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Economy of Namibia vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 147/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

Namibia vs Spain GDP by year

Namibia
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Spain
2024 $13,372,354,512 $1,725,671,652,742
2023 $12,408,271,449 $1,619,481,980,720
2022 $12,569,449,123 $1,448,850,658,407
2021 $12,402,486,184 $1,461,244,901,853
2020 $10,583,748,542 $1,289,783,836,971
2019 $12,541,928,303 $1,403,496,387,686
2018 $13,682,019,076 $1,431,642,809,327
2017 $12,895,153,371 $1,321,754,088,819
2016 $10,722,018,732 $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $11,335,161,084 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $12,435,430,970 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $12,043,307,277 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $13,042,053,592 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $12,523,359,441 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $11,431,412,421 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $8,938,847,189 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $8,607,431,497 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $8,839,536,476 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $8,001,779,551 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $7,248,374,838 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $6,609,205,995 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $4,926,439,384 $907,963,217,058
2002 $3,349,169,826 $708,938,227,244
2001 $3,557,341,215 $627,798,682,379
2000 $3,922,232,165 $598,102,854,756
1999 $3,868,551,730 $634,394,904,387
1998 $3,873,109,866 $618,731,484,575
1997 $4,154,989,950 $589,739,772,727
1996 $3,989,163,197 $642,251,412,058
1995 $3,978,514,206 $614,170,002,669
1994 $3,666,503,530 $530,183,651,720
1993 $3,251,188,833 $524,700,572,624
1992 $3,429,521,699 $630,465,353,486
1991 $2,996,869,281 $576,753,902,322
1990 $2,789,921,854 $536,175,326,477
1989 $2,535,135,798 $414,460,794,097
1988 $2,495,094,746 $375,891,716,898
1987 $2,300,068,217 $318,520,253,335
1986 $1,809,048,527 $251,141,555,186
1985 $1,608,237,350 $180,664,322,896
1984 $1,951,260,038 $171,979,977,230
1983 $2,297,400,688 $170,829,074,246
1982 $2,118,710,248 $195,856,752,991
1981 $2,249,908,578 $202,663,023,968
1980 $2,421,990,338 $232,600,556,974
1979 - $214,448,666,336
1978 - $160,484,969,618
1977 - $132,354,665,936
1976 - $118,422,534,195
1975 - $114,695,060,870
1974 - $97,204,522,642
1973 - $78,583,355,226
1972 - $59,090,176,029
1971 - $46,586,119,760
1970 - $40,963,715,237
1969 - $37,090,689,288
1968 - $32,394,326,464
1967 - $32,570,905,397
1966 - $29,559,436,183
1965 - $25,479,619,607
1964 - $21,966,876,027
1963 - $19,631,714,760
1962 - $16,609,632,791
1961 - $14,238,126,760
1960 - $12,424,514,014

