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Economy of New Zealand vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

New Zealand has a GDP of $264B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 53/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

New Zealand has $145B in government debt (54.7% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

New Zealand vs Vanuatu GDP by year

New Zealand
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
New Zealand Vanuatu
2025 $264,057,413,740 $1,353,658,841
2024 $261,497,198,364 $1,297,956,615
2023 $256,372,177,758 $1,188,137,265
2022 $249,723,029,451 $1,151,863,790
2021 $253,732,493,988 $1,093,826,089
2020 $213,318,129,989 $1,017,403,363
2019 $213,088,034,258 $1,061,547,513
2018 $211,726,161,989 $1,034,402,941
2017 $206,561,943,051 $998,536,155
2016 $188,980,351,891 $908,725,513
2015 $178,147,457,243 $855,360,240
2014 $201,435,445,068 $879,185,478
2013 $190,943,478,290 $863,347,172
2012 $176,508,049,114 $747,839,698
2011 $168,458,838,711 $770,153,588
2010 $146,887,902,524 $670,712,980
2009 $121,663,439,315 $592,622,319
2008 $133,437,126,590 $590,748,429
2007 $137,188,946,866 $516,392,923
2006 $111,538,810,713 $439,358,587
2005 $114,720,129,550 $394,962,433
2004 $103,905,210,084 $364,996,869
2003 $88,250,885,550 $314,471,413
2002 $66,627,729,311 $262,596,536
2001 $53,872,425,917 $257,926,882
2000 $52,623,281,957 $272,014,628
1999 $58,762,260,626 $268,006,973
1998 $56,227,169,851 $262,293,411
1997 $66,075,143,415 $272,771,209
1996 $70,140,835,299 $261,370,044
1995 $63,918,703,507 $249,333,250
1994 $55,314,732,279 $233,701,301
1993 $46,775,620,817 $200,491,853
1992 $41,649,829,860 $209,088,825
1991 $42,745,329,732 $201,334,169
1990 $45,495,129,385 $168,879,207
1989 $43,920,222,525 $154,013,202
1988 $45,176,811,594 $158,351,368
1987 $40,376,354,070 $139,464,174
1986 $30,604,668,357 $126,498,935
1985 $24,679,795,396 $131,856,421
1984 $21,665,975,319 $144,482,515
1983 $24,309,279,706 $117,389,554
1982 $24,164,603,059 $114,501,913
1981 $24,417,617,184 $113,781,796
1980 $23,244,547,385 $121,185,498
1979 $20,731,243,113 $119,258,835
1978 $18,530,518,395 -
1977 $15,446,825,318 -
1976 $13,604,832,424 -
1975 $12,861,983,284 -
1974 $13,940,981,798 -
1973 $12,802,281,898 -
1972 $9,567,331,065 -
1971 $7,911,136,757 -
1970 $6,495,605,331 -
1969 $5,814,357,709 -
1968 $5,228,045,415 -
1967 $6,016,017,227 -
1966 $5,917,437,693 -
1965 $5,706,251,400 -
1964 $7,340,766,415 -
1963 $6,699,741,645 -
1962 $6,133,158,532 -
1961 $5,721,994,864 -
1960 $5,536,098,360 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in New Zealand vs Vanuatu by year

New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
New Zealand Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $49,591 - $4,039 -
2024 $49,432 $55,551 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $49,302 $54,697 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $49,142 $54,034 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $49,902 $48,249 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $42,055 $45,513 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $42,872 $45,278 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $43,204 $42,527 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $42,912 $42,244 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $40,088 $39,989 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $38,649 $37,513 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $44,600 $37,331 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $42,985 $36,263 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $40,042 $33,055 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $38,426 $32,739 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $33,762 $31,305 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $28,277 $30,746 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $31,325 $29,896 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $32,480 $29,331 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $26,655 $27,732 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $27,751 $25,677 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $25,420 $25,124 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $21,914 $23,996 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $16,874 $23,306 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $13,883 $22,511 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $13,641 $21,500 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $15,322 $20,579 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $14,738 $19,323 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $17,474 $19,100 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $18,794 $18,392 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $17,400 $17,864 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $15,280 $17,108 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $13,094 $15,900 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $11,793 $14,877 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $12,230 $14,501 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $13,663 $14,812 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $13,312 - $1,067 -
1988 $13,759 - $1,125 -
1987 $12,331 - $1,017 -
1986 $9,428 - $946 -
1985 $7,601 - $1,012 -
1984 $6,714 - $1,137 -
1983 $7,598 - $947 -
1982 $7,656 - $946 -
1981 $7,814 - $962 -
1980 $7,467 - $1,048 -
1979 $6,668 - $1,055 -
1978 $5,937 - - -
1977 $4,951 - - -
1976 $4,374 - - -
1975 $4,172 - - -
1974 $4,611 - - -
1973 $4,323 - - -
1972 $3,295 - - -
1971 $2,773 - - -
1970 $2,311 - - -
1969 $2,097 - - -
1968 $1,902 - - -
1967 $2,208 - - -
1966 $2,211 - - -
1965 $2,171 - - -
1964 $2,839 - - -
1963 $2,646 - - -
1962 $2,471 - - -
1961 $2,365 - - -
1960 $2,334 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/vanuatu | CC BY

