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Economy of Bahrain vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bahrain has a GDP of $49B compared to $531B for Norway, ranking 98/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $72.3B in government debt (147.6% of GDP), compared to $239B (45% of GDP) in Norway.

Bahrain vs Norway GDP by year

Bahrain
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Norway
2025 $48,965,725,532 $530,755,719,439
2024 $47,210,732,713 $500,886,328,034
2023 $46,192,260,638 $502,197,633,323
2022 $46,458,191,489 $617,321,834,099
2021 $40,840,212,766 $521,592,200,233
2020 $35,837,632,979 $382,252,517,922
2019 $40,446,808,511 $424,244,886,364
2018 $39,567,978,723 $454,588,871,811
2017 $37,204,813,830 $415,673,181,543
2016 $33,884,680,851 $383,284,047,619
2015 $32,523,297,872 $400,669,174,331
2014 $34,772,526,596 $515,829,568,897
2013 $33,823,324,468 $540,132,255,319
2012 $31,963,404,255 $525,082,939,407
2011 $29,914,680,851 $512,868,581,628
2010 $26,805,984,043 $440,132,138,425
2009 $22,938,218,085 $395,664,488,017
2008 $25,710,904,255 $472,060,283,688
2007 $21,730,000,000 $407,813,774,161
2006 $18,504,760,638 $349,773,283,645
2005 $15,968,723,404 $311,417,306,946
2004 $13,150,159,574 $265,662,977,688
2003 $11,074,813,830 $229,192,678,173
2002 $9,593,510,638 $195,359,978,957
2001 $8,976,196,809 $173,590,978,347
2000 $9,062,898,936 $170,620,327,660
1999 $7,528,469,149 $161,304,620,987
1998 $7,031,309,043 $152,955,958,172
1997 $7,219,407,713 $160,013,571,974
1996 $6,938,166,755 $162,427,517,132
1995 $6,651,180,851 $151,083,627,983
1994 $6,330,627,926 $126,324,387,894
1993 $5,913,001,064 $119,841,699,440
1992 $5,402,232,447 $129,998,873,602
1991 $5,248,911,170 $121,149,331,318
1990 $4,809,511,005 $119,344,377,526
1989 $4,393,093,963 $102,226,808,603
1988 $4,209,834,173 $101,497,621,605
1987 $3,856,922,694 $93,913,320,965
1986 $3,470,746,843 $78,438,205,742
1985 $4,152,376,484 $65,211,464,198
1984 $4,440,874,566 $61,866,078,539
1983 $4,247,030,468 $61,417,685,434
1982 $4,145,421,080 $62,453,362,256
1981 $3,943,109,532 $63,392,804,251
1980 $3,493,834,468 $64,176,789,764
1979 $2,710,160,739 $52,935,763,512
1978 $2,272,042,965 $46,355,988,784
1977 $1,989,060,283 $41,362,637,363
1976 $1,581,709,519 $35,815,449,464
1975 $1,099,107,601 $32,742,543,381
1974 $1,042,176,884 $27,033,413,362
1973 $761,132,545 $22,433,660,550
1972 $534,081,184 $17,283,931,878
1971 $422,181,562 $14,523,306,736
1970 $391,577,364 $12,753,503,479
1969 - $11,083,505,596
1968 - $10,178,705,992
1967 - $9,532,076,026
1966 - $8,712,528,095
1965 - $8,073,570,566
1964 - $7,172,430,304
1963 - $6,522,268,053
1962 - $6,078,186,245
1961 - $5,642,867,672
1960 - $5,172,811,442

