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Economy of Ireland vs Italy compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $2.38T for Italy, ranking 25/197 and 8/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $3.22T (135.3% of GDP) in Italy.

Ireland vs Italy GDP by year

Ireland
Italy
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Italy
2024 $609,157,459,747 $2,380,825,077,244
2023 $567,372,737,459 $2,316,727,999,333
2022 $548,341,794,599 $2,104,067,630,319
2021 $530,394,123,830 $2,179,207,773,596
2020 $436,009,027,819 $1,907,481,094,079
2019 $407,211,793,801 $2,019,606,796,584
2018 $395,780,319,817 $2,099,435,266,459
2017 $348,355,212,569 $1,970,720,904,585
2016 $305,431,252,709 $1,887,111,188,177
2015 $302,101,388,556 $1,845,428,048,839
2014 $266,490,442,124 $2,173,255,507,986
2013 $242,924,245,719 $2,153,225,581,941
2012 $226,921,827,888 $2,097,929,495,122
2011 $240,975,871,047 $2,306,974,020,278
2010 $221,732,824,603 $2,144,936,254,535
2009 $236,443,115,854 $2,209,484,319,013
2008 $275,447,471,451 $2,417,508,414,187
2007 $270,079,279,420 $2,222,524,108,128
2006 $232,180,617,162 $1,958,563,654,386
2005 $211,876,989,656 $1,864,982,261,287
2004 $194,372,115,041 $1,812,808,753,295
2003 $164,670,771,260 $1,582,930,016,539
2002 $128,596,035,288 $1,281,746,271,196
2001 $109,346,669,230 $1,172,041,488,806
2000 $100,207,610,430 $1,149,661,363,439
1999 $98,893,958,263 $1,255,004,736,464
1998 $90,199,410,116 $1,272,729,786,997
1997 $82,856,648,758 $1,244,988,176,444
1996 $75,790,786,290 $1,314,776,508,972
1995 $69,139,823,232 $1,177,369,428,266
1994 $57,097,656,066 $1,101,750,159,702
1993 $52,417,477,614 $1,067,412,587,671
1992 $55,918,538,121 $1,323,204,350,354
1991 $49,787,501,584 $1,249,092,439,519
1990 $49,305,632,408 $1,183,945,130,899
1989 $39,238,392,678 $930,801,709,004
1988 $37,772,896,221 $893,663,934,841
1987 $33,920,518,493 $807,570,134,449
1986 $28,714,571,852 $641,862,313,287
1985 $21,270,013,326 $453,259,761,687
1984 $20,106,648,455 $438,896,930,791
1983 $20,766,047,764 $444,063,496,940
1982 $21,474,752,962 $428,257,421,618
1981 $20,670,190,138 $431,695,533,981
1980 $21,747,855,640 $478,356,755,596
1979 $18,319,334,300 $394,584,507,108
1978 $14,647,996,074 $315,784,469,541
1977 $11,248,340,431 $258,190,019,750
1976 $9,453,756,015 $225,235,205,862
1975 $9,483,808,362 $228,220,643,535
1974 $7,896,860,615 $200,024,444,775
1973 $7,481,173,066 $175,896,529,392
1972 $6,318,060,582 $145,594,833,997
1971 $5,098,250,287 $124,959,712,859
1970 $4,395,995,086 $113,656,669,765
1969 $3,902,721,632 $100,996,667,239
1968 $3,378,701,147 $91,485,448,148
1967 $3,445,739,915 $84,401,995,573
1966 $3,198,820,904 $76,622,444,787
1965 $3,035,655,794 $70,717,012,186
1964 $2,851,091,646 $65,720,771,779
1963 $2,505,073,358 $60,035,924,618
1962 $2,329,372,972 $52,413,872,628
1961 $2,151,772,980 $46,649,487,320
1960 $1,998,550,222 $42,012,422,612

