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

Updated on by Georank team

Spain has a GDP of $1.73T compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 15/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Spain has $1.75T in government debt (101.6% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Spain vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Spain
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Spain UAE
2024 $1,725,671,652,742 $552,324,846,835
2023 $1,619,481,980,720 $522,622,191,967
2022 $1,448,850,658,407 $511,403,403,676
2021 $1,461,244,901,853 $422,441,388,700
2020 $1,289,783,836,971 $357,161,878,829
2019 $1,403,496,387,686 $433,926,208,305
2018 $1,431,642,809,327 $440,560,108,918
2017 $1,321,754,088,819 $403,365,010,211
2016 $1,243,015,667,917 $381,717,086,453
2015 $1,206,164,777,553 $381,973,042,886
2014 $1,380,244,561,362 $424,935,874,745
2013 $1,362,186,923,158 $409,632,675,289
2012 $1,330,994,811,670 $392,793,464,942
2011 $1,487,568,659,241 $368,881,143,635
2010 $1,427,989,078,917 $307,736,419,333
2009 $1,496,587,590,848 $253,547,358,747
2008 $1,636,115,447,613 $315,474,615,739
2007 $1,476,746,276,855 $257,916,133,424
2006 $1,261,846,683,275 $222,116,541,865
2005 $1,154,667,551,776 $180,617,467,965
2004 $1,069,829,382,515 $147,824,370,320
2003 $907,963,217,058 $124,346,358,067
2002 $708,938,227,244 $109,816,201,498
2001 $627,798,682,379 $103,311,640,572
2000 $598,102,854,756 $104,337,372,362
1999 $634,394,904,387 $84,445,473,111
1998 $618,731,484,575 $75,674,336,283
1997 $589,739,772,727 $78,839,008,445
1996 $642,251,412,058 $73,571,233,996
1995 $614,170,002,669 $65,743,666,576
1994 $530,183,651,720 $59,305,093,980
1993 $524,700,572,624 $55,625,170,253
1992 $630,465,353,486 $54,239,171,888
1991 $576,753,902,322 $51,552,165,622
1990 $536,175,326,477 $50,701,443,748
1989 $414,460,794,097 $41,464,995,914
1988 $375,891,716,898 $36,275,674,203
1987 $318,520,253,335 $36,384,908,744
1986 $251,141,555,186 $33,943,612,095
1985 $180,664,322,896 $40,603,650,232
1984 $171,979,977,230 $41,807,954,236
1983 $170,829,074,246 $42,803,323,345
1982 $195,856,752,991 $46,622,718,605
1981 $202,663,023,968 $49,333,424,135
1980 $232,600,556,974 $43,599,160,050
1979 $214,448,666,336 $31,225,659,621
1978 $160,484,969,618 $23,775,764,225
1977 $132,354,665,936 $24,871,775,165
1976 $118,422,534,195 $19,213,158,779
1975 $114,695,060,870 $14,720,728,249
1974 $97,204,522,642 $11,651,505,689
1973 $78,583,355,226 $4,231,243,616
1972 $59,090,176,029 $1,415,086,929
1971 $46,586,119,760 $939,893,600
1970 $40,963,715,237 $685,986,701
1969 $37,090,689,288 -
1968 $32,394,326,464 -
1967 $32,570,905,397 -
1966 $29,559,436,183 -
1965 $25,479,619,607 -
1964 $21,966,876,027 -
1963 $19,631,714,760 -
1962 $16,609,632,791 -
1961 $14,238,126,760 -
1960 $12,424,514,014 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Spain vs United Arab Emirates by year

Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Spain UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,327 $57,965 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $33,493 $55,682 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $30,319 $51,399 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $30,799 $44,252 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $27,234 $39,328 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $29,787 $44,043 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $30,602 $41,015 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $28,381 $39,825 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $26,756 $37,613 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $25,982 $35,229 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $29,708 $33,761 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $29,229 $32,614 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $28,456 $31,870 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $31,825 $32,016 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $30,659 $31,805 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $32,280 $32,218 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $35,603 $33,350 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $32,652 $32,536 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $28,422 $30,749 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $26,451 $27,630 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $24,925 $26,160 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $21,522 $25,057 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $17,111 $24,378 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $15,368 $22,952 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $14,743 $21,582 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $15,708 $19,938 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $15,382 $19,083 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $14,722 $17,903 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $16,101 $16,971 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $15,461 $16,276 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $13,406 $15,582 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $13,330 $14,973 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $16,101 $14,855 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $14,801 $14,461 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $13,795 $13,676 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $10,674 - $23,167 -
1988 $9,696 - $21,570 -
1987 $8,234 - $23,113 -
1986 $6,509 - $23,132 -
1985 $4,696 - $29,468 -
1984 $4,487 - $32,012 -
1983 $4,475 - $34,650 -
1982 $5,156 - $39,972 -
1981 $5,367 - $44,854 -
1980 $6,204 - $42,925 -
1979 $5,766 - $34,238 -
1978 $4,353 - $29,379 -
1977 $3,625 - $35,020 -
1976 $3,277 - $31,197 -
1975 $3,208 - $27,117 -
1974 $2,748 - $23,823 -
1973 $2,246 - $9,696 -
1972 $1,708 - $3,675 -
1971 $1,361 - $2,805 -
1970 $1,211 - $2,394 -
1969 $1,109 - - -
1968 $978 - - -
1967 $997 - - -
1966 $916 - - -
1965 $797 - - -
1964 $695 - - -
1963 $627 - - -
1962 $535 - - -
1961 $463 - - -
1960 $408 - - -

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

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

Spain's GDP per capita is $35,327, ranking 32/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Spain ranks 34th at $57,965, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Spain UAE
Gross domestic product
$1.73T
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
15/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
3.46%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,327
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
32/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$57,965
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
34/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$1.75T
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101.6%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,909
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
20/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,470
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$754B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires
1,202,000
2025
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
34
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.5%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.3%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.77%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
48806901
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Spain
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Spain UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 45.3% 101.6% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 45.5% 105.1% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 46.4% 109.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 49.5% 115.6% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 51.4% 119.2% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 42% 97.6% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 41.5% 99.7% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 41% 101.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 42.1% 102% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 43.7% 102.4% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 45.1% 104.4% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 46.2% 100% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 49.2% 89.6% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 45.9% 69.5% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 45.8% 60.3% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 46.1% 53.1% 35% 21.1%
2008 41.3% 39.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 39.2% 35.7% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 38.4% 39% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 38.4% 42.4% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 38.8% 45.3% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 38.4% 47.7% 20% 3.33%
2002 38.6% 51.2% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 38.4% 54.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 39.1% 57.8% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 40% 60.9% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 41% 62.4% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 41.5% 64.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 42.9% 65.4% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 44.1% 61.6% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 44.8% 57% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 46.3% 54.6% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 43.9% 44.1% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 42.6% 41.9% 36% 4.97%
1990 41.1% 41.3% - -
1989 32.1% 39.2% - -
1988 28.6% 38.2% - -
1987 31.1% 42.1% - -
1986 28.4% 36.5% - -
1985 27.6% 31.5% - -
1984 27% 18.3% - -
1983 26% 13.4% - -
1982 21.5% 12% - -
1981 18.1% 10.9% - -
1980 16.3% 10.2% - -
1979 14.3% 9.88% - -
1978 14.3% 9.93% - -
1977 12.8% 8.75% - -
1976 11.5% 8.21% - -
1975 11.4% 11.9% - -
1974 11.4% 13.6% - -
1973 9.88% 16.3% - -
1972 12.5% 17.6% - -
1971 14% 17.9% - -
1970 12.3% 19.2% - -
1969 12.3% 18.8% - -
1968 12.8% 18.3% - -
1967 12.5% 17.6% - -
1966 11.8% 17.7% - -
1965 14% 18.1% - -
1964 12.7% 19.5% - -
1963 12.4% 21% - -
1962 10.6% 24.4% - -
1961 9.97% 26.7% - -
1960 11% 29.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Spain's government spending was $782B, accounting for 45.3% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101.6% in Spain and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 21/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Spain

