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Economy of Qatar vs United Kingdom compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $3.69T for the United Kingdom, ranking 56/197 and 6/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $3.73T (101.2% of GDP) in the United Kingdom.

Qatar vs United Kingdom GDP by year

Qatar
United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar United Kingdom
2024 $219,162,637,363 $3,686,033,044,482
2023 $217,308,516,484 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $235,709,340,659 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $179,732,142,857 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $144,411,538,462 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $176,371,428,571 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $183,335,164,835 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $161,099,175,824 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $151,732,142,857 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $161,739,835,165 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $206,224,725,275 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $198,727,747,253 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $186,833,516,484 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $167,775,274,725 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $123,627,197,802 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $97,798,351,648 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $115,270,054,945 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $79,712,087,912 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $60,882,142,857 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $44,530,494,505 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $31,734,065,934 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $23,533,791,209 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $19,363,736,264 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $17,538,461,538 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $17,759,890,110 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 $12,393,131,868 $1,693,458,987,219
1998 $10,255,495,027 $1,660,821,464,061
1997 $11,297,802,115 $1,569,317,288,802
1996 $9,059,340,385 $1,425,287,051,482
1995 $8,137,911,978 $1,349,094,208,616
1994 $7,374,450,769 $1,140,489,745,944
1993 $7,156,593,654 $1,061,388,722,256
1992 $7,646,153,984 $1,179,659,529,660
1991 $6,883,516,484 $1,142,797,178,131
1990 $7,360,439,423 $1,093,169,389,205
1989 $6,487,912,088 $926,884,816,754
1988 $6,038,187,033 $910,122,732,124
1987 $5,446,428,681 $745,162,608,269
1986 $5,053,021,951 $601,452,653,181
1985 $6,153,296,456 $489,285,164,271
1984 $6,704,395,824 $461,487,097,632
1983 $6,467,582,308 $489,618,008,186
1982 $7,596,703,214 $515,048,916,841
1981 $8,661,263,764 $540,765,675,241
1980 $7,829,165,262 $564,947,710,899
1979 $5,632,962,997 $438,994,070,309
1978 $4,052,000,413 $335,883,029,722
1977 $3,617,564,638 $263,066,457,352
1976 $3,284,273,987 $232,614,555,256
1975 $2,512,773,166 $241,756,637,168
1974 $2,401,403,227 $206,131,369,799
1973 $793,885,560 $192,537,971,583
1972 $510,262,500 $169,965,034,965
1971 $387,703,106 $148,113,896,325
1970 $301,791,302 $130,671,946,244
1969 - $116,464,702,803
1968 - $107,759,910,068
1967 - $113,116,888,211
1966 - $108,572,752,102
1965 - $101,824,755,079
1964 - $94,407,558,351
1963 - $86,561,961,812
1962 - $81,247,564,157
1961 - $77,741,965,703
1960 - $73,233,967,692

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-kingdom | CC BY

GDP per capita in Qatar vs United Kingdom by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Kingdom
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar United Kingdom
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 $53,246 $62,009
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $49,944 $59,911
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $47,057 $59,022
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $47,691 $51,004
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $40,813 $48,230
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $43,159 $50,065
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $43,703 $47,212
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $40,917 $46,113
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $41,258 $44,085
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $45,255 $42,515
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $47,746 $41,267
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $43,607 $39,948
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $42,688 $38,337
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $42,296 $37,224
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $39,778 $36,484
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $39,009 $35,042
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $47,652 $36,745
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $50,629 $35,522
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $44,695 $34,727
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $42,240 $32,726
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $40,504 $32,051
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $34,557 $30,314
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $30,159 $29,089
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $28,014 $27,913
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $28,384 $26,536
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $28,858 $24,494
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $28,396 $23,689
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $26,910 $23,071
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $24,503 $21,947
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $23,253 $20,595
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $19,709 $19,605
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $18,389 $18,336
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $20,487 $17,349
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $19,901 $16,791
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $19,095 $16,505
1989 $15,243 - $16,239 -
1988 $14,682 - $15,987 -
1987 $13,719 - $13,119 -
1986 $13,213 - $10,611 -
1985 $16,815 - $8,652 -
1984 $19,272 - $8,179 -
1983 $19,616 - $8,692 -
1982 $24,385 - $9,146 -
1981 $29,505 - $9,599 -
1980 $28,375 - $10,032 -
1979 $21,777 - $7,805 -
1978 $16,757 - $5,977 -
1977 $16,058 - $4,681 -
1976 $15,710 - $4,138 -
1975 $13,014 - $4,300 -
1974 $13,540 - $3,666 -
1973 $4,905 - $3,426 -
1972 $3,483 - $3,030 -
1971 $2,952 - $2,650 -
1970 $2,594 - $2,348 -
1969 - - $2,101 -
1968 - - $1,952 -
1967 - - $2,059 -
1966 - - $1,987 -
1965 - - $1,874 -
1964 - - $1,748 -
1963 - - $1,613 -
1962 - - $1,526 -
1961 - - $1,472 -
1960 - - $1,398 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-kingdom | CC BY

