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Economy of Trinidad and Tobago vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Trinidad and Tobago has a GDP of $25.6B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 115/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Trinidad and Tobago has $16.5B in government debt (64.2% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Trinidad and Tobago vs Venezuela GDP by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Trinidad Venezuela
2024 $25,633,544,529 $119,802,963,258
2023 $25,036,993,423 $102,376,526,556
2022 $28,341,164,301 $89,013,255,585
2021 $24,222,963,263 $56,614,976,855
2020 $20,888,515,184 $42,838,020,721
2019 $23,477,745,792 $73,014,084,091
2018 $23,883,058,083 $102,021,093,965
2017 $23,830,750,901 $115,883,275,163
2016 $23,624,322,193 $112,915,034,262
2015 $26,841,141,793 $125,449,241,571
2014 $29,474,180,005 $214,689,614,733
2013 $28,560,537,057 $258,930,655,486
2012 $27,147,349,937 $372,592,062,768
2011 $25,433,007,437 $316,482,190,800
2010 $22,157,920,592 $393,192,354,511
2009 $19,172,165,226 $329,787,628,928
2008 $27,871,587,350 $315,953,388,511
2007 $21,641,620,050 $230,364,012,576
2006 $18,369,361,094 $183,477,522,124
2005 $15,982,389,018 $145,513,489,652
2004 $13,280,291,990 $112,451,400,425
2003 $11,305,459,802 $83,620,628,582
2002 $9,008,298,229 $92,893,587,734
2001 $8,824,849,191 $122,911,036,747
2000 $8,154,342,116 $117,146,466,003
1999 $6,808,982,521 $97,972,842,462
1998 $6,043,686,654 $91,336,763,255
1997 $5,737,771,523 $85,837,678,560
1996 $5,759,570,336 $70,543,211,119
1995 $5,329,217,747 $77,389,487,770
1994 $4,947,181,646 $58,418,666,667
1993 $4,669,491,134 $60,037,460,783
1992 $5,439,552,941 $60,416,519,620
1991 $5,307,905,882 $53,453,444,787
1990 $5,068,000,000 $48,606,952,195
1989 $4,323,058,824 $43,536,709,104
1988 $4,496,910,569 $60,226,413,793
1987 $4,797,777,778 $48,029,034,483
1986 $4,794,444,444 $60,516,123,711
1985 $7,375,918,367 $61,965,466,667
1984 $7,757,083,333 $59,867,743,468
1983 $7,763,750,000 $67,556,279,070
1982 $8,140,416,667 $67,736,744,186
1981 $6,992,083,333 $66,327,441,860
1980 $6,235,833,333 $59,116,511,628
1979 $4,602,416,625 $48,310,930,233
1978 $3,562,333,458 $39,316,279,070
1977 $3,138,666,667 $36,210,697,674
1976 $2,500,424,955 $31,419,534,884
1975 $2,442,669,825 $27,464,651,163
1974 $2,042,001,071 $26,100,930,233
1973 $1,308,785,431 $17,035,581,395
1972 $1,083,391,758 $13,977,727,273
1971 $896,765,215 $12,986,590,909
1970 $821,850,000 $11,561,111,111
1969 $779,200,000 $10,285,111,111
1968 $758,899,950 $10,034,444,444
1967 $761,981,912 $9,250,000,000
1966 $723,739,857 $8,781,333,333
1965 $736,573,159 $8,427,777,778
1964 $711,897,520 $8,192,413,793
1963 $678,239,329 $9,608,717,288
1962 $619,322,810 $8,814,309,884
1961 $584,964,621 $8,067,267,031
1960 $535,673,252 $7,663,938,303