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Spain UAE
2024 -3.15% 6.41%
2023 -3.52% 5.82%
2022 -4.63% 9.8%
2021 -6.66% 3.96%
2020 -10% -2.42%
2019 -3.04% 2.5%
2018 -2.58% 3.65%
2017 -3.1% -0.16%
2016 -4.26% -2.95%
2015 -5.26% -6.35%
2014 -6.07% 1.74%
2013 -7.49% 7.99%
2012 -11.5% 8.59%
2011 -9.69% 5.05%
2010 -9.49% 0.52%
2009 -11.2% -6.13%
2008 -4.56% 17.6%
2007 1.88% 17.1%
2006 2.12% 20.2%
2005 1.23% 16%
2004 -0.1% 6.4%
2003 -0.37% 2.35%
2002 -0.32% -1.24%
2001 -0.45% 1.21%
2000 -1.16% 10.7%
1999 -1.24% 1.31%
1998 -2.63% 1%
1997 -3.86% 6.71%
1996 -5.87% 0.92%
1995 -6.79% 3.58%
1994 -6.31% -1.78%
1993 -6.89% -2.89%
1992 -4.26% 3.34%
1991 -4.58% 3.89%
1990 -3.9% -
1989 -3.24% -
1988 -2.95% -
1987 -3.52% -
1986 -5.18% -
1985 -6.04% -
1984 -5.25% -
1983 -4.77% -
1982 -5.76% -
1981 -2.88% -
1980 -2.55% -
1979 -1.51% -
1978 -1.63% -
1977 -0.24% -
1976 0.43% -
1975 0.26% -
1974 0.11% -
1973 1.09% -
1972 0.24% -
1971 -0.96% -
1970 0.09% -
1969 -0.06% -
1968 -0.55% -
1967 -0.32% -
1966 0.07% -
1965 -0.04% -
1964 0.18% -
1963 -0.54% -
1962 1.27% -
1961 1.9% -
1960 0.69% -
1959 0.54% -
1958 0.23% -
1957 1.13% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 0.6% -
1954 0.7% -
1953 1.02% -
1952 0.81% -
1951 -0.24% -
1950 -0.44% -
1949 -0.35% -
1948 -1.21% -
1947 -1.09% -
1946 -2.24% -
1945 -4.56% -
1944 -5.44% -
1943 -7.73% -
1942 -2.48% -
1941 -4.34% -
1940 -3.54% -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 -0.49% -
1934 -1.17% -
1933 -0.72% -
1932 -0.3% -
1931 0.1% -
1930 0.3% -
1929 -0.07% -
1928 -0.31% -
1927 -0.54% -
1926 -0.65% -
1925 -1.19% -
1924 -1.76% -
1923 -1.89% -
1922 -2.26% -
1921 -3.33% -
1920 -2.4% -
1919 -1.82% -
1918 -1.8% -
1917 -1.49% -
1916 -1.15% -
1915 -2.97% -
1914 -1.04% -
1913 -0.09% -
1912 -0.33% -
1911 0.19% -
1910 0.09% -
1909 -0.29% -
1908 0.59% -
1907 0.66% -
1906 0.91% -
1905 0.71% -
1904 0.52% -
1903 0.28% -
1902 0.74% -
1901 0.69% -
1900 1.04% -
1899 2.75% -
1898 0.13% -
1897 -0.64% -
1896 0.46% -
1895 0.83% -
1894 -0.08% -
1893 0.87% -
1892 -0.67% -
1891 -0.41% -
1890 -0.4% -
1889 -0.38% -
1888 -0.97% -
1887 -0.73% -
1886 -0.08% -
1885 -0.78% -
1884 -0.23% -
1883 -0.38% -
1882 0.38% -
1881 0.08% -
1880 -0.02% -
1879 -0.52% -
1878 -0.08% -
1877 0.11% -
1876 0.1% -
1875 -1.42% -
1874 -0.1% -
1873 2.22% -
1872 -2.27% -
1871 -2.64% -
1870 -3.42% -
1869 -2.64% -
1868 -1.46% -
1867 -0.79% -
1866 -0.83% -
1865 -1.84% -
1864 -2.48% -
1863 -1.55% -
1862 -1.76% -
1861 -1.77% -
1860 -0.94% -
1859 0.39% -
1858 -0.44% -
1857 -0.41% -
1856 -0.46% -
1855 -0.76% -
1854 -0.32% -
1853 -0.02% -
1852 -0.11% -
1851 -0.25% -
1850 0.31% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Spain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $54.3B, equivalent to 3.15% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Spain recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Spain posted an annual deficit equal to 4.29% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Spain

