Skip to content

Economy of Japan vs Seychelles compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $2.17B for the Seychelles, ranking 4/197 and 178/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $1.25B (57.6% of GDP) in the Seychelles.

Japan vs Seychelles GDP by year

Japan
Seychelles
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Seychelles
2024 $4,027,597,523,551 $2,167,239,562
2023 $4,213,167,237,906 $2,187,379,755
2022 $4,262,463,317,797 $2,018,346,589
2021 $5,039,148,168,861 $1,487,173,795
2020 $5,054,068,005,376 $1,382,551,752
2019 $5,117,993,853,017 $1,868,690,097
2018 $5,040,880,939,325 $1,784,313,927
2017 $4,930,837,369,151 $1,675,370,641
2016 $5,003,677,627,544 $1,568,513,348
2015 $4,444,930,651,964 $1,432,403,352
2014 $4,896,994,405,353 $1,387,577,870
2013 $5,212,328,181,166 $1,333,160,407
2012 $6,272,362,996,105 $1,089,407,839
2011 $6,233,147,172,341 $1,058,918,707
2010 $5,759,071,769,013 $981,616,542
2009 $5,289,493,117,994 $850,901,620
2008 $5,106,679,115,127 $979,597,394
2007 $4,579,750,920,355 $1,077,308,814
2006 $4,601,663,122,650 $1,081,441,283
2005 $4,831,467,035,390 $977,899,382
2004 $4,893,116,005,657 $893,012,218
2003 $4,519,561,645,254 $750,847,230
2002 $4,182,846,045,874 $742,134,838
2001 $4,374,711,694,091 $662,064,156
2000 $4,968,359,075,957 $654,212,394
1999 $4,635,982,224,064 $662,838,615
1998 $4,098,362,709,531 $647,287,376
1997 $4,492,448,605,639 $598,966,982
1996 $4,923,391,533,852 $535,250,347
1995 $5,545,563,663,890 $540,733,048
1994 $4,998,797,547,741 $517,570,058
1993 $4,536,940,479,038 $504,230,621
1992 $3,980,702,922,118 $461,409,399
1991 $3,648,065,760,649 $398,307,170
1990 $3,185,904,656,664 $392,163,561
1989 $3,109,455,047,824 $324,333,367
1988 $3,125,724,434,401 $301,985,618
1987 $2,580,748,422,781 $265,212,957
1986 $2,120,083,812,110 $221,147,061
1985 $1,427,019,759,717 $179,691,483
1984 $1,345,824,500,837 $160,992,921
1983 $1,270,859,919,743 $156,098,237
1982 $1,158,731,426,906 $157,211,790
1981 $1,245,221,410,764 $163,750,728
1980 $1,129,377,244,854 $156,783,830
1979 $1,077,910,077,676 $127,261,099
1978 $1,035,611,588,217 $85,552,366
1977 $737,069,290,928 $64,526,401
1976 $598,883,902,156 $49,278,982
1975 $532,861,438,885 $47,803,146
1974 $490,035,789,970 $43,134,496
1973 $441,460,582,536 $36,896,280
1972 $324,933,841,269 $30,645,123
1971 $245,364,056,622 $21,965,951
1970 $217,223,652,719 $18,432,032
1969 $184,298,841,305 $16,452,028
1968 $156,897,496,759 $16,074,028
1967 $132,475,614,227 $16,632,032
1966 $113,046,784,179 $16,443,034
1965 $97,338,107,606 $15,603,032
1964 $87,490,590,818 $15,393,032
1963 $74,379,284,603 $13,923,029
1962 $64,987,857,542 $12,642,026
1961 $57,266,758,180 $11,592,024
1960 $47,419,238,274 $12,012,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Japan vs Seychelles by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Seychelles
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,487 $52,039 $17,859 $33,239
2023 $33,836 $50,662 $18,263 $31,781
2022 $34,066 $47,192 $16,837 $29,973
2021 $40,095 $44,355 $14,983 $29,980
2020 $40,029 $42,426 $14,041 $31,056
2019 $40,416 $42,678 $19,142 $34,219
2018 $39,751 $42,142 $18,440 $32,091
2017 $38,834 $41,444 $17,480 $30,675
2016 $39,375 $40,597 $16,567 $28,811
2015 $34,961 $40,899 $15,333 $25,435
2014 $38,475 $39,555 $15,188 $24,985
2013 $40,899 $39,402 $14,821 $22,487
2012 $49,145 $37,606 $12,337 $22,264
2011 $48,760 $36,214 $12,110 $21,781
2010 $44,968 $35,336 $10,935 $18,982
2009 $41,309 $33,543 $9,747 $18,453
2008 $39,876 $35,274 $11,265 $18,881
2007 $35,779 $35,015 $12,669 $19,473
2006 $35,992 $33,632 $12,783 $17,503
2005 $37,813 $32,170 $11,802 $15,846
2004 $38,299 $30,832 $10,828 $14,160
2003 $35,387 $29,392 $9,070 $14,142
2002 $32,821 $28,624 $8,864 $14,570
2001 $34,406 $27,943 $8,153 $14,615
2000 $39,169 $27,288 $8,064 $14,638
1999 $36,610 $25,736 $8,243 $13,853
1998 $32,424 $25,508 $8,210 $13,675
1997 $35,638 $25,619 $7,747 $13,458
1996 $39,150 $24,999 $7,004 $11,931
1995 $44,198 $23,858 $7,181 $10,809
1994 $39,934 $22,823 $6,975 $10,692
1993 $36,345 $22,168 $6,979 $11,020
1992 $31,993 $21,825 $6,520 $10,243
1991 $29,428 $21,227 $5,655 $9,387
1990 $25,801 $19,912 $5,642 $8,955
1989 $25,266 - $4,689 -
1988 $25,500 - $4,392 -
1987 $21,142 - $3,872 -
1986 $17,452 - $3,368 -
1985 $11,809 - $2,754 -
1984 $11,207 - $2,488 -
1983 $10,652 - $2,426 -
1982 $9,780 - $2,441 -
1981 $10,583 - $2,557 -
1980 $9,669 - $2,478 -
1979 $9,301 - $2,030 -
1978 $9,012 - $1,377 -
1977 $6,473 - $1,044 -
1976 $5,310 - $814 -
1975 $4,776 - $806 -
1974 $4,448 - $745 -
1973 $4,061 - $649 -
1972 $3,031 - $547 -
1971 $2,321 - $402 -
1970 $2,101 - $344 -
1969 $1,803 - $314 -
1968 $1,553 - $314 -
1967 $1,326 - $333 -
1966 $1,144 - $338 -
1965 $994 - $328 -
1964 $903 - $332 -
1963 $776 - $308 -
1962 $685 - $287 -
1961 $609 - $270.3 -
1960 $509 - $288.1 -

