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Economy of Japan vs Maldives compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $7.06B for Maldives, ranking 4/197 and 159/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $9.41B (133.3% of GDP) in Maldives.

Japan vs Maldives GDP by year

Japan
Maldives
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Maldives
2024 $4,027,597,523,551 $7,061,608,267
2023 $4,213,167,237,906 $6,621,008,704
2022 $4,262,463,317,797 $6,177,123,352
2021 $5,039,148,168,861 $5,252,457,370
2020 $5,054,068,005,376 $3,712,604,583
2019 $5,117,993,853,017 $5,726,094,799
2018 $5,040,880,939,325 $5,404,344,163
2017 $4,930,837,369,151 $4,816,426,257
2016 $5,003,677,627,544 $4,409,942,624
2015 $4,444,930,651,964 $4,129,505,319
2014 $4,896,994,405,353 $3,697,353,039
2013 $5,212,328,181,166 $3,295,009,238
2012 $6,272,362,996,105 $2,886,163,997
2011 $6,233,147,172,341 $2,774,350,240
2010 $5,759,071,769,013 $2,588,176,055
2009 $5,289,493,117,994 $2,345,294,875
2008 $5,106,679,115,127 $2,271,646,188
2007 $4,579,750,920,355 $1,868,383,461
2006 $4,601,663,122,650 $1,575,200,391
2005 $4,831,467,035,390 $1,163,362,438
2004 $4,893,116,005,657 $1,226,829,563
2003 $4,519,561,645,254 $1,052,121,055
2002 $4,182,846,045,874 $897,031,250
2001 $4,374,711,694,091 $870,031,677
2000 $4,968,359,075,957 $624,337,145
1999 $4,635,982,224,064 $589,239,754
1998 $4,098,362,709,531 $540,096,398
1997 $4,492,448,605,639 $508,223,602
1996 $4,923,391,533,852 $450,382,328
1995 $5,545,563,663,890 $398,988,955
1994 $4,998,797,547,741 $356,014,932
1993 $4,536,940,479,038 $322,417,837
1992 $3,980,702,922,118 $284,875,809
1991 $3,648,065,760,649 $244,396,762
1990 $3,185,904,656,664 $215,043,970
1989 $3,109,455,047,824 $189,514,434
1988 $3,125,724,434,401 $168,514,513
1987 $2,580,748,422,781 $141,223,029
1986 $2,120,083,812,110 $141,882,254
1985 $1,427,019,759,717 $127,190,758
1984 $1,345,824,500,837 $109,503,546
1983 $1,270,859,919,743 $57,829,787
1982 $1,158,731,426,906 $47,911,340
1981 $1,245,221,410,764 $44,781,457
1980 $1,129,377,244,854 $42,463,576
1979 $1,077,910,077,676 $38,523,364
1978 $1,035,611,588,217 $24,369,109
1977 $737,069,290,928 $20,853,789
1976 $598,883,902,156 $22,399,467
1975 $532,861,438,885 $24,540,878
1974 $490,035,789,970 $39,120,171
1973 $441,460,582,536 $30,862,042
1972 $324,933,841,269 $25,177,138
1971 $245,364,056,622 $21,566,404
1970 $217,223,652,719 $19,328,038
1969 $184,298,841,305 -
1968 $156,897,496,759 -
1967 $132,475,614,227 -
1966 $113,046,784,179 -
1965 $97,338,107,606 -
1964 $87,490,590,818 -
1963 $74,379,284,603 -
1962 $64,987,857,542 -
1961 $57,266,758,180 -
1960 $47,419,238,274 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/maldives | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Maldives by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Maldives
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,487 $52,039 $13,379 $26,183
2023 $33,836 $50,662 $12,588 $24,786
2022 $34,066 $47,192 $11,786 $22,881
2021 $40,095 $44,355 $10,176 $19,053
2020 $40,029 $42,426 $7,394 $13,425
2019 $40,416 $42,678 $11,740 $23,077
2018 $39,751 $42,142 $11,423 $21,899
2017 $38,834 $41,444 $10,510 $19,768
2016 $39,375 $40,597 $9,948 $18,770
2015 $34,961 $40,899 $9,645 $17,875
2014 $38,475 $39,555 $8,939 $16,723
2013 $40,899 $39,402 $8,236 $15,264
2012 $49,145 $37,606 $7,461 $13,989
2011 $48,760 $36,214 $7,425 $13,726
2010 $44,968 $35,336 $7,174 $12,797
2009 $41,309 $33,543 $6,734 $12,266
2008 $39,876 $35,274 $6,757 $13,779
2007 $35,779 $35,015 $5,758 $12,852
2006 $35,992 $33,632 $5,019 $12,075
2005 $37,813 $32,170 $3,797 $9,704
2004 $38,299 $30,832 $4,070 $10,770
2003 $35,387 $29,392 $3,549 $10,065
2002 $32,821 $28,624 $3,076 $8,823
2001 $34,406 $27,943 $3,034 $8,236
2000 $39,169 $27,288 $2,214 $8,526
1999 $36,610 $25,736 $2,124 $8,162
1998 $32,424 $25,508 $1,980 $7,710
1997 $35,638 $25,619 $1,898 $7,226
1996 $39,150 $24,999 $1,717 $6,687
1995 $44,198 $23,858 $1,555 $6,223
1994 $39,934 $22,823 $1,419 $5,520
1993 $36,345 $22,168 $1,317 $5,138
1992 $31,993 $21,825 $1,194 $4,881
1991 $29,428 $21,227 $1,054 $4,604
1990 $25,801 $19,912 $957 $4,528
1989 $25,266 - $870 -
1988 $25,500 - $799 -
1987 $21,142 - $692 -
1986 $17,452 - $720 -
1985 $11,809 - $669 -
1984 $11,207 - $594 -
1983 $10,652 - $323 -
1982 $9,780 - $274.8 -
1981 $10,583 - $264.1 -
1980 $9,669 - $257.6 -
1979 $9,301 - $240.2 -
1978 $9,012 - $156.1 -
1977 $6,473 - $137.3 -
1976 $5,310 - $151.8 -
1975 $4,776 - $171.4 -
1974 $4,448 - $281.5 -
1973 $4,061 - $228.7 -
1972 $3,031 - $192.2 -
1971 $2,321 - $169.8 -
1970 $2,101 - $156.9 -
1969 $1,803 - - -
1968 $1,553 - - -
1967 $1,326 - - -
1966 $1,144 - - -
1965 $994 - - -
1964 $903 - - -
1963 $776 - - -
1962 $685 - - -
1961 $609 - - -
1960 $509 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/maldives | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $13,379 in Maldives, ranking 75/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183.

