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Economy of Malaysia vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malaysia has a GDP of $472B compared to $1.91T for Spain, ranking 35/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $334B in government debt (70.7% of GDP), compared to $1.91T (100.4% of GDP) in Spain.

Malaysia vs Spain GDP by year

Malaysia
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Spain
2025 $472,193,128,645 $1,906,453,309,986
2024 $422,227,005,429 $1,725,671,652,742
2023 $399,949,418,753 $1,619,481,980,720
2022 $407,830,525,990 $1,448,850,658,407
2021 $373,784,553,030 $1,461,244,901,853
2020 $337,456,163,961 $1,289,783,836,971
2019 $365,177,721,022 $1,403,496,387,686
2018 $358,788,845,713 $1,431,642,809,327
2017 $319,109,094,160 $1,321,754,088,819
2016 $301,256,033,870 $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $301,355,266,965 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $338,066,095,097 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $323,276,235,524 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $314,443,047,642 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $297,951,668,675 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $255,017,638,456 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $202,257,453,037 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $230,811,614,370 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $193,549,569,478 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $162,692,258,307 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $143,534,405,819 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $124,749,473,684 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $110,202,368,421 $907,963,217,058
2002 $100,845,526,316 $708,938,227,244
2001 $92,783,947,368 $627,798,682,379
2000 $93,789,736,842 $598,102,854,756
1999 $79,148,421,053 $634,394,904,387
1998 $72,167,498,981 $618,731,484,575
1997 $100,005,323,302 $589,739,772,727
1996 $100,855,393,910 $642,251,412,058
1995 $88,705,342,903 $614,170,002,669
1994 $74,478,356,958 $530,183,651,720
1993 $66,894,966,969 $524,700,572,624
1992 $59,167,550,163 $630,465,353,486
1991 $49,143,148,094 $576,753,902,322
1990 $44,024,585,240 $536,175,326,477
1989 $38,847,965,293 $414,460,794,097
1988 $35,272,109,220 $375,891,716,898
1987 $32,181,210,158 $318,520,253,335
1986 $27,734,111,400 $251,141,555,186
1985 $31,199,633,353 $180,664,322,896
1984 $33,942,897,422 $171,979,977,230
1983 $30,347,442,111 $170,829,074,246
1982 $26,804,493,635 $195,856,752,991
1981 $25,004,285,792 $202,663,023,968
1980 $24,488,224,677 $232,600,556,974
1979 $21,213,264,962 $214,448,666,336
1978 $16,358,079,862 $160,484,969,618
1977 $13,139,488,633 $132,354,665,936
1976 $11,050,234,599 $118,422,534,195
1975 $9,298,800,799 $114,695,060,870
1974 $9,496,204,302 $97,204,522,642
1973 $7,662,902,678 $78,583,355,226
1972 $5,043,347,250 $59,090,176,029
1971 $4,244,395,956 $46,586,119,760
1970 $3,864,145,667 $40,963,715,237
1969 $3,664,552,041 $37,090,689,288
1968 $3,330,371,551 $32,394,326,464
1967 $3,188,924,677 $32,570,905,397
1966 $3,143,517,944 $29,559,436,183
1965 $2,956,337,669 $25,479,619,607
1964 $2,674,423,922 $21,966,876,027
1963 $2,510,110,348 $19,631,714,760
1962 $2,001,489,602 $16,609,632,791
1961 $1,901,856,123 $14,238,126,760
1960 $1,916,229,477 $12,424,514,014

