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Economy of Portugal vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Portugal has a GDP of $347B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 46/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Portugal has $312B in government debt (89.9% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Portugal vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Portugal
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Portugal UAE
2025 $346,639,825,142 -
2024 $313,656,884,871 $552,324,919,096
2023 $292,323,800,949 $522,622,268,401
2022 $256,898,677,175 $511,403,404,642
2021 $256,055,879,091 $422,441,282,436
2020 $229,618,773,423 $357,161,776,271
2019 $240,115,970,063 $433,926,218,686
2018 $242,092,894,543 $440,560,003,161
2017 $220,862,990,767 $403,365,056,079
2016 $206,305,431,242 $381,717,208,621
2015 $199,038,523,120 $381,973,135,513
2014 $230,078,616,300 $424,935,834,104
2013 $226,677,408,292 $409,632,574,703
2012 $216,536,676,772 $392,793,559,051
2011 $245,426,767,676 $368,881,033,963
2010 $238,443,864,993 $307,736,348,527
2009 $244,667,762,836 $253,547,358,747
2008 $263,416,394,624 $315,474,615,741
2007 $240,496,147,317 $257,916,148,767
2006 $208,756,449,276 $222,116,532,963
2005 $197,253,876,705 $180,617,467,954
2004 $189,382,122,532 $147,824,249,958
2003 $165,226,175,537 $124,346,476,180
2002 $134,795,565,549 $109,816,091,079
2001 $121,604,107,165 $103,311,631,797
2000 $118,605,192,877 $104,337,463,730
1999 $127,470,385,557 $84,445,399,335
1998 $123,946,327,916 $75,674,384,205
1997 $117,016,535,163 $78,838,886,862
1996 $122,630,089,680 $73,571,217,377
1995 $118,122,007,430 $65,743,604,966
1994 $99,688,641,304 $59,305,111,228
1993 $95,009,751,901 $55,625,269,485
1992 $107,592,098,307 $54,239,188,746
1991 $89,233,599,278 $51,552,058,250
1990 $78,713,860,217 $50,701,374,187
1989 $60,594,092,182 $41,464,966,302
1988 $56,347,250,696 $36,275,613,877
1987 $48,182,925,857 $36,384,802,310
1986 $38,745,901,354 $33,943,568,481
1985 $27,115,807,742 $40,603,631,079
1984 $25,217,969,050 $41,807,931,453
1983 $27,239,650,742 $42,803,373,390
1982 $30,527,754,793 $46,622,715,281
1981 $31,977,276,873 $49,333,471,895
1980 $32,896,519,824 $43,599,134,193
1979 $26,622,819,672 $31,225,557,022
1978 $23,487,614,051 $23,775,718,541
1977 $21,439,523,311 $24,871,660,292
1976 $20,332,831,565 $19,213,212,475
1975 $19,347,607,843 $14,720,729,969
1974 $17,512,391,476 $11,651,505,689
1973 $15,090,564,186 $4,231,243,616
1972 $11,239,117,865 $1,415,086,929
1971 $9,201,604,240 $939,893,600
1970 $8,108,235,704 $685,986,701
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Portugal vs United Arab Emirates by year

Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Portugal UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,082 - - -
2024 $29,328 $51,680 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $27,635 $49,353 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $24,621 $45,250 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $24,711 $38,658 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $22,299 $35,967 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $23,343 $37,866 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $23,541 $34,897 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $21,442 $32,971 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $19,980 $31,589 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $19,216 $29,608 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $22,121 $28,765 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $21,676 $27,966 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $20,593 $26,476 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $23,247 $26,803 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $22,552 $27,292 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $23,151 $26,472 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $24,949 $26,666 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $22,811 $25,738 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $19,839 $24,677 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $18,780 $22,725 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $18,064 $21,476 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $15,798 $20,850 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $12,937 $20,357 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $11,735 $19,529 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $11,526 $18,883 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $12,475 $17,718 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $12,199 $16,688 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $11,576 $15,789 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $12,185 $14,922 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $11,781 $14,406 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $9,977 $13,578 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $9,535 $13,202 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $10,811 $13,182 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $8,959 $12,739 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $7,885 $11,780 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $6,056 - $23,167 -
1988 $5,624 - $21,570 -
1987 $4,804 - $23,113 -
1986 $3,862 - $23,132 -
1985 $2,705 - $29,468 -
1984 $2,523 - $32,012 -
1983 $2,735 - $34,650 -
1982 $3,080 - $39,972 -
1981 $3,246 - $44,855 -
1980 $3,368 - $42,925 -
1979 $2,756 - $34,238 -
1978 $2,457 - $29,379 -
1977 $2,267 - $35,020 -
1976 $2,173 - $31,197 -
1975 $2,128 - $27,117 -
1974 $2,000 - $23,823 -
1973 $1,748 - $9,696 -
1972 $1,302 - $3,675 -
1971 $1,065 - $2,805 -
1970 $934 - $2,394 -
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Portugal's GDP per capita is $32,082, ranking 43/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Portugal UAE
Gross domestic product
$347B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
46/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
1.86%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,082
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
43/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,680
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
42/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$312B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
89.9%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$28,843
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,647
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$61.9B
2018
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires
181,000
2026
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.9%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.7%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.34%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
6%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
10788071
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Portugal
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Portugal UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 43.7% 89.9% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 42.5% 93.5% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 41.9% 96.9% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 43.9% 111.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 47.3% 123.9% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 49.1% 134.1% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 42.5% 116.1% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 43.3% 121.1% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 45.5% 126% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 44.9% 131.2% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 48.2% 131% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 51.7% 132.5% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 50% 130.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 48.8% 128.6% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 50% 114% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 51.9% 100.1% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 50.3% 87.8% 35% 21.1%
2008 45.5% 75.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 44.6% 72.7% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 45.2% 73.7% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 46.7% 72.2% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 46% 67.1% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 45.3% 63.9% 20% 3.33%
2002 44.2% 60% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 44.1% 57.4% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 42.8% 54.2% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 42.5% 55.4% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 42.6% 55.6% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 42.4% 58.7% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 43% 63.3% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 42.6% 62.2% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 42.8% 60.4% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 46.5% 57.2% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 48.2% 58.1% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 45.9% 63.9% 36% 4.97%
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/portugal/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Portugal's government spending was $152B, accounting for 43.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 89.9% in Portugal and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 30/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Portugal

