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Economy of Australia vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 14/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Australia vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Australia
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Saudi Arabia
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $1,218,584,533,333
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $35,122 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. 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
$1.76T
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires
47
2025
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
3.52%
2024
Population
27799169
36734925

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
2024 38.9% 50.7% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 28.3% 23%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 36.7% 34% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 36.3% 24% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 37% 20.3% 33% 8.43%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 37.1% 14%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 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 35.2% 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 33.7% 31.1% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 34.1% 30.7% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 34.1% 27.6% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 33.1% 21.6% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 30.5% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 104/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Saudi Arabia
2024 -2.25% -2.49%
2023 -1.27% -1.77%
2022 -2.21% 2.24%
2021 -6.37% -1.99%
2020 -8.73% -10.2%
2019 -4.41% -3.96%
2018 -1.26% -5.21%
2017 -1.72% -8.57%
2016 -2.42% -13.2%
2015 -2.79% -14.9%
2014 -2.92% -3.4%
2013 -2.81% 5.47%
2012 -3.51% 11.7%
2011 -4.53% 11.4%
2010 -5.12% 4.39%
2009 -4.56% -5.38%
2008 -1.1% 29.8%
2007 1.47% 11.8%
2006 1.77% 20.8%
2005 1.71% 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 0.67% -5.99%
1998 -0.25% -8.88%
1997 -0.49% -2.51%
1996 -1.46% -3.25%
1995 -2.6% -5.12%
1994 -3.79% -8.31%
1993 -4.73% -9.33%
1992 -4.74% -8.12%
1991 -2.79% -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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Saudi Arabia
2024 3.16% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $367M
Chemicals & pharma $78.9M
Machinery & equipment $71.2M
Raw agricultural goods $67.4M
Raw materials & minerals $31.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20.7M
Metals $20.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.7M
Wood & paper products $3.35M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.73M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $562M
Machinery & equipment $241M
Chemicals & pharma $35.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $29.6M
Metals $7.45M
Raw agricultural goods $3.04M
Animal & marine products $2.84M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.28M
Precious metals & jewellery $333K
Miscellaneous $148K

Balance of trade

Australia Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$109B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
29.1%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
66.1%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
30.2%
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/australia/saudi-arabia | 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 (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
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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.