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Economy of Malta vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malta has a GDP of $25B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 119/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $11.5B in government debt (46.2% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

Malta vs Spain GDP by year

Malta
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Spain
2024 $24,971,574,502 $1,725,671,652,742
2023 $22,610,561,526 $1,619,481,980,720
2022 $18,928,276,162 $1,448,850,658,407
2021 $19,739,875,611 $1,461,244,901,853
2020 $16,404,663,226 $1,289,783,836,971
2019 $16,337,793,531 $1,403,496,387,686
2018 $16,153,779,511 $1,431,642,809,327
2017 $14,161,366,724 $1,321,754,088,819
2016 $12,025,782,834 $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $11,340,795,042 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $11,888,032,874 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $10,796,782,636 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $9,609,532,089 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $9,789,361,703 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $9,097,044,159 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $8,734,745,698 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $9,135,419,465 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $7,908,412,306 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $6,749,838,806 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $6,393,234,993 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $6,104,141,520 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $5,418,315,224 $907,963,217,058
2002 $4,455,127,414 $708,938,227,244
2001 $4,070,867,133 $627,798,682,379
2000 $4,036,809,815 $598,102,854,756
1999 $4,111,857,809 $634,394,904,387
1998 $4,010,111,688 $618,731,484,575
1997 $3,787,023,707 $589,739,772,727
1996 $3,822,547,197 $642,251,412,058
1995 $3,709,396,045 $614,170,002,669
1994 $2,998,505,428 $530,183,651,720
1993 $2,709,193,538 $524,700,572,624
1992 $3,021,942,759 $630,465,353,486
1991 $2,750,216,747 $576,753,902,322
1990 $2,547,328,748 $536,175,326,477
1989 $2,118,655,677 $414,460,794,097
1988 $2,019,503,068 $375,891,716,898
1987 $1,751,293,461 $318,520,253,335
1986 $1,435,038,441 $251,141,555,186
1985 $1,117,797,439 $180,664,322,896
1984 $1,101,807,023 $171,979,977,230
1983 $1,165,729,707 $170,829,074,246
1982 $1,234,474,404 $195,856,752,991
1981 $1,243,509,394 $202,663,023,968
1980 $1,250,198,601 $232,600,556,974
1979 $1,001,288,847 $214,448,666,336
1978 $793,673,402 $160,484,969,618
1977 $625,563,171 $132,354,665,936
1976 $527,936,989 $118,422,534,195
1975 $474,618,321 $114,695,060,870
1974 $376,081,124 $97,204,522,642
1973 $345,616,106 $78,583,355,226
1972 $295,106,628 $59,090,176,029
1971 $264,578,485 $46,586,119,760
1970 $250,728,796 $40,963,715,237
1969 - $37,090,689,288
1968 - $32,394,326,464
1967 - $32,570,905,397
1966 - $29,559,436,183
1965 - $25,479,619,607
1964 - $21,966,876,027
1963 - $19,631,714,760
1962 - $16,609,632,791
1961 - $14,238,126,760
1960 - $12,424,514,014

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

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

GDP per capita in Malta vs Spain by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $43,899 $69,864 $35,327 $57,965
2023 $40,906 $67,057 $33,493 $55,682
2022 $35,639 $60,589 $30,319 $51,399
2021 $38,097 $56,852 $30,799 $44,252
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $27,234 $39,328
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $29,787 $44,043
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $30,602 $41,015
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $28,381 $39,825
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $26,756 $37,613
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $21,176 $26,782 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $22,315 $26,654 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $14,743 $21,582
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $15,708 $19,938
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $15,382 $19,083
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $14,722 $17,903
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $16,101 $16,971
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $15,461 $16,276
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $13,406 $15,582
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $13,330 $14,973
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $16,101 $14,855
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $14,801 $14,461
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $13,795 $13,676
1989 $6,041 - $10,674 -
1988 $5,814 - $9,696 -
1987 $5,084 - $8,234 -
1986 $4,195 - $6,509 -
1985 $3,322 - $4,696 -
1984 $3,333 - $4,487 -
1983 $3,527 - $4,475 -
1982 $3,788 - $5,156 -
1981 $3,898 - $5,367 -
1980 $3,948 - $6,204 -
1979 $3,196 - $5,766 -
1978 $2,559 - $4,353 -
1977 $2,038 - $3,625 -
1976 $1,727 - $3,277 -
1975 $1,560 - $3,208 -
1974 $1,245 - $2,748 -
1973 $1,144 - $2,246 -
1972 $976 - $1,708 -
1971 $874 - $1,361 -
1970 $828 - $1,211 -
1969 - - $1,109 -
1968 - - $978 -
1967 - - $997 -
1966 - - $916 -
1965 - - $797 -
1964 - - $695 -
1963 - - $627 -
1962 - - $535 -
1961 - - $463 -
1960 - - $408 -

