Skip to content

Economy of Namibia vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $1.33T for the Netherlands, ranking 146/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $578B (43.3% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Namibia vs Netherlands GDP by year

Namibia
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Netherlands
2025 $15,080,340,654 $1,332,767,651,100
2024 $13,641,190,683 $1,213,936,238,063
2023 $12,522,012,874 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $12,569,449,123 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $12,402,486,184 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $10,583,748,542 $932,560,861,701
2019 $12,541,928,303 $928,903,005,576
2018 $13,682,019,076 $929,733,599,797
2017 $12,895,153,371 $848,233,537,846
2016 $10,722,018,732 $797,163,949,290
2015 $11,335,161,084 $775,743,675,303
2014 $12,435,430,970 $901,556,501,756
2013 $12,043,307,277 $883,951,539,007
2012 $13,042,053,592 $845,689,017,066
2011 $12,523,359,441 $913,140,741,333
2010 $11,431,412,421 $852,464,982,433
2009 $8,938,847,189 $878,954,223,140
2008 $8,607,431,497 $957,901,566,041
2007 $8,839,536,476 $853,499,460,873
2006 $8,001,779,551 $737,593,995,289
2005 $7,248,374,838 $688,133,699,636
2004 $6,609,205,995 $661,224,886,143
2003 $4,926,439,384 $582,435,617,082
2002 $3,349,169,826 $475,529,972,123
2001 $3,557,341,215 $432,536,219,669
2000 $3,922,232,165 $417,649,282,154
1999 $3,868,551,730 $447,778,514,140
1998 $3,873,109,866 $438,612,530,549
1997 $4,154,989,950 $417,506,211,882
1996 $3,989,163,197 $451,372,549,020
1995 $3,978,514,206 $452,967,334,614
1994 $3,666,503,530 $379,688,232,232
1993 $3,251,188,833 $354,070,495,966
1992 $3,429,521,699 $363,497,050,125
1991 $2,996,869,281 $327,982,316,124
1990 $2,789,921,854 $318,799,003,994
1989 $2,535,135,798 $258,716,904,292
1988 $2,495,094,746 $262,295,966,105
1987 $2,300,068,217 $245,406,949,521
1986 $1,809,048,527 $201,157,708,221
1985 $1,608,237,350 $144,057,523,222
1984 $1,951,260,038 $144,124,462,912
1983 $2,297,400,688 $153,671,294,109
1982 $2,118,710,248 $158,712,765,536
1981 $2,249,908,578 $164,375,775,854
1980 $2,421,990,338 $195,439,301,707
1979 - $179,933,827,310
1978 - $156,089,077,205
1977 - $127,203,923,857
1976 - $109,329,386,564
1975 - $100,397,061,694
1974 - $87,371,810,804
1973 - $71,946,639,603
1972 - $54,787,070,173
1971 - $44,644,730,576
1970 - $38,220,884,519
1969 - $34,086,038,090
1968 - $30,097,635,751
1967 - $27,143,828,099
1966 - $24,741,480,717
1965 - $22,721,869,808
1964 - $20,232,048,553
1963 - $17,193,744,109
1962 - $15,847,582,341
1961 - $14,599,836,396
1960 - $13,282,979,015

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/netherlands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Netherlands by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - $73,684 -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 $67,465 $86,174
2023 $4,226 $11,251 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $1,967 - $17,423 -
1988 $2,063 - $17,771 -
1987 $1,969 - $16,734 -
1986 $1,599 - $13,804 -
1985 $1,466 - $9,941 -
1984 $1,830 - $9,992 -
1983 $2,214 - $10,696 -
1982 $2,097 - $11,089 -
1981 $2,267 - $11,537 -
1980 $2,468 - $13,812 -
1979 - - $12,817 -
1978 - - $11,196 -
1977 - - $9,180 -
1976 - - $7,937 -
1975 - - $7,346 -
1974 - - $6,450 -
1973 - - $5,353 -
1972 - - $4,110 -
1971 - - $3,384 -
1970 - - $2,931 -
1969 - - $2,647 -
1968 - - $2,364 -
1967 - - $2,155 -
1966 - - $1,986 -
1965 - - $1,848 -
1964 - - $1,668 -
1963 - - $1,437 -
1962 - - $1,342 -
1961 - - $1,254 -
1960 - - $1,156 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/netherlands | CC BY

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $73,684 in the Netherlands, ranking 12/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Namibia Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GDP rank
146/197
2025
18/197
2025
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
1.78%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$73,684
2025
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
12/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$578B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
43.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$31,942
2025
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
23/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$46,674
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,294,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2026
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
45.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
3.26%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
3.9%
2025
Population
3185686
18243998

