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Economy of Malta vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malta has a GDP of $25B compared to $260B for New Zealand, ranking 119/197 and 52/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $11.5B in government debt (46.2% of GDP), compared to $131B (50.2% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Malta vs New Zealand GDP by year

Malta
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta New Zealand
2024 $24,971,574,502 $260,172,385,098
2023 $22,610,561,526 $255,194,972,673
2022 $18,928,276,162 $249,509,991,440
2021 $19,739,875,611 $253,977,931,815
2020 $16,404,663,226 $213,029,554,654
2019 $16,337,793,531 $213,006,341,102
2018 $16,153,779,511 $211,985,631,173
2017 $14,161,366,724 $206,745,969,246
2016 $12,025,782,834 $189,100,085,275
2015 $11,340,795,042 $178,224,167,088
2014 $11,888,032,874 $201,518,402,787
2013 $10,796,782,636 $191,012,364,177
2012 $9,609,532,089 $176,560,711,239
2011 $9,789,361,703 $168,484,908,960
2010 $9,097,044,159 $146,887,902,524
2009 $8,734,745,698 $121,663,439,315
2008 $9,135,419,465 $133,437,126,590
2007 $7,908,412,306 $137,188,946,866
2006 $6,749,838,806 $111,538,810,713
2005 $6,393,234,993 $114,720,129,550
2004 $6,104,141,520 $103,905,210,084
2003 $5,418,315,224 $88,250,885,550
2002 $4,455,127,414 $66,627,729,311
2001 $4,070,867,133 $53,872,425,917
2000 $4,036,809,815 $52,623,281,957
1999 $4,111,857,809 $58,762,260,626
1998 $4,010,111,688 $56,227,169,851
1997 $3,787,023,707 $66,075,143,415
1996 $3,822,547,197 $70,140,835,299
1995 $3,709,396,045 $63,918,703,507
1994 $2,998,505,428 $55,314,732,279
1993 $2,709,193,538 $46,775,620,817
1992 $3,021,942,759 $41,649,829,860
1991 $2,750,216,747 $42,745,329,732
1990 $2,547,328,748 $45,495,129,385
1989 $2,118,655,677 $43,920,222,525
1988 $2,019,503,068 $45,176,811,594
1987 $1,751,293,461 $40,376,354,070
1986 $1,435,038,441 $30,604,668,357
1985 $1,117,797,439 $24,679,795,396
1984 $1,101,807,023 $21,665,975,319
1983 $1,165,729,707 $24,309,279,706
1982 $1,234,474,404 $24,164,603,059
1981 $1,243,509,394 $24,417,617,184
1980 $1,250,198,601 $23,244,547,385
1979 $1,001,288,847 $20,731,243,113
1978 $793,673,402 $18,530,518,395
1977 $625,563,171 $15,446,825,318
1976 $527,936,989 $13,604,832,424
1975 $474,618,321 $12,861,983,284
1974 $376,081,124 $13,940,981,798
1973 $345,616,106 $12,802,281,898
1972 $295,106,628 $9,567,331,065
1971 $264,578,485 $7,911,136,757
1970 $250,728,796 $6,495,605,331
1969 - $5,814,357,709
1968 - $5,228,045,415
1967 - $6,016,017,227
1966 - $5,917,437,693
1965 - $5,706,251,400
1964 - $7,340,766,415
1963 - $6,699,741,645
1962 - $6,133,158,532
1961 - $5,721,994,864
1960 - $5,536,098,360

