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Economy of Kuwait vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $1.21T for the Netherlands, ranking 59/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $532B (43.8% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Kuwait vs Netherlands GDP by year

Kuwait
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Netherlands
2024 $160,227,273,053 $1,214,927,698,573
2023 $165,384,407,116 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $183,502,046,694 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $148,350,671,489 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $111,045,470,606 $932,560,861,701
2019 $140,856,394,861 $928,903,005,576
2018 $138,646,316,351 $929,733,599,797
2017 $120,687,539,806 $848,233,537,846
2016 $109,406,674,125 $797,163,949,290
2015 $114,585,555,689 $775,743,675,303
2014 $162,650,450,685 $901,556,501,756
2013 $174,168,116,535 $883,951,539,007
2012 $174,047,662,680 $845,689,017,066
2011 $154,039,231,246 $913,140,741,333
2010 $115,416,245,242 $852,464,982,433
2009 $105,968,691,905 $878,954,223,140
2008 $147,379,737,230 $957,901,566,041
2007 $114,634,043,362 $853,499,460,873
2006 $101,557,330,723 $737,593,995,289
2005 $80,798,630,137 $688,133,699,636
2004 $59,439,090,601 $661,224,886,143
2003 $47,874,582,232 $582,435,617,082
2002 $38,135,788,414 $475,529,972,123
2001 $34,889,559,870 $432,536,219,669
2000 $37,718,743,480 $417,649,282,154
1999 $30,122,365,849 $447,778,514,140
1998 $25,943,705,784 $438,612,530,549
1997 $30,350,190,704 $417,506,211,882
1996 $31,492,373,309 $451,372,549,020
1995 $27,186,980,647 $452,967,334,614
1994 $24,848,483,838 $379,688,232,232
1993 $23,941,391,391 $354,070,495,966
1992 $19,858,555,215 $363,497,050,125
1991 $11,009,993,703 $327,982,316,124
1990 $18,427,777,778 $318,799,003,994
1989 $24,313,855,653 $258,716,904,292
1988 $20,690,322,153 $262,295,966,105
1987 $22,368,704,134 $245,406,949,521
1986 $17,903,989,745 $201,157,708,221
1985 $21,445,970,614 $144,057,523,222
1984 $21,700,082,753 $144,124,462,912
1983 $20,871,081,080 $153,671,294,109
1982 $21,577,153,356 $158,712,765,536
1981 $25,058,020,338 $164,375,775,854
1980 $28,638,868,356 $195,439,301,707
1979 $24,749,063,922 $179,933,827,310
1978 $15,503,557,496 $156,089,077,205
1977 $14,137,406,741 $127,203,923,857
1976 $13,132,252,802 $109,329,386,564
1975 $12,022,811,621 $100,397,061,694
1974 $13,006,948,296 $87,371,810,804
1973 $5,408,804,607 $71,946,639,603
1972 $4,450,537,925 $54,787,070,173
1971 $3,880,392,195 $44,644,730,576
1970 $2,873,638,851 $38,220,884,519
1969 $2,769,198,892 $34,086,038,090
1968 $2,662,798,935 $30,097,635,751
1967 $2,441,599,023 $27,143,828,099
1966 $2,391,199,044 $24,741,480,717
1965 $2,097,199,161 $22,721,869,808
1964 $2,071,668,533 $20,232,048,553
1963 $1,900,895,857 $17,193,744,109
1962 $1,828,107,503 $15,847,582,341
1961 - $14,599,836,396
1960 - $13,282,979,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Netherlands by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $67,520 $86,174
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $10,965 - $17,423 -
1988 $9,692 - $17,771 -
1987 $10,896 - $16,734 -
1986 $9,077 - $13,804 -
1985 $11,322 - $9,941 -
1984 $11,919 - $9,992 -
1983 $11,965 - $10,696 -
1982 $12,979 - $11,089 -
1981 $15,825 - $11,537 -
1980 $19,032 - $13,812 -
1979 $17,386 - $12,817 -
1978 $11,567 - $11,196 -
1977 $11,238 - $9,180 -
1976 $11,141 - $7,937 -
1975 $10,882 - $7,346 -
1974 $12,527 - $6,450 -
1973 $5,532 - $5,353 -
1972 $4,836 - $4,110 -
1971 $4,486 - $3,384 -
1970 $3,552 - $2,931 -
1969 $3,695 - $2,647 -
1968 $3,872 - $2,364 -
1967 $3,887 - $2,155 -
1966 $4,176 - $1,986 -
1965 $4,024 - $1,848 -
1964 $4,379 - $1,668 -
1963 $4,445 - $1,437 -
1962 $4,748 - $1,342 -
1961 - - $1,254 -
1960 - - $1,156 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $67,520 in the Netherlands, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$1.21T
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
1.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$67,520
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$532B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
43.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$29,571
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
24/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$47,815
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,267,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
44.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
3.35%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
3.64%
2024
Population
5100145
18252623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 44.4% 43.8%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 44% 45.9%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 42.8% 56%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 45% 3.43% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 44% 45%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 41.4% 23% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 52% 34.9% 53.9% 73%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 49.4% 73.5%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 50.9% 76.7%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 50.2% 75.6%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 49.6% 74.8%
1990 122.9% - 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

