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Economy of Barbados vs Germany compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $4.69T for Germany, ranking 157/197 and 3/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $2.97T (63.5% of GDP) in Germany.

Barbados vs Germany GDP by year

Barbados
Germany
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Germany
2024 $7,498,050,000 $4,685,592,577,805
2023 $7,223,250,000 $4,562,207,532,490
2022 $6,884,900,000 $4,201,021,706,479
2021 $5,947,550,000 $4,355,251,953,411
2020 $5,407,050,000 $3,941,398,957,074
2019 $6,161,850,000 $3,959,894,794,039
2018 $6,001,950,000 $4,055,433,215,302
2017 $5,683,150,000 $3,765,351,626,106
2016 $5,674,600,000 $3,536,787,895,179
2015 $5,698,150,000 $3,425,099,578,746
2014 $5,620,600,000 $3,964,870,735,761
2013 $5,667,200,000 $3,807,023,797,051
2012 $5,761,450,000 $3,596,483,233,406
2011 $5,663,100,000 $3,823,575,803,794
2010 $5,672,900,000 $3,467,093,769,667
2009 $4,466,809,600 $3,478,545,516,684
2008 $4,790,410,400 $3,808,197,720,125
2007 $4,675,767,950 $3,484,056,680,855
2006 $4,217,323,400 $3,046,308,753,671
2005 $3,819,500,000 $2,893,393,187,362
2004 $3,444,500,000 $2,852,317,768,062
2003 $3,209,500,000 $2,534,715,518,349
2002 $3,106,500,000 $2,102,350,798,306
2001 $3,054,500,000 $1,966,381,496,642
2000 $3,059,500,000 $1,966,980,701,145
1999 $2,951,822,205 $2,213,873,468,587
1998 $2,817,083,478 $2,247,760,364,566
1997 $2,498,384,130 $2,218,790,886,533
1996 $2,363,645,403 $2,506,576,553,158
1995 $2,216,974,096 $2,593,053,091,306
1994 $2,151,344,901 $2,215,282,632,277
1993 $2,063,342,117 $2,078,954,217,438
1992 $1,957,000,000 $2,141,377,582,968
1991 $2,020,583,702 $1,875,792,575,133
1990 $2,012,131,457 $1,778,162,195,860
1989 $2,006,165,167 $1,404,092,925,205
1988 $1,812,757,918 $1,406,367,016,372
1987 $1,704,370,308 $1,302,932,318,825
1986 $1,547,755,183 $1,050,092,624,516
1985 $1,409,536,121 $735,218,723,093
1984 $1,346,890,071 $727,767,760,979
1983 $1,236,016,507 $773,507,930,295
1982 $1,163,923,830 $779,421,633,755
1981 $1,114,204,743 $803,404,797,058
1980 $1,012,280,615 $953,772,499,462
1979 $670,362,452 $884,574,218,333
1978 $552,883,707 $743,182,891,918
1977 $495,097,668 $602,698,323,086
1976 $435,911,269 $521,658,712,133
1975 $402,178,605 $492,434,094,920
1974 $311,804,630 $446,934,971,657
1973 $260,767,828 $399,833,571,167
1972 $213,725,217 $300,899,944,795
1971 $186,826,503 $250,900,942,397
1970 $166,210,203 $216,629,229,947
1969 $141,393,142 $177,733,486,326
1968 $125,733,669 $156,527,292,653
1967 $125,554,009 $145,100,667,773
1966 $113,195,123 $143,304,275,684
1965 $105,021,997 $134,774,688,191
1964 $99,252,731 $123,330,404,665
1963 $99,893,761 $112,232,503,744
1962 $88,782,583 $105,895,435,234
1961 $85,363,759 $96,558,204,043
1960 $80,021,847 $84,619,845,881

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/germany | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Germany by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Germany
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $56,104 $73,552
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $54,777 $71,684
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $50,507 $69,049
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $52,349 $62,531
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $47,395 $58,686
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $47,656 $59,271
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $48,916 $56,273
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $45,554 $54,110
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $42,949 $51,570
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $41,930 $48,545
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $48,960 $47,939
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $47,207 $45,889
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $44,718 $44,229
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $47,631 $43,398
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $42,397 $39,726
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $42,472 $37,574
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $46,379 $38,444
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $42,351 $36,914
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $36,980 $34,741
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $35,084 $32,314
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $34,567 $31,753
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $30,711 $30,301
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $25,487 $29,514
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $23,878 $28,674
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $23,926 $27,474
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $26,965 $26,518
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $27,396 $25,446
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $27,047 $24,649
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $30,600 $24,169
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $31,747 $23,631
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $27,202 $22,869
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $25,617 $21,900
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $26,560 $21,746
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $23,443 $21,001
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $22,386 $19,468
1989 $7,773 - $17,829 -
1988 $7,033 - $17,997 -
1987 $6,625 - $16,739 -
1986 $6,031 - $13,511 -
1985 $5,510 - $9,464 -
1984 $5,284 - $9,347 -
1983 $4,866 - $9,900 -
1982 $4,599 - $9,950 -
1981 $4,417 - $10,246 -
1980 $4,025 - $12,183 -
1979 $2,668 - $11,322 -
1978 $2,198 - $9,517 -
1977 $1,968 - $7,711 -
1976 $1,734 - $6,659 -
1975 $1,601 - $6,259 -
1974 $1,243 - $5,660 -
1973 $1,042 - $5,065 -
1972 $856 - $3,824 -
1971 $750 - $3,204 -
1970 $666 - $2,771 -
1969 $567 - $2,281 -
1968 $506 - $2,025 -
1967 $508 - $1,886 -
1966 $462 - $1,871 -
1965 $433 - $1,774 -
1964 $414 - $1,637 -
1963 $421 - $1,502 -
1962 $377 - $1,431 -
1961 $366 - $1,316 -
1960 $347 - $1,162 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/germany | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $56,104 in Germany, ranking 19/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Germany ranks 20th at $73,552.

