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Economy of Jamaica vs United Kingdom compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Jamaica has a GDP of $22B compared to $3.69T for the United Kingdom, ranking 124/197 and 6/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $14B in government debt (63.4% of GDP), compared to $3.73T (101.2% of GDP) in the United Kingdom.

Jamaica vs United Kingdom GDP by year

Jamaica
United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica United Kingdom
2024 $22,014,397,090 $3,686,033,044,482
2023 $21,418,804,320 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $18,813,516,805 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $15,963,885,376 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $15,000,214,216 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $17,026,269,263 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $16,855,447,986 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $15,783,583,237 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $14,898,999,754 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $14,963,589,916 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $13,899,217,680 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $14,264,205,153 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $14,807,086,556 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $14,444,661,522 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $13,220,549,908 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $12,120,458,115 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $13,709,401,520 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $12,799,600,047 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $11,930,179,090 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $11,243,865,778 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $10,174,664,854 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $9,430,234,811 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $9,719,009,495 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $9,194,727,831 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $9,005,064,475 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 $8,887,057,997 $1,693,458,987,219
1998 $8,787,195,622 $1,660,821,464,061
1997 $8,400,041,724 $1,569,317,288,802
1996 $7,393,891,921 $1,425,287,051,482
1995 $6,577,520,643 $1,349,094,208,616
1994 $5,452,558,947 $1,140,489,745,944
1993 $5,440,075,676 $1,061,388,722,256
1992 $3,535,460,090 $1,179,659,529,660
1991 $4,106,207,649 $1,142,797,178,131
1990 $4,592,208,087 $1,093,169,389,205
1989 $4,404,937,853 $926,884,816,754
1988 $3,828,342,820 $910,122,732,124
1987 $3,287,007,322 $745,162,608,269
1986 $2,754,549,582 $601,452,653,181
1985 $2,100,239,019 $489,285,164,271
1984 $2,373,564,549 $461,487,097,632
1983 $3,619,262,277 $489,618,008,186
1982 $3,293,496,312 $515,048,916,841
1981 $2,979,027,966 $540,765,675,241
1980 $2,679,379,372 $564,947,710,899
1979 $2,425,064,229 $438,994,070,309
1978 $2,644,527,822 $335,883,029,722
1977 $3,249,733,140 $263,066,457,352
1976 $2,966,042,856 $232,614,555,256
1975 $2,860,442,750 $241,756,637,168
1974 $2,375,122,375 $206,131,369,799
1973 $1,905,917,553 $192,537,971,583
1972 $1,875,146,587 $169,965,034,965
1971 $1,539,861,816 $148,113,896,325
1970 $1,404,720,442 $130,671,946,244
1969 $1,191,239,047 $116,464,702,803
1968 $1,083,839,133 $107,759,910,068
1967 $1,148,014,311 $113,116,888,211
1966 $1,096,759,561 $108,572,752,102
1965 $972,159,611 $101,824,755,079
1964 $897,949,001 $94,407,558,351
1963 $826,706,669 $86,561,961,812
1962 $777,727,689 $81,247,564,157
1961 $748,043,501 $77,741,965,703
1960 $699,064,380 $73,233,967,692

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-kingdom | CC BY

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs United Kingdom by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Kingdom
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica United Kingdom
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $53,246 $62,009
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $49,944 $59,911
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $47,057 $59,022
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $47,691 $51,004
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $40,813 $48,230
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $43,159 $50,065
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $43,703 $47,212
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $40,917 $46,113
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $41,258 $44,085
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $45,255 $42,515
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $47,746 $41,267
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $43,607 $39,948
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $42,688 $38,337
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $42,296 $37,224
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $39,778 $36,484
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $39,009 $35,042
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $47,652 $36,745
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $50,629 $35,522
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $44,695 $34,727
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $42,240 $32,726
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $40,504 $32,051
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $34,557 $30,314
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $30,159 $29,089
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $28,014 $27,913
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $28,384 $26,536
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $28,858 $24,494
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $28,396 $23,689
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $26,910 $23,071
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $24,503 $21,947
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $23,253 $20,595
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $19,709 $19,605
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $18,389 $18,336
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $20,487 $17,349
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $19,901 $16,791
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $19,095 $16,505
1989 $1,865 - $16,239 -
1988 $1,632 - $15,987 -
1987 $1,411 - $13,119 -
1986 $1,191 - $10,611 -
1985 $917 - $8,652 -
1984 $1,048 - $8,179 -
1983 $1,619 - $8,692 -
1982 $1,494 - $9,146 -
1981 $1,370 - $9,599 -
1980 $1,249 - $10,032 -
1979 $1,144 - $7,805 -
1978 $1,262 - $5,977 -
1977 $1,569 - $4,681 -
1976 $1,450 - $4,138 -
1975 $1,417 - $4,300 -
1974 $1,193 - $3,666 -
1973 $972 - $3,426 -
1972 $971 - $3,030 -
1971 $809 - $2,650 -
1970 $748 - $2,348 -
1969 $642 - $2,101 -
1968 $591 - $1,952 -
1967 $633 - $2,059 -
1966 $612 - $1,987 -
1965 $549 - $1,874 -
1964 $514 - $1,748 -
1963 $480 - $1,613 -
1962 $458 - $1,526 -
1961 $447 - $1,472 -
1960 $424 - $1,398 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-kingdom | CC BY

