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Economy of Australia vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Australia has a GDP of $1.8T compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 15/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $918B in government debt (51% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Australia vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Australia
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Saudi Arabia
2025 $1,798,518,933,689 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $982,661,066,667
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $767,951,200,000
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $888,890,133,333
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $886,564,800,000
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $741,266,133,333
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $689,279,466,667
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $693,414,400,000
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $787,153,066,667
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $769,755,733,333
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $751,921,333,333
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $680,660,800,000
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $528,207,466,667
2009 $931,761,689,771 $429,097,866,667
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $519,796,800,000
2007 $856,603,595,823 $415,964,509,673
2006 $749,708,370,333 $376,900,133,511
2005 $696,811,489,613 $328,459,608,764
2004 $615,643,050,221 $258,742,133,333
2003 $468,517,181,130 $215,807,733,333
2002 $396,436,967,263 $189,605,866,667
2001 $380,360,222,861 $184,137,600,000
2000 $416,901,962,163 $189,514,933,333
1999 $390,347,787,943 $161,717,066,667
1998 $400,361,527,505 $146,775,466,667
1997 $436,321,902,767 $165,963,684,913
1996 $401,962,517,479 $158,662,483,311
1995 $368,725,126,225 $143,343,124,166
1994 $323,269,456,935 $135,174,899,866
1993 $312,568,858,910 $132,967,957,276
1992 $325,982,966,981 $137,087,850,467
1991 $326,416,407,861 $132,223,230,975
1990 $311,840,666,465 $117,630,173,565
1989 $300,264,309,002 $95,344,459,279
1988 $236,461,079,970 $88,256,074,766
1987 $189,726,707,253 $85,695,861,148
1986 $182,707,050,923 $86,961,922,765
1985 $180,861,108,959 $103,897,846,494
1984 $193,749,932,078 $119,624,858,116
1983 $177,523,719,680 $129,171,635,311
1982 $194,323,071,831 $153,240,313,858
1981 $177,151,979,566 $184,291,360,139
1980 $150,200,557,103 $164,539,660,725
1979 $135,093,718,051 $111,858,444,786
1978 $118,660,813,780 $80,266,516,687
1977 $110,504,702,914 $74,188,986,586
1976 $105,209,354,856 $64,005,665,722
1975 $97,440,939,506 $46,773,208,643
1974 $89,086,219,602 $45,412,957,746
1973 $63,923,126,201 $14,947,435,499
1972 $52,117,990,654 $9,664,267,087
1971 $45,283,847,245 $7,184,806,909
1970 $41,395,206,623 $5,377,333,333
1969 $36,738,245,878 $4,485,777,644
1968 $32,763,365,242 $4,187,777,711
1967 $30,487,524,878 $3,257,022,223
1966 $27,349,284,376 $2,920,555,557
1965 $26,014,244,162 $2,647,955,558
1964 $23,835,843,814 $2,371,808,713
1963 $21,573,443,452 $2,207,393,172
1962 $19,953,923,193 $2,130,606,532
1961 $19,713,123,154 $1,920,811,284
1960 $18,635,682,982 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Saudi Arabia by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $65,130 - $34,537 -
2024 $64,610 $72,111 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $17,858 - $9,414 -
1988 $14,303 - $9,165 -
1987 $11,666 - $9,386 -
1986 $11,406 - $10,078 -
1985 $11,455 - $12,745 -
1984 $12,436 - $15,541 -
1983 $11,532 - $17,810 -
1982 $12,798 - $22,454 -
1981 $11,871 - $28,703 -
1980 $10,223 - $27,206 -
1979 $9,308 - $19,612 -
1978 $8,264 - $14,914 -
1977 $7,786 - $14,595 -
1976 $7,497 - $13,313 -
1975 $7,014 - $10,266 -
1974 $6,492 - $10,503 -
1973 $4,778 - $3,640 -
1972 $3,955 - $2,474 -
1971 $3,500 - $1,929 -
1970 $3,310 - $1,509 -
1969 $2,996 - $1,313 -
1968 $2,728 - $1,276 -
1967 $2,584 - $1,032 -
1966 $2,347 - $961 -
1965 $2,284 - $904 -
1964 $2,134 - $840 -
1963 $1,970 - $812 -
1962 $1,858 - $813 -
1961 $1,880 - $760 -
1960 $1,813 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $65,130, ranking 14/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Australia Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$1.8T
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
15/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
1.35%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$65,130
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$918B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$33,239
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,637
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.05T
2025
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires
1,634,000
2026
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires
47
2026
15
2026
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
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.35%
2026
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.2%
2025
3.24%
2025
Population
28010980
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.5% 51% 29% 31.7%
2024 38.7% 50.6% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 37.4% 49.4% 28.3% 23%
2022 37.4% 50% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 41.7% 55.4% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 44.3% 56.9% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 38.8% 46.5% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 36.7% 41.6% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 36.6% 41% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 37.1% 40.5% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 37.1% 37.6% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 36.6% 33.9% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 36.2% 30.3% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 36.4% 27.4% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 36.2% 24% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 36.8% 20.3% 33% 8.43%
2009 37.6% 16.6% 37.1% 14%
2008 35% 11.7% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 34.2% 9.65% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 34.5% 9.92% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 34.5% 10.8% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 34.9% 15% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 35.1% 19.5% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 30.3% 103%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 33.6% 31.1% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 34.1% 30.6% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 34% 27.6% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 33% 21.6% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 30.4% 16.4% 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Australia's government spending was $710B, accounting for 39.5% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51% in Australia and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 104/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Saudi Arabia
2025 -2.78% -5.77%
2024 -2.25% -2.46%
2023 -1.26% -1.77%
2022 -2.21% 2.24%
2021 -6.35% -1.99%
2020 -8.7% -10.2%
2019 -4.39% -3.96%
2018 -1.25% -5.21%
2017 -1.71% -8.57%
2016 -2.41% -13.2%
2015 -2.78% -14.9%
2014 -2.91% -3.4%
2013 -2.8% 5.47%
2012 -3.5% 11.7%
2011 -4.51% 11.4%
2010 -5.1% 4.39%
2009 -4.55% -5.38%
2008 -1.1% 29.8%
2007 1.47% 11.8%
2006 1.77% 20.8%
2005 1.7% 18%
2004 1.32% 9.72%
2003 1.05% 1.2%
2002 0.19% -5.91%
2001 -0.03% -3.91%
2000 1.25% 3.18%
1999 0.66% -5.99%
1998 -0.25% -8.88%
1997 -0.49% -2.51%
1996 -1.45% -3.25%
1995 -2.6% -5.12%
1994 -3.79% -8.31%
1993 -4.72% -9.33%
1992 -4.74% -8.12%
1991 -2.78% -3.28%
1990 -0.23% -
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Saudi Arabia
2025 2.87% 2.08%
2024 3.17% 1.69%
2023 5.6% 2.33%
2022 6.59% 2.47%
2021 2.86% 3.06%
2020 0.85% 3.37%
2019 1.61% -1.19%
2018 1.91% 2.47%
2017 1.95% -0.83%
2016 1.28% 2.05%
2015 1.51% 1.22%
2014 2.49% 2.24%
2013 2.45% 3.51%
2012 1.76% 2.87%
2011 3.3% 5.83%
2010 2.92% 5.34%
2009 1.77% 5.06%
2008 4.35% 9.87%
2007 2.33% 4.17%
2006 3.56% 2.21%
2005 2.69% 0.48%
2004 2.34% 0.52%
2003 2.73% 0.61%
2002 2.98% 0.25%
2001 4.41% -1.12%
2000 4.46% -1.12%
1999 1.48% -1.33%
1998 0.86% -0.37%
1997 0.22% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.67%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 2.87% in Australia and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $415M
Raw agricultural goods $208M
Chemicals & pharma $83.3M
Machinery & equipment $80.5M
Metals $65M
Raw materials & minerals $26.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.54M
Wood & paper products $3.54M
Miscellaneous $336K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $789M
Chemicals & pharma $26.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $13M
Metals $7.22M
Machinery & equipment $6.43M
Animal & marine products $2.84M
Raw agricultural goods $2.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.35M
Precious metals & jewellery $252K
Miscellaneous $155K

