Skip to content

Economy of Taiwan vs United Kingdom compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Taiwan has a GDP of $802B compared to $4T for the United Kingdom, ranking 22/197 and 5/197 by economy size, respectively.

Taiwan has $215B in government debt (22.4% of GDP), compared to $4.1T (102.3% of GDP) in the United Kingdom.

Taiwan vs United Kingdom GDP by year

Taiwan
United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP, current $
Taiwan United Kingdom
2025 - $4,002,587,541,846
2024 $801,529,000,000 $3,695,539,513,534
2023 $757,328,000,000 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $765,529,000,000 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $777,062,000,000 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $676,935,000,000 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $613,453,000,000 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $610,744,000,000 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $591,734,000,000 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $543,002,000,000 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $534,474,000,000 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $535,332,000,000 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $512,957,000,000 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $495,536,000,000 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $483,957,000,000 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $444,245,000,000 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $390,788,000,000 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $415,824,000,000 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $406,940,000,000 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $386,492,000,000 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $374,042,000,000 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $346,881,000,000 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $317,374,000,000 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $307,429,000,000 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $299,303,000,000 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $330,725,000,000 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 $303,827,000,000 $1,693,458,987,219
1998 $279,926,000,000 $1,660,821,464,061
1997 $303,315,000,000 $1,569,317,288,802
1996 $292,473,000,000 $1,425,287,051,482
1995 $279,013,000,000 $1,349,094,208,616
1994 $256,213,000,000 $1,140,489,745,944
1993 $234,943,000,000 $1,061,388,722,256
1992 $222,947,000,000 $1,179,659,529,660
1991 $187,100,000,000 $1,142,797,178,131
1990 $166,392,000,000 $1,093,169,389,205
1989 $152,687,000,000 $926,884,816,754
1988 $126,378,000,000 $910,122,732,124
1987 $104,956,000,000 $745,162,608,269
1986 $78,347,000,000 $601,452,653,181
1985 $63,599,000,000 $489,285,164,271
1984 $61,036,000,000 $461,487,097,632
1983 $54,155,000,000 $489,618,008,186
1982 $49,540,000,000 $515,048,916,841
1981 $49,047,000,000 $540,765,675,241
1980 $42,292,000,000 $564,947,710,899
1979 $33,875,000,000 $438,994,070,309
1978 $27,373,000,000 $335,883,029,722
1977 $22,252,000,000 $263,066,457,352
1976 $18,988,000,000 $232,614,555,256
1975 $15,836,000,000 $241,756,637,168
1974 $14,739,000,000 $206,131,369,799
1973 $10,940,000,000 $192,537,971,583
1972 $8,063,000,000 $169,965,034,965
1971 $6,727,000,000 $148,113,896,325
1970 $5,785,000,000 $130,671,946,244
1969 $5,017,000,000 $116,464,702,803
1968 $4,325,000,000 $107,759,910,068
1967 $3,709,000,000 $113,116,888,211
1966 $3,207,000,000 $108,572,752,102
1965 $2,869,000,000 $101,824,755,079
1964 $2,592,000,000 $94,407,558,351
1963 $2,218,000,000 $86,561,961,812
1962 $1,960,000,000 $81,247,564,157
1961 $1,778,000,000 $77,741,965,703
1960 $1,743,000,000 $73,233,967,692
1959 $1,444,000,000 -
1958 $1,836,000,000 -
1957 $1,636,000,000 -
1956 $1,399,000,000 -
1955 $1,940,000,000 -
1954 $1,628,000,000 -
1953 $1,481,000,000 -
1952 $1,677,000,000 -
1951 $1,197,000,000 -

