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Economy of Barbados vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $1.21T for the Netherlands, ranking 157/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $532B (43.8% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Barbados vs Netherlands GDP by year

Barbados
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Netherlands
2024 $7,498,050,000 $1,214,927,698,573
2023 $7,223,250,000 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $6,884,900,000 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $5,947,550,000 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $5,407,050,000 $932,560,861,701
2019 $6,161,850,000 $928,903,005,576
2018 $6,001,950,000 $929,733,599,797
2017 $5,683,150,000 $848,233,537,846
2016 $5,674,600,000 $797,163,949,290
2015 $5,698,150,000 $775,743,675,303
2014 $5,620,600,000 $901,556,501,756
2013 $5,667,200,000 $883,951,539,007
2012 $5,761,450,000 $845,689,017,066
2011 $5,663,100,000 $913,140,741,333
2010 $5,672,900,000 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $67,520 $86,174
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $20,611 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $67,520 in the Netherlands, ranking 13/197. 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
$7.5B
2024
$1.21T
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
1.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$67,520
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$532B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
43.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$29,571
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
24/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$47,815
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,267,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
13
2025
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
30.2%
2024
44.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
3.35%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
3.64%
2024
Population
282798
18252623

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
2024 30.2% 106.3% 44.4% 43.8%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 44% 45.9%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 26.9% 115% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 42.8% 56%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 29% 122% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 29.7% 96% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 27.8% 69% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 44% 45%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 31% 66.1% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 22% 62.6% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 19% 50.5% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 53.9% 73%
1994 17% 55% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $540B, or 44.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 43.8% in the Netherlands, ranking 18/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Netherlands
2024 -0.89% -0.94%
2023 -1.71% -0.37%
2022 -1.96% 0.002%
2021 -4.65% -2.26%
2020 -4.16% -3.72%
2019 3.08% 1.91%
2018 -0.34% 1.49%
2017 -3.89% 1.35%
2016 -4.88% 0.23%
2015 -8.16% -1.84%
2014 -6.57% -2.17%
2013 -8.98% -2.87%
2012 -7.07% -3.83%
2011 -3.63% -4.42%
2010 -7.55% -5.3%
2009 -6.56% -5.06%
2008 -4.1% -0.06%
2007 -4.34% -0.16%
2006 -3.41% 0.04%
2005 -3.03% -0.51%
2004 -2.97% -1.82%
2003 -3.08% -3.19%
2002 -5.28% -2.23%
2001 4.07% -0.47%
2000 4.94% 1.14%
1999 5.39% 0.28%
1998 6.03% -1.34%
1997 5.64% -1.6%
1996 3.76% -1.91%
1995 6.22% -8.72%
1994 6.72% -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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/netherlands | 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 the Netherlands' deficit of $11.5B, or 0.94% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.67% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Netherlands
2024 -0.44% 3.35%
2023 9.79% 3.84%
2022 - 10%
2021 - 2.68%
2020 - 1.27%
2019 4.1% 2.63%
2018 3.67% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.31% in the Netherlands. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 3.35% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.57M
Metals $194K
Wood & paper products $150K
Textiles & consumer goods $99K
Chemicals & pharma $82K
Machinery & equipment $53K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.41M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.85M
Raw agricultural goods $4.93M
Chemicals & pharma $2.86M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.26M
Animal & marine products $2.04M
Raw materials & minerals $1.73M
Miscellaneous $1.36M
Metals $703K
Wood & paper products $258K

Balance of trade

Barbados Netherlands
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+9.13%
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
71.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
82.4%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
75.5%
2024
70.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
17.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
1.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$1.12T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$84,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$79.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
34/177
2024
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
19.7%
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/netherlands | 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 (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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.