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Economy of Namibia vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $264B for New Zealand, ranking 146/197 and 53/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $145B (54.7% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Namibia vs New Zealand GDP by year

Namibia
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia New Zealand
2025 $15,080,340,654 $264,057,413,740
2024 $13,641,190,683 $261,497,198,364
2023 $12,522,012,874 $256,372,177,758
2022 $12,569,449,123 $249,723,029,451
2021 $12,402,486,184 $253,732,493,988
2020 $10,583,748,542 $213,318,129,989
2019 $12,541,928,303 $213,088,034,258
2018 $13,682,019,076 $211,726,161,989
2017 $12,895,153,371 $206,561,943,051
2016 $10,722,018,732 $188,980,351,891
2015 $11,335,161,084 $178,147,457,243
2014 $12,435,430,970 $201,435,445,068
2013 $12,043,307,277 $190,943,478,290
2012 $13,042,053,592 $176,508,049,114
2011 $12,523,359,441 $168,458,838,711
2010 $11,431,412,421 $146,887,902,524
2009 $8,938,847,189 $121,663,439,315
2008 $8,607,431,497 $133,437,126,590
2007 $8,839,536,476 $137,188,946,866
2006 $8,001,779,551 $111,538,810,713
2005 $7,248,374,838 $114,720,129,550
2004 $6,609,205,995 $103,905,210,084
2003 $4,926,439,384 $88,250,885,550
2002 $3,349,169,826 $66,627,729,311
2001 $3,557,341,215 $53,872,425,917
2000 $3,922,232,165 $52,623,281,957
1999 $3,868,551,730 $58,762,260,626
1998 $3,873,109,866 $56,227,169,851
1997 $4,154,989,950 $66,075,143,415
1996 $3,989,163,197 $70,140,835,299
1995 $3,978,514,206 $63,918,703,507
1994 $3,666,503,530 $55,314,732,279
1993 $3,251,188,833 $46,775,620,817
1992 $3,429,521,699 $41,649,829,860
1991 $2,996,869,281 $42,745,329,732
1990 $2,789,921,854 $45,495,129,385
1989 $2,535,135,798 $43,920,222,525
1988 $2,495,094,746 $45,176,811,594
1987 $2,300,068,217 $40,376,354,070
1986 $1,809,048,527 $30,604,668,357
1985 $1,608,237,350 $24,679,795,396
1984 $1,951,260,038 $21,665,975,319
1983 $2,297,400,688 $24,309,279,706
1982 $2,118,710,248 $24,164,603,059
1981 $2,249,908,578 $24,417,617,184
1980 $2,421,990,338 $23,244,547,385
1979 - $20,731,243,113
1978 - $18,530,518,395
1977 - $15,446,825,318
1976 - $13,604,832,424
1975 - $12,861,983,284
1974 - $13,940,981,798
1973 - $12,802,281,898
1972 - $9,567,331,065
1971 - $7,911,136,757
1970 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs New Zealand by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - $49,591 -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 $49,432 $55,551
2023 $4,226 $11,251 $49,302 $54,697
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $49,142 $54,034
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $49,902 $48,249
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $42,055 $45,513
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $42,872 $45,278
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $43,204 $42,527
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $42,912 $42,244
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $40,088 $39,989
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $38,649 $37,513
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $44,600 $37,331
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $42,985 $36,263
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $40,042 $33,055
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $38,426 $32,739
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $13,663 $14,812
1989 $1,967 - $13,312 -
1988 $2,063 - $13,759 -
1987 $1,969 - $12,331 -
1986 $1,599 - $9,428 -
1985 $1,466 - $7,601 -
1984 $1,830 - $6,714 -
1983 $2,214 - $7,598 -
1982 $2,097 - $7,656 -
1981 $2,267 - $7,814 -
1980 $2,468 - $7,467 -
1979 - - $6,668 -
1978 - - $5,937 -
1977 - - $4,951 -
1976 - - $4,374 -
1975 - - $4,172 -
1974 - - $4,611 -
1973 - - $4,323 -
1972 - - $3,295 -
1971 - - $2,773 -
1970 - - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $49,591 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Namibia New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$264B
2025
GDP rank
146/197
2025
53/197
2025
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
0.46%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$49,591
2025
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
26/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$145B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
54.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$27,139
2025
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
27/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$36,222
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$103B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
41.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
2.84%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
5.26%
2025
Population
3185686
5380024