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/norway | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Norway by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $30,597 - $94,594 -
2024 $29,717 $66,941 $89,889 $102,038
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $90,984 $103,638
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $113,122 $125,490
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $96,443 $88,984
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $71,058 $67,111
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $79,329 $70,940
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $85,579 $70,254
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $78,771 $64,590
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $73,222 $59,280
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $77,221 $60,738
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $100,410 $66,332
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $106,333 $67,378
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $104,628 $65,774
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $103,545 $62,460
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $90,020 $58,213
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $81,940 $55,648
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $99,002 $62,073
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $86,600 $56,179
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $75,048 $54,358
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $67,358 $47,967
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $57,855 $42,667
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $50,208 $38,680
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $43,048 $38,056
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $38,458 $37,829
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $37,992 $36,994
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $36,151 $30,574
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $34,516 $28,200
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $36,324 $28,610
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $37,073 $26,826
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $34,659 $24,360
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $29,130 $23,027
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $27,793 $21,584
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $30,328 $20,623
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $28,427 $19,580
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $28,137 $18,461
1989 $8,833 - $24,185 -
1988 $8,772 - $24,112 -
1987 $8,333 - $22,430 -
1986 $7,777 - $18,822 -
1985 $9,649 - $15,704 -
1984 $10,697 - $14,943 -
1983 $10,599 - $14,877 -
1982 $10,712 - $15,178 -
1981 $10,557 - $15,463 -
1980 $9,733 - $15,708 -
1979 $7,891 - $12,998 -
1978 $6,926 - $11,421 -
1977 $6,358 - $10,230 -
1976 $5,310 - $8,896 -
1975 $3,880 - $8,171 -
1974 $3,874 - $6,783 -
1973 $2,981 - $5,664 -
1972 $2,206 - $4,395 -
1971 $1,830 - $3,721 -
1970 $1,742 - $3,291 -
1969 - - $2,881 -
1968 - - $2,667 -
1967 - - $2,519 -
1966 - - $2,321 -
1965 - - $2,168 -
1964 - - $1,941 -
1963 - - $1,779 -
1962 - - $1,670 -
1961 - - $1,563 -
1960 - - $1,444 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/norway | CC BY

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $30,597, ranking 44/197, compared to $94,594 in Norway, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Norway
Gross domestic product
$49B
2025
$531B
2025
GDP rank
98/197
2025
32/197
2025
GDP growth
3.48%
2024-2025
1.09%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$30,597
2025
$94,594
2025
GDP per capita rank
44/197
2025
9/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$72.3B
2025
$239B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
147.6%
2025
45%
2025
Government debt per person
$45,165
2025
$42,567
2025
Government debt per person rank
13/185
2025
15/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,191
2026
$50,036
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$21.3B
2025
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
49.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.14%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
4.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
0.89%
2015
4.5%
2025
Population
1649267
5660666

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.4% 147.6% 49.6% 45%
2024 28.9% 133.7% 46.9% 52.8%
2023 29% 123% 44.2% 42.4%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 36.2% 34.8%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 44.7% 40.1%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 54.5% 44.3%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 48.4% 39%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 46.1% 38.1%
2017 30.7% 84% 47.6% 36.9%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 48.8% 36.7%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 46.7% 33.2%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 44% 28.8%
2013 32% 42.3% 42.3% 30.6%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 41.4% 30.2%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 42.3% 28.9%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 43.6% 42.1%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 44.7% 41.7%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 39.2% 46.8%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 40.5% 48.9%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 40.1% 52.2%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 41.6% 42.1%
2004 25% 28.2% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 47.7% 43.1%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 46.3% 34%
2001 26.5% 25% 43.4% 27.3%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 41.5% 28.8%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 46.7% 25.1%
1998 25.7% 20% 48.2% 23.8%
1997 31% 14.8% 45.9% 26%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 47.4% 28.6%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 49.6% 32.9%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 49.7% 51%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 50.5% 54%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 51.6% 45.3%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 50.3% 39.5%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 49.1% 29.1%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

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/bahrain/norway | CC BY

In 2025, Bahrain's government spending was $14.4B, accounting for 29.4% of its GDP, while Norway spent $263B, or 49.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 147.6% in Bahrain and 45% in Norway, ranking 6/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Norway
2025 -13% 9.34%
2024 -11% 12.8%
2023 -9.66% 15.9%
2022 -6.03% 24.7%
2021 -10.6% 9.93%
2020 -17.3% -2.46%
2019 -8.57% 6.28%
2018 -11.3% 7.56%
2017 -13.4% 4.79%
2016 -16.6% 3.91%
2015 -17.5% 5.8%
2014 -3.32% 8.34%
2013 -8.55% 10.3%
2012 -5.77% 13.4%
2011 -4.9% 13%
2010 -9.29% 10.6%
2009 -5.36% 10%
2008 4.08% 18.3%
2007 1.52% 16.8%
2006 2.24% 17.7%
2005 2.8% 14.7%
2004 0.24% 10.8%
2003 -1.7% 7.21%
2002 -3.27% 9.05%
2001 0.7% 13.2%
2000 7.33% 15.1%
1999 -4.85% 5.75%
1998 -5.49% 3.09%
1997 -6.39% 7.41%
1996 0.24% 6.05%
1995 -3.99% 2.98%
1994 -5.18% 0.04%
1993 -2.77% -1.65%
1992 -5.41% -2.08%
1991 -3.47% -0.12%
1990 -6.79% 1.96%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/norway | CC BY

