Skip to content

Economy of Italy vs Slovakia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Italy has a GDP of $2.38T compared to $141B for Slovakia, ranking 8/197 and 61/197 by economy size, respectively.

Italy has $3.22T in government debt (135.3% of GDP), compared to $80.7B (57.2% of GDP) in Slovakia.

Italy vs Slovakia GDP by year

Italy
Slovakia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Italy Slovakia
2024 $2,380,825,077,244 $140,934,076,532
2023 $2,316,727,999,333 $133,578,518,424
2022 $2,104,067,630,319 $115,792,972,358
2021 $2,179,207,773,596 $120,511,265,913
2020 $1,907,481,094,079 $107,732,602,896
2019 $2,019,606,796,584 $105,843,498,304
2018 $2,099,435,266,459 $106,611,673,365
2017 $1,970,720,904,585 $95,978,130,735
2016 $1,887,111,188,177 $90,347,173,229
2015 $1,845,428,048,839 $89,178,548,717
2014 $2,173,255,507,986 $101,713,075,599
2013 $2,153,225,581,941 $99,134,277,850
2012 $2,097,929,495,122 $94,724,394,278
2011 $2,306,974,020,278 $99,705,104,723
2010 $2,144,936,254,535 $91,112,160,801
2009 $2,209,484,319,013 $89,342,984,698
2008 $2,417,508,414,187 $100,830,060,553
2007 $2,222,524,108,128 $86,587,749,518
2006 $1,958,563,654,386 $70,751,813,443
2005 $1,864,982,261,287 $62,547,753,148
2004 $1,812,808,753,295 $57,215,475,076
2003 $1,582,930,016,539 $46,616,149,117
2002 $1,281,746,271,196 $35,243,658,399
2001 $1,172,041,488,806 $30,726,659,551
2000 $1,149,661,363,439 $29,215,726,005
1999 $1,255,004,736,464 $30,496,272,225
1998 $1,272,729,786,997 $29,976,207,629
1997 $1,244,988,176,444 $27,844,628,979
1996 $1,314,776,508,972 $28,197,790,875
1995 $1,177,369,428,266 $26,180,022,222
1994 $1,101,750,159,702 $20,428,139,756
1993 $1,067,412,587,671 $16,737,973,764
1992 $1,323,204,350,354 $15,699,327,209
1991 $1,249,092,439,519 $14,459,924,589
1990 $1,183,945,130,899 $12,915,046,978
1989 $930,801,709,004 -
1988 $893,663,934,841 -
1987 $807,570,134,449 -
1986 $641,862,313,287 -
1985 $453,259,761,687 -
1984 $438,896,930,791 -
1983 $444,063,496,940 -
1982 $428,257,421,618 -
1981 $431,695,533,981 -
1980 $478,356,755,596 -
1979 $394,584,507,108 -
1978 $315,784,469,541 -
1977 $258,190,019,750 -
1976 $225,235,205,862 -
1975 $228,220,643,535 -
1974 $200,024,444,775 -
1973 $175,896,529,392 -
1972 $145,594,833,997 -
1971 $124,959,712,859 -
1970 $113,656,669,765 -
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/slovakia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Italy vs Slovakia by year

Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Slovakia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Italy Slovakia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $40,385 $62,014 $25,993 $48,132
2023 $39,277 $60,030 $24,615 $45,974
2022 $35,654 $57,261 $21,318 $41,562
2021 $36,853 $49,825 $22,123 $38,346
2020 $32,091 $44,436 $19,735 $35,328
2019 $33,813 $46,662 $19,406 $33,986
2018 $34,904 $43,387 $19,573 $31,510
2017 $32,844 $42,142 $17,646 $30,246
2016 $31,392 $40,483 $16,636 $29,868
2015 $30,640 $37,384 $16,442 $30,148
2014 $36,028 $36,666 $18,771 $29,108
2013 $35,702 $36,459 $18,313 $28,075
2012 $34,854 $36,281 $17,517 $27,023
2011 $38,432 $36,392 $18,469 $26,202
2010 $35,857 $34,974 $16,899 $25,382
2009 $37,100 $34,502 $16,587 $23,077
2008 $40,829 $35,422 $18,744 $23,714
2007 $37,826 $34,108 $16,110 $21,232
2006 $33,537 $32,454 $13,168 $18,906
2005 $32,063 $30,138 $11,642 $16,570
2004 $31,348 $29,581 $10,650 $15,166
2003 $27,578 $29,249 $8,675 $14,088
2002 $22,451 $28,833 $6,555 $13,292
2001 $20,570 $28,134 $5,712 $12,367
2000 $20,190 $27,152 $5,422 $11,370
1999 $22,050 $25,655 $5,652 $10,726
1998 $22,365 $25,075 $5,561 $10,666
1997 $21,884 $23,937 $5,172 $10,137
1996 $23,123 $23,101 $5,248 $9,500
1995 $20,712 $22,446 $4,883 $8,812
1994 $19,382 $21,369 $3,821 $8,178
1993 $18,782 $20,485 $3,143 $7,569
1992 $23,297 $20,196 $2,959 $7,270
1991 $22,007 $19,596 $2,727 $7,623
1990 $20,874 $18,680 $2,437 $8,638
1989 $16,424 - - -
1988 $15,781 - - -
1987 $14,268 - - -
1986 $11,341 - - -
1985 $8,009 - - -
1984 $7,758 - - -
1983 $7,851 - - -
1982 $7,574 - - -
1981 $7,640 - - -
1980 $8,476 - - -
1979 $7,006 - - -
1978 $5,623 - - -
1977 $4,614 - - -
1976 $4,042 - - -
1975 $4,116 - - -
1974 $3,629 - - -
1973 $3,213 - - -
1972 $2,677 - - -
1971 $2,311 - - -
1970 $2,112 - - -
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/slovakia | CC BY

