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Economy of Malaysia vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $1.21T for the Netherlands, ranking 38/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $532B (43.8% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Malaysia vs Netherlands GDP by year

Malaysia
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Netherlands
2024 $422,227,005,429 $1,214,927,698,573
2023 $399,949,418,753 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $407,830,525,990 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $373,784,553,030 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $337,456,163,961 $932,560,861,701
2019 $365,177,721,022 $928,903,005,576
2018 $358,788,845,713 $929,733,599,797
2017 $319,109,094,160 $848,233,537,846
2016 $301,256,033,870 $797,163,949,290
2015 $301,355,266,965 $775,743,675,303
2014 $338,066,095,097 $901,556,501,756
2013 $323,276,235,524 $883,951,539,007
2012 $314,443,047,642 $845,689,017,066
2011 $297,951,668,675 $913,140,741,333
2010 $255,017,638,456 $852,464,982,433
2009 $202,257,453,037 $878,954,223,140
2008 $230,811,614,370 $957,901,566,041
2007 $193,549,569,478 $853,499,460,873
2006 $162,692,258,307 $737,593,995,289
2005 $143,534,405,819 $688,133,699,636
2004 $124,749,473,684 $661,224,886,143
2003 $110,202,368,421 $582,435,617,082
2002 $100,845,526,316 $475,529,972,123
2001 $92,783,947,368 $432,536,219,669
2000 $93,789,736,842 $417,649,282,154
1999 $79,148,421,053 $447,778,514,140
1998 $72,167,498,981 $438,612,530,549
1997 $100,005,323,302 $417,506,211,882
1996 $100,855,393,910 $451,372,549,020
1995 $88,705,342,903 $452,967,334,614
1994 $74,478,356,958 $379,688,232,232
1993 $66,894,966,969 $354,070,495,966
1992 $59,167,550,163 $363,497,050,125
1991 $49,143,148,094 $327,982,316,124
1990 $44,024,585,240 $318,799,003,994
1989 $38,847,965,293 $258,716,904,292
1988 $35,272,109,220 $262,295,966,105
1987 $32,181,210,158 $245,406,949,521
1986 $27,734,111,400 $201,157,708,221
1985 $31,199,633,353 $144,057,523,222
1984 $33,942,897,422 $144,124,462,912
1983 $30,347,442,111 $153,671,294,109
1982 $26,804,493,635 $158,712,765,536
1981 $25,004,285,792 $164,375,775,854
1980 $24,488,224,677 $195,439,301,707
1979 $21,213,264,962 $179,933,827,310
1978 $16,358,079,862 $156,089,077,205
1977 $13,139,488,633 $127,203,923,857
1976 $11,050,234,599 $109,329,386,564
1975 $9,298,800,799 $100,397,061,694
1974 $9,496,204,302 $87,371,810,804
1973 $7,662,902,678 $71,946,639,603
1972 $5,043,347,250 $54,787,070,173
1971 $4,244,395,956 $44,644,730,576
1970 $3,864,145,667 $38,220,884,519
1969 $3,664,552,041 $34,086,038,090
1968 $3,330,371,551 $30,097,635,751
1967 $3,188,924,677 $27,143,828,099
1966 $3,143,517,944 $24,741,480,717
1965 $2,956,337,669 $22,721,869,808
1964 $2,674,423,922 $20,232,048,553
1963 $2,510,110,348 $17,193,744,109
1962 $2,001,489,602 $15,847,582,341
1961 $1,901,856,123 $14,599,836,396
1960 $1,916,229,477 $13,282,979,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Netherlands by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $67,520 $86,174
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $2,244 - $17,423 -
1988 $2,100 - $17,771 -
1987 $1,977 - $16,734 -
1986 $1,760 - $13,804 -
1985 $2,046 - $9,941 -
1984 $2,300 - $9,992 -
1983 $2,124 - $10,696 -
1982 $1,938 - $11,089 -
1981 $1,866 - $11,537 -
1980 $1,886 - $13,812 -
1979 $1,680 - $12,817 -
1978 $1,327 - $11,196 -
1977 $1,092 - $9,180 -
1976 $940 - $7,937 -
1975 $811 - $7,346 -
1974 $848 - $6,450 -
1973 $701 - $5,353 -
1972 $472 - $4,110 -
1971 $407 - $3,384 -
1970 $380 - $2,931 -
1969 $368 - $2,647 -
1968 $342 - $2,364 -
1967 $335 - $2,155 -
1966 $339 - $1,986 -
1965 $326 - $1,848 -
1964 $303 - $1,668 -
1963 $291.8 - $1,437 -
1962 $238.8 - $1,342 -
1961 $232.9 - $1,254 -
1960 $240.8 - $1,156 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $67,520 in the Netherlands, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$1.21T
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
1.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$67,520
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$532B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
43.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$29,571
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
24/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$47,815
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,267,000
2025
Number of billionaires
19
2025
13
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
44.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
3.35%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
3.64%
2024
Population
36512221
18252623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 44.4% 43.8%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 44% 45.9%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 25% 67.7% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 22% 54.4% 42.8% 56%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 24.7% 57% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 26% 55.4% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 44% 45%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 25.9% 42% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 53.9% 73%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 49.4% 73.5%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 50.9% 76.7%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 50.2% 75.6%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 49.6% 74.8%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 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/malaysia/netherlands | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $540B, or 44.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 43.8% in the Netherlands, ranking 58/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Netherlands
2024 -3.95% -0.94%
2023 -3.97% -0.37%
2022 -4.56% 0.002%
2021 -6.03% -2.26%
2020 -4.9% -3.72%
2019 -2.01% 1.91%
2018 -2.64% 1.49%
2017 -2.41% 1.35%
2016 -2.6% 0.23%
2015 -2.55% -1.84%
2014 -2.63% -2.17%
2013 -3.48% -2.87%
2012 -3.1% -3.83%
2011 -3.57% -4.42%
2010 -4.32% -5.3%
2009 -5.88% -5.06%
2008 -3.4% -0.06%
2007 -2.57% -0.16%
2006 -2.6% 0.04%
2005 -2.83% -0.51%
2004 -3.35% -1.82%
2003 -4.6% -3.19%
2002 -3.96% -2.23%
2001 -4.36% -0.47%
2000 -6.05% 1.14%
1999 -3% 0.28%
1998 -0.63% -1.34%
1997 4.84% -1.6%
1996 3.27% -1.91%
1995 3.1% -8.72%
1994 5.45% -3.53%
1993 3.44% -3.13%
1992 1.81% -3.12%
1991 1.6% -2.05%
1990 0.15% -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/malaysia/netherlands | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.7B, equivalent to 3.95% of GDP. This compares to the Netherlands' deficit of $11.5B, or 0.94% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.84% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Netherlands
2024 1.83% 3.35%
2023 2.49% 3.84%
2022 3.38% 10%
2021 2.48% 2.68%
2020 -1.14% 1.27%
2019 0.66% 2.63%
2018 0.88% 1.7%
2017 3.87% 1.38%
2016 2.09% 0.32%
2015 2.1% 0.6%
2014 3.14% 0.98%
2013 2.11% 2.51%
2012 1.66% 2.46%
2011 3.17% 2.34%
2010 1.62% 1.28%
2009 0.58% 1.19%
2008 5.44% 2.49%
2007 2.03% 1.61%
2006 3.61% 1.1%
2005 2.98% 1.69%
2004 1.42% 1.26%
2003 1.09% 2.09%
2002 1.81% 3.29%
2001 1.42% 4.16%
2000 1.53% 2.36%
1999 2.74% 2.16%
1998 5.27% 1.96%
1997 2.66% 2.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.31% in the Netherlands. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 3.35% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.13B
Chemicals & pharma $1.29B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.23B
Textiles & consumer goods $362M
Metals $354M
Raw materials & minerals $322M
Business & finance services $250M
Transport & tourism services $164M
Wood & paper products $112M
IT & IP services $83.7M
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $672M
IT & IP services $246M
Business & finance services $224M
Chemicals & pharma $205M
Transport & tourism services $177M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $141M
Raw materials & minerals $124M
Metals $48.1M
Raw agricultural goods $47M
Animal & marine products $42.8M

