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Economy of Australia vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Australia has a GDP of $1.8T compared to $157B for Kuwait, ranking 15/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $918B in government debt (51% of GDP), compared to $22.9B (14.6% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Australia vs Kuwait GDP by year

Australia
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Kuwait
2025 $1,798,518,933,689 $157,209,026,926
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $160,903,106,639
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $165,462,656,227
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $183,502,046,694
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $148,350,671,489
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $111,045,470,606
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $140,856,394,861
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $138,646,316,351
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $120,687,539,806
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $109,406,674,125
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $114,585,555,689
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $162,650,450,685
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $174,168,116,535
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $174,047,662,680
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $154,039,231,246
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $115,416,245,242
2009 $931,761,689,771 $105,968,691,905
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $147,379,737,230
2007 $856,603,595,823 $114,634,043,362
2006 $749,708,370,333 $101,557,330,723
2005 $696,811,489,613 $80,798,630,137
2004 $615,643,050,221 $59,439,090,601
2003 $468,517,181,130 $47,874,582,232
2002 $396,436,967,263 $38,135,788,414
2001 $380,360,222,861 $34,889,559,870
2000 $416,901,962,163 $37,718,743,480
1999 $390,347,787,943 $30,122,365,849
1998 $400,361,527,505 $25,943,705,784
1997 $436,321,902,767 $30,350,190,704
1996 $401,962,517,479 $31,492,373,309
1995 $368,725,126,225 $27,186,980,647
1994 $323,269,456,935 $24,848,483,838
1993 $312,568,858,910 $23,941,391,391
1992 $325,982,966,981 $19,858,555,215
1991 $326,416,407,861 $11,009,993,703
1990 $311,840,666,465 $18,427,777,778
1989 $300,264,309,002 $24,313,855,653
1988 $236,461,079,970 $20,690,322,153
1987 $189,726,707,253 $22,368,704,134
1986 $182,707,050,923 $17,903,989,745
1985 $180,861,108,959 $21,445,970,614
1984 $193,749,932,078 $21,700,082,753
1983 $177,523,719,680 $20,871,081,080
1982 $194,323,071,831 $21,577,153,356
1981 $177,151,979,566 $25,058,020,338
1980 $150,200,557,103 $28,638,868,356
1979 $135,093,718,051 $24,749,063,922
1978 $118,660,813,780 $15,503,557,496
1977 $110,504,702,914 $14,137,406,741
1976 $105,209,354,856 $13,132,252,802
1975 $97,440,939,506 $12,022,811,621
1974 $89,086,219,602 $13,006,948,296
1973 $63,923,126,201 $5,408,804,607
1972 $52,117,990,654 $4,450,537,925
1971 $45,283,847,245 $3,880,392,195
1970 $41,395,206,623 $2,873,638,851
1969 $36,738,245,878 $2,769,198,892
1968 $32,763,365,242 $2,662,798,935
1967 $30,487,524,878 $2,441,599,023
1966 $27,349,284,376 $2,391,199,044
1965 $26,014,244,162 $2,097,199,161
1964 $23,835,843,814 $2,071,668,533
1963 $21,573,443,452 $1,900,895,857
1962 $19,953,923,193 $1,828,107,503
1961 $19,713,123,154 -
1960 $18,635,682,982 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/kuwait | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Kuwait by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $65,130 - $32,312 -
2024 $64,610 $72,111 $32,856 $52,444
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $34,092 $53,025
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $17,858 - $10,965 -
1988 $14,303 - $9,692 -
1987 $11,666 - $10,896 -
1986 $11,406 - $9,077 -
1985 $11,455 - $11,322 -
1984 $12,436 - $11,919 -
1983 $11,532 - $11,965 -
1982 $12,798 - $12,979 -
1981 $11,871 - $15,825 -
1980 $10,223 - $19,032 -
1979 $9,308 - $17,386 -
1978 $8,264 - $11,567 -
1977 $7,786 - $11,238 -
1976 $7,497 - $11,141 -
1975 $7,014 - $10,882 -
1974 $6,492 - $12,527 -
1973 $4,778 - $5,532 -
1972 $3,955 - $4,836 -
1971 $3,500 - $4,486 -
1970 $3,310 - $3,552 -
1969 $2,996 - $3,695 -
1968 $2,728 - $3,872 -
1967 $2,584 - $3,887 -
1966 $2,347 - $4,176 -
1965 $2,284 - $4,024 -
1964 $2,134 - $4,379 -
1963 $1,970 - $4,445 -
1962 $1,858 - $4,748 -
1961 $1,880 - - -
1960 $1,813 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/kuwait | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $65,130, ranking 14/197, compared to $32,312 in Kuwait, ranking 41/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Australia Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$1.8T
2025
$157B
2025
GDP rank
15/197
2025
59/197
2025
GDP growth
1.35%
2024-2025
2.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$65,130
2025
$32,312
2025
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$918B
2025
$22.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51%
2025
14.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$33,239
2025
$4,714
2025
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2025
87/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,637
2026
$24,940
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.05T
2025
$172B
2025
Number of millionaires
1,634,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.9%
2020
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.5%
2025
50.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.35%
2026
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.2%
2025
2.16%
2016
Population
28010980
4981316

