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Economy of Lesotho vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 175/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

Lesotho vs Spain GDP by year

Lesotho
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Spain
2024 $2,271,759,455 $1,725,671,652,742
2023 $2,117,962,445 $1,619,481,980,720
2022 $2,354,980,960 $1,448,850,658,407
2021 $2,412,130,057 $1,461,244,901,853
2020 $2,053,699,864 $1,289,783,836,971
2019 $2,390,702,296 $1,403,496,387,686
2018 $2,556,247,292 $1,431,642,809,327
2017 $2,306,741,672 $1,321,754,088,819
2016 $2,114,426,452 $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $2,359,686,725 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $2,441,063,054 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $2,367,112,932 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $2,477,702,216 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $2,579,409,620 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $2,234,754,242 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $1,740,894,965 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $1,766,902,709 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $1,682,131,785 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $1,800,092,564 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $1,682,343,527 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $1,511,236,656 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $1,157,825,435 $907,963,217,058
2002 $775,777,239 $708,938,227,244
2001 $825,706,961 $627,798,682,379
2000 $887,291,688 $598,102,854,756
1999 $912,773,681 $634,394,904,387
1998 $928,460,893 $618,731,484,575
1997 $998,004,259 $589,739,772,727
1996 $946,112,493 $642,251,412,058
1995 $1,001,894,000 $614,170,002,669
1994 $878,250,945 $530,183,651,720
1993 $835,582,062 $524,700,572,624
1992 $831,029,862 $630,465,353,486
1991 $704,325,367 $576,753,902,322
1990 $596,410,264 $536,175,326,477
1989 $495,409,233 $414,460,794,097
1988 $470,395,801 $375,891,716,898
1987 $402,768,324 $318,520,253,335
1986 $318,858,423 $251,141,555,186
1985 $268,629,926 $180,664,322,896
1984 $333,163,670 $171,979,977,230
1983 $386,699,309 $170,829,074,246
1982 $348,741,684 $195,856,752,991
1981 $434,188,034 $202,663,023,968
1980 $431,542,537 $232,600,556,974
1979 $290,134,593 $214,448,666,336
1978 $266,570,067 $160,484,969,618
1977 $193,315,048 $132,354,665,936
1976 $147,660,037 $118,422,534,195
1975 $149,558,896 $114,695,060,870
1974 $150,851,317 $97,204,522,642
1973 $121,188,716 $78,583,355,226
1972 $80,913,200 $59,090,176,029
1971 $76,480,285 $46,586,119,760
1970 $68,739,973 $40,963,715,237
1969 $65,967,974 $37,090,689,288
1968 $61,445,975 $32,394,326,464
1967 $59,261,976 $32,570,905,397
1966 $56,699,977 $29,559,436,183
1965 $54,879,978 $25,479,619,607
1964 $51,939,979 $21,966,876,027
1963 $47,039,981 $19,631,714,760
1962 $41,859,983 $16,609,632,791
1961 $35,699,986 $14,238,126,760
1960 $34,579,986 $12,424,514,014

