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Economy of Kuwait vs Mexico compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $1.86T for Mexico, ranking 59/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $1.08T (58.3% of GDP) in Mexico.

Kuwait vs Mexico GDP by year

Kuwait
Mexico
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Mexico
2024 $160,227,273,053 $1,856,365,616,166
2023 $165,384,407,116 $1,798,317,581,487
2022 $183,502,046,694 $1,466,934,724,293
2021 $148,350,671,489 $1,316,569,466,686
2020 $111,045,470,606 $1,121,064,767,308
2019 $140,856,394,861 $1,304,106,203,902
2018 $138,646,316,351 $1,256,300,182,880
2017 $120,687,539,806 $1,190,721,475,906
2016 $109,406,674,125 $1,112,233,497,453
2015 $114,585,555,689 $1,213,294,467,717
2014 $162,650,450,685 $1,364,507,717,614
2013 $174,168,116,535 $1,327,436,290,283
2012 $174,047,662,680 $1,255,110,424,818
2011 $154,039,231,246 $1,229,013,703,417
2010 $115,416,245,242 $1,105,424,238,731
2009 $105,968,691,905 $943,437,415,025
2008 $147,379,737,230 $1,161,553,459,715
2007 $114,634,043,362 $1,102,355,554,972
2006 $101,557,330,723 $1,020,265,057,882
2005 $80,798,630,137 $917,571,853,529
2004 $59,439,090,601 $819,459,227,375
2003 $47,874,582,232 $765,549,967,703
2002 $38,135,788,414 $810,666,116,402
2001 $34,889,559,870 $796,064,590,549
2000 $37,718,743,480 $742,061,329,749
1999 $30,122,365,849 $631,249,359,702
1998 $25,943,705,784 $557,461,102,631
1997 $30,350,190,704 $523,449,530,464
1996 $31,492,373,309 $432,157,945,024
1995 $27,186,980,647 $380,157,469,867
1994 $24,848,483,838 $553,618,247,901
1993 $23,941,391,391 $530,160,763,663
1992 $19,858,555,215 $363,157,832,924
1991 $11,009,993,703 $313,139,656,146
1990 $18,427,777,778 $261,253,675,693
1989 $24,313,855,653 $221,403,098,267
1988 $20,690,322,153 $181,611,150,497
1987 $22,368,704,134 $147,542,558,209
1986 $17,903,989,745 $134,556,034,673
1985 $21,445,970,614 $195,241,069,482
1984 $21,700,082,753 $184,230,754,105
1983 $20,871,081,080 $156,167,000,433
1982 $21,577,153,356 $184,602,611,610
1981 $25,058,020,338 $263,797,827,860
1980 $28,638,868,356 $205,577,055,466
1979 $24,749,063,922 $134,531,900,899
1978 $15,503,557,496 $102,648,570,299
1977 $14,137,406,741 $81,912,018,784
1976 $13,132,252,802 $88,875,923,765
1975 $12,022,811,621 $88,000,000,000
1974 $13,006,948,296 $72,000,000,000
1973 $5,408,804,607 $55,280,000,000
1972 $4,450,537,925 $45,200,000,000
1971 $3,880,392,195 $39,200,000,000
1970 $2,873,638,851 $35,520,000,000
1969 $2,769,198,892 $32,480,000,000
1968 $2,662,798,935 $29,360,000,000
1967 $2,441,599,023 $26,560,000,000
1966 $2,391,199,044 $24,320,000,000
1965 $2,097,199,161 $21,840,000,000
1964 $2,071,668,533 $20,080,000,000
1963 $1,900,895,857 $16,960,000,000
1962 $1,828,107,503 $15,200,000,000
1961 - $14,160,000,000
1960 - $13,040,000,000

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/mexico | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Mexico by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mexico
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Mexico
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $14,186 $26,185
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $13,861 $25,243
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $11,406 $23,135
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $10,314 $20,783
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $8,841 $19,354
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $10,370 $20,964
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $10,085 $20,921
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $9,649 $20,489
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $9,098 $20,105
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $10,021 $19,071
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $11,391 $18,821
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $11,217 $18,170
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $10,744 $18,005
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $10,664 $17,267
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $9,729 $15,909
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $8,424 $15,191
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $10,524 $15,681
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $10,134 $15,032
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $9,513 $14,540
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $8,672 $13,260
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $7,850 $12,658
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $7,434 $12,066
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $7,983 $11,762
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $7,953 $11,739
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $7,524 $11,705
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $6,500 $11,031
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $5,833 $10,756
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $5,567 $10,182
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $4,674 $9,496
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $4,184 $8,933
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $6,202 $9,466
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $6,048 $9,041
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $4,221 $9,470
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $3,709 $9,079
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $3,154 $8,578
1989 $10,965 - $2,725 -
1988 $9,692 - $2,279 -
1987 $10,896 - $1,888 -
1986 $9,077 - $1,757 -
1985 $11,322 - $2,602 -
1984 $11,919 - $2,506 -
1983 $11,965 - $2,170 -
1982 $12,979 - $2,621 -
1981 $15,825 - $3,829 -
