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Economy of Madagascar vs United Kingdom compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Madagascar has a GDP of $17.4B compared to $3.69T for the United Kingdom, ranking 136/197 and 6/197 by economy size, respectively.

Madagascar has $8.77B in government debt (50.3% of GDP), compared to $3.73T (101.2% of GDP) in the United Kingdom.

Madagascar vs United Kingdom GDP by year

Madagascar
United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP, current $
Madagascar United Kingdom
2024 $17,420,501,490 $3,686,033,044,482
2023 $15,869,945,478 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $15,325,603,273 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $14,354,731,964 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $13,051,441,204 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $14,104,664,679 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $13,760,033,282 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $13,176,313,594 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $11,848,613,858 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $11,323,020,701 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $12,522,957,399 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $12,423,555,455 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $11,578,975,062 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $11,551,819,618 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $9,982,711,338 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $9,616,879,409 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $10,725,137,724 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $8,524,620,890 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $6,395,712,491 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $5,859,269,753 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $5,064,732,626 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $6,372,498,890 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $5,351,701,663 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $5,438,332,602 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $4,629,247,204 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 $4,277,903,780 $1,693,458,987,219
1998 $4,401,967,633 $1,660,821,464,061
1997 $4,262,965,420 $1,569,317,288,802
1996 $4,931,861,039 $1,425,287,051,482
1995 $3,838,100,904 $1,349,094,208,616
1994 $3,522,227,092 $1,140,489,745,944
1993 $4,063,298,919 $1,061,388,722,256
1992 $3,714,966,678 $1,179,659,529,660
1991 $3,254,713,056 $1,142,797,178,131
1990 $3,931,334,875 $1,093,169,389,205
1989 $3,175,638,333 $926,884,816,754
1988 $3,189,456,965 $910,122,732,124
1987 $3,212,900,556 $745,162,608,269
1986 $4,347,989,788 $601,452,653,181
1985 $3,802,557,895 $489,285,164,271
1984 $3,905,938,481 $461,487,097,632
1983 $4,686,457,031 $489,618,008,186
1982 $4,784,977,326 $515,048,916,841
1981 $4,759,333,998 $540,765,675,241
1980 $5,201,818,348 $564,947,710,899
1979 $3,463,565,854 $438,994,070,309
1978 $2,669,755,115 $335,883,029,722
1977 $2,358,930,406 $263,066,457,352
1976 $2,181,844,179 $232,614,555,256
1975 $2,283,049,215 $241,756,637,168
1974 $1,917,508,190 $206,131,369,799
1973 $1,653,062,335 $192,537,971,583
1972 $1,341,590,690 $169,965,034,965
1971 $1,199,507,631 $148,113,896,325
1970 $1,111,859,571 $130,671,946,244
1969 $1,056,391,056 $116,464,702,803
1968 $1,031,669,637 $107,759,910,068
1967 $956,436,932 $113,116,888,211
1966 $900,264,585 $108,572,752,102
1965 $833,563,473 $101,824,755,079
1964 $802,482,184 $94,407,558,351
1963 $759,345,864 $86,561,961,812
1962 $739,286,908 $81,247,564,157
1961 $699,161,945 $77,741,965,703
1960 $673,081,725 $73,233,967,692

