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Economy of Switzerland vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Switzerland has a GDP of $937B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 20/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Switzerland has $351B in government debt (37.5% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Switzerland vs Uruguay GDP by year

Switzerland
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Switzerland Uruguay
2024 $936,564,198,049 $80,961,511,074
2023 $894,424,821,645 $77,991,666,838
2022 $828,508,926,958 $70,594,110,920
2021 $815,309,330,987 $60,739,084,241
2020 $741,999,406,006 $53,559,359,262
2019 $721,369,112,727 $62,222,313,619
2018 $725,568,717,468 $65,344,577,416
2017 $695,200,833,086 $65,005,997,963
2016 $687,895,460,903 $57,480,787,465
2015 $694,118,186,380 $57,680,327,999
2014 $726,537,808,338 $61,496,186,974
2013 $706,234,937,371 $61,337,621,934
2012 $686,420,221,558 $54,232,266,359
2011 $715,888,126,682 $50,342,406,067
2010 $598,851,028,907 $41,950,361,212
2009 $554,212,916,092 $32,708,319,078
2008 $567,267,767,519 $31,119,602,539
2007 $490,740,715,595 $23,797,773,024
2006 $441,634,672,197 $19,741,420,740
2005 $418,284,865,885 $17,362,857,684
2004 $403,912,891,033 $13,686,329,890
2003 $362,075,086,508 $12,045,638,352
2002 $309,301,422,430 $13,606,515,723
2001 $286,582,672,434 $20,898,761,742
2000 $279,216,033,870 $22,823,270,892
1999 $297,873,643,323 $23,983,945,191
1998 $303,459,014,347 $25,385,886,978
1997 $294,788,198,856 $23,969,739,234
1996 $340,103,959,547 $20,515,458,114
1995 $352,835,806,342 $19,297,663,097
1994 $301,375,055,202 $17,474,588,896
1993 $272,237,527,071 $15,002,136,971
1992 $279,921,425,828 $12,878,148,791
1991 $268,901,693,863 $11,206,176,651
1990 $265,763,573,999 $9,298,807,850
1989 $208,105,846,934 $8,438,951,476
1988 $215,540,625,299 $8,213,538,369
1987 $199,236,370,038 $7,367,494,080
1986 $159,089,921,063 $5,880,112,788
1985 $110,980,314,192 $4,732,017,873
1984 $109,455,312,168 $4,850,238,550
1983 $114,634,358,535 $5,102,276,308
1982 $115,043,365,512 $9,178,780,077
1981 $112,244,805,519 $11,048,301,421
1980 $122,557,843,886 $10,163,020,116
1979 $114,970,094,425 $7,181,182,224
1978 $102,280,472,036 $4,910,254,566
1977 $73,135,771,167 $4,114,670,014
1976 $68,476,524,644 $3,667,161,241
1975 $65,466,081,819 $3,538,278,047
1974 $57,103,011,446 $4,090,209,682
1973 $49,550,006,320 $3,964,296,443
1972 $36,844,318,854 $2,189,418,689
1971 $30,040,171,751 $2,807,258,065
1970 $24,998,066,773 $2,137,096,774
1969 $22,442,043,274 $2,004,435,484
1968 $20,712,102,794 $1,593,674,185
1967 $19,397,044,714 $1,597,713,469
1966 $18,019,402,374 $1,809,185,094
1965 $16,780,226,225 $1,890,767,156
1964 $15,833,133,858 $1,975,701,816
1963 $14,283,872,299 $1,539,681,491
1962 $12,989,649,694 $1,710,004,407
1961 $11,713,348,834 $1,547,388,781
1960 $10,412,232,621 $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in Switzerland vs Uruguay by year

Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Switzerland Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $103,998 $96,498 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $100,624 $95,142 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $94,395 $94,421 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $93,665 $81,001 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $85,898 $72,998 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $84,122 $73,732 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $85,217 $70,689 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $82,254 $68,194 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $82,153 $67,351 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $83,806 $65,265 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $88,725 $63,417 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $87,304 $61,656 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $85,836 $59,441 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $90,477 $57,494 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $76,531 $54,426 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $71,568 $52,999 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $74,175 $53,809 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $64,989 $50,928 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $59,011 $46,266 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $56,243 $41,525 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $54,659 $40,171 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $49,336 $38,732 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $42,459 $38,705 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $39,639 $37,819 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $38,865 $36,703 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $41,696 $34,743 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $42,681 $33,860 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $41,584 $32,736 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $48,093 $31,509 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $50,114 $30,842 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $43,092 $30,265 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $39,237 $29,495 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $40,714 $29,113 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $39,544 $28,792 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $39,575 $28,461 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $31,309 - $2,734 -
1988 $32,690 - $2,677 -
1987 $30,441 - $2,416 -
1986 $24,460 - $1,939 -
1985 $17,152 - $1,568 -
1984 $16,991 - $1,615 -
1983 $17,859 - $1,707 -
1982 $18,000 - $3,085 -
1981 $17,665 - $3,728 -
1980 $19,394 - $3,443 -
1979 $18,266 - $2,443 -
1978 $16,282 - $1,678 -
1977 $11,644 - $1,414 -
1976 $10,865 - $1,268 -
1975 $10,328 - $1,232 -
1974 $9,005 - $1,433 -
1973 $7,856 - $1,397 -
1972 $5,885 - $776 -
1971 $4,835 - $1,000 -
1970 $4,044 - $766 -
1969 $3,657 - $723 -
1968 $3,413 - $579 -
1967 $3,237 - $585 -
1966 $3,045 - $668 -
1965 $2,865 - $705 -
1964 $2,735 - $745 -
1963 $2,508 - $587 -
1962 $2,330 - $659 -
1961 $2,155 - $604 -
1960 $1,954 - $491 -

