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Economy of Netherlands vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Netherlands has a GDP of $1.21T compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 19/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Netherlands has $532B in government debt (43.8% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Netherlands vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Netherlands
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Netherlands Saudi Arabia
2024 $1,214,927,698,573 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $1,135,475,867,551 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $1,046,540,797,549 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $1,054,472,123,450 $982,661,066,667
2020 $932,560,861,701 $767,951,200,000
2019 $928,903,005,576 $888,890,133,333
2018 $929,733,599,797 $886,564,800,000
2017 $848,233,537,846 $741,266,133,333
2016 $797,163,949,290 $689,279,466,667
2015 $775,743,675,303 $693,414,400,000
2014 $901,556,501,756 $787,153,066,667
2013 $883,951,539,007 $769,755,733,333
2012 $845,689,017,066 $751,921,333,333
2011 $913,140,741,333 $680,660,800,000
2010 $852,464,982,433 $528,207,466,667
2009 $878,954,223,140 $429,097,866,667
2008 $957,901,566,041 $519,796,800,000
2007 $853,499,460,873 $415,964,509,673
2006 $737,593,995,289 $376,900,133,511
2005 $688,133,699,636 $328,459,608,764
2004 $661,224,886,143 $258,742,133,333
2003 $582,435,617,082 $215,807,733,333
2002 $475,529,972,123 $189,605,866,667
2001 $432,536,219,669 $184,137,600,000
2000 $417,649,282,154 $189,514,933,333
1999 $447,778,514,140 $161,717,066,667
1998 $438,612,530,549 $146,775,466,667
1997 $417,506,211,882 $165,963,684,913
1996 $451,372,549,020 $158,662,483,311
1995 $452,967,334,614 $143,343,124,166
1994 $379,688,232,232 $135,174,899,866
1993 $354,070,495,966 $132,967,957,276
1992 $363,497,050,125 $137,087,850,467
1991 $327,982,316,124 $132,223,230,975
1990 $318,799,003,994 $117,630,173,565
1989 $258,716,904,292 $95,344,459,279
1988 $262,295,966,105 $88,256,074,766
1987 $245,406,949,521 $85,695,861,148
1986 $201,157,708,221 $86,961,922,765
1985 $144,057,523,222 $103,897,846,494
1984 $144,124,462,912 $119,624,858,116
1983 $153,671,294,109 $129,171,635,311
1982 $158,712,765,536 $153,240,313,858
1981 $164,375,775,854 $184,291,360,139
1980 $195,439,301,707 $164,539,660,725
1979 $179,933,827,310 $111,858,444,786
1978 $156,089,077,205 $80,266,516,687
1977 $127,203,923,857 $74,188,986,586
1976 $109,329,386,564 $64,005,665,722
1975 $100,397,061,694 $46,773,208,643
1974 $87,371,810,804 $45,412,957,746
1973 $71,946,639,603 $14,947,435,499
1972 $54,787,070,173 $9,664,267,087
1971 $44,644,730,576 $7,184,806,909
1970 $38,220,884,519 $5,377,333,333
1969 $34,086,038,090 $4,485,777,644
1968 $30,097,635,751 $4,187,777,711
1967 $27,143,828,099 $3,257,022,223
1966 $24,741,480,717 $2,920,555,557
1965 $22,721,869,808 $2,647,955,558
1964 $20,232,048,553 $2,371,808,713
1963 $17,193,744,109 $2,207,393,172
1962 $15,847,582,341 $2,130,606,532
1961 $14,599,836,396 $1,920,811,284
1960 $13,282,979,015 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Netherlands vs Saudi Arabia by year

Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Netherlands Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $67,520 $86,174 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $63,516 $81,729 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $59,123 $78,630 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $60,142 $68,574 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $53,468 $62,597 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $53,555 $62,345 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $53,955 $58,819 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $49,514 $56,038 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $46,809 $53,162 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $45,794 $50,957 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $53,457 $49,751 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $52,602 $49,622 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $50,474 $47,653 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $54,702 $47,004 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $51,306 $45,301 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $53,172 $44,959 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $58,247 $46,714 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $52,101 $44,203 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $45,124 $41,208 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $42,165 $37,778 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $40,611 $35,961 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $35,897 $34,286 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $29,447 $34,568 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $26,956 $33,259 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $26,225 $31,895 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $28,319 $29,316 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $27,924 $27,749 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $26,745 $26,062 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $29,064 $24,564 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $29,301 $23,480 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $24,683 $22,414 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $23,156 $21,443 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $23,939 $20,831 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $21,764 $20,177 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $21,322 $19,203 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $17,423 - $9,414 -
1988 $17,771 - $9,165 -
1987 $16,734 - $9,386 -
1986 $13,804 - $10,078 -
1985 $9,941 - $12,745 -
1984 $9,992 - $15,541 -
1983 $10,696 - $17,810 -
1982 $11,089 - $22,454 -
1981 $11,537 - $28,703 -
1980 $13,812 - $27,206 -
1979 $12,817 - $19,612 -
1978 $11,196 - $14,914 -
1977 $9,180 - $14,595 -
1976 $7,937 - $13,313 -
1975 $7,346 - $10,266 -
1974 $6,450 - $10,503 -
1973 $5,353 - $3,640 -
1972 $4,110 - $2,474 -
1971 $3,384 - $1,929 -
1970 $2,931 - $1,509 -
1969 $2,647 - $1,313 -
1968 $2,364 - $1,276 -
1967 $2,155 - $1,032 -
1966 $1,986 - $961 -
1965 $1,848 - $904 -
1964 $1,668 - $840 -
1963 $1,437 - $812 -
1962 $1,342 - $813 -
1961 $1,254 - $760 -
1960 $1,156 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Netherlands' GDP per capita is $67,520, ranking 13/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Netherlands Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$1.21T
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
19/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
1.08%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$67,520
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
13/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$86,174
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
11/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$532B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.8%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$29,571
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
24/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,815
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.1T
2017
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires
1,267,000
2025
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires
13
2025
15
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
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.35%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
3.52%
2024
Population
18252623
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Netherlands
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Netherlands Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 44.4% 43.8% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 44% 45.9% 28.3% 23%
2022 43.3% 48.4% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 45.9% 50.5% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 47.8% 53.4% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 42.1% 47.7% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 42.4% 51.6% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 42.8% 56% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 43.9% 60.9% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 45.3% 63.8% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 46.7% 67.2% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 47.5% 67.2% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 47.6% 65.7% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 47.8% 61.2% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 48.9% 58.9% 33% 8.43%
2009 48.4% 56.3% 37.1% 14%
2008 44.3% 54.4% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 43.3% 42.7% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 44% 45% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 43.4% 49.6% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 44.7% 50.1% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 45.8% 49.8% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 44.8% 48.7% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 44.1% 49.4% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 43.2% 52.2% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 44.3% 58.6% 30.3% 103%
1998 44.6% 62.7% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 45.7% 65.7% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 47.3% 71.2% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 53.9% 73% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 49.4% 73.5% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 50.9% 76.7% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 50.2% 75.6% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 49.6% 74.8% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 48.8% 75% 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, the Netherlands' government spending was $540B, accounting for 44.4% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.8% in the Netherlands and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 123/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Netherlands

