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Economy of Netherlands vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Netherlands has a GDP of $1.21T compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 19/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Netherlands has $532B in government debt (43.8% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Netherlands vs Qatar GDP by year

Netherlands
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Netherlands Qatar
2024 $1,214,927,698,573 $219,162,637,363
2023 $1,135,475,867,551 $217,308,516,484
2022 $1,046,540,797,549 $235,709,340,659
2021 $1,054,472,123,450 $179,732,142,857
2020 $932,560,861,701 $144,411,538,462
2019 $928,903,005,576 $176,371,428,571
2018 $929,733,599,797 $183,335,164,835
2017 $848,233,537,846 $161,099,175,824
2016 $797,163,949,290 $151,732,142,857
2015 $775,743,675,303 $161,739,835,165
2014 $901,556,501,756 $206,224,725,275
2013 $883,951,539,007 $198,727,747,253
2012 $845,689,017,066 $186,833,516,484
2011 $913,140,741,333 $167,775,274,725
2010 $852,464,982,433 $123,627,197,802
2009 $878,954,223,140 $97,798,351,648
2008 $957,901,566,041 $115,270,054,945
2007 $853,499,460,873 $79,712,087,912
2006 $737,593,995,289 $60,882,142,857
2005 $688,133,699,636 $44,530,494,505
2004 $661,224,886,143 $31,734,065,934
2003 $582,435,617,082 $23,533,791,209
2002 $475,529,972,123 $19,363,736,264
2001 $432,536,219,669 $17,538,461,538
2000 $417,649,282,154 $17,759,890,110
1999 $447,778,514,140 $12,393,131,868
1998 $438,612,530,549 $10,255,495,027
1997 $417,506,211,882 $11,297,802,115
1996 $451,372,549,020 $9,059,340,385
1995 $452,967,334,614 $8,137,911,978
1994 $379,688,232,232 $7,374,450,769
1993 $354,070,495,966 $7,156,593,654
1992 $363,497,050,125 $7,646,153,984
1991 $327,982,316,124 $6,883,516,484
1990 $318,799,003,994 $7,360,439,423
1989 $258,716,904,292 $6,487,912,088
1988 $262,295,966,105 $6,038,187,033
1987 $245,406,949,521 $5,446,428,681
1986 $201,157,708,221 $5,053,021,951
1985 $144,057,523,222 $6,153,296,456
1984 $144,124,462,912 $6,704,395,824
1983 $153,671,294,109 $6,467,582,308
1982 $158,712,765,536 $7,596,703,214
1981 $164,375,775,854 $8,661,263,764
1980 $195,439,301,707 $7,829,165,262
1979 $179,933,827,310 $5,632,962,997
1978 $156,089,077,205 $4,052,000,413
1977 $127,203,923,857 $3,617,564,638
1976 $109,329,386,564 $3,284,273,987
1975 $100,397,061,694 $2,512,773,166
1974 $87,371,810,804 $2,401,403,227
1973 $71,946,639,603 $793,885,560
1972 $54,787,070,173 $510,262,500
1971 $44,644,730,576 $387,703,106
1970 $38,220,884,519 $301,791,302
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Netherlands vs Qatar by year

Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Netherlands Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $67,520 $86,174 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $63,516 $81,729 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $59,123 $78,630 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $60,142 $68,574 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $53,468 $62,597 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $53,555 $62,345 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $53,955 $58,819 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $49,514 $56,038 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $46,809 $53,162 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $45,794 $50,957 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $53,457 $49,751 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $52,602 $49,622 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $50,474 $47,653 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $54,702 $47,004 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $51,306 $45,301 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $53,172 $44,959 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $58,247 $46,714 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $52,101 $44,203 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $45,124 $41,208 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $42,165 $37,778 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $40,611 $35,961 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $35,897 $34,286 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $29,447 $34,568 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $26,956 $33,259 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $26,225 $31,895 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $28,319 $29,316 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $27,924 $27,749 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $26,745 $26,062 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $29,064 $24,564 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $29,301 $23,480 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $24,683 $22,414 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $23,156 $21,443 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $23,939 $20,831 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $21,764 $20,177 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $21,322 $19,203 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $17,423 - $15,243 -
1988 $17,771 - $14,682 -
1987 $16,734 - $13,719 -
1986 $13,804 - $13,213 -
1985 $9,941 - $16,815 -
1984 $9,992 - $19,272 -
1983 $10,696 - $19,616 -
1982 $11,089 - $24,385 -
1981 $11,537 - $29,505 -
1980 $13,812 - $28,375 -
1979 $12,817 - $21,777 -
1978 $11,196 - $16,757 -
1977 $9,180 - $16,058 -
1976 $7,937 - $15,710 -
1975 $7,346 - $13,014 -
1974 $6,450 - $13,540 -
1973 $5,353 - $4,905 -
1972 $4,110 - $3,483 -
1971 $3,384 - $2,952 -
1970 $2,931 - $2,594 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The Netherlands' GDP per capita is $67,520, ranking 13/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Netherlands Qatar
Gross domestic product
$1.21T
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
19/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
1.08%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$67,520
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
13/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$86,174
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
11/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$532B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.8%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$29,571
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
24/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,815
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.1T
2017
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires
1,267,000
2025
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires
13
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.4%
2021
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2021
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.35%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
0.13%
2022
Population
18252623
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Netherlands
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Netherlands Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 44.4% 43.8% 26% 41.2%
2023 44% 45.9% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 43.3% 48.4% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 45.9% 50.5% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 47.8% 53.4% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 42.1% 47.7% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 42.4% 51.6% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 42.8% 56% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 43.9% 60.9% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 45.3% 63.8% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 46.7% 67.2% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 47.5% 67.2% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 47.6% 65.7% 31% 32.1%
2011 47.8% 61.2% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 48.9% 58.9% 32% 30.4%
2009 48.4% 56.3% 36.4% 36%
2008 44.3% 54.4% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 43.3% 42.7% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 44% 45% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 43.4% 49.6% 29% 19.1%
2004 44.7% 50.1% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 45.8% 49.8% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 44.8% 48.7% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 44.1% 49.4% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 43.2% 52.2% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 44.3% 58.6% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 44.6% 62.7% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 45.7% 65.7% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 47.3% 71.2% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 53.9% 73% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 49.4% 73.5% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 50.9% 76.7% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 50.2% 75.6% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 49.6% 74.8% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 48.8% 75% 50% 12.6%
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/qatar | CC BY