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

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/united-kingdom | CC BY

GDP per capita in Madagascar vs United Kingdom by year

Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Kingdom
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Madagascar United Kingdom
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $545 $1,884 $53,246 $62,009
2023 $509 $1,808 $49,944 $59,911
2022 $504 $1,717 $47,057 $59,022
2021 $483 $1,577 $47,691 $51,004
2020 $451 $1,490 $40,813 $48,230
2019 $500 $1,612 $43,159 $50,065
2018 $500 $1,547 $43,703 $47,212
2017 $492 $1,547 $40,917 $46,113
2016 $454 $1,562 $41,258 $44,085
2015 $445 $1,497 $45,255 $42,515
2014 $506 $1,499 $47,746 $41,267
2013 $515 $1,473 $43,607 $39,948
2012 $494 $1,464 $42,688 $38,337
2011 $506 $1,475 $42,296 $37,224
2010 $450 $1,464 $39,778 $36,484
2009 $446 $1,480 $39,009 $35,042
2008 $513 $1,577 $47,652 $36,745
2007 $420 $1,493 $50,629 $35,522
2006 $324 $1,416 $44,695 $34,727
2005 $306 $1,343 $42,240 $32,726
2004 $272.2 $1,280 $40,504 $32,051
2003 $353 $1,219 $34,557 $30,314
2002 $305 $1,121 $30,159 $29,089
2001 $319 $1,299 $28,014 $27,913
2000 $280.3 $1,236 $28,384 $26,536
1999 $267.4 $1,194 $28,858 $24,494
1998 $284.2 $1,162 $28,396 $23,689
1997 $284.4 $1,142 $26,910 $23,071
1996 $340 $1,119 $24,503 $21,947
1995 $273.1 $1,111 $23,253 $20,595
1994 $258.7 $1,104 $19,709 $19,605
1993 $308 $1,116 $18,389 $18,336
1992 $290.2 $1,101 $20,487 $17,349
1991 $262 $1,096 $19,901 $16,791
1990 $326 $1,166 $19,095 $16,505
1989 $271.3 - $16,239 -
1988 $280.5 - $15,987 -
1987 $290.8 - $13,119 -
1986 $405 - $10,611 -
1985 $364 - $8,652 -
1984 $385 - $8,179 -
1983 $476 - $8,692 -
1982 $501 - $9,146 -
1981 $513 - $9,599 -
1980 $578 - $10,032 -
1979 $396 - $7,805 -
1978 $315 - $5,977 -
1977 $286.9 - $4,681 -
1976 $273.5 - $4,138 -
1975 $295 - $4,300 -
1974 $255.3 - $3,666 -
1973 $226.8 - $3,426 -
1972 $189.6 - $3,030 -
1971 $174.6 - $2,650 -
1970 $166.6 - $2,348 -
1969 $162.9 - $2,101 -
1968 $163.6 - $1,952 -
1967 $155.9 - $2,059 -
1966 $150.7 - $1,987 -
1965 $143.2 - $1,874 -
1964 $141.5 - $1,748 -
1963 $137.4 - $1,613 -
1962 $137.3 - $1,526 -
1961 $133.3 - $1,472 -
1960 $131.7 - $1,398 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/united-kingdom | CC BY

Madagascar's GDP per capita is $545, ranking 193/197, compared to $53,246 in the United Kingdom, ranking 22/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884, while the United Kingdom ranks 32nd at $62,009.

Economic indicators

Madagascar United Kingdom
Gross domestic product
$17.4B
2024
$3.69T
2024
GDP rank
136/197
2024
6/197
2024
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
1.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$545
2024
$53,246
2024
GDP per capita rank
193/197
2024
22/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,884
2024
$62,009
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
187/197
2024
32/197
2024
Government debt
$8.77B
2024
$3.73T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.3%
2024
101.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$274.3
2024
$53,900
2024
Government debt per person rank
180/185
2024
7/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,268
2026
$39,230
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.1T
2022
Number of millionaires n/a
2,624,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
55
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.2%
2024
44%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.87%
2022-2023
3.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2022
4.36%
2024
Population
33750171
70154914

