Skip to content

Economy of Netherlands vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Netherlands has a GDP of $1.21T compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 19/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Netherlands has $532B in government debt (43.8% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Netherlands vs South Korea GDP by year

Netherlands
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Netherlands South Korea
2024 $1,214,927,698,573 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $1,135,475,867,551 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $1,046,540,797,549 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $1,054,472,123,450 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $932,560,861,701 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $928,903,005,576 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $929,733,599,797 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $848,233,537,846 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $797,163,949,290 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $775,743,675,303 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $901,556,501,756 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $883,951,539,007 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $845,689,017,066 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $913,140,741,333 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $852,464,982,433 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $878,954,223,140 $983,065,242,417
2008 $957,901,566,041 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $853,499,460,873 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $737,593,995,289 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $688,133,699,636 $971,740,329,984
2004 $661,224,886,143 $823,251,107,639
2003 $582,435,617,082 $728,516,494,684
2002 $475,529,972,123 $650,014,391,470
2001 $432,536,219,669 $567,564,806,235
2000 $417,649,282,154 $597,487,173,479
1999 $447,778,514,140 $515,697,079,289
1998 $438,612,530,549 $397,297,216,492
1997 $417,506,211,882 $589,202,526,424
1996 $451,372,549,020 $631,196,863,758
1995 $452,967,334,614 $586,286,469,401
1994 $379,688,232,232 $479,181,794,217
1993 $354,070,495,966 $405,705,302,846
1992 $363,497,050,125 $366,921,291,825
1991 $327,982,316,124 $340,851,946,804
1990 $318,799,003,994 $292,064,221,389
1989 $258,716,904,292 $254,236,243,100
1988 $262,295,966,105 $205,477,530,605
1987 $245,406,949,521 $152,240,393,646
1986 $201,157,708,221 $119,965,960,795
1985 $144,057,523,222 $103,764,281,281
1984 $144,124,462,912 $99,749,645,089
1983 $153,671,294,109 $89,621,208,322
1982 $158,712,765,536 $79,921,300,447
1981 $164,375,775,854 $74,287,368,087
1980 $195,439,301,707 $66,547,970,351
1979 $179,933,827,310 $68,083,884,298
1978 $156,089,077,205 $52,824,793,388
1977 $127,203,923,857 $39,064,462,810
1976 $109,329,386,564 $30,371,074,380
1975 $100,397,061,694 $22,126,033,058
1974 $87,371,810,804 $19,860,929,977
1973 $71,946,639,603 $14,067,523,813
1972 $54,787,070,173 $10,990,490,570
1971 $44,644,730,576 $10,005,257,131
1970 $38,220,884,519 $9,085,001,794
1969 $34,086,038,090 $7,743,940,189
1968 $30,097,635,751 $6,167,109,472
1967 $27,143,828,099 $4,895,076,718
1966 $24,741,480,717 $3,957,064,541
1965 $22,721,869,808 $3,141,131,708
1964 $20,232,048,553 $3,476,789,682
1963 $17,193,744,109 $4,007,692,308
1962 $15,847,582,341 $2,826,923,077
1961 $14,599,836,396 $2,427,244,761
1960 $13,282,979,015 $3,973,069,307

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

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Netherlands vs South Korea by year

Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Netherlands South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $67,520 $86,174 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $63,516 $81,729 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $59,123 $78,630 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $60,142 $68,574 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $53,468 $62,597 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $53,555 $62,345 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $53,955 $58,819 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $49,514 $56,038 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $46,809 $53,162 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $45,794 $50,957 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $53,457 $49,751 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $52,602 $49,622 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $50,474 $47,653 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $54,702 $47,004 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $51,306 $45,301 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $53,172 $44,959 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $58,247 $46,714 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $52,101 $44,203 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $45,124 $41,208 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $42,165 $37,778 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $40,611 $35,961 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $35,897 $34,286 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $29,447 $34,568 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $26,956 $33,259 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $26,225 $31,895 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $28,319 $29,316 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $27,924 $27,749 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $26,745 $26,062 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $29,064 $24,564 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $29,301 $23,480 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $24,683 $22,414 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $23,156 $21,443 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $23,939 $20,831 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $21,764 $20,177 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $21,322 $19,203 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $17,423 - $5,989 -
1988 $17,771 - $4,889 -
1987 $16,734 - $3,658 -
1986 $13,804 - $2,911 -
1985 $9,941 - $2,543 -
1984 $9,992 - $2,469 -
1983 $10,696 - $2,246 -
1982 $11,089 - $2,032 -
1981 $11,537 - $1,918 -
1980 $13,812 - $1,746 -
1979 $12,817 - $1,814 -
1978 $11,196 - $1,429 -
1977 $9,180 - $1,073 -
1976 $7,937 - $847 -
1975 $7,346 - $627 -
1974 $6,450 - $572 -
1973 $5,353 - $412 -
1972 $4,110 - $328 -
1971 $3,384 - $304 -
1970 $2,931 - $281.8 -
1969 $2,647 - $245.5 -
1968 $2,364 - $200 -
1967 $2,155 - $162.5 -
1966 $1,986 - $134.4 -
1965 $1,848 - $109.4 -
1964 $1,668 - $124.2 -
1963 $1,437 - $147 -
1962 $1,342 - $106.6 -
1961 $1,254 - $94.2 -
1960 $1,156 - $158.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/south-korea | CC BY

