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Economy of Mexico vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mexico has a GDP of $1.86T compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 13/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mexico has $1.08T in government debt (58.3% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Mexico vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Mexico
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mexico UAE
2024 $1,856,365,616,166 $552,324,846,835
2023 $1,798,317,581,487 $522,622,191,967
2022 $1,466,934,724,293 $511,403,403,676
2021 $1,316,569,466,686 $422,441,388,700
2020 $1,121,064,767,308 $357,161,878,829
2019 $1,304,106,203,902 $433,926,208,305
2018 $1,256,300,182,880 $440,560,108,918
2017 $1,190,721,475,906 $403,365,010,211
2016 $1,112,233,497,453 $381,717,086,453
2015 $1,213,294,467,717 $381,973,042,886
2014 $1,364,507,717,614 $424,935,874,745
2013 $1,327,436,290,283 $409,632,675,289
2012 $1,255,110,424,818 $392,793,464,942
2011 $1,229,013,703,417 $368,881,143,635
2010 $1,105,424,238,731 $307,736,419,333
2009 $943,437,415,025 $253,547,358,747
2008 $1,161,553,459,715 $315,474,615,739
2007 $1,102,355,554,972 $257,916,133,424
2006 $1,020,265,057,882 $222,116,541,865
2005 $917,571,853,529 $180,617,467,965
2004 $819,459,227,375 $147,824,370,320
2003 $765,549,967,703 $124,346,358,067
2002 $810,666,116,402 $109,816,201,498
2001 $796,064,590,549 $103,311,640,572
2000 $742,061,329,749 $104,337,372,362
1999 $631,249,359,702 $84,445,473,111
1998 $557,461,102,631 $75,674,336,283
1997 $523,449,530,464 $78,839,008,445
1996 $432,157,945,024 $73,571,233,996
1995 $380,157,469,867 $65,743,666,576
1994 $553,618,247,901 $59,305,093,980
1993 $530,160,763,663 $55,625,170,253
1992 $363,157,832,924 $54,239,171,888
1991 $313,139,656,146 $51,552,165,622
1990 $261,253,675,693 $50,701,443,748
1989 $221,403,098,267 $41,464,995,914
1988 $181,611,150,497 $36,275,674,203
1987 $147,542,558,209 $36,384,908,744
1986 $134,556,034,673 $33,943,612,095
1985 $195,241,069,482 $40,603,650,232
1984 $184,230,754,105 $41,807,954,236
1983 $156,167,000,433 $42,803,323,345
1982 $184,602,611,610 $46,622,718,605
1981 $263,797,827,860 $49,333,424,135
1980 $205,577,055,466 $43,599,160,050
1979 $134,531,900,899 $31,225,659,621
1978 $102,648,570,299 $23,775,764,225
1977 $81,912,018,784 $24,871,775,165
1976 $88,875,923,765 $19,213,158,779
1975 $88,000,000,000 $14,720,728,249
1974 $72,000,000,000 $11,651,505,689
1973 $55,280,000,000 $4,231,243,616
1972 $45,200,000,000 $1,415,086,929
1971 $39,200,000,000 $939,893,600
1970 $35,520,000,000 $685,986,701
1969 $32,480,000,000 -
1968 $29,360,000,000 -
1967 $26,560,000,000 -
1966 $24,320,000,000 -
1965 $21,840,000,000 -
1964 $20,080,000,000 -
1963 $16,960,000,000 -
1962 $15,200,000,000 -
1961 $14,160,000,000 -
1960 $13,040,000,000 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mexico/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mexico vs United Arab Emirates by year

