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Economy of Malaysia vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $260B for New Zealand, ranking 38/197 and 52/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $131B (50.2% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Malaysia vs New Zealand GDP by year

Malaysia
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia New Zealand
2024 $422,227,005,429 $260,172,385,098
2023 $399,949,418,753 $255,194,972,673
2022 $407,830,525,990 $249,509,991,440
2021 $373,784,553,030 $253,977,931,815
2020 $337,456,163,961 $213,029,554,654
2019 $365,177,721,022 $213,006,341,102
2018 $358,788,845,713 $211,985,631,173
2017 $319,109,094,160 $206,745,969,246
2016 $301,256,033,870 $189,100,085,275
2015 $301,355,266,965 $178,224,167,088
2014 $338,066,095,097 $201,518,402,787
2013 $323,276,235,524 $191,012,364,177
2012 $314,443,047,642 $176,560,711,239
2011 $297,951,668,675 $168,484,908,960
2010 $255,017,638,456 $146,887,902,524
2009 $202,257,453,037 $121,663,439,315
2008 $230,811,614,370 $133,437,126,590
2007 $193,549,569,478 $137,188,946,866
2006 $162,692,258,307 $111,538,810,713
2005 $143,534,405,819 $114,720,129,550
2004 $124,749,473,684 $103,905,210,084
2003 $110,202,368,421 $88,250,885,550
2002 $100,845,526,316 $66,627,729,311
2001 $92,783,947,368 $53,872,425,917
2000 $93,789,736,842 $52,623,281,957
1999 $79,148,421,053 $58,762,260,626
1998 $72,167,498,981 $56,227,169,851
1997 $100,005,323,302 $66,075,143,415
1996 $100,855,393,910 $70,140,835,299
1995 $88,705,342,903 $63,918,703,507
1994 $74,478,356,958 $55,314,732,279
1993 $66,894,966,969 $46,775,620,817
1992 $59,167,550,163 $41,649,829,860
1991 $49,143,148,094 $42,745,329,732
1990 $44,024,585,240 $45,495,129,385
1989 $38,847,965,293 $43,920,222,525
1988 $35,272,109,220 $45,176,811,594
1987 $32,181,210,158 $40,376,354,070
1986 $27,734,111,400 $30,604,668,357
1985 $31,199,633,353 $24,679,795,396
1984 $33,942,897,422 $21,665,975,319
1983 $30,347,442,111 $24,309,279,706
1982 $26,804,493,635 $24,164,603,059
1981 $25,004,285,792 $24,417,617,184
1980 $24,488,224,677 $23,244,547,385
1979 $21,213,264,962 $20,731,243,113
1978 $16,358,079,862 $18,530,518,395
1977 $13,139,488,633 $15,446,825,318
1976 $11,050,234,599 $13,604,832,424
1975 $9,298,800,799 $12,861,983,284
1974 $9,496,204,302 $13,940,981,798
1973 $7,662,902,678 $12,802,281,898
1972 $5,043,347,250 $9,567,331,065
1971 $4,244,395,956 $7,911,136,757
1970 $3,864,145,667 $6,495,605,331
1969 $3,664,552,041 $5,814,357,709
1968 $3,330,371,551 $5,228,045,415
1967 $3,188,924,677 $6,016,017,227
1966 $3,143,517,944 $5,917,437,693
1965 $2,956,337,669 $5,706,251,400
1964 $2,674,423,922 $7,340,766,415
1963 $2,510,110,348 $6,699,741,645
1962 $2,001,489,602 $6,133,158,532
1961 $1,901,856,123 $5,721,994,864
1960 $1,916,229,477 $5,536,098,360

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs New Zealand by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $49,205 $55,551
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $49,076 $54,697
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $49,100 $54,034
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $49,950 $48,249
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $41,998 $45,513
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $42,856 $45,278
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $43,257 $42,527
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $42,950 $42,244
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $40,114 $39,989
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $38,665 $37,513
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $44,618 $37,331
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $43,000 $36,263
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $40,054 $33,055
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $38,432 $32,739
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $13,663 $14,812
1989 $2,244 - $13,312 -
1988 $2,100 - $13,759 -
1987 $1,977 - $12,331 -
1986 $1,760 - $9,428 -
1985 $2,046 - $7,601 -
1984 $2,300 - $6,714 -
1983 $2,124 - $7,598 -
1982 $1,938 - $7,656 -
1981 $1,866 - $7,814 -
1980 $1,886 - $7,467 -
1979 $1,680 - $6,668 -
1978 $1,327 - $5,937 -
1977 $1,092 - $4,951 -
1976 $940 - $4,374 -
1975 $811 - $4,172 -
1974 $848 - $4,611 -
1973 $701 - $4,323 -
1972 $472 - $3,295 -
1971 $407 - $2,773 -
1970 $380 - $2,311 -
1969 $368 - $2,097 -
1968 $342 - $1,902 -
1967 $335 - $2,208 -
1966 $339 - $2,211 -
1965 $326 - $2,171 -
1964 $303 - $2,839 -
1963 $291.8 - $2,646 -
1962 $238.8 - $2,471 -
1961 $232.9 - $2,365 -
1960 $240.8 - $2,334 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/new-zealand | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $49,205 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Malaysia New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$260B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
1.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$49,205
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
26/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$131B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
50.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$24,722
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
28/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$37,758
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$92.9B
2024
Number of billionaires
19
2025
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
41.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
2.92%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
4.76%
2024
Population
36512221
5374272