New Zealand's GDP per capita is $49,591, ranking 26/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

New Zealand Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$264B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
53/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
0.46%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$49,591
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
26/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$55,551
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
38/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$145B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.7%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$27,139
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
27/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,222
2026
$2,801
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$103B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
5
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.84%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.26%
2025
1.41%
2025
Population
5380024
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

New Zealand
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
New Zealand Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 41.6% 54.7% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 41.7% 51.4% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 41% 47.3% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 41.7% 46.9% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 41.8% 47.5% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 41.9% 43.2% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 38.7% 31.8% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 36.1% 28.1% 29.4% 40%
2017 35.6% 31.1% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 36.4% 33.4% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 37.2% 34.2% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 37.6% 34.2% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 38.6% 34.6% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 39.7% 35.7% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 42.3% 34.7% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 42.9% 29.6% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 40.3% 24.3% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 38.4% 19% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 37% 16.3% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 37.8% 18.4% 18.2% 20%
2005 37.1% 20.8% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 36.1% 22.5% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 36.6% 24.7% 17% 34.6%
2002 36.7% 26.4% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 37.2% 28.2% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 38.2% 30% 23% 32.6%
1999 39.2% 32% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 40.1% 34.5% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 39.3% 34.6% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 39.8% 37.3% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 41.6% 43.5% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 42.7% 48.9% 22% 19.5%
1993 46.7% 54.6% 23.7% 18.3%
1992 52.4% 58.7% 28.8% 19%
1991 52.9% 58% 30% 14.4%
1990 49.5% 55.5% - -
1989 47.8% 54.9% - -
1988 46.1% 54.7% - -
1987 46.1% 62.9% - -
1986 46.9% 68.5% - -
1985 46.2% 64.1% - -
1984 40.7% 62.8% - -
1983 41.4% 59.6% - -
1982 39.9% 51.5% - -
1981 39.1% 50.5% - -
1980 38% 52.2% - -
1979 38.4% 52% - -
1978 36.6% 50% - -
1977 30% 44.6% - -
1976 31.6% 47.6% - -
1975 30.1% 41.4% - -
1974 27.3% 39.6% - -
1973 27.1% 44% - -
1972 26.4% 46% - -
1971 26.8% 71.3% - -
1970 24.8% 76.5% - -
1969 25.9% 85.8% - -
1968 26.2% 86.5% - -
1967 26% 59.7% - -
1966 25% 58.2% - -
1965 24.9% 59.6% - -
1964 19.4% 61.8% - -
1963 19.4% 64.5% - -
1962 21.6% 65% - -
1961 21.1% 64.6% - -
1960 25.3% 68.1% - -

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/new-zealand/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, New Zealand's government spending was $110B, accounting for 41.6% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.7% in New Zealand and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 91/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
New Zealand

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
New Zealand Vanuatu
2025 -3.86% -3.88%
2024 -3.21% -2.46%
2023 -3.22% -0.78%
2022 -3.96% -5.96%
2021 -3.35% 2.07%
2020 -4.21% -1.74%
2019 -2.44% 2.48%
2018 1.31% 5.53%
2017 1.38% -1.06%
2016 0.98% -0.64%
2015 0.37% -8.13%
2014 -0.33% 1.26%
2013 -1.28% -0.22%
2012 -2.18% -1.54%
2011 -4.94% -1.98%
2010 -5.49% -2.38%
2009 -1.8% -0.76%
2008 1.48% -0.04%
2007 3.6% 0.25%
2006 4.62% 0.44%
2005 5.13% 1.68%
2004 4.49% 0.72%
2003 3.69% -1.22%
2002 2.56% -3.29%
2001 1.29% -3.01%
2000 0.18% -5.67%
1999 -1.1% -0.5%
1998 -0.47% -6.01%
1997 1.24% -0.46%
1996 2.58% -1.61%
1995 3.7% -2.34%
1994 2% -1.35%
1993 -1.51% -3.32%
1992 -6.25% -2.1%
1991 -6.12% -2.54%
1990 -2.72% -
1989 -2.16% -
1988 -1.88% -
1987 -3.43% -
1986 -5.33% -
1985 -6.97% -
1984 -8.68% -
1983 -6.64% -
1982 -6.26% -
1981 -6.02% -
1980 -4.9% -
1979 -6.55% -
1978 -3.41% -
1977 -1.09% -
1976 -2.07% -
1975 0.11% -
1974 0.03% -
1973 -0.07% -
1972 0.12% -
1971 0.09% -
1970 -0.05% -
1969 0.17% -
1968 0.03% -
1967 0.02% -
1966 0.09% -
1965 0.26% -
1964 -0.08% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 0.02% -
1961 0.03% -
1960 0.05% -
1959 0.03% -
1958 -0.02% -
1957 0.32% -
1956 1.33% -
1955 0.73% -
1954 0.22% -
1953 0.43% -
1952 1.73% -
1951 1.17% -
1950 0.78% -
1949 0.53% -
1948 0.36% -
1947 1.07% -
1946 0.31% -
1945 0.32% -
1944 0.59% -
1943 1.24% -
1942 0.56% -
1941 0.64% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 0.34% -
1938 0.38% -
1937 0.23% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 1.19% -
1934 -0.55% -
1933 0.02% -
1932 -1.77% -
1931 -1.12% -
1930 0.09% -
1929 -0.37% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.4% -
1926 0.72% -
1925 0.78% -
1924 1.2% -
1923 0.95% -
1922 -0.2% -
1921 3.55% -
1920 1.51% -
1919 2.9% -
1918 4.35% -
1917 3.89% -
1916 1.46% -
1915 0.06% -
1914 0.45% -
1913 0.79% -
1912 0.89% -
1911 1.24% -
1910 0.36% -
1909 0.31% -
1908 1.26% -
1907 1.13% -
1906 0.97% -
1905 1.41% -
1904 1.42% -
1903 0.55% -
1902 0.63% -
1901 1.11% -
1900 1.59% -
1899 1.15% -
1898 1.38% -
1897 0.86% -
1896 0.65% -
1895 0.32% -
1894 0.76% -
1893 1.14% -
1892 0.09% -
1891 0.46% -
1890 0.05% -
1889 0.59% -
1888 -1.64% -
1887 -1.63% -
1886 -0.53% -
1885 -0.47% -
1884 -0.1% -
1883 0.38% -
1882 0.18% -
1881 -2.33% -
1880 -2.39% -
1879 -0.55% -
1878 -0.85% -
1877 -2.53% -
1876 -5.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2025, New Zealand's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.2B, equivalent to 3.86% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, New Zealand recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, New Zealand posted an annual deficit equal to 0.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
New Zealand