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% 45.1% 43.3%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 44.4% 43.7%
2023 37% 67.9% 44% 45.8%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 42.8% 56%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 35% 24.6% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 32% 15.9% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 44% 45%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 29.6% 18% 53.9% 73%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 49.4% 73.5%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 50.9% 76.7%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 50.2% 75.6%
1991 33% 11.8% 49.6% 74.8%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/netherlands | CC BY

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $602B, or 45.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 43.3% in the Netherlands, ranking 57/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Netherlands
2025 -6.46% -1.84%
2024 -3.84% -0.94%
2023 -3.14% -0.37%
2022 -6.33% 0.002%
2021 -8.68% -2.26%
2020 -8.07% -3.72%
2019 -5.49% 1.91%
2018 -5.09% 1.49%
2017 -4.99% 1.35%
2016 -9.3% 0.23%
2015 -8.3% -1.84%
2014 -6.44% -2.17%
2013 -4.69% -2.87%
2012 -3.1% -3.83%
2011 -7.09% -4.42%
2010 -4.98% -5.3%
2009 -0.4% -5.06%
2008 3.48% -0.06%
2007 6.01% -0.16%
2006 3.41% 0.04%
2005 -0.31% -0.51%
2004 -2.67% -1.82%
2003 -4.47% -3.19%
2002 -1.38% -2.23%
2001 -2.01% -0.47%
2000 -0.79% 1.14%
1999 -1.88% 0.28%
1998 -2.76% -1.34%
1997 -2.38% -1.6%
1996 -3.7% -1.91%
1995 -1.74% -8.72%
1994 -0.57% -3.53%
1993 -2.73% -3.13%
1992 -2.55% -3.12%
1991 -1.59% -2.05%
1990 1.08% -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/netherlands | CC BY

In 2025, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $974M, equivalent to 6.46% of GDP. This compares to the Netherlands' deficit of $24.5B, or 1.84% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.84% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Netherlands
2025 3.5% 3.26%
2024 4.2% 3.35%
2023 5.9% 3.84%
2022 6.1% 10%
2021 3.6% 2.68%
2020 2.2% 1.27%
2019 3.7% 2.63%
2018 4.3% 1.7%
2017 6.1% 1.38%
2016 6.7% 0.32%
2015 3.4% 0.6%
2014 5.3% 0.98%
2013 5.6% 2.51%
2012 6.7% 2.46%
2011 5% 2.34%
2010 4.9% 1.28%
2009 9.5% 1.19%
2008 9.1% 2.49%
2007 6.5% 1.61%
2006 5% 1.1%
2005 2.3% 1.69%
2004 4.1% 1.26%
2003 7.2% 2.09%
2002 12.7% 3.29%
2001 10.2% 4.16%
2000 10.2% 2.36%
1999 9.4% 2.16%
1998 6.6% 1.96%
1997 9.7% 2.11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/netherlands | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.2%, compared with 2.35% in the Netherlands. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 3.26% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $101M
Raw agricultural goods $35.5M
Wood & paper products $16.9M
Raw materials & minerals $3.37M
Machinery & equipment $3.3M
Metals $791K
Textiles & consumer goods $392K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $173K
Chemicals & pharma $107K
Miscellaneous $91K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $22.4M
Miscellaneous $10.9M
Chemicals & pharma $5M
Raw agricultural goods $4.84M
Animal & marine products $2.62M
Metals $1.7M
Raw materials & minerals $1.56M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.02M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $491K
Precious metals & jewellery $65K

Balance of trade

Namibia Netherlands
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
+9.14%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$693B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$262B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
69.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
2025
80.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia Netherlands
Economic freedom 60.2 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 11/197
Property rights 63.1 96
Government integrity 51.5 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 96.1
Tax burden 66.4 54
Government spending 57.1 42.2
Fiscal health 60.5 95.9
Business freedom 58 85
Labor freedom 62.7 59.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 77
Trade freedom 69.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Netherlands
2026 60.2 78.5
2025 58.7 78.2
2024 57.5 77.3
2023 57.7 78
2022 59.2 79.5
2021 62.6 76.8
2020 60.9 77
2019 58.7 76.8
2018 58.5 76.2
2017 62.5 75.8
2016 61.9 74.6
2015 59.6 73.7
2014 59.4 74.2
2013 60.3 73.5
2012 61.9 73.3
2011 62.7 74.7
2010 62.2 75
2009 62.4 77
2008 61.4 77.4
2007 63.5 75.5
2006 60.7 75.4
2005 61.4 72.9
2004 62.4 74.5
2003 67.3 74.6
2002 65.1 75.1
2001 64.8 73
2000 66.7 70.4
1999 66.1 70.2
1998 66.1 69.2
1997 61.6 70.4
1996 - 69.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/netherlands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
70.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
17.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
1.68%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$1.24T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$85,480
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$118B
2025
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
27/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
19.8%
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).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/netherlands | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (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.