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

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

Switzerland's GDP per capita is $103,998, ranking 5/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Switzerland Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$937B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
20/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
1.3%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$103,998
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
5/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$96,498
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
8/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$351B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.5%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,021
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$85,867
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.97T
2024
$284M
1996
Number of millionaires
1,119,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2022
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.06%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0%
2025
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.34%
2024
8.21%
2024
Population
9107866
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Switzerland
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Switzerland Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.9% 37.5% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 32.1% 38.7% 30.5% 64%
2022 31.6% 37.2% 30% 59.9%
2021 34.4% 41% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 37% 43.2% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 32% 39.6% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 31.7% 39.8% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 32.4% 41.8% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 32.4% 40.9% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 32.5% 42.2% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 32.2% 42.1% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 32.5% 41.9% 28.8% 50%
2012 31.7% 42.6% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 31.4% 41.9% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 31.4% 41.5% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 31.8% 43.1% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 30% 44.8% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 29.4% 44.8% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 30.5% 48.5% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 32.4% 54.9% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 33.1% 57.8% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 33.2% 56.9% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 34.1% 57.7% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 31.6% 51.1% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 32.2% 52.2% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 33.2% 52.7% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 32.7% 55.9% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 32.9% 53.7% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 33% 51.3% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 32.4% 50% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 32.5% 47.1% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 32.5% 44.4% 27.7% 20%
1992 31.3% 39.5% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 29.5% 35.1% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 27.6% 33.3% 21.1% 26.2%
1989 30% 32.5% 37% -
1988 30.3% 35% 26% 34.8%
1987 29.8% 36.5% 24.4% 37.3%
1986 29.8% 37.6% 25.1% 34.6%
1985 30.1% 39.1% 24.6% 29%
1984 30.4% 39.8% 25.6% 39.5%
1983 31.2% 40.2% 26.5% 21.2%
1982 30.5% 40% 29.5% 13.5%
1981 29.4% 40.8% 25% 4.32%
1980 29.9% 43.9% 21.8% 4.59%
1979 30.5% 44.6% 20.2% 3.98%
1978 30.4% 46.6% 22.9% 5.64%
1977 31% 46.9% 23.5% 7.26%
1976 31.6% 46.7% 24.2% 8.67%
1975 29.3% 42.3% 23% 8.13%
1974 27.5% 38.4% 23.8% 7.61%
1973 26.5% 37% 22.6% 7%
1972 25.7% 38% 24.6% 9.12%
1971 25.4% 38.7% 20.1% 9.3%
1970 25.8% 38.9% 15.1% 6.11%
1969 9.45% 7.08% 14.6% -
1968 8.87% 6.99% 14.1% -
1967 8.68% 7.26% 14.7% -
1966 8.95% 7.62% 14.1% -
1965 8.33% 8.28% 15.6% -
1964 8.85% 9.43% 14.3% -
1963 8.2% 10.8% 14.6% -
1962 8.1% 12% 16% -
1961 7.97% 14% 13% -
1960 7.11% 16.2% 9.9% -

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

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

In 2024, Switzerland's government spending was $299B, accounting for 31.9% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.5% in Switzerland and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 141/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Switzerland

