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Economy of Namibia vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $347B for Portugal, ranking 146/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $312B (89.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Namibia vs Portugal GDP by year

Namibia
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Portugal
2025 $15,080,340,654 $346,639,825,142
2024 $13,641,190,683 $313,656,884,871
2023 $12,522,012,874 $292,323,800,949
2022 $12,569,449,123 $256,898,677,175
2021 $12,402,486,184 $256,055,879,091
2020 $10,583,748,542 $229,618,773,423
2019 $12,541,928,303 $240,115,970,063
2018 $13,682,019,076 $242,092,894,543
2017 $12,895,153,371 $220,862,990,767
2016 $10,722,018,732 $206,305,431,242
2015 $11,335,161,084 $199,038,523,120
2014 $12,435,430,970 $230,078,616,300
2013 $12,043,307,277 $226,677,408,292
2012 $13,042,053,592 $216,536,676,772
2011 $12,523,359,441 $245,426,767,676
2010 $11,431,412,421 $238,443,864,993
2009 $8,938,847,189 $244,667,762,836
2008 $8,607,431,497 $263,416,394,624
2007 $8,839,536,476 $240,496,147,317
2006 $8,001,779,551 $208,756,449,276
2005 $7,248,374,838 $197,253,876,705
2004 $6,609,205,995 $189,382,122,532
2003 $4,926,439,384 $165,226,175,537
2002 $3,349,169,826 $134,795,565,549
2001 $3,557,341,215 $121,604,107,165
2000 $3,922,232,165 $118,605,192,877
1999 $3,868,551,730 $127,470,385,557
1998 $3,873,109,866 $123,946,327,916
1997 $4,154,989,950 $117,016,535,163
1996 $3,989,163,197 $122,630,089,680
1995 $3,978,514,206 $118,122,007,430
1994 $3,666,503,530 $99,688,641,304
1993 $3,251,188,833 $95,009,751,901
1992 $3,429,521,699 $107,592,098,307
1991 $2,996,869,281 $89,233,599,278
1990 $2,789,921,854 $78,713,860,217
1989 $2,535,135,798 $60,594,092,182
1988 $2,495,094,746 $56,347,250,696
1987 $2,300,068,217 $48,182,925,857
1986 $1,809,048,527 $38,745,901,354
1985 $1,608,237,350 $27,115,807,742
1984 $1,951,260,038 $25,217,969,050
1983 $2,297,400,688 $27,239,650,742
1982 $2,118,710,248 $30,527,754,793
1981 $2,249,908,578 $31,977,276,873
1980 $2,421,990,338 $32,896,519,824
1979 - $26,622,819,672
1978 - $23,487,614,051
1977 - $21,439,523,311
1976 - $20,332,831,565
1975 - $19,347,607,843
1974 - $17,512,391,476
1973 - $15,090,564,186
1972 - $11,239,117,865
1971 - $9,201,604,240
1970 - $8,108,235,704
1969 - $7,287,555,035
1968 - $6,644,693,214
1967 - $6,002,607,030
1966 - $5,370,108,031
1965 - $4,901,711,248
1964 - $4,429,202,657
1963 - $4,084,251,593
1962 - $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Portugal by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - $32,082 -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 $29,328 $51,680
2023 $4,226 $11,251 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $1,967 - $6,056 -
1988 $2,063 - $5,624 -
1987 $1,969 - $4,804 -
1986 $1,599 - $3,862 -
1985 $1,466 - $2,705 -
1984 $1,830 - $2,523 -
1983 $2,214 - $2,735 -
1982 $2,097 - $3,080 -
1981 $2,267 - $3,246 -
1980 $2,468 - $3,368 -
1979 - - $2,756 -
1978 - - $2,457 -
1977 - - $2,267 -
1976 - - $2,173 -
1975 - - $2,128 -
1974 - - $2,000 -
1973 - - $1,748 -
1972 - - $1,302 -
1971 - - $1,065 -
1970 - - $934 -
1969 - - $832 -
1968 - - $752 -
1967 - - $676 -
1966 - - $601 -
1965 - - $545 -
1964 - - $490 -
1963 - - $452 -
1962 - - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $32,082 in Portugal, ranking 43/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Namibia Portugal
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$347B
2025
GDP rank
146/197
2025
46/197
2025
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
1.86%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$32,082
2025
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
43/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$312B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
89.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$28,843
2025
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
26/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$16,647
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
181,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
43.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
2.34%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
6%
2025
Population
3185686
10788071