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 41.9% 50.2%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 41.2% 46.9%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 41.8% 46.9%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 41.9% 47.5%
2020 25% 67.7% 42% 43.2%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 38.8% 31.8%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 22% 54.4% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 36.4% 33.3%
2015 24.7% 57% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 26% 55.4% 37.7% 34.2%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 38.6% 34.5%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 42.4% 34.7%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 38.5% 19%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 37.1% 16.3%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 37.9% 18.4%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 25.9% 42% 36.2% 22.5%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 36.7% 24.7%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 36.8% 26.4%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 38.3% 30%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 39.3% 32%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 40.1% 34.5%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 39.3% 34.6%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 39.9% 37.3%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 41.6% 43.5%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 42.8% 48.9%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 46.8% 54.6%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 52.5% 58.7%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 53% 58%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 49.6% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

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/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $109B, or 41.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 50.2% in New Zealand, ranking 58/185 and 107/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia New Zealand
2024 -3.95% -3.61%
2023 -3.97% -3.54%
2022 -4.56% -4.16%
2021 -6.03% -3.5%
2020 -4.9% -4.35%
2019 -2.01% -2.5%
2018 -2.64% 1.27%
2017 -2.41% 1.36%
2016 -2.6% 0.98%
2015 -2.55% 0.36%
2014 -2.63% -0.34%
2013 -3.48% -1.29%
2012 -3.1% -2.19%
2011 -3.57% -4.96%
2010 -4.32% -5.51%
2009 -5.88% -1.81%
2008 -3.4% 1.47%
2007 -2.57% 3.6%
2006 -2.6% 4.62%
2005 -2.83% 5.13%
2004 -3.35% 4.49%
2003 -4.6% 3.68%
2002 -3.96% 2.55%
2001 -4.36% 1.29%
2000 -6.05% 0.17%
1999 -3% -1.11%
1998 -0.63% -0.48%
1997 4.84% 1.23%
1996 3.27% 2.58%
1995 3.1% 3.7%
1994 5.45% 1.99%
1993 3.44% -1.53%
1992 1.81% -6.27%
1991 1.6% -6.14%
1990 0.15% -2.74%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/new-zealand | 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 New Zealand's deficit of $9.38B, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.44% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia New Zealand
2024 1.83% 2.92%
2023 2.49% 5.73%
2022 3.38% 7.17%
2021 2.48% 3.94%
2020 -1.14% 1.71%
2019 0.66% 1.62%
2018 0.88% 1.6%
2017 3.87% 1.85%
2016 2.09% 0.65%
2015 2.1% 0.29%
2014 3.14% 1.23%
2013 2.11% 1.13%
2012 1.66% 1.06%
2011 3.17% 4.03%
2010 1.62% 2.3%
2009 0.58% 2.12%
2008 5.44% 3.96%
2007 2.03% 2.38%
2006 3.61% 3.37%
2005 2.98% 3.04%
2004 1.42% 2.29%
2003 1.09% 1.75%
2002 1.81% 2.68%
2001 1.42% 2.63%
2000 1.53% 2.62%
1999 2.74% -0.11%
1998 5.27% 1.27%
1997 2.66% 1.19%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.37% in New Zealand. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 2.92% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $607M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $284M
Machinery & equipment $222M
Chemicals & pharma $91.9M
Metals $74.5M
Transport & tourism services $71.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $55.1M
Wood & paper products $30.6M
IT & IP services $10.2M
Business & finance services $8.87M
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $588M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $99.5M
Transport & tourism services $63.2M
Machinery & equipment $60.8M
Wood & paper products $55.2M
Chemicals & pharma $37M
Raw agricultural goods $34.6M
Metals $19.3M
IT & IP services $7.4M
Raw materials & minerals $2.1M

Balance of trade

Malaysia New Zealand
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$12.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
178/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-4.65%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$47.3B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$43.3B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$18.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
26.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
24.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia New Zealand
Economic freedom 68 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 13/197
Property rights 62.7 85.4
Government integrity 52.9 90
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 95.9
Tax burden 83.5 66.1
Government spending 82 48
Fiscal health 62.5 72.2
Business freedom 79.6 89.1
Labor freedom 55.4 68.6
Monetary freedom 80.8 77.4
Trade freedom 83 90.6
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia New Zealand
2026 68 77.8
2025 67.1 78.1
2024 65.7 77.8
2023 67.3 78.9
2022 68.1 80.6
2021 74.4 83.9
2020 74.7 84.1
2019 74 84.4
2018 74.5 84.2
2017 73.8 83.7
2016 71.5 81.6
2015 70.8 82.1
2014 69.6 81.2
2013 66.1 81.4
2012 66.4 82.1
2011 66.3 82.3
2010 64.8 82.1
2009 64.6 82
2008 63.9 80.7
2007 63.8 81.4
2006 61.6 82
2005 61.9 82.3
2004 59.9 81.5
2003 61.1 81.1
2002 60.1 80.7
2001 60.2 81.1
2000 66 80.9
1999 68.9 81.7
1998 68.2 79.2
1997 66.8 79
1996 69.9 78.1
1995 71.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/new-zealand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 77.8 for New Zealand, ranking 13/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
67.4%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
19.6%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
4.57%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$252B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$53,600
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$22.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
59/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$878M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$882M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
22.5%
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/new-zealand | 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 (1876–1989, 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.