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Economy of Iran vs Mexico compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $1.86T for Mexico, ranking 34/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $1.08T (58.3% of GDP) in Mexico.

Iran vs Mexico GDP by year

Iran
Mexico
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Mexico
2024 $475,252,089,215 $1,856,365,616,166
2023 $457,510,482,317 $1,798,317,581,487
2022 $422,662,261,526 $1,466,934,724,293
2021 $407,350,685,583 $1,316,569,466,686
2020 $280,934,329,280 $1,121,064,767,308
2019 $347,988,400,958 $1,304,106,203,902
2018 $411,903,303,606 $1,256,300,182,880
2017 $510,239,893,418 $1,190,721,475,906
2016 $478,618,064,871 $1,112,233,497,453
2015 $409,191,686,497 $1,213,294,467,717
2014 $462,284,793,281 $1,364,507,717,614
2013 $500,399,839,840 $1,327,436,290,283
2012 $644,019,315,004 $1,255,110,424,818
2011 $629,082,257,472 $1,229,013,703,417
2010 $487,069,570,464 $1,105,424,238,731
2009 $414,059,094,949 $943,437,415,025
2008 $406,070,949,554 $1,161,553,459,715
2007 $349,736,591,832 $1,102,355,554,972
2006 $265,602,187,404 $1,020,265,057,882
2005 $224,970,371,325 $917,571,853,529
2004 $187,754,571,248 $819,459,227,375
2003 $151,911,222,119 $765,549,967,703
2002 $128,626,917,504 $810,666,116,402
2001 $126,878,750,296 $796,064,590,549
2000 $109,591,707,802 $742,061,329,749
1999 $113,848,450,088 $631,249,359,702
1998 $110,276,913,363 $557,461,102,631
1997 $113,919,163,421 $523,449,530,464
1996 $120,403,931,885 $432,157,945,024
1995 $96,419,225,744 $380,157,469,867
1994 $71,841,461,173 $553,618,247,901
1993 $63,743,623,232 $530,160,763,663
1992 $119,768,691,217 $363,157,832,924
1991 $131,637,664,958 $313,139,656,146
1990 $124,813,263,926 $261,253,675,693
1989 $120,496,362,916 $221,403,098,267
1988 $123,057,861,334 $181,611,150,497
1987 $134,009,995,923 $147,542,558,209
1986 $209,094,561,833 $134,556,034,673
1985 $180,183,629,600 $195,241,069,482
1984 $162,276,728,620 $184,230,754,105
1983 $156,365,156,618 $156,167,000,433
1982 $125,948,756,439 $184,602,611,610
1981 $100,499,312,750 $263,797,827,860
1980 $94,362,275,580 $205,577,055,466
1979 $90,391,877,326 $134,531,900,899
1978 $77,994,316,621 $102,648,570,299
1977 $80,600,122,702 $81,912,018,784
1976 $68,055,295,081 $88,875,923,765
1975 $51,776,222,350 $88,000,000,000
1974 $46,209,092,072 $72,000,000,000
1973 $27,081,698,250 $55,280,000,000
1972 $17,153,463,263 $45,200,000,000
1971 $13,731,802,833 $39,200,000,000
1970 $10,976,245,154 $35,520,000,000
1969 $9,743,089,607 $32,480,000,000
1968 $8,623,172,960 $29,360,000,000
1967 $7,555,383,690 $26,560,000,000
1966 $6,789,938,672 $24,320,000,000
1965 $6,197,319,929 $21,840,000,000
1964 $5,379,845,648 $20,080,000,000
1963 $4,928,628,018 $16,960,000,000
1962 $4,693,566,416 $15,200,000,000
1961 $4,426,949,095 $14,160,000,000
1960 $4,199,134,390 $13,040,000,000

