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Economy of Panama vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 78/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Panama vs Switzerland GDP by year

Panama
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Switzerland
2024 $86,523,959,132 $936,564,198,049
2023 $83,812,155,244 $894,424,821,645
2022 $76,479,304,471 $828,508,926,958
2021 $67,396,392,506 $815,309,330,987
2020 $57,059,846,522 $741,999,406,006
2019 $69,778,991,193 $721,369,112,727
2018 $67,316,471,181 $725,568,717,468
2017 $64,327,688,826 $695,200,833,086
2016 $59,760,858,718 $687,895,460,903
2015 $55,767,806,073 $694,118,186,380
2014 $51,427,104,882 $726,537,808,338
2013 $46,949,496,479 $706,234,937,371
2012 $41,595,439,721 $686,420,221,558
2011 $35,687,738,252 $715,888,126,682
2010 $30,231,009,533 $598,851,028,907
2009 $27,791,215,547 $554,212,916,092
2008 $25,721,327,955 $567,267,767,519
2007 $21,717,433,808 $490,740,715,595
2006 $18,659,721,513 $441,634,672,197
2005 $16,623,906,739 $418,284,865,885
2004 $15,100,203,362 $403,912,891,033
2003 $13,603,456,003 $362,075,086,508
2002 $12,800,851,271 $309,301,422,430
2001 $12,252,906,341 $286,582,672,434
2000 $11,966,497,049 $279,216,033,870
1999 $11,660,704,777 $297,873,643,323
1998 $11,019,557,689 $303,459,014,347
1997 $10,058,854,386 $294,788,198,856
1996 $9,197,503,323 $340,103,959,547
1995 $9,573,813,700 $352,835,806,342
1994 $9,365,289,800 $301,375,055,202
1993 $8,782,585,400 $272,237,527,071
1992 $8,042,337,700 $279,921,425,828
1991 $7,074,675,500 $268,901,693,863
1990 $6,433,967,000 $265,763,573,999
1989 $5,918,469,800 $208,105,846,934
1988 $5,902,783,400 $215,540,625,299
1987 $6,827,665,300 $199,236,370,038
1986 $6,797,834,200 $159,089,921,063
1985 $6,541,517,100 $110,980,314,192
1984 $6,183,387,100 $109,455,312,168
1983 $5,923,755,900 $114,634,358,535
1982 $5,769,767,900 $115,043,365,512
1981 $5,222,421,500 $112,244,805,519
1980 $4,614,086,400 $122,557,843,886
1979 $3,704,551,600 $114,970,094,425
1978 $3,244,558,600 $102,280,472,036
1977 $2,738,261,900 $73,135,771,167
1976 $2,588,106,000 $68,476,524,644
1975 $2,435,304,100 $65,466,081,819
1974 $2,188,307,600 $57,103,011,446
1973 $1,913,793,400 $49,550,006,320
1972 $1,673,411,700 $36,844,318,854
1971 $1,523,917,200 $30,040,171,751
1970 $1,351,006,400 $24,998,066,773
1969 $1,221,305,700 $22,442,043,274
1968 $1,112,791,100 $20,712,102,794
1967 $1,034,376,400 $19,397,044,714
1966 $928,833,000 $18,019,402,374
1965 $852,485,300 $16,780,226,225
1964 $776,137,500 $15,833,133,858
1963 $722,784,500 $14,283,872,299
1962 $652,120,900 $12,989,649,694
1961 $599,026,300 $11,713,348,834
1960 $537,147,100 $10,412,232,621

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/switzerland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Panama vs Switzerland by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $2,462 - $31,309 -
1988 $2,509 - $32,690 -
1987 $2,966 - $30,441 -
1986 $3,019 - $24,460 -
1985 $2,972 - $17,152 -
1984 $2,875 - $16,991 -
1983 $2,819 - $17,859 -
1982 $2,811 - $18,000 -
1981 $2,605 - $17,665 -
1980 $2,357 - $19,394 -
1979 $1,938 - $18,266 -
1978 $1,738 - $16,282 -
1977 $1,503 - $11,644 -
1976 $1,457 - $10,865 -
1975 $1,406 - $10,328 -
1974 $1,296 - $9,005 -
1973 $1,164 - $7,856 -
1972 $1,046 - $5,885 -
1971 $979 - $4,835 -
1970 $893 - $4,044 -
1969 $830 - $3,657 -
1968 $778 - $3,413 -
1967 $745 - $3,237 -
1966 $689 - $3,045 -
1965 $651 - $2,865 -
1964 $611 - $2,735 -
1963 $587 - $2,508 -
1962 $546 - $2,330 -
1961 $516 - $2,155 -
1960 $477 - $1,954 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/switzerland | CC BY