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

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

Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $17,859 in the Seychelles, ranking 63/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239.

Economic indicators

Japan Seychelles
Gross domestic product
$4.03T
2024
$2.17B
2024
GDP rank
4/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
3.47%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,487
2024
$17,859
2024
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
63/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$33,239
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
67/197
2024
Government debt
$9.51T
2024
$1.25B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
236.1%
2024
57.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$76,704
2024
$10,288
2024
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2024
57/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,653
2026
$10,944
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.31T
2024
$811M
2024
Number of millionaires
2,732,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2020
23.9%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2020
2.6%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
0.31%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
1.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.54%
2024
2.59%
2024
Population
122677250
126311

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Seychelles
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Seychelles
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 236.1% 33.8% 57.6%
2023 39.2% 240.5% 32.9% 55.3%
2022 41.8% 248.2% 31.3% 60%
2021 42.5% 253.7% 38.8% 71%
2020 44.5% 258.4% 46.7% 77.4%
2019 37.3% 236.4% 31.7% 48.9%
2018 36.7% 232.4% 33% 51.3%
2017 36.7% 231.3% 34.3% 56.7%
2016 37.2% 232.4% 34.5% 62.8%
2015 37.3% 228.3% 31.5% 64.7%
2014 38.4% 233.3% 33.4% 70.4%
2013 38.8% 229.5% 37.8% 68.2%
2012 38.6% 226.1% 38.6% 80.1%
2011 38.6% 219.2% 36.4% 82.5%
2010 37.7% 205.9% 34.6% 82.2%
2009 38.7% 198.8% 32.1% 106.1%
2008 34.1% 180.9% 27% 192.1%
2007 33.1% 173% 41.9% 144%
2006 33.1% 174.1% 43.6% 135.1%
2005 33.5% 174.6% 39% 144.1%
2004 33.7% 169.5% 39.9% 163.2%
2003 35% 160% 44.6% 177%
2002 35.4% 154.1% 56.3% 195.9%
2001 35.2% 145.1% 46.8% 199.8%
2000 36% 135.6% 55.4% 177.8%
1999 35.6% 129.5% 56.1% 159.8%
1998 38.6% 116% 60.7% 161.2%
1997 33.1% 105% 54.7% 143%
1996 33.8% 98.1% 59.1% 146.7%
1995 33.4% 92.5% 53.1% 133.5%
1994 32.8% 84.4% 63.6% 123.5%
1993 32.1% 72.8% 60.4% 82.2%
1992 30.3% 66.8% 50.7% 79.9%
1991 29.3% 62.4% 52.1% 89.2%
1990 29.5% 63.2% 46.1% 80.4%
1989 29.2% 65.7% 51.7% 39.9%
1988 29.9% 71.9% 46.7% 41.3%
1987 30.6% 75.8% 49.7% 37%
1986 30.4% 74.1% 58% 31.5%
1985 30.4% 68.3% 53% 26.5%
1984 31.2% 65.6% 50.5% 15.3%
1983 31.8% 63.5% 47.9% 12.4%
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while the Seychelles spent $732M, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 57.6% in the Seychelles, ranking 3/185 and 85/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Seychelles
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Seychelles
2024 -1.53% -0.69%
2023 -2.26% -1.14%
2022 -4.21% -0.76%
2021 -6.13% -5.76%
2020 -9.08% -15.7%
2019 -3.04% 0.42%
2018 -2.47% -0.8%
2017 -3.1% -1.67%
2016 -3.6% 0.02%
2015 -3.68% 1.39%
2014 -5.62% 2.87%
2013 -7.61% 0.33%
2012 -8.2% 2.93%
2011 -8.99% 3.36%
2010 -9.08% 0.52%
2009 -9.69% 4.84%
2008 -4.11% 7.88%
2007 -2.9% -9.93%
2006 -3.03% -2.54%
2005 -4.44% 0.42%
2004 -5.31% 0.44%
2003 -7.43% 3.4%
2002 -7.34% -16.3%
2001 -6.2% -8.93%
2000 -7.28% -14.7%
1999 -6.75% -10.3%
1998 -10% -16.7%
1997 -3.53% -5.91%
1996 -4.87% -9.69%
1995 -4.3% -2.58%
1994 -3.76% -6.95%
1993 -2.39% -3.62%
1992 0.57% 6.44%
1991 1.67% 3.15%
1990 1.96% 11.9%
1989 1.23% 8.26%
1988 0.49% 11.8%
1987 -0.36% 2.77%
1986 -1.36% -10.1%
1985 -1.37% -4.86%
1984 -2.62% -6.09%
1983 -3.95% -3.13%
