Skip to content

Economy of Hungary vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Hungary has a GDP of $223B compared to $4.03T for Japan, ranking 55/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $164B in government debt (73.5% of GDP), compared to $9.51T (236.1% of GDP) in Japan.

Hungary vs Japan GDP by year

Hungary
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Japan
2024 $222,722,738,926 $4,027,597,523,551
2023 $213,240,316,635 $4,213,167,237,906
2022 $177,002,580,544 $4,262,463,317,797
2021 $183,282,685,440 $5,039,148,168,861
2020 $158,468,487,754 $5,054,068,005,376
2019 $164,936,682,034 $5,117,993,853,017
2018 $161,184,691,014 $5,040,880,939,325
2017 $143,335,098,992 $4,930,837,369,151
2016 $128,983,560,865 $5,003,677,627,544
2015 $125,244,126,623 $4,444,930,651,964
2014 $141,128,696,412 $4,896,994,405,353
2013 $135,646,053,779 $5,212,328,181,166
2012 $128,470,269,690 $6,272,362,996,105
2011 $141,712,804,954 $6,233,147,172,341
2010 $131,898,737,241 $5,759,071,769,013
2009 $130,807,441,076 $5,289,493,117,994
2008 $158,228,265,916 $5,106,679,115,127
2007 $140,123,326,896 $4,579,750,920,355
2006 $115,604,111,412 $4,601,663,122,650
2005 $113,098,237,571 $4,831,467,035,390
2004 $104,015,363,080 $4,893,116,005,657
2003 $85,190,469,121 $4,519,561,645,254
2002 $67,636,468,625 $4,182,846,045,874
2001 $53,800,068,066 $4,374,711,694,091
2000 $47,275,954,429 $4,968,359,075,957
1999 $49,160,204,397 $4,635,982,224,064
1998 $48,784,412,624 $4,098,362,709,531
1997 $47,398,564,799 $4,492,448,605,639
1996 $46,833,767,124 $4,923,391,533,852
1995 $46,577,614,589 $5,545,563,663,890
1994 $43,307,949,890 $4,998,797,547,741
1993 $40,256,233,360 $4,536,940,479,038
1992 $38,857,339,125 $3,980,702,922,118
1991 $34,867,307,353 $3,648,065,760,649
1990 $34,478,360,679 $3,185,904,656,664
1989 $30,422,508,938 $3,109,455,047,824
1988 $29,799,838,597 $3,125,724,434,401
1987 $27,232,016,527 $2,580,748,422,781
1986 $24,778,163,812 $2,120,083,812,110
1985 $21,510,643,750 $1,427,019,759,717
1984 $21,242,726,264 $1,345,824,500,837
1983 $21,910,365,258 $1,270,859,919,743
1982 $24,141,667,188 $1,158,731,426,906
1981 $23,705,883,892 $1,245,221,410,764
1980 $23,116,977,148 $1,129,377,244,854
1979 $19,959,731,325 $1,077,910,077,676
1978 $17,286,744,154 $1,035,611,588,217
1977 $14,783,674,055 $737,069,290,928
1976 $13,235,612,079 $598,883,902,156
1975 $11,420,392,515 $532,861,438,885
1974 $10,016,338,179 $490,035,789,970
1973 $9,138,292,402 $441,460,582,536
1972 $7,379,313,742 $324,933,841,269
1971 $6,291,568,221 $245,364,056,622
1970 $5,780,929,203 $217,223,652,719
1969 $5,429,812,387 $184,298,841,305
1968 $4,886,222,555 $156,897,496,759
1967 - $132,475,614,227
1966 - $113,046,784,179
1965 - $97,338,107,606
1964 - $87,490,590,818
1963 - $74,379,284,603
1962 - $64,987,857,542
1961 - $57,266,758,180
1960 - $47,419,238,274

