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Economy of Uruguay vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Uruguay has a GDP of $81B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 81/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Uruguay has $55.6B in government debt (68.7% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Uruguay vs Venezuela GDP by year

Uruguay
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Uruguay Venezuela
2024 $80,961,511,074 $119,802,963,258
2023 $77,991,666,838 $102,376,526,556
2022 $70,594,110,920 $89,013,255,585
2021 $60,739,084,241 $56,614,976,855
2020 $53,559,359,262 $42,838,020,721
2019 $62,222,313,619 $73,014,084,091
2018 $65,344,577,416 $102,021,093,965
2017 $65,005,997,963 $115,883,275,163
2016 $57,480,787,465 $112,915,034,262
2015 $57,680,327,999 $125,449,241,571
2014 $61,496,186,974 $214,689,614,733
2013 $61,337,621,934 $258,930,655,486
2012 $54,232,266,359 $372,592,062,768
2011 $50,342,406,067 $316,482,190,800
2010 $41,950,361,212 $393,192,354,511
2009 $32,708,319,078 $329,787,628,928
2008 $31,119,602,539 $315,953,388,511
2007 $23,797,773,024 $230,364,012,576
2006 $19,741,420,740 $183,477,522,124
2005 $17,362,857,684 $145,513,489,652
2004 $13,686,329,890 $112,451,400,425
2003 $12,045,638,352 $83,620,628,582
2002 $13,606,515,723 $92,893,587,734
2001 $20,898,761,742 $122,911,036,747
2000 $22,823,270,892 $117,146,466,003
1999 $23,983,945,191 $97,972,842,462
1998 $25,385,886,978 $91,336,763,255
1997 $23,969,739,234 $85,837,678,560
1996 $20,515,458,114 $70,543,211,119
1995 $19,297,663,097 $77,389,487,770
1994 $17,474,588,896 $58,418,666,667
1993 $15,002,136,971 $60,037,460,783
1992 $12,878,148,791 $60,416,519,620
1991 $11,206,176,651 $53,453,444,787
1990 $9,298,807,850 $48,606,952,195
1989 $8,438,951,476 $43,536,709,104
1988 $8,213,538,369 $60,226,413,793
1987 $7,367,494,080 $48,029,034,483
1986 $5,880,112,788 $60,516,123,711
1985 $4,732,017,873 $61,965,466,667
1984 $4,850,238,550 $59,867,743,468
1983 $5,102,276,308 $67,556,279,070
1982 $9,178,780,077 $67,736,744,186
1981 $11,048,301,421 $66,327,441,860
1980 $10,163,020,116 $59,116,511,628
1979 $7,181,182,224 $48,310,930,233
1978 $4,910,254,566 $39,316,279,070
1977 $4,114,670,014 $36,210,697,674
1976 $3,667,161,241 $31,419,534,884
1975 $3,538,278,047 $27,464,651,163
1974 $4,090,209,682 $26,100,930,233
1973 $3,964,296,443 $17,035,581,395
1972 $2,189,418,689 $13,977,727,273
1971 $2,807,258,065 $12,986,590,909
1970 $2,137,096,774 $11,561,111,111
1969 $2,004,435,484 $10,285,111,111
1968 $1,593,674,185 $10,034,444,444
1967 $1,597,713,469 $9,250,000,000
1966 $1,809,185,094 $8,781,333,333
1965 $1,890,767,156 $8,427,777,778
1964 $1,975,701,816 $8,192,413,793
1963 $1,539,681,491 $9,608,717,288
1962 $1,710,004,407 $8,814,309,884
1961 $1,547,388,781 $8,067,267,031
1960 $1,242,289,239 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Uruguay vs Venezuela by year

Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Uruguay Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,907 $36,418 $4,218 -
2023 $23,019 $34,471 $3,617 -
2022 $20,819 $33,001 $3,155 -
2021 $17,882 $29,432 $2,005 -
2020 $15,758 $25,725 $1,506 -
2019 $18,316 $25,783 $2,523 -
2018 $19,250 $24,386 $3,423 -
2017 $19,185 $23,607 $3,791 -
2016 $17,010 $22,841 $3,670 -
2015 $17,126 $22,169 $4,103 -
2014 $18,322 $21,868 $7,096 -
2013 $18,335 $20,661 $8,656 -
2012 $16,260 $19,495 $12,607 -
2011 $15,132 $19,135 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $12,641 $17,873 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $9,881 $16,422 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $9,424 $15,694 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $7,222 $14,397 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $6,001 $13,179 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $5,284 $12,296 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $4,169 $11,103 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $3,671 $10,303 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $4,150 $10,030 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $6,383 $10,719 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $6,988 $10,929 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $7,371 $10,938 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $7,837 $11,002 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $7,436 $10,461 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $6,398 $9,524 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $6,050 $8,906 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $5,508 $8,897 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $4,753 $8,162 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $4,102 $7,808 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $3,589 $7,112 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $2,995 $6,683 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $2,734 - $2,250 -
1988 $2,677 - $3,191 -
1987 $2,416 - $2,611 -
1986 $1,939 - $3,376 -
1985 $1,568 - $3,549 -
1984 $1,615 - $3,520 -
1983 $1,707 - $4,079 -
1982 $3,085 - $4,202 -
1981 $3,728 - $4,228 -
1980 $3,443 - $3,874 -
1979 $2,443 - $3,257 -
1978 $1,678 - $2,727 -
1977 $1,414 - $2,585 -
1976 $1,268 - $2,309 -
1975 $1,232 - $2,078 -
1974 $1,433 - $2,034 -
1973 $1,397 - $1,367 -
1972 $776 - $1,155 -
1971 $1,000 - $1,106 -
1970 $766 - $1,015 -
1969 $723 - $932 -
1968 $579 - $938 -
1967 $585 - $893 -
1966 $668 - $876 -
1965 $705 - $869 -
1964 $745 - $874 -
1963 $587 - $1,060 -
1962 $659 - $1,007 -
1961 $604 - $954 -
1960 $491 - $939 -

