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Economy of Australia vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Australia has a GDP of $1.8T compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 15/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $918B in government debt (51% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Australia vs Qatar GDP by year

Australia
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Qatar
2025 $1,798,518,933,689 $215,559,615,385
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $216,294,505,495
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $213,002,809,341
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $235,709,325,714
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $179,732,009,560
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $144,411,363,352
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $176,371,267,692
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $183,334,953,819
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $161,099,122,225
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $151,732,181,868
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $161,739,955,577
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $206,224,598,571
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $198,727,642,967
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $186,833,502,363
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $167,775,274,725
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $125,122,252,747
2009 $931,761,689,771 $97,798,351,648
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $115,269,780,220
2007 $856,603,595,823 $79,711,813,187
2006 $749,708,370,333 $60,882,142,857
2005 $696,811,489,613 $44,530,494,505
2004 $615,643,050,221 $31,734,065,934
2003 $468,517,181,130 $23,533,791,209
2002 $396,436,967,263 $19,363,736,264
2001 $380,360,222,861 $17,538,461,538
2000 $416,901,962,163 $17,759,890,110
1999 $390,347,787,943 $12,393,131,868
1998 $400,361,527,505 $10,255,494,505
1997 $436,321,902,767 $11,297,802,198
1996 $401,962,517,479 $9,059,340,659
1995 $368,725,126,225 $8,137,912,088
1994 $323,269,456,935 $7,374,450,549
1993 $312,568,858,910 $7,156,593,407
1992 $325,982,966,981 $7,646,153,846
1991 $326,416,407,861 $6,883,516,484
1990 $311,840,666,465 $7,360,439,560
1989 $300,264,309,002 $6,487,912,088
1988 $236,461,079,970 $6,038,186,813
1987 $189,726,707,253 $5,446,428,571
1986 $182,707,050,923 $5,053,021,978
1985 $180,861,108,959 $6,153,296,703
1984 $193,749,932,078 $6,870,329,670
1983 $177,523,719,680 $6,484,890,110
1982 $194,323,071,831 $7,611,263,736
1981 $177,151,979,566 $8,672,527,473
1980 $150,200,557,103 $7,837,915,956
1979 $135,093,718,051 $5,632,962,997
1978 $118,660,813,780 $4,052,000,413
1977 $110,504,702,914 $3,617,564,638
1976 $105,209,354,856 $3,284,273,987
1975 $97,440,939,506 $2,512,773,166
1974 $89,086,219,602 $2,401,403,227
1973 $63,923,126,201 $793,885,560
1972 $52,117,990,654 $510,262,500
1971 $45,283,847,245 $387,703,106
1970 $41,395,206,623 $301,791,302
1969 $36,738,245,878 -
1968 $32,763,365,242 -
1967 $30,487,524,878 -
1966 $27,349,284,376 -
1965 $26,014,244,162 -
1964 $23,835,843,814 -
1963 $21,573,443,452 -
1962 $19,953,923,193 -
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/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Qatar by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $65,130 - $72,525 -
2024 $64,610 $72,111 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $17,858 - $15,243 -
1988 $14,303 - $14,682 -
1987 $11,666 - $13,719 -
1986 $11,406 - $13,213 -
1985 $11,455 - $16,815 -
1984 $12,436 - $19,749 -
1983 $11,532 - $19,669 -
1982 $12,798 - $24,431 -
1981 $11,871 - $29,543 -
1980 $10,223 - $28,407 -
1979 $9,308 - $21,777 -
1978 $8,264 - $16,757 -
1977 $7,786 - $16,058 -
1976 $7,497 - $15,710 -
1975 $7,014 - $13,014 -
1974 $6,492 - $13,540 -
1973 $4,778 - $4,905 -
1972 $3,955 - $3,483 -
1971 $3,500 - $2,952 -
1970 $3,310 - $2,594 -
1969 $2,996 - - -
1968 $2,728 - - -
1967 $2,584 - - -
1966 $2,347 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,134 - - -
1963 $1,970 - - -
1962 $1,858 - - -
1961 $1,880 - - -
1960 $1,813 - - -

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

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

Australia's GDP per capita is $65,130, ranking 14/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Australia Qatar
Gross domestic product
$1.8T
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
15/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
1.35%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$65,130
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$918B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$33,239
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,637
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.05T
2025
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires
1,634,000
2026
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires
47
2026
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.9%
2020
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.5%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.35%
2026
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.2%
2025
0.1%
2024
Population
28010980
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.5% 51% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 38.7% 50.6% 26% 41.3%
2023 37.4% 49.4% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 37.4% 50% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 41.7% 55.4% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 44.3% 56.9% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 38.8% 46.5% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 36.7% 41.6% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 36.6% 41% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 37.1% 40.5% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 37.1% 37.6% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 36.6% 33.9% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 36.2% 30.3% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 36.4% 27.4% 31% 32.1%
2011 36.2% 24% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 36.8% 20.3% 32% 30.4%
2009 37.6% 16.6% 36.4% 36%
2008 35% 11.7% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 34.2% 9.65% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 34.5% 9.92% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 34.5% 10.8% 29% 19.1%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 34.9% 15% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 35.1% 19.5% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 33.6% 31.1% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 34.1% 30.6% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 34% 27.6% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 33% 21.6% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 30.4% 16.4% 50% 12.6%
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/qatar | CC BY

