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Economy of Kuwait vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kuwait has a GDP of $157B compared to $531B for Norway, ranking 59/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $22.9B in government debt (14.6% of GDP), compared to $239B (45% of GDP) in Norway.

Kuwait vs Norway GDP by year

Kuwait
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Norway
2025 $157,209,026,926 $530,755,719,439
2024 $160,903,106,639 $500,886,328,034
2023 $165,462,656,227 $502,197,633,323
2022 $183,502,046,694 $617,321,834,099
2021 $148,350,671,489 $521,592,200,233
2020 $111,045,470,606 $382,252,517,922
2019 $140,856,394,861 $424,244,886,364
2018 $138,646,316,351 $454,588,871,811
2017 $120,687,539,806 $415,673,181,543
2016 $109,406,674,125 $383,284,047,619
2015 $114,585,555,689 $400,669,174,331
2014 $162,650,450,685 $515,829,568,897
2013 $174,168,116,535 $540,132,255,319
2012 $174,047,662,680 $525,082,939,407
2011 $154,039,231,246 $512,868,581,628
2010 $115,416,245,242 $440,132,138,425
2009 $105,968,691,905 $395,664,488,017
2008 $147,379,737,230 $472,060,283,688
2007 $114,634,043,362 $407,813,774,161
2006 $101,557,330,723 $349,773,283,645
2005 $80,798,630,137 $311,417,306,946
2004 $59,439,090,601 $265,662,977,688
2003 $47,874,582,232 $229,192,678,173
2002 $38,135,788,414 $195,359,978,957
2001 $34,889,559,870 $173,590,978,347
2000 $37,718,743,480 $170,620,327,660
1999 $30,122,365,849 $161,304,620,987
1998 $25,943,705,784 $152,955,958,172
1997 $30,350,190,704 $160,013,571,974
1996 $31,492,373,309 $162,427,517,132
1995 $27,186,980,647 $151,083,627,983
1994 $24,848,483,838 $126,324,387,894
1993 $23,941,391,391 $119,841,699,440
1992 $19,858,555,215 $129,998,873,602
1991 $11,009,993,703 $121,149,331,318
1990 $18,427,777,778 $119,344,377,526
1989 $24,313,855,653 $102,226,808,603
1988 $20,690,322,153 $101,497,621,605
1987 $22,368,704,134 $93,913,320,965
1986 $17,903,989,745 $78,438,205,742
1985 $21,445,970,614 $65,211,464,198
1984 $21,700,082,753 $61,866,078,539
1983 $20,871,081,080 $61,417,685,434
1982 $21,577,153,356 $62,453,362,256
1981 $25,058,020,338 $63,392,804,251
1980 $28,638,868,356 $64,176,789,764
1979 $24,749,063,922 $52,935,763,512
1978 $15,503,557,496 $46,355,988,784
1977 $14,137,406,741 $41,362,637,363
1976 $13,132,252,802 $35,815,449,464
1975 $12,022,811,621 $32,742,543,381
1974 $13,006,948,296 $27,033,413,362
1973 $5,408,804,607 $22,433,660,550
1972 $4,450,537,925 $17,283,931,878
1971 $3,880,392,195 $14,523,306,736
1970 $2,873,638,851 $12,753,503,479
1969 $2,769,198,892 $11,083,505,596
1968 $2,662,798,935 $10,178,705,992
1967 $2,441,599,023 $9,532,076,026
1966 $2,391,199,044 $8,712,528,095
1965 $2,097,199,161 $8,073,570,566
1964 $2,071,668,533 $7,172,430,304
1963 $1,900,895,857 $6,522,268,053
1962 $1,828,107,503 $6,078,186,245
1961 - $5,642,867,672
1960 - $5,172,811,442