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

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

GDP per capita in Malta vs New Zealand by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $43,899 $69,864 $49,205 $55,551
2023 $40,906 $67,057 $49,076 $54,697
2022 $35,639 $60,589 $49,100 $54,034
2021 $38,097 $56,852 $49,950 $48,249
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $41,998 $45,513
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $42,856 $45,278
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $43,257 $42,527
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $42,950 $42,244
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $40,114 $39,989
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $38,665 $37,513
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $44,618 $37,331
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $43,000 $36,263
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $40,054 $33,055
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $38,432 $32,739
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $21,176 $26,782 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $22,315 $26,654 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $13,663 $14,812
1989 $6,041 - $13,312 -
1988 $5,814 - $13,759 -
1987 $5,084 - $12,331 -
1986 $4,195 - $9,428 -
1985 $3,322 - $7,601 -
1984 $3,333 - $6,714 -
1983 $3,527 - $7,598 -
1982 $3,788 - $7,656 -
1981 $3,898 - $7,814 -
1980 $3,948 - $7,467 -
1979 $3,196 - $6,668 -
1978 $2,559 - $5,937 -
1977 $2,038 - $4,951 -
1976 $1,727 - $4,374 -
1975 $1,560 - $4,172 -
1974 $1,245 - $4,611 -
1973 $1,144 - $4,323 -
1972 $976 - $3,295 -
1971 $874 - $2,773 -
1970 $828 - $2,311 -
1969 - - $2,097 -
1968 - - $1,902 -
1967 - - $2,208 -
1966 - - $2,211 -
1965 - - $2,171 -
1964 - - $2,839 -
1963 - - $2,646 -
1962 - - $2,471 -
1961 - - $2,365 -
1960 - - $2,334 -

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

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

Malta's GDP per capita is $43,899, ranking 28/197, compared to $49,205 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Malta New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$260B
2024
GDP rank
119/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP growth
6.8%
2023-2024
1.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$43,899
2024
$49,205
2024
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2024
26/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$131B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.2%
2024
50.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$20,269
2024
$24,722
2024
Government debt per person rank
31/185
2024
28/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,692
2026
$37,758
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.29B
2024
$92.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2022
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.3%
2024
41.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.65%
2023-2024
2.92%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.12%
2024
4.76%
2024
Population
581729
5374272

