 $46,622,715,281
1981 $51,618,456,335 $49,333,471,895
1980 $56,039,256,595 $43,599,134,193
1979 $53,724,121,435 $31,225,557,022
1978 $43,654,480,519 $23,775,718,541
1977 $35,673,080,481 $24,871,660,292
1976 $30,719,552,239 $19,213,212,475
1975 $28,129,128,587 $14,720,729,969
1974 $24,998,715,909 $11,651,505,689
1973 $22,037,019,563 $4,231,243,616
1972 $16,650,659,091 $1,415,086,929
1971 $14,388,806,818 $939,893,600
1970 $12,957,113,636 $685,986,701
1969 $11,454,106,327 -
1968 $9,950,331,206 -
1967 $9,146,592,856 -
1966 $8,472,021,467 -
1965 $7,582,209,670 -
1964 $6,576,906,345 -
1963 $5,813,285,627 -
1962 $5,140,542,929 -
1961 $4,892,397,431 -
1960 $4,274,890,307 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/greece/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Greece vs United Arab Emirates by year

Greece
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Greece UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $26,948 - - -
2024 $24,626 $44,327 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $23,344 $42,711 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $20,885 $39,612 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $20,653 $33,531 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $17,887 $29,533 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $19,335 $31,927 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $19,873 $29,792 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $18,632 $28,682 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $17,919 $27,505 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $17,981 $26,608 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $21,475 $26,450 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $21,573 $25,731 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $21,624 $24,583 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $25,505 $25,693 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $26,653 $27,839 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $29,425 $29,963 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $31,696 $30,441 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $28,441 $28,896 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $24,416 $28,076 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $22,054 $25,004 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $21,449 $24,826 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $18,021 $23,253 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $13,782 $21,985 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $12,157 $20,304 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $11,638 $18,820 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $12,743 $17,758 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $13,023 $17,434 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $13,016 $16,630 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $13,433 $15,778 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $12,779 $15,218 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $10,937 $14,667 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $10,257 $14,150 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $11,021 $14,130 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $10,047 $13,824 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $9,467 $13,126 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $7,738 - $23,167 -
1988 $7,492 - $21,570 -
1987 $6,474 - $23,113 -
1986 $5,578 - $23,132 -
1985 $4,747 - $29,468 -
1984 $4,785 - $32,012 -
1983 $4,950 - $34,650 -
1982 $5,502 - $39,972 -
1981 $5,305 - $44,855 -
1980 $5,812 - $42,925 -
1979 $5,627 - $34,238 -
1978 $4,629 - $29,379 -
1977 $3,832 - $35,020 -
1976 $3,343 - $31,197 -
1975 $3,109 - $27,117 -
1974 $2,789 - $23,823 -
1973 $2,468 - $9,696 -
1972 $1,873 - $3,675 -
1971 $1,629 - $2,805 -
1970 $1,474 - $2,394 -
1969 $1,306 - - -
1968 $1,138 - - -
1967 $1,053 - - -
1966 $984 - - -
1965 $887 - - -
1964 $773 - - -
1963 $686 - - -
1962 $608 - - -
1961 $583 - - -
1960 $513 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/greece/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Greece's GDP per capita is $26,948, ranking 50/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Greece ranks 52nd at $44,327, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Greece UAE
Gross domestic product
$281B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
52/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.07%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,948
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
50/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$44,327
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
52/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$409B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
145.7%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$39,257
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
19/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,117
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$129B
2025
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires
82,000
2026
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires
16
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.7%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.48%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.84%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
10371575
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Greece
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Greece UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 49.7% 145.7% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 48.2% 155.4% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 49.6% 165.5% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 53.1% 179.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 56.7% 197.8% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 59.3% 209.9% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 47.6% 183.7% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 48.6% 189.6% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 48.5% 182.6% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 50.3% 183.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 51.9% 180% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 51.5% 182.8% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 53% 180.5% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 54.9% 164.3% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 55.1% 175.1% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 53.1% 147.8% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 54.8% 128.5% 35% 21.1%
2008 51.5% 110.9% 22% 8.95%
2007 47.8% 104.6% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 45.9% 105.3% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 46.6% 109.9% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 48.8% 105.5% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 47.9% 104.3% 20% 3.33%
2002 47.1% 107.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 47.5% 110.5% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 48.2% 108.9% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 48% 102.8% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 46.7% 100.8% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 45.1% 102.6% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 46.1% 103.7% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 46.6% 100.4% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 36.9% 99.7% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 38.6% 101.7% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 36.9% 81.1% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 35.2% 75.7% 36% 4.97%
1990 38.5% 74.2% - -
1989 34.8% 60.7% - -
1988 33.8% 57.9% - -
1987 34% 53.2% - -
1986 33.8% 47.8% - -
1985 34.2% 47.3% - -
1984 32% 40.6% - -
1983 30.2% 34.1% - -
1982 28.7% 29.7% - -
1981 28.1% 27.1% - -
1980 24.5% 22.8% - -
1979 24.1% 22.7% - -
1978 30.1% 32.3% - -
1977 30.1% 24.5% - -
1976 29.1% 23.7% - -
1975 28.7% 24.1% - -
1974 25.3% 22.5% - -
1973 24.3% 22% - -
1972 26.8% 26.5% - -
1971 25.8% 25% - -
1970 25.2% 24.7% - -
1969 29.7% 25.8% - -
1968 26.3% 23% - -
1967 24.6% 21.1% - -
1966 22.8% 19% - -
1965 21.7% 16.5% - -
1964 20.4% 21.3% - -
1963 19.5% 22.6% - -
1962 19.7% 16.6% - -
1961 19.3% 14.4% - -
1960 20% 13.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/greece/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Greece's government spending was $139B, accounting for 49.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 145.7% in Greece and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 7/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Greece