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Spain by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $35,327 $57,965
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $33,493 $55,682
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $30,319 $51,399
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $30,799 $44,252
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $27,234 $39,328
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $29,787 $44,043
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $30,602 $41,015
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $28,381 $39,825
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $26,756 $37,613
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $14,743 $21,582
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $15,708 $19,938
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $15,382 $19,083
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $14,722 $17,903
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $16,101 $16,971
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $15,461 $16,276
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $13,406 $15,582
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $13,330 $14,973
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $16,101 $14,855
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $14,801 $14,461
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $13,795 $13,676
1989 $1,967 - $10,674 -
1988 $2,063 - $9,696 -
1987 $1,969 - $8,234 -
1986 $1,599 - $6,509 -
1985 $1,466 - $4,696 -
1984 $1,830 - $4,487 -
1983 $2,214 - $4,475 -
1982 $2,097 - $5,156 -
1981 $2,267 - $5,367 -
1980 $2,468 - $6,204 -
1979 - - $5,766 -
1978 - - $4,353 -
1977 - - $3,625 -
1976 - - $3,277 -
1975 - - $3,208 -
1974 - - $2,748 -
1973 - - $2,246 -
1972 - - $1,708 -
1971 - - $1,361 -
1970 - - $1,211 -
1969 - - $1,109 -
1968 - - $978 -
1967 - - $997 -
1966 - - $916 -
1965 - - $797 -
1964 - - $695 -
1963 - - $627 -
1962 - - $535 -
1961 - - $463 -
1960 - - $408 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Namibia Spain
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
15/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
34/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
34
2025
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
2.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
11.3%
2024
Population
3173089
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 45.3% 101.6%
2023 37% 67.2% 45.5% 105.1%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 46.4% 109.2%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 42% 97.6%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 41% 101.1%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 42.1% 102%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 46.2% 100%
2012 35% 24.6% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 32% 15.9% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 38.4% 39%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 38.4% 54.1%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 39.1% 57.8%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 40% 60.9%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 41% 62.4%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 41.5% 64.3%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 42.9% 65.4%
1995 29.6% 18% 44.1% 61.6%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 44.8% 57%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 46.3% 54.6%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 43.9% 44.1%
1991 33% 11.8% 42.6% 41.9%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 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 (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 61/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Spain
2024 -3.59% -3.15%
2023 -3.14% -3.52%
2022 -6.33% -4.63%
2021 -8.68% -6.66%
2020 -8.07% -10%
2019 -5.49% -3.04%
2018 -5.09% -2.58%
2017 -4.99% -3.1%
2016 -9.3% -4.26%
2015 -8.3% -5.26%
2014 -6.44% -6.07%
2013 -4.69% -7.49%
2012 -3.1% -11.5%
2011 -7.09% -9.69%
2010 -4.98% -9.49%
2009 -0.4% -11.2%
2008 3.48% -4.56%
2007 6.01% 1.88%
2006 3.41% 2.12%
2005 -0.31% 1.23%
2004 -2.67% -0.1%
2003 -4.47% -0.37%
2002 -1.38% -0.32%
2001 -2.01% -0.45%
2000 -0.79% -1.16%
1999 -1.88% -1.24%
1998 -2.76% -2.63%
1997 -2.38% -3.86%
1996 -3.7% -5.87%
1995 -1.74% -6.79%
1994 -0.57% -6.31%
1993 -2.73% -6.89%
1992 -2.55% -4.26%
1991 -1.59% -4.58%
1990 1.08% -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/namibia/spain | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Spain's deficit of $54.3B, or 3.15% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.28% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Spain
2024 4.2% 2.77%
2023 5.9% 3.53%
2022 6.1% 8.39%
2021 3.6% 3.09%
2020 2.2% -0.32%
2019 3.7% 0.7%
2018 4.3% 1.67%
2017 6.1% 1.96%
2016 6.7% -0.2%
2015 3.4% -0.5%
2014 5.3% -0.15%
2013 5.6% 1.41%
2012 6.7% 2.45%
2011 5% 3.2%
2010 4.9% 1.8%
2009 9.5% -0.29%
2008 9.1% 4.08%
2007 6.5% 2.79%
2006 5% 3.52%
2005 2.3% 3.37%
2004 4.1% 3.04%
2003 7.2% 3.04%
2002 12.7% 3.07%
2001 10.2% 3.59%
2000 10.2% 3.43%
1999 9.4% 2.31%
1998 6.6% 1.83%
1997 9.7% 1.97%

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/namibia/spain | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 2.34% in Spain. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $272M
Raw materials & minerals $26.3M
Raw agricultural goods $5.01M
Machinery & equipment $3.29M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.26M
Miscellaneous $514K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $226K
Chemicals & pharma $91K
Precious metals & jewellery $61K
Wood & paper products $45K
Spain
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $33.2M
Machinery & equipment $11M
Miscellaneous $9.68M
Animal & marine products $2.96M
Metals $2.83M
Chemicals & pharma $1.76M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.69M
Wood & paper products $829K
Weapons & explosives $445K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $315K

Balance of trade

Namibia Spain
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$419B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$111B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
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.

Namibia Spain
Economic freedom 60.2 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 59/197
Property rights 63.1 88
Government integrity 51.5 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 74.3
Tax burden 66.4 58.2
Government spending 57.1 37.3
Fiscal health 60.5 57.3
Business freedom 58 82.6
Labor freedom 62.7 61.7
Monetary freedom 76.1 78.2
Trade freedom 69.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Spain
2026 60.2 66.8
2025 58.7 66.3
2024 57.5 63.3
2023 57.7 65
2022 59.2 68.2
2021 62.6 69.9
2020 60.9 66.9
2019 58.7 65.7
2018 58.5 65.1
2017 62.5 63.6
2016 61.9 68.5
2015 59.6 67.6
2014 59.4 67.2
2013 60.3 68
2012 61.9 69.1
2011 62.7 70.2
2010 62.2 69.6
2009 62.4 70.1
2008 61.4 69.1
2007 63.5 69.2
2006 60.7 68.2
2005 61.4 67
2004 62.4 68.9
2003 67.3 68.8
2002 65.1 68.8
2001 64.8 68.1
2000 66.7 65.9
1999 66.1 65.1
1998 66.1 62.6
1997 61.6 59.6
1996 - 59.6
1995 - 62.8

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

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

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

Namibia Spain
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$71.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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 (1850–1992, 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 (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.

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.