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/venezuela | CC BY

GDP per capita in Trinidad and Tobago vs Venezuela by year

Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Trinidad Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,733 $36,329 $4,218 -
2023 $18,308 $34,623 $3,617 -
2022 $20,751 $32,979 $3,155 -
2021 $17,713 $30,482 $2,005 -
2020 $15,284 $26,731 $1,506 -
2019 $17,213 $29,316 $2,523 -
2018 $17,571 $28,673 $3,423 -
2017 $17,566 $28,484 $3,791 -
2016 $17,449 $28,232 $3,670 -
2015 $19,887 $29,825 $4,103 -
2014 $21,908 $32,027 $7,096 -
2013 $21,305 $31,746 $8,656 -
2012 $20,332 $31,883 $12,607 -
2011 $19,151 $31,078 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $16,815 $30,778 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $14,634 $29,602 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $21,299 $30,807 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $16,607 $29,355 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $14,153 $27,393 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $12,346 $23,536 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $9,871 $20,674 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $8,445 $18,743 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $6,763 $16,141 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $6,657 $14,797 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $6,179 $13,953 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $5,179 $12,812 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $4,613 $11,735 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $4,394 $10,769 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $4,427 $9,883 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $4,115 $9,099 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $3,840 $8,631 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $3,647 $8,209 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $4,277 $8,129 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $4,205 $7,274 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $4,047 $6,878 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $3,482 - $2,250 -
1988 $3,656 - $3,191 -
1987 $3,941 - $2,611 -
1986 $3,985 - $3,376 -
1985 $6,212 - $3,549 -
1984 $6,613 - $3,520 -
1983 $6,690 - $4,079 -
1982 $7,091 - $4,202 -
1981 $6,160 - $4,228 -
1980 $5,559 - $3,874 -
1979 $4,155 - $3,257 -
1978 $3,258 - $2,727 -
1977 $2,907 - $2,585 -
1976 $2,345 - $2,309 -
1975 $2,319 - $2,078 -
1974 $1,962 - $2,034 -
1973 $1,273 - $1,367 -
1972 $1,067 - $1,155 -
1971 $894 - $1,106 -
1970 $829 - $1,015 -
1969 $795 - $932 -
1968 $783 - $938 -
1967 $797 - $893 -
1966 $768 - $876 -
1965 $793 - $869 -
1964 $780 - $874 -
1963 $756 - $1,060 -
1962 $704 - $1,007 -
1961 $678 - $954 -
1960 $634 - $939 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/venezuela | CC BY

Trinidad and Tobago's GDP per capita is $18,733, ranking 61/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Trinidad Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$25.6B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
115/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
2.51%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,733
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
61/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$36,329
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
62/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$16.5B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.2%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$12,028
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
45/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,007
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.89B
2001
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
1992
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
1992
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.3%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.53%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2020
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.01%
2024
7.53%
2020
Population
1374840
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Trinidad Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.3% 64.2% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 33.5% 62.2% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 27.2% 51.3% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 30.3% 58.4% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 36.2% 62.5% 11.2% 337%
2019 31.2% 46.2% 21% 206%
2018 30.2% 41.5% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 30.7% 39.8% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 31.9% 35.4% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 35% 27.1% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 32.8% 23.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 31.3% 21.6% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 29.5% 21.8% 38% 58.4%
2011 29.4% 26.4% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 30.4% 16.8% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 37% 20.7% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 26.7% 13.5% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 25.7% 16.2% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 31.6% 16.9% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 26.7% 19.8% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 22.5% 24.2% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 22.2% 30.2% 32.2% 56%
2002 24.4% 37% 31% 48.2%
2001 24.8% 36.6% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 23.1% 38.9% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 24.1% 42.2% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 26.9% 42.8% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 27.2% 46.1% 31% 34.8%
1996 27.6% 47% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 26.2% 50.1% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 25.4% 52.6% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 26.9% 58.8% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 28.6% 49.2% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 29.6% 49.5% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 26.9% 47.7% 31.9% 63.3%
1989 30.9% 51.9% 32.5% 61.8%
1988 45.3% 65.3% 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/venezuela | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government spending was $8.28B, accounting for 32.3% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 70/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Trinidad and Tobago