Mexico
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mexico UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $14,186 $26,185 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $13,861 $25,243 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $11,406 $23,135 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $10,314 $20,783 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $8,841 $19,354 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $10,370 $20,964 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $10,085 $20,921 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $9,649 $20,489 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $9,098 $20,105 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $10,021 $19,071 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $11,391 $18,821 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $11,217 $18,170 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $10,744 $18,005 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $10,664 $17,267 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $9,729 $15,909 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $8,424 $15,191 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $10,524 $15,681 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $10,134 $15,032 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $9,513 $14,540 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $8,672 $13,260 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $7,850 $12,658 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $7,434 $12,066 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $7,983 $11,762 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $7,953 $11,739 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $7,524 $11,705 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $6,500 $11,031 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $5,833 $10,756 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $5,567 $10,182 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $4,674 $9,496 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $4,184 $8,933 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $6,202 $9,466 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $6,048 $9,041 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $4,221 $9,470 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $3,709 $9,079 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $3,154 $8,578 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $2,725 - $23,167 -
1988 $2,279 - $21,570 -
1987 $1,888 - $23,113 -
1986 $1,757 - $23,132 -
1985 $2,602 - $29,468 -
1984 $2,506 - $32,012 -
1983 $2,170 - $34,650 -
1982 $2,621 - $39,972 -
1981 $3,829 - $44,854 -
1980 $3,055 - $42,925 -
1979 $2,049 - $34,238 -
1978 $1,604 - $29,379 -
1977 $1,315 - $35,020 -
1976 $1,465 - $31,197 -
1975 $1,492 - $27,117 -
1974 $1,256 - $23,823 -
1973 $993 - $9,696 -
1972 $837 - $3,675 -
1971 $748 - $2,805 -
1970 $699 - $2,394 -
1969 $660 - - -
1968 $616 - - -
1967 $576 - - -
1966 $545 - - -
1965 $506 - - -
1964 $481 - - -
1963 $420 - - -
1962 $388 - - -
1961 $374 - - -
1960 $355 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mexico/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Mexico's GDP per capita is $14,186, ranking 69/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mexico ranks 80th at $26,185, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Mexico UAE
Gross domestic product
$1.86T
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
13/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
1.43%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$14,186
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
69/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,185
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
80/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$1.08T
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
58.3%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,272
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
63/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,231
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$418B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires
399,000
2025
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
22
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.3%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.72%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.62%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
133323134
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mexico
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mexico UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.3% 58.3% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 28.5% 52.6% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 28.5% 53.8% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 26.7% 56.7% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 27.8% 58.5% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 25.3% 51.9% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 25% 52.2% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 25% 52.5% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 26.5% 55% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 26.6% 51% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 26.9% 47.1% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 26.7% 44.1% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 27% 40.8% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 26.6% 41.2% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 26.5% 40.2% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 26.5% 41.7% 35% 21.1%
2008 26.5% 40.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 22.5% 35.5% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 21.6% 35.8% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 21.2% 36.8% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 20.5% 38.9% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 21.5% 42.1% 20% 3.33%
2002 19.8% 39.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 19.5% 37.3% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 19.4% 38.5% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 20.1% 41.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 19.5% 39.7% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 20.7% 39.1% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 20.8% 42.5% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 18.9% 30.7% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 18.9% 26.8% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 18.2% 19.2% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 19% 21.5% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 20.1% 29.2% 36% 4.97%
1990 22.9% 35.7% - -
1989 19.2% 36% - -
1988 23.6% 36.5% - -
1987 26.7% 52.7% - -
1986 25.1% 47.8% - -
1985 21.4% 30.4% - -
1984 19.8% 25.2% - -
1983 21.6% 25.3% - -
1982 24.7% 29.8% - -
1981 20.1% 41.7% - -
1980 17.5% 31.4% - -
1979 16.5% 35.8% - -
1978 15.7% 39% - -
1977 15.5% 41.5% - -
1976 15.5% 31.3% - -
1975 14.7% 24.4% - -
1974 13.8% 21.7% - -
1973 12.7% 20% - -
1972 11.9% 17.9% - -
1971 10.6% 17% - -
1970 10.9% 17.1% - -
1969 11.8% 10.7% - -
1968 10.9% 7.85% - -
1967 10.4% 8.22% - -
1966 11.6% 5.14% - -
1965 10.7% 9.99% - -
1964 9.21% 6.22% - -
1963 8.51% 4.13% - -
1962 8.26% 4.2% - -
1961 8.01% 4.38% - -
1960 9.5% 4.58% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mexico/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Mexico's government spending was $563B, accounting for 30.3% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 58.3% in Mexico and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 84/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mexico

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mexico UAE
2024 -5.73% 6.41%
2023 -4.29% 5.82%
2022 -4.32% 9.8%
2021 -3.75% 3.96%
2020 -4.29% -2.42%
2019 -2.27% 2.5%
2018 -2.14% 3.65%
2017 -1.03% -0.16%
2016 -2.68% -2.95%
2015 -3.86% -6.35%
2014 -4.37% 1.74%
2013 -3.56% 7.99%
2012 -3.57% 8.59%
2011 -3.2% 5.05%
2010 -3.8% 0.52%
2009 -3.94% -6.13%
2008 -0.68% 17.6%
2007 -1.46% 17.1%
2006 -1.23% 20.2%
2005 -1.43% 16%
2004 -1.35% 6.4%
2003 -2.24% 2.35%
2002 -2.18% -1.24%
2001 -2.57% 1.21%
2000 -2.69% 10.7%
1999 -4.49% 1.31%
1998 -4.49% 1%
1997 -3.48% 6.71%
1996 -3.66% 0.92%
1995 -2.28% 3.58%
1994 -2.25% -1.78%
1993 -1.51% -2.89%
1992 2.26% 3.34%
1991 1.49% 3.89%
1990 -3.11% -
1989 -4.75% -
1988 -8.76% -
1987 -11.6% -
1986 -11.2% -
1985 -7.2% -
1984 -5.79% -
1983 -6.03% -
1982 -11.4% -
1981 -4.9% -
1980 -1.75% -
1979 -2.15% -
1978 -1.88% -
1977 -2.43% -
1976 -3.14% -
1975 -2.64% -
1974 -3.33% -
1973 -2.75% -
1972 -2.3% -
1971 -1.43% -
1970 -1.71% -
1969 -2.74% -
1968 -2.06% -
1967 -2.12% -
1966 -3.2% -
1965 -2.51% -
1964 -1.44% -
1963 -0.92% -
1962 -0.79% -
1961 -0.88% -
1960 -1.36% -
1959 -0.73% -
1958 0.24% -
1957 -0.03% -
1956 0.52% -
1955 0.6% -
1954 -0.94% -
1953 -0.58% -
1952 0.42% -
1951 -0.26% -
1950 -0.2% -
1949 0.44% -
1948 -1.55% -
1947 -0.93% -
1946 0.66% -
1945 -1.11% -
1944 -1.12% -
1943 0.05% -
1942 -0.93% -
1941 -0.26% -
1940 -0.4% -
1939 -0.06% -
1938 -0.91% -
1937 -0.41% -
1936 -0.39% -
1935 0.26% -
1934 0.72% -
1933 -0.58% -
1932 0% -
1931 0.71% -
1930 0.21% -
1929 0.95% -
1928 0.24% -
1927 -0.3% -
1926 -0.29% -
1925 0.46% -
1924 1.34% -
1923 1.02% -
1922 1.13% -
1921 0.64% -
1920 0.91% -
1919 0.41% -
1918 -0.19% -
1917 0.63% -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.28% -
1912 -0.79% -
1911 -0.31% -
1910 0.1% -
1909 0.15% -
1908 -0.08% -
1907 0.43% -
1906 0.72% -
1905 0.35% -
1904 1.09% -
1903 3.82% -
1902 0.42% -
1901 0.62% -
1900 0.76% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mexico/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Mexico's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $106B, equivalent to 5.73% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Mexico recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Mexico posted an annual deficit equal to 2.68% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mexico

