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Economy of Netherlands vs Oman compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Netherlands has a GDP of $1.21T compared to $107B for Oman, ranking 19/197 and 70/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Netherlands has $532B in government debt (43.8% of GDP), compared to $38B (35.5% of GDP) in Oman.

Netherlands vs Oman GDP by year

Netherlands
Oman
1x
Year GDP, current $
Netherlands Oman
2024 $1,214,927,698,573 $107,137,198,769
2023 $1,135,475,867,551 $106,174,708,037
2022 $1,046,540,797,549 $109,852,795,839
2021 $1,054,472,123,450 $87,323,797,139
2020 $932,560,861,701 $75,909,492,848
2019 $928,903,005,576 $88,060,858,257
2018 $929,733,599,797 $91,505,851,756
2017 $848,233,537,846 $80,856,697,009
2016 $797,163,949,290 $75,128,738,622
2015 $775,743,675,303 $78,710,793,238
2014 $901,556,501,756 $92,699,089,727
2013 $883,951,539,007 $89,936,020,806
2012 $845,689,017,066 $87,408,842,653
2011 $913,140,741,333 $77,497,529,259
2010 $852,464,982,433 $64,993,498,049
2009 $878,954,223,140 $55,454,096,229
2008 $957,901,566,041 $69,804,681,404
2007 $853,499,460,873 $48,300,390,117
2006 $737,593,995,289 $42,577,633,290
2005 $688,133,699,636 $35,506,892,068
2004 $661,224,886,143 $28,378,933,680
2003 $582,435,617,082 $24,733,680,104
2002 $475,529,972,123 $23,065,539,662
2001 $432,536,219,669 $22,205,721,717
2000 $417,649,282,154 $22,259,557,867
1999 $447,778,514,140 $17,832,769,831
1998 $438,612,530,549 $16,044,213,264
1997 $417,506,211,882 $18,039,791,938
1996 $451,372,549,020 $17,402,080,624
1995 $452,967,334,614 $15,722,236,671
1994 $379,688,232,232 $14,715,214,564
1993 $354,070,495,966 $14,230,429,129
1992 $363,497,050,125 $14,183,615,085
1991 $327,982,316,124 $12,918,335,501
1990 $318,799,003,994 $13,310,273,082
1989 $258,716,904,292 $9,372,171,651
1988 $262,295,966,105 $8,386,215,865
1987 $245,406,949,521 $7,811,183,095
1986 $201,157,708,221 $7,324,167,369
1985 $144,057,523,222 $10,005,645,420
1984 $144,124,462,912 $8,821,443,151
1983 $153,671,294,109 $7,932,541,691
1982 $158,712,765,536 $7,554,719,456
1981 $164,375,775,854 $7,259,120,151
1980 $195,439,301,707 $5,981,760,278
1979 $179,933,827,310 $3,733,352,635
1978 $156,089,077,205 $2,740,301,390
1977 $127,203,923,857 $2,741,169,948
1976 $109,329,386,564 $2,560,220,035
1975 $100,397,061,694 $2,096,699,189
1974 $87,371,810,804 $1,645,917,776
1973 $71,946,639,603 $483,066,991
1972 $54,787,070,173 $366,883,548
1971 $44,644,730,576 $301,010,587
1970 $38,220,884,519 $256,319,795
1969 $34,086,038,090 $239,999,808
1968 $30,097,635,751 $188,879,849
1967 $27,143,828,099 $107,151,832
1966 $24,741,480,717 $67,759,973
1965 $22,721,869,808 $63,279,975
1964 $20,232,048,553 $61,872,526
1963 $17,193,744,109 $59,912,763
1962 $15,847,582,341 $56,273,202
1961 $14,599,836,396 $45,634,487
1960 $13,282,979,015 $44,234,656

