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Economy of Italy vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Italy has a GDP of $2.38T compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 8/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Italy has $3.22T in government debt (135.3% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Italy vs Switzerland GDP by year

Italy
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Italy Switzerland
2024 $2,380,825,077,244 $936,564,198,049
2023 $2,316,727,999,333 $894,424,821,645
2022 $2,104,067,630,319 $828,508,926,958
2021 $2,179,207,773,596 $815,309,330,987
2020 $1,907,481,094,079 $741,999,406,006
2019 $2,019,606,796,584 $721,369,112,727
2018 $2,099,435,266,459 $725,568,717,468
2017 $1,970,720,904,585 $695,200,833,086
2016 $1,887,111,188,177 $687,895,460,903
2015 $1,845,428,048,839 $694,118,186,380
2014 $2,173,255,507,986 $726,537,808,338
2013 $2,153,225,581,941 $706,234,937,371
2012 $2,097,929,495,122 $686,420,221,558
2011 $2,306,974,020,278 $715,888,126,682
2010 $2,144,936,254,535 $598,851,028,907
2009 $2,209,484,319,013 $554,212,916,092
2008 $2,417,508,414,187 $567,267,767,519
2007 $2,222,524,108,128 $490,740,715,595
2006 $1,958,563,654,386 $441,634,672,197
2005 $1,864,982,261,287 $418,284,865,885
2004 $1,812,808,753,295 $403,912,891,033
2003 $1,582,930,016,539 $362,075,086,508
2002 $1,281,746,271,196 $309,301,422,430
2001 $1,172,041,488,806 $286,582,672,434
2000 $1,149,661,363,439 $279,216,033,870
1999 $1,255,004,736,464 $297,873,643,323
1998 $1,272,729,786,997 $303,459,014,347
1997 $1,244,988,176,444 $294,788,198,856
1996 $1,314,776,508,972 $340,103,959,547
1995 $1,177,369,428,266 $352,835,806,342
1994 $1,101,750,159,702 $301,375,055,202
1993 $1,067,412,587,671 $272,237,527,071
1992 $1,323,204,350,354 $279,921,425,828
1991 $1,249,092,439,519 $268,901,693,863
1990 $1,183,945,130,899 $265,763,573,999
1989 $930,801,709,004 $208,105,846,934
1988 $893,663,934,841 $215,540,625,299
1987 $807,570,134,449 $199,236,370,038
1986 $641,862,313,287 $159,089,921,063
1985 $453,259,761,687 $110,980,314,192
1984 $438,896,930,791 $109,455,312,168
1983 $444,063,496,940 $114,634,358,535
1982 $428,257,421,618 $115,043,365,512
1981 $431,695,533,981 $112,244,805,519
1980 $478,356,755,596 $122,557,843,886
1979 $394,584,507,108 $114,970,094,425
1978 $315,784,469,541 $102,280,472,036
1977 $258,190,019,750 $73,135,771,167
1976 $225,235,205,862 $68,476,524,644
1975 $228,220,643,535 $65,466,081,819
1974 $200,024,444,775 $57,103,011,446
1973 $175,896,529,392 $49,550,006,320
1972 $145,594,833,997 $36,844,318,854
1971 $124,959,712,859 $30,040,171,751
1970 $113,656,669,765 $24,998,066,773
1969 $100,996,667,239 $22,442,043,274
1968 $91,485,448,148 $20,712,102,794
1967 $84,401,995,573 $19,397,044,714
1966 $76,622,444,787 $18,019,402,374
1965 $70,717,012,186 $16,780,226,225
1964 $65,720,771,779 $15,833,133,858
1963 $60,035,924,618 $14,283,872,299
1962 $52,413,872,628 $12,989,649,694
1961 $46,649,487,320 $11,713,348,834
1960 $42,012,422,612 $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in Italy vs Switzerland by year

Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Italy Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $40,385 $62,014 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $39,277 $60,030 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $35,654 $57,261 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $36,853 $49,825 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $32,091 $44,436 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $33,813 $46,662 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $34,904 $43,387 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $32,844 $42,142 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $31,392 $40,483 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $30,640 $37,384 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $36,028 $36,666 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $35,702 $36,459 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $34,854 $36,281 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $38,432 $36,392 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $35,857 $34,974 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $37,100 $34,502 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $40,829 $35,422 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $37,826 $34,108 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $33,537 $32,454 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $32,063 $30,138 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $31,348 $29,581 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $27,578 $29,249 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $22,451 $28,833 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $20,570 $28,134 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $20,190 $27,152 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $22,050 $25,655 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $22,365 $25,075 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $21,884 $23,937 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $23,123 $23,101 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $20,712 $22,446 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $19,382 $21,369 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $18,782 $20,485 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $23,297 $20,196 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $22,007 $19,596 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $20,874 $18,680 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $16,424 - $31,309 -
1988 $15,781 - $32,690 -
1987 $14,268 - $30,441 -
1986 $11,341 - $24,460 -
1985 $8,009 - $17,152 -
1984 $7,758 - $16,991 -
1983 $7,851 - $17,859 -
1982 $7,574 - $18,000 -
1981 $7,640 - $17,665 -
1980 $8,476 - $19,394 -
1979 $7,006 - $18,266 -
1978 $5,623 - $16,282 -
1977 $4,614 - $11,644 -
1976 $4,042 - $10,865 -
1975 $4,116 - $10,328 -
1974 $3,629 - $9,005 -
1973 $3,213 - $7,856 -
1972 $2,677 - $5,885 -
1971 $2,311 - $4,835 -
1970 $2,112 - $4,044 -
1969 $1,886 - $3,657 -
1968 $1,718 - $3,413 -
1967 $1,595 - $3,237 -
1966 $1,459 - $3,045 -
1965 $1,357 - $2,865 -
1964 $1,272 - $2,735 -
1963 $1,171 - $2,508 -
1962 $1,030 - $2,330 -
1961 $923 - $2,155 -
1960 $837 - $1,954 -

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

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

Italy's GDP per capita is $40,385, ranking 29/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Italy ranks 31st at $62,014, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Italy Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$2.38T
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
8/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
0.69%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$40,385
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
29/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,014
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
31/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$3.22T
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
135.3%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$54,652
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
6/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,800
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$587B
2014
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires
1,344,000
2025
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires
74
2025
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2023
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2023
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.6%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.98%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.5%
2024
4.34%
2024
Population
58562681
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Italy
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Italy Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.6% 135.3% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 54% 134.6% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 54.9% 138.3% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 56% 145.8% 34.4% 41%
2020 56.8% 154.4% 37% 43.2%
2019 48.4% 133.9% 32% 39.6%
2018 48.3% 134.2% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 48.8% 133.7% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 49% 134.2% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 50.2% 134.8% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 50.7% 134.8% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 50.9% 131.9% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 50.5% 125.9% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 49% 119.1% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 49.8% 118.8% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 51.1% 116.1% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 47.8% 105.8% 30% 44.8%
2007 46.6% 103.5% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 47.6% 106.3% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 47.1% 106.2% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 46.7% 104.7% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 47% 105.1% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 46.5% 105.9% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 47.1% 108.5% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 46.4% 108.7% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 47.1% 113.1% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 48% 113.9% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 49.3% 116.5% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 51.3% 118.9% 33% 51.3%
1995 51.4% 119.1% 32.4% 50%
1994 55.1% 130.8% 32.5% 47.1%
1993 57.8% 124.1% 32.5% 44.4%
1992 56.8% 113% 31.3% 39.5%
1991 55.3% 105.3% 29.5% 35.1%
1990 54.2% 101.7% 27.6% 33.3%
1989 51.6% 91.8% 30% 32.5%
1988 50.4% 89.2% 30.3% 35%
1987 49.8% 87.4% 29.8% 36.5%
1986 50.5% 83.4% 29.8% 37.6%
1985 49.8% 79.1% 30.1% 39.1%
1984 49.1% 73.1% 30.4% 39.8%
1983 48.9% 67.8% 31.2% 40.2%
1982 46.7% 61.8% 30.5% 40%
1981 44.6% 57.3% 29.4% 40.8%
1980 40.8% 55.1% 29.9% 43.9%
1979 40.1% 58.9% 30.5% 44.6%
1978 40.9% 59.9% 30.4% 46.6%
1977 38.5% 56% 31% 46.9%
1976 38.1% 57.3% 31.6% 46.7%
1975 39.1% 57.9% 29.3% 42.3%
1974 34.8% 50.8% 27.5% 38.4%
1973 35.3% 51.1% 26.5% 37%
1972 36.4% 48.2% 25.7% 38%
1971 34.4% 42.4% 25.4% 38.7%
1970 32.3% 37.8% 25.8% 38.9%
1969 32.1% 37% 9.45% 7.08%
1968 32.6% 36.4% 8.87% 6.99%
1967 17.9% 33.3% 8.68% 7.26%
1966 19.1% 33.4% 8.95% 7.62%
1965 18.6% 28.4% 8.33% 8.28%
1964 18.2% 27.2% 8.85% 9.43%
1963 16.7% 27.2% 8.2% 10.8%
1962 17.5% 29% 8.1% 12%
1961 17.3% 30% 7.97% 14%
1960 16.5% 31.4% 7.11% 16.2%