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
New Zealand Vanuatu
2025 2.84% 0.66%
2024 2.92% 1.14%
2023 5.73% 11.2%
2022 7.17% 6.68%
2021 3.94% 2.34%
2020 1.71% 5.33%
2019 1.62% 2.76%
2018 1.6% 2.33%
2017 1.85% 3.08%
2016 0.65% 0.84%
2015 0.29% 2.48%
2014 1.23% 0.8%
2013 1.13% 1.46%
2012 1.06% 1.35%
2011 4.03% 0.87%
2010 2.3% 2.76%
2009 2.12% 4.3%
2008 3.96% 4.84%
2007 2.38% 3.94%
2006 3.37% 2.04%
2005 3.04% 1.2%
2004 2.29% 1.42%
2003 1.75% 3.02%
2002 2.68% 1.96%
2001 2.63% 3.58%
2000 2.62% 2.54%
1999 -0.11% 2%
1998 1.27% 3.28%
1997 1.19% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, New Zealand has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.39%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 2.84% in New Zealand and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

New Zealand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $11.1M
Transport & tourism services $8.9M
Wood & paper products $6.82M
Animal & marine products $4.83M
Chemicals & pharma $3.63M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.56M
Metals $3.42M
Raw materials & minerals $2.36M
Raw agricultural goods $2.34M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.89M
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.64M
Chemicals & pharma $1.93M
Metals $690K
Raw agricultural goods $653K
Machinery & equipment $592K
Animal & marine products $403K
Miscellaneous $292K
Wood & paper products $29K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Raw materials & minerals $3K

Balance of trade

New Zealand Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$9.56B
2025
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
174/190
2025
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.62%
2025
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$48.2B
2025
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$47.2B
2025
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$20.3B
2025
$230M
2022
Service exports
$19.5B
2025
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26%
2024
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

New Zealand Vanuatu
Economic freedom 77.8 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 13/197 92/197
Property rights 85.4 62.1
Government integrity 90 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 95.9 67.9
Tax burden 66.1 96.9
Government spending 48 48.1
Fiscal health 72.2 78.8
Business freedom 89.1 50.3
Labor freedom 68.6 41
Monetary freedom 77.4 72.1
Trade freedom 90.6 62
Investment freedom 70 65
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

New Zealand
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
New Zealand Vanuatu
2026 77.8 61.1
2025 78.1 61.8
2024 77.8 62.2
2023 78.9 62.1
2022 80.6 62.9
2021 83.9 60.5
2020 84.1 60.7
2019 84.4 56.4
2018 84.2 69.5
2017 83.7 67.4
2016 81.6 60.8
2015 82.1 61.1
2014 81.2 59.5
2013 81.4 56.6
2012 82.1 56.6
2011 82.3 56.7
2010 82.1 56.4
2009 82 58.4
2008 80.7 -
2007 81.4 -
2006 82 -
2005 82.3 -
2004 81.5 -
2003 81.1 -
2002 80.7 -
2001 81.1 -
2000 80.9 -
1999 81.7 -
1998 79.2 -
1997 79 -
1996 78.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for New Zealand is 77.8, ranking 13/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

New Zealand Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
68.2%
2023
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.4%
2023
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.01%
2023
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$248B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$53,600
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$28.2B
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
59/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.58B
2025
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.76B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$882M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
26.1%
2024

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/new-zealand/vanuatu | 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 (1876–1989, 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 (2011–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.