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Economy of Netherlands vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Netherlands has a GDP of $1.33T compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 18/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Netherlands has $578B in government debt (43.3% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Netherlands vs Qatar GDP by year

Netherlands
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Netherlands Qatar
2025 $1,332,767,651,100 $215,559,615,385
2024 $1,213,936,238,063 $216,294,505,495
2023 $1,135,475,867,551 $213,002,809,341
2022 $1,046,540,797,549 $235,709,325,714
2021 $1,054,472,123,450 $179,732,009,560
2020 $932,560,861,701 $144,411,363,352
2019 $928,903,005,576 $176,371,267,692
2018 $929,733,599,797 $183,334,953,819
2017 $848,233,537,846 $161,099,122,225
2016 $797,163,949,290 $151,732,181,868
2015 $775,743,675,303 $161,739,955,577
2014 $901,556,501,756 $206,224,598,571
2013 $883,951,539,007 $198,727,642,967
2012 $845,689,017,066 $186,833,502,363
2011 $913,140,741,333 $167,775,274,725
2010 $852,464,982,433 $125,122,252,747
2009 $878,954,223,140 $97,798,351,648
2008 $957,901,566,041 $115,269,780,220
2007 $853,499,460,873 $79,711,813,187
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 $10,255,494,505
1997 $417,506,211,882 $11,297,802,198
1996 $451,372,549,020 $9,059,340,659
1995 $452,967,334,614 $8,137,912,088
1994 $379,688,232,232 $7,374,450,549
1993 $354,070,495,966 $7,156,593,407
1992 $363,497,050,125 $7,646,153,846
1991 $327,982,316,124 $6,883,516,484
1990 $318,799,003,994 $7,360,439,560
1989 $258,716,904,292 $6,487,912,088
1988 $262,295,966,105 $6,038,186,813
1987 $245,406,949,521 $5,446,428,571
1986 $201,157,708,221 $5,053,021,978
1985 $144,057,523,222 $6,153,296,703
1984 $144,124,462,912 $6,870,329,670
1983 $153,671,294,109 $6,484,890,110
1982 $158,712,765,536 $7,611,263,736
1981 $164,375,775,854 $8,672,527,473
1980 $195,439,301,707 $7,837,915,956
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $73,684 - $72,525 -
2024 $67,465 $86,174 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $63,516 $81,729 $80,196 $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 $77,387 $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 - $19,749 -
1983 $10,696 - $19,669 -
1982 $11,089 - $24,431 -
1981 $11,537 - $29,543 -
1980 $13,812 - $28,407 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Netherlands' GDP per capita is $73,684, ranking 12/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. 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
$1.33T
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
18/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
1.78%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$73,684
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
12/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$86,174
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
11/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$578B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.3%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$31,942
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$46,674
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.1T
2017
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires
1,294,000
2026
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires
13
2026
2
2026
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
45.1%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.26%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2025
0.1%
2024
Population
18243998
3058826

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
2025 45.1% 43.3% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 44.4% 43.7% 26% 41.3%
2023 44% 45.8% 26.7% 42.8%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Netherlands' government spending was $602B, accounting for 45.1% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.3% in the Netherlands and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 121/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Netherlands

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Netherlands Qatar
2025 -1.84% -1%
2024 -0.94% 0.71%
2023 -0.37% 5.51%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Netherlands' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.5B, equivalent to 1.84% of GDP. This compares to Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Netherlands recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, the Netherlands posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Netherlands

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Netherlands Qatar
2025 3.26% 0.6%
2024 3.35% 1.2%
2023 3.84% 3.1%
2022 10% 5%
2021 2.68% 2.3%
2020 1.27% -2.5%
2019 2.63% -0.9%
2018 1.7% 0.1%
2017 1.38% 0.6%
2016 0.32% 2.7%
2015 0.6% 0.9%
2014 0.98% 4.2%
2013 2.51% 3.1%
2012 2.46% 1.8%
2011 2.34% 2%
2010 1.28% -2.4%
2009 1.19% -4.9%
2008 2.49% 15.1%
2007 1.61% 13.7%
2006 1.1% 11.7%
2005 1.69% 9%
2004 1.26% 6.8%
2003 2.09% 2.3%
2002 3.29% 0.2%
2001 4.16% 1.7%
2000 2.36% 1.6%
1999 2.16% 2.2%
1998 1.96% 2.9%
1997 2.11% 2.7%

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/netherlands/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Netherlands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.35%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 3.26% in the Netherlands and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $413M
Chemicals & pharma $105M
Raw agricultural goods $68.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $65.8M
Animal & marine products $56.3M
Metals $23.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $22.6M
Raw materials & minerals $22.1M
Miscellaneous $8.51M
Precious metals & jewellery $5.2M
Qatar
Export category Export value
Metals $121M
Chemicals & pharma $86M
Machinery & equipment $54.6M
Raw materials & minerals $39.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $25.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.42M
Wood & paper products $451K
Precious metals & jewellery $418K
Animal & marine products $390K
Miscellaneous $160K

Balance of trade

Netherlands Qatar
Current account balance
$111B
2024
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+9.14%
2024
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$606B
2024
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$693B
2024
$90B
2025
Service imports
$262B
2024
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$308B
2024
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.5%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
80.7%
2025
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 2026-07-08).

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
70.4%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.68%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24T
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$85,480
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$118B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
27/177
2025
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$11.1B
2024
$311M
2025
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
19.8%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/netherlands/qatar | 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 (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, 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.