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

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

Uruguay's GDP per capita is $23,907, ranking 52/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Uruguay Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$81B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
81/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
3.11%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,907
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
52/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$36,418
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
61/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$55.6B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
68.7%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$16,421
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
38/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,433
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$284M
1996
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2024
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2024
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.1%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.85%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
8.25%
2025
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.21%
2024
7.53%
2020
Population
3382789
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Uruguay
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Uruguay Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.1% 68.7% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 30.5% 64% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 30% 59.9% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 30.2% 64.1% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 32.8% 68.2% 11.2% 337%
2019 30.6% 59.6% 21% 206%
2018 30.3% 57.9% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 29.7% 55.8% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 29.7% 56.4% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 28.4% 57.8% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 29.1% 51.1% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 28.8% 50% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 27.7% 49.8% 38% 58.4%
2011 26.3% 41.3% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 27.4% 40.9% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 27.2% 46.2% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 26.3% 46.2% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 26.8% 52.8% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 26.8% 61.1% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 26.3% 66.2% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 26.6% 73.7% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 27.7% 91.9% 32.2% 56%
2002 27.6% 90.1% 31% 48.2%
2001 27.8% 39.4% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 26.6% 30.5% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 27.2% 24.1% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 27.3% 19.4% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 27.6% 18.8% 31% 34.8%
1996 26.5% 18.3% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 26.2% 18.5% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 29.5% 19.3% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 27.7% 20% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 23.6% 22.2% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 22.2% 20.4% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 21.1% 26.2% 31.9% 63.3%
1989 37% - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 26% 34.8% 33.2% 46.3%
1987 24.4% 37.3% 25.1% 58.3%
1986 25.1% 34.6% 21.5% 45.9%
1985 24.6% 29% 20.3% 34.1%
1984 25.6% 39.5% 19.7% 36.4%
1983 26.5% 21.2% 25.3% 21.4%
1982 29.5% 13.5% 29% 18.6%
1981 25% 4.32% 29.6% 18.9%
1980 21.8% 4.59% 22% 16.6%
1979 20.2% 3.98% 22.3% 19.2%
1978 22.9% 5.64% 29.2% 16.6%
1977 23.5% 7.26% 30.6% 12.7%
1976 24.2% 8.67% 26.6% 9.64%
1975 23% 8.13% 33.8% 8.31%
1974 23.8% 7.61% 35.3% 7.72%
1973 22.6% 7% 20% 9.78%
1972 24.6% 9.12% 21.3% 10.6%
1971 20.1% 9.3% 19.6% 9.64%
1970 15.1% 6.11% 19.5% 10.6%
1969 14.6% - 21% 9.91%
1968 14.1% - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 14.7% - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 14.1% - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 15.6% - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 14.3% - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 14.6% - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 16% - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 13% - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 9.9% - 23.7% 8.28%

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/uruguay/venezuela | CC BY

In 2024, Uruguay's government spending was $25.2B, accounting for 31.1% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 68.7% in Uruguay and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 59/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Uruguay