Economic indicators

Japan Maldives
Gross domestic product
$4.03T
2024
$7.06B
2024
GDP rank
4/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
3.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,487
2024
$13,379
2024
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
75/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$26,183
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
81/197
2024
Government debt
$9.51T
2024
$9.41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
236.1%
2024
133.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$76,704
2024
$17,837
2024
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2024
35/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,653
2026
$9,909
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.31T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,732,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2020
23.3%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2020
3.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
46.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
1.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.54%
2024
4.56%
2019
Population
122677250
532057

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Maldives
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Maldives
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 236.1% 46.1% 133.3%
2023 39.2% 240.5% 46.7% 122.4%
2022 41.8% 248.2% 42% 111.6%
2021 42.5% 253.7% 40.6% 123.4%
2020 44.5% 258.4% 50.4% 155.7%
2019 37.3% 236.4% 32.9% 77.2%
2018 36.7% 232.4% 31.9% 70.7%
2017 36.7% 231.3% 30.4% 63.8%
2016 37.2% 232.4% 37.3% 61.9%
2015 37.3% 228.3% 33.8% 54.8%
2014 38.4% 233.3% 29.1% 55.1%
2013 38.8% 229.5% 27% 55.9%
2012 38.6% 226.1% 29.8% 57.1%
2011 38.6% 219.2% 31.3% 51.9%
2010 37.7% 205.9% 33.2% 52.7%
2009 38.7% 198.8% 37% 48.4%
2008 34.1% 180.9% 35.6% 39%
2007 33.1% 173% 34.8% 35.8%
2006 33.1% 174.1% 35% 36.8%
2005 33.5% 174.6% 38.8% 43.2%
2004 33.7% 169.5% 24.1% 34.7%
2003 35% 160% 26.4% 37.6%
2002 35.4% 154.1% 29.6% 44.3%
2001 35.2% 145.1% 29.6% 41.8%
2000 36% 135.6% 29% 39%
1999 35.6% 129.5% 28% 38.9%
1998 38.6% 116% 25.9% 39.3%
1997 33.1% 105% 25.2% 38.1%
1996 33.8% 98.1% 27.3% 46.9%
1995 33.4% 92.5% 31.3% 52.2%
1994 32.8% 84.4% 30.7% 54.6%
1993 32.1% 72.8% 34.7% 55.7%
1992 30.3% 66.8% 36.1% 49%
1991 29.3% 62.4% 37.7% 46.7%
1990 29.5% 63.2% 33.3% 42.4%
1989 29.2% 65.7% - -
1988 29.9% 71.9% - -
1987 30.6% 75.8% - -
1986 30.4% 74.1% - -
1985 30.4% 68.3% - -
1984 31.2% 65.6% - -
1983 31.8% 63.5% - -
1982 31.7% 57.7% - -
1981 31.5% 52.8% - -
1980 33.5% 47.8% - -
1979 33.2% 43.8% - -
1978 32.1% 39% - -
1977 30.4% 31.1% - -
1976 29.1% 26.1% - -
1975 28.5% 20.9% - -
1974 25.5% 16.7% - -
1973 23.3% 15.9% - -
1972 23.1% 16.3% - -
1971 21.8% 12.6% - -
1970 20.2% 11.2% - -
1969 19.8% 11.4% - -
1968 20.1% 11.8% - -
1967 19.9% 11.4% - -
1966 20.8% 11.2% - -
1965 20.4% 9.78% - -
1964 19.8% 8.53% - -
1963 20% 8.66% - -
1962 19.4% 9.01% - -
1961 18.2% 8.44% - -
1960 18.4% 10.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/maldives | CC BY

