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Economy of Italy vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Italy has a GDP of $2.55T compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 9/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Italy has $3.5T in government debt (137.1% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Italy vs Malta GDP by year

Italy
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Italy Malta
2025 $2,551,556,954,100 $27,771,821,561
2024 $2,383,435,562,458 $25,042,712,191
2023 $2,316,882,296,366 $22,625,329,776
2022 $2,104,067,630,319 $18,938,869,147
2021 $2,179,207,773,596 $19,730,119,031
2020 $1,907,481,094,079 $16,404,655,808
2019 $2,019,606,796,584 $16,337,788,881
2018 $2,099,435,266,459 $16,153,785,817
2017 $1,970,720,904,585 $14,161,374,599
2016 $1,887,111,188,177 $12,025,777,078
2015 $1,845,428,048,839 $11,340,789,706
2014 $2,173,255,507,986 $11,888,029,752
2013 $2,153,225,581,941 $10,796,780,874
2012 $2,097,929,495,122 $9,609,530,619
2011 $2,306,974,020,278 $9,789,363,086
2010 $2,144,936,254,535 $9,097,044,301
2009 $2,209,484,319,013 $8,769,897,418
2008 $2,417,508,414,187 $9,172,399,573
2007 $2,222,524,108,128 $7,908,412,374
2006 $1,958,563,654,386 $6,749,838,862
2005 $1,864,982,261,287 $6,393,234,965
2004 $1,812,808,753,295 $6,104,141,501
2003 $1,582,930,016,539 $5,418,315,225
2002 $1,281,746,271,196 $4,455,127,398
2001 $1,172,041,488,806 $4,070,867,153
2000 $1,149,661,363,439 $4,036,809,767
1999 $1,255,004,736,464 $4,111,857,836
1998 $1,272,729,786,997 $4,010,111,652
1997 $1,244,988,176,444 $3,787,023,655
1996 $1,314,776,508,972 $3,822,547,151
1995 $1,177,369,428,266 $3,709,396,089
1994 $1,101,750,159,702 $2,998,505,428
1993 $1,067,412,587,671 $2,709,193,538
1992 $1,323,204,350,354 $3,021,942,759
1991 $1,249,092,439,519 $2,750,216,747
1990 $1,183,945,130,899 $2,547,328,748
1989 $930,801,709,004 $2,118,655,677
1988 $893,663,934,841 $2,019,503,068
1987 $807,570,134,449 $1,751,293,461
1986 $641,862,313,287 $1,435,038,441
1985 $453,259,761,687 $1,117,797,439
1984 $438,896,930,791 $1,101,807,023
1983 $444,063,496,940 $1,165,729,707
1982 $428,257,421,618 $1,234,474,404
1981 $431,695,533,981 $1,243,509,394
1980 $478,356,755,596 $1,250,198,601
1979 $394,584,507,108 $1,001,288,847
1978 $315,784,469,541 $793,673,402
1977 $258,190,019,750 $625,563,171
1976 $225,235,205,862 $527,936,989
1975 $228,220,643,535 $474,618,321
1974 $200,024,444,775 $376,081,124
1973 $175,896,529,392 $345,616,106
1972 $145,594,833,997 $295,106,628
1971 $124,959,712,859 $264,578,485
1970 $113,656,669,765 $250,728,796
1969 $100,996,667,239 -
1968 $91,485,448,148 -
1967 $84,401,995,573 -
1966 $76,622,444,787 -
1965 $70,717,012,186 -
1964 $65,720,771,779 -
1963 $60,035,924,618 -
1962 $52,413,872,628 -
1961 $46,649,487,320 -
1960 $42,012,422,612 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Italy vs Malta by year

Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Italy Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $43,309 - $47,907 -
2024 $40,430 $62,014 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $39,280 $60,030 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $35,654 $57,261 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $36,853 $49,825 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $32,091 $44,436 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $33,813 $46,662 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $35,062 $43,387 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $32,844 $42,142 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $31,392 $40,483 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $30,640 $37,384 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $36,028 $36,666 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $35,702 $36,459 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $34,854 $36,281 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $38,432 $36,392 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $35,857 $34,974 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $37,100 $34,502 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $40,829 $35,422 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $37,826 $34,108 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $33,537 $32,454 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $32,063 $30,138 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $31,348 $29,581 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $27,578 $29,249 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $22,451 $28,833 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $20,570 $28,134 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $20,190 $27,152 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $22,050 $25,655 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $22,365 $25,075 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $21,884 $23,937 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $23,123 $23,101 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $20,712 $22,446 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $19,382 $21,369 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $18,782 $20,485 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $23,297 $20,196 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $22,007 $19,596 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $20,874 $18,680 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $16,424 - $6,041 -
1988 $15,781 - $5,814 -
1987 $14,268 - $5,084 -
1986 $11,341 - $4,195 -
1985 $8,009 - $3,322 -
1984 $7,758 - $3,333 -
1983 $7,851 - $3,527 -
1982 $7,574 - $3,788 -
1981 $7,640 - $3,898 -
1980 $8,476 - $3,948 -
1979 $7,006 - $3,196 -
1978 $5,623 - $2,559 -
1977 $4,614 - $2,038 -
1976 $4,042 - $1,727 -
1975 $4,116 - $1,560 -
1974 $3,629 - $1,245 -
1973 $3,213 - $1,144 -
1972 $2,677 - $976 -
1971 $2,311 - $874 -
1970 $2,112 - $828 -
1969 $1,886 - - -
1968 $1,718 - - -
1967 $1,595 - - -
1966 $1,459 - - -
1965 $1,357 - - -
1964 $1,272 - - -
1963 $1,171 - - -
1962 $1,030 - - -
1961 $923 - - -
1960 $837 - - -

