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Economy of Norway vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Norway has a GDP of $531B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 32/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $239B in government debt (45% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Norway vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Norway
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Saudi Arabia
2025 $530,755,719,439 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $500,886,328,034 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $502,197,633,323 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $617,321,834,099 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $521,592,200,233 $982,661,066,667
2020 $382,252,517,922 $767,951,200,000
2019 $424,244,886,364 $888,890,133,333
2018 $454,588,871,811 $886,564,800,000
2017 $415,673,181,543 $741,266,133,333
2016 $383,284,047,619 $689,279,466,667
2015 $400,669,174,331 $693,414,400,000
2014 $515,829,568,897 $787,153,066,667
2013 $540,132,255,319 $769,755,733,333
2012 $525,082,939,407 $751,921,333,333
2011 $512,868,581,628 $680,660,800,000
2010 $440,132,138,425 $528,207,466,667
2009 $395,664,488,017 $429,097,866,667
2008 $472,060,283,688 $519,796,800,000
2007 $407,813,774,161 $415,964,509,673
2006 $349,773,283,645 $376,900,133,511
2005 $311,417,306,946 $328,459,608,764
2004 $265,662,977,688 $258,742,133,333
2003 $229,192,678,173 $215,807,733,333
2002 $195,359,978,957 $189,605,866,667
2001 $173,590,978,347 $184,137,600,000
2000 $170,620,327,660 $189,514,933,333
1999 $161,304,620,987 $161,717,066,667
1998 $152,955,958,172 $146,775,466,667
1997 $160,013,571,974 $165,963,684,913
1996 $162,427,517,132 $158,662,483,311
1995 $151,083,627,983 $143,343,124,166
1994 $126,324,387,894 $135,174,899,866
1993 $119,841,699,440 $132,967,957,276
1992 $129,998,873,602 $137,087,850,467
1991 $121,149,331,318 $132,223,230,975
1990 $119,344,377,526 $117,630,173,565
1989 $102,226,808,603 $95,344,459,279
1988 $101,497,621,605 $88,256,074,766
1987 $93,913,320,965 $85,695,861,148
1986 $78,438,205,742 $86,961,922,765
1985 $65,211,464,198 $103,897,846,494
1984 $61,866,078,539 $119,624,858,116
1983 $61,417,685,434 $129,171,635,311
1982 $62,453,362,256 $153,240,313,858
1981 $63,392,804,251 $184,291,360,139
1980 $64,176,789,764 $164,539,660,725
1979 $52,935,763,512 $111,858,444,786
1978 $46,355,988,784 $80,266,516,687
1977 $41,362,637,363 $74,188,986,586
1976 $35,815,449,464 $64,005,665,722
1975 $32,742,543,381 $46,773,208,643
1974 $27,033,413,362 $45,412,957,746
1973 $22,433,660,550 $14,947,435,499
1972 $17,283,931,878 $9,664,267,087
1971 $14,523,306,736 $7,184,806,909
1970 $12,753,503,479 $5,377,333,333
1969 $11,083,505,596 $4,485,777,644
1968 $10,178,705,992 $4,187,777,711
1967 $9,532,076,026 $3,257,022,223
1966 $8,712,528,095 $2,920,555,557
1965 $8,073,570,566 $2,647,955,558
1964 $7,172,430,304 $2,371,808,713
1963 $6,522,268,053 $2,207,393,172
1962 $6,078,186,245 $2,130,606,532
1961 $5,642,867,672 $1,920,811,284
1960 $5,172,811,442 $1,748,124,064

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

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

GDP per capita in Norway vs Saudi Arabia by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $94,594 - $34,537 -
2024 $89,889 $102,038 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $90,984 $103,638 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $113,122 $125,490 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $96,443 $88,984 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $71,058 $67,111 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $79,329 $70,940 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $85,579 $70,254 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $78,771 $64,590 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $73,222 $59,280 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $77,221 $60,738 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $100,410 $66,332 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $106,333 $67,378 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $104,628 $65,774 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $103,545 $62,460 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $90,020 $58,213 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $81,940 $55,648 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $99,002 $62,073 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $86,600 $56,179 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $75,048 $54,358 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $67,358 $47,967 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $57,855 $42,667 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $50,208 $38,680 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $43,048 $38,056 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $38,458 $37,829 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $37,992 $36,994 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $36,151 $30,574 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $34,516 $28,200 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $36,324 $28,610 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $37,073 $26,826 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $34,659 $24,360 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $29,130 $23,027 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $27,793 $21,584 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $30,328 $20,623 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $28,427 $19,580 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $28,137 $18,461 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $24,185 - $9,414 -
1988 $24,112 - $9,165 -
1987 $22,430 - $9,386 -
1986 $18,822 - $10,078 -
1985 $15,704 - $12,745 -
1984 $14,943 - $15,541 -
1983 $14,877 - $17,810 -
1982 $15,178 - $22,454 -
1981 $15,463 - $28,703 -
1980 $15,708 - $27,206 -
1979 $12,998 - $19,612 -
1978 $11,421 - $14,914 -
1977 $10,230 - $14,595 -
1976 $8,896 - $13,313 -
1975 $8,171 - $10,266 -
1974 $6,783 - $10,503 -
1973 $5,664 - $3,640 -
1972 $4,395 - $2,474 -
1971 $3,721 - $1,929 -
1970 $3,291 - $1,509 -
1969 $2,881 - $1,313 -
1968 $2,667 - $1,276 -
1967 $2,519 - $1,032 -
1966 $2,321 - $961 -
1965 $2,168 - $904 -
1964 $1,941 - $840 -
1963 $1,779 - $812 -
1962 $1,670 - $813 -
1961 $1,563 - $760 -
1960 $1,444 - $718 -

