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Economy of Mauritania vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 153/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

Mauritania vs Spain GDP by year

Mauritania
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Spain
2024 $10,908,045,687 $1,725,671,652,742
2023 $10,726,838,461 $1,619,481,980,720
2022 $9,557,966,698 $1,448,850,658,407
2021 $9,222,536,364 $1,461,244,901,853
2020 $8,260,752,385 $1,289,783,836,971
2019 $7,894,764,886 $1,403,496,387,686
2018 $7,473,550,557 $1,431,642,809,327
2017 $6,800,135,898 $1,321,754,088,819
2016 $6,398,747,592 $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $6,166,863,897 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $6,592,537,782 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $7,223,071,097 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $6,728,208,836 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $6,764,627,746 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $5,628,878,798 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $4,714,595,548 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $5,206,437,194 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $4,346,212,355 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $3,919,577,286 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $2,936,019,526 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $2,362,501,023 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $2,051,147,607 $907,963,217,058
2002 $1,777,057,481 $708,938,227,244
2001 $1,746,063,558 $627,798,682,379
2000 $1,779,520,886 $598,102,854,756
1999 $1,985,922,776 $634,394,904,387
1998 $2,032,347,665 $618,731,484,575
1997 $2,071,996,564 $589,739,772,727
1996 $2,132,087,009 $642,251,412,058
1995 $2,091,726,101 $614,170,002,669
1994 $1,944,876,755 $530,183,651,720
1993 $1,847,353,211 $524,700,572,624
1992 $2,164,298,425 $630,465,353,486
1991 $2,133,692,697 $576,753,902,322
1990 $1,506,914,408 $536,175,326,477
1989 $1,450,647,019 $414,460,794,097
1988 $1,414,951,290 $375,891,716,898
1987 $1,344,664,725 $318,520,253,335
1986 $1,186,628,778 $251,141,555,186
1985 $1,009,723,326 $180,664,322,896
1984 $1,074,373,230 $171,979,977,230
1983 $1,165,171,263 $170,829,074,246
1982 $1,108,776,653 $195,856,752,991
1981 $1,105,494,682 $202,663,023,968
1980 $1,047,925,106 $232,600,556,974
1979 $951,900,945 $214,448,666,336
1978 $804,629,877 $160,484,969,618
1977 $799,030,017 $132,354,665,936
1976 $775,045,517 $118,422,534,195
1975 $703,377,837 $114,695,060,870
1974 $613,010,553 $97,204,522,642
1973 $493,237,876 $78,583,355,226
1972 $391,669,449 $59,090,176,029
1971 $335,568,907 $46,586,119,760
1970 $309,405,316 $40,963,715,237
1969 $295,062,308 $37,090,689,288
1968 $311,395,937 $32,394,326,464
1967 $282,615,310 $32,570,905,397
1966 $266,533,605 $29,559,436,183
1965 $255,340,475 $25,479,619,607
1964 $224,495,744 $21,966,876,027
1963 $168,186,297 $19,631,714,760
1962 $164,271,558 $16,609,632,791
1961 $159,213,430 $14,238,126,760
1960 - $12,424,514,014

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

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Spain by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $35,327 $57,965
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $33,493 $55,682
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $30,319 $51,399
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $30,799 $44,252
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $27,234 $39,328
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $29,787 $44,043
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $30,602 $41,015
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $28,381 $39,825
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $26,756 $37,613
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $999 $2,809 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $824 $2,570 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $732 $2,447 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $649 $2,296 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $652 $2,280 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $681 $2,304 $14,743 $21,582
1999 $781 $2,411 $15,708 $19,938
1998 $821 $2,355 $15,382 $19,083
1997 $859 $2,325 $14,722 $17,903
1996 $904 $2,436 $16,101 $16,971
1995 $905 $2,306 $15,461 $16,276
1994 $865 $2,114 $13,406 $15,582
1993 $850 $2,209 $13,330 $14,973
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $16,101 $14,855
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $14,801 $14,461
1990 $772 $2,070 $13,795 $13,676
1989 $762 - $10,674 -
1988 $762 - $9,696 -
1987 $746 - $8,234 -
1986 $677 - $6,509 -
1985 $593 - $4,696 -
1984 $650 - $4,487 -
1983 $725 - $4,475 -
1982 $710 - $5,156 -
1981 $729 - $5,367 -
1980 $711 - $6,204 -
1979 $664 - $5,766 -
1978 $578 - $4,353 -
1977 $590 - $3,625 -
1976 $589 - $3,277 -
1975 $551 - $3,208 -
1974 $494 - $2,748 -
1973 $410 - $2,246 -
1972 $335 - $1,708 -
1971 $296 - $1,361 -
1970 $281.3 - $1,211 -
1969 $276.6 - $1,109 -
1968 $301 - $978 -
1967 $281.5 - $997 -
1966 $273.6 - $916 -
1965 $270 - $797 -
1964 $244.3 - $695 -
1963 $188.2 - $627 -
1962 $189 - $535 -
1961 $188.2 - $463 -
1960 - - $408 -

