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Economy of Portugal vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Portugal has a GDP of $347B compared to $981M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 46/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Portugal has $312B in government debt (89.9% of GDP), compared to $546M (55.7% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Portugal vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Portugal
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Portugal Sao Tome
2025 $346,639,825,142 $981,293,587
2024 $313,656,884,871 $824,992,558
2023 $292,323,800,949 $690,456,807
2022 $256,898,677,175 $540,809,499
2021 $256,055,879,091 $524,402,456
2020 $229,618,773,423 $471,229,485
2019 $240,115,970,063 $412,976,083
2018 $242,092,894,543 $383,717,328
2017 $220,862,990,767 $322,002,845
2016 $206,305,431,242 $292,267,272
2015 $199,038,523,120 $259,999,643
2014 $230,078,616,300 $293,119,143
2013 $226,677,408,292 $267,041,748
2012 $216,536,676,772 $229,371,348
2011 $245,426,767,676 $226,455,001
2010 $238,443,864,993 $190,021,192
2009 $244,667,762,836 $200,668,065
2008 $263,416,394,624 $188,021,165
2007 $240,496,147,317 $149,146,919
2006 $208,756,449,276 $142,775,104
2005 $197,253,876,705 $136,450,662
2004 $189,382,122,532 $114,582,284
2003 $165,226,175,537 $102,085,769
2002 $134,795,565,549 $85,171,074
2001 $121,604,107,165 $75,951,133
2000 $118,605,192,877 $76,198,395
1999 $127,470,385,557 $77,302,212
1998 $123,946,327,916 $72,285,404
1997 $117,016,535,163 $91,920,274
1996 $122,630,089,680 $135,188,166
1995 $118,122,007,430 $103,695,237
1994 $99,688,641,304 $131,338,415
1993 $95,009,751,901 $125,742,229
1992 $107,592,098,307 $94,861,781
1991 $89,233,599,278 $107,484,143
1990 $78,713,860,217 $119,297,933
1989 $60,594,092,182 $98,545,367
1988 $56,347,250,696 $99,000,764
1987 $48,182,925,857 $115,952,925
1986 $38,745,901,354 $115,928,907
1985 $27,115,807,742 $82,733,069
1984 $25,217,969,050 $78,213,796
1983 $27,239,650,742 $75,110,289
1982 $30,527,754,793 $80,307,763
1981 $31,977,276,873 $83,499,264
1980 $32,896,519,824 $81,662,231
1979 $26,622,819,672 $65,755,928
1978 $23,487,614,051 $55,044,563
1977 $21,439,523,311 $49,207,692
1976 $20,332,831,565 $52,039,421
1975 $19,347,607,843 $60,101,710
1974 $17,512,391,476 $57,817,591
1973 $15,090,564,186 $56,011,245
1972 $11,239,117,865 $41,430,257
1971 $9,201,604,240 $37,288,845
1970 $8,108,235,704 $37,211,826
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/portugal/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Portugal vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Portugal Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,082 - $4,084 -
2024 $29,328 $51,680 $3,503 $6,242
2023 $27,635 $49,353 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $24,621 $45,250 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $24,711 $38,658 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $22,299 $35,967 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $23,343 $37,866 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $23,541 $34,897 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $21,442 $32,971 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $19,980 $31,589 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $19,216 $29,608 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $22,121 $28,765 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $21,676 $27,966 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $20,593 $26,476 $1,211 $2,653
2011 $23,247 $26,803 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $22,552 $27,292 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $23,151 $26,472 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $24,949 $26,666 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $22,811 $25,738 $879 $2,650
2006 $19,839 $24,677 $862 $2,551
2005 $18,780 $22,725 $844 $2,329
2004 $18,064 $21,476 $727 $2,171
2003 $15,798 $20,850 $664 $2,094
2002 $12,937 $20,357 $568 $1,945
2001 $11,735 $19,529 $519 $1,898
2000 $11,526 $18,883 $529 $1,830
1999 $12,475 $17,718 $543 $1,802
1998 $12,199 $16,688 $514 $1,754
1997 $11,576 $15,789 $662 $1,714
1996 $12,185 $14,922 $987 $1,693
1995 $11,781 $14,406 $769 $1,663
1994 $9,977 $13,578 $990 $1,623
1993 $9,535 $13,202 $964 $1,581
1992 $10,811 $13,182 $740 $1,556
1991 $8,959 $12,739 $855 $1,540
1990 $7,885 $11,780 $970 $1,504
1989 $6,056 - $821 -
1988 $5,624 - $847 -
1987 $4,804 - $1,018 -
1986 $3,862 - $1,043 -
1985 $2,705 - $761 -
1984 $2,523 - $735 -
1983 $2,735 - $720 -
1982 $3,080 - $783 -
1981 $3,246 - $830 -
1980 $3,368 - $829 -
1979 $2,756 - $683 -
1978 $2,457 - $587 -
1977 $2,267 - $539 -
1976 $2,173 - $585 -
1975 $2,128 - $693 -
1974 $2,000 - $683 -
1973 $1,748 - $676 -
1972 $1,302 - $511 -
1971 $1,065 - $470 -
1970 $934 - $479 -
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/portugal/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Portugal's GDP per capita is $32,082, ranking 43/197, compared to $4,084 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Portugal Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$347B
2025
$981M
2025
GDP rank
46/197
2025
189/197
2025
GDP growth
1.86%
2024-2025
1.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,082
2025
$4,084
2025
GDP per capita rank
43/197
2025
132/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,680
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
42/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$312B
2025
$546M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
89.9%
2025
55.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$28,843
2025
$2,275
2025
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2025
115/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,647
2026
$3,249
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$61.9B
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
181,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.9%
2023
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.7%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.34%
2024-2025
0.9%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6%
2025
6.66%
2017
Population
10788071
247495