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Norway by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,312 - $94,594 -
2024 $32,856 $52,444 $89,889 $102,038
2023 $34,092 $53,025 $90,984 $103,638
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $113,122 $125,490
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $96,443 $88,984
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $71,058 $67,111
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $79,329 $70,940
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $85,579 $70,254
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $78,771 $64,590
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $73,222 $59,280
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $77,221 $60,738
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $100,410 $66,332
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $106,333 $67,378
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $104,628 $65,774
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $103,545 $62,460
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $90,020 $58,213
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $81,940 $55,648
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $99,002 $62,073
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $86,600 $56,179
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $75,048 $54,358
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $67,358 $47,967
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $57,855 $42,667
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $50,208 $38,680
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $43,048 $38,056
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $38,458 $37,829
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $37,992 $36,994
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $36,151 $30,574
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $34,516 $28,200
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $36,324 $28,610
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $37,073 $26,826
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $34,659 $24,360
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $29,130 $23,027
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $27,793 $21,584
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $30,328 $20,623
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $28,427 $19,580
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $28,137 $18,461
1989 $10,965 - $24,185 -
1988 $9,692 - $24,112 -
1987 $10,896 - $22,430 -
1986 $9,077 - $18,822 -
1985 $11,322 - $15,704 -
1984 $11,919 - $14,943 -
1983 $11,965 - $14,877 -
1982 $12,979 - $15,178 -
1981 $15,825 - $15,463 -
1980 $19,032 - $15,708 -
1979 $17,386 - $12,998 -
1978 $11,567 - $11,421 -
1977 $11,238 - $10,230 -
1976 $11,141 - $8,896 -
1975 $10,882 - $8,171 -
1974 $12,527 - $6,783 -
1973 $5,532 - $5,664 -
1972 $4,836 - $4,395 -
1971 $4,486 - $3,721 -
1970 $3,552 - $3,291 -
1969 $3,695 - $2,881 -
1968 $3,872 - $2,667 -
1967 $3,887 - $2,519 -
1966 $4,176 - $2,321 -
1965 $4,024 - $2,168 -
1964 $4,379 - $1,941 -
1963 $4,445 - $1,779 -
1962 $4,748 - $1,670 -
1961 - - $1,563 -
1960 - - $1,444 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,312, ranking 41/197, compared to $94,594 in Norway, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Norway
Gross domestic product
$157B
2025
$531B
2025
GDP rank
59/197
2025
32/197
2025
GDP growth
2.73%
2024-2025
1.09%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,312
2025
$94,594
2025
GDP per capita rank
41/197
2025
9/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$22.9B
2025
$239B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.6%
2025
45%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,714
2025
$42,567
2025
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2025
15/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,940
2026
$50,036
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2025
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
49.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.36%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
4.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
4.5%
2025
Population
4981316
5660666

