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Economy of North Macedonia vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

North Macedonia has a GDP of $19.1B compared to $347B for Portugal, ranking 137/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

North Macedonia has $10B in government debt (52.5% of GDP), compared to $312B (89.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

North Macedonia vs Portugal GDP by year

North Macedonia
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
North Macedonia Portugal
2025 $19,101,199,817 $346,639,825,142
2024 $16,951,682,221 $313,656,884,871
2023 $15,855,131,189 $292,323,800,949
2022 $13,932,436,550 $256,898,677,175
2021 $14,000,283,827 $256,055,879,091
2020 $12,361,036,914 $229,618,773,423
2019 $12,606,338,449 $240,115,970,063
2018 $12,683,068,114 $242,092,894,543
2017 $11,307,067,070 $220,862,990,767
2016 $10,672,467,073 $206,305,431,242
2015 $10,064,519,963 $199,038,523,120
2014 $11,362,265,253 $230,078,616,300
2013 $10,817,702,346 $226,677,408,292
2012 $9,745,261,301 $216,536,676,772
2011 $10,494,626,768 $245,426,767,676
2010 $9,407,170,321 $238,443,864,993
2009 $9,401,736,825 $244,667,762,836
2008 $9,909,552,435 $263,416,394,624
2007 $8,336,474,974 $240,496,147,317
2006 $6,861,226,972 $208,756,449,276
2005 $6,258,602,873 $197,253,876,705
2004 $5,682,784,472 $189,382,122,532
2003 $4,946,296,599 $165,226,175,537
2002 $4,018,365,747 $134,795,565,549
2001 $3,709,636,031 $121,604,107,165
2000 $3,772,859,034 $118,605,192,877
1999 $3,863,619,285 $127,470,385,557
1998 $3,765,745,023 $123,946,327,916
1997 $3,912,986,091 $117,016,535,163
1996 $4,642,021,256 $122,630,089,680
1995 $4,707,041,315 $118,122,007,430
1994 $3,559,608,640 $99,688,641,304
1993 $2,682,456,897 $95,009,751,901
1992 $2,436,849,342 $107,592,098,307
1991 $4,938,775,510 $89,233,599,278
1990 $4,699,646,643 $78,713,860,217
1989 - $60,594,092,182
1988 - $56,347,250,696
1987 - $48,182,925,857
1986 - $38,745,901,354
1985 - $27,115,807,742
1984 - $25,217,969,050
1983 - $27,239,650,742
1982 - $30,527,754,793
1981 - $31,977,276,873
1980 - $32,896,519,824
1979 - $26,622,819,672
1978 - $23,487,614,051
1977 - $21,439,523,311
1976 - $20,332,831,565
1975 - $19,347,607,843
1974 - $17,512,391,476
1973 - $15,090,564,186
1972 - $11,239,117,865
1971 - $9,201,604,240
1970 - $8,108,235,704
1969 - $7,287,555,035
1968 - $6,644,693,214
1967 - $6,002,607,030
1966 - $5,370,108,031
1965 - $4,901,711,248
1964 - $4,429,202,657
1963 - $4,084,251,593
1962 - $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

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

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/portugal | CC BY

GDP per capita in North Macedonia vs Portugal by year

North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
North Macedonia Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $10,490 - $32,082 -
2024 $9,292 $26,995 $29,328 $51,680
2023 $8,674 $25,354 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $7,606 $24,212 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $7,621 $22,144 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $6,660 $19,962 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $6,719 $20,223 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $6,714 $18,460 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $5,955 $17,161 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $5,598 $16,458 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $5,263 $15,034 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $5,925 $14,485 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $5,626 $13,663 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $5,050 $12,726 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $5,417 $12,421 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $4,833 $11,992 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $4,800 $11,532 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $5,026 $10,924 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $4,204 $9,639 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $3,440 $8,888 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $3,121 $7,972 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $2,819 $7,229 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $2,445 $6,608 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $1,989 $6,395 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $1,823 $6,051 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $1,862 $6,154 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $1,915 $5,724 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $1,876 $5,448 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $1,960 $5,227 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $2,307 $5,026 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $2,355 $4,912 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $1,786 $4,880 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $1,337 $4,829 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $1,199 $5,033 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $2,402 $5,207 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $2,277 $5,348 $7,885 $11,780
1989 - - $6,056 -
1988 - - $5,624 -
1987 - - $4,804 -
1986 - - $3,862 -
1985 - - $2,705 -
1984 - - $2,523 -
1983 - - $2,735 -
1982 - - $3,080 -
1981 - - $3,246 -
1980 - - $3,368 -
1979 - - $2,756 -
1978 - - $2,457 -
1977 - - $2,267 -
1976 - - $2,173 -
1975 - - $2,128 -
1974 - - $2,000 -
1973 - - $1,748 -
1972 - - $1,302 -
1971 - - $1,065 -
1970 - - $934 -
1969 - - $832 -
1968 - - $752 -
1967 - - $676 -
1966 - - $601 -
1965 - - $545 -
1964 - - $490 -
1963 - - $452 -
1962 - - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/portugal | CC BY

