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Economy of Barbados vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $1.33T for the Netherlands, ranking 157/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $578B (43.3% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Barbados vs Netherlands GDP by year

Barbados
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Netherlands
2025 $8,016,550,000 $1,332,767,651,100
2024 $7,597,571,450 $1,213,936,238,063
2023 $7,223,248,150 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $6,886,644,900 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $5,948,900,600 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $5,403,246,950 $932,560,861,701
2019 $6,166,710,800 $928,903,005,576
2018 $6,001,101,550 $929,733,599,797
2017 $5,847,381,600 $848,233,537,846
2016 $5,679,029,450 $797,163,949,290
2015 $5,699,619,150 $775,743,675,303
2014 $5,684,901,000 $901,556,501,756
2013 $5,660,059,700 $883,951,539,007
2012 $5,486,500,500 $845,689,017,066
2011 $5,563,162,050 $913,140,741,333
2010 $5,428,683,250 $852,464,982,433
2009 $4,466,809,600 $878,954,223,140
2008 $4,790,410,400 $957,901,566,041
2007 $4,675,767,950 $853,499,460,873
2006 $4,217,323,400 $737,593,995,289
2005 $3,819,500,000 $688,133,699,636
2004 $3,444,500,000 $661,224,886,143
2003 $3,209,500,000 $582,435,617,082
2002 $3,106,500,000 $475,529,972,123
2001 $3,054,500,000 $432,536,219,669
2000 $3,059,500,000 $417,649,282,154
1999 $2,951,822,205 $447,778,514,140
1998 $2,817,083,478 $438,612,530,549
1997 $2,498,384,130 $417,506,211,882
1996 $2,363,645,403 $451,372,549,020
1995 $2,216,974,096 $452,967,334,614
1994 $2,151,344,901 $379,688,232,232
1993 $2,063,342,117 $354,070,495,966
1992 $1,957,000,000 $363,497,050,125
1991 $2,020,583,702 $327,982,316,124
1990 $2,012,131,457 $318,799,003,994
1989 $2,006,165,167 $258,716,904,292
1988 $1,812,757,918 $262,295,966,105
1987 $1,704,370,308 $245,406,949,521
1986 $1,547,755,183 $201,157,708,221
1985 $1,409,536,121 $144,057,523,222
1984 $1,346,890,071 $144,124,462,912
1983 $1,236,016,507 $153,671,294,109
1982 $1,163,923,830 $158,712,765,536
1981 $1,114,204,743 $164,375,775,854
1980 $1,012,280,615 $195,439,301,707
1979 $670,362,452 $179,933,827,310
1978 $552,883,707 $156,089,077,205
1977 $495,097,668 $127,203,923,857
1976 $435,911,269 $109,329,386,564
1975 $402,178,605 $100,397,061,694
1974 $311,804,630 $87,371,810,804
1973 $260,767,828 $71,946,639,603
1972 $213,725,217 $54,787,070,173
1971 $186,826,503 $44,644,730,576
1970 $166,210,203 $38,220,884,519
1969 $141,393,142 $34,086,038,090
1968 $125,733,669 $30,097,635,751
1967 $125,554,009 $27,143,828,099
1966 $113,195,123 $24,741,480,717
1965 $105,021,997 $22,721,869,808
1964 $99,252,731 $20,232,048,553
1963 $99,893,761 $17,193,744,109
1962 $88,782,583 $15,847,582,341
1961 $85,363,759 $14,599,836,396
1960 $80,021,847 $13,282,979,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Netherlands by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - $73,684 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $67,465 $86,174
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $7,773 - $17,423 -
1988 $7,033 - $17,771 -
1987 $6,625 - $16,734 -
1986 $6,031 - $13,804 -
1985 $5,510 - $9,941 -
1984 $5,284 - $9,992 -
1983 $4,866 - $10,696 -
1982 $4,599 - $11,089 -
1981 $4,417 - $11,537 -
1980 $4,025 - $13,812 -
1979 $2,668 - $12,817 -
1978 $2,198 - $11,196 -
1977 $1,968 - $9,180 -
1976 $1,734 - $7,937 -
1975 $1,601 - $7,346 -
1974 $1,243 - $6,450 -
1973 $1,042 - $5,353 -
1972 $856 - $4,110 -
1971 $750 - $3,384 -
1970 $666 - $2,931 -
1969 $567 - $2,647 -
1968 $506 - $2,364 -
1967 $508 - $2,155 -
1966 $462 - $1,986 -
1965 $433 - $1,848 -
1964 $414 - $1,668 -
1963 $421 - $1,437 -
1962 $377 - $1,342 -
1961 $366 - $1,254 -
1960 $347 - $1,156 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $73,684 in the Netherlands, ranking 12/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Barbados Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
18/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
1.78%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$73,684
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
12/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$578B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
43.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$31,942
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
23/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$46,674
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,294,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
13
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
45.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
3.26%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
3.9%
2025
Population
282789
18243998