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 50.1% 14.6% 49.6% 45%
2024 48% 2.91% 46.9% 52.8%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 44.2% 42.4%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 36.2% 34.8%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 44.7% 40.1%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 54.5% 44.3%
2019 50.2% 10.5% 48.4% 39%
2018 51% 14.3% 46.1% 38.1%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 47.6% 36.9%
2016 54% 9.88% 48.8% 36.7%
2015 55.3% 4.6% 46.7% 33.2%
2014 45% 3.43% 44% 28.8%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 42.3% 30.6%
2012 38.1% 3.6% 41.4% 30.2%
2011 39.6% 4.64% 42.3% 28.9%
2010 45.4% 6.16% 43.6% 42.1%
2009 42.8% 6.65% 44.7% 41.7%
2008 40.8% 5.38% 39.2% 46.8%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 40.5% 48.9%
2006 32.2% 7.79% 40.1% 52.2%
2005 28.7% 10.2% 41.6% 42.1%
2004 35.2% 13.9% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 38% 17.2% 47.7% 43.1%
2002 42.5% 21.3% 46.3% 34%
2001 41.2% 23% 43.4% 27.3%
2000 29.7% 21.4% 41.5% 28.8%
1999 44.3% 25.5% 46.7% 25.1%
1998 51.4% 25.6% 48.2% 23.8%
1997 43.5% 24.3% 45.9% 26%
1996 42.5% 26.5% 47.4% 28.6%
1995 51.7% 34.9% 49.6% 32.9%
1994 57.5% 37.7% 49.7% 51%
1993 58% 28.8% 50.5% 54%
1992 77.4% 27.9% 51.6% 45.3%
1991 208.1% 45.3% 50.3% 39.5%
1990 122.4% - 49.1% 29.1%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kuwait's government spending was $78.8B, accounting for 50.1% of its GDP, while Norway spent $263B, or 49.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.6% in Kuwait and 45% in Norway, ranking 177/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Norway
2025 28.4% 9.34%
2024 26% 12.8%
2023 28.2% 15.9%
2022 30% 24.7%
2021 9.99% 9.93%
2020 0.16% -2.46%
2019 13% 6.28%
2018 17.6% 7.56%
2017 15.3% 4.79%
2016 12.8% 3.91%
2015 16.3% 5.8%
2014 29.8% 8.34%
2013 40.4% 10.3%
2012 40.5% 13.4%
2011 38.6% 13%
2010 31.7% 10.6%
2009 31.1% 10%
2008 21.2% 18.3%
2007 36.9% 16.8%
2006 27.8% 17.7%
2005 38.8% 14.7%
2004 32.3% 10.8%
2003 27% 7.21%
2002 30.9% 9.05%
2001 44.9% 13.2%
2000 52.3% 15.1%
1999 28% 5.75%
1998 19.4% 3.09%
1997 29.4% 7.41%
1996 24.2% 6.05%
1995 11.7% 2.98%
1994 1.71% 0.04%
1993 -3.2% -1.65%
1992 -28% -2.08%
1991 -144.5% -0.12%
1990 -49.9% 1.96%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kuwait's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $44.6B, equivalent to 28.4% of GDP. This compares to Norway's surplus of $49.6B, or 9.34% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 17% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.62% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Norway
2025 2.36% 3.06%
2024 2.9% 3.15%
2023 3.64% 5.52%
2022 3.98% 5.76%
2021 3.42% 3.48%
2020 2.1% 1.29%
2019 1.09% 2.17%
2018 0.54% 2.76%
2017 2.17% 1.88%
2016 3.2% 3.55%
2015 3.27% 2.17%
2014 2.91% 2.04%
2013 2.68% 2.12%
2012 3.26% 0.7%
2011 4.84% 1.28%
2010 4.5% 2.42%
2009 4.61% 2.2%
2008 10.6% 3.75%
2007 5.48% 0.71%
2006 3.06% 2.33%
2005 4.14% 1.53%
2004 1.25% 0.45%
2003 0.96% 2.49%
2002 0.89% 1.29%
2001 1.3% 3%
2000 1.81% 3.09%
1999 2.99% 2.37%
1998 0.13% 2.25%
1997 0.68% 2.57%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.92%, compared with 2.46% in Norway. In 2025, inflation was 2.36% in Kuwait and 3.06% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $736K
Metals $565K
Weapons & explosives $121K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Miscellaneous $4K
Wood & paper products $4K
Norway
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $14.7M
Machinery & equipment $12.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.07M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.22M
Chemicals & pharma $787K
Miscellaneous $588K
Metals $497K
Wood & paper products $358K
Raw materials & minerals $131K
Weapons & explosives $37K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Norway
Current account balance
$35.7B
2025
$74.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2025
10/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+22.7%
2025
+14%
2025
Goods imports
$37.5B
2025
$105B
2025
Goods exports
$70.7B
2025
$177B
2025
Service imports
$29.6B
2025
$73.9B
2025
Service exports
$12.7B
2025
$63.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.2%
2024
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.8%
2024
45.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Norway
Economic freedom 59.9 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 9/197
Property rights 42 99.6
Government integrity 47.9 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 96.4
Tax burden 97.7 63.3
Government spending 36.2 42
Fiscal health 99.9 96.4
Business freedom 57.4 91.2
Labor freedom 49.2 69.3
Monetary freedom 68.7 72.4
Trade freedom 75.8 85.6
Investment freedom 50 75
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Norway
2026 59.9 78.8
2025 59.9 78.3
2024 58.5 77.5
2023 56.7 76.9
2022 58.3 76.9
2021 64.1 73.4
2020 63.2 73.4
2019 60.8 73
2018 62.2 74.3
2017 65.1 74
2016 62.7 70.8
2015 62.5 71.8
2014 62.3 70.9
2013 63.1 70.5
2012 62.5 68.8
2011 64.9 70.3
2010 67.7 69.4
2009 65.6 70.2
2008 68.1 68.6
2007 66.4 67.9
2006 66.5 67.9
2005 64.6 64.5
2004 63.6 66.2
2003 66.7 67.2
2002 65.4 67.4
2001 68.2 67.1
2000 69.7 70.1
1999 69.5 68.6
1998 66.3 68
1997 64.8 65.1
1996 66.1 65.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Norway
Services, % of GDP
59.6%
2025
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
54.1%
2025
34.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.53%
2025
1.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$201B
2024
$546B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,040
2024
$107,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$51.7B
2025
$85.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2025
34/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$2.58B
2025
$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$12.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$5.62B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.1%
2024
23.2%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.

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.