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

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/japan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Japan by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,292 $48,552 $32,487 $52,039
2023 $22,231 $46,592 $33,836 $50,662
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $34,066 $47,192
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $40,095 $44,355
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $40,029 $42,426
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $40,416 $42,678
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $39,751 $42,142
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $38,834 $41,444
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $39,375 $40,597
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $34,961 $40,899
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $38,475 $39,555
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $40,899 $39,402
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $49,145 $37,606
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $48,760 $36,214
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $44,968 $35,336
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $41,309 $33,543
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $39,876 $35,274
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $35,779 $35,015
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $35,992 $33,632
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $37,813 $32,170
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $38,299 $30,832
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $35,387 $29,392
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $32,821 $28,624
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $34,406 $27,943
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $39,169 $27,288
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $36,610 $25,736
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $32,424 $25,508
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $35,638 $25,619
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $39,150 $24,999
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $44,198 $23,858
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $39,934 $22,823
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $36,345 $22,168
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $31,993 $21,825
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $29,428 $21,227
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $25,801 $19,912
1989 $2,902 - $25,266 -
1988 $2,812 - $25,500 -
1987 $2,566 - $21,142 -
1986 $2,331 - $17,452 -
1985 $2,020 - $11,809 -
1984 $1,991 - $11,207 -
1983 $2,050 - $10,652 -
1982 $2,255 - $9,780 -
1981 $2,213 - $10,583 -
1980 $2,158 - $9,669 -
1979 $1,865 - $9,301 -
1978 $1,618 - $9,012 -
1977 $1,388 - $6,473 -
1976 $1,249 - $5,310 -
1975 $1,083 - $4,776 -
1974 $956 - $4,448 -
1973 $876 - $4,061 -
1972 $710 - $3,031 -
1971 $607 - $2,321 -
1970 $559 - $2,101 -
1969 $527 - $1,803 -
1968 $476 - $1,553 -
1967 - - $1,326 -
1966 - - $1,144 -
1965 - - $994 -
1964 - - $903 -
1963 - - $776 -
1962 - - $685 -
1961 - - $609 -
1960 - - $509 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/japan | CC BY

Hungary's GDP per capita is $23,292, ranking 55/197, compared to $32,487 in Japan, ranking 38/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

Hungary Japan
Gross domestic product
$223B
2024
$4.03T
2024
GDP rank
55/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP growth
0.56%
2023-2024
0.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,292
2024
$32,487
2024
GDP per capita rank
55/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
41/197
2024
Government debt
$164B
2024
$9.51T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.5%
2024
236.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,109
2024
$76,704
2024
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
3/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,996
2026
$23,653
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$41.5B
2024
$6.31T
2024
Number of millionaires
24,692
2025
2,732,000
2025
Number of billionaires
4
2025
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
23.9%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.4%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
39.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
2.74%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.47%
2024
2.54%
2024
Population
9475525
122677250

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Japan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Japan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.9% 73.5% 39.1% 236.1%
2023 49.2% 73% 39.2% 240.5%
2022 48.7% 73.9% 41.8% 248.2%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 42.5% 253.7%
2020 51% 78.7% 44.5% 258.4%
2019 45.8% 65% 37.3% 236.4%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 36.7% 232.4%
2017 46.6% 72% 36.7% 231.3%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 37.2% 232.4%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 37.3% 228.3%
2014 50% 76.5% 38.4% 233.3%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 38.8% 229.5%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 38.6% 226.1%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 38.6% 219.2%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 37.7% 205.9%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 38.7% 198.8%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 34.1% 180.9%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 33.1% 173%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 33.1% 174.1%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 33.5% 174.6%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 33.7% 169.5%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 35% 160%
2002 51% 55.6% 35.4% 154.1%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 35.2% 145.1%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 36% 135.6%
1999 48.9% 60.3% 35.6% 129.5%
1998 50.7% 60.4% 38.6% 116%
1997 49.5% 62.2% 33.1% 105%
1996 50.9% 71.2% 33.8% 98.1%
1995 55% 83.9% 33.4% 92.5%
1994 - 86.2% 32.8% 84.4%
1993 - 87.2% 32.1% 72.8%
1992 - 76.5% 30.3% 66.8%
1991 - 74.2% 29.3% 62.4%
1990 - 63.7% 29.5% 63.2%
1989 - 70.7% 29.2% 65.7%
1988 - - 29.9% 71.9%
1987 - - 30.6% 75.8%
1986 - - 30.4% 74.1%
1985 - - 30.4% 68.3%
1984 - - 31.2% 65.6%
1983 - - 31.8% 63.5%
1982 - - 31.7% 57.7%
1981 - - 31.5% 52.8%
1980 - - 33.5% 47.8%
1979 - - 33.2% 43.8%
1978 - - 32.1% 39%
1977 - - 30.4% 31.1%
1976 - - 29.1% 26.1%
1975 - - 28.5% 20.9%
1974 - - 25.5% 16.7%
1973 - - 23.3% 15.9%
1972 - - 23.1% 16.3%
1971 - - 21.8% 12.6%
1970 - - 20.2% 11.2%
1969 - - 19.8% 11.4%
1968 - - 20.1% 11.8%
1967 - - 19.9% 11.4%
1966 - - 20.8% 11.2%
1965 - - 20.4% 9.78%
1964 - - 19.8% 8.53%
1963 - - 20% 8.66%
1962 - - 19.4% 9.01%
1961 - - 18.2% 8.44%
1960 - - 18.4% 10.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/japan | CC BY