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% 45.1% 43.3%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 44.4% 43.7%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 44% 45.8%
2022 26.9% 104% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 25% 107.2% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 28% 134.6% 42.8% 56%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 28% 90.3% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 25% 64.1% 44% 45%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 26.2% 61% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 29.1% 62% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 20.7% 59% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 18.5% 47% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 19.6% 52% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 17.3% 52% 53.9% 73%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 49.4% 73.5%
1993 - - 50.9% 76.7%
1992 - - 50.2% 75.6%
1991 - - 49.6% 74.8%
1990 - - 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

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/barbados/netherlands | CC BY

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $602B, or 45.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 43.3% in the Netherlands, ranking 28/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Netherlands
2025 -0.31% -1.84%
2024 -0.84% -0.94%
2023 -1.57% -0.37%
2022 -1.74% 0.002%
2021 -3.88% -2.26%
2020 -4.19% -3.72%
2019 2.86% 1.91%
2018 -0.32% 1.49%
2017 -3.64% 1.35%
2016 -4.55% 0.23%
2015 -7.58% -1.84%
2014 -6.2% -2.17%
2013 -8.46% -2.87%
2012 -6.69% -3.83%
2011 -3.47% -4.42%
2010 -7.1% -5.3%
2009 -6.19% -5.06%
2008 -3.94% -0.06%
2007 -4.08% -0.16%
2006 -3.13% 0.04%
2005 -2.78% -0.51%
2004 -2.73% -1.82%
2003 -2.86% -3.19%
2002 -4.96% -2.23%
2001 3.83% -0.47%
2000 4.68% 1.14%
1999 5.06% 0.28%
1998 5.63% -1.34%
1997 5.15% -1.6%
1996 3.5% -1.91%
1995 5.79% -8.72%
1994 6.28% -3.53%
1993 - -3.13%
1992 - -3.12%
1991 - -2.05%
1990 - -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/netherlands | 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 the Netherlands' deficit of $24.5B, or 1.84% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.68% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Netherlands
2025 0.85% 3.26%
2024 1.45% 3.35%
2023 3.19% 3.84%
2022 - 10%
2021 - 2.68%
2020 - 1.27%
2019 1.68% 2.63%
2018 3.11% 1.7%
2017 4.66% 1.38%
2016 1.28% 0.32%
2015 -1.11% 0.6%
2014 1.77% 0.98%
2013 1.81% 2.51%
2012 4.53% 2.46%
2011 9.43% 2.34%
2010 5.82% 1.28%
2009 3.64% 1.19%
2008 8.11% 2.49%
2007 4.03% 1.61%
2006 7.31% 1.1%
2005 6.08% 1.69%
2004 1.39% 1.26%
2003 1.62% 2.09%
2002 0.13% 3.29%
2001 2.58% 4.16%
2000 2.44% 2.36%
1999 1.56% 2.16%
1998 -1.27% 1.96%
1997 7.71% 2.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 2.35% in the Netherlands. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 3.26% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $351K
Wood & paper products $304K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $295K
Metals $194K
Textiles & consumer goods $99K
Raw materials & minerals $84K
Chemicals & pharma $39K
Miscellaneous $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $10.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.84M
Animal & marine products $6.23M
Raw agricultural goods $5.29M
Chemicals & pharma $2.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.84M
Miscellaneous $1.27M
Raw materials & minerals $1.19M
Metals $892K
Wood & paper products $466K

Balance of trade

Barbados Netherlands
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
+9.14%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$693B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$262B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
69.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
80.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Netherlands
Economic freedom 70.4 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 11/197
Property rights 76.4 96
Government integrity 71.3 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 96.1
Tax burden 83.2 54
Government spending 74.5 42.2
Fiscal health 76.5 95.9
Business freedom 72.3 85
Labor freedom 54.3 59.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 77
Trade freedom 48.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Netherlands
2026 70.4 78.5
2025 68.9 78.2
2024 66.8 77.3
2023 69.8 78
2022 71.3 79.5
2021 65 76.8
2020 61.4 77
2019 64.7 76.8
2018 57 76.2
2017 54.5 75.8
2016 68.3 74.6
2015 67.9 73.7
2014 68.3 74.2
2013 69.3 73.5
2012 69 73.3
2011 68.5 74.7
2010 68.3 75
2009 71.5 77
2008 71.3 77.4
2007 70 75.5
2006 71.9 75.4
2005 70.1 72.9
2004 69.4 74.5
2003 71.3 74.6
2002 73.6 75.1
2001 71.5 73
2000 69.5 70.4
1999 66.7 70.2
1998 67.9 69.2
1997 64.5 70.4
1996 62.3 69.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
70.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
17.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
1.68%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$1.24T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$85,480
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$118B
2025
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
27/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
19.8%
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/netherlands | 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.