North Macedonia's GDP per capita is $10,490, ranking 86/197, compared to $32,082 in Portugal, ranking 43/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

North Macedonia Portugal
Gross domestic product
$19.1B
2025
$347B
2025
GDP rank
137/197
2025
46/197
2025
GDP growth
3.49%
2024-2025
1.86%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$10,490
2025
$32,082
2025
GDP per capita rank
86/197
2025
43/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,995
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
78/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$10B
2025
$312B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.5%
2025
89.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,510
2025
$28,843
2025
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2025
26/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,326
2026
$16,647
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
181,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2019
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2019
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.2%
2025
43.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.1%
2024-2025
2.34%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.35%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.5%
2025
6%
2025
Population
1811466
10788071

Spending and national debt comparison by year

North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
North Macedonia Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.2% 52.5% 43.7% 89.9%
2024 36.1% 52.9% 42.5% 93.5%
2023 35.3% 50.5% 41.9% 96.9%
2022 35% 50.4% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 35.3% 52.7% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 36.4% 50.8% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 31.4% 40.4% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 30.3% 40.4% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 31.8% 39.4% 45.5% 126%
2016 31.1% 39.7% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 32.2% 38% 48.2% 131%
2014 31.7% 38% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 31.7% 34% 50% 130.8%
2012 33.3% 33.7% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 31.9% 27.7% 50% 114%
2010 32.5% 24.3% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 33.6% 23.7% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 33.8% 20.6% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 31.4% 23.5% 44.6% 72.7%
2006 31.5% 30.6% 45.2% 73.7%
2005 32.5% 36.7% 46.7% 72.2%
2004 34.1% 34.6% 46% 67.1%
2003 36% 36.5% 45.3% 63.9%
2002 38.2% 40.5% 44.2% 60%
2001 37.4% 45.2% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 32% 45.6% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 32.5% 29.8% 42.5% 55.4%
1998 32.2% 33.1% 42.6% 55.6%
1997 32.3% 29.3% 42.4% 58.7%
1996 - - 43% 63.3%
1995 - - 42.6% 62.2%
1994 - - 42.8% 60.4%
1993 - - 46.5% 57.2%
1992 - - 48.2% 58.1%
1991 - - 45.9% 63.9%
1990 - - 42.2% 60.2%
1989 - - 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

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/north-macedonia/portugal | CC BY

In 2025, North Macedonia's government spending was $6.91B, accounting for 36.2% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $152B, or 43.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.5% in North Macedonia and 89.9% in Portugal, ranking 97/185 and 30/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
North Macedonia

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
North Macedonia Portugal
2025 -4.01% 0.31%
2024 -4.38% 0.5%
2023 -4.59% 1.26%
2022 -5.23% -0.31%
2021 -5.32% -2.83%
2020 -8.05% -5.75%
2019 -1.97% 0.12%
2018 -1.76% -0.43%
2017 -2.73% -3%
2016 -2.7% -1.94%
2015 -3.48% -4.37%
2014 -4.19% -7.32%
2013 -3.84% -5.21%
2012 -3.81% -6.2%
2011 -2.47% -7.73%
2010 -2.41% -11.4%
2009 -2.63% -9.87%
2008 -0.93% -3.81%
2007 0.58% -2.91%
2006 -0.51% -4.06%
2005 0.21% -6.05%
2004 0.37% -5.91%
2003 -0.07% -5.57%
2002 -5.24% -3.7%
2001 -5.88% -4.68%
2000 2.37% -3.32%
1999 0.03% -2.93%
1998 -1.59% -4.3%
1997 -0.35% -3.65%
1996 - -4.63%
1995 - -5.14%
1994 - -7.37%
1993 - -8.06%
1992 - -5.19%
1991 - -7.93%
1990 - -6.82%
1989 - -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