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/italy | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Italy by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Italy
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $40,385 $62,014
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $39,277 $60,030
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $35,654 $57,261
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $36,853 $49,825
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $32,091 $44,436
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $33,813 $46,662
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $34,904 $43,387
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $32,844 $42,142
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $31,392 $40,483
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $30,640 $37,384
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $36,028 $36,666
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $35,702 $36,459
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $34,854 $36,281
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $38,432 $36,392
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $35,857 $34,974
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $37,100 $34,502
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $40,829 $35,422
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $37,826 $34,108
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $33,537 $32,454
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $32,063 $30,138
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $31,348 $29,581
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $27,578 $29,249
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $22,451 $28,833
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $20,570 $28,134
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $20,190 $27,152
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $22,050 $25,655
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $22,365 $25,075
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $21,884 $23,937
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $23,123 $23,101
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $20,712 $22,446
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $19,382 $21,369
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $18,782 $20,485
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $23,297 $20,196
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $22,007 $19,596
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $20,874 $18,680
1989 $11,176 - $16,424 -
1988 $10,716 - $15,781 -
1987 $9,582 - $14,268 -
1986 $8,112 - $11,341 -
1985 $6,012 - $8,009 -
1984 $5,692 - $7,758 -
1983 $5,915 - $7,851 -
1982 $6,161 - $7,574 -
1981 $5,986 - $7,640 -
1980 $6,372 - $8,476 -
1979 $5,430 - $7,006 -
1978 $4,400 - $5,623 -
1977 $3,427 - $4,614 -
1976 $2,920 - $4,042 -
1975 $2,973 - $4,116 -
1974 $2,517 - $3,629 -
1973 $2,424 - $3,213 -
1972 $2,080 - $2,677 -
1971 $1,704 - $2,311 -
1970 $1,487 - $2,112 -
1969 $1,331 - $1,886 -
1968 $1,159 - $1,718 -
1967 $1,187 - $1,595 -
1966 $1,107 - $1,459 -
1965 $1,055 - $1,357 -
1964 $995 - $1,272 -
1963 $878 - $1,171 -
1962 $821 - $1,030 -
1961 $762 - $923 -
1960 $707 - $837 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/italy | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $40,385 in Italy, ranking 29/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Italy ranks 31st at $62,014.

Economic indicators

Ireland Italy
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$2.38T
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$40,385
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$62,014
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
31/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$3.22T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
135.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$54,652
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
6/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$23,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$587B
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
1,344,000
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
74
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
25.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
50.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
0.98%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
6.5%
2024
Population
5518360
58562681