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mexico UAE
2024 4.72% 1.7%
2023 5.53% 1.6%
2022 7.9% 4.8%
2021 5.69% -0.1%
2020 3.4% -2.1%
2019 3.64% -1.9%
2018 4.9% 3.1%
2017 6.04% 2%
2016 2.82% 1.6%
2015 2.72% 4.1%
2014 4.02% 2.3%
2013 3.81% 1.1%
2012 4.11% 0.7%
2011 3.41% 0.9%
2010 4.16% 0.9%
2009 5.3% -4.7%
2008 5.12% 12.3%
2007 3.97% 11.1%
2006 3.63% 9.3%
2005 3.99% 6.2%
2004 4.69% 5%
2003 4.55% 3.1%
2002 5.03% 2.9%
2001 6.37% 2.8%
2000 9.49% 1.3%
1999 16.6% 2.1%
1998 15.9% 2%
1997 20.6% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/mexico/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Mexico has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.15%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 4.72% in Mexico and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Mexico
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $456M
Metals $79.3M
Raw agricultural goods $30.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26.5M
Chemicals & pharma $16.6M
Raw materials & minerals $5.18M
Miscellaneous $4.09M
Textiles & consumer goods $955K
Precious metals & jewellery $562K
Animal & marine products $518K
UAE
Export category Export value
Metals $216M
Machinery & equipment $161M
Chemicals & pharma $30.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $21.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21.1M
Precious metals & jewellery $6.61M
Raw materials & minerals $3.14M
Miscellaneous $1.34M
Raw agricultural goods $1.13M
Wood & paper products $839K

Balance of trade

Mexico UAE
Current account balance
-$16.7B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
181/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.9%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$637B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$618B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$72B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$63B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.9%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Mexico UAE
Economic freedom 59.8 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 102/197 29/197
Property rights 37.6 62.9
Government integrity 28.8 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 40.4 34.4
Tax burden 75.4 99.9
Government spending 74.6 85.1
Fiscal health 56.7 97.6
Business freedom 67 84.5
Labor freedom 57.3 63.2
Monetary freedom 70.6 81.2
Trade freedom 74.2 78.6
Investment freedom 75 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mexico
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mexico UAE
2026 59.8 71.9
2025 61.3 71.6
2024 62 71.1
2023 63.2 70.9
2022 63.7 70.2
2021 65.5 76.9
2020 66 76.2
2019 64.7 77.6
2018 64.8 77.6
2017 63.6 76.9
2016 65.2 72.6
2015 66.4 72.4
2014 66.8 71.4
2013 67 71.1
2012 65.3 69.3
2011 67.8 67.8
2010 68.3 67.3
2009 65.8 64.7
2008 66.2 62.6
2007 66 62.6
2006 64.7 62.2
2005 65.2 65.2
2004 66 67.2
2003 65.3 73.4
2002 63 73.6
2001 60.6 74.9
2000 59.3 74.2
1999 58.5 71.5
1998 57.9 72.2
1997 57.1 71.9
1996 61.2 71.6
1995 63.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mexico/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Mexico is 59.8, ranking 102/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mexico UAE
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.72%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.68T
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,460
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$232B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
16/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$32.3B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$45.5B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.71%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
29.6%
2024
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/mexico/united-arab-emirates | 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 (1900–1998, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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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.

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.