1980 $19,032 - $3,055 -
1979 $17,386 - $2,049 -
1978 $11,567 - $1,604 -
1977 $11,238 - $1,315 -
1976 $11,141 - $1,465 -
1975 $10,882 - $1,492 -
1974 $12,527 - $1,256 -
1973 $5,532 - $993 -
1972 $4,836 - $837 -
1971 $4,486 - $748 -
1970 $3,552 - $699 -
1969 $3,695 - $660 -
1968 $3,872 - $616 -
1967 $3,887 - $576 -
1966 $4,176 - $545 -
1965 $4,024 - $506 -
1964 $4,379 - $481 -
1963 $4,445 - $420 -
1962 $4,748 - $388 -
1961 - - $374 -
1960 - - $355 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/mexico | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $14,186 in Mexico, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Mexico ranks 80th at $26,185.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Mexico
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$1.86T
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
1.43%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$14,186
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
69/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$26,185
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
80/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$1.08T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
58.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$8,272
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
63/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$10,231
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$418B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
399,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
22
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
34.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
30.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
7%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
2.62%
2024
Population
5100145
133323134

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Mexico
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Mexico
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 30.3% 58.3%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 28.5% 52.6%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 28.5% 53.8%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 26.7% 56.7%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 27.8% 58.5%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 25.3% 51.9%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 25% 52.2%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 25% 52.5%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 26.5% 55%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 26.6% 51%
2014 45% 3.43% 26.9% 47.1%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 26.7% 44.1%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 27% 40.8%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 26.6% 41.2%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 26.5% 40.2%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 26.5% 41.7%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 26.5% 40.6%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 22.5% 35.5%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 21.6% 35.8%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 21.2% 36.8%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 20.5% 38.9%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 21.5% 42.1%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 19.8% 39.9%
2001 41.4% 23% 19.5% 37.3%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 19.4% 38.5%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 20.1% 41.7%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 19.5% 39.7%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 20.7% 39.1%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 20.8% 42.5%
1995 52% 34.9% 18.9% 30.7%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 18.9% 26.8%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 18.2% 19.2%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 19% 21.5%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 20.1% 29.2%
1990 122.9% - 22.9% 35.7%
1989 - - 19.2% 36%
1988 - - 23.6% 36.5%
1987 - - 26.7% 52.7%
1986 - - 25.1% 47.8%
1985 - - 21.4% 30.4%
1984 - - 19.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 21.6% 25.3%
1982 - - 24.7% 29.8%
1981 - - 20.1% 41.7%
1980 - - 17.5% 31.4%
1979 - - 16.5% 35.8%
1978 - - 15.7% 39%
1977 - - 15.5% 41.5%
1976 - - 15.5% 31.3%
1975 - - 14.7% 24.4%
1974 - - 13.8% 21.7%
1973 - - 12.7% 20%
1972 - - 11.9% 17.9%
1971 - - 10.6% 17%
1970 - - 10.9% 17.1%
1969 - - 11.8% 10.7%
1968 - - 10.9% 7.85%
1967 - - 10.4% 8.22%
1966 - - 11.6% 5.14%
1965 - - 10.7% 9.99%
1964 - - 9.21% 6.22%
1963 - - 8.51% 4.13%
1962 - - 8.26% 4.2%
1961 - - 8.01% 4.38%
1960 - - 9.5% 4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/mexico | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Mexico spent $563B, or 30.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 58.3% in Mexico, ranking 184/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Mexico
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Mexico
2024 23.8% -5.73%
2023 28.2% -4.29%
2022 30% -4.32%
2021 9.98% -3.75%
2020 0.14% -4.29%
2019 13% -2.27%
2018 17.5% -2.14%
2017 15.3% -1.03%
2016 13.1% -2.68%
2015 16.6% -3.86%
2014 30% -4.37%
2013 40.6% -3.56%
2012 40.7% -3.57%
2011 38.8% -3.2%
2010 31.9% -3.8%
2009 31.3% -3.94%
2008 21.3% -0.68%
2007 37.1% -1.46%
2006 28% -1.23%
2005 38.9% -1.43%
2004 32.5% -1.35%
2003 27.2% -2.24%
2002 31% -2.18%
2001 45.2% -2.57%
2000 52.5% -2.69%
1999 28.2% -4.49%
1998 19.5% -4.49%
1997 29.5% -3.48%
1996 24.3% -3.66%
1995 11.7% -2.28%
1994 1.76% -2.25%
1993 -3.12% -1.51%
1992 -28.1% 2.26%
1991 -145% 1.49%
1990 -50% -3.11%