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

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

Italy's GDP per capita is $43,309, ranking 29/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Italy ranks 31st at $62,014, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Italy Malta
Gross domestic product
$2.55T
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
9/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
0.54%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$43,309
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
29/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,014
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
31/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$3.5T
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
137.1%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$59,371
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
6/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,424
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$587B
2014
$5.35B
2025
Number of millionaires
1,235,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
89
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
51.1%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.53%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.1%
2025
3.1%
2025
Population
58708169
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Italy
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Italy Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 51.1% 137.1% 37% 46.8%
2024 50.4% 134.7% 37.4% 46%
2023 53.6% 133.9% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 54.9% 138.4% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 56% 145.8% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 56.8% 154.4% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 48.4% 133.9% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 48.3% 134.2% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 48.8% 133.7% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 49% 134.2% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 50.2% 134.8% 37.8% 55%
2014 50.7% 134.8% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 50.9% 131.9% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 50.5% 125.9% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 49% 119.1% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 49.8% 118.8% 40.1% 65%
2009 51.1% 116.1% 41.1% 66%
2008 47.8% 105.8% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 46.6% 103.5% 41.2% 62%
2006 47.6% 106.3% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 47.1% 106.2% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 46.7% 104.7% 42% 70.4%
2003 47% 105.1% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 46.5% 105.9% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 47.1% 108.5% 44.4% 70%
2000 46.4% 108.7% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 47.1% 113.1% - 69.8%
1998 48% 113.9% - 66.4%
1997 49.3% 116.5% - 60.8%
1996 51.3% 118.9% - 51.5%
1995 51.4% 119.1% - 45.3%
1994 55.1% 130.8% - -
1993 57.8% 124.1% - -
1992 56.8% 113% - -
1991 55.3% 105.3% - -
1990 54.2% 101.7% - -
1989 51.6% 91.8% - -
1988 50.4% 89.2% - -
1987 49.8% 87.4% - -
1986 50.5% 83.4% - -
1985 49.8% 79.1% - -
1984 49.1% 73.1% - -
1983 48.9% 67.8% - -
1982 46.7% 61.8% - -
1981 44.6% 57.3% - -
1980 40.8% 55.1% - -
1979 40.1% 58.9% - -
1978 40.9% 59.9% - -
1977 38.5% 56% - -
1976 38.1% 57.3% - -
1975 39.1% 57.9% - -
1974 34.8% 50.8% - -
1973 35.3% 51.1% - -
1972 36.4% 48.2% - -
1971 34.4% 42.4% - -
1970 32.3% 37.8% - -
1969 32.1% 37% - -
1968 32.6% 36.4% - -
1967 17.9% 33.3% - -
1966 19.1% 33.4% - -
1965 18.6% 28.4% - -
1964 18.2% 27.2% - -
1963 16.7% 27.2% - -
1962 17.5% 29% - -
1961 17.3% 30% - -
1960 16.5% 31.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Italy's government spending was $1.3T, accounting for 51.1% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 137.1% in Italy and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 9/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Italy