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Italy
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Italy
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 50.6% 135.3%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 54% 134.6%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 54.9% 138.3%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 56% 145.8%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 56.8% 154.4%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 48.4% 133.9%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 48.3% 134.2%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 48.8% 133.7%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 49% 134.2%
2015 28.1% 74% 50.2% 134.8%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 50.7% 134.8%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 50.9% 131.9%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 50.5% 125.9%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 49% 119.1%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 49.8% 118.8%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 51.1% 116.1%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 47.8% 105.8%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 46.6% 103.5%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 47.6% 106.3%
2005 33% 26.1% 47.1% 106.2%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 46.7% 104.7%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 47% 105.1%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 46.5% 105.9%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 47.1% 108.5%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 46.4% 108.7%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 47.1% 113.1%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 48% 113.9%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 49.3% 116.5%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 51.3% 118.9%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 51.4% 119.1%
1994 44.2% 88% 55.1% 130.8%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 57.8% 124.1%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 56.8% 113%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 55.3% 105.3%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 54.2% 101.7%
1989 42.5% 97.9% 51.6% 91.8%
1988 48.2% 106.5% 50.4% 89.2%
1987 51.4% 108.3% 49.8% 87.4%
1986 52.9% 107.2% 50.5% 83.4%
1985 53.2% 93% 49.8% 79.1%
1984 52.7% 90.2% 49.1% 73.1%
1983 55.6% 86.1% 48.9% 67.8%
1982 56.7% 73.5% 46.7% 61.8%
1981 54.1% 68.8% 44.6% 57.3%
1980 53.7% 64.6% 40.8% 55.1%
1979 48.7% 63.5% 40.1% 58.9%
1978 46.2% 50.6% 40.9% 59.9%
1977 44.6% 49.2% 38.5% 56%
1976 47.8% 51.7% 38.1% 57.3%
1975 48.2% 48.3% 39.1% 57.9%
1974 44.3% 43.5% 34.8% 50.8%
1973 40.3% 35.1% 35.3% 51.1%
1972 41.5% 37.3% 36.4% 48.2%
1971 45.3% 39.8% 34.4% 42.4%
1970 44.1% 41.7% 32.3% 37.8%
1969 42.5% 42.6% 32.1% 37%
1968 40% 44.7% 32.6% 36.4%
1967 39.3% 47.1% 17.9% 33.3%
1966 36.9% 47.7% 19.1% 33.4%
1965 35.8% 44.6% 18.6% 28.4%
1964 34.8% 43.1% 18.2% 27.2%
1963 33.6% 45.2% 16.7% 27.2%
1962 31.7% 44.5% 17.5% 29%
1961 31.4% 44.3% 17.3% 30%
1960 29.1% 44.9% 16.5% 31.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/italy | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Italy spent $1.2T, or 50.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 135.3% in Italy, ranking 138/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Italy
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Italy
2024 4.09% -3.45%
2023 1.52% -7.24%
2022 1.67% -8.11%
2021 -1.37% -8.88%
2020 -4.87% -9.38%
2019 0.41% -1.45%
2018 0.09% -2.19%
2017 -0.3% -2.51%
2016 -0.76% -2.4%
2015 -1.97% -2.46%
2014 -3.52% -2.82%
2013 -6.28% -2.87%
2012 -8.42% -2.99%
2011 -13.5% -3.52%
2010 -32.1% -4.16%
2009 -13.9% -5.06%
2008 -7.03% -2.58%
2007 0.27% -1.33%
2006 2.78% -3.61%
2005 1.57% -4.1%
2004 1.3% -3.46%
2003 0.35% -3.23%
2002 -0.52% -2.88%
2001 0.96% -3.18%
2000 4.86% -2.42%
1999 3.54% -1.77%
1998 2.07% -2.99%
1997 1.37% -2.98%
1996 -0.2% -6.61%
1995 -2.07% -7.2%
1994 -1.82% -8.84%
1993 -2.62% -9.76%
1992 -2.84% -10.1%
1991 -2.8% -11.1%
1990 -2.69% -11.1%
1989 -2.64% -11.4%
1988 -4.62% -11%
1987 -8.47% -11.5%
1986 -10.5% -12%
1985 -10.7% -12.4%
1984 -9.43% -11.5%
1983 -11.5% -10.1%
1982 -13.1% -10%
1981 -12.1% -10.9%
1980 -11.1% -6.97%
1979 -10% -8.23%
1978 -8.27% -8.47%
1977 -6.44% -6.96%
1976 -7.34% -7.88%
1975 -11.1% -10.3%
1974 -6.96% -6.24%
1973 -3.84% -6.36%
1972 -3.23% -6.84%
1971 -3.5% -4.71%
1970 -3.64% -3.22%
1969 -3.4% -2.85%
1968 -2.72% -2.55%
1967 -2.69% -0.97%
1966 -2.26% -1.59%
1965 -3.5% -2.67%
1964 -3.35% -2.35%
1963 -2.92% -0.3%
1962 -2.91% -0.95%
1961 -2.6% -0.57%
1960 -1.97% -0.28%
1959 -2.16% -1%
1958 -4.3% -0.98%
1957 -5.19% -1.09%
1956 -3.23% -1.46%
1955 -5.06% -2.03%
1954 -5.28% -1.84%
1953 -5.77% -2.33%
1952 -7.84% -4.08%
1951 -4.62% -3.86%
1950 -5.21% -2.42%
1949 -2.17% -2.82%
1948 -1.29% -4.58%
1947 -1.8% -6.62%
1946 -0.43% -9.82%
1945 -0.43% -16.9%
1944 0.39% -35.1%
1943 -1.18% -16.1%
1942 -2.48% -26.9%
1941 -1.42% -25.1%
1940 -0.15% -24.3%
1939 -7.31% -9.49%
1938 -0.92% -5.97%
1937 -0.77% -5.78%
1936 -0.19% -7.93%
1935 - -9.83%
1934 - -2.5%
1933 2.97% -4.85%
1932 - -3.06%
1931 -1.63% -2.14%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 -3.41% -0.59%
1928 - -2.09%
1927 - -1.71%
1926 -1.95% -0.09%
1925 - 1.7%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - -3.21%
1922 - -11%
1921 - -7.77%
1920 - -5.89%
1919 - -11.2%
1918 - -22.7%
1917 - -27.6%
1916 - -28.2%
1915 - -25.8%
1914 - -12.4%
1913 - -0.86%
1912 - -1.86%
1911 - -0.63%
1910 - -0.32%
1909 - -0.69%
1908 - -1.31%
1907 - -0.51%
1906 - -0.69%
1905 - -1.57%
1904 - 0.58%
1903 - 0.32%
1902 - 0.48%
1901 - 0.36%
1900 - 0.28%
1899 - -0.11%
1898 - -0.21%
1897 - 0.009%
1896 - -0.43%
1895 - -0.69%
1894 - -0.23%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.25%
1891 - -1.41%
1890 - -0.32%
1889 - -1.32%
1888 - -2.11%
1887 - -1.94%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - 0.2%
1884 - -1.46%
1883 - -0.51%
1882 - -0.5%
1881 - -0.04%
1880 - 0.38%
1879 - 0.73%
1878 - 0.09%
1877 - -0.009%
1876 - -0.05%
1875 - 0.58%
1874 - -0.08%
1873 - 0.21%
1872 - 0%
1871 - -0.13%
1870 - -0.82%
1869 - 0.33%
1868 - -0.79%
1867 - -1.45%
1866 - -3.1%
1865 - -2.72%
1864 - -3.06%
1863 - -4.16%
1862 - -3.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/italy | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.9B, equivalent to 4.09% of GDP. This compares to Italy's deficit of $82B, or 3.45% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 50 of those years, while Italy ran a deficit in 65 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.55% of GDP for Italy.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Italy
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Italy
2024 2.11% 0.98%
2023 6.3% 5.62%
2022 7.83% 8.2%
2021 2.34% 1.87%
2020 -0.33% -0.14%
2019 0.94% 0.61%
2018 0.47% 1.14%
2017 0.36% 1.23%
2016 0.02% -0.09%
2015 -0.33% 0.04%
2014 0.19% 0.24%
2013 0.52% 1.22%
2012 1.69% 3.04%
2011 2.55% 2.78%
2010 -0.92% 1.53%
2009 -4.45% 0.77%
2008 4.04% 3.35%
2007 4.89% 1.83%
2006 3.94% 2.09%
2005 2.46% 1.99%
2004 2.18% 2.21%
2003 3.49% 2.67%
2002 4.63% 2.47%
2001 4.85% 2.79%
2000 5.58% 2.54%
1999 1.63% 1.66%
1998 2.41% 1.96%
1997 1.54% 2.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/italy | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 2.02% in Italy. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 0.98% in Italy.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $6.06B
IT & IP services $5.09B
Business & finance services $4.06B
Machinery & equipment $861M
Transport & tourism services $709M
Animal & marine products $420M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $91.2M
Precious metals & jewellery $85.6M
Metals $44.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $32.6M
Italy
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $2.79B
IT & IP services $1.65B
Chemicals & pharma $1.15B
Machinery & equipment $1.03B
Transport & tourism services $956M
Manufacturing & construction services $896M
Precious metals & jewellery $672M
Textiles & consumer goods $352M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $303M
Metals $127M