1989 - -4.75%
1988 - -8.76%
1987 - -11.6%
1986 - -11.2%
1985 - -7.2%
1984 - -5.79%
1983 - -6.03%
1982 - -11.4%
1981 - -4.9%
1980 - -1.75%
1979 - -2.15%
1978 - -1.88%
1977 - -2.43%
1976 - -3.14%
1975 - -2.64%
1974 - -3.33%
1973 - -2.75%
1972 - -2.3%
1971 - -1.43%
1970 - -1.71%
1969 - -2.74%
1968 - -2.06%
1967 - -2.12%
1966 - -3.2%
1965 - -2.51%
1964 - -1.44%
1963 - -0.92%
1962 - -0.79%
1961 - -0.88%
1960 - -1.36%
1959 - -0.73%
1958 - 0.24%
1957 - -0.03%
1956 - 0.52%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - -0.94%
1953 - -0.58%
1952 - 0.42%
1951 - -0.26%
1950 - -0.2%
1949 - 0.44%
1948 - -1.55%
1947 - -0.93%
1946 - 0.66%
1945 - -1.11%
1944 - -1.12%
1943 - 0.05%
1942 - -0.93%
1941 - -0.26%
1940 - -0.4%
1939 - -0.06%
1938 - -0.91%
1937 - -0.41%
1936 - -0.39%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.72%
1933 - -0.58%
1932 - 0%
1931 - 0.71%
1930 - 0.21%
1929 - 0.95%
1928 - 0.24%
1927 - -0.3%
1926 - -0.29%
1925 - 0.46%
1924 - 1.34%
1923 - 1.02%
1922 - 1.13%
1921 - 0.64%
1920 - 0.91%
1919 - 0.41%
1918 - -0.19%
1917 - 0.63%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.28%
1912 - -0.79%
1911 - -0.31%
1910 - 0.1%
1909 - 0.15%
1908 - -0.08%
1907 - 0.43%
1906 - 0.72%
1905 - 0.35%
1904 - 1.09%
1903 - 3.82%
1902 - 0.42%
1901 - 0.62%
1900 - 0.76%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/mexico | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $38.1B, equivalent to 23.8% of GDP. This compares to Mexico's deficit of $106B, or 5.73% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Mexico ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.69% of GDP for Mexico.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Mexico
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Mexico
2024 2.9% 4.72%
2023 3.64% 5.53%
2022 3.98% 7.9%
2021 3.42% 5.69%
2020 2.1% 3.4%
2019 1.09% 3.64%
2018 0.54% 4.9%
2017 2.17% 6.04%
2016 3.2% 2.82%
2015 3.27% 2.72%
2014 2.91% 4.02%
2013 2.68% 3.81%
2012 3.26% 4.11%
2011 4.84% 3.41%
2010 4.5% 4.16%
2009 4.61% 5.3%
2008 10.6% 5.12%
2007 5.48% 3.97%
2006 3.06% 3.63%
2005 4.14% 3.99%
2004 1.25% 4.69%
2003 0.96% 4.55%
2002 0.89% 5.03%
2001 1.3% 6.37%
2000 1.81% 9.49%
1999 2.99% 16.6%
1998 0.13% 15.9%
1997 0.68% 20.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/mexico | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 6.15% in Mexico. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 4.72% in Mexico.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $260K
Machinery & equipment $164K
Metals $41K
Chemicals & pharma $33K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $25K
Precious metals & jewellery $14K
Miscellaneous $7K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Mexico
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $93.7M
Raw agricultural goods $5.63M
Miscellaneous $1.92M
Metals $1.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $315K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $276K
Chemicals & pharma $224K
Raw materials & minerals $167K
Wood & paper products $24K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Mexico
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$16.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
181/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-0.9%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$637B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$618B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$72B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$63B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
37.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
36.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Mexico
Economic freedom 59.9 59.8
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 102/197
Property rights 42 37.6
Government integrity 47.9 28.8
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 40.4
Tax burden 97.7 75.4
Government spending 36.2 74.6
Fiscal health 99.9 56.7
Business freedom 57.4 67
Labor freedom 49.2 57.3
Monetary freedom 68.7 70.6
Trade freedom 75.8 74.2
Investment freedom 50 75
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Mexico
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Mexico
2026 59.9 59.8
2025 59.9 61.3
2024 58.5 62
2023 56.7 63.2
2022 58.3 63.7
2021 64.1 65.5
2020 63.2 66
2019 60.8 64.7
2018 62.2 64.8
2017 65.1 63.6
2016 62.7 65.2
2015 62.5 66.4
2014 62.3 66.8
2013 63.1 67
2012 62.5 65.3
2011 64.9 67.8
2010 67.7 68.3
2009 65.6 65.8
2008 68.1 66.2
2007 66.4 66
2006 66.5 64.7
2005 64.6 65.2
2004 63.6 66
2003 66.7 65.3
2002 65.4 63
2001 68.2 60.6
2000 69.7 59.3
1999 69.5 58.5
1998 66.3 57.9
1997 64.8 57.1
1996 66.1 61.2
1995 - 63.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/mexico | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 59.8 for Mexico, ranking 102/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Mexico
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
31.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
3.72%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$1.68T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$25,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$232B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
16/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$32.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$45.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.71%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
29.6%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
24.1%
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/kuwait/mexico | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1995, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.