Skip to content

Economy of Seychelles vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Seychelles has a GDP of $2.39B compared to $1.04T for Switzerland, ranking 177/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Seychelles has $1.23B in government debt (51.5% of GDP), compared to $411B (39.4% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Seychelles vs Switzerland GDP by year

Seychelles
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Seychelles Switzerland
2025 $2,387,022,853 $1,043,529,899,251
2024 $2,228,608,684 $969,919,786,395
2023 $2,171,547,935 $928,435,275,852
2022 $1,999,888,599 $858,479,038,994
2021 $1,487,173,795 $840,710,023,481
2020 $1,382,551,752 $756,096,180,222
2019 $1,868,690,097 $736,384,764,157
2018 $1,784,313,927 $740,766,531,454
2017 $1,675,370,641 $706,660,443,624
2016 $1,568,513,348 $698,607,778,795
2015 $1,432,403,352 $706,199,008,879
2014 $1,387,577,870 $741,168,119,617
2013 $1,333,160,407 $718,748,402,260
2012 $1,089,407,839 $697,882,536,677
2011 $1,058,918,707 $727,231,637,102
2010 $981,616,542 $609,999,593,542
2009 $850,901,620 $563,659,557,945
2008 $979,597,394 $574,703,945,157
2007 $1,077,308,814 $498,993,845,385
2006 $1,081,441,283 $448,364,681,767
2005 $977,899,382 $424,511,048,024
2004 $893,012,218 $409,012,909,530
2003 $750,847,230 $366,563,952,625
2002 $742,134,838 $313,930,961,761
2001 $662,064,156 $290,160,142,214
2000 $654,212,394 $282,327,351,966
1999 $662,838,615 $301,911,268,140
1998 $647,287,376 $306,907,741,068
1997 $598,966,982 $298,868,250,534
1996 $535,250,347 $345,373,647,249
1995 $540,733,048 $358,152,520,085
1994 $517,570,058 $305,916,331,798
1993 $504,230,621 $276,339,744,180
1992 $461,409,399 $284,139,428,246
1991 $398,307,170 $272,953,645,746
1990 $392,163,561 $269,768,238,555
1989 $324,333,367 $211,241,694,480
1988 $301,985,618 $218,788,504,066
1987 $265,212,957 $202,238,567,597
1986 $221,147,061 $161,487,171,049
1985 $179,691,483 $112,652,623,418
1984 $160,992,921 $111,104,641,869
1983 $156,098,237 $116,361,728,836
1982 $157,211,790 $116,776,899,473
1981 $163,750,728 $113,936,168,924
1980 $156,783,830 $124,404,609,417
1979 $127,261,099 $116,702,524,208
1978 $85,552,366 $103,821,687,919
1977 $64,526,401 $74,237,819,014
1976 $49,278,982 $69,508,364,538
1975 $47,803,146 $66,452,559,176
1974 $43,134,496 $57,963,469,607
1973 $36,896,280 $50,296,651,921
1972 $30,645,123 $37,399,508,287
1971 $21,965,951 $30,492,832,676
1970 $18,432,032 $25,374,750,743
1969 $16,452,028 $22,780,211,812
1968 $16,074,028 $21,024,203,656
1967 $16,632,032 $19,689,329,510
1966 $16,443,034 $18,290,928,227
1965 $15,603,032 $17,033,079,428
1964 $15,393,032 $16,071,715,835
1963 $13,923,029 $14,499,109,270
1962 $12,642,026 $13,185,384,691
1961 $11,592,024 $11,889,851,950
1960 $12,012,025 $10,569,129,806

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Seychelles vs Switzerland by year

Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Seychelles Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,449 - $114,769 -
2024 $18,365 $33,239 $107,702 $96,498
2023 $18,131 $31,781 $104,450 $95,142
2022 $16,683 $29,973 $97,809 $94,421
2021 $14,983 $29,980 $96,583 $81,001
2020 $14,041 $31,056 $87,530 $72,998
2019 $19,142 $34,219 $85,873 $73,732
2018 $18,440 $32,091 $87,002 $70,689
2017 $17,480 $30,675 $83,610 $68,194
2016 $16,567 $28,811 $83,432 $67,351
2015 $15,333 $25,435 $85,265 $65,265
2014 $15,188 $24,985 $90,512 $63,417
2013 $14,821 $22,487 $88,851 $61,656
2012 $12,337 $22,264 $87,270 $59,441
2011 $12,110 $21,781 $91,910 $57,494
2010 $10,935 $18,982 $77,956 $54,426
2009 $9,747 $18,453 $72,788 $52,999
2008 $11,265 $18,881 $75,148 $53,809
2007 $12,669 $19,473 $66,082 $50,928
2006 $12,783 $17,503 $59,910 $46,266
2005 $11,802 $15,846 $57,080 $41,525
2004 $10,828 $14,160 $55,350 $40,171
2003 $9,070 $14,142 $49,947 $38,732
2002 $8,864 $14,570 $43,094 $38,705
2001 $8,153 $14,615 $40,134 $37,819
2000 $8,064 $14,638 $39,298 $36,703
1999 $8,243 $13,853 $42,261 $34,743
1998 $8,210 $13,675 $43,166 $33,860
1997 $7,747 $13,458 $42,160 $32,736
1996 $7,004 $11,931 $48,838 $31,509
1995 $7,181 $10,809 $50,869 $30,842
1994 $6,975 $10,692 $43,741 $30,265
1993 $6,979 $11,020 $39,828 $29,495
1992 $6,520 $10,243 $41,327 $29,113
1991 $5,655 $9,387 $40,140 $28,792
1990 $5,642 $8,955 $40,171 $28,461
1989 $4,689 - $31,780 -
1988 $4,392 - $33,183 -
1987 $3,872 - $30,899 -
1986 $3,368 - $24,828 -
1985 $2,754 - $17,411 -
1984 $2,488 - $17,247 -
1983 $2,426 - $18,128 -
1982 $2,441 - $18,271 -
1981 $2,557 - $17,931 -
1980 $2,478 - $19,686 -
1979 $2,030 - $18,541 -
1978 $1,377 - $16,528 -
1977 $1,044 - $11,819 -
1976 $814 - $11,029 -
1975 $806 - $10,484 -
1974 $745 - $9,140 -
1973 $649 - $7,974 -
1972 $547 - $5,973 -
1971 $402 - $4,908 -
1970 $344 - $4,105 -
1969 $314 - $3,712 -
1968 $314 - $3,465 -
1967 $333 - $3,286 -
1966 $338 - $3,091 -
1965 $328 - $2,908 -
1964 $332 - $2,776 -
1963 $308 - $2,546 -
1962 $287 - $2,366 -
1961 $270.3 - $2,188 -
1960 $288.1 - $1,984 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Seychelles' GDP per capita is $19,449, ranking 64/197, compared to $114,769 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Seychelles Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$2.39B
2025
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank
177/197
2025
20/197
2025
GDP growth
5.8%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,449
2025
$114,769
2025
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2025
5/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,239
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
67/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$1.23B
2025
$411B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51.5%
2025
39.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$10,019
2025
$45,239
2025
Government debt per person rank
59/185
2025
12/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,537
2026
$89,347
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$646M
2025
$2.51T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
944,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
45
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2018
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2018
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
31.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.3%
2024-2025
0.15%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.75%
2024
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.59%
2024
4.84%
2025
Population
125859
9155878

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Seychelles
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Seychelles Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.7% 51.5% 31.2% 39.4%
2024 33% 56.1% 31.3% 40.5%
2023 33.1% 55.1% 30.9% 37.3%
2022 31.6% 60.6% 30.5% 35.9%
2021 38.8% 71% 33.4% 39.7%
2020 46.7% 77.4% 36.3% 42.4%
2019 31.7% 48.9% 31.3% 38.8%
2018 33% 51.3% 31.1% 39%
2017 34.3% 56.7% 31.9% 41.1%
2016 34.5% 64.3% 31.9% 40.3%
2015 31.5% 75.4% 31.9% 41.4%
2014 33.4% 70.4% 31.5% 41.2%
2013 37.8% 68.2% 32% 41.2%
2012 38.6% 80.1% 31.1% 41.9%
2011 36.4% 82.5% 31% 41.2%
2010 34.6% 82.2% 30.9% 40.7%
2009 32.1% 106.1% 31.2% 42.4%
2008 27% 192.1% 29.6% 44.2%
2007 41.9% 144% 29% 44%
2006 43.6% 135.1% 30.1% 47.7%
2005 39% 144.1% 31.9% 54.1%
2004 39.9% 163.2% 32.6% 57.1%
2003 44.6% 177% 32.8% 56.2%
2002 56.3% 195.9% 33.6% 56.9%
2001 46.8% 199.8% 31.2% 50.5%
2000 55.4% 177.8% 31.9% 51.7%
1999 56.1% 159.8% 32.8% 52%
1998 60.7% 161.2% 32.3% 55.3%
1997 54.7% 143% 32.5% 52.9%
1996 59.1% 146.7% 32.5% 50.6%
1995 53.1% 133.5% 32% 49.3%
1994 63.6% 123.5% 32% 46.4%
1993 60.4% 82.2% 31.9% 43.7%
1992 50.7% 79.9% 30.8% 38.9%
1991 52.1% 89.2% 29% 34.6%
1990 46.1% 80.4% 27.2% 32.8%
1989 51.7% 39.9% 30% 32.5%
1988 46.7% 41.3% 30.3% 35%
1987 49.7% 37% 29.8% 36.5%
1986 58% 31.5% 29.8% 37.6%
1985 53% 26.5% 30.1% 39.1%
1984 50.5% 15.3% 30.4% 39.8%
1983 47.9% 12.4% 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

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/seychelles/switzerland | CC BY

In 2025, the Seychelles' government spending was $781M, accounting for 32.7% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $326B, or 31.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51.5% in the Seychelles and 39.4% in Switzerland, ranking 102/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Seychelles