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/united-kingdom | CC BY

GDP per capita in Taiwan vs United Kingdom by year

Taiwan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Kingdom
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Taiwan United Kingdom
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $57,602 -
2024 $34,238 - $53,341 $62,009
2023 $32,444 - $49,920 $59,911
2022 $32,827 - $47,035 $59,022
2021 $33,111 - $47,696 $51,004
2020 $28,705 - $40,815 $48,230
2019 $25,998 - $43,161 $50,065
2018 $25,901 - $43,704 $47,212
2017 $25,121 $50,500 $40,918 $46,113
2016 $23,091 - $41,259 $44,085
2015 $22,780 $46,800 $45,256 $42,515
2014 $22,874 - $47,747 $41,267
2013 $21,973 $39,600 $43,608 $39,948
2012 $21,295 $39,400 $42,688 $38,337
2011 $20,866 $38,200 $42,296 $37,224
2010 $19,197 $35,700 $39,778 $36,484
2009 $16,933 $32,000 $39,009 $35,042
2008 $18,081 $31,100 $47,652 $36,745
2007 $17,757 $30,100 $50,629 $35,522
2006 $16,934 $29,500 $44,695 $34,727
2005 $16,456 $27,500 $42,240 $32,726
2004 $15,317 $25,300 $40,504 $32,051
2003 $14,066 $23,400 $34,557 $30,314
2002 $13,686 $18,000 $30,159 $29,089
2001 $13,397 $17,200 $28,014 $27,913
2000 $14,908 $17,400 $28,384 $26,536
1999 $13,804 $16,100 $28,858 $24,494
1998 $12,820 - $28,396 $23,689
1997 $14,020 - $26,910 $23,071
1996 $13,641 - $24,503 $21,947
1995 $13,119 - $23,253 $20,595
1994 $12,150 - $19,709 $19,605
1993 $11,242 - $18,389 $18,336
1992 $10,768 - $20,487 $17,349
1991 $9,125 - $19,901 $16,791
1990 $8,205 - $19,095 $16,505
1989 $7,613 - $16,239 -
1988 $6,370 - $15,987 -
1987 $5,350 - $13,119 -
1986 $4,036 - $10,611 -
1985 $3,314 - $8,652 -
1984 $3,224 - $8,179 -
1983 $2,903 - $8,692 -
1982 $2,699 - $9,146 -
1981 $2,720 - $9,599 -
1980 $2,389 - $10,032 -
1979 $1,950 - $7,805 -
1978 $1,606 - $5,977 -
1977 $1,330 - $4,681 -
1976 $1,158 - $4,138 -
1975 $985 - $4,300 -
1974 $934 - $3,666 -
1973 $706 - $3,426 -
1972 $530 - $3,030 -
1971 $451 - $2,650 -
1970 $397 - $2,348 -
1969 $357 - $2,101 -
1968 $319 - $1,952 -
1967 $280.8 - $2,059 -
1966 $249.1 - $1,987 -
1965 $229.3 - $1,874 -
1964 $213.6 - $1,748 -
1963 $188.6 - $1,613 -
1962 $172 - $1,526 -
1961 $161.2 - $1,472 -
1960 $163.4 - $1,398 -
1959 $140.4 - - -
1958 $185.1 - - -
1957 $170.5 - - -
1956 $150.6 - - -
1955 $216.3 - - -
1954 $188.3 - - -
1953 $177.7 - - -
1952 $208.4 - - -
1951 $154.3 - - -

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2017, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/united-kingdom | CC BY

Taiwan's GDP per capita is $34,238, ranking 38/197, compared to $57,602 in the United Kingdom, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Taiwan ranks 44th at $50,500, while the United Kingdom ranks 32nd at $62,009.

Economic indicators

Taiwan United Kingdom
Gross domestic product
$802B
2024
$4T
2025
GDP rank
22/197
2024
5/197
2025
GDP growth
2.16%
2023-2024
1.39%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$34,238
2024
$57,602
2025
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
21/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$50,500
2017
$62,009
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
44/197
2017
32/197
2024
Government debt
$215B
2024
$4.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.4%
2025
102.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,170
2024
$58,936
2025
Government debt per person rank
64/185
2024
7/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,863
2026
$43,539
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.1T
2022
Number of millionaires
772,000
2026
2,428,000
2026
Number of billionaires
66
2026
56
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.8%
2024
43.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.7%
2024-2025
3.88%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2024
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.35%
2025
4.9%
2025
Population
23229461
70071289