In 2024, the Netherlands' government spending was $540B, accounting for 44.4% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.8% in the Netherlands and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 123/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Netherlands

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Netherlands Qatar
2024 -0.94% 0.69%
2023 -0.37% 5.56%
2022 0.002% 10.4%
2021 -2.26% 0.24%
2020 -3.72% -2.13%
2019 1.91% 1%
2018 1.49% 2.26%
2017 1.35% -6.82%
2016 0.23% -9.2%
2015 -1.84% 18.4%
2014 -2.17% 13.4%
2013 -2.87% 19.3%
2012 -3.83% 8.55%
2011 -4.42% 5.24%
2010 -5.3% 4.6%
2009 -5.06% 14.1%
2008 -0.06% 9.49%
2007 -0.16% 10.3%
2006 0.04% 8.39%
2005 -0.51% 9.8%
2004 -1.82% 17.7%
2003 -3.19% 6.71%
2002 -2.23% 7.89%
2001 -0.47% 4.48%
2000 1.14% 4.62%
1999 0.28% -4.35%
1998 -1.34% -7%
1997 -1.6% -9.4%
1996 -1.91% -8.73%
1995 -8.72% -5.78%
1994 -3.53% -11.8%
1993 -3.13% -9.53%
1992 -3.12% -2.74%
1991 -2.05% -2.57%
1990 -4.08% 3.23%
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/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Netherlands recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, the Netherlands posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Netherlands

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Netherlands Qatar
2024 3.35% 1.27%
2023 3.84% 3.03%
2022 10% 5%
2021 2.68% 2.3%
2020 1.27% -2.54%
2019 2.63% -0.67%
2018 1.7% 0.26%
2017 1.38% 0.39%
2016 0.32% 2.68%
2015 0.6% 1.81%
2014 0.98% 3.35%
2013 2.51% 3.22%
2012 2.46% 2.32%
2011 2.34% 1.14%
2010 1.28% -2.43%
2009 1.19% -4.86%
2008 2.49% 15.1%
2007 1.61% 13.8%
2006 1.1% 11.8%
2005 1.69% 8.81%
2004 1.26% 6.8%
2003 2.09% 2.26%
2002 3.29% 0.24%
2001 4.16% 1.47%
2000 2.36% 1.65%
1999 2.16% 2.18%
1998 1.96% 2.95%
1997 2.11% 4.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Netherlands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 3.35% in the Netherlands and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $449M
Chemicals & pharma $123M
Animal & marine products $75.2M
Raw agricultural goods $73.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $68.9M
Raw materials & minerals $31.8M
Metals $24.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $20M
Miscellaneous $4.88M
Wood & paper products $3.15M
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $421M
Metals $62.2M
Machinery & equipment $34.2M
Chemicals & pharma $25.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.57M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.65M
Precious metals & jewellery $774K
Animal & marine products $403K
Wood & paper products $299K
Miscellaneous $116K

Balance of trade

Netherlands Qatar
Current account balance
$111B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
5/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+9.13%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$606B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$693B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$262B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$308B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Netherlands Qatar
Economic freedom 78.5 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 11/197 37/197
Property rights 96 66.2
Government integrity 86.8 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 96.1 41.5
Tax burden 54 99.9
Government spending 42.2 79.9
Fiscal health 95.9 96.6
Business freedom 85 68
Labor freedom 59.3 58.5
Monetary freedom 77 76
Trade freedom 79.4 81.8
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Netherlands
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Netherlands Qatar
2026 78.5 70.2
2025 78.2 70.2
2024 77.3 68.8
2023 78 68.6
2022 79.5 67.7
2021 76.8 72
2020 77 72.3
2019 76.8 72.6
2018 76.2 72.6
2017 75.8 73.1
2016 74.6 70.7
2015 73.7 70.8
2014 74.2 71.2
2013 73.5 71.3
2012 73.3 71.3
2011 74.7 70.5
2010 75 69
2009 77 65.8
2008 77.4 62.2
2007 75.5 62.9
2006 75.4 62.4
2005 72.9 63.5
2004 74.5 66.5
2003 74.6 65.9
2002 75.1 61.9
2001 73 60
2000 70.4 62
1999 70.2 62
1998 69.2 -
1997 70.4 -
1996 69.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Netherlands is 78.5, ranking 11/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Netherlands Qatar
Services, % of GDP
70.5%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.73%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.12T
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,970
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$79.1B
2024
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
34/177
2024
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$11.1B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$17.1B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.93B
2024
$1.56B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.5%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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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.