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

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

Norway's GDP per capita is $94,594, ranking 9/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Norway Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$531B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
32/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
1.09%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$94,594
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$239B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$42,567
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,036
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires
17
2026
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.6%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.06%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2026
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
3.24%
2025
Population
5660666
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 49.6% 45% 29% 31.7%
2024 46.9% 52.8% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 44.2% 42.4% 28.3% 23%
2022 36.2% 34.8% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 44.7% 40.1% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 54.5% 44.3% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 48.4% 39% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 46.1% 38.1% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 47.6% 36.9% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 48.8% 36.7% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 46.7% 33.2% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 44% 28.8% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 42.3% 30.6% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 41.4% 30.2% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 42.3% 28.9% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 43.6% 42.1% 33% 8.43%
2009 44.7% 41.7% 37.1% 14%
2008 39.2% 46.8% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 40.5% 48.9% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 40.1% 52.2% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 41.6% 42.1% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 47.7% 43.1% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 46.3% 34% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 43.4% 27.3% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 41.5% 28.8% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 46.7% 25.1% 30.3% 103%
1998 48.2% 23.8% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 45.9% 26% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 47.4% 28.6% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 49.6% 32.9% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 49.7% 51% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 50.5% 54% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 51.6% 45.3% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 50.3% 39.5% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 49.1% 29.1% 39.3% -
1989 52.2% 30.4% - -
1988 52.6% 30.5% - -
1987 50.5% 31.3% - -
1986 48.1% 37.8% - -
1985 44% 30.2% - -
1984 44.5% 27.8% - -
1983 46.4% 27.4% - -
1982 46.6% 29.7% - -
1981 46.1% 32.9% - -
1980 46.1% 36.8% - -
1979 47.2% 39.6% - -
1978 47.9% 49.9% - -
1977 46.5% 43.8% - -
1976 45.2% 38.5% - -
1975 43.5% 36.7% - -
1974 42.2% 35.4% - -
1973 42.3% 37.7% - -
1972 42.2% 38.9% - -
1971 40.7% 38.5% - -
1970 38.9% 38.6% - -
1969 38% 22.3% - -
1968 36.2% 22.5% - -
1967 34.9% 22.6% - -
1966 33.5% 22.4% - -
1965 32.9% 23% - -
1964 32% 24.2% - -
1963 31.9% 25.3% - -
1962 30.6% 26.7% - -
1961 20.4% 27.7% - -
1960 18% 29.8% - -