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Taiwan
Spending

Debt
United Kingdom
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Taiwan United Kingdom
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - 22.4% 43.6% 102.3%
2024 15.8% 26.8% 43.7% 99.9%
2023 17.1% 29% 44.2% 98.9%
2022 16% 29.5% 43.2% 97.5%
2021 15.4% 30.1% 44.9% 103.4%
2020 16.2% 32% 49.3% 104.8%
2019 15.3% 32.6% 38.3% 84.9%
2018 15.4% 33.8% 38.5% 85.6%
2017 15.4% 34.5% 38.8% 86.1%
2016 15.6% 35.4% 39.3% 87.3%
2015 15.5% 35.9% 40.1% 87.3%
2014 - 37.5% 40.8% 86.5%
2013 - 38.9% 41.6% 84.9%
2012 - 39.2% 43.3% 84.1%
2011 18.3% 38.3% 43.3% 81.1%
2010 - 36.9% 44.5% 75.5%
2009 - 36.7% 44.2% 64.5%
2008 - 33.4% 40.6% 50.6%
2007 - 32.2% 38.4% 43%
2006 - 33.3% 38.2% 41.9%
2005 - 34.1% 38.3% 40.9%
2004 - 33.4% 37.9% 39.7%
2003 - 32.1% 37% 36.6%
2002 - 29.8% 35.8% 35.3%
2001 22.4% 30.1% 34.5% 34.8%
2000 - 26.2% 33.8% 37.5%
1999 - 23.7% 33.7% 40.3%
1998 - 23.7% 34.3% 41.8%
1997 - 25% 34.7% 43.9%
1996 - - 35.6% 43.5%
1995 - - 37.5% 43.5%
1994 - - 37.4% 40.6%
1993 - - 37.6% 37.8%
1992 - - 37.7% 33.1%
1991 25.4% - 35.7% 28.4%
1990 - - 34.9% 28.4%
1989 - - 39.7% 31.4%
1988 - - 40.3% 36.6%
1987 - - 42.7% 41.8%
1986 - - 44.6% 42.9%
1985 - - 48.7% 42.9%
1984 - - 50.3% 44.1%
1983 - - 50.4% 44.2%
1982 - - 50.8% 44.7%
1981 23.6% - 51.2% 41.1%
1980 - - 47.6% 43.7%
1979 - - 45.1% 44.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 47.3%
1977 - - 46.8% 53.7%
1976 20.3% - 49.2% 47.7%
1975 - - 49.1% 49.6%
1974 - - 47.8% 56.2%
1973 - - 43.5% 58.5%
1972 - - 42.3% 65%
1971 - - 41.2% 67.9%
1970 - - 42% 73.4%
1969 - - 39.2% 82.8%
1968 - - 40.3% 88.5%
1967 - - 40.1% 89.1%
1966 - - 35.7% 91.9%
1965 - - 34.6% 94.6%
1964 - - 32.8% 101.1%
1963 - - 37.4% 108.6%
1962 - - 33.8% 110.5%
1961 - - 31.5% 113.8%
1960 - - 33.1% 117.9%

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); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2025, Taiwan's government spending was $127B, accounting for 15.8% of its GDP, while the United Kingdom spent $1.75T, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.4% in Taiwan and 102.3% in the United Kingdom, ranking 170/185 and 22/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Taiwan