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Greece UAE
2025 1.26% 5.15%
2024 1.23% 6.41%
2023 -1.44% 5.82%
2022 -2.57% 9.8%
2021 -7.76% 3.96%
2020 -10.4% -2.42%
2019 -0.09% 2.5%
2018 0.78% 3.65%
2017 1.05% -0.16%
2016 0.28% -2.95%
2015 -3.03% -6.35%
2014 -4.29% 1.74%
2013 -4.06% 7.99%
2012 -6.94% 8.59%
2011 -10.5% 5.05%
2010 -11.4% 0.52%
2009 -15.4% -6.13%
2008 -10.3% 17.6%
2007 -6.81% 17.1%
2006 -6.04% 20.2%
2005 -6.33% 16%
2004 -9.05% 6.4%
2003 -8.05% 2.35%
2002 -6.2% -1.24%
2001 -5.64% 1.21%
2000 -4.21% 10.7%
1999 -6.02% 1.31%
1998 -6.48% 1%
1997 -6.25% 6.71%
1996 -8.35% 0.92%
1995 -9.87% 3.58%
1994 -8.48% -1.78%
1993 -11.5% -2.89%
1992 -10.6% 3.34%
1991 -9.63% 3.89%
1990 -13.3% -
1989 -11.9% -
1988 -9.63% -
1987 -8.09% -
1986 -8.62% -
1985 -9.56% -
1984 -7.19% -
1983 -6.17% -
1982 -5.49% -
1981 -7.08% -
1980 -2.5% -
1979 -2.34% -
1978 -5.39% -
1977 -5.21% -
1976 -5.05% -
1975 -5.3% -
1974 -4.39% -
1973 -3.71% -
1972 -4.16% -
1971 -3.32% -
1970 -3.24% -
1969 -6.65% -
1968 -3.39% -
1967 -2.59% -
1966 -2.17% -
1965 -2.55% -
1964 -2.89% -
1963 -2.25% -
1962 -2.4% -
1961 -2.69% -
1960 -3.3% -
1959 -2.77% -
1958 -2.27% -
1957 -2.45% -
1956 -0.39% -
1955 -3.57% -
1954 -2.87% -
1953 -3.01% -
1952 -7.21% -
1951 -11.5% -
1950 -12.7% -
1949 -10.4% -
1948 -7.65% -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 0.48% -
1938 1.78% -
1937 1.06% -
1936 0.95% -
1935 0.72% -
1934 0.88% -
1933 -2.79% -
1932 -1.78% -
1931 -4% -
1930 -2.23% -
1929 -18.7% -
1928 -0.27% -
1927 2.65% -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -8.96% -
1912 -7.43% -
1911 -4.61% -
1910 -1.53% -
1909 -2.64% -
1908 -1.54% -
1907 -1.23% -
1906 0.66% -
1905 0.91% -
1904 -0.04% -
1903 -0.22% -
1902 -1.67% -
1901 0.1% -
1900 0.41% -
1899 0.86% -
1898 -34.5% -
1897 -8.46% -
1896 0.82% -
1895 0.37% -
1894 2.91% -
1893 0.14% -
1892 -2.28% -
1891 -6.48% -
1890 -11.2% -
1889 -15.7% -
1888 -3.59% -
1887 -4.88% -
1886 -11.5% -
1885 -12.1% -
1884 -7.16% -
1883 -2.42% -
1882 -1.69% -
1881 -14.5% -
1880 -13.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/greece/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Greece's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.15B, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Greece recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Greece posted an annual deficit equal to 6.31% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Greece