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Spain UAE
2024 2.77% 1.7%
2023 3.53% 1.6%
2022 8.39% 4.8%
2021 3.09% -0.1%
2020 -0.32% -2.1%
2019 0.7% -1.9%
2018 1.67% 3.1%
2017 1.96% 2%
2016 -0.2% 1.6%
2015 -0.5% 4.1%
2014 -0.15% 2.3%
2013 1.41% 1.1%
2012 2.45% 0.7%
2011 3.2% 0.9%
2010 1.8% 0.9%
2009 -0.29% -4.7%
2008 4.08% 12.3%
2007 2.79% 11.1%
2006 3.52% 9.3%
2005 3.37% 6.2%
2004 3.04% 5%
2003 3.04% 3.1%
2002 3.07% 2.9%
2001 3.59% 2.8%
2000 3.43% 1.3%
1999 2.31% 2.1%
1998 1.83% 2%
1997 1.97% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Spain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.34%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 2.77% in Spain and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Spain
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $954M
Chemicals & pharma $455M
Textiles & consumer goods $290M
Metals $201M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $169M
Raw agricultural goods $86.6M
Precious metals & jewellery $73.2M
Raw materials & minerals $63.6M
Animal & marine products $62.5M
Wood & paper products $35.6M
UAE
Export category Export value
Metals $193M
Machinery & equipment $173M
Chemicals & pharma $53.8M
Raw materials & minerals $45M
Textiles & consumer goods $39.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36.2M
Precious metals & jewellery $19.5M
Miscellaneous $4.44M
Wood & paper products $2.82M
Raw agricultural goods $1.93M

Balance of trade

Spain UAE
Current account balance
$54.9B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
13/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.18%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$456B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$419B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$111B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$220B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.1%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Spain UAE
Economic freedom 66.8 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 59/197 29/197
Property rights 88 62.9
Government integrity 64.2 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 74.3 34.4
Tax burden 58.2 99.9
Government spending 37.3 85.1
Fiscal health 57.3 97.6
Business freedom 82.6 84.5
Labor freedom 61.7 63.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Spain
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Spain UAE
2026 66.8 71.9
2025 66.3 71.6
2024 63.3 71.1
2023 65 70.9
2022 68.2 70.2
2021 69.9 76.9
2020 66.9 76.2
2019 65.7 77.6
2018 65.1 77.6
2017 63.6 76.9
2016 68.5 72.6
2015 67.6 72.4
2014 67.2 71.4
2013 68 71.1
2012 69.1 69.3
2011 70.2 67.8
2010 69.6 67.3
2009 70.1 64.7
2008 69.1 62.6
2007 69.2 62.6
2006 68.2 62.2
2005 67 65.2
2004 68.9 67.2
2003 68.8 73.4
2002 68.8 73.6
2001 68.1 74.9
2000 65.9 74.2
1999 65.1 71.5
1998 62.6 72.2
1997 59.6 71.9
1996 59.6 71.6
1995 62.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Spain is 66.8, ranking 59/197, 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

Spain UAE
Services, % of GDP
68.9%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.75%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.64T
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$57,670
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$108B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
26/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$28.7B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.8B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$71.5B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.2%
2022
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.2%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/spain/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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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 (1850–1998, 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)
  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.