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Economy of Kuwait vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 59/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Kuwait vs Switzerland GDP by year

Kuwait
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Switzerland
2024 $160,227,273,053 $936,564,198,049
2023 $165,384,407,116 $894,424,821,645
2022 $183,502,046,694 $828,508,926,958
2021 $148,350,671,489 $815,309,330,987
2020 $111,045,470,606 $741,999,406,006
2019 $140,856,394,861 $721,369,112,727
2018 $138,646,316,351 $725,568,717,468
2017 $120,687,539,806 $695,200,833,086
2016 $109,406,674,125 $687,895,460,903
2015 $114,585,555,689 $694,118,186,380
2014 $162,650,450,685 $726,537,808,338
2013 $174,168,116,535 $706,234,937,371
2012 $174,047,662,680 $686,420,221,558
2011 $154,039,231,246 $715,888,126,682
2010 $115,416,245,242 $598,851,028,907
2009 $105,968,691,905 $554,212,916,092
2008 $147,379,737,230 $567,267,767,519
2007 $114,634,043,362 $490,740,715,595
2006 $101,557,330,723 $441,634,672,197
2005 $80,798,630,137 $418,284,865,885
2004 $59,439,090,601 $403,912,891,033
2003 $47,874,582,232 $362,075,086,508
2002 $38,135,788,414 $309,301,422,430
2001 $34,889,559,870 $286,582,672,434
2000 $37,718,743,480 $279,216,033,870
1999 $30,122,365,849 $297,873,643,323
1998 $25,943,705,784 $303,459,014,347
1997 $30,350,190,704 $294,788,198,856
1996 $31,492,373,309 $340,103,959,547
1995 $27,186,980,647 $352,835,806,342
1994 $24,848,483,838 $301,375,055,202
1993 $23,941,391,391 $272,237,527,071
1992 $19,858,555,215 $279,921,425,828
1991 $11,009,993,703 $268,901,693,863
1990 $18,427,777,778 $265,763,573,999
1989 $24,313,855,653 $208,105,846,934
1988 $20,690,322,153 $215,540,625,299
1987 $22,368,704,134 $199,236,370,038
1986 $17,903,989,745 $159,089,921,063
1985 $21,445,970,614 $110,980,314,192
1984 $21,700,082,753 $109,455,312,168
1983 $20,871,081,080 $114,634,358,535
1982 $21,577,153,356 $115,043,365,512
1981 $25,058,020,338 $112,244,805,519
1980 $28,638,868,356 $122,557,843,886
1979 $24,749,063,922 $114,970,094,425
1978 $15,503,557,496 $102,280,472,036
1977 $14,137,406,741 $73,135,771,167
1976 $13,132,252,802 $68,476,524,644
1975 $12,022,811,621 $65,466,081,819
1974 $13,006,948,296 $57,103,011,446
1973 $5,408,804,607 $49,550,006,320
1972 $4,450,537,925 $36,844,318,854
1971 $3,880,392,195 $30,040,171,751
1970 $2,873,638,851 $24,998,066,773
1969 $2,769,198,892 $22,442,043,274
1968 $2,662,798,935 $20,712,102,794
1967 $2,441,599,023 $19,397,044,714
1966 $2,391,199,044 $18,019,402,374
1965 $2,097,199,161 $16,780,226,225
1964 $2,071,668,533 $15,833,133,858
1963 $1,900,895,857 $14,283,872,299
1962 $1,828,107,503 $12,989,649,694
1961 - $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Switzerland by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $10,965 - $31,309 -
1988 $9,692 - $32,690 -
1987 $10,896 - $30,441 -
1986 $9,077 - $24,460 -
1985 $11,322 - $17,152 -
1984 $11,919 - $16,991 -
1983 $11,965 - $17,859 -
1982 $12,979 - $18,000 -
1981 $15,825 - $17,665 -
1980 $19,032 - $19,394 -
1979 $17,386 - $18,266 -
1978 $11,567 - $16,282 -
1977 $11,238 - $11,644 -
1976 $11,141 - $10,865 -
1975 $10,882 - $10,328 -
1974 $12,527 - $9,005 -
1973 $5,532 - $7,856 -
1972 $4,836 - $5,885 -
1971 $4,486 - $4,835 -
1970 $3,552 - $4,044 -
1969 $3,695 - $3,657 -
1968 $3,872 - $3,413 -
1967 $3,887 - $3,237 -
1966 $4,176 - $3,045 -
1965 $4,024 - $2,865 -
1964 $4,379 - $2,735 -
1963 $4,445 - $2,508 -
1962 $4,748 - $2,330 -
1961 - - $2,155 -
1960 - - $1,954 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
4.34%
2024
Population
5100145
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 34.4% 41%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 37% 43.2%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 32% 39.6%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 45% 3.43% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 30% 44.8%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 41.4% 23% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 33% 51.3%
1995 52% 34.9% 32.4% 50%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 32.5% 47.1%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 32.5% 44.4%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 31.3% 39.5%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 29.5% 35.1%
1990 122.9% - 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

