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Economy of Japan vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 4/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Japan vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Japan
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Sierra Leone
2024 $4,027,597,523,551 $6,971,127,235
2023 $4,213,167,237,906 $6,415,852,767
2022 $4,262,463,317,797 $7,121,125,278
2021 $5,039,148,168,861 $7,166,931,485
2020 $5,054,068,005,376 $6,688,307,703
2019 $5,117,993,853,017 $6,523,577,594
2018 $5,040,880,939,325 $6,390,514,689
2017 $4,930,837,369,151 $5,749,846,528
2016 $5,003,677,627,544 $6,084,297,211
2015 $4,444,930,651,964 $6,788,352,975
2014 $4,896,994,405,353 $7,686,138,791
2013 $5,212,328,181,166 $7,502,762,863
2012 $6,272,362,996,105 $6,141,666,509
2011 $6,233,147,172,341 $4,861,632,885
2010 $5,759,071,769,013 $4,262,805,967
2009 $5,289,493,117,994 $3,953,403,098
2008 $5,106,679,115,127 $4,157,895,298
2007 $4,579,750,920,355 $3,632,957,611
2006 $4,601,663,122,650 $3,263,697,467
2005 $4,831,467,035,390 $2,545,275,313
2004 $4,893,116,005,657 $2,237,350,687
2003 $4,519,561,645,254 $2,142,618,046
2002 $4,182,846,045,874 $1,933,863,911
2001 $4,374,711,694,091 $1,681,473,894
2000 $4,968,359,075,957 $635,866,404
1999 $4,635,982,224,064 $669,386,624
1998 $4,098,362,709,531 $672,368,187
1997 $4,492,448,605,639 $850,232,760
1996 $4,923,391,533,852 $941,709,423
1995 $5,545,563,663,890 $870,740,292
1994 $4,998,797,547,741 $911,853,802
1993 $4,536,940,479,038 $768,867,883
1992 $3,980,702,922,118 $679,940,814
1991 $3,648,065,760,649 $779,981,987
1990 $3,185,904,656,664 $649,644,098
1989 $3,109,455,047,824 $932,974,420
1988 $3,125,724,434,401 $1,055,083,933
1987 $2,580,748,422,781 $660,106,336
1986 $2,120,083,812,110 $490,181,457
1985 $1,427,019,759,717 $856,890,459
1984 $1,345,824,500,837 $1,087,471,862
1983 $1,270,859,919,743 $995,104,305
1982 $1,158,731,426,906 $1,295,361,886
1981 $1,245,221,410,764 $1,114,830,472
1980 $1,129,377,244,854 $1,100,685,845
1979 $1,077,910,077,676 $1,109,374,911
1978 $1,035,611,588,217 $960,728,339
1977 $737,069,290,928 $691,777,584
1976 $598,883,902,156 $594,895,942
1975 $532,861,438,885 $679,336,344
1974 $490,035,789,970 $648,590,643
1973 $441,460,582,536 $575,230,724
1972 $324,933,841,269 $465,381,340
1971 $245,364,056,622 $419,549,305
1970 $217,223,652,719 $434,410,974
1969 $184,298,841,305 $408,690,163
1968 $156,897,496,759 $329,859,732
1967 $132,475,614,227 $348,795,303
1966 $113,046,784,179 $375,479,850
1965 $97,338,107,606 $359,379,856
1964 $87,490,590,818 $371,847,461
1963 $74,379,284,603 $348,547,279
1962 $64,987,857,542 $342,721,416
1961 $57,266,758,180 $327,834,191
1960 $47,419,238,274 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Sierra Leone by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,487 $52,039 $807 $3,522
2023 $33,836 $50,662 $758 $3,368
2022 $34,066 $47,192 $860 $3,144
2021 $40,095 $44,355 $885 $2,849
2020 $40,029 $42,426 $845 $2,719
2019 $40,416 $42,678 $844 $2,704
2018 $39,751 $42,142 $846 $2,640
2017 $38,834 $41,444 $779 $2,501
2016 $39,375 $40,597 $844 $2,635
2015 $34,961 $40,899 $965 $2,560
2014 $38,475 $39,555 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $40,899 $39,402 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $49,145 $37,606 $938 $2,317
2011 $48,760 $36,214 $761 $2,043
2010 $44,968 $35,336 $685 $1,900
2009 $41,309 $33,543 $653 $1,814
2008 $39,876 $35,274 $705 $1,824
2007 $35,779 $35,015 $632 $1,770
2006 $35,992 $33,632 $580 $1,698
2005 $37,813 $32,170 $463 $1,615
2004 $38,299 $30,832 $418 $1,541
2003 $35,387 $29,392 $414 $1,458
2002 $32,821 $28,624 $389 $1,360
2001 $34,406 $27,943 $358 $1,121
2000 $39,169 $27,288 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $36,610 $25,736 $155 $1,167
1998 $32,424 $25,508 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $35,638 $25,619 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $39,150 $24,999 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $44,198 $23,858 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $39,934 $22,823 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $36,345 $22,168 $185 $1,269
1992 $31,993 $21,825 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $29,428 $21,227 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $25,801 $19,912 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $25,266 - $231.3 -
1988 $25,500 - $268.2 -
1987 $21,142 - $172.4 -
1986 $17,452 - $131.5 -
1985 $11,809 - $235.5 -
1984 $11,207 - $306 -
1983 $10,652 - $285.8 -
1982 $9,780 - $380 -
1981 $10,583 - $334 -
1980 $9,669 - $336 -
1979 $9,301 - $346 -
1978 $9,012 - $305 -
1977 $6,473 - $224.2 -
1976 $5,310 - $196.4 -
1975 $4,776 - $228.4 -
1974 $4,448 - $222.1 -
1973 $4,061 - $200.6 -
1972 $3,031 - $165.4 -
1971 $2,321 - $151.8 -
1970 $2,101 - $160.2 -
1969 $1,803 - $153.6 -
1968 $1,553 - $126.3 -
1967 $1,326 - $136.1 -
1966 $1,144 - $149.3 -
1965 $994 - $145.6 -
1964 $903 - $153.4 -
1963 $776 - $146.3 -
1962 $685 - $146.3 -
1961 $609 - $142.3 -
1960 $509 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/sierra-leone | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Japan Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$4.03T
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
4/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,487
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$9.51T
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
236.1%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$76,704
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,653
2026
$2,915
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
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2020