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Trinidad Venezuela
2024 -5.24% -3.6%
2023 -1.24% -1.25%
2022 0.92% -5.29%
2021 -8.1% -5.85%
2020 -12.2% -6.63%
2019 -3.74% -10.9%
2018 -5.89% -31%
2017 -10.4% -13.3%
2016 -10.1% -8.46%
2015 -7.56% -8.06%
2014 -4.31% -9.81%
2013 -2.67% -10.4%
2012 -1.26% -9.86%
2011 -0.67% -8.24%
2010 0.13% -4.74%
2009 -5.42% -8.69%
2008 5.39% -3.46%
2007 3.12% -2.82%
2006 1.56% -1.6%
2005 2.36% 4.09%
2004 1.84% 2.47%
2003 1.8% 0.17%
2002 -0.2% -1.48%
2001 0.61% -4.59%
2000 0.17% 4.45%
1999 -0.88% 0.74%
1998 -1.8% -4.49%
1997 0.11% 2.58%
1996 -0.45% 7.94%
1995 0.17% -5.86%
1994 -0.02% -11.2%
1993 0.23% -2.92%
1992 -2.74% -6.37%
1991 -0.21% -2.28%
1990 -1.27% 3.84%
1989 -4.46% -0.91%
1988 -9.34% -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/venezuela | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.34B, equivalent to 5.24% of GDP. This compares to Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Trinidad and Tobago recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Trinidad and Tobago posted an annual deficit equal to 2.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.78% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Trinidad and Tobago

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Trinidad Venezuela
2024 0.53% 49%
2023 4.63% 338%
2022 5.83% 186.5%
2021 2.06% 1,589%
2020 0.6% 2,355%
2019 1% 19,906%
2018 1.02% 65,374%
2017 1.88% 438%
2016 3.07% 254.9%
2015 4.66% 121.7%
2014 5.68% 62.2%
2013 5.2% 40.6%
2012 9.26% 21.1%
2011 5.11% 26.1%
2010 10.5% 28.2%
2009 6.98% 26%
2008 12% 31.4%
2007 7.89% 18.7%
2006 8.33% 13.7%
2005 6.87% 16%
2004 3.72% 21.7%
2003 3.81% 31.1%
2002 4.15% 22.4%
2001 5.54% 12.5%
2000 3.56% 16.2%
1999 3.44% 23.6%
1998 5.61% 35.8%
1997 3.63% 50%

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/trinidad-and-tobago/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.88%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Trinidad
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.66M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.21M
Chemicals & pharma $697K
Miscellaneous $318K
Metals $85K
Wood & paper products $68K
Animal & marine products $44K
Raw agricultural goods $43K
Raw materials & minerals $43K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $52.1M
Metals $4.97M
Raw materials & minerals $3.93M
Chemicals & pharma $533K
Textiles & consumer goods $76K
Miscellaneous $2K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

Trinidad Venezuela
Current account balance
$645M
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.52%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$7.54B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$10B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$2.71B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$1.26B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45%
2025
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Trinidad Venezuela
Economic freedom 62.4 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 87/197 194/197
Property rights 47.3 0
Government integrity 45.5 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 58.8 5.1
Tax burden 76.1 73.4
Government spending 71.1 93
Fiscal health 86.3 29.1
Business freedom 67.1 31.1
Labor freedom 57.2 35.5
Monetary freedom 81 0
Trade freedom 68.8 43.2
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 40 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Trinidad Venezuela
2026 62.4 27.3
2025 63.6 27.6
2024 60.4 28.1
2023 59.5 25.8
2022 58.8 24.8
2021 59 24.7
2020 58.3 25.2
2019 57 25.9
2018 57.7 25.2
2017 61.2 27
2016 62.9 33.7
2015 64.1 34.3
2014 62.7 36.3
2013 62.3 36.1
2012 64.4 38.1
2011 66.5 37.6
2010 65.7 37.1
2009 68 39.9
2008 69.5 44.7
2007 70.6 47.9
2006 70.4 44.6
2005 71.5 45.2
2004 71.3 46.7
2003 68.8 54.8
2002 70.1 54.7
2001 71.8 54.6
2000 74.5 57.4
1999 72.4 56.1
1998 72 54
1997 71.3 52.8
1996 69.2 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/venezuela | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Trinidad and Tobago is 62.4, ranking 87/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Trinidad Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
59.2%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.78%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$27B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$36,580
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$5.6B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
94/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$980M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$453M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$527M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20%
2020
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2023
4.9%
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/trinidad-and-tobago/venezuela | 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 (1920–1997, 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 (2013–2024, 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)

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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.

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.