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/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Italy's government spending was $1.2T, accounting for 50.6% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 135.3% in Italy and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 8/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Italy

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Italy Switzerland
2024 -3.45% 0.58%
2023 -7.24% 0.12%
2022 -8.11% 1.19%
2021 -8.88% -0.29%
2020 -9.38% -3.01%
2019 -1.45% 1.34%
2018 -2.19% 1.29%
2017 -2.51% 1.13%
2016 -2.4% 0.24%
2015 -2.46% 0.55%
2014 -2.82% -0.25%
2013 -2.87% -0.43%
2012 -2.99% 0.24%
2011 -3.52% 0.68%
2010 -4.16% 0.35%
2009 -5.06% 0.5%
2008 -2.58% 1.93%
2007 -1.33% 1.57%
2006 -3.61% 0.85%
2005 -4.1% -0.65%
2004 -3.46% -1.39%
2003 -3.23% -1.36%
2002 -2.88% -1.75%
2001 -3.18% 0.21%
2000 -2.42% 0.28%
1999 -1.77% -1.57%
1998 -2.99% -1.31%
1997 -2.98% -2.33%
1996 -6.61% -2.01%
1995 -7.2% -1.86%
1994 -8.84% -2.59%
1993 -9.76% -3.15%
1992 -10.1% -2.96%
1991 -11.1% -1.85%
1990 -11.1% -0.05%
1989 -11.4% 0.2%
1988 -11% 0.42%
1987 -11.5% 0.78%
1986 -12% 0.93%
1985 -12.4% -0.25%
1984 -11.5% -0.52%
1983 -10.1% -1.23%
1982 -10% -1.21%
1981 -10.9% -0.54%
1980 -6.97% -1.34%
1979 -8.23% -1.79%
1978 -8.47% -1.12%
1977 -6.96% -1.64%
1976 -7.88% -1.89%
1975 -10.3% -0.93%
1974 -6.24% -1.01%
1973 -6.36% -0.93%
1972 -6.84% -1.39%
1971 -4.71% -1.41%
1970 -3.22% -1.44%
1969 -2.85% -0.98%
1968 -2.55% -0.73%
1967 -0.97% -1.07%
1966 -1.59% -0.87%
1965 -2.67% 0.05%
1964 -2.35% 0.77%
1963 -0.3% 0.25%
1962 -0.95% 0.95%
1961 -0.57% 0.34%
1960 -0.28% 1.95%
1959 -1% 0.72%
1958 -0.98% 0.59%
1957 -1.09% 0.66%
1956 -1.46% 2.24%
1955 -2.03% 1.1%
1954 -1.84% 1.44%
1953 -2.33% 0.38%
1952 -4.08% -1.17%
1951 -3.86% -0.36%
1950 -2.42% 1.49%
1949 -2.82% 0.04%
1948 -4.58% 1.37%
1947 -6.62% 1.27%
1946 -9.82% 0.52%
1945 -16.9% -7.57%
1944 -35.1% -9.37%
1943 -16.1% -8.55%
1942 -26.9% -7.28%
1941 -25.1% -8.78%
1940 -24.3% -10%
1939 -9.49% -5.05%
1938 -5.97% -1.53%
1937 -5.78% -0.17%
1936 -7.93% -0.33%
1935 -9.83% -0.23%
1934 -2.5% -0.33%
1933 -4.85% -0.88%
1932 -3.06% -0.3%
1931 -2.14% 0.03%
1930 -0.55% 0.07%
1929 -0.59% 0.22%
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% -0.12%
1912 -1.86% 0.03%
1911 -0.63% -0.006%
1910 -0.32% -0.14%
1909 -0.69% -0.78%
1908 -1.31% -0.1%
1907 -0.51% -0.02%
1906 -0.69% 0.15%
1905 -1.57% 0.41%
1904 0.58% 0.002%
1903 0.32% 0.09%
1902 0.48% 0.02%
1901 0.36% -0.14%
1900 0.28% -0.07%
1899 -0.11% 0.1%
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/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Italy recorded a fiscal deficit in 65 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 38 years. On average, Italy posted an annual deficit equal to 5.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.48% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Italy

