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Economy of Sri Lanka vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sri Lanka has a GDP of $99B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 72/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sri Lanka has $99.8B in government debt (100.8% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Sri Lanka vs Switzerland GDP by year

Sri Lanka
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sri Lanka Switzerland
2024 $98,963,185,510 $936,564,198,049
2023 $83,716,142,582 $894,424,821,645
2022 $74,143,020,263 $828,508,926,958
2021 $88,556,698,938 $815,309,330,987
2020 $84,335,574,582 $741,999,406,006
2019 $88,998,706,297 $721,369,112,727
2018 $94,450,015,983 $725,568,717,468
2017 $94,369,350,286 $695,200,833,086
2016 $88,000,211,172 $687,895,460,903
2015 $85,090,301,052 $694,118,186,380
2014 $82,531,125,191 $726,537,808,338
2013 $76,976,203,829 $706,234,937,371
2012 $70,447,217,164 $686,420,221,558
2011 $67,753,285,897 $715,888,126,682
2010 $58,636,049,434 $598,851,028,907
2009 $42,066,224,093 $554,212,916,092
2008 $40,713,826,215 $567,267,767,519
2007 $32,350,238,760 $490,740,715,595
2006 $28,267,410,543 $441,634,672,197
2005 $24,405,791,045 $418,284,865,885
2004 $20,662,525,941 $403,912,891,033
2003 $18,881,765,437 $362,075,086,508
2002 $16,536,535,647 $309,301,422,430
2001 $15,749,753,805 $286,582,672,434
2000 $16,595,882,819 $279,216,033,870
1999 $15,711,933,513 $297,873,643,323
1998 $15,760,736,956 $303,459,014,347
1997 $15,091,913,884 $294,788,198,856
1996 $13,897,738,375 $340,103,959,547
1995 $13,029,697,561 $352,835,806,342
1994 $11,717,604,209 $301,375,055,202
1993 $10,338,679,636 $272,237,527,071
1992 $9,703,011,636 $279,921,425,828
1991 $9,000,362,582 $268,901,693,863
1990 $8,032,551,173 $265,763,573,999
1989 $6,987,267,684 $208,105,846,934
1988 $6,978,371,581 $215,540,625,299
1987 $6,682,167,120 $199,236,370,038
1986 $6,405,210,564 $159,089,921,063
1985 $5,978,460,972 $110,980,314,192
1984 $6,043,474,843 $109,455,312,168
1983 $5,167,913,302 $114,634,358,535
1982 $4,768,765,017 $115,043,365,512
1981 $4,415,844,156 $112,244,805,519
1980 $4,024,621,900 $122,557,843,886
1979 $3,364,611,432 $114,970,094,425
1978 $2,733,183,857 $102,280,472,036
1977 $4,104,509,583 $73,135,771,167
1976 $3,591,319,857 $68,476,524,644
1975 $3,791,298,146 $65,466,081,819
1974 $3,574,586,466 $57,103,011,446
1973 $2,875,625,000 $49,550,006,320
1972 $2,553,936,348 $36,844,318,854
1971 $2,369,308,600 $30,040,171,751
1970 $2,296,470,588 $24,998,066,773
1969 $1,965,546,218 $22,442,043,274
1968 $1,801,344,538 $20,712,102,794
1967 $1,859,465,021 $19,397,044,714
1966 $1,751,470,588 $18,019,402,374
1965 $1,698,319,328 $16,780,226,225
1964 $1,309,747,899 $15,833,133,858
1963 $1,240,672,269 $14,283,872,299
1962 $1,434,156,379 $12,989,649,694
1961 $1,444,327,731 $11,713,348,834
1960 $1,409,873,950 $10,412,232,621

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/switzerland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sri Lanka vs Switzerland by year

Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sri Lanka Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,516 $15,633 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $3,799 $14,456 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $3,343 $14,194 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $3,997 $14,316 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $3,848 $12,941 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $4,082 $14,113 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $4,359 $14,178 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $4,399 $13,610 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $4,149 $13,079 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $4,058 $12,227 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $3,972 $11,721 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $3,739 $11,253 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $3,328 $10,249 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $3,225 $9,076 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $2,808 $8,234 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $2,027 $7,576 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $1,974 $7,317 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $1,579 $6,820 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $1,389 $6,261 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $1,207 $5,679 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $1,029 $5,216 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $946 $4,850 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $835 $4,522 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $804 $4,328 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $860 $4,368 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $829 $4,103 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $848 $3,952 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $827 $3,804 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $776 $3,582 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $742 $3,454 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $678 $3,260 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $607 $3,067 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $580 $2,851 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $546 $2,713 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $491 $2,527 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $430 - $31,309 -
1988 $434 - $32,690 -
1987 $420 - $30,441 -
1986 $407 - $24,460 -
1985 $385 - $17,152 -
1984 $391 - $16,991 -
1983 $336 - $17,859 -
1982 $312 - $18,000 -
1981 $292.5 - $17,665 -
1980 $271.1 - $19,394 -
1979 $230.8 - $18,266 -
1978 $191 - $16,282 -
1977 $292.1 - $11,644 -
1976 $260.3 - $10,865 -
1975 $279.8 - $10,328 -
1974 $268.7 - $9,005 -
1973 $220.2 - $7,856 -
1972 $199.4 - $5,885 -
1971 $188.8 - $4,835 -
1970 $186.9 - $4,044 -
1969 $163.6 - $3,657 -
1968 $153.5 - $3,413 -
1967 $162.3 - $3,237 -
1966 $156.6 - $3,045 -
1965 $155.6 - $2,865 -
1964 $122.9 - $2,735 -
1963 $119.4 - $2,508 -
1962 $141.4 - $2,330 -
1961 $145.9 - $2,155 -
1960 $145.9 - $1,954 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/switzerland | CC BY

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $4,516, ranking 124/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Sri Lanka Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$99B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
72/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
5.01%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,516
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
124/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,633
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
111/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$99.8B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.8%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,554
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
85/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,874
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$19.5B
2024
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.8%
2019
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.43%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2025
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.67%
2023
4.34%
2024
Population
22185425
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sri Lanka Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.3% 100.8% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 19.5% 110.4% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 18.6% 115.9% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 20% 102.7% 34.4% 41%
2020 22.1% 96.9% 37% 43.2%
2019 19.5% 82.6% 32% 39.6%
2018 17.5% 83.6% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 17.9% 72.3% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 18.2% 75% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 19.3% 76.3% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 17.2% 69.6% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 16.6% 69.5% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 17.3% 67.5% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 19.1% 69.4% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 19.3% 68.7% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 21% 72.8% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 19.1% 68.8% 30% 44.8%
2007 19.9% 71.8% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 20.5% 74.3% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 20.1% 76.6% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 19.3% 86.5% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 19.3% 86.5% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 20.8% 96.3% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 22.4% 84.4% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 21.7% 79.2% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 20.5% 77.7% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 21.4% 74.2% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 21.4% 70.1% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 23.1% 76.2% 33% 51.3%
1995 24.8% 77.8% 32.4% 50%
1994 24.1% 77.9% 32.5% 47.1%
1993 23.2% 79.2% 32.5% 44.4%
1992 23% 77.9% 31.3% 39.5%
1991 26.4% 80.5% 29.5% 35.1%
1990 25.4% 78.9% 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.8% in Sri Lanka and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 23/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sri Lanka