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Portugal
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Portugal Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 43.7% 89.9% 21.2% 55.7%
2024 42.5% 93.5% 23.8% 65.2%
2023 41.9% 96.9% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 43.9% 111.2% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 47.3% 123.9% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 49.1% 134.1% 23.2% 91%
2019 42.5% 116.1% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 43.3% 121.1% 28% 95.9%
2017 45.5% 126% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 44.9% 131.2% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 48.2% 131% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 51.7% 132.5% 36% 92.5%
2013 50% 130.8% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 48.8% 128.6% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 50% 114% 53.4% 86%
2010 51.9% 100.1% 51.7% 83%
2009 50.3% 87.8% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 45.5% 75.6% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 44.6% 72.7% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 45.2% 73.7% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 46.7% 72.2% 43.7% 334%
2004 46% 67.1% 60.6% 354%
2003 45.3% 63.9% 51.9% 329%
2002 44.2% 60% 44.3% 367%
2001 44.1% 57.4% 52.8% 418%
2000 42.8% 54.2% 10.7% -
1999 42.5% 55.4% - -
1998 42.6% 55.6% - -
1997 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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/portugal/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2025, Portugal's government spending was $152B, accounting for 43.7% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $208M, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 89.9% in Portugal and 55.7% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 30/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Portugal

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Portugal Sao Tome
2025 0.31% -2.53%
2024 0.5% 0.92%
2023 1.26% -2.13%
2022 -0.31% -2.24%
2021 -2.83% -1.52%
2020 -5.75% 2.94%
2019 0.12% -0.07%
2018 -0.43% -2.02%
2017 -3% -3.11%
2016 -1.94% -5.01%
2015 -4.37% -7.6%
2014 -7.32% -6.27%
2013 -5.21% 2.13%
2012 -6.2% -12.3%
2011 -7.73% -13%
2010 -11.4% -12.1%
2009 -9.87% -18%
2008 -3.81% 13.6%
2007 -2.91% 125.1%
2006 -4.06% 18%
2005 -6.05% 26.8%
2004 -5.91% -25.1%
2003 -5.57% -15.9%
2002 -3.7% -10.4%
2001 -4.68% -13.5%
2000 -3.32% 51.5%
1999 -2.93% -
1998 -4.3% -
1997 -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/portugal/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2025, Portugal's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.07B, equivalent to 0.31% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's deficit of $24.8M, or 2.53% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Portugal recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Portugal posted an annual deficit equal to 4.01% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.39% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Portugal

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Portugal Sao Tome
2025 2.34% 0.9%
2024 2.42% 14.4%
2023 4.31% 21.1%
2022 7.83% 18.1%
2021 1.27% 8.1%
2020 -0.01% 9.8%
2019 0.34% 7.7%
2018 0.99% 7.9%
2017 1.37% 5.7%
2016 0.61% 5.4%
2015 0.49% 6.1%
2014 -0.28% 7%
2013 0.27% 8.1%
2012 2.77% 10.6%
2011 3.65% 14.3%
2010 1.4% 13.3%
2009 -0.84% 17%
2008 2.59% 32%
2007 2.45% 18.6%
2006 3.11% 23.1%
2005 2.28% 17.2%
2004 2.37% 13.3%
2003 3.22% 9.8%
2002 3.6% 10.1%
2001 4.37% 9.2%
2000 2.85% 11%
1999 2.34% 11%
1998 2.57% 42.1%
1997 2.34% 69%

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/portugal/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Portugal has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.17%, compared with 15.2% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2025, inflation was 2.34% in Portugal and 0.9% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Portugal
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26.3M
Machinery & equipment $16.1M
Chemicals & pharma $7.22M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.1M
Raw agricultural goods $5.87M
Raw materials & minerals $3.9M
Animal & marine products $3.78M
Metals $3.38M
Wood & paper products $2.3M
Miscellaneous $223K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $566K
Machinery & equipment $75K
Raw agricultural goods $72K
Metals $21K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Portugal Sao Tome
Current account balance
$6.51B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
30/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.08%
2024
+5.03%
2024
Goods imports
$109B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$81.4B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$62.7B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.7%
2025
33.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2025
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Portugal Sao Tome
Economic freedom 71.2 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 33/197 93/197
Property rights 88.9 55.2
Government integrity 63.4 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 90.1 60.8
Tax burden 60.6 88.6
Government spending 44.6 80.6
Fiscal health 82 89.5
Business freedom 83.1 59.9
Labor freedom 54.8 40.8
Monetary freedom 77.7 59.4
Trade freedom 79.4 65
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Portugal
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Portugal Sao Tome
2026 71.2 60.6
2025 70.5 60.4
2024 68.7 60.5
2023 69.5 61.5
2022 70.8 60.3
2021 67.5 55.9
2020 67 56.2
2019 65.3 54
2018 63.4 53.6
2017 62.6 55.4
2016 65.1 56.7
2015 65.3 53.3
2014 63.5 48.8
2013 63.1 48
2012 63 50.2
2011 64 49.5
2010 64.4 48.8
2009 64.9 43.8
2008 63.9 -
2007 64 -
2006 62.9 -
2005 62.4 -
2004 64.9 -
2003 64.9 -
2002 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/portugal/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Portugal is 71.2, ranking 33/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Portugal Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
66.6%
2025
81.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.3%
2025
2.23%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.96%
2025
12.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$323B
2025
$913M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$52,240
2025
$6,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$68.8B
2025
$58.8M
2024
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2025
175/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.64B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.5B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$6.84B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.4%
2021
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21%
2025
8.74%
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/portugal/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 (1880–1989, 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)
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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.