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Economy of Barbados vs Germany compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $5.05T for Germany, ranking 157/197 and 3/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $3.18T (62.9% of GDP) in Germany.

Barbados vs Germany GDP by year

Barbados
Germany
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Germany
2025 $8,016,550,000 $5,050,922,925,047
2024 $7,597,571,450 $4,685,592,577,805
2023 $7,223,248,150 $4,562,207,532,490
2022 $6,886,644,900 $4,201,021,706,479
2021 $5,948,900,600 $4,355,251,953,411
2020 $5,403,246,950 $3,941,398,957,074
2019 $6,166,710,800 $3,959,894,794,039
2018 $6,001,101,550 $4,055,433,215,302
2017 $5,847,381,600 $3,765,351,626,106
2016 $5,679,029,450 $3,536,787,895,179
2015 $5,699,619,150 $3,425,099,578,746
2014 $5,684,901,000 $3,964,870,735,761
2013 $5,660,059,700 $3,807,023,797,051
2012 $5,486,500,500 $3,596,483,233,406
2011 $5,563,162,050 $3,823,575,803,794
2010 $5,428,683,250 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $28,365 - $60,496 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $56,104 $73,552
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $54,777 $71,684
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $50,507 $69,049
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $52,349 $62,531
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $47,395 $58,686
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $47,656 $59,271
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $48,916 $56,273
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $45,554 $54,110
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $42,949 $51,570
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $41,930 $48,545
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $48,960 $47,939
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $47,207 $45,889
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $44,718 $44,229
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $47,631 $43,398
2010 $19,723 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $60,496 in Germany, ranking 18/197. 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
$8.02B
2025
$5.05T
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
3/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
0.24%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$60,496
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
18/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$73,552
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
20/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$3.18T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
62.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$38,071
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
21/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$40,352
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$2.9T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,648,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
212
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
26.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
50.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
2.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
3.8%
2025
Population
282789
82830814

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
2025 27% 94.2% 50.5% 62.9%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 49.4% 62.2%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 48.1% 62.3%
2022 26.9% 104% 48.6% 64.4%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 50.7% 67.9%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 51.1% 68%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 45.5% 58.7%
2018 25% 107.2% 44.7% 60.8%
2017 28% 134.6% 44.5% 64%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 44.7% 68.3%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 44.5% 71.2%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 44.5% 74.5%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 45.2% 77.5%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 45.1% 79.8%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 45.3% 78.5%
2010 28% 90.3% 48.1% 81%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 48.3% 72.4%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 44.4% 65.2%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 43.5% 63.7%
2006 25% 64.1% 45.3% 66.4%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 46.9% 67.1%
2004 26.2% 61% 47% 65%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 48.5% 63.3%
2002 29.1% 62% 48.2% 59.8%
2001 20.7% 59% 47.7% 58.1%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 48.1% 59.2%
1999 18.5% 47% 48.5% 60.3%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 48.3% 59.4%
1997 19.6% 52% 48.8% 58.8%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 49.6% 57.7%
1995 17.3% 52% 55.2% 54.9%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Germany spent $2.55T, or 50.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 62.9% in Germany, ranking 28/185 and 70/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Germany
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Germany
2025 -0.31% -2.67%
2024 -0.84% -2.66%
2023 -1.57% -2.49%
2022 -1.74% -1.91%
2021 -3.88% -3.17%
2020 -4.19% -4.38%
2019 2.86% 1.33%
2018 -0.32% 1.88%
2017 -3.64% 1.34%
2016 -4.55% 1.13%
2015 -7.58% 0.91%
2014 -6.2% 0.73%
2013 -8.46% 0.12%
2012 -6.69% -0.05%
2011 -3.47% -0.84%
2010 -7.1% -4.42%
2009 -6.19% -3.18%
2008 -3.94% -0.26%
2007 -4.08% 0.15%
2006 -3.13% -1.76%
2005 -2.78% -3.37%
2004 -2.73% -3.42%
2003 -2.86% -3.83%
2002 -4.96% -4.09%
2001 3.83% -3.12%
2000 4.68% -1.71%
1999 5.06% -1.87%
1998 5.63% -2.65%
1997 5.15% -3.03%
1996 3.5% -3.64%
1995 5.79% -9.44%
1994 6.28% -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.8M, equivalent to 0.31% of GDP. This compares to Germany's deficit of $135B, or 2.67% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Germany ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.97% of GDP for Germany.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Germany
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Germany
2025 0.85% 2.17%
2024 1.45% 2.26%
2023 3.19% 5.95%
2022 - 6.87%
2021 - 3.07%
2020 - 0.14%
2019 1.68% 1.45%
2018 3.11% 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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 1.83% in Germany. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 2.17% in Germany.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $446K
Miscellaneous $208K
Machinery & equipment $99K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $63K
Metals $13K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Wood & paper products $2K
Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $15.9M
Chemicals & pharma $3.23M
Animal & marine products $2.56M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.14M
Raw materials & minerals $966K
Metals $668K
Wood & paper products $447K
Miscellaneous $385K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $220K
Raw agricultural goods $152K

Balance of trade

Barbados Germany
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$228B
2025
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
2/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
+4.51%
2025
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$1.32T
2025
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$1.53T
2025
Service imports
$687M
2017
$602B
2025
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$518B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
38.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
40.4%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
75.8%
2024
64.5%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
25.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
0.87%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$5.03T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$78,140
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$572B
2025
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
7/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
$12.9B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$62.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$87B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
14.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
21.9%
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/barbados/germany | 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 (1991–2025, 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.