In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while Maldives spent $3.25B, or 46.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 133.3% in Maldives, ranking 3/185 and 10/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Maldives
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Maldives
2024 -1.53% -13.9%
2023 -2.26% -13.2%
2022 -4.21% -11.2%
2021 -6.13% -14.2%
2020 -9.08% -23.7%
2019 -3.04% -6.54%
2018 -2.47% -5.17%
2017 -3.1% -3.02%
2016 -3.6% -9.93%
2015 -3.68% -6.52%
2014 -5.62% -2.42%
2013 -7.61% -3.49%
2012 -8.2% -6.91%
2011 -8.99% -8.13%
2010 -9.08% -13.6%
2009 -9.69% -17.9%
2008 -4.11% -9.92%
2007 -2.9% -3.16%
2006 -3.03% -4.52%
2005 -4.44% -7.81%
2004 -5.31% -2.26%
2003 -7.43% -3.45%
2002 -7.34% -3.97%
2001 -6.2% -3.97%
2000 -7.28% -3.89%
1999 -6.75% -3.03%
1998 -10% -2.25%
1997 -3.53% -1.46%
1996 -4.87% -2.01%
1995 -4.3% -5.66%
1994 -3.76% -4.82%
1993 -2.39% -13.9%
1992 0.57% -12.6%
1991 1.67% -10.2%
1990 1.96% -12.8%
1989 1.23% -
1988 0.49% -
1987 -0.36% -
1986 -1.36% -
1985 -1.37% -
1984 -2.62% -
1983 -3.95% -
1982 -3.81% -
1981 -3.85% -
1980 -4.66% -
1979 -5% -
1978 -5.79% -
1977 -4.02% -
1976 -3.89% -
1975 -2.92% -
1974 0.38% -
1973 0.56% -
1972 -0.13% -
1971 1.21% -
1970 1.74% -
1969 1.26% -
1968 0.88% -
1967 0.8% -
1966 -0.34% -
1965 0.48% -
1964 0.85% -
1963 1.08% -
1962 1.49% -
1961 2.58% -
1960 1.85% -
1959 0.97% -
1958 -0.1% -
1957 1.27% -
1956 1.39% -
1955 -0.67% -
1954 0.7% -
1953 1.65% -
1952 2.22% -
1951 5.06% -
1950 6.99% -
1949 12.5% -
1948 7.53% -
1947 6.09% -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 0.32% -
1942 -0.13% -
1941 -0.19% -
1940 0.31% -
1939 0.11% -
1938 0.45% -
1937 0.71% -
1936 0.34% -
1935 0.26% -
1934 0.34% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.31% -
1931 0.23% -
1930 0.19% -
1929 0.5% -
1928 0.42% -
1927 0.58% -
1926 0.65% -
1925 0.75% -
1924 0.84% -
1923 0.87% -
1922 0.89% -
1921 1.43% -
1920 1.19% -
1919 1.21% -
1918 1.58% -
1917 1.54% -
1916 1.37% -
1915 1.41% -
1914 1.31% -
1913 1.21% -
1912 1.27% -
1911 1.21% -
1910 1.57% -
1909 1.51% -
1908 1.63% -
1907 1.77% -
1906 0.46% -
1905 -0.68% -
1904 -0.81% -
1903 0.19% -
1902 0.44% -
1901 0.21% -
1900 0.53% -
1899 0.2% -
1898 0.6% -
1897 0.33% -
1896 0.88% -
1895 0.28% -
1894 -0.24% -
1893 0.6% -
1892 0.63% -
1891 0.61% -
1890 0.74% -
1889 0.18% -
1888 0.13% -
1887 0.11% -
1886 0.03% -
1885 0.01% -
1884 0.001% -
1883 0.03% -
1882 0.001% -
1881 0.001% -
1880 0.004% -
1879 0.02% -
1878 0.02% -
1877 -0.29% -
1876 -0.42% -
1875 0.005% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/maldives | CC BY