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% 41.6% 54.7%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 41.7% 51.4%
2023 37% 67.9% 41% 47.3%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 41.7% 46.9%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 41.8% 47.5%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 41.9% 43.2%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 38.7% 31.8%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 36.4% 33.4%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 37.6% 34.2%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 38.6% 34.6%
2012 35% 24.6% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 42.3% 34.7%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 32% 15.9% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 38.4% 19%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 37% 16.3%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 37.8% 18.4%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 36.1% 22.5%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 36.6% 24.7%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 36.7% 26.4%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 38.2% 30%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 39.2% 32%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 40.1% 34.5%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 39.3% 34.6%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 39.8% 37.3%
1995 29.6% 18% 41.6% 43.5%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 42.7% 48.9%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 46.7% 54.6%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 52.4% 58.7%
1991 33% 11.8% 52.9% 58%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 49.5% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $110B, or 41.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 54.7% in New Zealand, ranking 57/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia New Zealand
2025 -6.46% -3.86%
2024 -3.84% -3.21%
2023 -3.14% -3.22%
2022 -6.33% -3.96%
2021 -8.68% -3.35%
2020 -8.07% -4.21%
2019 -5.49% -2.44%
2018 -5.09% 1.31%
2017 -4.99% 1.38%
2016 -9.3% 0.98%
2015 -8.3% 0.37%
2014 -6.44% -0.33%
2013 -4.69% -1.28%
2012 -3.1% -2.18%
2011 -7.09% -4.94%
2010 -4.98% -5.49%
2009 -0.4% -1.8%
2008 3.48% 1.48%
2007 6.01% 3.6%
2006 3.41% 4.62%
2005 -0.31% 5.13%
2004 -2.67% 4.49%
2003 -4.47% 3.69%
2002 -1.38% 2.56%
2001 -2.01% 1.29%
2000 -0.79% 0.18%
1999 -1.88% -1.1%
1998 -2.76% -0.47%
1997 -2.38% 1.24%
1996 -3.7% 2.58%
1995 -1.74% 3.7%
1994 -0.57% 2%
1993 -2.73% -1.51%
1992 -2.55% -6.25%
1991 -1.59% -6.12%
1990 1.08% -2.72%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/new-zealand | 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 New Zealand's deficit of $10.2B, or 3.86% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.5% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia New Zealand
2025 3.5% 2.84%
2024 4.2% 2.92%
2023 5.9% 5.73%
2022 6.1% 7.17%
2021 3.6% 3.94%
2020 2.2% 1.71%
2019 3.7% 1.62%
2018 4.3% 1.6%
2017 6.1% 1.85%
2016 6.7% 0.65%
2015 3.4% 0.29%
2014 5.3% 1.23%
2013 5.6% 1.13%
2012 6.7% 1.06%
2011 5% 4.03%
2010 4.9% 2.3%
2009 9.5% 2.12%
2008 9.1% 3.96%
2007 6.5% 2.38%
2006 5% 3.37%
2005 2.3% 3.04%
2004 4.1% 2.29%
2003 7.2% 1.75%
2002 12.7% 2.68%
2001 10.2% 2.63%
2000 10.2% 2.62%
1999 9.4% -0.11%
1998 6.6% 1.27%
1997 9.7% 1.19%

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/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.2%, compared with 2.39% in New Zealand. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 2.84% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $133K
Raw materials & minerals $46K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Miscellaneous $6K
Animal & marine products $4K
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $81K
Animal & marine products $31K
Wood & paper products $29K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Namibia New Zealand
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
-$9.56B
2025
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
174/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
-3.62%
2025
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$48.2B
2025
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$47.2B
2025
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$20.3B
2025
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$19.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
2025
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia New Zealand
Economic freedom 60.2 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 13/197
Property rights 63.1 85.4
Government integrity 51.5 90
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 95.9
Tax burden 66.4 66.1
Government spending 57.1 48
Fiscal health 60.5 72.2
Business freedom 58 89.1
Labor freedom 62.7 68.6
Monetary freedom 76.1 77.4
Trade freedom 69.8 90.6
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia New Zealand
2026 60.2 77.8
2025 58.7 78.1
2024 57.5 77.8
2023 57.7 78.9
2022 59.2 80.6
2021 62.6 83.9
2020 60.9 84.1
2019 58.7 84.4
2018 58.5 84.2
2017 62.5 83.7
2016 61.9 81.6
2015 59.6 82.1
2014 59.4 81.2
2013 60.3 81.4
2012 61.9 82.1
2011 62.7 82.3
2010 62.2 82.1
2009 62.4 82
2008 61.4 80.7
2007 63.5 81.4
2006 60.7 82
2005 61.4 82.3
2004 62.4 81.5
2003 67.3 81.1
2002 65.1 80.7
2001 64.8 81.1
2000 66.7 80.9
1999 66.1 81.7
1998 66.1 79.2
1997 61.6 79
1996 - 78.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
68.2%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
19.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
4.01%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$248B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$53,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$28.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
59/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
-$3.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$882M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
23.1%
2024

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/new-zealand | CC BY

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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 (1876–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.

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.