The Netherlands' GDP per capita is $67,520, ranking 13/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Netherlands South Korea
Gross domestic product
$1.21T
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
19/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
1.08%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$67,520
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
13/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$86,174
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
11/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$532B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.8%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$29,571
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
24/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,815
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.1T
2017
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires
1,267,000
2025
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires
13
2025
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.4%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2021
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.35%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
18252623
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Netherlands
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Netherlands South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 44.4% 43.8% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 44% 45.9% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 43.3% 48.4% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 45.9% 50.5% 24.1% 48%
2020 47.8% 53.4% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 42.1% 47.7% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 42.4% 51.6% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 42.8% 56% 18.6% 38%
2016 43.9% 60.9% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 45.3% 63.8% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 46.7% 67.2% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 47.5% 67.2% 19% 36%
2012 47.6% 65.7% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 47.8% 61.2% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 48.9% 58.9% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 48.4% 56.3% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 44.3% 54.4% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 43.3% 42.7% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 44% 45% 18.7% 27%
2005 43.4% 49.6% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 44.7% 50.1% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 45.8% 49.8% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 44.8% 48.7% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 44.1% 49.4% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 43.2% 52.2% 16% 16.1%
1999 44.3% 58.6% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 44.6% 62.7% 16% 13.8%
1997 45.7% 65.7% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 47.3% 71.2% 14% 7.81%
1995 53.9% 73% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 49.4% 73.5% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 50.9% 76.7% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 50.2% 75.6% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 49.6% 74.8% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 48.8% 75% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 54.5% 73.7% 15% 12.4%
1988 56.4% 73.7% 13.9% 12.7%
1987 58.5% 71.3% 14.3% 15.3%
1986 57% 68.9% 14.9% 14.5%
1985 57.3% 67.1% 15.5% 16.2%
1984 58.1% 61.9% 15.6% 16.9%
1983 59.1% 58.4% 16% 19.3%
1982 59.1% 52.4% 17.8% 20.5%
1981 56.8% 46.9% 16.3% 18.8%
1980 55.2% 43.6% 16.8% 18.6%
1979 53.7% 39.5% 16.3% 15.7%
1978 52.3% 38.1% 15.7% 18.4%
1977 50.6% 34.9% 17.7% 20.1%
1976 50.8% 35.2% 17% 20.4%
1975 50.8% 36.1% 18.8% 21.5%
1974 46.4% 36.3% 16.1% 18.6%
1973 44.6% 38.1% 14.2% 17.9%
1972 44.9% 41.3% 18.5% 18.3%
1971 44.6% 43.7% 18.5% 14.5%
1970 43.2% 46.1% 17.5% 6.95%
1969 42.1% 48.2% 19.8% 2.63%
1968 25.4% 54.4% 18.5% 2.76%
1967 24.1% 55% 16.7% 3.74%
1966 24.4% 55.6% 16% 4.44%
1965 23.4% 55.8% 13.1% 6.14%
1964 22.3% 57.1% 12.1% 6.57%
1963 21.9% 61.7% 15.4% 9.21%
1962 22.1% 63.8% 22.3% 13%
1961 22.2% 65.9% 21.2% 13.4%
1960 20.4% 66.7% 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, the Netherlands' government spending was $540B, accounting for 44.4% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.8% in the Netherlands and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 123/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Netherlands