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% 43.7% 89.9%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 42.5% 93.5%
2023 37% 67.9% 41.9% 96.9%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 45.5% 126%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 48.2% 131%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 50% 130.8%
2012 35% 24.6% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 50% 114%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 32% 15.9% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 44.6% 72.7%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 45.2% 73.7%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 46.7% 72.2%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 46% 67.1%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 45.3% 63.9%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 44.2% 60%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 42.5% 55.4%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 42.6% 55.6%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 42.4% 58.7%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 43% 63.3%
1995 29.6% 18% 42.6% 62.2%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 42.8% 60.4%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 46.5% 57.2%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 48.2% 58.1%
1991 33% 11.8% 45.9% 63.9%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 42.2% 60.2%
1989 - - 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

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/portugal | CC BY

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $152B, or 43.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 89.9% in Portugal, ranking 57/185 and 30/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Portugal
2025 -6.46% 0.31%
2024 -3.84% 0.5%
2023 -3.14% 1.26%
2022 -6.33% -0.31%
2021 -8.68% -2.83%
2020 -8.07% -5.75%
2019 -5.49% 0.12%
2018 -5.09% -0.43%
2017 -4.99% -3%
2016 -9.3% -1.94%
2015 -8.3% -4.37%
2014 -6.44% -7.32%
2013 -4.69% -5.21%
2012 -3.1% -6.2%
2011 -7.09% -7.73%
2010 -4.98% -11.4%
2009 -0.4% -9.87%
2008 3.48% -3.81%
2007 6.01% -2.91%
2006 3.41% -4.06%
2005 -0.31% -6.05%
2004 -2.67% -5.91%
2003 -4.47% -5.57%
2002 -1.38% -3.7%
2001 -2.01% -4.68%
2000 -0.79% -3.32%
1999 -1.88% -2.93%
1998 -2.76% -4.3%
1997 -2.38% -3.65%
1996 -3.7% -4.63%
1995 -1.74% -5.14%
1994 -0.57% -7.37%
1993 -2.73% -8.06%
1992 -2.55% -5.19%
1991 -1.59% -7.93%
1990 1.08% -6.82%
1989 - -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

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/portugal | 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 Portugal's surplus of $1.07B, or 0.31% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.45% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Portugal
2025 3.5% 2.34%
2024 4.2% 2.42%
2023 5.9% 4.31%
2022 6.1% 7.83%
2021 3.6% 1.27%
2020 2.2% -0.01%
2019 3.7% 0.34%
2018 4.3% 0.99%
2017 6.1% 1.37%
2016 6.7% 0.61%
2015 3.4% 0.49%
2014 5.3% -0.28%
2013 5.6% 0.27%
2012 6.7% 2.77%
2011 5% 3.65%
2010 4.9% 1.4%
2009 9.5% -0.84%
2008 9.1% 2.59%
2007 6.5% 2.45%
2006 5% 3.11%
2005 2.3% 2.28%
2004 4.1% 2.37%
2003 7.2% 3.22%
2002 12.7% 3.6%
2001 10.2% 4.37%
2000 10.2% 2.85%
1999 9.4% 2.34%
1998 6.6% 2.57%
1997 9.7% 2.34%

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/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.2%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 2.34% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $10.6M
Wood & paper products $884K
Raw materials & minerals $283K
Miscellaneous $281K
Chemicals & pharma $110K
Raw agricultural goods $54K
Machinery & equipment $41K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Metals $23K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.61M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.33M
Chemicals & pharma $854K
Metals $532K
Machinery & equipment $338K
Textiles & consumer goods $338K
Animal & marine products $75K
Raw agricultural goods $62K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Weapons & explosives $9K

Balance of trade

Namibia Portugal
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
30/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
42.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
2025
43.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia Portugal
Economic freedom 60.2 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 33/197
Property rights 63.1 88.9
Government integrity 51.5 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 90.1
Tax burden 66.4 60.6
Government spending 57.1 44.6
Fiscal health 60.5 82
Business freedom 58 83.1
Labor freedom 62.7 54.8
Monetary freedom 76.1 77.7
Trade freedom 69.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Portugal
2026 60.2 71.2
2025 58.7 70.5
2024 57.5 68.7
2023 57.7 69.5
2022 59.2 70.8
2021 62.6 67.5
2020 60.9 67
2019 58.7 65.3
2018 58.5 63.4
2017 62.5 62.6
2016 61.9 65.1
2015 59.6 65.3
2014 59.4 63.5
2013 60.3 63.1
2012 61.9 63
2011 62.7 64
2010 62.2 64.4
2009 62.4 64.9
2008 61.4 63.9
2007 63.5 64
2006 60.7 62.9
2005 61.4 62.4
2004 62.4 64.9
2003 67.3 64.9
2002 65.1 65.4
2001 64.8 66
2000 66.7 65.5
1999 66.1 65.6
1998 66.1 65
1997 61.6 63.6
1996 - 64.5
1995 - 62.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia Portugal
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
66.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
18.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
1.96%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$323B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$52,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$68.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
39/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
21%
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/portugal | 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 (1880–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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.