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Panama Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
78/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
4.34%
2024
Population
4642198
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 21.4% 51.2% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 21.3% 52.7% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 23.8% 54.4% 34.4% 41%
2020 27.5% 61.5% 37% 43.2%
2019 20.6% 39.8% 32% 39.6%
2018 21.8% 35.6% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 21.2% 33.6% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 21.3% 33.6% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 21.4% 34.2% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 23% 34.7% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 23.4% 33.7% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 22.8% 34% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 23.5% 35.6% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 24.2% 38.1% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 22.7% 40% 30% 44.8%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 23.5% 57% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 23% 55.1% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 23.4% 58.1% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 22.2% 60.2% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 21.5% 65% 33% 51.3%
1995 25.9% 76.6% 32.4% 50%
1994 25.2% 78.3% 32.5% 47.1%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 32.5% 44.4%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 31.3% 39.5%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 29.5% 35.1%
1990 41.5% 112.7% 27.6% 33.3%
1989 43% 104.4% 30% 32.5%
1988 41.8% 105% 30.3% 35%
1987 40.1% 92.2% 29.8% 36.5%
1986 38.6% 84% 29.8% 37.6%
1985 39.7% 82.5% 30.1% 39.1%
1984 44% 82.5% 30.4% 39.8%
1983 44.6% 86.6% 31.2% 40.2%
1982 48% 80.9% 30.5% 40%
1981 30.7% 68.7% 29.4% 40.8%
1980 30.5% 69.4% 29.9% 43.9%
1979 35% 78.9% 30.5% 44.6%
1978 27.6% 83.1% 30.4% 46.6%
1977 16.9% 77.7% 31% 46.9%
1976 15.9% 69.7% 31.6% 46.7%
1975 15.3% 52.6% 29.3% 42.3%
1974 15.3% 37.6% 27.5% 38.4%
1973 14.4% 32.6% 26.5% 37%
1972 15.6% 29.5% 25.7% 38%
1971 15% 26.2% 25.4% 38.7%
1970 22.4% 25.7% 25.8% 38.9%
1969 20.5% 23.2% 9.45% 7.08%
1968 14.2% 18% 8.87% 6.99%
1967 14.9% 17.8% 8.68% 7.26%
1966 14% 17.9% 8.95% 7.62%
1965 13.2% 18.7% 8.33% 8.28%
1964 14.1% 20% 8.85% 9.43%
1963 19.1% 22.6% 8.2% 10.8%
1962 16.4% 19.8% 8.1% 12%
1961 18.9% 20.5% 7.97% 14%
1960 16.6% 21% 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 88/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Switzerland
2024 -7.42% 0.58%
2023 -3.9% 0.12%
2022 -3.98% 1.19%
2021 -6.48% -0.29%
2020 -10.2% -3.01%
2019 -2.89% 1.34%
2018 -2.88% 1.29%
2017 -1.92% 1.13%
2016 -1.89% 0.24%
2015 -2.3% 0.55%
2014 -3.21% -0.25%
2013 -2.38% -0.43%
2012 -1.31% 0.24%
2011 -1.96% 0.68%
2010 -1.68% 0.35%
2009 -0.9% 0.5%
2008 0.37% 1.93%
2007 3.12% 1.57%
2006 0.51% 0.85%
2005 -2.21% -0.65%
2004 -4.33% -1.39%
2003 -2.27% -1.36%
2002 -0.96% -1.75%
2001 -0.42% 0.21%
2000 2.05% 0.28%
1999 -0.65% -1.57%
1998 -1.11% -1.31%
1997 1.24% -2.33%
1996 2.48% -2.01%
1995 2.3% -1.86%
1994 2.12% -2.59%
1993 -9.4% -3.15%
1992 -2.62% -2.96%
1991 -0.6% -1.85%
1990 -3.65% -0.05%
1989 -13.6% 0.2%
1988 -13.5% 0.42%
1987 -1.7% 0.78%
1986 -1% 0.93%
1985 -2.57% -0.25%
1984 -7.56% -0.52%
1983 -7.62% -1.23%
1982 -13.3% -1.21%
1981 -6.77% -0.54%
1980 -5.17% -1.34%
1979 -12.1% -1.79%
1978 -5.21% -1.12%
1977 -1.61% -1.64%
1976 -2.65% -1.89%
1975 -0.74% -0.93%
1974 -0.6% -1.01%
1973 -0.01% -0.93%
1972 -1.17% -1.39%
1971 -0.51% -1.41%
1970 -8.02% -1.44%
1969 -7.56% -0.98%
1968 -1.5% -0.73%
1967 -1.97% -1.07%
1966 -1.18% -0.87%
1965 -1.17% 0.05%
1964 -2.51% 0.77%
1963 -6.71% 0.25%
1962 -3.01% 0.95%
1961 -5.45% 0.34%
1960 -3.05% 1.95%
1959 -3.79% 0.72%
1958 -1.62% 0.59%
1957 -0.89% 0.66%
1956 -3.69% 2.24%
1955 -1.33% 1.1%
1954 -0.2% 1.44%
1953 -0.55% 0.38%
1952 -3.84% -1.17%
1951 -2.54% -0.36%
1950 -3.89% 1.49%
1949 -1% 0.04%
1948 -1.21% 1.37%
1947 -1.94% 1.27%
1946 -3.19% 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.42B, equivalent to 7.42% of GDP. This compares to Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 57 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 38 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 3.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.48% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Switzerland
2024 0.69% 1.06%
2023 1.49% 2.14%
2022 2.86% 2.84%
2021 1.63% 0.58%
2020 -1.55% -0.73%
2019 -0.36% 0.36%
2018 0.76% 0.94%
2017 0.88% 0.53%
2016 0.74% -0.43%
2015 0.14% -1.14%
2014 2.63% -0.01%
2013 4.03% -0.22%
2012 5.7% -0.69%
2011 5.88% 0.23%
2010 3.49% 0.69%
2009 2.41% -0.48%
2008 8.76% 2.43%
2007 4.17% 0.73%
2006 2.46% 1.06%
2005 2.86% 1.17%
2004 0.47% 0.8%
2003 0.39% 0.64%
2002 1.01% 0.64%
2001 0.31% 0.99%
2000 1.5% 1.56%
1999 1.25% 0.81%
1998 0.56% 0.02%
1997 1.32% 0.52%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $13.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.09M
Textiles & consumer goods $126K
Raw agricultural goods $88K
Chemicals & pharma $61K
Machinery & equipment $28K
Wood & paper products $24K
Raw materials & minerals $14K
Metals $2K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $201M
Precious metals & jewellery $23.3M
Machinery & equipment $10.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.65M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.35M
Raw agricultural goods $655K
Animal & marine products $500K
Metals $450K
Miscellaneous $184K
Wood & paper products $158K