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.54%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
122677250
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 236.1% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 39.2% 240.5% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 41.8% 248.2% 16.7% 54%
2021 42.5% 253.7% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 44.5% 258.4% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 37.3% 236.4% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 36.7% 232.4% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 36.7% 231.3% 15% 44.2%
2016 37.2% 232.4% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 37.3% 228.3% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 38.4% 233.3% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 38.8% 229.5% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 38.6% 226.1% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 38.6% 219.2% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 37.7% 205.9% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 38.7% 198.8% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 34.1% 180.9% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 33.1% 173% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 33.1% 174.1% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 33.5% 174.6% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 33.7% 169.5% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 35% 160% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 35.4% 154.1% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 35.2% 145.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 36% 135.6% 10.3% -
1999 35.6% 129.5% - -
1998 38.6% 116% - -
1997 33.1% 105% - -
1996 33.8% 98.1% - -
1995 33.4% 92.5% - -
1994 32.8% 84.4% - -
1993 32.1% 72.8% - -
1992 30.3% 66.8% - -
1991 29.3% 62.4% - -
1990 29.5% 63.2% - -
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 3/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Sierra Leone
2024 -1.53% -4.53%
2023 -2.26% -4.99%
2022 -4.21% -5.93%
2021 -6.13% -4.35%
2020 -9.08% -3.5%
2019 -3.04% -1.95%
2018 -2.47% -3.57%
2017 -3.1% -5.61%
2016 -3.6% -5.41%
2015 -3.68% -2.86%
2014 -5.62% -2.77%
2013 -7.61% -1.74%
2012 -8.2% -3.41%
2011 -8.99% -2.78%
2010 -9.08% -3.09%
2009 -9.69% -1.51%
2008 -4.11% -2.22%
2007 -2.9% 12.6%
2006 -3.03% -0.93%
2005 -4.44% -1.17%
2004 -5.31% -1.46%
2003 -7.43% -2.78%
2002 -7.34% -3.03%
2001 -6.2% -3.22%
2000 -7.28% -1.94%
1999 -6.75% -
1998 -10% -
1997 -3.53% -
1996 -4.87% -
1995 -4.3% -
1994 -3.76% -
1993 -2.39% -
1992 0.57% -
1991 1.67% -
1990 1.96% -
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/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Sierra Leone
2024 2.74% 28.4%
2023 3.27% 47.7%
2022 2.5% 27.2%
2021 -0.23% 11.9%
2020 -0.02% 13.4%
2019 0.47% 14.8%
2018 0.99% 16%
2017 0.48% 18.2%
2016 -0.13% 10.9%
2015 0.8% 6.7%
2014 2.76% 4.6%
2013 0.34% 5.5%
2012 -0.04% 6.6%
2011 -0.27% 6.8%
2010 -0.73% 7.2%
2009 -1.35% 7.5%
2008 1.38% 8.2%
2007 0.06% 17%
2006 0.25% 10.5%
2005 -0.28% 13.7%
2004 -0.009% 12.9%
2003 -0.26% 4%
2002 -0.92% 0.1%
2001 -0.74% 2.6%
2000 -0.68% -0.9%
1999 -0.34% 34.1%
1998 0.66% 36%
1997 1.75% 14.6%

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/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.44%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.64M
Chemicals & pharma $1.14M
Raw materials & minerals $744K
Metals $470K
Textiles & consumer goods $373K
Raw agricultural goods $230K
Animal & marine products $42K
Wood & paper products $26K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Miscellaneous $10K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Japan Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$194B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.82%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$719B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$694B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$246B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$228B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 70.3 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 165/197
Property rights 94.2 32.9
Government integrity 81.1 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 42
Tax burden 63 88.2
Government spending 52 92.4
Fiscal health 41.7 54.1
Business freedom 77.8 44.8
Labor freedom 65.9 38.2
Monetary freedom 74.3 53.6
Trade freedom 76.2 63.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Sierra Leone
2026 70.3 49.6
2025 70.2 48
2024 67.5 44.6
2023 69.3 50.2
2022 69.9 52
2021 74.1 51.7
2020 73.3 48
2019 72.1 47.5
2018 72.3 51.8
2017 69.6 52.6
2016 73.1 52.3
2015 73.3 51.7
2014 72.4 50.5
2013 71.8 48.3
2012 71.6 49.1
2011 72.8 49.6
2010 72.9 47.9
2009 72.8 47.8
2008 73 48.3
2007 72.7 47
2006 73.3 45.2
2005 67.3 44.8
2004 64.3 43.6
2003 67.6 42.2
2002 66.7 -
2001 70.9 -
2000 70.7 44.2
1999 69.1 47.2
1998 70.2 47.7
1997 70.3 45
1996 72.6 52.3
1995 75 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
69.8%
2023
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2023
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.94%
2023
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46T
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$55,490
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.23T
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$191B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$16.2B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$203B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
2024
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (1875–1989, 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)
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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.