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.5% 51% 50.1% 14.6%
2024 38.7% 50.6% 48% 2.91%
2023 37.4% 49.4% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 37.4% 50% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 41.7% 55.4% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 44.3% 56.9% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 38.8% 46.5% 50.2% 10.5%
2018 36.7% 41.6% 51% 14.3%
2017 36.6% 41% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 37.1% 40.5% 54% 9.88%
2015 37.1% 37.6% 55.3% 4.6%
2014 36.6% 33.9% 45% 3.43%
2013 36.2% 30.3% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 36.4% 27.4% 38.1% 3.6%
2011 36.2% 24% 39.6% 4.64%
2010 36.8% 20.3% 45.4% 6.16%
2009 37.6% 16.6% 42.8% 6.65%
2008 35% 11.7% 40.8% 5.38%
2007 34.2% 9.65% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 34.5% 9.92% 32.2% 7.79%
2005 34.5% 10.8% 28.7% 10.2%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 35.2% 13.9%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 38% 17.2%
2002 34.9% 15% 42.5% 21.3%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 41.2% 23%
2000 35.1% 19.5% 29.7% 21.4%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 44.3% 25.5%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 51.4% 25.6%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 43.5% 24.3%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 42.5% 26.5%
1995 33.6% 31.1% 51.7% 34.9%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 57.5% 37.7%
1993 34.1% 30.6% 58% 28.8%
1992 34% 27.6% 77.4% 27.9%
1991 33% 21.6% 208.1% 45.3%
1990 30.4% 16.4% 122.4% -
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

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).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/kuwait | CC BY

In 2025, Australia's government spending was $710B, accounting for 39.5% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $78.8B, or 50.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51% in Australia and 14.6% in Kuwait, ranking 104/185 and 177/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Kuwait
2025 -2.78% 28.4%
2024 -2.25% 26%
2023 -1.26% 28.2%
2022 -2.21% 30%
2021 -6.35% 9.99%
2020 -8.7% 0.16%
2019 -4.39% 13%
2018 -1.25% 17.6%
2017 -1.71% 15.3%
2016 -2.41% 12.8%
2015 -2.78% 16.3%
2014 -2.91% 29.8%
2013 -2.8% 40.4%
2012 -3.5% 40.5%
2011 -4.51% 38.6%
2010 -5.1% 31.7%
2009 -4.55% 31.1%
2008 -1.1% 21.2%
2007 1.47% 36.9%
2006 1.77% 27.8%
2005 1.7% 38.8%
2004 1.32% 32.3%
2003 1.05% 27%
2002 0.19% 30.9%
2001 -0.03% 44.9%
2000 1.25% 52.3%
1999 0.66% 28%
1998 -0.25% 19.4%
1997 -0.49% 29.4%
1996 -1.45% 24.2%
1995 -2.6% 11.7%
1994 -3.79% 1.71%
1993 -4.72% -3.2%
1992 -4.74% -28%
1991 -2.78% -144.5%
1990 -0.23% -49.9%
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/kuwait | CC BY