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Netherlands Saudi Arabia
2024 -0.94% -2.49%
2023 -0.37% -1.77%
2022 0.002% 2.24%
2021 -2.26% -1.99%
2020 -3.72% -10.2%
2019 1.91% -3.96%
2018 1.49% -5.21%
2017 1.35% -8.57%
2016 0.23% -13.2%
2015 -1.84% -14.9%
2014 -2.17% -3.4%
2013 -2.87% 5.47%
2012 -3.83% 11.7%
2011 -4.42% 11.4%
2010 -5.3% 4.39%
2009 -5.06% -5.38%
2008 -0.06% 29.8%
2007 -0.16% 11.8%
2006 0.04% 20.8%
2005 -0.51% 18%
2004 -1.82% 9.72%
2003 -3.19% 1.2%
2002 -2.23% -5.91%
2001 -0.47% -3.91%
2000 1.14% 3.18%
1999 0.28% -5.99%
1998 -1.34% -8.88%
1997 -1.6% -2.51%
1996 -1.91% -3.25%
1995 -8.72% -5.12%
1994 -3.53% -8.31%
1993 -3.13% -9.33%
1992 -3.12% -8.12%
1991 -2.05% -3.28%
1990 -4.08% -
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Netherlands recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Netherlands posted an annual deficit equal to 1.77% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Netherlands

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Netherlands Saudi Arabia
2024 3.35% 1.69%
2023 3.84% 2.33%
2022 10% 2.47%
2021 2.68% 3.06%
2020 1.27% 3.37%
2019 2.63% -1.19%
2018 1.7% 2.47%
2017 1.38% -0.83%
2016 0.32% 2.05%
2015 0.6% 1.22%
2014 0.98% 2.24%
2013 2.51% 3.51%
2012 2.46% 2.87%
2011 2.34% 5.83%
2010 1.28% 5.34%
2009 1.19% 5.06%
2008 2.49% 9.87%
2007 1.61% 4.17%
2006 1.1% 2.21%
2005 1.69% 0.48%
2004 1.26% 0.52%
2003 2.09% 0.61%
2002 3.29% 0.25%
2001 4.16% -1.12%
2000 2.36% -1.12%
1999 2.16% -1.33%
1998 1.96% -0.37%
1997 2.11% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Netherlands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 3.35% in the Netherlands and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Netherlands
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $3.47B
Machinery & equipment $1.99B
Chemicals & pharma $939M
Raw materials & minerals $789M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $433M
IT & IP services $362M
Animal & marine products $224M
Transport & tourism services $170M
Raw agricultural goods $156M
Textiles & consumer goods $123M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.68B
Chemicals & pharma $265M
Machinery & equipment $172M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $109M
Metals $85.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $26.8M
Raw agricultural goods $4.46M
Animal & marine products $492K
Precious metals & jewellery $462K
Miscellaneous $393K

Balance of trade

Netherlands Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$111B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
5/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+9.13%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$606B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$693B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$262B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$308B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Netherlands Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 78.5 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 11/197 65/197
Property rights 96 51.4
Government integrity 86.8 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 96.1 38.2
Tax burden 54 99.2
Government spending 42.2 77
Fiscal health 95.9 97.9
Business freedom 85 71.2
Labor freedom 59.3 41.8
Monetary freedom 77 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 73.8
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Netherlands
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Netherlands Saudi Arabia
2026 78.5 65.4
2025 78.2 64.4
2024 77.3 61.9
2023 78 58.3
2022 79.5 55.5
2021 76.8 66
2020 77 62.4
2019 76.8 60.7
2018 76.2 59.6
2017 75.8 64.4
2016 74.6 62.1
2015 73.7 62.1
2014 74.2 62.2
2013 73.5 60.6
2012 73.3 62.5
2011 74.7 66.2
2010 75 64.1
2009 77 64.3
2008 77.4 62.5
2007 75.5 60.9
2006 75.4 63
2005 72.9 63
2004 74.5 60.4
2003 74.6 63.2
2002 75.1 65.3
2001 73 62.2
2000 70.4 66.5
1999 70.2 65.5
1998 69.2 69.3
1997 70.4 68.7
1996 69.7 68.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Netherlands is 78.5, ranking 11/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Netherlands Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
70.5%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.73%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.12T
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,970
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$79.1B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
34/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$11.1B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$17.1B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.93B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.5%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
30.2%
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).

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.