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/mexico | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iran vs Mexico by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mexico
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Mexico
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $14,186 $26,185
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $13,861 $25,243
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $11,406 $23,135
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $10,314 $20,783
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $8,841 $19,354
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $10,370 $20,964
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $10,085 $20,921
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $9,649 $20,489
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $9,098 $20,105
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $10,021 $19,071
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $11,391 $18,821
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $11,217 $18,170
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $10,744 $18,005
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $10,664 $17,267
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $9,729 $15,909
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $8,424 $15,191
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $10,524 $15,681
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $10,134 $15,032
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $9,513 $14,540
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $8,672 $13,260
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $7,850 $12,658
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $7,434 $12,066
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $7,983 $11,762
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $7,953 $11,739
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $7,524 $11,705
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $6,500 $11,031
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $5,833 $10,756
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $5,567 $10,182
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $4,674 $9,496
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $4,184 $8,933
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $6,202 $9,466
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $6,048 $9,041
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $4,221 $9,470
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $3,709 $9,079
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $3,154 $8,578
1989 $2,125 - $2,725 -
1988 $2,234 - $2,279 -
1987 $2,513 - $1,888 -
1986 $4,064 - $1,757 -
1985 $3,634 - $2,602 -
1984 $3,395 - $2,506 -
1983 $3,397 - $2,170 -
1982 $2,845 - $2,621 -
1981 $2,393 - $3,829 -
1980 $2,368 - $3,055 -
1979 $2,352 - $2,049 -
1978 $2,101 - $1,604 -
1977 $2,243 - $1,315 -
1976 $1,954 - $1,465 -
1975 $1,532 - $1,492 -
1974 $1,409 - $1,256 -
1973 $851 - $993 -
1972 $555 - $837 -
1971 $457 - $748 -
1970 $377 - $699 -
1969 $345 - $660 -
1968 $314 - $616 -
1967 $283.7 - $576 -
1966 $262.9 - $545 -
1965 $247.5 - $506 -
1964 $221.7 - $481 -
1963 $209.6 - $420 -
1962 $205.8 - $388 -
1961 $200.1 - $374 -
1960 $195.6 - $355 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/mexico | CC BY

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $14,186 in Mexico, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Mexico ranks 80th at $26,185.

Economic indicators

Iran Mexico
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$1.86T
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
1.43%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$14,186
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
69/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$26,185
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
80/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$1.08T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
58.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$8,272
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
63/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$10,231
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$418B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
399,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
22
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
34.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
30.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
7%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
2.62%
2024
Population
93468444
133323134