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/spain | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Spain by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $35,327 $57,965
2023 $916 $2,881 $33,493 $55,682
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $30,319 $51,399
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $30,799 $44,252
2020 $919 $2,559 $27,234 $39,328
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $29,787 $44,043
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $30,602 $41,015
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $28,381 $39,825
2016 $992 $2,942 $26,756 $37,613
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $879 $2,036 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $898 $2,064 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $861 $1,932 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $925 $1,813 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $861 $1,681 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $767 $1,561 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $583 $1,484 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $389 $1,385 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $413 $1,350 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $443 $1,273 $14,743 $21,582
1999 $456 $1,199 $15,708 $19,938
1998 $465 $1,179 $15,382 $19,083
1997 $502 $1,154 $14,722 $17,903
1996 $480 $1,103 $16,101 $16,971
1995 $513 $1,037 $15,461 $16,276
1994 $456 $995 $13,406 $15,582
1993 $439 $932 $13,330 $14,973
1992 $444 $893 $16,101 $14,855
1991 $382 $830 $14,801 $14,461
1990 $330 $764 $13,795 $13,676
1989 $279 - $10,674 -
1988 $270.4 - $9,696 -
1987 $236.5 - $8,234 -
1986 $191.4 - $6,509 -
1985 $165.4 - $4,696 -
1984 $211 - $4,487 -
1983 $252 - $4,475 -
1982 $233.9 - $5,156 -
1981 $299.8 - $5,367 -
1980 $307 - $6,204 -
1979 $212.4 - $5,766 -
1978 $200.8 - $4,353 -
1977 $149.9 - $3,625 -
1976 $117.8 - $3,277 -
1975 $123.2 - $3,208 -
1974 $128.7 - $2,748 -
1973 $107 - $2,246 -
1972 $74 - $1,708 -
1971 $72.4 - $1,361 -
1970 $67.4 - $1,211 -
1969 $67.1 - $1,109 -
1968 $64.8 - $978 -
1967 $64.8 - $997 -
1966 $64.3 - $916 -
1965 $64.3 - $797 -
1964 $62.6 - $695 -
1963 $58.4 - $627 -
1962 $53.5 - $535 -
1961 $47 - $463 -
1960 $47 - $408 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/spain | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Spain
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
15/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
34/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
34
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
2.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
2396633
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 45.3% 101.6%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 45.5% 105.1%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 46.4% 109.2%
2021 53.8% 58% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 42% 97.6%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 50.4% 41% 41% 101.1%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 42.1% 102%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 46.2% 100%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 54.1% 47% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 38.4% 39%
2005 37.6% 41% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 38.4% 54.1%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 39.1% 57.8%
1999 50.8% 83% 40% 60.9%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 41% 62.4%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 41.5% 64.3%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 42.9% 65.4%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 44.1% 61.6%
1994 40.2% 67% 44.8% 57%
1993 36% 71.2% 46.3% 54.6%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 43.9% 44.1%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 42.6% 41.9%
1990 32.9% 18% 41.1% 41.3%
1989 35.8% 112.5% 32.1% 39.2%
1988 35.3% 105.2% 28.6% 38.2%
1987 40.3% 97.4% 31.1% 42.1%
1986 33.2% 92.5% 28.4% 36.5%
1985 32.8% 86.3% 27.6% 31.5%
1984 26.8% 57.2% 27% 18.3%
1983 27.2% 56.7% 26% 13.4%
1982 29.9% 61.4% 21.5% 12%
1981 - - 18.1% 10.9%
1980 - - 16.3% 10.2%
1979 - - 14.3% 9.88%
1978 - - 14.3% 9.93%
1977 - - 12.8% 8.75%
1976 - - 11.5% 8.21%
1975 - - 11.4% 11.9%
1974 - - 11.4% 13.6%
1973 - - 9.88% 16.3%
1972 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1971 - - 14% 17.9%
1970 - - 12.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 12.3% 18.8%
1968 - - 12.8% 18.3%
1967 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1966 - - 11.8% 17.7%
1965 - - 14% 18.1%
1964 - - 12.7% 19.5%
1963 - - 12.4% 21%
1962 - - 10.6% 24.4%
1961 - - 9.97% 26.7%
1960 - - 11% 29.4%

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/lesotho/spain | CC BY

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 92/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Spain
2024 9.04% -3.15%
2023 7.31% -3.52%
2022 -6.41% -4.63%
2021 -4.95% -6.66%
2020 1.18% -10%
2019 -5.72% -3.04%
2018 -4.41% -2.58%
2017 -2.02% -3.1%
2016 -9.43% -4.26%
2015 -1.38% -5.26%
2014 3.16% -6.07%
2013 -2.58% -7.49%
2012 4.56% -11.5%
2011 -9.85% -9.69%
2010 -1.49% -9.49%
2009 -4.16% -11.2%
2008 8.1% -4.56%
2007 10.8% 1.88%
2006 11.6% 2.12%
2005 4.46% 1.23%
2004 6.05% -0.1%
2003 0.89% -0.37%
2002 -2.44% -0.32%
2001 -2.76% -0.45%
2000 -0.95% -1.16%
1999 -15.3% -1.24%
1998 -11.8% -2.63%
1997 0.27% -3.86%
1996 2.11% -5.87%
1995 5.13% -6.79%
1994 5.69% -6.31%
1993 7.55% -6.89%
1992 4.65% -4.26%
1991 9.74% -4.58%
1990 8.78% -3.9%
1989 3.88% -3.24%
1988 -1.87% -2.95%
1987 -2.85% -3.52%
1986 0.87% -5.18%
1985 1.68% -6.04%
1984 4.82% -5.25%
1983 1.85% -4.77%
1982 -2.03% -5.76%
1981 - -2.88%
1980 - -2.55%
1979 - -1.51%
1978 - -1.63%
1977 - -0.24%
1976 - 0.43%
1975 - 0.26%
1974 - 0.11%
1973 - 1.09%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - 0.09%
1969 - -0.06%
1968 - -0.55%
1967 - -0.32%
1966 - 0.07%
1965 - -0.04%
1964 - 0.18%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - 1.27%
1961 - 1.9%
1960 - 0.69%
1959 - 0.54%
1958 - 0.23%
1957 - 1.13%
1956 - -0.05%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.02%
1952 - 0.81%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.44%
1949 - -0.35%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.09%
1946 - -2.24%
1945 - -4.56%
1944 - -5.44%
1943 - -7.73%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -4.34%
1940 - -3.54%
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -0.49%
1934 - -1.17%
1933 - -0.72%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.1%
1930 - 0.3%
1929 - -0.07%
1928 - -0.31%
1927 - -0.54%
1926 - -0.65%
1925 - -1.19%
1924 - -1.76%
1923 - -1.89%
1922 - -2.26%
1921 - -3.33%
1920 - -2.4%
1919 - -1.82%
1918 - -1.8%
1917 - -1.49%
1916 - -1.15%
1915 - -2.97%
1914 - -1.04%
1913 - -0.09%
1912 - -0.33%
1911 - 0.19%
1910 - 0.09%
1909 - -0.29%
1908 - 0.59%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.91%
1905 - 0.71%
1904 - 0.52%
1903 - 0.28%
1902 - 0.74%
1901 - 0.69%
1900 - 1.04%
1899 - 2.75%
1898 - 0.13%
1897 - -0.64%
1896 - 0.46%
1895 - 0.83%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - 0.87%
1892 - -0.67%
1891 - -0.41%
1890 - -0.4%
1889 - -0.38%
1888 - -0.97%
1887 - -0.73%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.78%
1884 - -0.23%
1883 - -0.38%
1882 - 0.38%
1881 - 0.08%
1880 - -0.02%
1879 - -0.52%
1878 - -0.08%
1877 - 0.11%
1876 - 0.1%
1875 - -1.42%
1874 - -0.1%
1873 - 2.22%
1872 - -2.27%
1871 - -2.64%
1870 - -3.42%
1869 - -2.64%
1868 - -1.46%
1867 - -0.79%
1866 - -0.83%
1865 - -1.84%
1864 - -2.48%
1863 - -1.55%
1862 - -1.76%
1861 - -1.77%
1860 - -0.94%
1859 - 0.39%
1858 - -0.44%
1857 - -0.41%
1856 - -0.46%
1855 - -0.76%
1854 - -0.32%
1853 - -0.02%
1852 - -0.11%
1851 - -0.25%
1850 - 0.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/spain | CC BY