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

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

GDP per capita in Netherlands vs Oman by year

Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Oman
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Netherlands Oman
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $67,520 $86,174 $20,285 $41,740
2023 $63,516 $81,729 $21,028 $41,945
2022 $59,123 $78,630 $23,224 $42,616
2021 $60,142 $68,574 $19,403 $38,719
2020 $53,468 $62,597 $16,785 $35,163
2019 $53,555 $62,345 $19,180 $37,251
2018 $53,955 $58,819 $19,902 $37,780
2017 $49,514 $56,038 $17,820 $33,619
2016 $46,809 $53,162 $17,110 $33,334
2015 $45,794 $50,957 $18,808 $36,058
2014 $53,457 $49,751 $23,161 $44,236
2013 $52,602 $49,622 $23,458 $47,013
2012 $50,474 $47,653 $24,642 $49,989
2011 $54,702 $47,004 $25,188 $52,393
2010 $51,306 $45,301 $23,570 $55,667
2009 $53,172 $44,959 $20,656 $55,127
2008 $58,247 $46,714 $26,577 $52,841
2007 $52,101 $44,203 $18,793 $48,627
2006 $45,124 $41,208 $16,931 $46,091
2005 $42,165 $37,778 $14,435 $43,673
2004 $40,611 $35,961 $11,801 $42,142
2003 $35,897 $34,286 $10,464 $40,935
2002 $29,447 $34,568 $9,869 $41,511
2001 $26,956 $33,259 $9,612 $41,679
2000 $26,225 $31,895 $9,754 $39,443
1999 $28,319 $29,316 $7,915 $36,792
1998 $27,924 $27,749 $7,219 $36,666
1997 $26,745 $26,062 $8,235 $36,809
1996 $29,064 $24,564 $8,068 $34,661
1995 $29,301 $23,480 $7,414 $33,598
1994 $24,683 $22,414 $7,068 $31,925
1993 $23,156 $21,443 $7,039 $30,987
1992 $23,939 $20,831 $7,318 $29,773
1991 $21,764 $20,177 $6,977 $28,109
1990 $21,322 $19,203 $7,546 $26,904
1989 $17,423 - $5,591 -
1988 $17,771 - $5,279 -
1987 $16,734 - $5,204 -
1986 $13,804 - $5,182 -
1985 $9,941 - $7,549 -
1984 $9,992 - $7,070 -
1983 $10,696 - $6,714 -
1982 $11,089 - $6,759 -
1981 $11,537 - $6,866 -
1980 $13,812 - $5,974 -
1979 $12,817 - $3,934 -
1978 $11,196 - $3,044 -
1977 $9,180 - $3,205 -
1976 $7,937 - $3,143 -
1975 $7,346 - $2,692 -
1974 $6,450 - $2,203 -
1973 $5,353 - $670 -
1972 $4,110 - $524 -
1971 $3,384 - $442 -
1970 $2,931 - $387 -
1969 $2,647 - $372 -
1968 $2,364 - $300 -
1967 $2,155 - $174.7 -
1966 $1,986 - $113.2 -
1965 $1,848 - $108.1 -
1964 $1,668 - $108.1 -
1963 $1,437 - $106.8 -
1962 $1,342 - $102.3 -
1961 $1,254 - $84.5 -
1960 $1,156 - $83.4 -

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

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

The Netherlands' GDP per capita is $67,520, ranking 13/197, compared to $20,285 in Oman, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174, while Oman ranks 55th at $41,740.

Economic indicators

Netherlands Oman
Gross domestic product
$1.21T
2024
$107B
2024
GDP rank
19/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP growth
1.08%
2023-2024
1.63%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$67,520
2024
$20,285
2024
GDP per capita rank
13/197
2024
57/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$86,174
2024
$41,740
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
11/197
2024
55/197
2024
Government debt
$532B
2024
$38B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.8%
2024
35.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$29,571
2024
$7,204
2024
Government debt per person rank
24/185
2024
67/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,815
2026
$20,894
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.1T
2017
$22.3B
2022
Number of millionaires
1,267,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
13
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.4%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
28.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.35%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
3.3%
2024
Population
18252623
5761708

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Netherlands
Spending

Debt
Oman
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Netherlands Oman
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 44.4% 43.8% 28.7% 35.5%
2023 44% 45.9% 27.5% 37.5%
2022 43.3% 48.4% 30.9% 41.7%
2021 45.9% 50.5% 36.5% 61.9%
2020 47.8% 53.4% 44.5% 67.9%
2019 42.1% 47.7% 38.8% 52.5%
2018 42.4% 51.6% 38.3% 44.7%
2017 42.8% 56% 39.4% 40.1%
2016 43.9% 60.9% 44.6% 29.3%
2015 45.3% 63.8% 44.5% 13.9%
2014 46.7% 67.2% 41.4% 4.04%
2013 47.5% 67.2% 39.3% 4.66%
2012 47.6% 65.7% 38.6% 4.59%
2011 47.8% 61.2% 34.5% 4.44%
2010 48.9% 58.9% 30.6% 5.46%
2009 48.4% 56.3% 33.4% 5.8%
2008 44.3% 54.4% 25.6% 3.2%
2007 43.3% 42.7% 30.7% 4.44%
2006 44% 45% 30.1% 7.56%
2005 43.4% 49.6% 30.6% 8.39%
2004 44.7% 50.1% 34.1% 14.5%
2003 45.8% 49.8% 34% 13%
2002 44.8% 48.7% 34.1% 15.9%
2001 44.1% 49.4% 33.3% 22.5%
2000 43.2% 52.2% 31.2% 21.7%
1999 44.3% 58.6% 34.2% 28.9%
1998 44.6% 62.7% 36.1% 30.9%
1997 45.7% 65.7% 32.1% 20.8%
1996 47.3% 71.2% 33.5% 21.2%
1995 53.9% 73% 38.2% 21.9%
1994 49.4% 73.5% 39.7% 23.6%
1993 50.9% 76.7% 40.1% 22.2%
1992 50.2% 75.6% 40.1% 23.1%
1991 49.6% 74.8% 37.4% 22.6%
1990 48.8% 75% 36.5% 17.8%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Netherlands' government spending was $540B, accounting for 44.4% of its GDP, while Oman spent $30.7B, or 28.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.8% in the Netherlands and 35.5% in Oman, ranking 123/185 and 145/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Netherlands