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Madagascar
Spending

Debt
United Kingdom
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Madagascar United Kingdom
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.2% 50.3% 44% 101.2%
2023 17.9% 52.7% 44.8% 100.4%
2022 16.2% 49.9% 44.1% 99.6%
2021 13.9% 49.4% 45.8% 105.1%
2020 16.4% 52.9% 50% 105.8%
2019 15.4% 41.3% 38.8% 85.7%
2018 14.4% 42.9% 38.9% 86.3%
2017 14.9% 40.1% 39.2% 86.7%
2016 13.5% 40.3% 39.6% 87.8%
2015 13% 44.1% 40.4% 87.9%
2014 12.6% 37.8% 41.2% 87.1%
2013 12.7% 36.2% 41.8% 85.3%
2012 11.5% 30.4% 43.6% 84.5%
2011 12% 29.9% 43.5% 81.4%
2010 12.3% 32.3% 44.7% 75.9%
2009 12.5% 34.9% 44.6% 64.9%
2008 15.7% 31% 41% 50.8%
2007 16.1% 28.2% 38.7% 43.2%
2006 18.5% 32.2% 38.4% 42.1%
2005 18.4% 74.4% 38.4% 41%
2004 21.7% 81.9% 38% 39.8%
2003 16.6% 85.9% 37.2% 36.8%
2002 12.4% 86.7% 35.9% 35.4%
2001 15.3% 82.1% 34.7% 35%
2000 15.3% 90.2% 33.9% 37.7%
1999 15.5% 104.1% 33.9% 40.4%
1998 16.9% 108.5% 34.5% 42%
1997 14.5% 89.7% 34.9% 44.1%
1996 14.4% 98.7% 35.7% 43.7%
1995 14.5% 95.8% 37.6% 43.7%
1994 16.7% 96% 37.5% 40.7%
1993 17.1% 105.2% 37.8% 38%
1992 16.2% 110.9% 37.8% 33.2%
1991 13.5% 113.8% 35.9% 28.5%
1990 13.3% 92.7% 35% 28.5%
1989 15.5% 122% 39.7% 31.4%
1988 11.4% 126.6% 40.3% 36.6%
1987 10.4% 127.5% 42.7% 41.8%
1986 11.1% 84.9% 44.6% 42.9%
1985 11.8% 82.7% 48.7% 42.9%
1984 13.9% 70.9% 50.3% 44.1%
1983 13.4% 57.5% 50.4% 44.2%
1982 14.3% 56.1% 50.8% 44.7%
1981 18.2% 51.5% 51.2% 41.1%
1980 22.7% 37.7% 47.6% 43.7%
1979 - - 45.1% 44.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 47.3%
1977 - - 46.8% 53.7%
1976 - - 49.2% 47.7%
1975 - - 49.1% 49.6%
1974 - - 47.8% 56.2%
1973 - - 43.5% 58.5%
1972 - - 42.3% 65%
1971 - - 41.2% 67.9%
1970 - - 42% 73.4%
1969 - - 39.2% 82.8%
1968 - - 40.3% 88.5%
1967 - - 40.1% 89.1%
1966 - - 35.7% 91.9%
1965 - - 34.6% 94.6%
1964 - - 32.8% 101.1%
1963 - - 37.4% 108.6%
1962 - - 33.8% 110.5%
1961 - - 31.5% 113.8%
1960 - - 33.1% 117.9%

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/madagascar/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Madagascar's government spending was $2.82B, accounting for 16.2% of its GDP, while the United Kingdom spent $1.62T, or 44% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.3% in Madagascar and 101.2% in the United Kingdom, ranking 106/185 and 22/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Madagascar