In 2024, Lesotho's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $205M, equivalent to 9.04% of GDP. This compares to Spain's deficit of $54.3B, or 3.15% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.74% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.34% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Spain
2024 6.11% 2.77%
2023 6.34% 3.53%
2022 8.27% 8.39%
2021 6.05% 3.09%
2020 4.98% -0.32%
2019 5.19% 0.7%
2018 4.75% 1.67%
2017 4.45% 1.96%
2016 6.6% -0.2%
2015 3.22% -0.5%
2014 5.37% -0.15%
2013 4.87% 1.41%
2012 6.05% 2.45%
2011 5.04% 3.2%
2010 -2.41% 1.8%
2009 -16.9% -0.29%
2008 10.7% 4.08%
2007 8.01% 2.79%
2006 6.07% 3.52%
2005 3.44% 3.37%
2004 5.02% 3.04%
2003 6.63% 3.04%
2002 33.8% 3.07%
2001 -9.62% 3.59%
2000 6.13% 3.43%
1999 - 2.31%
1998 - 1.83%
1997 - 1.97%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/spain | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 2.38% in Spain. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $50K
Miscellaneous $19K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Spain
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $756K
Machinery & equipment $552K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Raw materials & minerals $2K

Balance of trade

Lesotho Spain
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$419B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$111B
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
37.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Spain
Economic freedom 54.9 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 59/197
Property rights 41.7 88
Government integrity 39.6 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 74.3
Tax burden 76.4 58.2
Government spending 21.3 37.3
Fiscal health 93.5 57.3
Business freedom 50.6 82.6
Labor freedom 57 61.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 78.2
Trade freedom 65.4 79.4
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Spain
2026 54.9 66.8
2025 54.1 66.3
2024 51.9 63.3
2023 51.6 65
2022 48.1 68.2
2021 53.5 69.9
2020 54.5 66.9
2019 53.1 65.7
2018 53.9 65.1
2017 53.9 63.6
2016 50.6 68.5
2015 49.6 67.6
2014 49.5 67.2
2013 47.9 68
2012 46.6 69.1
2011 47.5 70.2
2010 48.1 69.6
2009 49.7 70.1
2008 52.1 69.1
2007 53.2 69.2
2006 54.7 68.2
2005 53.9 67
2004 50.3 68.9
2003 52 68.8
2002 48.9 68.8
2001 50.6 68.1
2000 48.4 65.9
1999 48.2 65.1
1998 48.4 62.6
1997 47.2 59.6
1996 47 59.6
1995 - 62.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/spain | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 66.8 for Spain, ranking 59/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Spain
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$71.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
21.2%
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).

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.