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/seychelles | 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 the Seychelles' deficit of $15M, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 42 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 37 of those years, while the Seychelles ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.04% of GDP for the Seychelles.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Seychelles
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Seychelles
2024 2.74% 0.31%
2023 3.27% -1.04%
2022 2.5% 2.63%
2021 -0.23% 9.77%
2020 -0.02% 1.2%
2019 0.47% 1.81%
2018 0.99% 3.7%
2017 0.48% 2.86%
2016 -0.13% -1.02%
2015 0.8% 4.04%
2014 2.76% 1.39%
2013 0.34% 4.34%
2012 -0.04% 7.11%
2011 -0.27% 2.56%
2010 -0.73% -2.4%
2009 -1.35% 31.8%
2008 1.38% 37%
2007 0.06% 5.32%
2006 0.25% -0.35%
2005 -0.28% 0.91%
2004 -0.009% 3.86%
2003 -0.26% 3.3%
2002 -0.92% 0.18%
2001 -0.74% 5.97%
2000 -0.68% 6.27%
1999 -0.34% 6.35%
1998 0.66% 2.58%
1997 1.75% 0.62%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.44%, compared with 5.03% in the Seychelles. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 0.31% in the Seychelles.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7M
Miscellaneous $550K
Metals $157K
Animal & marine products $156K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $87K
Textiles & consumer goods $59K
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Chemicals & pharma $13K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Wood & paper products $2K
Seychelles
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $512K

Balance of trade

Japan Seychelles
Current account balance
$194B
2024
-$176M
2024
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2024
97/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.82%
2024
-8.11%
2024
Goods imports
$719B
2024
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$694B
2024
$595M
2024
Service imports
$246B
2024
$1B
2024
Service exports
$228B
2024
$1.71B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
103.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
85.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Seychelles
Economic freedom 70.3 66.5
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 60/197
Property rights 94.2 82.6
Government integrity 81.1 71.7
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 61.7
Tax burden 63 77.3
Government spending 52 68
Fiscal health 41.7 92.2
Business freedom 77.8 71.3
Labor freedom 65.9 52
Monetary freedom 74.3 79.8
Trade freedom 76.2 81.2
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Seychelles
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Seychelles
2026 70.3 66.5
2025 70.2 66.4
2024 67.5 60.4
2023 69.3 59.5
2022 69.9 61.1
2021 74.1 66.3
2020 73.3 64.3
2019 72.1 61.4
2018 72.3 61.6
2017 69.6 61.8
2016 73.1 62.2
2015 73.3 57.5
2014 72.4 56.2
2013 71.8 54.9
2012 71.6 53
2011 72.8 51.2
2010 72.9 47.9
2009 72.8 47.8
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/seychelles | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 66.5 for the Seychelles, ranking 60/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Seychelles
Services, % of GDP
69.8%
2023
65.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2023
12.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.94%
2023
2.45%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46T
2024
$2.12B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$55,490
2024
$32,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.23T
2024
$774M
2024
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2024
145/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$191B
2024
-$262M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$16.2B
2024
$226M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$203B
2024
-$35.4M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
25.3%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
2024
17.2%
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/seychelles | 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 (1875–1989, 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 (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.