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Economy of Netherlands vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Netherlands has a GDP of $1.33T compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 18/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Netherlands has $578B in government debt (43.3% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Netherlands vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Netherlands
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Netherlands UAE
2025 $1,332,767,651,100 -
2024 $1,213,936,238,063 $552,324,919,096
2023 $1,135,475,867,551 $522,622,268,401
2022 $1,046,540,797,549 $511,403,404,642
2021 $1,054,472,123,450 $422,441,282,436
2020 $932,560,861,701 $357,161,776,271
2019 $928,903,005,576 $433,926,218,686
2018 $929,733,599,797 $440,560,003,161
2017 $848,233,537,846 $403,365,056,079
2016 $797,163,949,290 $381,717,208,621
2015 $775,743,675,303 $381,973,135,513
2014 $901,556,501,756 $424,935,834,104
2013 $883,951,539,007 $409,632,574,703
2012 $845,689,017,066 $392,793,559,051
2011 $913,140,741,333 $368,881,033,963
2010 $852,464,982,433 $307,736,348,527
2009 $878,954,223,140 $253,547,358,747
2008 $957,901,566,041 $315,474,615,741
2007 $853,499,460,873 $257,916,148,767
2006 $737,593,995,289 $222,116,532,963
2005 $688,133,699,636 $180,617,467,954
2004 $661,224,886,143 $147,824,249,958
2003 $582,435,617,082 $124,346,476,180
2002 $475,529,972,123 $109,816,091,079
2001 $432,536,219,669 $103,311,631,797
2000 $417,649,282,154 $104,337,463,730
1999 $447,778,514,140 $84,445,399,335
1998 $438,612,530,549 $75,674,384,205
1997 $417,506,211,882 $78,838,886,862
1996 $451,372,549,020 $73,571,217,377
1995 $452,967,334,614 $65,743,604,966
1994 $379,688,232,232 $59,305,111,228
1993 $354,070,495,966 $55,625,269,485
1992 $363,497,050,125 $54,239,188,746
1991 $327,982,316,124 $51,552,058,250
1990 $318,799,003,994 $50,701,374,187
1989 $258,716,904,292 $41,464,966,302
1988 $262,295,966,105 $36,275,613,877
1987 $245,406,949,521 $36,384,802,310
1986 $201,157,708,221 $33,943,568,481
1985 $144,057,523,222 $40,603,631,079
1984 $144,124,462,912 $41,807,931,453
1983 $153,671,294,109 $42,803,373,390
1982 $158,712,765,536 $46,622,715,281
1981 $164,375,775,854 $49,333,471,895
1980 $195,439,301,707 $43,599,134,193
1979 $179,933,827,310 $31,225,557,022
1978 $156,089,077,205 $23,775,718,541
1977 $127,203,923,857 $24,871,660,292
1976 $109,329,386,564 $19,213,212,475
1975 $100,397,061,694 $14,720,729,969
1974 $87,371,810,804 $11,651,505,689
1973 $71,946,639,603 $4,231,243,616
1972 $54,787,070,173 $1,415,086,929
1971 $44,644,730,576 $939,893,600
1970 $38,220,884,519 $685,986,701
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Netherlands vs United Arab Emirates by year

Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Netherlands UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $73,684 - - -
2024 $67,465 $86,174 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $63,516 $81,729 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $59,123 $78,630 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $60,142 $68,574 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $53,468 $62,597 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $53,555 $62,345 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $53,955 $58,819 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $49,514 $56,038 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $46,809 $53,162 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $45,794 $50,957 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $53,457 $49,751 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $52,602 $49,622 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $50,474 $47,653 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $54,702 $47,004 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $51,306 $45,301 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $53,172 $44,959 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $58,247 $46,714 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $52,101 $44,203 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $45,124 $41,208 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $42,165 $37,778 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $40,611 $35,961 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $35,897 $34,286 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $29,447 $34,568 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $26,956 $33,259 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $26,225 $31,895 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $28,319 $29,316 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $27,924 $27,749 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $26,745 $26,062 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $29,064 $24,564 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $29,301 $23,480 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $24,683 $22,414 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $23,156 $21,443 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $23,939 $20,831 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $21,764 $20,177 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $21,322 $19,203 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $17,423 - $23,167 -
1988 $17,771 - $21,570 -
1987 $16,734 - $23,113 -
1986 $13,804 - $23,132 -
1985 $9,941 - $29,468 -
1984 $9,992 - $32,012 -
1983 $10,696 - $34,650 -
1982 $11,089 - $39,972 -
1981 $11,537 - $44,855 -
1980 $13,812 - $42,925 -
1979 $12,817 - $34,238 -
1978 $11,196 - $29,379 -
1977 $9,180 - $35,020 -
1976 $7,937 - $31,197 -
1975 $7,346 - $27,117 -
1974 $6,450 - $23,823 -
1973 $5,353 - $9,696 -
1972 $4,110 - $3,675 -
1971 $3,384 - $2,805 -
1970 $2,931 - $2,394 -
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Netherlands' GDP per capita is $73,684, ranking 12/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Netherlands UAE
Gross domestic product
$1.33T
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
1.78%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$73,684
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
12/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$86,174
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
11/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$578B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.3%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$31,942
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$46,674
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.1T
2017
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires
1,294,000
2026
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires
13
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.4%
2021
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2021
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.1%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.26%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
18243998
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Netherlands
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Netherlands UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.1% 43.3% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 44.4% 43.7% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 44% 45.8% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 43.3% 48.4% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 45.9% 50.5% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 47.8% 53.4% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 42.1% 47.7% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 42.4% 51.6% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 42.8% 56% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 43.9% 60.9% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 45.3% 63.8% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 46.7% 67.2% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 47.5% 67.2% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 47.6% 65.7% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 47.8% 61.2% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 48.9% 58.9% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 48.4% 56.3% 35% 21.1%
2008 44.3% 54.4% 22% 8.95%
2007 43.3% 42.7% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 44% 45% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 43.4% 49.6% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 44.7% 50.1% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 45.8% 49.8% 20% 3.33%
2002 44.8% 48.7% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 44.1% 49.4% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 43.2% 52.2% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 44.3% 58.6% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 44.6% 62.7% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 45.7% 65.7% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 47.3% 71.2% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 53.9% 73% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 49.4% 73.5% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 50.9% 76.7% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 50.2% 75.6% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 49.6% 74.8% 36% 4.97%
1990 48.8% 75% - -
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 (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, the Netherlands' government spending was $602B, accounting for 45.1% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.3% in the Netherlands and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 121/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Netherlands