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Mexico
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Mexico
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 30.3% 58.3%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 28.5% 52.6%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 28.5% 53.8%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 26.7% 56.7%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 27.8% 58.5%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 25.3% 51.9%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 25% 52.2%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 25% 52.5%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 26.5% 55%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 26.6% 51%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 26.9% 47.1%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 26.7% 44.1%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 27% 40.8%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 26.6% 41.2%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 26.5% 40.2%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 26.5% 41.7%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 26.5% 40.6%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 22.5% 35.5%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 21.6% 35.8%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 21.2% 36.8%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 20.5% 38.9%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 21.5% 42.1%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 19.8% 39.9%
2001 13.6% 21% 19.5% 37.3%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 19.4% 38.5%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 20.1% 41.7%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 19.5% 39.7%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 20.7% 39.1%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 20.8% 42.5%
1995 21% 31.2% 18.9% 30.7%
1994 23% 41.7% 18.9% 26.8%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 18.2% 19.2%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 19% 21.5%
1991 14% 29.3% 20.1% 29.2%
1990 16.4% 37% 22.9% 35.7%
1989 20% 48.8% 19.2% 36%
1988 23.6% 53.2% 23.6% 36.5%
1987 18.6% 48.6% 26.7% 52.7%
1986 19% 47.4% 25.1% 47.8%
1985 21.6% 8.73% 21.4% 30.4%
1984 23.7% 10% 19.8% 25.2%
1983 27.5% 35.7% 21.6% 25.3%
1982 29.7% 47.7% 24.7% 29.8%
1981 33.7% 47.6% 20.1% 41.7%
1980 35.8% 35.5% 17.5% 31.4%
1979 - - 16.5% 35.8%
1978 - - 15.7% 39%
1977 - 9.23% 15.5% 41.5%
1976 - 6.92% 15.5% 31.3%
1975 - 8.81% 14.7% 24.4%
1974 - 6.68% 13.8% 21.7%
1973 - 12.8% 12.7% 20%
1972 - 12.7% 11.9% 17.9%
1971 - 14.2% 10.6% 17%
1970 - 14.1% 10.9% 17.1%
1969 - - 11.8% 10.7%
1968 23.6% - 10.9% 7.85%
1967 22.3% - 10.4% 8.22%
1966 20.5% - 11.6% 5.14%
1965 16.3% 14.9% 10.7% 9.99%
1964 15.4% 15.2% 9.21% 6.22%
1963 14.8% 12.4% 8.51% 4.13%
1962 15.6% 13.4% 8.26% 4.2%
1961 - - 8.01% 4.38%
1960 - - 9.5% 4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/mexico | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Mexico spent $563B, or 30.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 58.3% in Mexico, ranking 147/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Mexico
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Mexico
2024 -3.83% -5.73%
2023 -2.54% -4.29%
2022 -2.64% -4.32%
2021 -3.01% -3.75%
2020 -4.87% -4.29%
2019 -4.3% -2.27%
2018 -1.59% -2.14%
2017 -1.55% -1.03%
2016 -1.7% -2.68%
2015 -1.3% -3.86%
2014 -0.91% -4.37%
2013 -0.72% -3.56%
2012 -0.5% -3.57%
2011 -0.66% -3.2%
2010 -0.84% -3.8%
2009 -3.3% -3.94%
2008 -4.39% -0.68%
2007 -2.41% -1.46%
2006 -4.91% -1.23%
2005 -2.44% -1.43%
2004 -2.45% -1.35%
2003 -2.76% -2.24%
2002 -2.88% -2.18%
2001 0.02% -2.57%
2000 5.42% -2.69%
1999 -0.51% -4.49%
1998 -5.03% -4.49%
1997 -1.81% -3.48%
1996 -0.75% -3.66%
1995 -2.63% -2.28%
1994 -3.36% -2.25%
1993 -5.15% -1.51%
1992 -0.86% 2.26%
1991 -1.64% 1.49%
1990 -1.73% -3.11%
1989 -4.45% -4.75%
1988 -10.3% -8.76%
1987 -6.84% -11.6%
1986 -7.84% -11.2%
1985 -3.74% -7.2%
1984 -4.02% -5.79%
1983 -6.15% -6.03%
1982 -5.55% -11.4%
1981 -10.7% -4.9%
1980 -14.2% -1.75%
1979 - -2.15%
1978 - -1.88%
1977 - -2.43%
1976 - -3.14%
1975 - -2.64%
1974 - -3.33%
1973 - -2.75%
1972 - -2.3%
1971 - -1.43%
1970 - -1.71%
1969 - -2.74%
1968 -4.57% -2.06%
1967 -4% -2.12%
1966 -2.63% -3.2%
1965 -1.23% -2.51%
1964 -0.04% -1.44%
1963 0.26% -0.92%
1962 -1.39% -0.79%
1961 - -0.88%
1960 - -1.36%
1959 - -0.73%
1958 - 0.24%
1957 - -0.03%
1956 - 0.52%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - -0.94%
1953 - -0.58%
1952 - 0.42%
1951 - -0.26%
1950 - -0.2%
1949 - 0.44%
1948 - -1.55%
1947 - -0.93%
1946 - 0.66%
1945 - -1.11%
1944 - -1.12%
1943 - 0.05%
1942 - -0.93%
1941 - -0.26%
1940 - -0.4%
1939 - -0.06%
1938 - -0.91%
1937 - -0.41%
1936 - -0.39%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.72%
1933 - -0.58%
1932 - 0%
1931 - 0.71%
1930 - 0.21%
1929 - 0.95%
1928 - 0.24%
1927 - -0.3%
1926 - -0.29%
1925 - 0.46%
1924 - 1.34%
1923 - 1.02%
1922 - 1.13%
1921 - 0.64%
1920 - 0.91%
1919 - 0.41%
1918 - -0.19%
1917 - 0.63%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.28%
1912 - -0.79%
1911 - -0.31%
1910 - 0.1%
1909 - 0.15%
1908 - -0.08%
1907 - 0.43%
1906 - 0.72%
1905 - 0.35%
1904 - 1.09%
1903 - 3.82%
1902 - 0.42%
1901 - 0.62%
1900 - 0.76%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/mexico | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $18.2B, equivalent to 3.83% of GDP. This compares to Mexico's deficit of $106B, or 5.73% of GDP.