In 2024, Hungary's government spending was $104B, accounting for 46.9% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.57T, or 39.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.5% in Hungary and 236.1% in Japan, ranking 49/185 and 3/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Japan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Japan
2024 -4.92% -1.53%
2023 -6.75% -2.26%
2022 -6.17% -4.21%
2021 -7.11% -6.13%
2020 -7.49% -9.08%
2019 -2.02% -3.04%
2018 -2.05% -2.47%
2017 -2.45% -3.1%
2016 -1.79% -3.6%
2015 -2% -3.68%
2014 -2.77% -5.62%
2013 -2.6% -7.61%
2012 -2.33% -8.2%
2011 -5.22% -8.99%
2010 -4.44% -9.08%
2009 -4.76% -9.69%
2008 -3.78% -4.11%
2007 -5.09% -2.9%
2006 -9.27% -3.03%
2005 -7.79% -4.44%
2004 -6.6% -5.31%
2003 -7.19% -7.43%
2002 -8.79% -7.34%
2001 -4% -6.2%
2000 -3.04% -7.28%
1999 -5.27% -6.75%
1998 -7.41% -10%
1997 -5.54% -3.53%
1996 -4.36% -4.87%
1995 -8.57% -4.3%
1994 - -3.76%
1993 - -2.39%
1992 - 0.57%
1991 - 1.67%
1990 - 1.96%
1989 - 1.23%
1988 - 0.49%
1987 - -0.36%
1986 - -1.36%
1985 - -1.37%
1984 - -2.62%
1983 - -3.95%
1982 - -3.81%
1981 - -3.85%
1980 - -4.66%
1979 - -5%
1978 - -5.79%
1977 - -4.02%
1976 - -3.89%
1975 - -2.92%
1974 - 0.38%
1973 - 0.56%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - 1.21%
1970 - 1.74%
1969 - 1.26%
1968 - 0.88%
1967 - 0.8%
1966 - -0.34%
1965 - 0.48%
1964 - 0.85%
1963 - 1.08%
1962 - 1.49%
1961 - 2.58%
1960 - 1.85%
1959 - 0.97%
1958 - -0.1%
1957 - 1.27%
1956 - 1.39%
1955 - -0.67%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.65%
1952 - 2.22%
1951 - 5.06%
1950 - 6.99%
1949 - 12.5%
1948 - 7.53%
1947 - 6.09%
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -0.17% 0.32%
1942 0.31% -0.13%
1941 0.2% -0.19%
1940 -0.07% 0.31%
1939 0.19% 0.11%
1938 -0.11% 0.45%
1937 -0.01% 0.71%
1936 0.08% 0.34%
1935 0.03% 0.26%
1934 0.04% 0.34%
1933 -0.03% 0.28%
1932 -0.22% 0.31%
1931 -0.32% 0.23%
1930 -0.26% 0.19%
1929 0.02% 0.5%
1928 0.12% 0.42%
1927 0.15% 0.58%
1926 - 0.65%
1925 - 0.75%
1924 - 0.84%
1923 - 0.87%
1922 - 0.89%
1921 - 1.43%
1920 - 1.19%
1919 - 1.21%
1918 - 1.58%
1917 - 1.54%
1916 - 1.37%
1915 - 1.41%
1914 - 1.31%
1913 - 1.21%
1912 - 1.27%
1911 - 1.21%
1910 - 1.57%
1909 - 1.51%
1908 - 1.63%
1907 - 1.77%
1906 - 0.46%
1905 - -0.68%
1904 - -0.81%
1903 - 0.19%
1902 - 0.44%
1901 - 0.21%
1900 - 0.53%
1899 - 0.2%
1898 - 0.6%
1897 - 0.33%
1896 - 0.88%
1895 - 0.28%
1894 - -0.24%
1893 - 0.6%
1892 - 0.63%
1891 - 0.61%
1890 - 0.74%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - 0.13%
1887 - 0.11%
1886 - 0.03%
1885 - 0.01%
1884 - 0.001%
1883 - 0.03%
1882 - 0.001%
1881 - 0.001%
1880 - 0.004%
1879 - 0.02%
1878 - 0.02%
1877 - -0.29%
1876 - -0.42%
1875 - 0.005%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/japan | CC BY