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $7,754, ranking 95/197, compared to $53,246 in the United Kingdom, ranking 22/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while the United Kingdom ranks 32nd at $62,009.

Economic indicators

Jamaica United Kingdom
Gross domestic product
$22B
2024
$3.69T
2024
GDP rank
124/197
2024
6/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.54%
2023-2024
1.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,754
2024
$53,246
2024
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
22/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$62,009
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
32/197
2024
Government debt
$14B
2024
$3.73T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.4%
2024
101.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,917
2024
$53,900
2024
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2024
7/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,905
2026
$39,230
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$12.4B
2024
$3.1T
2022
Number of millionaires n/a
2,624,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
55
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
44%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.41%
2023-2024
3.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
4.36%
2024
Population
2834980
70154914

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
United Kingdom
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica United Kingdom
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.5% 63.4% 44% 101.2%
2023 28% 67.3% 44.8% 100.4%
2022 28.4% 73.5% 44.1% 99.6%
2021 29% 90.9% 45.8% 105.1%
2020 29.8% 100.1% 50% 105.8%
2019 27.8% 88.6% 38.8% 85.7%
2018 27.8% 89.2% 38.9% 86.3%
2017 27.3% 96.7% 39.2% 86.7%
2016 27% 109.1% 39.6% 87.8%
2015 26.3% 117.6% 40.4% 87.9%
2014 26.5% 136.7% 41.2% 87.1%
2013 26.9% 138.1% 41.8% 85.3%
2012 29.6% 143% 43.6% 84.5%
2011 31.7% 138.1% 43.5% 81.4%
2010 32.9% 140.1% 44.7% 75.9%
2009 38.6% 141.5% 44.6% 64.9%
2008 34.4% 125.6% 41% 50.8%
2007 31.6% 115.3% 38.7% 43.2%
2006 31.2% 118% 38.4% 42.1%
2005 29.3% 124.5% 38.4% 41%
2004 31.5% 120.1% 38% 39.8%
2003 32.5% 125.5% 37.2% 36.8%
2002 31.1% 119.1% 35.9% 35.4%
2001 28.5% 107.9% 34.7% 35%
2000 26.2% 91.3% 33.9% 37.7%
1999 28.9% 83.5% 33.9% 40.4%
1998 28.3% 75.6% 34.5% 42%
1997 28.3% 74.4% 34.9% 44.1%
1996 27.7% 70.2% 35.7% 43.7%
1995 23.1% 85.2% 37.6% 43.7%
1994 21.5% 90.4% 37.5% 40.7%
1993 21.5% 106.2% 37.8% 38%
1992 20% 100.4% 37.8% 33.2%
1991 24.5% 175.1% 35.9% 28.5%
1990 25.7% 128.8% 35% 28.5%
1989 - - 39.7% 31.4%
1988 - - 40.3% 36.6%
1987 - - 42.7% 41.8%
1986 - - 44.6% 42.9%
1985 - - 48.7% 42.9%
1984 - - 50.3% 44.1%
1983 - - 50.4% 44.2%
1982 - - 50.8% 44.7%
1981 - - 51.2% 41.1%
1980 - - 47.6% 43.7%
1979 - - 45.1% 44.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 47.3%
1977 - - 46.8% 53.7%
1976 - - 49.2% 47.7%
1975 - - 49.1% 49.6%
1974 - - 47.8% 56.2%
1973 - - 43.5% 58.5%
1972 - - 42.3% 65%
1971 - - 41.2% 67.9%
1970 - - 42% 73.4%
1969 - - 39.2% 82.8%
1968 - - 40.3% 88.5%
1967 - - 40.1% 89.1%
1966 - - 35.7% 91.9%
1965 - - 34.6% 94.6%
1964 - - 32.8% 101.1%
1963 - - 37.4% 108.6%
1962 - - 33.8% 110.5%
1961 - - 31.5% 113.8%
1960 - - 33.1% 117.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Jamaica's government spending was $6.72B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while the United Kingdom spent $1.62T, or 44% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.4% in Jamaica and 101.2% in the United Kingdom, ranking 73/185 and 22/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

