Skip to content

Economy of Japan vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 4/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Japan vs Vietnam GDP by year

Japan
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Vietnam
2024 $4,027,597,523,551 $476,388,230,307
2023 $4,213,167,237,906 $433,857,681,378
2022 $4,262,463,317,797 $413,445,230,669
2021 $5,039,148,168,861 $366,474,752,771
2020 $5,054,068,005,376 $346,615,738,538
2019 $5,117,993,853,017 $334,365,270,497
2018 $5,040,880,939,325 $310,106,478,395
2017 $4,930,837,369,151 $281,353,605,987
2016 $5,003,677,627,544 $257,096,001,178
2015 $4,444,930,651,964 $239,258,328,382
2014 $4,896,994,405,353 $233,451,469,643
2013 $5,212,328,181,166 $213,708,811,665
2012 $6,272,362,996,105 $195,590,661,129
2011 $6,233,147,172,341 $172,595,049,184
2010 $5,759,071,769,013 $147,201,173,197
2009 $5,289,493,117,994 $106,014,659,565
2008 $5,106,679,115,127 $99,130,304,099
2007 $4,579,750,920,355 $77,414,425,532
2006 $4,601,663,122,650 $66,371,664,817
2005 $4,831,467,035,390 $57,633,255,738
2004 $4,893,116,005,657 $45,427,854,693
2003 $4,519,561,645,254 $39,552,513,232
2002 $4,182,846,045,874 $35,064,105,501
2001 $4,374,711,694,091 $32,685,198,809
2000 $4,968,359,075,957 $31,172,518,403
1999 $4,635,982,224,064 $28,683,659,007
1998 $4,098,362,709,531 $27,209,602,050
1997 $4,492,448,605,639 $26,843,700,442
1996 $4,923,391,533,852 $24,657,470,575
1995 $5,545,563,663,890 $20,736,164,459
1994 $4,998,797,547,741 $16,286,433,533
1993 $4,536,940,479,038 $13,180,953,598
1992 $3,980,702,922,118 $9,866,990,236
1991 $3,648,065,760,649 $9,613,369,520
1990 $3,185,904,656,664 $6,471,740,806
1989 $3,109,455,047,824 $6,293,304,975
1988 $3,125,724,434,401 $25,423,812,649
1987 $2,580,748,422,781 $36,658,108,850
1986 $2,120,083,812,110 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,427,019,759,717 $14,094,687,821
1984 $1,345,824,500,837 -
1983 $1,270,859,919,743 -
1982 $1,158,731,426,906 -
1981 $1,245,221,410,764 -
1980 $1,129,377,244,854 -
1979 $1,077,910,077,676 -
1978 $1,035,611,588,217 -
1977 $737,069,290,928 -
1976 $598,883,902,156 -
1975 $532,861,438,885 -
1974 $490,035,789,970 -
1973 $441,460,582,536 -
1972 $324,933,841,269 -
1971 $245,364,056,622 -
1970 $217,223,652,719 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Vietnam by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,487 $52,039 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $33,836 $50,662 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $34,066 $47,192 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $40,095 $44,355 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $40,029 $42,426 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $40,416 $42,678 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $39,751 $42,142 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $38,834 $41,444 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $39,375 $40,597 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $34,961 $40,899 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $38,475 $39,555 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $40,899 $39,402 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $49,145 $37,606 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $48,760 $36,214 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $44,968 $35,336 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $41,309 $33,543 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $39,876 $35,274 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $35,779 $35,015 $926 $4,581
2006 $35,992 $33,632 $808 $4,237
2005 $37,813 $32,170 $711 $3,894
2004 $38,299 $30,832 $565 $3,543
2003 $35,387 $29,392 $497 $3,240
2002 $32,821 $28,624 $445 $3,002
2001 $34,406 $27,943 $419 $2,809
2000 $39,169 $27,288 $404 $2,614
1999 $36,610 $25,736 $376 $2,421
1998 $32,424 $25,508 $361 $2,308
1997 $35,638 $25,619 $362 $2,189
1996 $39,150 $24,999 $337 $2,019
1995 $44,198 $23,858 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $39,934 $22,823 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $36,345 $22,168 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $31,993 $21,825 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $29,428 $21,227 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $25,801 $19,912 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $25,266 - $98.1 -
1988 $25,500 - $405 -
1987 $21,142 - $595 -
1986 $17,452 - $436 -
1985 $11,809 - $238.6 -
1984 $11,207 - - -
1983 $10,652 - - -
1982 $9,780 - - -
1981 $10,583 - - -
1980 $9,669 - - -
1979 $9,301 - - -
1978 $9,012 - - -
1977 $6,473 - - -
1976 $5,310 - - -
1975 $4,776 - - -
1974 $4,448 - - -
1973 $4,061 - - -
1972 $3,031 - - -
1971 $2,321 - - -
1970 $2,101 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Japan Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$4.03T
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
4/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,487
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$9.51T
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
236.1%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$76,704
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,653
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.31T
2024
$205B
2024
Number of millionaires
2,732,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2020
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2020
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
2.54%
2024
1.53%
2024
Population
122677250
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 236.1% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 39.2% 240.5% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 41.8% 248.2% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 42.5% 253.7% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 44.5% 258.4% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 37.3% 236.4% 19.8% 41%
2018 36.7% 232.4% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 36.7% 231.3% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 37.2% 232.4% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 37.3% 228.3% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 38.4% 233.3% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 38.8% 229.5% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 38.6% 226.1% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 38.6% 219.2% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 37.7% 205.9% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 38.7% 198.8% 25% 36.2%
2008 34.1% 180.9% 21.4% 31%
2007 33.1% 173% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 33.1% 174.1% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 33.5% 174.6% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 33.7% 169.5% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 35% 160% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 35.4% 154.1% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 35.2% 145.1% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 36% 135.6% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 35.6% 129.5% 16.7% -
1998 38.6% 116% 16% -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 3/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Vietnam
2024 -1.53% -1.54%
2023 -2.26% -1.72%
2022 -4.21% 0.67%
2021 -6.13% -1.43%
2020 -9.08% -2.86%
2019 -3.04% -0.4%
2018 -2.47% -1.02%
2017 -3.1% -1.96%
2016 -3.6% -3.16%
2015 -3.68% -4.98%
2014 -5.62% -5.02%
2013 -7.61% -5.96%
2012 -8.2% -5.46%
2011 -8.99% -0.9%
2010 -9.08% -2.25%
2009 -9.69% -4.82%
2008 -4.11% -0.45%
2007 -2.9% -1.74%
2006 -3.03% 0.2%
2005 -4.44% -0.95%
2004 -5.31% -0.15%
2003 -7.43% -2.56%
2002 -7.34% -1.85%
2001 -6.2% -2.19%
2000 -7.28% -1.61%
1999 -6.75% -1.25%
1998 -10% -0.1%
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.67% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Vietnam
2024 2.74% 3.6%
2023 3.27% 3.3%
2022 2.5% 3.2%
2021 -0.23% 1.8%
2020 -0.02% 3.2%
2019 0.47% 2.8%
2018 0.99% 3.5%
2017 0.48% 3.5%
2016 -0.13% 2.7%
2015 0.8% 0.6%
2014 2.76% 4.1%
2013 0.34% 6.6%
2012 -0.04% 9.1%
2011 -0.27% 18.7%
2010 -0.73% 9.1%
2009 -1.35% 6.7%
2008 1.38% 23.3%
2007 0.06% 8.4%
2006 0.25% 7.7%
2005 -0.28% 8.3%
2004 -0.009% 7.8%
2003 -0.26% 3.1%
2002 -0.92% 3.8%
2001 -0.74% -0.4%
2000 -0.68% -1.8%
1999 -0.34% 4.1%
1998 0.66% 8.1%
1997 1.75% 3.1%