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

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Spain
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
15/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
34/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
34
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
2.77%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
11.3%
2024
Population
5505206
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 45.3% 101.6%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 45.5% 105.1%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 46.4% 109.2%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 42% 97.6%
2018 19% 59.2% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 41% 101.1%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 42.1% 102%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 46.2% 100%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 17% 38.8% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 19% 38% 38.4% 39%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 23.9% 22% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 - 22.9% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 - 59.5% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 - 63.5% 38.4% 54.1%
2000 - 55.5% 39.1% 57.8%
1999 - - 40% 60.9%
1998 - - 41% 62.4%
1997 - - 41.5% 64.3%
1996 - - 42.9% 65.4%
1995 - - 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/mauritania/spain | CC BY

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 126/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Spain
2024 -1.35% -3.15%
2023 -2.45% -3.52%
2022 -3.09% -4.63%
2021 2.6% -6.66%
2020 2.78% -10%
2019 2.65% -3.04%
2018 3.23% -2.58%
2017 0.53% -3.1%
2016 0.13% -4.26%
2015 -2.44% -5.26%
2014 -2.64% -6.07%
2013 -0.66% -7.49%
2012 1.67% -11.5%
2011 0.07% -9.69%
2010 -0.45% -9.49%
2009 -3.59% -11.2%
2008 -3.32% -4.56%
2007 -1.38% 1.88%
2006 2.05% 2.12%
2005 -3.16% 1.23%
2004 -3.06% -0.1%
2003 - -0.37%
2002 - -0.32%
2001 - -0.45%
2000 - -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/mauritania/spain | CC BY

In 2024, Mauritania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $148M, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Spain's deficit of $54.3B, or 3.15% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.82% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Spain
2024 2.49% 2.77%
2023 4.95% 3.53%
2022 9.53% 8.39%
2021 3.57% 3.09%
2020 2.39% -0.32%
2019 2.3% 0.7%
2018 3.07% 1.67%
2017 2.25% 1.96%
2016 1.47% -0.2%
2015 3.25% -0.5%
2014 3.53% -0.15%
2013 4.13% 1.41%
2012 4.9% 2.45%
2011 5.69% 3.2%
2010 6.28% 1.8%
2009 2.22% -0.29%
2008 7.35% 4.08%
2007 7.25% 2.79%
2006 6.24% 3.52%
2005 12.1% 3.37%
2004 10.4% 3.04%
2003 5.15% 3.04%
2002 3.9% 3.07%
2001 4.71% 3.59%
2000 3.25% 3.43%
1999 4.07% 2.31%
1998 8.03% 1.83%
1997 4.63% 1.97%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, compared with 2.34% in Spain. In 2024, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $317M
Raw materials & minerals $46.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.68M
Raw agricultural goods $3.95M
Chemicals & pharma $1.76M
Metals $1.5M
Wood & paper products $598K
Machinery & equipment $375K
Textiles & consumer goods $256K
Weapons & explosives $177K
Spain
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $59M
Machinery & equipment $37.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29.6M
Wood & paper products $20.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $19.7M
Chemicals & pharma $19.5M
Raw agricultural goods $12.6M
Metals $12M
Animal & marine products $10.2M
Miscellaneous $3.27M

Balance of trade

Mauritania Spain
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$419B
2024
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$111B
2024
Service exports
$230M
2024
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Mauritania Spain
Economic freedom 53.9 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 59/197
Property rights 32.6 88
Government integrity 24.5 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 74.3
Tax burden 75.5 58.2
Government spending 80.2 37.3
Fiscal health 87.9 57.3
Business freedom 38.7 82.6
Labor freedom 53.6 61.7
Monetary freedom 77.8 78.2
Trade freedom 59.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Spain
2026 53.9 66.8
2025 54.9 66.3
2024 55.3 63.3
2023 55.3 65
2022 55.3 68.2
2021 56.1 69.9
2020 55.3 66.9
2019 55.7 65.7
2018 54 65.1
2017 54.4 63.6
2016 54.8 68.5
2015 53.3 67.6
2014 53.2 67.2
2013 52.3 68
2012 53 69.1
2011 52.1 70.2
2010 52 69.6
2009 53.9 70.1
2008 55.2 69.1
2007 53.6 69.2
2006 55.7 68.2
2005 59.4 67
2004 61.8 68.9
2003 59 68.8
2002 52.5 68.8
2001 48.5 68.1
2000 46 65.9
1999 42.8 65.1
1998 43.7 62.6
1997 47 59.6
1996 45.5 59.6
1995 - 62.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, 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

Mauritania Spain
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$71.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.