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/north-macedonia/portugal | CC BY

In 2025, North Macedonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $766M, equivalent to 4.01% of GDP. This compares to Portugal's surplus of $1.07B, or 0.31% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, North Macedonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, North Macedonia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.97% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
North Macedonia

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
North Macedonia Portugal
2025 4.1% 2.34%
2024 3.5% 2.42%
2023 9.4% 4.31%
2022 14.2% 7.83%
2021 3.2% 1.27%
2020 1.2% -0.01%
2019 0.8% 0.34%
2018 1.5% 0.99%
2017 1.4% 1.37%
2016 -0.2% 0.61%
2015 -0.2% 0.49%
2014 -0.3% -0.28%
2013 2.8% 0.27%
2012 3.3% 2.77%
2011 3.9% 3.65%
2010 1.5% 1.4%
2009 -0.8% -0.84%
2008 7.2% 2.59%
2007 2.8% 2.45%
2006 3.3% 3.11%
2005 0% 2.28%
2004 -0.4% 2.37%
2003 1.1% 3.22%
2002 1.7% 3.6%
2001 5.1% 4.37%
2000 6.6% 2.85%
1999 -1.3% 2.34%
1998 0.5% 2.57%
1997 1.3% 2.34%

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/north-macedonia/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, North Macedonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2025, inflation was 4.1% in North Macedonia and 2.34% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.07M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.46M
Metals $920K
Raw agricultural goods $394K
Textiles & consumer goods $312K
Raw materials & minerals $94K
Animal & marine products $92K
Chemicals & pharma $43K
Wood & paper products $36K
Miscellaneous $3K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $28.3M
Machinery & equipment $4.91M
Chemicals & pharma $1.05M
Wood & paper products $930K
Metals $512K
Animal & marine products $343K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $267K
Precious metals & jewellery $158K
Weapons & explosives $85K
Raw materials & minerals $84K

Balance of trade

North Macedonia Portugal
Current account balance
-$815M
2025
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
112/190
2025
30/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.27%
2025
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$11.7B
2025
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$7.87B
2025
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2025
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$3.55B
2025
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.4%
2025
42.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
59.6%
2025
43.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

North Macedonia Portugal
Economic freedom 63.3 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 81/197 33/197
Property rights 56.2 88.9
Government integrity 43.2 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 49.5 90.1
Tax burden 94.9 60.6
Government spending 61.7 44.6
Fiscal health 57.7 82
Business freedom 72.2 83.1
Labor freedom 51.4 54.8
Monetary freedom 69.6 77.7
Trade freedom 77.8 79.4
Investment freedom 65 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

North Macedonia
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
North Macedonia Portugal
2026 63.3 71.2
2025 63.2 70.5
2024 61.4 68.7
2023 63.7 69.5
2022 65.7 70.8
2021 68.6 67.5
2020 69.5 67
2019 71.1 65.3
2018 71.3 63.4
2017 70.7 62.6
2016 67.5 65.1
2015 67.1 65.3
2014 68.6 63.5
2013 68.2 63.1
2012 68.5 63
2011 66 64
2010 65.7 64.4
2009 61.2 64.9
2008 61.1 63.9
2007 60.6 64
2006 59.2 62.9
2005 56.1 62.4
2004 56.8 64.9
2003 60.1 64.9
2002 58 65.4
2001 - 66
2000 - 65.5
1999 - 65.6
1998 - 65
1997 - 63.6
1996 - 64.5
1995 - 62.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/portugal | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for North Macedonia is 63.3, ranking 81/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

North Macedonia Portugal
Services, % of GDP
57%
2025
66.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
18.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.98%
2025
1.96%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$17.3B
2025
$323B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,680
2025
$52,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.8B
2025
$68.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
98/177
2025
39/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$276M
2025
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.06B
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$64.9M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.59%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2023
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
21%
2025

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/north-macedonia/portugal | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.