In 2025, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $50B, equivalent to 2.78% of GDP. This compares to Kuwait's surplus of $44.6B, or 28.4% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to surplus of 17% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Kuwait
2025 2.87% 2.36%
2024 3.17% 2.9%
2023 5.6% 3.64%
2022 6.59% 3.98%
2021 2.86% 3.42%
2020 0.85% 2.1%
2019 1.61% 1.09%
2018 1.91% 0.54%
2017 1.95% 2.17%
2016 1.28% 3.2%
2015 1.51% 3.27%
2014 2.49% 2.91%
2013 2.45% 2.68%
2012 1.76% 3.26%
2011 3.3% 4.84%
2010 2.92% 4.5%
2009 1.77% 4.61%
2008 4.35% 10.6%
2007 2.33% 5.48%
2006 3.56% 3.06%
2005 2.69% 4.14%
2004 2.34% 1.25%
2003 2.73% 0.96%
2002 2.98% 0.89%
2001 4.41% 1.3%
2000 4.46% 1.81%
1999 1.48% 2.99%
1998 0.86% 0.13%
1997 0.22% 0.68%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/kuwait | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.67%, compared with 2.92% in Kuwait. In 2025, inflation was 2.87% in Australia and 2.36% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $168M
Raw agricultural goods $151M
Machinery & equipment $9.55M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.22M
Chemicals & pharma $3.94M
Wood & paper products $1.85M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.61M
Metals $1.37M
Miscellaneous $407K
Raw materials & minerals $143K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $663K
Textiles & consumer goods $568K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $411K
Chemicals & pharma $209K
Animal & marine products $148K
Raw materials & minerals $144K
Miscellaneous $65K
Metals $56K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Raw agricultural goods $6K

Balance of trade

Australia Kuwait
Current account balance
-$48.2B
2025
$35.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2025
16/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.68%
2025
+22.7%
2025
Goods imports
$309B
2025
$37.5B
2025
Goods exports
$337B
2025
$70.7B
2025
Service imports
$116B
2025
$29.6B
2025
Service exports
$91.6B
2025
$12.7B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.7%
2025
38.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
55.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Kuwait
Economic freedom 80.1 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 100/197
Property rights 88.2 42
Government integrity 88.1 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 43.4
Tax burden 61.8 97.7
Government spending 56.6 36.2
Fiscal health 89 99.9
Business freedom 92.3 57.4
Labor freedom 61.5 49.2
Monetary freedom 77.2 68.7
Trade freedom 89.8 75.8
Investment freedom 80 50
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Kuwait
2026 80.1 59.9
2025 79.3 59.9
2024 76.2 58.5
2023 74.8 56.7
2022 77.7 58.3
2021 82.4 64.1
2020 82.6 63.2
2019 80.9 60.8
2018 80.9 62.2
2017 81 65.1
2016 80.3 62.7
2015 81.4 62.5
2014 82 62.3
2013 82.6 63.1
2012 83.1 62.5
2011 82.5 64.9
2010 82.6 67.7
2009 82.6 65.6
2008 82.2 68.1
2007 81.1 66.4
2006 79.9 66.5
2005 79 64.6
2004 77.9 63.6
2003 77.4 66.7
2002 77.3 65.4
2001 77.4 68.2
2000 77.1 69.7
1999 76.4 69.5
1998 75.6 66.3
1997 75.5 64.8
1996 74 66.1
1995 74.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/kuwait | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
67.5%
2025
59.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
54.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.27%
2025
0.53%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.77T
2025
$201B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,930
2025
$64,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$72.6B
2025
$51.7B
2025
Total reserves ranking
37/177
2025
47/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$41.1B
2025
$2.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.7B
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$10.3B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
15.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/kuwait | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.