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.3% 46.2% 41.9% 50.2%
2023 36.1% 46.8% 41.2% 46.9%
2022 38.3% 50.1% 41.8% 46.9%
2021 39.4% 49.6% 41.9% 47.5%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 42% 43.2%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 38.8% 31.8%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 36.4% 33.3%
2015 37.8% 55% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 37.7% 34.2%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 38.6% 34.5%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 42.4% 34.7%
2010 40.1% 65% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 41.1% 66% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 38.5% 19%
2007 41.2% 62% 37.1% 16.3%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 37.9% 18.4%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 42% 70.4% 36.2% 22.5%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 36.7% 24.7%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 36.8% 26.4%
2001 44.4% 70% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 38.3% 30%
1999 - 69.8% 39.3% 32%
1998 - 66.4% 40.1% 34.5%
1997 - 60.8% 39.3% 34.6%
1996 - 51.5% 39.9% 37.3%
1995 - 45.3% 41.6% 43.5%
1994 - - 42.8% 48.9%
1993 - - 46.8% 54.6%
1992 - - 52.5% 58.7%
1991 - - 53% 58%
1990 - - 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/malta/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government spending was $9.32B, accounting for 37.3% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $109B, or 41.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.2% in Malta and 50.2% in New Zealand, ranking 118/185 and 107/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta New Zealand
2024 -3.58% -3.61%
2023 -4.65% -3.54%
2022 -5.31% -4.16%
2021 -6.95% -3.5%
2020 -8.72% -4.35%
2019 0.72% -2.5%
2018 1.86% 1.27%
2017 3.4% 1.36%
2016 1.1% 0.98%
2015 -0.84% 0.36%
2014 -1.49% -0.34%
2013 -2.19% -1.29%
2012 -3.31% -2.19%
2011 -2.99% -4.96%
2010 -2.22% -5.51%
2009 -3.11% -1.81%
2008 -4.06% 1.47%
2007 -2.05% 3.6%
2006 -2.46% 4.62%
2005 -2.83% 5.13%
2004 -4.28% 4.49%
2003 -9.04% 3.68%
2002 -5.62% 2.55%
2001 -6.5% 1.29%
2000 -5.83% 0.17%
1999 - -1.11%
1998 - -0.48%
1997 - 1.23%
1996 - 2.58%
1995 - 3.7%
1994 - 1.99%
1993 - -1.53%
1992 - -6.27%
1991 - -6.14%
1990 - -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/malta/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $893M, equivalent to 3.58% of GDP. This compares to New Zealand's deficit of $9.38B, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.27% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta New Zealand
2024 1.65% 2.92%
2023 5.09% 5.73%
2022 6.15% 7.17%
2021 1.5% 3.94%
2020 0.64% 1.71%
2019 1.64% 1.62%
2018 1.16% 1.6%
2017 1.36% 1.85%
2016 0.64% 0.65%
2015 1.1% 0.29%
2014 0.31% 1.23%
2013 1.18% 1.13%
2012 2.38% 1.06%
2011 2.96% 4.03%
2010 1.52% 2.3%
2009 2.08% 2.12%
2008 4.26% 3.96%
2007 1.25% 2.38%
2006 2.77% 3.37%
2005 3.01% 3.04%
2004 2.79% 2.29%
2003 1.3% 1.75%
2002 2.19% 2.68%
2001 2.93% 2.63%
2000 2.37% 2.62%
1999 2.13% -0.11%
1998 2.39% 1.27%
1997 3.11% 1.19%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 2.37% in New Zealand. In 2024, inflation was 1.65% in Malta and 2.92% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $126M
Business & finance services $73.9M
IT & IP services $18.9M
Manufacturing & construction services $3.67M
Government & miscellaneous services $1.3M
Chemicals & pharma $1.01M
Machinery & equipment $192K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $155K
Textiles & consumer goods $32K
Miscellaneous $1K
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $1.4M
Animal & marine products $944K
Machinery & equipment $459K
Chemicals & pharma $420K
Textiles & consumer goods $378K
Raw agricultural goods $174K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $145K
Metals $21K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Malta New Zealand
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
-$12.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
47/190
2024
178/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.12%
2024
-4.65%
2024
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$47.3B
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$43.3B
2024
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Service exports
$25B
2024
$18.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.7%
2024
26.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
118.5%
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.

Malta New Zealand
Economic freedom 68.2 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 13/197
Property rights 85.5 85.4
Government integrity 54.3 90
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 95.9
Tax burden 68.5 66.1
Government spending 58.4 48
Fiscal health 63.2 72.2
Business freedom 83.2 89.1
Labor freedom 62.6 68.6
Monetary freedom 73.1 77.4
Trade freedom 79.4 90.6
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta New Zealand
2026 68.2 77.8
2025 66.8 78.1
2024 64.5 77.8
2023 67.5 78.9
2022 71.5 80.6
2021 70.2 83.9
2020 69.5 84.1
2019 68.6 84.4
2018 68.5 84.2
2017 67.7 83.7
2016 66.7 81.6
2015 66.5 82.1
2014 66.4 81.2
2013 67.5 81.4
2012 67 82.1
2011 65.7 82.3
2010 67.2 82.1
2009 66.1 82
2008 66 80.7
2007 66.1 81.4
2006 67.3 82
2005 68.9 82.3
2004 63.3 81.5
2003 61.1 81.1
2002 62.2 80.7
2001 62.9 81.1
2000 58.3 80.9
1999 59.3 81.7
1998 61.2 79.2
1997 57.9 79
1996 55.8 78.1
1995 56.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, 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

Malta New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
81.8%
2024
67.4%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
19.6%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.23%
2024
4.57%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$20.9B
2024
$252B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,340
2024
$53,600
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.42B
2024
$22.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
137/177
2024
59/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
-$878M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$882M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
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/malta/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, 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 (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.