Balance of trade

Australia Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$48.2B
2025
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2025
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.68%
2025
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$309B
2025
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$337B
2025
$311B
2025
Service imports
$116B
2025
$129B
2025
Service exports
$91.6B
2025
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.7%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 80.1 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 65/197
Property rights 88.2 51.4
Government integrity 88.1 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 38.2
Tax burden 61.8 99.2
Government spending 56.6 77
Fiscal health 89 97.9
Business freedom 92.3 71.2
Labor freedom 61.5 41.8
Monetary freedom 77.2 81.2
Trade freedom 89.8 73.8
Investment freedom 80 50
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Saudi Arabia
2026 80.1 65.4
2025 79.3 64.4
2024 76.2 61.9
2023 74.8 58.3
2022 77.7 55.5
2021 82.4 66
2020 82.6 62.4
2019 80.9 60.7
2018 80.9 59.6
2017 81 64.4
2016 80.3 62.1
2015 81.4 62.1
2014 82 62.2
2013 82.6 60.6
2012 83.1 62.5
2011 82.5 66.2
2010 82.6 64.1
2009 82.6 64.3
2008 82.2 62.5
2007 81.1 60.9
2006 79.9 63
2005 79 63
2004 77.9 60.4
2003 77.4 63.2
2002 77.3 65.3
2001 77.4 62.2
2000 77.1 66.5
1999 76.4 65.5
1998 75.6 69.3
1997 75.5 68.7
1996 74 68.3
1995 74.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
67.5%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.27%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.77T
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,930
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$72.6B
2025
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
37/177
2025
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$41.1B
2025
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.7B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
31.6%
2025

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/saudi-arabia | 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)
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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.