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/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 184/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Switzerland
2024 23.8% 0.58%
2023 28.2% 0.12%
2022 30% 1.19%
2021 9.98% -0.29%
2020 0.14% -3.01%
2019 13% 1.34%
2018 17.5% 1.29%
2017 15.3% 1.13%
2016 13.1% 0.24%
2015 16.6% 0.55%
2014 30% -0.25%
2013 40.6% -0.43%
2012 40.7% 0.24%
2011 38.8% 0.68%
2010 31.9% 0.35%
2009 31.3% 0.5%
2008 21.3% 1.93%
2007 37.1% 1.57%
2006 28% 0.85%
2005 38.9% -0.65%
2004 32.5% -1.39%
2003 27.2% -1.36%
2002 31% -1.75%
2001 45.2% 0.21%
2000 52.5% 0.28%
1999 28.2% -1.57%
1998 19.5% -1.31%
1997 29.5% -2.33%
1996 24.3% -2.01%
1995 11.7% -1.86%
1994 1.76% -2.59%
1993 -3.12% -3.15%
1992 -28.1% -2.96%
1991 -145% -1.85%
1990 -50% -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.45% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Switzerland
2024 2.9% 1.06%
2023 3.64% 2.14%
2022 3.98% 2.84%
2021 3.42% 0.58%
2020 2.1% -0.73%
2019 1.09% 0.36%
2018 0.54% 0.94%
2017 2.17% 0.53%
2016 3.2% -0.43%
2015 3.27% -1.14%
2014 2.91% -0.01%
2013 2.68% -0.22%
2012 3.26% -0.69%
2011 4.84% 0.23%
2010 4.5% 0.69%
2009 4.61% -0.48%
2008 10.6% 2.43%
2007 5.48% 0.73%
2006 3.06% 1.06%
2005 4.14% 1.17%
2004 1.25% 0.8%
2003 0.96% 0.64%
2002 0.89% 0.64%
2001 1.3% 0.99%
2000 1.81% 1.56%
1999 2.99% 0.81%
1998 0.13% 0.02%
1997 0.68% 0.52%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $21.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.3M
Machinery & equipment $956K
Miscellaneous $36K
Raw agricultural goods $19K
Animal & marine products $16K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16K
Wood & paper products $10K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Metals $3K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $277M
Chemicals & pharma $246M
Machinery & equipment $89.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $79M
Textiles & consumer goods $12.5M
Raw agricultural goods $3.42M
Raw materials & minerals $2.86M
Miscellaneous $2.53M
Wood & paper products $2.29M
Metals $1.82M

Balance of trade

Kuwait Switzerland
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Switzerland
Economic freedom 59.9 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 2/197
Property rights 42 94.4
Government integrity 47.9 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 98.3
Tax burden 97.7 70.9
Government spending 36.2 69.5
Fiscal health 99.9 97.2
Business freedom 57.4 86.3
Labor freedom 49.2 60
Monetary freedom 68.7 82.3
Trade freedom 75.8 87
Investment freedom 50 85
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Switzerland
2026 59.9 83.7
2025 59.9 83.7
2024 58.5 83
2023 56.7 83.8
2022 58.3 84.2
2021 64.1 81.9
2020 63.2 82
2019 60.8 81.9
2018 62.2 81.7
2017 65.1 81.5
2016 62.7 81
2015 62.5 80.5
2014 62.3 81.6
2013 63.1 81
2012 62.5 81.1
2011 64.9 81.9
2010 67.7 81.1
2009 65.6 79.4
2008 68.1 79.5
2007 66.4 78
2006 66.5 78.9
2005 64.6 79.3
2004 63.6 79.5
2003 66.7 79
2002 65.4 79.3
2001 68.2 76
2000 69.7 76.8
1999 69.5 79.1
1998 66.3 79
1997 64.8 78.6
1996 66.1 76.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
27%
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/switzerland | 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 (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.

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.