United Kingdom
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Madagascar United Kingdom
2024 -2.48% -5.75%
2023 -4.19% -6.05%
2022 -5.46% -4.56%
2021 -2.83% -7.72%
2020 -3.96% -13.2%
2019 -1.42% -2.47%
2018 -1.34% -2.27%
2017 -2.1% -2.49%
2016 -1.11% -3.31%
2015 -2.85% -4.59%
2014 -1.96% -5.53%
2013 -3.4% -5.34%
2012 -2.24% -7.45%
2011 -2.04% -7.38%
2010 -0.76% -9.22%
2009 -2.26% -10.1%
2008 -1.72% -5.09%
2007 -2.31% -2.65%
2006 -5.71% -2.76%
2005 -2.47% -3.15%
2004 -4.23% -3.16%
2003 -3.32% -3.22%
2002 -4.09% -1.96%
2001 -3.61% 0.34%
2000 -2.35% 1.4%
1999 -2.42% 0.76%
1998 -5.31% -0.21%
1997 -2% -2.01%
1996 -3.97% -3.65%
1995 -5.09% -4.99%
1994 -7.23% -5.74%
1993 -6.34% -6.62%
1992 -5% -5.41%
1991 -4.4% -2.77%
1990 -0.49% -1.54%
1989 -3.35% 0.77%
1988 -0.57% 0.46%
1987 -2.12% -1.79%
1986 -2.24% -2.56%
1985 -2.39% -5.57%
1984 -6.09% -6.39%
1983 -6.04% -6.26%
1982 -6.97% -5.66%
1981 -9.97% -7.03%
1980 -11% -5.65%
1979 - -5.79%
1978 - -6.63%
1977 - -4.41%
1976 - -5.61%
1975 - -5.08%
1974 - -4.06%
1973 - -4.29%
1972 - -1.66%
1971 - 1.48%
1970 - 2.61%
1969 - 1.03%
1968 - -2.3%
1967 - -4.57%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.06%
1964 - -1.76%
1963 - -5.47%
1962 - -0.49%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.75%
1959 - -0.58%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - -1.04%
1956 - 0.55%
1955 - -0.39%
1954 - -1.65%
1953 - -2.84%
1952 - -1.26%
1951 - 2.03%
1950 - 0.34%
1949 - 3.01%
1948 - -0.39%
1947 - -15.8%
1946 - -22.5%
1945 - -30.9%
1944 - -29.7%
1943 - -33.3%
1942 - -31.6%
1941 - -32%
1940 - -12.1%
1939 - -2.99%
1938 - 0%
1937 - 0.82%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 0.37%
1934 - 0.48%
1933 - 0.99%
1932 - -0.15%
1931 - 0.8%
1930 - 1.01%
1929 - 0.75%
1928 - 1.75%
1927 - 1.62%
1926 - 0.6%
1925 - 0.84%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - 2.23%
1922 - 2.45%
1921 - 1.15%
1920 - 4.2%
1919 - -6.28%
1918 - -34.4%
1917 - -48.8%
1916 - -50.6%
1915 - -30%
1914 - -14.6%
1913 - 0.25%
1912 - 0.22%
1911 - 0.51%
1910 - 1.75%
1909 - -1.25%
1908 - 0.34%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.58%
1905 - 0.36%
1904 - 0.2%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.77%
1901 - -2.74%
1900 - -2.96%
1899 - -0.79%
1898 - 0.01%
1897 - 0.25%
1896 - 0.17%
1895 - 0.3%
1894 - 0.06%
1893 - -0.007%
1892 - 0.14%
1891 - 0.19%
1890 - 0.23%
1889 - 0.3%
1888 - 0.27%
1887 - 0.25%
1886 - 0.07%
1885 - -0.21%
1884 - -0.04%
1883 - 0.06%
1882 - 0.02%
1881 - 0.06%
1880 - 0.1%
1879 - -0.86%
1878 - -0.18%
1877 - -0.18%
1876 - 0.09%
1875 - 0%
1874 - 0.09%
1873 - 0%
1872 - 0.55%
1871 - 0.29%
1870 - 0%
1869 - 0.77%
1868 - -0.45%
1867 - -0.45%
1866 - 0.11%
1865 - 0%
1864 - 0.24%
1863 - 0%
1862 - -0.13%
1861 - -0.4%
1860 - -0.43%
1859 - 0%
1858 - -0.15%
1857 - -0.15%
1856 - -0.6%
1855 - -3.57%
1854 - -3.39%
1853 - 0.5%
1852 - 0.35%
1851 - 0.35%
1850 - 0.37%
1849 - 0.34%
1848 - -0.17%
1847 - -6.13%
1846 - 0.52%
1845 - 0.56%
1844 - 0.59%
1843 - 0.44%
1842 - -0.87%
1841 - -0.42%
1840 - -0.2%
1839 - -0.18%
1838 - -0.19%
1837 - -0.21%
1836 - 0.59%
1835 - 0.42%
1834 - 0.23%
1833 - 0.24%
1832 - 0%
1831 - 0%
1830 - 0.45%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Madagascar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $432M, equivalent to 2.48% of GDP. This compares to the United Kingdom's deficit of $212B, or 5.75% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Madagascar recorded a fiscal deficit in 45 of those years, while the United Kingdom ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Madagascar posted an annual deficit equal to 3.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.21% of GDP for the United Kingdom.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Madagascar