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Seychelles Switzerland
2025 -0.99% 0.45%
2024 -0.68% 0.53%
2023 -1.15% 0.12%
2022 -0.77% 1.15%
2021 -5.76% -0.28%
2020 -15.7% -2.96%
2019 0.42% 1.31%
2018 -0.8% 1.26%
2017 -1.67% 1.11%
2016 0.02% 0.23%
2015 1.39% 0.54%
2014 2.87% -0.24%
2013 0.33% -0.42%
2012 2.93% 0.23%
2011 3.36% 0.67%
2010 0.52% 0.35%
2009 4.84% 0.49%
2008 7.88% 1.91%
2007 -9.93% 1.55%
2006 -2.54% 0.83%
2005 0.42% -0.64%
2004 0.44% -1.37%
2003 3.4% -1.34%
2002 -16.3% -1.72%
2001 -8.93% 0.2%
2000 -14.7% 0.28%
1999 -10.3% -1.55%
1998 -16.7% -1.29%
1997 -5.91% -2.3%
1996 -9.69% -1.98%
1995 -2.58% -1.83%
1994 -6.95% -2.55%
1993 -3.62% -3.1%
1992 6.44% -2.92%
1991 3.15% -1.82%
1990 11.9% -0.05%
1989 8.26% 0.2%
1988 11.8% 0.42%
1987 2.77% 0.78%
1986 -10.1% 0.93%
1985 -4.86% -0.25%
1984 -6.09% -0.52%
1983 -3.13% -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 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 (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Seychelles' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $23.5M, equivalent to 0.99% of GDP. This compares to Switzerland's surplus of $4.71B, or 0.45% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, the Seychelles recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, the Seychelles posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Seychelles

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Seychelles Switzerland
2025 0.3% 0.15%
2024 0.31% 1.06%
2023 -1.04% 2.14%
2022 2.63% 2.84%
2021 9.77% 0.58%
2020 1.2% -0.73%
2019 1.81% 0.36%
2018 3.7% 0.94%
2017 2.86% 0.53%
2016 -1.02% -0.43%
2015 4.04% -1.14%
2014 1.39% -0.01%
2013 4.34% -0.22%
2012 7.11% -0.69%
2011 2.56% 0.23%
2010 -2.4% 0.69%
2009 31.8% -0.48%
2008 37% 2.43%
2007 5.32% 0.73%
2006 -0.35% 1.06%
2005 0.91% 1.17%
2004 3.86% 0.8%
2003 3.3% 0.64%
2002 0.18% 0.64%
2001 5.97% 0.99%
2000 6.27% 1.56%
1999 6.35% 0.81%
1998 2.58% 0.02%
1997 0.62% 0.52%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Seychelles has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.87%, compared with 0.59% in Switzerland. In 2025, inflation was 0.3% in the Seychelles and 0.15% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Seychelles
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $41K
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Machinery & equipment $31K
Animal & marine products $28K
Precious metals & jewellery $26K
Wood & paper products $23K
Raw materials & minerals $6K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.42M
Chemicals & pharma $743K
Precious metals & jewellery $648K
Raw agricultural goods $369K
Metals $157K
Textiles & consumer goods $119K
Wood & paper products $83K
Raw materials & minerals $28K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Seychelles Switzerland
Current account balance
-$166M
2024
$72.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
90/190
2024
11/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.46%
2024
+6.98%
2025
Goods imports
$1.38B
2024
$508B
2025
Goods exports
$595M
2024
$617B
2025
Service imports
$1B
2024
$214B
2025
Service exports
$1.71B
2024
$195B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
92.7%
2025
69.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.6%
2025
78.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Seychelles Switzerland
Economic freedom 66.5 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 60/197 2/197
Property rights 82.6 94.4
Government integrity 71.7 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 61.7 98.3
Tax burden 77.3 70.9
Government spending 68 69.5
Fiscal health 92.2 97.2
Business freedom 71.3 86.3
Labor freedom 52 60
Monetary freedom 79.8 82.3
Trade freedom 81.2 87
Investment freedom 30 85
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Seychelles
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Seychelles Switzerland
2026 66.5 83.7
2025 66.4 83.7
2024 60.4 83
2023 59.5 83.8
2022 61.1 84.2
2021 66.3 81.9
2020 64.3 82
2019 61.4 81.9
2018 61.6 81.7
2017 61.8 81.5
2016 62.2 81
2015 57.5 80.5
2014 56.2 81.6
2013 54.9 81
2012 53 81.1
2011 51.2 81.9
2010 47.9 81.1
2009 47.8 79.4
2008 - 79.5
2007 - 78
2006 - 78.9
2005 - 79.3
2004 - 79.5
2003 - 79
2002 - 79.3
2001 - 76
2000 - 76.8
1999 - 79.1
1998 - 79
1997 - 78.6
1996 - 76.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Seychelles is 66.5, ranking 60/197, 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

Seychelles Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
71.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
25%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.61%
2025
0.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.36B
2025
$1T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$34,930
2025
$101,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$774M
2024
$1.08T
2025
Total reserves ranking
146/177
2024
4/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$268M
2024
$37.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$226M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.3%
2018
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
29.5%
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/seychelles/switzerland | 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 (1960–2025, 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 (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.