Over the past 63 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 49 of those years, while Mexico ran a deficit in 61 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 3.11% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.29% of GDP for Mexico.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Mexico
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Mexico
2024 32.5% 4.72%
2023 44.6% 5.53%
2022 43.5% 7.9%
2021 43.4% 5.69%
2020 30.6% 3.4%
2019 39.9% 3.64%
2018 18% 4.9%
2017 8.04% 6.04%
2016 7.25% 2.82%
2015 12.5% 2.72%
2014 16.6% 4.02%
2013 36.6% 3.81%
2012 27.3% 4.11%
2011 26.3% 3.41%
2010 10.1% 4.16%
2009 13.6% 5.3%
2008 25.4% 5.12%
2007 17.3% 3.97%
2006 10% 3.63%
2005 13.4% 3.99%
2004 14.8% 4.69%
2003 16.5% 4.55%
2002 14.3% 5.03%
2001 11.3% 6.37%
2000 14.5% 9.49%
1999 20.1% 16.6%
1998 17.9% 15.9%
1997 17.3% 20.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/mexico | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 6.15% in Mexico. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 4.72% in Mexico.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $123K
Animal & marine products $78K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $50K
Chemicals & pharma $29K
Raw agricultural goods $23K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Miscellaneous $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Mexico
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iran Mexico
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$16.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
181/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-0.9%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$637B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$618B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$72B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$63B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
37.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
36.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Mexico
Economic freedom 41.8 59.8
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 102/197
Property rights 20.2 37.6
Government integrity 16.2 28.8
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 40.4
Tax burden 81.3 75.4
Government spending 94.7 74.6
Fiscal health 83.3 56.7
Business freedom 37.4 67
Labor freedom 41.8 57.3
Monetary freedom 42.2 70.6
Trade freedom 55.8 74.2
Investment freedom 5 75
Financial freedom 5 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Mexico
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Mexico
2026 41.8 59.8
2025 42.5 61.3
2024 41.2 62
2023 42.2 63.2
2022 42.4 63.7
2021 47.2 65.5
2020 49.2 66
2019 51.1 64.7
2018 50.9 64.8
2017 50.5 63.6
2016 43.5 65.2
2015 41.8 66.4
2014 40.3 66.8
2013 43.2 67
2012 42.3 65.3
2011 42.1 67.8
2010 43.4 68.3
2009 44.6 65.8
2008 45 66.2
2007 45 66
2006 45 64.7
2005 50.5 65.2
2004 42.8 66
2003 43.2 65.3
2002 36.4 63
2001 35.9 60.6
2000 36.1 59.3
1999 36.8 58.5
1998 36 57.9
1997 34.5 57.1
1996 36.1 61.2
1995 - 63.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/mexico | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 59.8 for Mexico, ranking 102/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Mexico
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
31.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
3.72%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$1.68T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$25,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$232B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
16/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$32.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$45.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
3.71%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
29.6%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
24.1%
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/iran/mexico | 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 (1900–1995, 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)
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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.