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Netherlands UAE
2025 -1.84% 5.15%
2024 -0.94% 6.41%
2023 -0.37% 5.82%
2022 0.002% 9.8%
2021 -2.26% 3.96%
2020 -3.72% -2.42%
2019 1.91% 2.5%
2018 1.49% 3.65%
2017 1.35% -0.16%
2016 0.23% -2.95%
2015 -1.84% -6.35%
2014 -2.17% 1.74%
2013 -2.87% 7.99%
2012 -3.83% 8.59%
2011 -4.42% 5.05%
2010 -5.3% 0.52%
2009 -5.06% -6.13%
2008 -0.06% 17.6%
2007 -0.16% 17.1%
2006 0.04% 20.2%
2005 -0.51% 16%
2004 -1.82% 6.4%
2003 -3.19% 2.35%
2002 -2.23% -1.24%
2001 -0.47% 1.21%
2000 1.14% 10.7%
1999 0.28% 1.31%
1998 -1.34% 1%
1997 -1.6% 6.71%
1996 -1.91% 0.92%
1995 -8.72% 3.58%
1994 -3.53% -1.78%
1993 -3.13% -2.89%
1992 -3.12% 3.34%
1991 -2.05% 3.89%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Netherlands recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, the Netherlands posted an annual deficit equal to 1.77% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Netherlands

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Netherlands UAE
2025 3.26% 1.3%
2024 3.35% 1.7%
2023 3.84% 1.6%
2022 10% 4.8%
2021 2.68% -0.1%
2020 1.27% -2.1%
2019 2.63% -1.9%
2018 1.7% 3.1%
2017 1.38% 2%
2016 0.32% 1.6%
2015 0.6% 4.1%
2014 0.98% 2.3%
2013 2.51% 1.1%
2012 2.46% 0.7%
2011 2.34% 0.9%
2010 1.28% 0.9%
2009 1.19% -4.7%
2008 2.49% 12.3%
2007 1.61% 11.1%
2006 1.1% 9.3%
2005 1.69% 6.2%
2004 1.26% 5%
2003 2.09% 3.1%
2002 3.29% 2.9%
2001 4.16% 2.8%
2000 2.36% 1.3%
1999 2.16% 2.1%
1998 1.96% 2%
1997 2.11% 3%

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Netherlands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.35%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 3.26% in the Netherlands and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.72B
Chemicals & pharma $704M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $476M
Textiles & consumer goods $209M
Raw agricultural goods $176M
Animal & marine products $171M
Raw materials & minerals $171M
Metals $114M
Precious metals & jewellery $71.2M
Miscellaneous $49.9M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.72B
Metals $545M
Chemicals & pharma $283M
Raw materials & minerals $101M
Textiles & consumer goods $82.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $41.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $41M
Raw agricultural goods $11.9M
Wood & paper products $8.66M
Miscellaneous $7.99M

Balance of trade

Netherlands UAE
Current account balance
$111B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+9.14%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$606B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$693B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$262B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$308B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.5%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
80.7%
2025
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Netherlands UAE
Economic freedom 78.5 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 11/197 29/197
Property rights 96 62.9
Government integrity 86.8 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 96.1 34.4
Tax burden 54 99.9
Government spending 42.2 85.1
Fiscal health 95.9 97.6
Business freedom 85 84.5
Labor freedom 59.3 63.2
Monetary freedom 77 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Netherlands
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Netherlands UAE
2026 78.5 71.9
2025 78.2 71.6
2024 77.3 71.1
2023 78 70.9
2022 79.5 70.2
2021 76.8 76.9
2020 77 76.2
2019 76.8 77.6
2018 76.2 77.6
2017 75.8 76.9
2016 74.6 72.6
2015 73.7 72.4
2014 74.2 71.4
2013 73.5 71.1
2012 73.3 69.3
2011 74.7 67.8
2010 75 67.3
2009 77 64.7
2008 77.4 62.6
2007 75.5 62.6
2006 75.4 62.2
2005 72.9 65.2
2004 74.5 67.2
2003 74.6 73.4
2002 75.1 73.6
2001 73 74.9
2000 70.4 74.2
1999 70.2 71.5
1998 69.2 72.2
1997 70.4 71.9
1996 69.7 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/netherlands/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Netherlands is 78.5, ranking 11/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Netherlands UAE
Services, % of GDP
70.4%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.68%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24T
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$85,480
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$118B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
27/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$11.1B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$17.1B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.93B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.5%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
2025
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | 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 (1880–1998, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.