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/kuwait/netherlands | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $540B, or 44.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 43.8% in the Netherlands, ranking 184/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Netherlands
2024 23.8% -0.94%
2023 28.2% -0.37%
2022 30% 0.002%
2021 9.98% -2.26%
2020 0.14% -3.72%
2019 13% 1.91%
2018 17.5% 1.49%
2017 15.3% 1.35%
2016 13.1% 0.23%
2015 16.6% -1.84%
2014 30% -2.17%
2013 40.6% -2.87%
2012 40.7% -3.83%
2011 38.8% -4.42%
2010 31.9% -5.3%
2009 31.3% -5.06%
2008 21.3% -0.06%
2007 37.1% -0.16%
2006 28% 0.04%
2005 38.9% -0.51%
2004 32.5% -1.82%
2003 27.2% -3.19%
2002 31% -2.23%
2001 45.2% -0.47%
2000 52.5% 1.14%
1999 28.2% 0.28%
1998 19.5% -1.34%
1997 29.5% -1.6%
1996 24.3% -1.91%
1995 11.7% -8.72%
1994 1.76% -3.53%
1993 -3.12% -3.13%
1992 -28.1% -3.12%
1991 -145% -2.05%
1990 -50% -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/netherlands | 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 the Netherlands' deficit of $11.5B, or 0.94% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.84% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Netherlands
2024 2.9% 3.35%
2023 3.64% 3.84%
2022 3.98% 10%
2021 3.42% 2.68%
2020 2.1% 1.27%
2019 1.09% 2.63%
2018 0.54% 1.7%
2017 2.17% 1.38%
2016 3.2% 0.32%
2015 3.27% 0.6%
2014 2.91% 0.98%
2013 2.68% 2.51%
2012 3.26% 2.46%
2011 4.84% 2.34%
2010 4.5% 1.28%
2009 4.61% 1.19%
2008 10.6% 2.49%
2007 5.48% 1.61%
2006 3.06% 1.1%
2005 4.14% 1.69%
2004 1.25% 1.26%
2003 0.96% 2.09%
2002 0.89% 3.29%
2001 1.3% 4.16%
2000 1.81% 2.36%
1999 2.99% 2.16%
1998 0.13% 1.96%
1997 0.68% 2.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 2.31% in the Netherlands. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 3.35% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.92M
Machinery & equipment $6.27M
Metals $3.58M
Chemicals & pharma $1.82M
Raw materials & minerals $933K
Precious metals & jewellery $910K
Textiles & consumer goods $224K
Raw agricultural goods $116K
Wood & paper products $94K
Animal & marine products $79K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $215M
Chemicals & pharma $202M
Animal & marine products $112M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $102M
Raw agricultural goods $56M
Metals $13.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.6M
Raw materials & minerals $11M
Precious metals & jewellery $6.68M
Wood & paper products $5.19M

Balance of trade

Kuwait Netherlands
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+9.13%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$693B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$262B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
71.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
82.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Netherlands
Economic freedom 59.9 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 11/197
Property rights 42 96
Government integrity 47.9 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 96.1
Tax burden 97.7 54
Government spending 36.2 42.2
Fiscal health 99.9 95.9
Business freedom 57.4 85
Labor freedom 49.2 59.3
Monetary freedom 68.7 77
Trade freedom 75.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Netherlands
2026 59.9 78.5
2025 59.9 78.2
2024 58.5 77.3
2023 56.7 78
2022 58.3 79.5
2021 64.1 76.8
2020 63.2 77
2019 60.8 76.8
2018 62.2 76.2
2017 65.1 75.8
2016 62.7 74.6
2015 62.5 73.7
2014 62.3 74.2
2013 63.1 73.5
2012 62.5 73.3
2011 64.9 74.7
2010 67.7 75
2009 65.6 77
2008 68.1 77.4
2007 66.4 75.5
2006 66.5 75.4
2005 64.6 72.9
2004 63.6 74.5
2003 66.7 74.6
2002 65.4 75.1
2001 68.2 73
2000 69.7 70.4
1999 69.5 70.2
1998 66.3 69.2
1997 64.8 70.4
1996 66.1 69.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
70.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
17.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
1.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$1.12T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$84,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$79.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
34/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
19.7%
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/netherlands | 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)
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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.

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.