United Kingdom
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica United Kingdom
2024 0.22% -5.75%
2023 0.04% -6.05%
2022 0.27% -4.56%
2021 0.89% -7.72%
2020 -2.83% -13.2%
2019 0.85% -2.47%
2018 1.12% -2.27%
2017 0.43% -2.49%
2016 -0.19% -3.31%
2015 -0.28% -4.59%
2014 -0.49% -5.53%
2013 0.12% -5.34%
2012 -4.05% -7.45%
2011 -6.34% -7.38%
2010 -6.27% -9.22%
2009 -11.1% -10.1%
2008 -7.43% -5.09%
2007 -3.82% -2.65%
2006 -4.9% -2.76%
2005 -3.3% -3.15%
2004 -4.68% -3.16%
2003 -5.67% -3.22%
2002 -6.77% -1.96%
2001 -4.89% 0.34%
2000 -0.8% 1.4%
1999 -3.53% 0.76%
1998 -5.82% -0.21%
1997 -6.54% -2.01%
1996 -5.32% -3.65%
1995 1.6% -4.99%
1994 2.59% -5.74%
1993 2.6% -6.62%
1992 3.11% -5.41%
1991 3.87% -2.77%
1990 2.34% -1.54%
1989 - 0.77%
1988 - 0.46%
1987 - -1.79%
1986 - -2.56%
1985 - -5.57%
1984 - -6.39%
1983 - -6.26%
1982 - -5.66%
1981 - -7.03%
1980 - -5.65%
1979 - -5.79%
1978 - -6.63%
1977 - -4.41%
1976 - -5.61%
1975 - -5.08%
1974 - -4.06%
1973 - -4.29%
1972 - -1.66%
1971 - 1.48%
1970 - 2.61%
1969 - 1.03%
1968 - -2.3%
1967 - -4.57%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.06%
1964 - -1.76%
1963 - -5.47%
1962 - -0.49%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.75%
1959 - -0.58%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - -1.04%
1956 - 0.55%
1955 - -0.39%
1954 - -1.65%
1953 - -2.84%
1952 - -1.26%
1951 - 2.03%
1950 - 0.34%
1949 - 3.01%
1948 - -0.39%
1947 - -15.8%
1946 - -22.5%
1945 - -30.9%
1944 - -29.7%
1943 - -33.3%
1942 - -31.6%
1941 - -32%
1940 - -12.1%
1939 - -2.99%
1938 - 0%
1937 - 0.82%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 0.37%
1934 - 0.48%
1933 - 0.99%
1932 - -0.15%
1931 - 0.8%
1930 - 1.01%
1929 - 0.75%
1928 - 1.75%
1927 - 1.62%
1926 - 0.6%
1925 - 0.84%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - 2.23%
1922 - 2.45%
1921 - 1.15%
1920 - 4.2%
1919 - -6.28%
1918 - -34.4%
1917 - -48.8%
1916 - -50.6%
1915 - -30%
1914 - -14.6%
1913 - 0.25%
1912 - 0.22%
1911 - 0.51%
1910 - 1.75%
1909 - -1.25%
1908 - 0.34%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.58%
1905 - 0.36%
1904 - 0.2%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.77%
1901 - -2.74%
1900 - -2.96%
1899 - -0.79%
1898 - 0.01%
1897 - 0.25%
1896 - 0.17%
1895 - 0.3%
1894 - 0.06%
1893 - -0.007%
1892 - 0.14%
1891 - 0.19%
1890 - 0.23%
1889 - 0.3%
1888 - 0.27%
1887 - 0.25%
1886 - 0.07%
1885 - -0.21%
1884 - -0.04%
1883 - 0.06%
1882 - 0.02%
1881 - 0.06%
1880 - 0.1%
1879 - -0.86%
1878 - -0.18%
1877 - -0.18%
1876 - 0.09%
1875 - 0%
1874 - 0.09%
1873 - 0%
1872 - 0.55%
1871 - 0.29%
1870 - 0%
1869 - 0.77%
1868 - -0.45%
1867 - -0.45%
1866 - 0.11%
1865 - 0%
1864 - 0.24%
1863 - 0%
1862 - -0.13%
1861 - -0.4%
1860 - -0.43%
1859 - 0%
1858 - -0.15%
1857 - -0.15%
1856 - -0.6%
1855 - -3.57%
1854 - -3.39%
1853 - 0.5%
1852 - 0.35%
1851 - 0.35%
1850 - 0.37%
1849 - 0.34%
1848 - -0.17%
1847 - -6.13%
1846 - 0.52%
1845 - 0.56%
1844 - 0.59%
1843 - 0.44%
1842 - -0.87%
1841 - -0.42%
1840 - -0.2%
1839 - -0.18%
1838 - -0.19%
1837 - -0.21%
1836 - 0.59%
1835 - 0.42%
1834 - 0.23%
1833 - 0.24%
1832 - 0%
1831 - 0%
1830 - 0.45%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Jamaica's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $49.1M, equivalent to 0.22% of GDP. This compares to the United Kingdom's deficit of $212B, or 5.75% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while the United Kingdom ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.28% of GDP for the United Kingdom.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