Balance of trade

Ireland Italy
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$25.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
19/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+1.08%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$562B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$621B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$160B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$155B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
30.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
32.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Italy
Economic freedom 83.3 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 80/197
Property rights 94.4 84.8
Government integrity 84 60.8
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 80.9
Tax burden 77.7 57.5
Government spending 85.9 15.3
Fiscal health 97 17.2
Business freedom 85.5 74.5
Labor freedom 61.3 70.6
Monetary freedom 79.3 79.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 90 80
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Italy
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Italy
2026 83.3 63.3
2025 83.1 60.9
2024 82.6 60.1
2023 82 62.3
2022 82 65.4
2021 81.4 64.9
2020 80.9 63.8
2019 80.5 62.2
2018 80.4 62.5
2017 76.7 62.5
2016 77.3 61.2
2015 76.6 61.7
2014 76.2 60.9
2013 75.7 60.6
2012 76.9 58.8
2011 78.7 60.3
2010 81.3 62.7
2009 82.2 61.4
2008 82.5 62.6
2007 82.6 62.8
2006 82.2 62
2005 80.8 64.9
2004 80.3 64.2
2003 80.9 64.3
2002 80.5 63.6
2001 81.2 63
2000 76.1 61.9
1999 74.6 61.6
1998 73.7 59.1
1997 72.6 58.1
1996 68.5 60.8
1995 68.5 61.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/italy | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 63.3 for Italy, ranking 80/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Italy
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
65%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
22.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$2.28T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$61,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$291B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
12/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$19B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$26.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$45.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
20.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
22.6%
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/ireland/italy | 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 (1862–1989, 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.