Economic indicators

Barbados Germany
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$4.69T
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
3/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
-0.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$56,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$73,552
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
20/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$2.97T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
63.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$35,606
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
21/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$41,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$2.04T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
2,675,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
171
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
25%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.9%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
2.26%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
3.37%
2024
Population
282798
82575542

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Germany
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Germany
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 49.4% 63.5%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 48.1% 62.4%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 48.6% 64.4%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 50.7% 68%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 51.1% 68%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 45.5% 58.7%
2018 26.9% 115% 44.7% 60.8%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 44.5% 64%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 44.7% 68.3%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 44.5% 71.2%
2014 29% 122% 44.5% 74.5%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 45.2% 77.5%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 45.1% 79.8%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 45.3% 78.5%
2010 29.7% 96% 48.1% 81%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 48.3% 72.4%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 44.4% 65.2%
2007 27.8% 69% 43.5% 63.7%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 45.3% 66.4%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 46.9% 67.1%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 47% 65%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 48.5% 63.3%
2002 31% 66.1% 48.2% 59.8%
2001 22% 62.6% 47.7% 58.1%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 48.1% 59.2%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 48.5% 60.3%
1998 19% 50.5% 48.3% 59.4%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 48.8% 58.8%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 49.6% 57.7%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 55.2% 54.9%
1994 17% 55% 48.3% 47.5%
1993 - - 48.3% 45.1%
1992 - - 47.4% 41.4%
1991 - - 46.5% 39%
1990 - - 44.7% 40.7%
1989 - - 44.3% 39.2%
1988 - - 45.6% 40.5%
1987 - - 46% 40.1%
1986 - - 45.7% 39.1%
1985 - - 46.6% 39.2%
1984 - - 47.2% 38.7%
1983 - - 47.9% 38%
1982 - - 49.1% 36.4%
1981 - - 49% 33.6%
1980 - - 48.2% 30.1%
1979 - - 47.4% 28.2%
1978 - - 47.7% 27.4%
1977 - - 49% 26%
1976 - - 49.4% 25.1%
1975 - - 50.3% 23.7%
1974 - - 46% 18.5%
1973 - - 42.4% 17.3%
1972 - - 41.8% 18%
1971 - - 40.9% 17.7%
1970 - - 39.5% 17.7%
1969 - - 29.7% 20.3%
1968 - - 28.5% 22.5%
1967 - - 28.8% 22.5%
1966 - - 28.3% 19.8%
1965 - - 28.4% 18.7%
1964 - - 29% 18.2%
1963 - - 29.1% 18.1%
1962 - - 29.2% 17.6%
1961 - - 28.8% 18.7%
1960 - - 22.9% 18.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/germany | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Germany spent $2.32T, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 63.5% in Germany, ranking 18/185 and 72/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Germany
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Germany
2024 -0.89% -2.66%
2023 -1.71% -2.49%
2022 -1.96% -1.91%
2021 -4.65% -3.17%
2020 -4.16% -4.38%
2019 3.08% 1.33%
2018 -0.34% 1.88%
2017 -3.89% 1.34%
2016 -4.88% 1.13%
2015 -8.16% 0.91%
2014 -6.57% 0.73%
2013 -8.98% 0.12%
2012 -7.07% -0.05%
2011 -3.63% -0.84%
2010 -7.55% -4.42%
2009 -6.56% -3.18%
2008 -4.1% -0.26%
2007 -4.34% 0.15%
2006 -3.41% -1.76%
2005 -3.03% -3.37%
2004 -2.97% -3.42%
2003 -3.08% -3.83%
2002 -5.28% -4.09%
2001 4.07% -3.12%
2000 4.94% -1.71%
1999 5.39% -1.87%
1998 6.03% -2.65%
1997 5.64% -3.03%
1996 3.76% -3.64%
1995 6.22% -9.44%
1994 6.72% -2.54%
1993 - -3.11%
1992 - -2.63%
1991 - -3.21%
1990 - -1.94%
1989 - 0.08%
1988 - -2.02%
1987 - -1.85%
1986 - -1.18%
1985 - -1.18%
1984 - -2.04%
1983 - -2.95%
1982 - -3.56%
1981 - -4.03%
1980 - -3.02%
1979 - -2.71%
1978 - -2.62%
1977 - -2.56%
1976 - -3.5%
1975 - -5.78%
1974 - -1.69%
1973 - 1.14%
1972 - -0.37%
1971 - 0.16%
1970 - 0.53%
1969 - -0.43%
1968 - 1.39%
1967 - 2.73%
1966 - 1.76%
1965 - 2.26%
1964 - 1.49%
1963 - 1.43%
1962 - 0.49%
1961 - -0.12%
1960 - -0.34%
1959 - 0.77%
1958 - 1.77%
1957 - 1.99%
1956 - 0.59%
1955 - -1.41%
1954 - -0.37%
1953 - -0.13%
1952 - 0%
1951 - 1.15%
1950 - 1.81%
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 - -0.64%
1933 - -0.43%
1932 - -1.11%
1931 - -1.03%
1930 - -1.52%
1929 - -0.9%
1928 - -1.47%
1927 - -0.44%
1926 - -1.3%
1925 - 0.34%
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.007%
1912 - -0.26%
1911 - 0.06%
1910 - -0.21%
1909 - 0.11%
1908 - -0.11%
1907 - -0.14%
1906 - 0.76%
1905 - 1.21%
1904 - 0.41%
1903 - 0.88%
1902 - 0.08%
1901 - 0.91%
1900 - 0.27%
1899 - 0.6%
1898 - 0.47%
1897 - 0.39%
1896 - 0.63%
1895 - 0.47%
1894 - 0.44%
1893 - 0.42%
1892 - -0.24%
1891 - 1.18%
1890 - 0.12%
1889 - 1.16%
1888 - 0.62%
1887 - 0.88%
1886 - 0.23%
1885 - 0.21%
1884 - 0.23%
1883 - 0.55%
1882 - 0.41%
1881 - 0.12%
1880 - -0.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/germany | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to Germany's deficit of $125B, or 2.66% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Germany ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.94% of GDP for Germany.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Germany
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Germany
2024 -0.44% 2.26%
2023 9.79% 5.95%
2022 - 6.87%
2021 - 3.07%
2020 - 0.14%
2019 4.1% 1.45%
2018 3.67% 1.73%
2017 4.66% 1.51%
2016 1.28% 0.49%
2015 -1.11% 0.51%
2014 1.77% 0.91%
2013 1.81% 1.5%
2012 4.53% 2.01%
2011 9.43% 2.08%
2010 5.82% 1.1%
2009 3.64% 0.31%
2008 8.11% 2.63%
2007 4.03% 2.3%
2006 7.31% 1.58%
2005 6.08% 1.55%
2004 1.39% 1.67%
2003 1.62% 1.03%
2002 0.13% 1.42%
2001 2.58% 1.98%
2000 2.44% 1.44%
1999 1.56% 0.59%
1998 -1.27% 0.91%
1997 7.71% 1.94%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/germany | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 1.82% in Germany. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 2.26% in Germany.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $432K
Miscellaneous $208K
Machinery & equipment $181K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26K
Metals $13K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Wood & paper products $2K
Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $15M
Chemicals & pharma $3.18M
Animal & marine products $2.56M
Metals $1.51M
Raw materials & minerals $918K
Textiles & consumer goods $700K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $551K
Wood & paper products $402K
Miscellaneous $307K
Raw agricultural goods $152K