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sri Lanka Switzerland
2024 -5.64% 0.58%
2023 -8.32% 0.12%
2022 -10.2% 1.19%
2021 -11.7% -0.29%
2020 -13.4% -3.01%
2019 -7.52% 1.34%
2018 -4.96% 1.29%
2017 -5.1% 1.13%
2016 -5% 0.24%
2015 -6.64% 0.55%
2014 -5.99% -0.25%
2013 -5% -0.43%
2012 -5.44% 0.24%
2011 -6.01% 0.68%
2010 -6.73% 0.35%
2009 -8.33% 0.5%
2008 -5.93% 1.93%
2007 -5.81% 1.57%
2006 -5.91% 0.85%
2005 -5.93% -0.65%
2004 -6.32% -1.39%
2003 -6.15% -1.36%
2002 -6.9% -1.75%
2001 -8.48% 0.21%
2000 -7.78% 0.28%
1999 -5.58% -1.57%
1998 -6.79% -1.31%
1997 -5.71% -2.33%
1996 -6.89% -2.01%
1995 -7.11% -1.86%
1994 -7.41% -2.59%
1993 -5.77% -3.15%
1992 -4.95% -2.96%
1991 -7.97% -1.85%
1990 -6.39% -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.58B, equivalent to 5.64% of GDP. This compares to Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Sri Lanka recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Sri Lanka posted an annual deficit equal to 6.85% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.45% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sri Lanka

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sri Lanka Switzerland
2024 -0.43% 1.06%
2023 16.5% 2.14%
2022 49.7% 2.84%
2021 7.01% 0.58%
2020 6.15% -0.73%
2019 3.53% 0.36%
2018 2.14% 0.94%
2017 7.7% 0.53%
2016 3.96% -0.43%
2015 3.77% -1.14%
2014 3.18% -0.01%
2013 6.91% -0.22%
2012 7.54% -0.69%
2011 6.72% 0.23%
2010 6.22% 0.69%
2009 3.46% -0.48%
2008 22.6% 2.43%
2007 15.8% 0.73%
2006 10% 1.06%
2005 11.6% 1.17%
2004 7.58% 0.8%
2003 6.31% 0.64%
2002 9.55% 0.64%
2001 14.2% 0.99%
2000 6.18% 1.56%
1999 4.69% 0.81%
1998 9.36% 0.02%
1997 9.57% 0.52%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sri Lanka has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.34%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was -0.43% in Sri Lanka and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $78.2M
Machinery & equipment $57.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.16M
Animal & marine products $7.38M
Raw agricultural goods $6.47M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.79M
Miscellaneous $1.24M
Raw materials & minerals $506K
Chemicals & pharma $442K
Wood & paper products $49K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $37.4M
Precious metals & jewellery $28.6M
Chemicals & pharma $18.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.66M
Metals $1.76M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $736K
Wood & paper products $354K
Raw materials & minerals $327K
Miscellaneous $73K
Animal & marine products $31K

Balance of trade

Sri Lanka Switzerland
Current account balance
$1.21B
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.22%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$18.8B
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$12.8B
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$3.48B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$6.91B
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sri Lanka Switzerland
Economic freedom 50.3 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 162/197 2/197
Property rights 47.3 94.4
Government integrity 37.3 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 47.2 98.3
Tax burden 77 70.9
Government spending 89 69.5
Fiscal health 0 97.2
Business freedom 60.1 86.3
Labor freedom 54.3 60
Monetary freedom 65.9 82.3
Trade freedom 65.6 87
Investment freedom 30 85
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sri Lanka Switzerland
2026 50.3 83.7
2025 49.4 83.7
2024 49.2 83
2023 52.2 83.8
2022 53.3 84.2
2021 55.7 81.9
2020 57.4 82
2019 56.4 81.9
2018 57.8 81.7
2017 57.4 81.5
2016 59.9 81
2015 58.6 80.5
2014 60 81.6
2013 60.7 81
2012 58.3 81.1
2011 57.1 81.9
2010 54.6 81.1
2009 56 79.4
2008 58.4 79.5
2007 59.4 78
2006 58.7 78.9
2005 61 79.3
2004 61.6 79.5
2003 62.5 79
2002 64 79.3
2001 66 76
2000 63.2 76.8
1999 64 79.1
1998 64.6 79
1997 65.5 78.6
1996 62.5 76.8
1995 60.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/switzerland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sri Lanka is 50.3, ranking 162/197, 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

Sri Lanka Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.3%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$84.6B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,240
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.09B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$651M
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$761M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.98%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.3%
2019
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
27%
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/sri-lanka/switzerland | CC BY

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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 (1899–1989, 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 (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.