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Netherlands South Korea
2024 -0.94% -0.78%
2023 -0.37% -0.67%
2022 0.002% -1.49%
2021 -2.26% -0.02%
2020 -3.72% -2.11%
2019 1.91% 0.35%
2018 1.49% 2.42%
2017 1.35% 2.08%
2016 0.23% 1.56%
2015 -1.84% 0.5%
2014 -2.17% 0.57%
2013 -2.87% 0.79%
2012 -3.83% 1.63%
2011 -4.42% 1.72%
2010 -5.3% 1.61%
2009 -5.06% 0.24%
2008 -0.06% 1.58%
2007 -0.16% 2.49%
2006 0.04% 1.18%
2005 -0.51% 0.95%
2004 -1.82% 0.09%
2003 -3.19% 1.51%
2002 -2.23% 3.23%
2001 -0.47% 2.42%
2000 1.14% 3.91%
1999 0.28% 1.15%
1998 -1.34% 1.09%
1997 -1.6% 2.31%
1996 -1.91% 2.3%
1995 -8.72% 2.16%
1994 -3.53% 2.06%
1993 -3.13% 3.21%
1992 -3.12% 2.42%
1991 -2.05% 1.94%
1990 -4.08% 2.98%
1989 -5% 2.27%
1988 -4.23% 2.85%
1987 -5.39% 1.7%
1986 -4.62% 0.8%
1985 -3.6% 0.47%
1984 -5.25% 0.78%
1983 -5.47% 1.05%
1982 -6.17% -0.41%
1981 -4.92% 0.99%
1980 -3.95% 0.46%
1979 -2.46% 0.47%
1978 -2.09% -0.27%
1977 -0.75% -1.81%
1976 -2.02% -0.87%
1975 -2.82% -3.68%
1974 -0.26% -2.78%
1973 0.54% -1.72%
1972 -0.7% -4.33%
1971 -1.58% -1.3%
1970 -1.52% -0.52%
1969 -1.14% -2.85%
1968 -3.06% -2.36%
1967 -1.97% -2.87%
1966 -2.37% -4.27%
1965 -1.15% -3.43%
1964 -1.2% -4.1%
1963 -0.54% -4.32%
1962 -1.38% -7.82%
1961 -0.38% -9.48%
1960 0.9% -5.18%
1959 -0.74% -6.52%
1958 -0.89% -10%
1957 0.3% -10.1%
1956 -0.83% -10.8%
1955 -0.25% -10.6%
1954 0.76% -10.3%
1953 -2.95% -4.14%
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 (1880–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/south-korea | 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 South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, the Netherlands recorded a fiscal deficit in 55 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the Netherlands posted an annual deficit equal to 2.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.08% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Netherlands

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Netherlands South Korea
2024 3.35% 2.32%
2023 3.84% 3.6%
2022 10% 5.09%
2021 2.68% 2.5%
2020 1.27% 0.54%
2019 2.63% 0.38%
2018 1.7% 1.48%
2017 1.38% 1.94%
2016 0.32% 0.97%
2015 0.6% 0.71%
2014 0.98% 1.27%
2013 2.51% 1.3%
2012 2.46% 2.19%
2011 2.34% 4.03%
2010 1.28% 2.94%
2009 1.19% 2.76%
2008 2.49% 4.67%
2007 1.61% 2.53%
2006 1.1% 2.24%
2005 1.69% 2.75%
2004 1.26% 3.59%
2003 2.09% 3.51%
2002 3.29% 2.76%
2001 4.16% 4.07%
2000 2.36% 2.26%
1999 2.16% 0.81%
1998 1.96% 7.51%
1997 2.11% 4.44%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Netherlands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 3.35% in the Netherlands and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.08B
Chemicals & pharma $698M
Raw materials & minerals $414M
Animal & marine products $343M
IT & IP services $261M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $224M
Transport & tourism services $223M
Business & finance services $192M
Manufacturing & construction services $133M
Textiles & consumer goods $102M
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.16B
Chemicals & pharma $1.27B
Raw materials & minerals $524M
Metals $467M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $194M
Textiles & consumer goods $146M
Raw agricultural goods $12.4M
Wood & paper products $9.86M
Miscellaneous $5.55M
Precious metals & jewellery $5.23M

Balance of trade

Netherlands South Korea
Current account balance
$111B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
5/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+9.13%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$606B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$693B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$262B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$308B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Netherlands South Korea
Economic freedom 78.5 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 11/197 24/197
Property rights 96 89.6
Government integrity 86.8 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 96.1 77.5
Tax burden 54 61.5
Government spending 42.2 82.6
Fiscal health 95.9 93.5
Business freedom 85 81.5
Labor freedom 59.3 55
Monetary freedom 77 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 73
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Netherlands
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Netherlands South Korea
2026 78.5 73.7
2025 78.2 74
2024 77.3 73.1
2023 78 73.7
2022 79.5 74.6
2021 76.8 74
2020 77 74
2019 76.8 72.3
2018 76.2 73.8
2017 75.8 74.3
2016 74.6 71.7
2015 73.7 71.5
2014 74.2 71.2
2013 73.5 70.3
2012 73.3 69.9
2011 74.7 69.8
2010 75 69.9
2009 77 68.1
2008 77.4 68.6
2007 75.5 67.8
2006 75.4 67.5
2005 72.9 66.4
2004 74.5 67.8
2003 74.6 68.3
2002 75.1 69.5
2001 73 69.1
2000 70.4 69.7
1999 70.2 69.7
1998 69.2 73.3
1997 70.4 69.8
1996 69.7 73
1995 - 72

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

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Netherlands is 78.5, ranking 11/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Netherlands South Korea
Services, % of GDP
70.5%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.73%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.12T
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,970
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$79.1B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
34/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$11.1B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$17.1B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.93B
2024
$48.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.5%
2021
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
30%
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/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1994, 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 (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.