In 2025, Australia's government spending was $710B, accounting for 39.5% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51% in Australia and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 104/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Qatar
2025 -2.78% -1%
2024 -2.25% 0.71%
2023 -1.26% 5.51%
2022 -2.21% 10.4%
2021 -6.35% 0.24%
2020 -8.7% -2.13%
2019 -4.39% 1%
2018 -1.25% 2.26%
2017 -1.71% -6.82%
2016 -2.41% -9.2%
2015 -2.78% 18.4%
2014 -2.91% 13.4%
2013 -2.8% 19.3%
2012 -3.5% 8.55%
2011 -4.51% 5.24%
2010 -5.1% 4.6%
2009 -4.55% 14.1%
2008 -1.1% 9.49%
2007 1.47% 10.3%
2006 1.77% 8.39%
2005 1.7% 9.8%
2004 1.32% 17.7%
2003 1.05% 6.71%
2002 0.19% 7.89%
2001 -0.03% 4.48%
2000 1.25% 4.62%
1999 0.66% -4.35%
1998 -0.25% -7%
1997 -0.49% -9.4%
1996 -1.45% -8.73%
1995 -2.6% -5.78%
1994 -3.79% -11.8%
1993 -4.72% -9.53%
1992 -4.74% -2.74%
1991 -2.78% -2.57%
1990 -0.23% 3.23%
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/qatar | 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 Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Qatar
2025 2.87% 0.6%
2024 3.17% 1.2%
2023 5.6% 3.1%
2022 6.59% 5%
2021 2.86% 2.3%
2020 0.85% -2.5%
2019 1.61% -0.9%
2018 1.91% 0.1%
2017 1.95% 0.6%
2016 1.28% 2.7%
2015 1.51% 0.9%
2014 2.49% 4.2%
2013 2.45% 3.1%
2012 1.76% 1.8%
2011 3.3% 2%
2010 2.92% -2.4%
2009 1.77% -4.9%
2008 4.35% 15.1%
2007 2.33% 13.7%
2006 3.56% 11.7%
2005 2.69% 9%
2004 2.34% 6.8%
2003 2.73% 2.3%
2002 2.98% 0.2%
2001 4.41% 1.7%
2000 4.46% 1.6%
1999 1.48% 2.2%
1998 0.86% 2.9%
1997 0.22% 2.7%

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/australia/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.67%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 2.87% in Australia and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $423M
Animal & marine products $147M
Raw agricultural goods $33.2M
Machinery & equipment $19.8M
Chemicals & pharma $6.27M
Metals $5.05M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.51M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.84M
Precious metals & jewellery $169K
Miscellaneous $162K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $97.8M
Metals $65.6M
Chemicals & pharma $25M
Machinery & equipment $11.2M
Miscellaneous $448K
Animal & marine products $253K
Textiles & consumer goods $242K
Wood & paper products $184K
Raw agricultural goods $32K
Precious metals & jewellery $27K

Balance of trade

Australia Qatar
Current account balance
-$48.2B
2025
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2025
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.68%
2025
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$309B
2025
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$337B
2025
$90B
2025
Service imports
$116B
2025
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$91.6B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.7%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Qatar
Economic freedom 80.1 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 37/197
Property rights 88.2 66.2
Government integrity 88.1 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 41.5
Tax burden 61.8 99.9
Government spending 56.6 79.9
Fiscal health 89 96.6
Business freedom 92.3 68
Labor freedom 61.5 58.5
Monetary freedom 77.2 76
Trade freedom 89.8 81.8
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Qatar
2026 80.1 70.2
2025 79.3 70.2
2024 76.2 68.8
2023 74.8 68.6
2022 77.7 67.7
2021 82.4 72
2020 82.6 72.3
2019 80.9 72.6
2018 80.9 72.6
2017 81 73.1
2016 80.3 70.7
2015 81.4 70.8
2014 82 71.2
2013 82.6 71.3
2012 83.1 71.3
2011 82.5 70.5
2010 82.6 69
2009 82.6 65.8
2008 82.2 62.2
2007 81.1 62.9
2006 79.9 62.4
2005 79 63.5
2004 77.9 66.5
2003 77.4 65.9
2002 77.3 61.9
2001 77.4 60
2000 77.1 62
1999 76.4 62
1998 75.6 -
1997 75.5 -
1996 74 -
1995 74.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Qatar
Services, % of GDP
67.5%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.27%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.77T
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,930
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$72.6B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
37/177
2025
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$41.1B
2025
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.7B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$1.56B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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 (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.