United Kingdom
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Taiwan United Kingdom
2025 - -5.38%
2024 0.43% -6.06%
2023 -0.61% -6.05%
2022 0.17% -4.6%
2021 -0.18% -7.54%
2020 -1.03% -12.9%
2019 0.11% -2.38%
2018 0.02% -2.23%
2017 -0.14% -2.48%
2016 -0.31% -3.28%
2015 0.1% -4.53%
2014 - -5.47%
2013 - -5.29%
2012 - -7.96%
2011 -2.15% -7.42%
2010 - -9.25%
2009 - -9.97%
2008 - -5.05%
2007 - -2.63%
2006 - -2.74%
2005 - -3.13%
2004 - -3.14%
2003 - -3.19%
2002 - -1.95%
2001 -3.7% 0.34%
2000 - 1.4%
1999 - 0.76%
1998 - -0.21%
1997 - -2%
1996 - -3.63%
1995 - -4.97%
1994 - -5.72%
1993 - -6.6%
1992 - -5.39%
1991 -4.5% -2.76%
1990 - -1.53%
1989 - 0.77%
1988 - 0.46%
1987 - -1.79%
1986 - -2.56%
1985 - -5.57%
1984 - -6.39%
1983 - -6.26%
1982 - -5.66%
1981 -0.78% -7.03%
1980 - -5.65%
1979 - -5.79%
1978 - -6.63%
1977 - -4.41%
1976 1.32% -5.61%
1975 - -5.08%
1974 - -4.06%
1973 - -4.29%
1972 - -1.66%
1971 - 1.48%
1970 - 2.61%
1969 - 1.03%
1968 - -2.3%
1967 - -4.57%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.06%
1964 - -1.76%
1963 - -5.47%
1962 - -0.49%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.75%
1959 - -0.58%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - -1.04%
1956 - 0.55%
1955 - -0.39%
1954 - -1.65%
1953 - -2.84%
1952 - -1.26%
1951 - 2.03%
1950 - 0.34%
1949 - 3.01%
1948 - -0.39%
1947 - -15.8%
1946 - -22.5%
1945 - -30.9%
1944 - -29.7%
1943 - -33.3%
1942 - -31.6%
1941 - -32%
1940 - -12.1%
1939 - -2.99%
1938 - 0%
1937 - 0.82%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 0.37%
1934 - 0.48%
1933 - 0.99%
1932 - -0.15%
1931 - 0.8%
1930 - 1.01%
1929 - 0.75%
1928 - 1.75%
1927 - 1.62%
1926 - 0.6%
1925 - 0.84%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - 2.23%
1922 - 2.45%
1921 - 1.15%
1920 - 4.2%
1919 - -6.28%
1918 - -34.4%
1917 - -48.8%
1916 - -50.6%
1915 - -30%
1914 - -14.6%
1913 - 0.25%
1912 - 0.22%
1911 - 0.51%
1910 - 1.75%
1909 - -1.25%
1908 - 0.34%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.58%
1905 - 0.36%
1904 - 0.2%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.77%
1901 - -2.74%
1900 - -2.96%
1899 - -0.79%
1898 - 0.01%
1897 - 0.25%
1896 - 0.17%
1895 - 0.3%
1894 - 0.06%
1893 - -0.007%
1892 - 0.14%
1891 - 0.19%
1890 - 0.23%
1889 - 0.3%
1888 - 0.27%
1887 - 0.25%
1886 - 0.07%
1885 - -0.21%
1884 - -0.04%
1883 - 0.06%
1882 - 0.02%
1881 - 0.06%
1880 - 0.1%
1879 - -0.86%
1878 - -0.18%
1877 - -0.18%
1876 - 0.09%
1875 - 0%
1874 - 0.09%
1873 - 0%
1872 - 0.55%
1871 - 0.29%
1870 - 0%
1869 - 0.77%
1868 - -0.45%
1867 - -0.45%
1866 - 0.11%
1865 - 0%
1864 - 0.24%
1863 - 0%
1862 - -0.13%
1861 - -0.4%
1860 - -0.43%
1859 - 0%
1858 - -0.15%
1857 - -0.15%
1856 - -0.6%
1855 - -3.57%
1854 - -3.39%
1853 - 0.5%
1852 - 0.35%
1851 - 0.35%
1850 - 0.37%
1849 - 0.34%
1848 - -0.17%
1847 - -6.13%
1846 - 0.52%
1845 - 0.56%
1844 - 0.59%
1843 - 0.44%
1842 - -0.87%
1841 - -0.42%
1840 - -0.2%
1839 - -0.18%
1838 - -0.19%
1837 - -0.21%
1836 - 0.59%
1835 - 0.42%
1834 - 0.23%
1833 - 0.24%
1832 - 0%
1831 - 0%
1830 - 0.45%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Taiwan's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.45B, equivalent to 0.43% of GDP. This compares to the United Kingdom's deficit of $224B, or 6.06% of GDP.