In 2025, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.35B, equivalent to 13% of GDP. This compares to Norway's surplus of $49.6B, or 9.34% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.61% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.62% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Norway
2025 -0.14% 3.06%
2024 0.92% 3.15%
2023 0.07% 5.52%
2022 3.63% 5.76%
2021 -0.61% 3.48%
2020 -2.32% 1.29%
2019 1.01% 2.17%
2018 2.09% 2.76%
2017 1.39% 1.88%
2016 2.79% 3.55%
2015 1.85% 2.17%
2014 2.65% 2.04%
2013 3.3% 2.12%
2012 2.76% 0.7%
2011 -0.4% 1.28%
2010 1.96% 2.42%
2009 2.8% 2.2%
2008 3.53% 3.75%
2007 3.26% 0.71%
2006 2.01% 2.33%
2005 2.59% 1.53%
2004 2.35% 0.45%
2003 1.59% 2.49%
2002 -0.5% 1.29%
2001 -1.21% 3%
2000 -0.7% 3.09%
1999 -1.29% 2.37%
1998 -0.37% 2.25%
1997 2.43% 2.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/norway | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.29%, compared with 2.46% in Norway. In 2025, inflation was -0.14% in Bahrain and 3.06% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.41M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.96M
Metals $1.42M
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Animal & marine products $3K
Wood & paper products $3K
Miscellaneous $2K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Norway
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $4.88M
Machinery & equipment $2.27M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $626K
Chemicals & pharma $432K
Textiles & consumer goods $328K
Metals $238K
Miscellaneous $215K
Precious metals & jewellery $102K
Wood & paper products $97K
Raw materials & minerals $30K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Norway
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
$74.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
43/190
2024
10/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.83%
2024
+14%
2025
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$105B
2025
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$177B
2025
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$73.9B
2025
Service exports
$17B
2024
$63.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70%
2024
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.5%
2024
45.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahrain Norway
Economic freedom 65.7 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 9/197
Property rights 60.9 99.6
Government integrity 45.9 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 30 96.4
Tax burden 99.9 63.3
Government spending 75 42
Fiscal health 0 96.4
Business freedom 75.9 91.2
Labor freedom 55.5 69.3
Monetary freedom 88.8 72.4
Trade freedom 86.8 85.6
Investment freedom 90 75
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Norway
2026 65.7 78.8
2025 65.6 78.3
2024 63.4 77.5
2023 62.5 76.9
2022 62 76.9
2021 69.9 73.4
2020 66.3 73.4
2019 66.4 73
2018 67.7 74.3
2017 68.5 74
2016 74.3 70.8
2015 73.4 71.8
2014 75.1 70.9
2013 75.5 70.5
2012 75.2 68.8
2011 77.7 70.3
2010 76.3 69.4
2009 74.8 70.2
2008 72.2 68.6
2007 71.2 67.9
2006 71.6 67.9
2005 71.2 64.5
2004 75.1 66.2
2003 76.3 67.2
2002 75.6 67.4
2001 75.9 67.1
2000 75.7 70.1
1999 75.2 68.6
1998 75.6 68
1997 76.1 65.1
1996 76.4 65.4
1995 76.2 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/norway | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahrain Norway
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
41.2%
2025
34.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.24%
2025
1.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$46.1B
2025
$546B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$65,500
2025
$107,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.27B
2025
$85.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
101/177
2025
34/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$12.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$5.62B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
2024
23.2%
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/bahrain/norway | 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.