Balance of trade

Malaysia Netherlands
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+9.13%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$693B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$262B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
71.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
82.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Netherlands
Economic freedom 68 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 11/197
Property rights 62.7 96
Government integrity 52.9 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 96.1
Tax burden 83.5 54
Government spending 82 42.2
Fiscal health 62.5 95.9
Business freedom 79.6 85
Labor freedom 55.4 59.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 77
Trade freedom 83 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Netherlands
2026 68 78.5
2025 67.1 78.2
2024 65.7 77.3
2023 67.3 78
2022 68.1 79.5
2021 74.4 76.8
2020 74.7 77
2019 74 76.8
2018 74.5 76.2
2017 73.8 75.8
2016 71.5 74.6
2015 70.8 73.7
2014 69.6 74.2
2013 66.1 73.5
2012 66.4 73.3
2011 66.3 74.7
2010 64.8 75
2009 64.6 77
2008 63.9 77.4
2007 63.8 75.5
2006 61.6 75.4
2005 61.9 72.9
2004 59.9 74.5
2003 61.1 74.6
2002 60.1 75.1
2001 60.2 73
2000 66 70.4
1999 68.9 70.2
1998 68.2 69.2
1997 66.8 70.4
1996 69.9 69.7
1995 71.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, 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

Malaysia Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
70.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
17.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
1.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$1.12T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$84,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$79.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
34/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
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/malaysia/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)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, 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 (2021–2024, 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.

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.