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/vietnam | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.44%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.04B
Metals $2.97B
Chemicals & pharma $1.92B
Transport & tourism services $1.41B
Miscellaneous $1.32B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.2B
Raw materials & minerals $601M
IT & IP services $558M
Wood & paper products $391M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $276M
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.23B
Textiles & consumer goods $7.74B
Wood & paper products $1.37B
Chemicals & pharma $1.22B
Metals $1.17B
Animal & marine products $996M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $955M
Raw materials & minerals $855M
Raw agricultural goods $458M
Miscellaneous $197M

Balance of trade

Japan Vietnam
Current account balance
$194B
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.82%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$719B
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$694B
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$246B
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$228B
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Vietnam
Economic freedom 70.3 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 73/197
Property rights 94.2 47.3
Government integrity 81.1 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 31.3
Tax burden 63 80.9
Government spending 52 89.5
Fiscal health 41.7 96.9
Business freedom 77.8 70
Labor freedom 65.9 54.7
Monetary freedom 74.3 73.2
Trade freedom 76.2 79.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Vietnam
2026 70.3 64.4
2025 70.2 65.2
2024 67.5 62.8
2023 69.3 61.8
2022 69.9 60.6
2021 74.1 61.7
2020 73.3 58.8
2019 72.1 55.3
2018 72.3 53.1
2017 69.6 52.4
2016 73.1 54
2015 73.3 51.7
2014 72.4 50.8
2013 71.8 51
2012 71.6 51.3
2011 72.8 51.6
2010 72.9 49.8
2009 72.8 51
2008 73 50.4
2007 72.7 49.8
2006 73.3 50.5
2005 67.3 48.1
2004 64.3 46.1
2003 67.6 46.2
2002 66.7 45.6
2001 70.9 44.3
2000 70.7 43.7
1999 69.1 42.7
1998 70.2 40.4
1997 70.3 38.6
1996 72.6 40.2
1995 75 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
69.8%
2023
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2023
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.94%
2023
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46T
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$55,490
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.23T
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$191B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$16.2B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$203B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
2024
30.6%
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/vietnam | 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 (2021–2024, 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.

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.