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Spain by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,125 - $38,627 -
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $35,327 $57,965
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $33,493 $55,682
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $30,319 $51,399
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $30,799 $44,252
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $27,234 $39,328
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $29,787 $44,043
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $30,602 $41,015
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $28,381 $39,825
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $26,756 $37,613
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $14,743 $21,582
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $15,708 $19,938
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $15,382 $19,083
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $14,722 $17,903
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $16,101 $16,971
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $15,461 $16,276
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $13,406 $15,582
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $13,330 $14,973
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $16,101 $14,855
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $14,801 $14,461
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $13,795 $13,676
1989 $2,244 - $10,674 -
1988 $2,100 - $9,696 -
1987 $1,977 - $8,234 -
1986 $1,760 - $6,509 -
1985 $2,046 - $4,696 -
1984 $2,300 - $4,487 -
1983 $2,124 - $4,475 -
1982 $1,938 - $5,156 -
1981 $1,866 - $5,367 -
1980 $1,886 - $6,204 -
1979 $1,680 - $5,766 -
1978 $1,327 - $4,353 -
1977 $1,092 - $3,625 -
1976 $940 - $3,277 -
1975 $811 - $3,208 -
1974 $848 - $2,748 -
1973 $701 - $2,246 -
1972 $472 - $1,708 -
1971 $407 - $1,361 -
1970 $380 - $1,211 -
1969 $368 - $1,109 -
1968 $342 - $978 -
1967 $335 - $997 -
1966 $339 - $916 -
1965 $326 - $797 -
1964 $303 - $695 -
1963 $291.8 - $627 -
1962 $238.8 - $535 -
1961 $232.9 - $463 -
1960 $240.8 - $408 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $13,125, ranking 78/197, compared to $38,627 in Spain, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Spain
Gross domestic product
$472B
2025
$1.91T
2025
GDP rank
35/197
2025
12/197
2025
GDP growth
5.17%
2024-2025
2.82%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,125
2025
$38,627
2025
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2025
31/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
34/197
2024
Government debt
$334B
2025
$1.91T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.7%
2025
100.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,273
2025
$38,794
2025
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2025
20/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,034
2026
$24,910
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$487B
2025
$1.3T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,077,000
2026
Number of billionaires
19
2026
34
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
44.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.38%
2024-2025
2.7%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2022
10.5%
2025
Population
36600906
49323658