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $53,246 in the United Kingdom, ranking 22/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while the United Kingdom ranks 32nd at $62,009.

Economic indicators

Qatar United Kingdom
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$3.69T
2024
GDP rank
56/197
2024
6/197
2024
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
1.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$53,246
2024
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
22/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$62,009
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
32/197
2024
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$3.73T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
101.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$53,900
2024
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
7/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$39,230
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
$3.1T
2022
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
2,624,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
55
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
44%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
3.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
4.36%
2024
Population
2999260
70154914

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
United Kingdom
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar United Kingdom
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 44% 101.2%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 44.8% 100.4%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 44.1% 99.6%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 45.8% 105.1%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 50% 105.8%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 38.8% 85.7%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 38.9% 86.3%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 39.2% 86.7%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 39.6% 87.8%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 40.4% 87.9%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 41.2% 87.1%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 41.8% 85.3%
2012 31% 32.1% 43.6% 84.5%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 43.5% 81.4%
2010 32% 30.4% 44.7% 75.9%
2009 36.4% 36% 44.6% 64.9%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 41% 50.8%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 38.7% 43.2%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 38.4% 42.1%
2005 29% 19.1% 38.4% 41%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 38% 39.8%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 37.2% 36.8%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 35.9% 35.4%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 34.7% 35%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 33.9% 37.7%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 33.9% 40.4%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 34.5% 42%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 34.9% 44.1%
1996 55.2% 57.8% 35.7% 43.7%
1995 52.2% 50.2% 37.6% 43.7%
1994 59.8% 54.8% 37.5% 40.7%
1993 62.8% 46.3% 37.8% 38%
1992 54.2% 19.9% 37.8% 33.2%
1991 57.5% 21.8% 35.9% 28.5%
1990 50% 12.6% 35% 28.5%
1989 - - 39.7% 31.4%
1988 - - 40.3% 36.6%
1987 - - 42.7% 41.8%
1986 - - 44.6% 42.9%
1985 - - 48.7% 42.9%
1984 - - 50.3% 44.1%
1983 - - 50.4% 44.2%
1982 - - 50.8% 44.7%
1981 - - 51.2% 41.1%
1980 - - 47.6% 43.7%
1979 - - 45.1% 44.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 47.3%
1977 - - 46.8% 53.7%
1976 - - 49.2% 47.7%
1975 - - 49.1% 49.6%
1974 - - 47.8% 56.2%
1973 - - 43.5% 58.5%
1972 - - 42.3% 65%
1971 - - 41.2% 67.9%
1970 - - 42% 73.4%
1969 - - 39.2% 82.8%
1968 - - 40.3% 88.5%
1967 - - 40.1% 89.1%
1966 - - 35.7% 91.9%
1965 - - 34.6% 94.6%
1964 - - 32.8% 101.1%
1963 - - 37.4% 108.6%
1962 - - 33.8% 110.5%
1961 - - 31.5% 113.8%
1960 - - 33.1% 117.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while the United Kingdom spent $1.62T, or 44% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 101.2% in the United Kingdom, ranking 130/185 and 22/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

