Skip to content

Economy of Saudi Arabia vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 18/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Saudi Arabia vs United States GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia United States
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $982,661,066,667 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $767,951,200,000 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $888,890,133,333 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $886,564,800,000 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $741,266,133,333 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $689,279,466,667 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $693,414,400,000 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $787,153,066,667 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $769,755,733,333 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $751,921,333,333 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $680,660,800,000 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $528,207,466,667 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $429,097,866,667 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $519,796,800,000 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $415,964,509,673 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $376,900,133,511 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $328,459,608,764 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $258,742,133,333 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $215,807,733,333 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $189,605,866,667 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $184,137,600,000 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $189,514,933,333 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $161,717,066,667 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $146,775,466,667 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $165,963,684,913 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $158,662,483,311 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $143,343,124,166 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $135,174,899,866 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $132,967,957,276 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $137,087,850,467 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $132,223,230,975 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $117,630,173,565 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $95,344,459,279 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $88,256,074,766 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $85,695,861,148 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $86,961,922,765 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $103,897,846,494 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $119,624,858,116 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $129,171,635,311 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $153,240,313,858 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $184,291,360,139 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $164,539,660,725 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $111,858,444,786 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $80,266,516,687 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $74,188,986,586 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $64,005,665,722 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $46,773,208,643 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $45,412,957,746 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $14,947,435,499 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $9,664,267,087 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $7,184,806,909 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $5,377,333,333 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $4,485,777,644 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $4,187,777,711 $940,225,000,000
1967 $3,257,022,223 $859,620,034,483
1966 $2,920,555,557 $813,032,758,621
1965 $2,647,955,558 $741,904,862,069
1964 $2,371,808,713 $684,144,620,690
1963 $2,207,393,172 $637,058,551,724
1962 $2,130,606,532 $603,639,413,793
1961 $1,920,811,284 $561,940,310,345
1960 $1,748,124,064 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs United States by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $9,414 - $22,857 -
1988 $9,165 - $21,417 -
1987 $9,386 - $20,039 -
1986 $10,078 - $19,071 -
1985 $12,745 - $18,237 -
1984 $15,541 - $17,121 -
1983 $17,810 - $15,544 -
1982 $22,454 - $14,434 -
1981 $28,703 - $13,976 -
1980 $27,206 - $12,613 -
1979 $19,612 - $11,674 -
1978 $14,914 - $10,565 -
1977 $14,595 - $9,453 -
1976 $13,313 - $8,592 -
1975 $10,266 - $7,801 -
1974 $10,503 - $7,226 -
1973 $3,640 - $6,726 -
1972 $2,474 - $6,094 -
1971 $1,929 - $5,609 -
1970 $1,509 - $5,234 -
1969 $1,313 - $5,020 -
1968 $1,276 - $4,685 -
1967 $1,032 - $4,326 -
1966 $961 - $4,136 -
1965 $904 - $3,818 -
1964 $840 - $3,565 -
1963 $812 - $3,366 -
1962 $813 - $3,236 -
1961 $760 - $3,059 -
1960 $718 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/united-states | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia United States
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$324B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.73T
2024
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires
351,855
2025
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires
15
2025
902
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
4.02%
2024
Population
36734925
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 28.3% 23% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 43.2% 125%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 35% 105.4%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 35.8% 105%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 38.8% 100%
2010 33% 8.43% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 37.1% 14% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 34% 59%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 30.3% 103% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 39.3% - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 163/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia United States
2024 -2.49% -8.03%
2023 -1.77% -7.8%
2022 2.24% -3.72%
2021 -1.99% -11.4%
2020 -10.2% -14.1%
2019 -3.96% -5.81%
2018 -5.21% -5.33%
2017 -8.57% -4.79%
2016 -13.2% -4.36%
2015 -14.9% -3.53%
2014 -3.4% -4.03%
2013 5.47% -4.56%
2012 11.7% -8.11%
2011 11.4% -9.72%
2010 4.39% -11%
2009 -5.38% -13.2%
2008 29.8% -6.61%
2007 11.8% -2.91%
2006 20.8% -2.04%
2005 18% -3.07%
2004 9.72% -4.24%
2003 1.2% -4.77%
2002 -5.91% -3.82%
2001 -3.91% -0.54%
2000 3.18% 3.62%
1999 -5.99% 2.71%
1998 -8.88% 2.18%
1997 -2.51% 0.88%
1996 -3.25% -0.46%
1995 -5.12% -1.7%
1994 -8.31% -2.05%
1993 -9.33% -3.35%
1992 -8.12% -3.98%
1991 -3.28% -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.9B, equivalent to 2.49% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.48% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia United States
2024 1.69% 2.95%
2023 2.33% 4.12%
2022 2.47% 8%
2021 3.06% 4.7%
2020 3.37% 1.23%
2019 -1.19% 1.81%
2018 2.47% 2.44%
2017 -0.83% 2.13%
2016 2.05% 1.26%
2015 1.22% 0.12%
2014 2.24% 1.62%
2013 3.51% 1.46%
2012 2.87% 2.07%
2011 5.83% 3.16%
2010 5.34% 1.64%
2009 5.06% -0.36%
2008 9.87% 3.84%
2007 4.17% 2.85%
2006 2.21% 3.23%
2005 0.48% 3.39%
2004 0.52% 2.68%
2003 0.61% 2.27%
2002 0.25% 1.59%
2001 -1.12% 2.83%
2000 -1.12% 3.38%
1999 -1.33% 2.19%
1998 -0.37% 1.55%
1997 0.06% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $10.9B
Chemicals & pharma $738M
Machinery & equipment $672M
Metals $207M
Textiles & consumer goods $124M
Precious metals & jewellery $94.6M
Miscellaneous $51M
Raw agricultural goods $13.7M
Wood & paper products $7.49M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.32M
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.54B
Government & miscellaneous services $5.41B
Business & finance services $3.34B
Chemicals & pharma $2.04B
Transport & tourism services $1.52B
Raw agricultural goods $831M
IT & IP services $541M
Miscellaneous $476M
Metals $434M
Manufacturing & construction services $411M

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia United States
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia United States
Economic freedom 65.4 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 27/197
Property rights 51.4 91.6
Government integrity 52.7 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 76.4
Tax burden 99.2 75.3
Government spending 77 57.9
Fiscal health 97.9 18.5
Business freedom 71.2 88.6
Labor freedom 41.8 76.3
Monetary freedom 81.2 84.2
Trade freedom 73.8 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia United States
2026 65.4 72.8
2025 64.4 70.2
2024 61.9 70.1
2023 58.3 70.6
2022 55.5 72.1
2021 66 74.8
2020 62.4 76.6
2019 60.7 76.8
2018 59.6 75.7
2017 64.4 75.1
2016 62.1 75.4
2015 62.1 76.2
2014 62.2 75.5
2013 60.6 76
2012 62.5 76.3
2011 66.2 77.8
2010 64.1 78
2009 64.3 80.7
2008 62.5 81
2007 60.9 81.2
2006 63 81.2
2005 63 79.9
2004 60.4 78.7
2003 63.2 78.2
2002 65.3 78.4
2001 62.2 79.1
2000 66.5 76.4
1999 65.5 75.5
1998 69.3 75.4
1997 68.7 75.6
1996 68.3 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia United States
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
21.8%
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/saudi-arabia/united-states | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.