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

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

Malta's GDP per capita is $43,899, ranking 28/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Malta Spain
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
119/197
2024
15/197
2024
GDP growth
6.8%
2023-2024
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$43,899
2024
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
34/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.2%
2024
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$20,269
2024
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
31/185
2024
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,692
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.29B
2024
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
34
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2022
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2022
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.3%
2024
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.65%
2023-2024
2.77%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.12%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
581729
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.3% 46.2% 45.3% 101.6%
2023 36.1% 46.8% 45.5% 105.1%
2022 38.3% 50.1% 46.4% 109.2%
2021 39.4% 49.6% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 42% 97.6%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 41% 101.1%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 42.1% 102%
2015 37.8% 55% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 46.2% 100%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 40.1% 65% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 41.1% 66% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 41.2% 62% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 38.4% 39%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 42% 70.4% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 44.4% 70% 38.4% 54.1%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 39.1% 57.8%
1999 - 69.8% 40% 60.9%
1998 - 66.4% 41% 62.4%
1997 - 60.8% 41.5% 64.3%
1996 - 51.5% 42.9% 65.4%
1995 - 45.3% 44.1% 61.6%
1994 - - 44.8% 57%
1993 - - 46.3% 54.6%
1992 - - 43.9% 44.1%
1991 - - 42.6% 41.9%
1990 - - 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malta's government spending was $9.32B, accounting for 37.3% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.2% in Malta and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 118/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Spain
2024 -3.58% -3.15%
2023 -4.65% -3.52%
2022 -5.31% -4.63%
2021 -6.95% -6.66%
2020 -8.72% -10%
2019 0.72% -3.04%
2018 1.86% -2.58%
2017 3.4% -3.1%
2016 1.1% -4.26%
2015 -0.84% -5.26%
2014 -1.49% -6.07%
2013 -2.19% -7.49%
2012 -3.31% -11.5%
2011 -2.99% -9.69%
2010 -2.22% -9.49%
2009 -3.11% -11.2%
2008 -4.06% -4.56%
2007 -2.05% 1.88%
2006 -2.46% 2.12%
2005 -2.83% 1.23%
2004 -4.28% -0.1%
2003 -9.04% -0.37%
2002 -5.62% -0.32%
2001 -6.5% -0.45%
2000 -5.83% -1.16%
1999 - -1.24%
1998 - -2.63%
1997 - -3.86%
1996 - -5.87%
1995 - -6.79%
1994 - -6.31%
1993 - -6.89%
1992 - -4.26%
1991 - -4.58%
1990 - -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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/spain | 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 Spain's deficit of $54.3B, or 3.15% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Spain
2024 1.65% 2.77%
2023 5.09% 3.53%
2022 6.15% 8.39%
2021 1.5% 3.09%
2020 0.64% -0.32%
2019 1.64% 0.7%
2018 1.16% 1.67%
2017 1.36% 1.96%
2016 0.64% -0.2%
2015 1.1% -0.5%
2014 0.31% -0.15%
2013 1.18% 1.41%
2012 2.38% 2.45%
2011 2.96% 3.2%
2010 1.52% 1.8%
2009 2.08% -0.29%
2008 4.26% 4.08%
2007 1.25% 2.79%
2006 2.77% 3.52%
2005 3.01% 3.37%
2004 2.79% 3.04%
2003 1.3% 3.04%
2002 2.19% 3.07%
2001 2.93% 3.59%
2000 2.37% 3.43%
1999 2.13% 2.31%
1998 2.39% 1.83%
1997 3.11% 1.97%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 2.34% in Spain. In 2024, inflation was 1.65% in Malta and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $97.6M
Business & finance services $74.8M
Raw materials & minerals $30.1M
Chemicals & pharma $26.6M
IT & IP services $15.7M
Machinery & equipment $13.8M
Manufacturing & construction services $3.08M
Government & miscellaneous services $1.06M
Miscellaneous $698K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $552K
Spain
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $524M
Machinery & equipment $83.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $82.7M
Chemicals & pharma $61M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $44.3M
Animal & marine products $23.2M
Raw agricultural goods $16.6M
Wood & paper products $8.76M
Metals $7.62M
Miscellaneous $6.53M

Balance of trade

Malta Spain
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
47/190
2024
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.12%
2024
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$419B
2024
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$111B
2024
Service exports
$25B
2024
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.7%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
118.5%
2024
37.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Spain
Economic freedom 68.2 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 59/197
Property rights 85.5 88
Government integrity 54.3 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 74.3
Tax burden 68.5 58.2
Government spending 58.4 37.3
Fiscal health 63.2 57.3
Business freedom 83.2 82.6
Labor freedom 62.6 61.7
Monetary freedom 73.1 78.2
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Spain
2026 68.2 66.8
2025 66.8 66.3
2024 64.5 63.3
2023 67.5 65
2022 71.5 68.2
2021 70.2 69.9
2020 69.5 66.9
2019 68.6 65.7
2018 68.5 65.1
2017 67.7 63.6
2016 66.7 68.5
2015 66.5 67.6
2014 66.4 67.2
2013 67.5 68
2012 67 69.1
2011 65.7 70.2
2010 67.2 69.6
2009 66.1 70.1
2008 66 69.1
2007 66.1 69.2
2006 67.3 68.2
2005 68.9 67
2004 63.3 68.9
2003 61.1 68.8
2002 62.2 68.8
2001 62.9 68.1
2000 58.3 65.9
1999 59.3 65.1
1998 61.2 62.6
1997 57.9 59.6
1996 55.8 59.6
1995 56.3 62.8

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

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

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

Malta Spain
Services, % of GDP
81.8%
2024
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.23%
2024
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.9B
2024
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,340
2024
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.42B
2024
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
137/177
2024
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$71.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2024
21.2%
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).

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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 (1850–1989, 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 (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.