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Economy of Barbados vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $313B for Portugal, ranking 157/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $297B (94.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Barbados vs Portugal GDP by year

Barbados
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Portugal
2024 $7,498,050,000 $313,271,185,085
2023 $7,223,250,000 $292,323,800,949
2022 $6,884,900,000 $256,898,677,175
2021 $5,947,550,000 $256,055,879,091
2020 $5,407,050,000 $229,618,773,423
2019 $6,161,850,000 $240,115,970,063
2018 $6,001,950,000 $242,092,894,543
2017 $5,683,150,000 $220,862,990,767
2016 $5,674,600,000 $206,305,431,242
2015 $5,698,150,000 $199,038,523,120
2014 $5,620,600,000 $230,078,616,300
2013 $5,667,200,000 $226,677,408,292
2012 $5,761,450,000 $216,536,676,772
2011 $5,663,100,000 $245,426,767,676
2010 $5,672,900,000 $238,443,864,993
2009 $4,466,809,600 $244,667,762,836
2008 $4,790,410,400 $263,416,394,624
2007 $4,675,767,950 $240,496,147,317
2006 $4,217,323,400 $208,756,449,276
2005 $3,819,500,000 $197,253,876,705
2004 $3,444,500,000 $189,382,122,532
2003 $3,209,500,000 $165,226,175,537
2002 $3,106,500,000 $134,795,565,549
2001 $3,054,500,000 $121,604,107,165
2000 $3,059,500,000 $118,605,192,877
1999 $2,951,822,205 $127,470,385,557
1998 $2,817,083,478 $123,946,327,916
1997 $2,498,384,130 $117,016,535,163
1996 $2,363,645,403 $122,630,089,680
1995 $2,216,974,096 $118,122,007,430
1994 $2,151,344,901 $99,688,641,304
1993 $2,063,342,117 $95,009,751,901
1992 $1,957,000,000 $107,592,098,307
1991 $2,020,583,702 $89,233,599,278
1990 $2,012,131,457 $78,713,860,217
1989 $2,006,165,167 $60,594,092,182
1988 $1,812,757,918 $56,347,250,696
1987 $1,704,370,308 $48,182,925,857
1986 $1,547,755,183 $38,745,901,354
1985 $1,409,536,121 $27,115,807,742
1984 $1,346,890,071 $25,217,969,050
1983 $1,236,016,507 $27,239,650,742
1982 $1,163,923,830 $30,527,754,793
1981 $1,114,204,743 $31,977,276,873
1980 $1,012,280,615 $32,896,519,824
1979 $670,362,452 $26,622,819,672
1978 $552,883,707 $23,487,614,051
1977 $495,097,668 $21,439,523,311
1976 $435,911,269 $20,332,831,565
1975 $402,178,605 $19,347,607,843
1974 $311,804,630 $17,512,391,476
1973 $260,767,828 $15,090,564,186
1972 $213,725,217 $11,239,117,865
1971 $186,826,503 $9,201,604,240
1970 $166,210,203 $8,108,235,704
1969 $141,393,142 $7,287,555,035
1968 $125,733,669 $6,644,693,214
1967 $125,554,009 $6,002,607,030
1966 $113,195,123 $5,370,108,031
1965 $105,021,997 $4,901,711,248
1964 $99,252,731 $4,429,202,657
1963 $99,893,761 $4,084,251,593
1962 $88,782,583 $3,835,883,663
1961 $85,363,759 $3,573,719,085
1960 $80,021,847 $3,339,150,158

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Portugal by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $29,292 $51,680
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $7,773 - $6,056 -
1988 $7,033 - $5,624 -
1987 $6,625 - $4,804 -
1986 $6,031 - $3,862 -
1985 $5,510 - $2,705 -
1984 $5,284 - $2,523 -
1983 $4,866 - $2,735 -
1982 $4,599 - $3,080 -
1981 $4,417 - $3,246 -
1980 $4,025 - $3,368 -
1979 $2,668 - $2,756 -
1978 $2,198 - $2,457 -
1977 $1,968 - $2,267 -
1976 $1,734 - $2,173 -
1975 $1,601 - $2,128 -
1974 $1,243 - $2,000 -
1973 $1,042 - $1,748 -
1972 $856 - $1,302 -
1971 $750 - $1,065 -
1970 $666 - $934 -
1969 $567 - $832 -
1968 $506 - $752 -
1967 $508 - $676 -
1966 $462 - $601 -
1965 $433 - $545 -
1964 $414 - $490 -
1963 $421 - $452 -
1962 $377 - $426 -
1961 $366 - $400 -
1960 $347 - $377 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $29,292 in Portugal, ranking 44/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Barbados Portugal
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$313B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
46/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
2.14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$29,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
44/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$297B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
94.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$27,807
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
27/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$16,747
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
171,797
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
42.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
2.42%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
6.43%
2024
Population
282798
10667081