United Kingdom
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar United Kingdom
2024 0.69% -5.75%
2023 5.56% -6.05%
2022 10.4% -4.56%
2021 0.24% -7.72%
2020 -2.13% -13.2%
2019 1% -2.47%
2018 2.26% -2.27%
2017 -6.82% -2.49%
2016 -9.2% -3.31%
2015 18.4% -4.59%
2014 13.4% -5.53%
2013 19.3% -5.34%
2012 8.55% -7.45%
2011 5.24% -7.38%
2010 4.6% -9.22%
2009 14.1% -10.1%
2008 9.49% -5.09%
2007 10.3% -2.65%
2006 8.39% -2.76%
2005 9.8% -3.15%
2004 17.7% -3.16%
2003 6.71% -3.22%
2002 7.89% -1.96%
2001 4.48% 0.34%
2000 4.62% 1.4%
1999 -4.35% 0.76%
1998 -7% -0.21%
1997 -9.4% -2.01%
1996 -8.73% -3.65%
1995 -5.78% -4.99%
1994 -11.8% -5.74%
1993 -9.53% -6.62%
1992 -2.74% -5.41%
1991 -2.57% -2.77%
1990 3.23% -1.54%
1989 - 0.77%
1988 - 0.46%
1987 - -1.79%
1986 - -2.56%
1985 - -5.57%
1984 - -6.39%
1983 - -6.26%
1982 - -5.66%
1981 - -7.03%
1980 - -5.65%
1979 - -5.79%
1978 - -6.63%
1977 - -4.41%
1976 - -5.61%
1975 - -5.08%
1974 - -4.06%
1973 - -4.29%
1972 - -1.66%
1971 - 1.48%
1970 - 2.61%
1969 - 1.03%
1968 - -2.3%
1967 - -4.57%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.06%
1964 - -1.76%
1963 - -5.47%
1962 - -0.49%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.75%
1959 - -0.58%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - -1.04%
1956 - 0.55%
1955 - -0.39%
1954 - -1.65%
1953 - -2.84%
1952 - -1.26%
1951 - 2.03%
1950 - 0.34%
1949 - 3.01%
1948 - -0.39%
1947 - -15.8%
1946 - -22.5%
1945 - -30.9%
1944 - -29.7%
1943 - -33.3%
1942 - -31.6%
1941 - -32%
1940 - -12.1%
1939 - -2.99%
1938 - 0%
1937 - 0.82%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 0.37%
1934 - 0.48%
1933 - 0.99%
1932 - -0.15%
1931 - 0.8%
1930 - 1.01%
1929 - 0.75%
1928 - 1.75%
1927 - 1.62%
1926 - 0.6%
1925 - 0.84%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - 2.23%
1922 - 2.45%
1921 - 1.15%
1920 - 4.2%
1919 - -6.28%
1918 - -34.4%
1917 - -48.8%
1916 - -50.6%
1915 - -30%
1914 - -14.6%
1913 - 0.25%
1912 - 0.22%
1911 - 0.51%
1910 - 1.75%
1909 - -1.25%
1908 - 0.34%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.58%
1905 - 0.36%
1904 - 0.2%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.77%
1901 - -2.74%
1900 - -2.96%
1899 - -0.79%
1898 - 0.01%
1897 - 0.25%
1896 - 0.17%
1895 - 0.3%
1894 - 0.06%
1893 - -0.007%
1892 - 0.14%
1891 - 0.19%
1890 - 0.23%
1889 - 0.3%
1888 - 0.27%
1887 - 0.25%
1886 - 0.07%
1885 - -0.21%
1884 - -0.04%
1883 - 0.06%
1882 - 0.02%
1881 - 0.06%
1880 - 0.1%
1879 - -0.86%
1878 - -0.18%
1877 - -0.18%
1876 - 0.09%
1875 - 0%
1874 - 0.09%
1873 - 0%
1872 - 0.55%
1871 - 0.29%
1870 - 0%
1869 - 0.77%
1868 - -0.45%
1867 - -0.45%
1866 - 0.11%
1865 - 0%
1864 - 0.24%
1863 - 0%
1862 - -0.13%
1861 - -0.4%
1860 - -0.43%
1859 - 0%
1858 - -0.15%
1857 - -0.15%
1856 - -0.6%
1855 - -3.57%
1854 - -3.39%
1853 - 0.5%
1852 - 0.35%
1851 - 0.35%
1850 - 0.37%
1849 - 0.34%
1848 - -0.17%
1847 - -6.13%
1846 - 0.52%
1845 - 0.56%
1844 - 0.59%
1843 - 0.44%
1842 - -0.87%
1841 - -0.42%
1840 - -0.2%
1839 - -0.18%
1838 - -0.19%
1837 - -0.21%
1836 - 0.59%
1835 - 0.42%
1834 - 0.23%
1833 - 0.24%
1832 - 0%
1831 - 0%
1830 - 0.45%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.52B, equivalent to 0.69% of GDP. This compares to the United Kingdom's deficit of $212B, or 5.75% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while the United Kingdom ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 3.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.28% of GDP for the United Kingdom.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