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Italy Switzerland
2024 0.98% 1.06%
2023 5.62% 2.14%
2022 8.2% 2.84%
2021 1.87% 0.58%
2020 -0.14% -0.73%
2019 0.61% 0.36%
2018 1.14% 0.94%
2017 1.23% 0.53%
2016 -0.09% -0.43%
2015 0.04% -1.14%
2014 0.24% -0.01%
2013 1.22% -0.22%
2012 3.04% -0.69%
2011 2.78% 0.23%
2010 1.53% 0.69%
2009 0.77% -0.48%
2008 3.35% 2.43%
2007 1.83% 0.73%
2006 2.09% 1.06%
2005 1.99% 1.17%
2004 2.21% 0.8%
2003 2.67% 0.64%
2002 2.47% 0.64%
2001 2.79% 0.99%
2000 2.54% 1.56%
1999 1.66% 0.81%
1998 1.96% 0.02%
1997 2.04% 0.52%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Italy has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 0.98% in Italy and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Italy
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $11.6B
Machinery & equipment $7.27B
Business & finance services $5.41B
Precious metals & jewellery $4.35B
Textiles & consumer goods $3.78B
Transport & tourism services $3.01B
Metals $1.66B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.47B
Manufacturing & construction services $1.46B
Raw materials & minerals $817M
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $13.7B
Precious metals & jewellery $6.5B
Machinery & equipment $2.61B
Raw materials & minerals $2.5B
Transport & tourism services $2.41B
IT & IP services $1.23B
Business & finance services $1.18B
Textiles & consumer goods $888M
Metals $876M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $288M

Balance of trade

Italy Switzerland
Current account balance
$25.8B
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
19/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.08%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$562B
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$621B
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$160B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$155B
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Italy Switzerland
Economic freedom 63.3 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 80/197 2/197
Property rights 84.8 94.4
Government integrity 60.8 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 80.9 98.3
Tax burden 57.5 70.9
Government spending 15.3 69.5
Fiscal health 17.2 97.2
Business freedom 74.5 86.3
Labor freedom 70.6 60
Monetary freedom 79.1 82.3
Trade freedom 79.4 87
Investment freedom 80 85
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Italy
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Italy Switzerland
2026 63.3 83.7
2025 60.9 83.7
2024 60.1 83
2023 62.3 83.8
2022 65.4 84.2
2021 64.9 81.9
2020 63.8 82
2019 62.2 81.9
2018 62.5 81.7
2017 62.5 81.5
2016 61.2 81
2015 61.7 80.5
2014 60.9 81.6
2013 60.6 81
2012 58.8 81.1
2011 60.3 81.9
2010 62.7 81.1
2009 61.4 79.4
2008 62.6 79.5
2007 62.8 78
2006 62 78.9
2005 64.9 79.3
2004 64.2 79.5
2003 64.3 79
2002 63.6 79.3
2001 63 76
2000 61.9 76.8
1999 61.6 79.1
1998 59.1 79
1997 58.1 78.6
1996 60.8 76.8
1995 61.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Italy is 63.3, ranking 80/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Italy Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
65%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.28T
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,620
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$291B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
12/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$19B
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.9B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$45.9B
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.1%
2021
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2024
27%
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/switzerland | 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.