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Switzerland Uruguay
2024 0.58% -3.22%
2023 0.12% -3.13%
2022 1.19% -2.52%
2021 -0.29% -2.61%
2020 -3.01% -4.64%
2019 1.34% -2.71%
2018 1.29% -1.89%
2017 1.13% -2.51%
2016 0.24% -2.68%
2015 0.55% -1.86%
2014 -0.25% -2.6%
2013 -0.43% -1.72%
2012 0.24% -2.17%
2011 0.68% -0.33%
2010 0.35% -0.39%
2009 0.5% -1.39%
2008 1.93% -1.31%
2007 1.57% -0.16%
2006 0.85% -0.64%
2005 -0.65% -0.28%
2004 -1.39% -0.87%
2003 -1.36% -2.19%
2002 -1.75% -3.19%
2001 0.21% -2.85%
2000 0.28% -2.76%
1999 -1.57% -2.76%
1998 -1.31% -0.76%
1997 -2.33% -0.97%
1996 -2.01% -1.32%
1995 -1.86% -1.08%
1994 -2.59% -2.37%
1993 -3.15% -0.47%
1992 -2.96% 0.6%
1991 -1.85% 0.88%
1990 -0.05% 0.49%
1989 0.2% -13.1%
1988 0.42% -1.47%
1987 0.78% -0.66%
1986 0.93% -0.34%
1985 -0.25% -1.88%
1984 -0.52% -4.94%
1983 -1.23% -3.54%
1982 -1.21% -8.22%
1981 -0.54% -1.15%
1980 -1.34% 0.43%
1979 -1.79% 0.99%
1978 -1.12% -0.47%
1977 -1.64% -0.69%
1976 -1.89% -2.01%
1975 -0.93% -4.38%
1974 -1.01% -3.74%
1973 -0.93% -1.09%
1972 -1.39% -2.25%
1971 -1.41% -5.86%
1970 -1.44% -1.33%
1969 -0.98% -2.37%
1968 -0.73% -2.93%
1967 -1.07% -4.12%
1966 -0.87% -2.01%
1965 0.05% -5.14%
1964 0.77% -3.61%
1963 0.25% -4.4%
1962 0.95% -5.02%
1961 0.34% -0.86%
1960 1.95% 0.79%
1959 0.72% 0.64%
1958 0.59% -1.38%
1957 0.66% -0.72%
1956 2.24% 0.04%
1955 1.1% -1.24%
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 (1899–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Switzerland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.4B, equivalent to 0.58% of GDP. This compares to Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Switzerland recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 59 years. On average, Switzerland posted an annual deficit equal to 0.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.21% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Switzerland

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Switzerland Uruguay
2024 1.06% 4.85%
2023 2.14% 5.87%
2022 2.84% 9.1%
2021 0.58% 7.75%
2020 -0.73% 9.76%
2019 0.36% 7.88%
2018 0.94% 7.61%
2017 0.53% 6.22%
2016 -0.43% 9.64%
2015 -1.14% 8.67%
2014 -0.01% 8.88%
2013 -0.22% 8.58%
2012 -0.69% 8.1%
2011 0.23% 8.09%
2010 0.69% 6.7%
2009 -0.48% 7.06%
2008 2.43% 7.88%
2007 0.73% 8.11%
2006 1.06% 6.4%
2005 1.17% 4.7%
2004 0.8% 9.16%
2003 0.64% 19.4%
2002 0.64% 14%
2001 0.99% 4.36%
2000 1.56% 4.76%
1999 0.81% 5.66%
1998 0.02% 10.8%
1997 0.52% 19.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Switzerland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.61%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 1.06% in Switzerland and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Switzerland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $119M
Precious metals & jewellery $22.2M
Machinery & equipment $12.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.51M
Miscellaneous $656K
Raw agricultural goods $644K
Metals $539K
Raw materials & minerals $136K
Transport & tourism services $112K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $23.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.57M
Raw agricultural goods $676K
Precious metals & jewellery $238K
Machinery & equipment $90K
Chemicals & pharma $46K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Metals $23K
Wood & paper products $8K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Switzerland Uruguay
Current account balance
$72B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.69%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$371B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$502B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$203B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$186B
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.9%
2024
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2024
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Switzerland Uruguay
Economic freedom 83.7 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 2/197 39/197
Property rights 94.4 87.4
Government integrity 93.3 79
Judicial effectiveness 98.3 80.9
Tax burden 70.9 73.3
Government spending 69.5 72
Fiscal health 97.2 76.6
Business freedom 86.3 83.8
Labor freedom 60 61.7
Monetary freedom 82.3 70.2
Trade freedom 87 73.2
Investment freedom 85 50
Financial freedom 80 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Switzerland
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Switzerland Uruguay
2026 83.7 69.8
2025 83.7 70.2
2024 83 69.8
2023 83.8 70.2
2022 84.2 70
2021 81.9 69.3
2020 82 69.1
2019 81.9 68.6
2018 81.7 69.2
2017 81.5 69.7
2016 81 68.8
2015 80.5 68.6
2014 81.6 69.3
2013 81 69.7
2012 81.1 69.9
2011 81.9 70
2010 81.1 69.8
2009 79.4 69.1
2008 79.5 67.9
2007 78 68.4
2006 78.9 65.3
2005 79.3 66.9
2004 79.5 66.7
2003 79 69.8
2002 79.3 68.7
2001 76 70.7
2000 76.8 69.3
1999 79.1 68.5
1998 79 68.6
1997 78.6 67.5
1996 76.8 63.7
1995 - 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Switzerland is 83.7, ranking 2/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Switzerland Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
72%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.63%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$857B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$93,420
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$909B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
4/177
2024
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$59.7B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$108B
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9B
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.8%
2021
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
15.6%
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/switzerland/uruguay | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1899–1998, 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 (2019–2024, 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.