United Kingdom
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Madagascar United Kingdom
2024 - 3.27%
2023 9.87% 6.79%
2022 8.16% 7.92%
2021 5.81% 2.52%
2020 4.2% 0.99%
2019 5.61% 1.74%
2018 8.59% 2.29%
2017 8.61% 2.56%
2016 6.04% 1.01%
2015 7.4% 0.37%
2014 6.08% 1.45%
2013 5.83% 2.29%
2012 5.71% 2.57%
2011 9.48% 3.86%
2010 9.25% 2.49%
2009 8.95% 1.96%
2008 9.3% 3.52%
2007 10.3% 2.39%
2006 10.8% 2.46%
2005 18.4% 2.09%
2004 14% 1.39%
2003 -1.7% 1.38%
2002 16.5% 1.52%
2001 7.92% 1.53%
2000 11.9% 1.18%
1999 9.93% 1.75%
1998 6.21% 1.82%
1997 4.49% 2.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/united-kingdom | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Madagascar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.42%, compared with 2.37% in the United Kingdom. In 2023, inflation was 9.87% in Madagascar and 3.27% in the United Kingdom.

Top exports between countries

Madagascar
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $30.5M
Raw agricultural goods $2.76M
Metals $1.9M
Raw materials & minerals $623K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $539K
Precious metals & jewellery $467K
Animal & marine products $346K
Wood & paper products $194K
Chemicals & pharma $166K
Machinery & equipment $66K
United Kingdom
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.21M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.06M
Chemicals & pharma $1.85M
Animal & marine products $437K
Raw materials & minerals $299K
Raw agricultural goods $246K
Miscellaneous $234K
Wood & paper products $217K
Precious metals & jewellery $192K
Metals $183K

Balance of trade

Madagascar United Kingdom
Current account balance
-$829M
2022
-$80.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
119/190
2022
189/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.41%
2022
-2.19%
2024
Goods imports
$4.52B
2022
$763B
2024
Goods exports
$3.55B
2022
$494B
2024
Service imports
$1.52B
2022
$411B
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2022
$648B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.7%
2024
31.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
31%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Madagascar United Kingdom
Economic freedom 57 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 119/197 35/197
Property rights 39.8 93.6
Government integrity 26.8 83
Judicial effectiveness 33.7 83.1
Tax burden 90.5 61.7
Government spending 91.5 41.1
Fiscal health 68.8 32.4
Business freedom 37.3 83.6
Labor freedom 56.1 61.2
Monetary freedom 71.8 71.9
Trade freedom 67.6 82.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Madagascar
United Kingdom
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Madagascar United Kingdom
2026 57 70.4
2025 57 69.3
2024 57.3 68.6
2023 58.9 69.9
2022 58.9 72.7
2021 57.7 78.4
2020 60.5 79.3
2019 56.6 78.9
2018 56.8 78
2017 57.4 76.4
2016 61.1 76.4
2015 61.7 75.8
2014 61.7 74.9
2013 62 74.8
2012 62.4 74.1
2011 61.2 74.5
2010 63.2 76.5
2009 62.2 79
2008 62.4 79.4
2007 61.1 79.9
2006 61 80.4
2005 63.1 79.2
2004 60.9 77.7
2003 62.8 77.5
2002 56.8 78.5
2001 53.9 77.6
2000 54.4 77.3
1999 52.8 76.2
1998 51.8 76.5
1997 53.8 76.4
1996 52.2 76.4
1995 51.6 77.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/united-kingdom | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Madagascar is 57, ranking 119/197, compared to 70.4 for the United Kingdom, ranking 35/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Madagascar United Kingdom
Services, % of GDP
47.7%
2024
72.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
0.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.4B
2024
$3.42T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$61,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.78B
2024
$175B
2024
Total reserves ranking
120/177
2024
19/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$326M
2022
$42.8B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$606M
2024
-$13B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$134M
2024
-$72.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.72%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
75.2%
2021
18.6%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
2024
19.1%
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/madagascar/united-kingdom | CC BY

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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 (1830–1989, 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 (2022–2024, 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.