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Economy of Italy vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Italy has a GDP of $2.38T compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 8/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Italy has $3.22T in government debt (135.3% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Italy vs Malta GDP by year

Italy
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Italy Malta
2024 $2,380,825,077,244 $24,971,574,502
2023 $2,316,727,999,333 $22,610,561,526
2022 $2,104,067,630,319 $18,928,276,162
2021 $2,179,207,773,596 $19,739,875,611
2020 $1,907,481,094,079 $16,404,663,226
2019 $2,019,606,796,584 $16,337,793,531
2018 $2,099,435,266,459 $16,153,779,511
2017 $1,970,720,904,585 $14,161,366,724
2016 $1,887,111,188,177 $12,025,782,834
2015 $1,845,428,048,839 $11,340,795,042
2014 $2,173,255,507,986 $11,888,032,874
2013 $2,153,225,581,941 $10,796,782,636
2012 $2,097,929,495,122 $9,609,532,089
2011 $2,306,974,020,278 $9,789,361,703
2010 $2,144,936,254,535 $9,097,044,159
2009 $2,209,484,319,013 $8,734,745,698
2008 $2,417,508,414,187 $9,135,419,465
2007 $2,222,524,108,128 $7,908,412,306
2006 $1,958,563,654,386 $6,749,838,806
2005 $1,864,982,261,287 $6,393,234,993
2004 $1,812,808,753,295 $6,104,141,520
2003 $1,582,930,016,539 $5,418,315,224
2002 $1,281,746,271,196 $4,455,127,414
2001 $1,172,041,488,806 $4,070,867,133
2000 $1,149,661,363,439 $4,036,809,815
1999 $1,255,004,736,464 $4,111,857,809
1998 $1,272,729,786,997 $4,010,111,688
1997 $1,244,988,176,444 $3,787,023,707
1996 $1,314,776,508,972 $3,822,547,197
1995 $1,177,369,428,266 $3,709,396,045
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $40,385 $62,014 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $39,277 $60,030 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $35,654 $57,261 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $36,853 $49,825 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $32,091 $44,436 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $33,813 $46,662 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $34,904 $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 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $40,829 $35,422 $22,315 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Italy's GDP per capita is $40,385, ranking 29/197, compared to $43,899 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
$2.38T
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
8/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
0.69%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$40,385
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
29/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,014
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
31/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$3.22T
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
135.3%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$54,652
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
6/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,800
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$587B
2014
$4.29B
2024
Number of millionaires
1,344,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
74
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2023
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2023
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.6%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.98%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.5%
2024
3.12%
2024
Population
58562681
581729

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
2024 50.6% 135.3% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 54% 134.6% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 54.9% 138.3% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 56% 145.8% 39.4% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Italy's government spending was $1.2T, accounting for 50.6% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 135.3% in Italy and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 8/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Italy

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Italy Malta
2024 -3.45% -3.58%
2023 -7.24% -4.65%
2022 -8.11% -5.31%
2021 -8.88% -6.95%
2020 -9.38% -8.72%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Italy's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $82B, equivalent to 3.45% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Italy recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Italy posted an annual deficit equal to 3.85% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Italy

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Italy Malta
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Italy has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 0.98% in Italy and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Italy
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $851M
Raw materials & minerals $567M
Transport & tourism services $264M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $255M
Textiles & consumer goods $230M
Chemicals & pharma $173M
Animal & marine products $146M
Metals $118M
Business & finance services $84.3M
Raw agricultural goods $81.7M
Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $189M
Business & finance services $111M
Machinery & equipment $67.9M
Raw materials & minerals $49.4M
Chemicals & pharma $42.8M
IT & IP services $28.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $17.1M
Animal & marine products $15M
Precious metals & jewellery $6.99M
Manufacturing & construction services $5.56M

Balance of trade

Italy Malta
Current account balance
$25.8B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
19/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.08%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$562B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$621B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$160B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$155B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
118.5%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
65%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.28T
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,620
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$291B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
12/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$19B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.9B
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
22.6%
2024
19%
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).

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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 (2021–2024, 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.