Italy's GDP per capita is $40,385, ranking 29/197, compared to $25,993 in Slovakia, ranking 47/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Italy ranks 31st at $62,014, while Slovakia ranks 49th at $48,132.

Economic indicators

Italy Slovakia
Gross domestic product
$2.38T
2024
$141B
2024
GDP rank
8/197
2024
61/197
2024
GDP growth
0.69%
2023-2024
1.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$40,385
2024
$25,993
2024
GDP per capita rank
29/197
2024
47/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,014
2024
$48,132
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
31/197
2024
49/197
2024
Government debt
$3.22T
2024
$80.7B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
135.3%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$54,652
2024
$14,876
2024
Government debt per person rank
6/185
2024
40/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,800
2026
$17,983
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$587B
2014
$5.38B
2014
Number of millionaires
1,344,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
74
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2023
18.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2023
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.6%
2024
47.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.98%
2023-2024
2.76%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.5%
2024
5.34%
2024
Population
58562681
5359438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Italy
Spending

Debt
Slovakia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Italy Slovakia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.6% 135.3% 47.1% 57.2%
2023 54% 134.6% 48% 55.6%
2022 54.9% 138.3% 43% 57.7%
2021 56% 145.8% 44.9% 60.2%
2020 56.8% 154.4% 44.5% 58.4%
2019 48.4% 133.9% 40.6% 48%
2018 48.3% 134.2% 39.7% 49.3%
2017 48.8% 133.7% 39.8% 51.4%
2016 49% 134.2% 40.9% 52.1%
2015 50.2% 134.8% 44.1% 51.6%
2014 50.7% 134.8% 42% 53.4%
2013 50.9% 131.9% 41.1% 54.6%
2012 50.5% 125.9% 40% 51.7%
2011 49% 119.1% 40.8% 43.3%
2010 49.8% 118.8% 41% 40.7%
2009 51.1% 116.1% 43.2% 36.4%
2008 47.8% 105.8% 36.5% 28.6%
2007 46.6% 103.5% 35.9% 30.4%
2006 47.6% 106.3% 38.2% 31.5%
2005 47.1% 106.2% 39.1% 35%
2004 46.7% 104.7% 38.4% 42%
2003 47% 105.1% 40% 43.6%
2002 46.5% 105.9% 46% 45.6%
2001 47.1% 108.5% 46.2% 51.4%
2000 46.4% 108.7% 53.2% 50.6%
1999 47.1% 113.1% 48.4% 47.1%
1998 48% 113.9% 46.2% 33.9%
1997 49.3% 116.5% 48.6% 32.8%
1996 51.3% 118.9% 52.8% 30.3%
1995 51.4% 119.1% 47.8% 21.3%
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/slovakia | CC BY

In 2024, Italy's government spending was $1.2T, accounting for 50.6% of its GDP, while Slovakia spent $66.4B, or 47.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 135.3% in Italy and 57.2% in Slovakia, ranking 8/185 and 90/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Italy