United Kingdom
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica United Kingdom
2024 5.41% 3.27%
2023 6.47% 6.79%
2022 10.3% 7.92%
2021 5.86% 2.52%
2020 5.23% 0.99%
2019 3.91% 1.74%
2018 3.74% 2.29%
2017 4.38% 2.56%
2016 2.35% 1.01%
2015 3.69% 0.37%
2014 8.27% 1.45%
2013 9.34% 2.29%
2012 6.87% 2.57%
2011 7.56% 3.86%
2010 12.6% 2.49%
2009 9.59% 1.96%
2008 22% 3.52%
2007 9.24% 2.39%
2006 8.56% 2.46%
2005 15.1% 2.09%
2004 13.6% 1.39%
2003 10.1% 1.38%
2002 7.08% 1.52%
2001 6.8% 1.53%
2000 8.17% 1.18%
1999 5.95% 1.75%
1998 8.63% 1.82%
1997 9.66% 2.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-kingdom | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 2.4% in the United Kingdom. In 2024, inflation was 5.41% in Jamaica and 3.27% in the United Kingdom.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $54.4M
Raw materials & minerals $7.19M
Raw agricultural goods $4.54M
Machinery & equipment $962K
Chemicals & pharma $733K
Animal & marine products $589K
Textiles & consumer goods $442K
Wood & paper products $57K
Metals $20K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
United Kingdom
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $40M
Textiles & consumer goods $14.4M
Chemicals & pharma $13.6M
Wood & paper products $9.67M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.49M
Metals $1.97M
Animal & marine products $1.27M
Miscellaneous $820K
Raw materials & minerals $689K
Raw agricultural goods $503K

Balance of trade

Jamaica United Kingdom
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$80.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
56/190
2024
189/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-2.19%
2024
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$763B
2024
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$494B
2024
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$411B
2024
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$648B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
31.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
31%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica United Kingdom
Economic freedom 68.2 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 35/197
Property rights 66.8 93.6
Government integrity 49.4 83
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 83.1
Tax burden 76.3 61.7
Government spending 76 41.1
Fiscal health 92.2 32.4
Business freedom 68.5 83.6
Labor freedom 59.2 61.2
Monetary freedom 74.2 71.9
Trade freedom 70.4 82.8
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
United Kingdom
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica United Kingdom
2026 68.2 70.4
2025 68.7 69.3
2024 68.1 68.6
2023 68.1 69.9
2022 67.4 72.7
2021 69 78.4
2020 68.5 79.3
2019 68.6 78.9
2018 69.1 78
2017 69.5 76.4
2016 67.5 76.4
2015 67.7 75.8
2014 66.7 74.9
2013 66.8 74.8
2012 65.1 74.1
2011 65.7 74.5
2010 65.5 76.5
2009 65.2 79
2008 65.7 79.4
2007 65.5 79.9
2006 66.4 80.4
2005 67 79.2
2004 66.7 77.7
2003 67 77.5
2002 61.7 78.5
2001 63.7 77.6
2000 65.5 77.3
1999 64.7 76.2
1998 67.1 76.5
1997 67.7 76.4
1996 66.7 76.4
1995 64.4 77.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-kingdom | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 70.4 for the United Kingdom, ranking 35/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica United Kingdom
Services, % of GDP
60%
2024
72.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.97%
2024
0.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.5B
2024
$3.42T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,690
2024
$61,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.63B
2024
$175B
2024
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2024
19/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
-$13B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
-$72.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
18.6%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
19.1%
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/jamaica/united-kingdom | 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 (1830–1998, 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 (2023–2024, 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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.