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Italy Malta
2025 -3.11% -3.1%
2024 -3.35% -3.51%
2023 -7.13% -4.43%
2022 -8.1% -5.33%
2021 -8.88% -6.96%
2020 -9.38% -8.71%
2019 -1.45% 0.72%
2018 -2.19% 1.86%
2017 -2.51% 3.4%
2016 -2.4% 1.1%
2015 -2.46% -0.84%
2014 -2.82% -1.49%
2013 -2.87% -2.19%
2012 -2.99% -3.31%
2011 -3.52% -2.99%
2010 -4.16% -2.22%
2009 -5.06% -3.11%
2008 -2.58% -4.06%
2007 -1.33% -2.05%
2006 -3.61% -2.46%
2005 -4.1% -2.83%
2004 -3.46% -4.28%
2003 -3.23% -9.04%
2002 -2.88% -5.62%
2001 -3.18% -6.5%
2000 -2.42% -5.83%
1999 -1.77% -
1998 -2.99% -
1997 -2.98% -
1996 -6.61% -
1995 -7.2% -
1994 -8.84% -
1993 -9.76% -
1992 -10.1% -
1991 -11.1% -
1990 -11.1% -
1989 -11.4% -
1988 -11% -
1987 -11.5% -
1986 -12% -
1985 -12.4% -
1984 -11.5% -
1983 -10.1% -
1982 -10% -
1981 -10.9% -
1980 -6.97% -
1979 -8.23% -
1978 -8.47% -
1977 -6.96% -
1976 -7.88% -
1975 -10.3% -
1974 -6.24% -
1973 -6.36% -
1972 -6.84% -
1971 -4.71% -
1970 -3.22% -
1969 -2.85% -
1968 -2.55% -
1967 -0.97% -
1966 -1.59% -
1965 -2.67% -
1964 -2.35% -
1963 -0.3% -
1962 -0.95% -
1961 -0.57% -
1960 -0.28% -
1959 -1% -
1958 -0.98% -
1957 -1.09% -
1956 -1.46% -
1955 -2.03% -
1954 -1.84% -
1953 -2.33% -
1952 -4.08% -
1951 -3.86% -
1950 -2.42% -
1949 -2.82% -
1948 -4.58% -
1947 -6.62% -
1946 -9.82% -
1945 -16.9% -
1944 -35.1% -
1943 -16.1% -
1942 -26.9% -
1941 -25.1% -
1940 -24.3% -
1939 -9.49% -
1938 -5.97% -
1937 -5.78% -
1936 -7.93% -
1935 -9.83% -
1934 -2.5% -
1933 -4.85% -
1932 -3.06% -
1931 -2.14% -
1930 -0.55% -
1929 -0.59% -
1928 -2.09% -
1927 -1.71% -
1926 -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Italy's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $79.4B, equivalent to 3.11% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Italy recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Italy posted an annual deficit equal to 3.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Italy

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Italy Malta
2025 1.53% 2.36%
2024 0.98% 1.65%
2023 5.62% 5.09%
2022 8.2% 6.15%
2021 1.87% 1.5%
2020 -0.14% 0.64%
2019 0.61% 1.64%
2018 1.14% 1.16%
2017 1.23% 1.36%
2016 -0.09% 0.64%
2015 0.04% 1.1%
2014 0.24% 0.31%
2013 1.22% 1.18%
2012 3.04% 2.38%
2011 2.78% 2.96%
2010 1.53% 1.52%
2009 0.77% 2.08%
2008 3.35% 4.26%
2007 1.83% 1.25%
2006 2.09% 2.77%
2005 1.99% 3.01%
2004 2.21% 2.79%
2003 2.67% 1.3%
2002 2.47% 2.19%
2001 2.79% 2.93%
2000 2.54% 2.37%
1999 1.66% 2.13%
1998 1.96% 2.39%
1997 2.04% 3.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Italy has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.01%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 1.53% in Italy and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Italy
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $882M
Raw materials & minerals $606M
Transport & tourism services $370M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $282M
Business & finance services $277M
Textiles & consumer goods $234M
Chemicals & pharma $183M
Animal & marine products $172M
Metals $128M
Raw agricultural goods $114M
Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $2.85B
Business & finance services $232M
Chemicals & pharma $108M
Machinery & equipment $72.2M
Raw materials & minerals $33.1M
IT & IP services $24.4M
Manufacturing & construction services $18.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $18M
Animal & marine products $13.8M
Precious metals & jewellery $8.82M

Balance of trade

Italy Malta
Current account balance
$29.3B
2025
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
19/190
2025
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.15%
2025
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$597B
2025
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$655B
2025
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$177B
2025
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$168B
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.2%
2025
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Italy Malta
Economic freedom 63.3 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 80/197 49/197
Property rights 84.8 85.5
Government integrity 60.8 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 80.9 80.2
Tax burden 57.5 68.5
Government spending 15.3 58.4
Fiscal health 17.2 63.2
Business freedom 74.5 83.2
Labor freedom 70.6 62.6
Monetary freedom 79.1 73.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Italy
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Italy Malta
2026 63.3 68.2
2025 60.9 66.8
2024 60.1 64.5
2023 62.3 67.5
2022 65.4 71.5
2021 64.9 70.2
2020 63.8 69.5
2019 62.2 68.6
2018 62.5 68.5
2017 62.5 67.7
2016 61.2 66.7
2015 61.7 66.5
2014 60.9 66.4
2013 60.6 67.5
2012 58.8 67
2011 60.3 65.7
2010 62.7 67.2
2009 61.4 66.1
2008 62.6 66
2007 62.8 66.1
2006 62 67.3
2005 64.9 68.9
2004 64.2 63.3
2003 64.3 61.1
2002 63.6 62.2
2001 63 62.9
2000 61.9 58.3
1999 61.6 59.3
1998 59.1 61.2
1997 58.1 57.9
1996 60.8 55.8
1995 61.2 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Italy is 63.3, ranking 80/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Italy Malta
Services, % of GDP
64.5%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
22.6%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.07%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.48T
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,870
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$434B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$22B
2025
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$28.5B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$45.9B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.1%
2021
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
2025
18.7%
2025

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/italy/malta | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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)

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.