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/norway/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Norway's government spending was $263B, accounting for 49.6% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45% in Norway and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 117/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Saudi Arabia
2025 9.34% -5.77%
2024 12.8% -2.46%
2023 15.9% -1.77%
2022 24.7% 2.24%
2021 9.93% -1.99%
2020 -2.46% -10.2%
2019 6.28% -3.96%
2018 7.56% -5.21%
2017 4.79% -8.57%
2016 3.91% -13.2%
2015 5.8% -14.9%
2014 8.34% -3.4%
2013 10.3% 5.47%
2012 13.4% 11.7%
2011 13% 11.4%
2010 10.6% 4.39%
2009 10% -5.38%
2008 18.3% 29.8%
2007 16.8% 11.8%
2006 17.7% 20.8%
2005 14.7% 18%
2004 10.8% 9.72%
2003 7.21% 1.2%
2002 9.05% -5.91%
2001 13.2% -3.91%
2000 15.1% 3.18%
1999 5.75% -5.99%
1998 3.09% -8.88%
1997 7.41% -2.51%
1996 6.05% -3.25%
1995 2.98% -5.12%
1994 0.04% -8.31%
1993 -1.65% -9.33%
1992 -2.08% -8.12%
1991 -0.12% -3.28%
1990 1.96% -
1989 1.81% -
1988 2.65% -
1987 4.56% -
1986 5.87% -
1985 9.84% -
1984 6.97% -
1983 6.03% -
1982 3.96% -
1981 4.82% -
1980 5.38% -
1979 2.16% -
1978 0.94% -
1977 1.01% -
1976 2.2% -
1975 2.88% -
1974 4.06% -
1973 4.99% -
1972 3.93% -
1971 3.71% -
1970 2.83% -
1969 3.57% -
1968 3.38% -
1967 4.19% -
1966 3.59% -
1965 2.78% -
1964 3.08% -
1963 2.6% -
1962 4% -
1961 -0.7% -
1960 1.42% -
1959 1.89% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.55% -
1956 1.22% -
1955 0.82% -
1954 -0.54% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 2.15% -
1951 1.59% -
1950 -0.89% -
1949 -0.72% -
1948 -0.35% -
1947 -4.66% -
1946 -3.82% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 -0.54% -
1938 0.03% -
1937 -0.16% -
1936 -0.7% -
1935 -1.1% -
1934 -0.59% -
1933 -1.29% -
1932 -1.14% -
1931 -1.15% -
1930 -0.46% -
1929 -0.83% -
1928 -0.81% -
1927 -0.76% -
1926 -1.59% -
1925 -1.92% -
1924 -2.96% -
1923 -3.58% -
1922 -4.28% -
1921 -5.47% -
1920 -1.15% -
1919 -2.11% -
1918 -1.17% -
1917 0.2% -
1916 -0.36% -
1915 -2.04% -
1914 -1.09% -
1913 -0.9% -
1912 -0.89% -
1911 -0.05% -
1910 0.3% -
1909 -0.52% -
1908 -0.06% -
1907 0.16% -
1906 -0.59% -
1905 -0.52% -
1904 -0.75% -
1903 -1.12% -
1902 -1.52% -
1901 -1.41% -
1900 -1.99% -
1899 -1.35% -
1898 -1.39% -
1897 -0.63% -
1896 -1.57% -
1895 -1.66% -
1894 -1.13% -
1893 -1.25% -
1892 -0.94% -
1891 -0.44% -
1890 -0.2% -
1889 -0.07% -
1888 -0.23% -
1887 -0.17% -
1886 -0.2% -
1885 -0.005% -
1884 -0.08% -
1883 -0.17% -
1882 -0.62% -
1881 -1.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $49.6B, equivalent to 9.34% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 8.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Saudi Arabia
2025 3.06% 2.08%
2024 3.15% 1.69%
2023 5.52% 2.33%
2022 5.76% 2.47%
2021 3.48% 3.06%
2020 1.29% 3.37%
2019 2.17% -1.19%
2018 2.76% 2.47%
2017 1.88% -0.83%
2016 3.55% 2.05%
2015 2.17% 1.22%
2014 2.04% 2.24%
2013 2.12% 3.51%
2012 0.7% 2.87%
2011 1.28% 5.83%
2010 2.42% 5.34%
2009 2.2% 5.06%
2008 3.75% 9.87%
2007 0.71% 4.17%
2006 2.33% 2.21%
2005 1.53% 0.48%
2004 0.45% 0.52%
2003 2.49% 0.61%
2002 1.29% 0.25%
2001 3% -1.12%
2000 3.09% -1.12%
1999 2.37% -1.33%
1998 2.25% -0.37%
1997 2.57% 0.06%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 3.06% in Norway and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $115M
Animal & marine products $99.2M
Miscellaneous $37.3M
Raw materials & minerals $19.9M
Chemicals & pharma $13.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.19M
Wood & paper products $5.09M
Metals $3.55M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.16M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.05M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $23M
Chemicals & pharma $2.53M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.94M
Raw materials & minerals $295K
Metals $185K
Raw agricultural goods $167K
Wood & paper products $35K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27K
Miscellaneous $18K

Balance of trade

Norway Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$74.1B
2025
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2025
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14%
2025
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$105B
2025
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$177B
2025
$311B
2025
Service imports
$73.9B
2025
$129B
2025
Service exports
$63.5B
2025
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.7%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Norway Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 78.8 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 65/197
Property rights 99.6 51.4
Government integrity 94.3 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 38.2
Tax burden 63.3 99.2
Government spending 42 77
Fiscal health 96.4 97.9
Business freedom 91.2 71.2
Labor freedom 69.3 41.8
Monetary freedom 72.4 81.2
Trade freedom 85.6 73.8
Investment freedom 75 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway Saudi Arabia
2026 78.8 65.4
2025 78.3 64.4
2024 77.5 61.9
2023 76.9 58.3
2022 76.9 55.5
2021 73.4 66
2020 73.4 62.4
2019 73 60.7
2018 74.3 59.6
2017 74 64.4
2016 70.8 62.1
2015 71.8 62.1
2014 70.9 62.2
2013 70.5 60.6
2012 68.8 62.5
2011 70.3 66.2
2010 69.4 64.1
2009 70.2 64.3
2008 68.6 62.5
2007 67.9 60.9
2006 67.9 63
2005 64.5 63
2004 66.2 60.4
2003 67.2 63.2
2002 67.4 65.3
2001 67.1 62.2
2000 70.1 66.5
1999 68.6 65.5
1998 68 69.3
1997 65.1 68.7
1996 65.4 68.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, 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

Norway Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
34.5%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.64%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$546B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$107,770
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$85.5B
2025
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
34/177
2025
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$8.93B
2025
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12.1B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.62B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
31.6%
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).

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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 (1881–1989, 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 (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.