Oman
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Netherlands Oman
2024 -0.94% 3.31%
2023 -0.37% 6.87%
2022 0.002% 10.5%
2021 -2.26% -3.17%
2020 -3.72% -15.7%
2019 1.91% -4.83%
2018 1.49% -6.72%
2017 1.35% -10.5%
2016 0.23% -19.6%
2015 -1.84% -13.5%
2014 -2.17% -1.58%
2013 -2.87% 2.78%
2012 -3.83% 4.07%
2011 -4.42% 8.24%
2010 -5.3% 4.95%
2009 -5.06% -0.27%
2008 -0.06% 14.7%
2007 -0.16% 10.5%
2006 0.04% 12.2%
2005 -0.51% 11.2%
2004 -1.82% 5.43%
2003 -3.19% 5.92%
2002 -2.23% 5.31%
2001 -0.47% 7.55%
2000 1.14% 12.2%
1999 0.28% 0.3%
1998 -1.34% -4.37%
1997 -1.6% 4.77%
1996 -1.91% 2.22%
1995 -8.72% -3.9%
1994 -3.53% -7.47%
1993 -3.13% -6.84%
1992 -3.12% -4.85%
1991 -2.05% 0.12%
1990 -4.08% 4.78%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Netherlands' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.5B, equivalent to 0.94% of GDP. This compares to Oman's surplus of $3.54B, or 3.31% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Netherlands recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Oman ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, the Netherlands posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.99% of GDP for Oman.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Netherlands

Oman
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Netherlands Oman
2024 3.35% 0.6%
2023 3.84% 1%
2022 10% 2.5%
2021 2.68% 1.7%
2020 1.27% -0.4%
2019 2.63% 0.5%
2018 1.7% 0.7%
2017 1.38% 1.5%
2016 0.32% 0.9%
2015 0.6% 0.1%
2014 0.98% 1.2%
2013 2.51% 1.3%
2012 2.46% 2.9%
2011 2.34% 4.1%
2010 1.28% 3.3%
2009 1.19% 3.5%
2008 2.49% 12.6%
2007 1.61% 5.9%
2006 1.1% 3.2%
2005 1.69% 1.9%
2004 1.26% 0.8%
2003 2.09% 0.2%
2002 3.29% -0.3%
2001 4.16% -0.8%
2000 2.36% -1.2%
1999 2.16% 0.5%
1998 1.96% 0.4%
1997 2.11% -0.4%

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/netherlands/oman | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Netherlands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 1.72% in Oman. In 2024, inflation was 3.35% in the Netherlands and 0.6% in Oman.

Top exports between countries

Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $246M
Raw materials & minerals $99.8M
Chemicals & pharma $53M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $35.2M
Animal & marine products $20.8M
Raw agricultural goods $15.9M
Metals $15.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.72M
Weapons & explosives $4.55M
Miscellaneous $911K
Oman
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $176M
Metals $33M
Machinery & equipment $27.7M
Chemicals & pharma $17.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.42M
Textiles & consumer goods $556K
Miscellaneous $85K
Animal & marine products $34K
Precious metals & jewellery $22K
Wood & paper products $21K

Balance of trade

Netherlands Oman
Current account balance
$111B
2024
$3.07B
2024
Current account balance ranking
5/190
2024
39/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+9.13%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$606B
2024
$39.5B
2024
Goods exports
$693B
2024
$65.2B
2024
Service imports
$262B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service exports
$308B
2024
$5.64B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
48.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
66.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Netherlands Oman
Economic freedom 78.5 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 11/197 45/197
Property rights 96 71.8
Government integrity 86.8 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 96.1 28
Tax burden 54 97.6
Government spending 42.2 74.7
Fiscal health 95.9 97.5
Business freedom 85 67.8
Labor freedom 59.3 47.7
Monetary freedom 77 79.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.4
Investment freedom 90 70
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Netherlands
Oman
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Netherlands Oman
2026 78.5 68.5
2025 78.2 65.4
2024 77.3 62.9
2023 78 58.5
2022 79.5 56.6
2021 76.8 64.6
2020 77 63.6
2019 76.8 61
2018 76.2 61
2017 75.8 62.1
2016 74.6 67.1
2015 73.7 66.7
2014 74.2 67.4
2013 73.5 68.1
2012 73.3 67.9
2011 74.7 69.8
2010 75 67.7
2009 77 67
2008 77.4 67.3
2007 75.5 65.8
2006 75.4 63.7
2005 72.9 66.5
2004 74.5 66.9
2003 74.6 64.6
2002 75.1 64
2001 73 67.7
2000 70.4 64.1
1999 70.2 64.9
1998 69.2 64.9
1997 70.4 64.5
1996 69.7 65.4
1995 - 70.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Netherlands is 78.5, ranking 11/197, compared to 68.5 for Oman, ranking 45/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Netherlands Oman
Services, % of GDP
70.5%
2024
46%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2024
54.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.73%
2024
2.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.12T
2024
$103B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,970
2024
$39,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$79.1B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
34/177
2024
64/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$11.1B
2024
-$12.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$17.1B
2024
$12.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.93B
2024
-$143M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.5%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
24.8%
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).

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/oman | 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 (1880–1989, 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 (2023–2024, 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.