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Greece UAE
2025 2.48% 1.3%
2024 2.74% 1.7%
2023 3.46% 1.6%
2022 9.65% 4.8%
2021 1.22% -0.1%
2020 -1.25% -2.1%
2019 0.25% -1.9%
2018 0.63% 3.1%
2017 1.12% 2%
2016 -0.83% 1.6%
2015 -1.74% 4.1%
2014 -1.31% 2.3%
2013 -0.92% 1.1%
2012 1.5% 0.7%
2011 3.33% 0.9%
2010 4.71% 0.9%
2009 1.21% -4.7%
2008 4.15% 12.3%
2007 2.9% 11.1%
2006 3.2% 9.3%
2005 3.55% 6.2%
2004 2.9% 5%
2003 3.53% 3.1%
2002 3.63% 2.9%
2001 3.37% 2.8%
2000 3.15% 1.3%
1999 2.64% 2.1%
1998 4.77% 2%
1997 5.54% 3%

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/greece/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Greece has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.4%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 2.48% in Greece and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Greece
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $96.2M
Raw materials & minerals $86.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $70.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $40.3M
Metals $35.2M
Chemicals & pharma $34.3M
Animal & marine products $14.8M
Wood & paper products $7.8M
Raw agricultural goods $6.71M
Precious metals & jewellery $4.1M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $106M
Metals $45.2M
Precious metals & jewellery $8.82M
Chemicals & pharma $8.81M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.07M
Raw agricultural goods $3.34M
Raw materials & minerals $2.9M
Wood & paper products $386K
Miscellaneous $136K

Balance of trade

Greece UAE
Current account balance
-$18.2B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
183/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.11%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$91.2B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$52.6B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$31.1B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$55.8B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
44%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.5%
2025
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Greece UAE
Economic freedom 63.2 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 82/197 29/197
Property rights 78 62.9
Government integrity 54.8 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 68 34.4
Tax burden 59.9 99.9
Government spending 24.7 85.1
Fiscal health 78.9 97.6
Business freedom 77.8 84.5
Labor freedom 59.7 63.2
Monetary freedom 72.6 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Greece
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Greece UAE
2026 63.2 71.9
2025 60.6 71.6
2024 55.1 71.1
2023 56.9 70.9
2022 61.5 70.2
2021 60.9 76.9
2020 59.9 76.2
2019 57.7 77.6
2018 57.3 77.6
2017 55 76.9
2016 53.2 72.6
2015 54 72.4
2014 55.7 71.4
2013 55.4 71.1
2012 55.4 69.3
2011 60.3 67.8
2010 62.7 67.3
2009 60.8 64.7
2008 60.6 62.6
2007 58.7 62.6
2006 60.1 62.2
2005 59 65.2
2004 59.1 67.2
2003 58.8 73.4
2002 59.1 73.6
2001 63.4 74.9
2000 61 74.2
1999 61 71.5
1998 60.6 72.2
1997 59.6 71.9
1996 60.5 71.6
1995 61.2 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/greece/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Greece is 63.2, ranking 82/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Greece UAE
Services, % of GDP
67.4%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.2%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.57%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$264B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$44,310
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
63/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.52B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$6.74B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.22B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.8%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
26.6%
2023

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/greece/united-arab-emirates | 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1998, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.