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 70.7% 44.7% 100.4%
2024 24% 69.8% 45.5% 101.6%
2023 25% 69.7% 45.4% 105.1%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 46.3% 109.2%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 25% 67.7% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 42% 97.6%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 22% 54.4% 41% 101.1%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 42.1% 102%
2015 24.7% 57% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 26% 55.4% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 46.2% 100%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 38.4% 39%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 25.9% 42% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 38.4% 54.1%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 39.1% 57.8%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 40% 60.9%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 41% 62.4%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 41.5% 64.3%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 42.9% 65.4%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 44.1% 61.6%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 44.8% 57%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 46.3% 54.6%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 43.9% 44.1%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 42.6% 41.9%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 41.1% 41.3%
1989 - - 32.1% 39.2%
1988 - - 28.6% 38.2%
1987 - - 31.1% 42.1%
1986 - - 28.4% 36.5%
1985 - - 27.6% 31.5%
1984 - - 27% 18.3%
1983 - - 26% 13.4%
1982 - - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government spending was $111B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Spain spent $852B, or 44.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.7% in Malaysia and 100.4% in Spain, ranking 56/185 and 25/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Spain
2025 -3.54% -2.5%
2024 -3.45% -3.22%
2023 -4.11% -3.34%
2022 -4.56% -4.59%
2021 -6.03% -6.66%
2020 -4.9% -10%
2019 -2.01% -3.04%
2018 -2.64% -2.58%
2017 -2.41% -3.1%
2016 -2.6% -4.26%
2015 -2.55% -5.26%
2014 -2.63% -6.07%
2013 -3.48% -7.49%
2012 -3.1% -11.5%
2011 -3.57% -9.69%
2010 -4.32% -9.49%
2009 -5.88% -11.2%
2008 -3.4% -4.56%
2007 -2.57% 1.88%
2006 -2.6% 2.12%
2005 -2.83% 1.23%
2004 -3.35% -0.1%
2003 -4.6% -0.37%
2002 -3.96% -0.32%
2001 -4.36% -0.45%
2000 -6.05% -1.16%
1999 -3% -1.24%
1998 -0.63% -2.63%
1997 4.84% -3.86%
1996 3.27% -5.87%
1995 3.1% -6.79%
1994 5.45% -6.31%
1993 3.44% -6.89%
1992 1.81% -4.26%
1991 1.6% -4.58%
1990 0.15% -3.9%
1989 - -3.24%
1988 - -2.95%
1987 - -3.52%
1986 - -5.18%
1985 - -6.04%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -4.77%
1982 - -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.7B, equivalent to 3.54% of GDP. This compares to Spain's deficit of $47.6B, or 2.5% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.23% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Spain
2025 1.38% 2.7%
2024 1.83% 2.75%
2023 2.49% 3.53%
2022 3.38% 8.39%
2021 2.48% 3.09%
2020 -1.14% -0.32%
2019 0.66% 0.7%
2018 0.88% 1.67%
2017 3.87% 1.96%
2016 2.09% -0.2%
2015 2.1% -0.5%
2014 3.14% -0.15%
2013 2.11% 1.41%
2012 1.66% 2.45%
2011 3.17% 3.2%
2010 1.62% 1.8%
2009 0.58% -0.29%
2008 5.44% 4.08%
2007 2.03% 2.79%
2006 3.61% 3.52%
2005 2.98% 3.37%
2004 1.42% 3.04%
2003 1.09% 3.04%
2002 1.81% 3.07%
2001 1.42% 3.59%
2000 1.53% 3.43%
1999 2.74% 2.31%
1998 5.27% 1.83%
1997 2.66% 1.97%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 2.35% in Spain. In 2025, inflation was 1.38% in Malaysia and 2.7% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $424M
Metals $271M
Chemicals & pharma $260M
Machinery & equipment $254M
Raw materials & minerals $60.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $27.6M
Wood & paper products $6.2M
Raw agricultural goods $6.1M
Miscellaneous $1.4M
Animal & marine products $556K
Spain
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $152M
Raw materials & minerals $146M
Machinery & equipment $136M
Animal & marine products $106M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $54.7M
Metals $45.1M
Business & finance services $43.3M
IT & IP services $26M
Textiles & consumer goods $21.9M
Wood & paper products $15.5M

Balance of trade

Malaysia Spain
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$56B
2025
Current account balance ranking
29/190
2024
12/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+2.94%
2025
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$499B
2025
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$443B
2025
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$127B
2025
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$256B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.4%
2025
32.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2025
36.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Spain
Economic freedom 68 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 59/197
Property rights 62.7 88
Government integrity 52.9 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 74.3
Tax burden 83.5 58.2
Government spending 82 37.3
Fiscal health 62.5 57.3
Business freedom 79.6 82.6
Labor freedom 55.4 61.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 78.2
Trade freedom 83 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Spain
2026 68 66.8
2025 67.1 66.3
2024 65.7 63.3
2023 67.3 65
2022 68.1 68.2
2021 74.4 69.9
2020 74.7 66.9
2019 74 65.7
2018 74.5 65.1
2017 73.8 63.6
2016 71.5 68.5
2015 70.8 67.6
2014 69.6 67.2
2013 66.1 68
2012 66.4 69.1
2011 66.3 70.2
2010 64.8 69.6
2009 64.6 70.1
2008 63.9 69.1
2007 63.8 69.2
2006 61.6 68.2
2005 61.9 67
2004 59.9 68.9
2003 61.1 68.8
2002 60.1 68.8
2001 60.2 68.1
2000 66 65.9
1999 68.9 65.1
1998 68.2 62.6
1997 66.8 59.6
1996 69.9 59.6
1995 71.9 62.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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

Malaysia Spain
Services, % of GDP
54.8%
2025
68.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
19.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.22%
2025
2.68%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$445B
2025
$1.83T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$40,070
2025
$59,830
2025
Total reserves including gold
$126B
2025
$129B
2025
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2025
23/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
$18.3B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$71.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.1%
2023
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2025
21.4%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.