Balance of trade

Barbados Germany
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$270B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
2/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+5.77%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$1.21T
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$1.47T
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$548B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$470B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
37.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Germany
Economic freedom 70.4 71.7
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 30/197
Property rights 76.4 95.5
Government integrity 71.3 84.5
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 94.6
Tax burden 83.2 60.5
Government spending 74.5 28.8
Fiscal health 76.5 83.1
Business freedom 72.3 79.8
Labor freedom 54.3 52.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.5
Trade freedom 48.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Germany
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Germany
2026 70.4 71.7
2025 68.9 71.6
2024 66.8 72.1
2023 69.8 73.7
2022 71.3 76.1
2021 65 72.5
2020 61.4 73.5
2019 64.7 73.5
2018 57 74.2
2017 54.5 73.8
2016 68.3 74.4
2015 67.9 73.8
2014 68.3 73.4
2013 69.3 72.8
2012 69 71
2011 68.5 71.8
2010 68.3 71.1
2009 71.5 70.5
2008 71.3 70.6
2007 70 70.8
2006 71.9 70.8
2005 70.1 68.1
2004 69.4 69.5
2003 71.3 69.7
2002 73.6 70.4
2001 71.5 69.5
2000 69.5 65.7
1999 66.7 65.6
1998 67.9 64.3
1997 64.5 67.5
1996 62.3 69.1
1995 - 69.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/germany | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 71.7 for Germany, ranking 30/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Germany
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
64%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
0.91%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$4.6T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$76,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$378B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
10/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
$32.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$47.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$80.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
14.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
21.5%
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/barbados/germany | 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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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.