Over the past 49 years, Taiwan recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while the United Kingdom ran a deficit in 44 years. On average, Taiwan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.32% of GDP for the United Kingdom.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Taiwan

United Kingdom
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Taiwan United Kingdom
2025 1.7% 3.88%
2024 2.2% 3.27%
2023 2.5% 6.79%
2022 2.9% 7.92%
2021 2% 2.52%
2020 -0.2% 0.99%
2019 0.6% 1.74%
2018 1.4% 2.29%
2017 0.6% 2.56%
2016 1.4% 1.01%
2015 -0.3% 0.37%
2014 1.2% 1.45%
2013 0.8% 2.29%
2012 1.9% 2.57%
2011 1.4% 3.86%
2010 1% 2.49%
2009 -0.9% 1.96%
2008 3.5% 3.52%
2007 1.8% 2.39%
2006 0.6% 2.46%
2005 2.3% 2.09%
2004 1.6% 1.39%
2003 -0.3% 1.38%
2002 -0.2% 1.52%
2001 0% 1.53%
2000 1.2% 1.18%
1999 0.2% 1.75%
1998 1.7% 1.82%
1997 0.9% 2.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/united-kingdom | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Taiwan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.16%, compared with 2.46% in the United Kingdom. In 2025, inflation was 1.7% in Taiwan and 3.88% in the United Kingdom.

Balance of trade

Taiwan United Kingdom
Current account balance
$113B
2024
-$97.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
5/190
2024
189/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.1%
2024
-2.43%
2025
Goods imports n/a
$827B
2025
Goods exports n/a
$506B
2025
Service imports n/a
$450B
2025
Service exports n/a
$720B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.5%
2025
31.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.6%
2025
30.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Taiwan United Kingdom
Economic freedom 79.8 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 6/197 35/197
Property rights 83.4 93.6
Government integrity 74.3 83
Judicial effectiveness 94.3 83.1
Tax burden 78.9 61.7
Government spending 90 41.1
Fiscal health 92.9 32.4
Business freedom 78.6 83.6
Labor freedom 69 61.2
Monetary freedom 80.3 71.9
Trade freedom 86 82.8
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Taiwan
United Kingdom
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Taiwan United Kingdom
2026 79.8 70.4
2025 79.7 69.3
2024 80 68.6
2023 80.7 69.9
2022 80.1 72.7
2021 78.6 78.4
2020 77.1 79.3
2019 77.3 78.9
2018 76.6 78
2017 76.5 76.4
2016 74.7 76.4
2015 75.1 75.8
2014 73.9 74.9
2013 72.7 74.8
2012 71.9 74.1
2011 70.8 74.5
2010 70.4 76.5
2009 69.5 79
2008 70.3 79.4
2007 69.4 79.9
2006 69.7 80.4
2005 71.3 79.2
2004 69.6 77.7
2003 71.7 77.5
2002 71.3 78.5
2001 72.8 77.6
2000 72.5 77.3
1999 71.5 76.2
1998 70.4 76.5
1997 70 76.4
1996 74.1 76.4
1995 74.2 77.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/united-kingdom | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Taiwan is 79.8, ranking 6/197, compared to 70.4 for the United Kingdom, ranking 35/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Taiwan United Kingdom
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
73.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
16.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.46%
2024
0.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$832B
2024
$3.79T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP n/a
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$214B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
19/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment n/a
$10.3B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment n/a
-$13B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment n/a
-$72.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
1.5%
2020
18.6%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.9%
2024
19.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); National Statistics, Taiwan (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/taiwan/united-kingdom | 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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. 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.