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Uruguay Venezuela
2024 -3.22% -3.6%
2023 -3.13% -1.25%
2022 -2.52% -5.29%
2021 -2.61% -5.85%
2020 -4.64% -6.63%
2019 -2.71% -10.9%
2018 -1.89% -31%
2017 -2.51% -13.3%
2016 -2.68% -8.46%
2015 -1.86% -8.06%
2014 -2.6% -9.81%
2013 -1.72% -10.4%
2012 -2.17% -9.86%
2011 -0.33% -8.24%
2010 -0.39% -4.74%
2009 -1.39% -8.69%
2008 -1.31% -3.46%
2007 -0.16% -2.82%
2006 -0.64% -1.6%
2005 -0.28% 4.09%
2004 -0.87% 2.47%
2003 -2.19% 0.17%
2002 -3.19% -1.48%
2001 -2.85% -4.59%
2000 -2.76% 4.45%
1999 -2.76% 0.74%
1998 -0.76% -4.49%
1997 -0.97% 2.58%
1996 -1.32% 7.94%
1995 -1.08% -5.86%
1994 -2.37% -11.2%
1993 -0.47% -2.92%
1992 0.6% -6.37%
1991 0.88% -2.28%
1990 0.49% 3.84%
1989 -13.1% -0.91%
1988 -1.47% -9.24%
1987 -0.66% -7.47%
1986 -0.34% 0.82%
1985 -1.88% 6.97%
1984 -4.94% 5.33%
1983 -3.54% 1.24%
1982 -8.22% -0.17%
1981 -1.15% 4.74%
1980 0.43% 4.41%
1979 0.99% -3.07%
1978 -0.47% -5.44%
1977 -0.69% -4.69%
1976 -2.01% 1.65%
1975 -4.38% 0.88%
1974 -3.74% 2.76%
1973 -1.09% 1.98%
1972 -2.25% 0.42%
1971 -5.86% 0.78%
1970 -1.33% -1.22%
1969 -2.37% -2.17%
1968 -2.93% -0.32%
1967 -4.12% 0.51%
1966 -2.01% 0.23%
1965 -5.14% 0.39%
1964 -3.61% 1.91%
1963 -4.4% 1.92%
1962 -5.02% 2.14%
1961 -0.86% -1.91%
1960 0.79% -4.08%
1959 0.64% -4.98%
1958 -1.38% -4.86%
1957 -0.72% 6.7%
1956 0.04% 0.76%
1955 -1.24% 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 (1920–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uruguay's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.6B, equivalent to 3.22% of GDP. This compares to Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Uruguay recorded a fiscal deficit in 59 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 39 years. On average, Uruguay posted an annual deficit equal to 2.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.59% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Uruguay

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Uruguay Venezuela
2024 4.85% 49%
2023 5.87% 338%
2022 9.1% 186.5%
2021 7.75% 1,589%
2020 9.76% 2,355%
2019 7.88% 19,906%
2018 7.61% 65,374%
2017 6.22% 438%
2016 9.64% 254.9%
2015 8.67% 121.7%
2014 8.88% 62.2%
2013 8.58% 40.6%
2012 8.1% 21.1%
2011 8.09% 26.1%
2010 6.7% 28.2%
2009 7.06% 26%
2008 7.88% 31.4%
2007 8.11% 18.7%
2006 6.4% 13.7%
2005 4.7% 16%
2004 9.16% 21.7%
2003 19.4% 31.1%
2002 14% 22.4%
2001 4.36% 12.5%
2000 4.76% 16.2%
1999 5.66% 23.6%
1998 10.8% 35.8%
1997 19.8% 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/uruguay/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Uruguay has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.56%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 4.85% in Uruguay and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Uruguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $16.1M
Raw agricultural goods $12.4M
Chemicals & pharma $4.52M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.2M
Machinery & equipment $702K
Metals $47K
Textiles & consumer goods $17K
Miscellaneous $11K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.08M
Chemicals & pharma $158K
Raw materials & minerals $32K

Balance of trade

Uruguay Venezuela
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
111/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.78%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$13B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$16.3B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$6.22B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$7.1B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Uruguay Venezuela
Economic freedom 69.8 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 39/197 194/197
Property rights 87.4 0
Government integrity 79 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 80.9 5.1
Tax burden 73.3 73.4
Government spending 72 93
Fiscal health 76.6 29.1
Business freedom 83.8 31.1
Labor freedom 61.7 35.5
Monetary freedom 70.2 0
Trade freedom 73.2 43.2
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Uruguay
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Uruguay Venezuela
2026 69.8 27.3
2025 70.2 27.6
2024 69.8 28.1
2023 70.2 25.8
2022 70 24.8
2021 69.3 24.7
2020 69.1 25.2
2019 68.6 25.9
2018 69.2 25.2
2017 69.7 27
2016 68.8 33.7
2015 68.6 34.3
2014 69.3 36.3
2013 69.7 36.1
2012 69.9 38.1
2011 70 37.6
2010 69.8 37.1
2009 69.1 39.9
2008 67.9 44.7
2007 68.4 47.9
2006 65.3 44.6
2005 66.9 45.2
2004 66.7 46.7
2003 69.8 54.8
2002 68.7 54.7
2001 70.7 54.6
2000 69.3 57.4
1999 68.5 56.1
1998 68.6 54
1997 67.5 52.8
1996 63.7 54.5
1995 62.5 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Uruguay is 69.8, ranking 39/197, 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

Uruguay Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
65.3%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.42%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$73.3B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$34,170
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$17.4B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
66/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$2.58B
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.94B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.37B
2024
$2.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.3%
2024
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
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/uruguay/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1998, 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 (2013–2024, 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.

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.