In 2024, Japan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $61.6B, equivalent to 1.53% of GDP. This compares to Maldives' deficit of $982M, or 13.9% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Maldives ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.75% of GDP for Maldives.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Maldives
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Maldives
2024 2.74% 1.4%
2023 3.27% 2.6%
2022 2.5% 2.6%
2021 -0.23% 0.2%
2020 -0.02% -1.6%
2019 0.47% 1.3%
2018 0.99% 1.4%
2017 0.48% 2.3%
2016 -0.13% 0.8%
2015 0.8% 1.4%
2014 2.76% 2.4%
2013 0.34% 4%
2012 -0.04% 10.9%
2011 -0.27% 11.3%
2010 -0.73% 6.1%
2009 -1.35% 4.5%
2008 1.38% 12%
2007 0.06% 6.8%
2006 0.25% 3.5%
2005 -0.28% 2.5%
2004 -0.009% 6.3%
2003 -0.26% -2.8%
2002 -0.92% 0.9%
2001 -0.74% 0.7%
2000 -0.68% -1.2%
1999 -0.34% 3%
1998 0.66% -1.4%
1997 1.75% 7.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/maldives | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.44%, compared with 3.2% in Maldives. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 1.4% in Maldives.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $34.7M
Miscellaneous $3.95M
Textiles & consumer goods $453K
Metals $396K
Chemicals & pharma $377K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $269K
Animal & marine products $224K
Raw materials & minerals $68K
Wood & paper products $52K
Precious metals & jewellery $31K
Maldives
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.76M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $107K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Japan Maldives
Current account balance
$194B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2024
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.82%
2024
-18.7%
2024
Goods imports
$719B
2024
$3.46B
2024
Goods exports
$694B
2024
$383M
2024
Service imports
$246B
2024
$1.89B
2024
Service exports
$228B
2024
$5.03B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
78.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
78.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Maldives
Economic freedom 70.3 47.6
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 174/197
Property rights 94.2 52.2
Government integrity 81.1 41.9
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 39.3
Tax burden 63 89.9
Government spending 52 39.5
Fiscal health 41.7 0
Business freedom 77.8 49.7
Labor freedom 65.9 54.1
Monetary freedom 74.3 76.4
Trade freedom 76.2 62.8
Investment freedom 60 35
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Maldives
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Maldives
2026 70.3 47.6
2025 70.2 48.3
2024 67.5 47.8
2023 69.3 46.6
2022 69.9 47.3
2021 74.1 55.2
2020 73.3 56.5
2019 72.1 53.2
2018 72.3 51.1
2017 69.6 50.3
2016 73.1 53.9
2015 73.3 53.4
2014 72.4 51
2013 71.8 49
2012 71.6 49.2
2011 72.8 48.3
2010 72.9 49
2009 72.8 51.3
2008 73 -
2007 72.7 -
2006 73.3 -
2005 67.3 -
2004 64.3 -
2003 67.6 -
2002 66.7 -
2001 70.9 -
2000 70.7 -
1999 69.1 -
1998 70.2 -
1997 70.3 -
1996 72.6 -
1995 75 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/maldives | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 47.6 for Maldives, ranking 174/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Maldives
Services, % of GDP
69.8%
2023
72.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2023
9.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.94%
2023
3.84%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46T
2024
$6.15B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$55,490
2024
$23,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.23T
2024
$674M
2024
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2024
150/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$191B
2024
-$806M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$16.2B
2024
$806M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$203B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.95%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
15%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
2024
30.8%
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/japan/maldives | 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 (1875–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.