Slovakia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Italy Slovakia
2024 -3.45% -5.27%
2023 -7.24% -5.15%
2022 -8.11% -1.16%
2021 -8.88% -5.09%
2020 -9.38% -5.3%
2019 -1.45% -1.21%
2018 -2.19% -1.01%
2017 -2.51% -0.98%
2016 -2.4% -2.59%
2015 -2.46% -2.78%
2014 -2.82% -3.25%
2013 -2.87% -2.86%
2012 -2.99% -4.37%
2011 -3.52% -4.36%
2010 -4.16% -7.44%
2009 -5.06% -8.18%
2008 -2.58% -2.54%
2007 -1.33% -2.26%
2006 -3.61% -3.57%
2005 -4.1% -2.86%
2004 -3.46% -2.36%
2003 -3.23% -2.28%
2002 -2.88% -8.35%
2001 -3.18% -7.74%
2000 -2.42% -12.7%
1999 -1.77% -7.25%
1998 -2.99% -5.37%
1997 -2.98% -6.24%
1996 -6.61% -9.72%
1995 -7.2% -3.43%
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/slovakia | 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 Slovakia's deficit of $7.43B, or 5.27% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Italy recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Slovakia ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Italy posted an annual deficit equal to 3.93% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.59% of GDP for Slovakia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Italy

Slovakia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Italy Slovakia
2024 0.98% 2.76%
2023 5.62% 10.5%
2022 8.2% 12.8%
2021 1.87% 3.15%
2020 -0.14% 1.94%
2019 0.61% 2.66%
2018 1.14% 2.51%
2017 1.23% 1.31%
2016 -0.09% -0.52%
2015 0.04% -0.33%
2014 0.24% -0.08%
2013 1.22% 1.4%
2012 3.04% 3.61%
2011 2.78% 3.92%
2010 1.53% 0.96%
2009 0.77% 1.62%
2008 3.35% 4.6%
2007 1.83% 2.76%
2006 2.09% 4.48%
2005 1.99% 2.71%
2004 2.21% 7.55%
2003 2.67% 8.55%
2002 2.47% 3.13%
2001 2.79% 7.33%
2000 2.54% 12%
1999 1.66% 10.6%
1998 1.96% 6.67%
1997 2.04% 6.14%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Italy has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 4.45% in Slovakia. In 2024, inflation was 0.98% in Italy and 2.76% in Slovakia.

Top exports between countries

Italy
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.73B
Metals $915M
Chemicals & pharma $478M
Textiles & consumer goods $400M
Transport & tourism services $321M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $177M
Raw materials & minerals $114M
Raw agricultural goods $112M
Business & finance services $99.5M
Animal & marine products $77.4M
Slovakia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.32B
Metals $461M
Transport & tourism services $276M
Raw materials & minerals $240M
Textiles & consumer goods $237M
Wood & paper products $228M
Chemicals & pharma $194M
Raw agricultural goods $93.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $62.4M
Animal & marine products $37.3M

Balance of trade

Italy Slovakia
Current account balance
$25.8B
2024
-$6.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
19/190
2024
171/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.08%
2024
-4.61%
2024
Goods imports
$562B
2024
$107B
2024
Goods exports
$621B
2024
$106B
2024
Service imports
$160B
2024
$13.2B
2024
Service exports
$155B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
2024
85.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
85.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Italy Slovakia
Economic freedom 63.3 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 80/197 54/197
Property rights 84.8 82.6
Government integrity 60.8 57.2
Judicial effectiveness 80.9 70.5
Tax burden 57.5 75.4
Government spending 15.3 36.4
Fiscal health 17.2 69.6
Business freedom 74.5 71.1
Labor freedom 70.6 55.1
Monetary freedom 79.1 69.7
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 80 75
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Italy
Slovakia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Italy Slovakia
2026 63.3 67.7
2025 60.9 68.4
2024 60.1 68.1
2023 62.3 69
2022 65.4 69.7
2021 64.9 66.3
2020 63.8 66.8
2019 62.2 65
2018 62.5 65.3
2017 62.5 65.7
2016 61.2 66.6
2015 61.7 67.2
2014 60.9 66.4
2013 60.6 68.7
2012 58.8 67
2011 60.3 69.5
2010 62.7 69.7
2009 61.4 69.4
2008 62.6 70
2007 62.8 69.6
2006 62 69.8
2005 64.9 66.8
2004 64.2 64.6
2003 64.3 59
2002 63.6 59.8
2001 63 58.5
2000 61.9 53.8
1999 61.6 54.2
1998 59.1 57.5
1997 58.1 55.5
1996 60.8 57.6
1995 61.2 60.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Italy is 63.3, ranking 80/197, compared to 67.7 for Slovakia, ranking 54/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Italy Slovakia
Services, % of GDP
65%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2%
2024
1.58%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.28T
2024
$128B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,620
2024
$47,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$291B
2024
$14.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
12/177
2024
68/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$19B
2024
-$2.77B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.9B
2024
$5.01B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$45.9B
2024
$2.24B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.1%
2021
13.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2024
20.1%
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/italy/slovakia | 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 (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.