In 2024, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.9B, equivalent to 4.92% of GDP. This compares to Japan's deficit of $61.6B, or 1.53% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 5.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.53% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Japan
2024 3.7% 2.74%
2023 17.1% 3.27%
2022 14.6% 2.5%
2021 5.11% -0.23%
2020 3.33% -0.02%
2019 3.34% 0.47%
2018 2.85% 0.99%
2017 2.35% 0.48%
2016 0.39% -0.13%
2015 -0.06% 0.8%
2014 -0.23% 2.76%
2013 1.73% 0.34%
2012 5.65% -0.04%
2011 3.93% -0.27%
2010 4.86% -0.73%
2009 4.21% -1.35%
2008 6.04% 1.38%
2007 7.96% 0.06%
2006 3.93% 0.25%
2005 3.56% -0.28%
2004 6.74% -0.009%
2003 4.66% -0.26%
2002 5.27% -0.92%
2001 9.12% -0.74%
2000 9.8% -0.68%
1999 10% -0.34%
1998 14.2% 0.66%
1997 18.3% 1.75%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/japan | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.16%, compared with 0.44% in Japan. In 2024, inflation was 3.7% in Hungary and 2.74% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $758M
IT & IP services $178M
Chemicals & pharma $120M
Textiles & consumer goods $48.9M
Transport & tourism services $31.9M
Manufacturing & construction services $19.1M
Animal & marine products $19M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17.8M
Business & finance services $16.2M
Metals $14.7M
Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.07B
Miscellaneous $116M
Chemicals & pharma $53.6M
Raw materials & minerals $53M
Metals $36.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $17.1M
Wood & paper products $1.19M
Precious metals & jewellery $499K
Raw agricultural goods $405K
Animal & marine products $185K

Balance of trade

Hungary Japan
Current account balance
$3.52B
2024
$194B
2024
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
3/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.58%
2024
+4.82%
2024
Goods imports
$130B
2024
$719B
2024
Goods exports
$129B
2024
$694B
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$246B
2024
Service exports
$38.9B
2024
$228B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.1%
2024
23.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
2024
22.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Hungary Japan
Economic freedom 62.5 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 36/197
Property rights 67.3 94.2
Government integrity 44 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 97.9
Tax burden 85.1 63
Government spending 30.2 52
Fiscal health 32.7 41.7
Business freedom 70.8 77.8
Labor freedom 56.5 65.9
Monetary freedom 72.1 74.3
Trade freedom 79.4 76.2
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Japan
2026 62.5 70.3
2025 61.4 70.2
2024 61.2 67.5
2023 64.1 69.3
2022 66.9 69.9
2021 67.2 74.1
2020 66.4 73.3
2019 65 72.1
2018 66.7 72.3
2017 65.8 69.6
2016 66 73.1
2015 66.8 73.3
2014 67 72.4
2013 67.3 71.8
2012 67.1 71.6
2011 66.6 72.8
2010 66.1 72.9
2009 66.8 72.8
2008 67.6 73
2007 64.8 72.7
2006 65 73.3
2005 63.5 67.3
2004 62.7 64.3
2003 63 67.6
2002 64.5 66.7
2001 65.6 70.9
2000 64.4 70.7
1999 59.6 69.1
1998 56.9 70.2
1997 55.3 70.3
1996 56.8 72.6
1995 55.2 75

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

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/japan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Hungary Japan
Services, % of GDP
59.5%
2024
69.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
28.6%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.71%
2024
0.94%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$199B
2024
$4.46T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,290
2024
$55,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.4B
2024
$1.23T
2024
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2024
2/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$15.8B
2024
$191B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$62.2B
2024
$16.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$78B
2024
$203B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.5%
2024
26.2%
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/hungary/japan | 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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1994, 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 (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.