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 42.8% 94.9%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 42.3% 97.7%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 26.9% 115% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 45.5% 126%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 48.2% 131%
2014 29% 122% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 50% 130.8%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 50% 114%
2010 29.7% 96% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 27.8% 69% 44.5% 72.7%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 45.1% 73.7%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 46.8% 72.2%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 46.1% 67.1%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 45.4% 63.9%
2002 31% 66.1% 44.2% 60%
2001 22% 62.6% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 42.5% 55.4%
1998 19% 50.5% 42.6% 55.6%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 42.4% 58.7%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 43% 63.3%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 42.6% 62.2%
1994 17% 55% 42.8% 60.4%
1993 - - 46.5% 57.2%
1992 - - 48.2% 58.1%
1991 - - 45.9% 63.9%
1990 - - 42.2% 60.2%
1989 - - 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

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/portugal | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $134B, or 42.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 94.9% in Portugal, ranking 18/185 and 27/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Portugal
2024 -0.89% 0.7%
2023 -1.71% 1.21%
2022 -1.96% -0.31%
2021 -4.65% -2.83%
2020 -4.16% -5.75%
2019 3.08% 0.12%
2018 -0.34% -0.43%
2017 -3.89% -3%
2016 -4.88% -1.94%
2015 -8.16% -4.37%
2014 -6.57% -7.32%
2013 -8.98% -5.21%
2012 -7.07% -6.2%
2011 -3.63% -7.73%
2010 -7.55% -11.4%
2009 -6.56% -9.87%
2008 -4.1% -3.81%
2007 -4.34% -2.91%
2006 -3.41% -4.07%
2005 -3.03% -6.11%
2004 -2.97% -5.99%
2003 -3.08% -5.66%
2002 -5.28% -3.73%
2001 4.07% -4.73%
2000 4.94% -3.35%
1999 5.39% -2.99%
1998 6.03% -4.3%
1997 5.64% -3.65%
1996 3.76% -4.63%
1995 6.22% -5.14%
1994 6.72% -7.37%
1993 - -8.06%
1992 - -5.19%
1991 - -7.93%
1990 - -6.82%
1989 - -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

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/portugal | 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 Portugal's surplus of $2.19B, or 0.7% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.28% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Portugal
2024 -0.44% 2.42%
2023 9.79% 4.31%
2022 - 7.83%
2021 - 1.27%
2020 - -0.01%
2019 4.1% 0.34%
2018 3.67% 0.99%
2017 4.66% 1.37%
2016 1.28% 0.61%
2015 -1.11% 0.49%
2014 1.77% -0.28%
2013 1.81% 0.27%
2012 4.53% 2.77%
2011 9.43% 3.65%
2010 5.82% 1.4%
2009 3.64% -0.84%
2008 8.11% 2.59%
2007 4.03% 2.45%
2006 7.31% 3.11%
2005 6.08% 2.28%
2004 1.39% 2.37%
2003 1.62% 3.22%
2002 0.13% 3.6%
2001 2.58% 4.37%
2000 2.44% 2.85%
1999 1.56% 2.34%
1998 -1.27% 2.57%
1997 7.71% 2.34%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 2.42% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $56K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Miscellaneous $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.36M
Machinery & equipment $205K
Textiles & consumer goods $180K
Metals $161K
Chemicals & pharma $52K
Raw materials & minerals $33K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22K
Animal & marine products $2K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Barbados Portugal
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
28/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
43.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
45.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Portugal
Economic freedom 70.4 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 33/197
Property rights 76.4 88.9
Government integrity 71.3 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 90.1
Tax burden 83.2 60.6
Government spending 74.5 44.6
Fiscal health 76.5 82
Business freedom 72.3 83.1
Labor freedom 54.3 54.8
Monetary freedom 80.8 77.7
Trade freedom 48.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Portugal
2026 70.4 71.2
2025 68.9 70.5
2024 66.8 68.7
2023 69.8 69.5
2022 71.3 70.8
2021 65 67.5
2020 61.4 67
2019 64.7 65.3
2018 57 63.4
2017 54.5 62.6
2016 68.3 65.1
2015 67.9 65.3
2014 68.3 63.5
2013 69.3 63.1
2012 69 63
2011 68.5 64
2010 68.3 64.4
2009 71.5 64.9
2008 71.3 63.9
2007 70 64
2006 71.9 62.9
2005 70.1 62.4
2004 69.4 64.9
2003 71.3 64.9
2002 73.6 65.4
2001 71.5 66
2000 69.5 65.5
1999 66.7 65.6
1998 67.9 65
1997 64.5 63.6
1996 62.3 64.5
1995 - 62.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Portugal
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
66.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
18.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
2.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$288B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$50,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$42.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
48/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
20.4%
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/portugal | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.