United Kingdom
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar United Kingdom
2024 1.27% 3.27%
2023 3.03% 6.79%
2022 5% 7.92%
2021 2.3% 2.52%
2020 -2.54% 0.99%
2019 -0.67% 1.74%
2018 0.26% 2.29%
2017 0.39% 2.56%
2016 2.68% 1.01%
2015 1.81% 0.37%
2014 3.35% 1.45%
2013 3.22% 2.29%
2012 2.32% 2.57%
2011 1.14% 3.86%
2010 -2.43% 2.49%
2009 -4.86% 1.96%
2008 15.1% 3.52%
2007 13.8% 2.39%
2006 11.8% 2.46%
2005 8.81% 2.09%
2004 6.8% 1.39%
2003 2.26% 1.38%
2002 0.24% 1.52%
2001 1.47% 1.53%
2000 1.65% 1.18%
1999 2.18% 1.75%
1998 2.95% 1.82%
1997 4.83% 2.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-kingdom | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 2.4% in the United Kingdom. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 3.27% in the United Kingdom.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.29B
Machinery & equipment $319M
Precious metals & jewellery $33.8M
Chemicals & pharma $21.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.4M
Weapons & explosives $4.26M
Metals $2.98M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.84M
Miscellaneous $678K
Raw agricultural goods $302K
United Kingdom
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.87B
Precious metals & jewellery $756M
Textiles & consumer goods $102M
Chemicals & pharma $100M
Metals $88.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $47.5M
Raw materials & minerals $21.2M
Animal & marine products $19.2M
Wood & paper products $18.9M
Miscellaneous $13.3M

Balance of trade

Qatar United Kingdom
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
-$80.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
189/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
-2.19%
2024
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$763B
2024
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$494B
2024
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$411B
2024
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$648B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
31.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
31%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar United Kingdom
Economic freedom 70.2 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 35/197
Property rights 66.2 93.6
Government integrity 53.5 83
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 83.1
Tax burden 99.9 61.7
Government spending 79.9 41.1
Fiscal health 96.6 32.4
Business freedom 68 83.6
Labor freedom 58.5 61.2
Monetary freedom 76 71.9
Trade freedom 81.8 82.8
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
United Kingdom
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar United Kingdom
2026 70.2 70.4
2025 70.2 69.3
2024 68.8 68.6
2023 68.6 69.9
2022 67.7 72.7
2021 72 78.4
2020 72.3 79.3
2019 72.6 78.9
2018 72.6 78
2017 73.1 76.4
2016 70.7 76.4
2015 70.8 75.8
2014 71.2 74.9
2013 71.3 74.8
2012 71.3 74.1
2011 70.5 74.5
2010 69 76.5
2009 65.8 79
2008 62.2 79.4
2007 62.9 79.9
2006 62.4 80.4
2005 63.5 79.2
2004 66.5 77.7
2003 65.9 77.5
2002 61.9 78.5
2001 60 77.6
2000 62 77.3
1999 62 76.2
1998 - 76.5
1997 - 76.4
1996 - 76.4
1995 - 77.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-kingdom | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, compared to 70.4 for the United Kingdom, ranking 35/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Qatar United Kingdom
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
72.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
0.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$3.42T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$61,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$175B
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
19/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
-$13B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
-$72.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
18.6%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
19.1%
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).

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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 (1830–1989, 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 (2023–2024, 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.