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Portugal UAE
2025 0.31% 5.15%
2024 0.5% 6.41%
2023 1.26% 5.82%
2022 -0.31% 9.8%
2021 -2.83% 3.96%
2020 -5.75% -2.42%
2019 0.12% 2.5%
2018 -0.43% 3.65%
2017 -3% -0.16%
2016 -1.94% -2.95%
2015 -4.37% -6.35%
2014 -7.32% 1.74%
2013 -5.21% 7.99%
2012 -6.2% 8.59%
2011 -7.73% 5.05%
2010 -11.4% 0.52%
2009 -9.87% -6.13%
2008 -3.81% 17.6%
2007 -2.91% 17.1%
2006 -4.06% 20.2%
2005 -6.05% 16%
2004 -5.91% 6.4%
2003 -5.57% 2.35%
2002 -3.7% -1.24%
2001 -4.68% 1.21%
2000 -3.32% 10.7%
1999 -2.93% 1.31%
1998 -4.3% 1%
1997 -3.65% 6.71%
1996 -4.63% 0.92%
1995 -5.14% 3.58%
1994 -7.37% -1.78%
1993 -8.06% -2.89%
1992 -5.19% 3.34%
1991 -7.93% 3.89%
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Portugal's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.57B, equivalent to 0.5% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Portugal recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Portugal posted an annual deficit equal to 4.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Portugal

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Portugal UAE
2025 2.34% 1.3%
2024 2.42% 1.7%
2023 4.31% 1.6%
2022 7.83% 4.8%
2021 1.27% -0.1%
2020 -0.01% -2.1%
2019 0.34% -1.9%
2018 0.99% 3.1%
2017 1.37% 2%
2016 0.61% 1.6%
2015 0.49% 4.1%
2014 -0.28% 2.3%
2013 0.27% 1.1%
2012 2.77% 0.7%
2011 3.65% 0.9%
2010 1.4% 0.9%
2009 -0.84% -4.7%
2008 2.59% 12.3%
2007 2.45% 11.1%
2006 3.11% 9.3%
2005 2.28% 6.2%
2004 2.37% 5%
2003 3.22% 3.1%
2002 3.6% 2.9%
2001 4.37% 2.8%
2000 2.85% 1.3%
1999 2.34% 2.1%
1998 2.57% 2%
1997 2.34% 3%

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Portugal has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.17%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 2.34% in Portugal and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Portugal
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $96.3M
Raw materials & minerals $60.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $52.8M
Wood & paper products $26.4M
Chemicals & pharma $23.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14.2M
Precious metals & jewellery $14M
Raw agricultural goods $14M
Metals $6.35M
Animal & marine products $4.99M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $149M
Metals $11.9M
Chemicals & pharma $5.98M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.47M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.08M
Raw agricultural goods $898K
Raw materials & minerals $668K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $548K
Wood & paper products $322K
Animal & marine products $306K

Balance of trade

Portugal UAE
Current account balance
$6.51B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
30/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.08%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$109B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$81.4B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$62.7B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.7%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2025
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Portugal UAE
Economic freedom 71.2 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 33/197 29/197
Property rights 88.9 62.9
Government integrity 63.4 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 90.1 34.4
Tax burden 60.6 99.9
Government spending 44.6 85.1
Fiscal health 82 97.6
Business freedom 83.1 84.5
Labor freedom 54.8 63.2
Monetary freedom 77.7 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Portugal
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Portugal UAE
2026 71.2 71.9
2025 70.5 71.6
2024 68.7 71.1
2023 69.5 70.9
2022 70.8 70.2
2021 67.5 76.9
2020 67 76.2
2019 65.3 77.6
2018 63.4 77.6
2017 62.6 76.9
2016 65.1 72.6
2015 65.3 72.4
2014 63.5 71.4
2013 63.1 71.1
2012 63 69.3
2011 64 67.8
2010 64.4 67.3
2009 64.9 64.7
2008 63.9 62.6
2007 64 62.6
2006 62.9 62.2
2005 62.4 65.2
2004 64.9 67.2
2003 64.9 73.4
2002 65.4 73.6
2001 66 74.9
2000 65.5 74.2
1999 65.6 71.5
1998 65 72.2
1997 63.6 71.9
1996 64.5 71.6
1995 62.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/portugal/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Portugal is 71.2, ranking 33/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Portugal UAE
Services, % of GDP
66.6%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.3%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.96%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$323B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$52,240
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$68.8B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.64B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.5B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$6.84B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.4%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21%
2025
26.6%
2023

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 (1880–1998, 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 (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.