Balance of trade

Panama Switzerland
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Switzerland
Economic freedom 64.9 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 2/197
Property rights 56.7 94.4
Government integrity 37.4 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 98.3
Tax burden 86.1 70.9
Government spending 85.5 69.5
Fiscal health 51.8 97.2
Business freedom 72.6 86.3
Labor freedom 60.9 60
Monetary freedom 78.2 82.3
Trade freedom 80.2 87
Investment freedom 60 85
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Switzerland
2026 64.9 83.7
2025 65.5 83.7
2024 64.1 83
2023 63.8 83.8
2022 65.4 84.2
2021 66.2 81.9
2020 67.2 82
2019 67.2 81.9
2018 67 81.7
2017 66.3 81.5
2016 64.8 81
2015 64.1 80.5
2014 63.4 81.6
2013 62.5 81
2012 65.2 81.1
2011 64.9 81.9
2010 64.8 81.1
2009 64.7 79.4
2008 64.7 79.5
2007 64.6 78
2006 65.6 78.9
2005 64.3 79.3
2004 65.3 79.5
2003 68.4 79
2002 68.5 79.3
2001 70.6 76
2000 71.6 76.8
1999 72.6 79.1
1998 72.6 79
1997 72.4 78.6
1996 71.8 76.8
1995 71.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/switzerland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
27%
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/panama/switzerland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1993, 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)

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.