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Economy of Benin vs Brazil compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $2.28T for Brazil, ranking 124/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $2.13T (93.3% of GDP) in Brazil.

Benin vs Brazil GDP by year

Benin
Brazil
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Brazil
2025 $24,566,420,904 $2,279,920,092,492
2024 $21,482,643,706 $2,185,821,610,689
2023 $19,673,291,004 $2,191,131,765,685
2022 $17,425,405,091 $1,951,923,942,083
2021 $17,687,623,530 $1,670,647,398,905
2020 $15,686,741,884 $1,476,107,231,310
2019 $14,391,686,313 $1,873,288,205,060
2018 $14,262,408,090 $1,916,933,898,011
2017 $12,701,655,837 $2,063,514,977,366
2016 $11,821,065,853 $1,795,693,482,853
2015 $11,388,160,997 $1,802,212,206,815
2014 $13,284,527,847 $2,456,043,727,199
2013 $12,517,845,124 $2,472,819,535,557
2012 $11,141,358,116 $2,465,227,802,807
2011 $10,693,321,364 $2,616,156,223,918
2010 $9,535,345,016 $2,208,837,745,101
2009 $9,738,626,517 $1,666,996,438,581
2008 $9,787,734,526 $1,695,855,083,498
2007 $8,169,048,383 $1,397,114,486,369
2006 $7,034,111,315 $1,107,626,541,435
2005 $6,567,654,954 $891,633,839,894
2004 $6,190,270,380 $669,289,424,806
2003 $5,349,258,094 $558,233,745,652
2002 $4,194,342,686 $509,795,273,807
2001 $3,666,222,635 $559,983,634,799
2000 $3,519,991,440 $655,448,231,984
1999 $3,677,393,999 $599,642,024,320
1998 $2,455,092,686 $863,710,759,256
1997 $2,268,301,646 $883,206,179,730
1996 $2,361,116,449 $850,426,432,992
1995 $2,169,627,138 $769,333,050,987
1994 $1,598,075,944 $525,369,467,296
1993 $2,274,558,083 $368,292,034,381
1992 $1,695,315,306 $328,191,909,882
1991 $1,986,437,797 $342,534,090,909
1990 $1,959,965,330 $384,959,818,182
1989 $1,502,294,416 $412,990,820,287
1988 $1,620,246,084 $307,881,930,752
1987 $1,562,412,228 $283,056,836,894
1986 $1,336,102,025 $256,480,852,471
1985 $1,045,712,789 $210,879,844,639
1984 $1,051,134,009 $188,339,974,087
1983 $1,095,348,199 $189,656,506,321
1982 $1,267,778,670 $271,314,113,768
1981 $1,291,120,188 $258,015,174,749
1980 $1,405,251,847 $237,393,489,893
1979 $1,186,231,020 $221,338,204,480
1978 $928,843,469 $200,278,646,124
1977 $750,049,779 $176,344,101,402
1976 $698,408,262 $153,168,949,208
1975 $676,870,140 $129,203,555,239
1974 $554,654,861 $109,794,519,728
1973 $504,376,074 $83,592,275,863
1972 $410,331,857 $58,434,858,375
1971 $335,073,028 $48,869,830,902
1970 $333,627,713 $42,327,664,794
1969 $330,748,245 $37,171,640,819
1968 $326,323,105 $33,930,457,425
1967 $306,221,953 $31,086,389,195
1966 $302,925,235 $28,283,323,733
1965 $289,908,680 $22,465,522,884
1964 $269,819,006 $20,963,733,695
1963 $253,927,697 $23,287,712,878
1962 $236,434,954 $19,231,747,852
1961 $235,668,221 $17,275,940,449
1960 $226,195,578 $17,030,465,539

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/brazil | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Brazil by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Brazil
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Brazil
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $10,713 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $10,311 $22,338
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $10,378 $21,176
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $9,281 $19,877
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $7,973 $18,076
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $7,074 $16,102
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $9,030 $16,070
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $9,301 $15,464
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $10,081 $14,559
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $8,836 $14,309
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $8,936 $14,821
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $12,275 $15,827
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $12,459 $15,722
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $12,522 $15,198
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $13,397 $15,212
2010 $973 $2,220 $11,403 $14,452
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $8,679 $13,391
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $8,908 $13,445
2007 $912 $2,136 $7,410 $12,673
2006 $809 $2,021 $5,934 $11,751
2005 $779 $1,946 $4,828 $11,081
2004 $759 $1,915 $3,664 $10,526
2003 $676 $1,842 $3,091 $9,802
2002 $546 $1,800 $2,856 $9,617
2001 $492 $1,746 $3,176 $9,304
2000 $487 $1,671 $3,767 $9,092
1999 $525 $1,592 $3,494 $8,635
1998 $362 $1,537 $5,106 $8,599
1997 $345 $1,508 $5,299 $8,602
1996 $369 $1,444 $5,179 $8,301
1995 $348 $1,395 $4,757 $8,097
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $3,299 $7,727
1993 $387 $1,311 $2,349 $7,260
1992 $302 $1,265 $2,127 $6,869
1991 $365 $1,239 $2,258 $6,867
1990 $371 $1,186 $2,581 $6,688
1989 $293.3 - $2,819 -
1988 $326 - $2,141 -
1987 $324 - $2,006 -
1986 $285.8 - $1,854 -
1985 $230.4 - $1,556 -
1984 $238.6 - $1,420 -
1983 $256 - $1,461 -
1982 $305 - $2,138 -
1981 $320 - $2,080 -
1980 $358 - $1,959 -
1979 $311 - $1,870 -
1978 $249.8 - $1,733 -
1977 $207 - $1,562 -
1976 $197.7 - $1,390 -
1975 $196.5 - $1,201 -
1974 $164.9 - $1,045 -
1973 $153.6 - $815 -
1972 $127.9 - $583 -
1971 $106.9 - $500 -
1970 $108.8 - $444 -
1969 $110.3 - $399 -
1968 $111.2 - $374 -
1967 $106.6 - $351 -
1966 $107.6 - $328 -
1965 $105.1 - $268 -
1964 $99.8 - $257.3 -
1963 $95.7 - $294.2 -
1962 $90.8 - $250.2 -
1961 $92.1 - $231.6 -
1960 $89.9 - $235.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/brazil | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $10,713 in Brazil, ranking 85/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Brazil ranks 88th at $22,338.

Economic indicators

Benin Brazil
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$2.28T
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
11/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
2.29%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$10,713
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
85/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$22,338
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
88/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$2.13T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
93.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$9,999
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
60/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$6,555
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$871B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
386,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
70
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
39.3%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
47.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
14.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
5.83%
2025
Population
15358725
213964342

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Brazil
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Brazil
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 47.4% 93.3%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 45.5% 87%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 45.3% 84%
2022 20% 59.7% 43.4% 83.9%
2021 20% 55.6% 40.4% 88.9%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 46.2% 96%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 43% 87.1%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 44.2% 84.8%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 44.3% 82.7%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 45.5% 77.4%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 46.2% 71.7%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 41.4% 61.6%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 39.8% 59.6%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 39.3% 61.6%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 39.4% 60.6%
2010 14.1% 21% 39.5% 62.4%
2009 17% 18.7% 40.5% 64.7%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 39.9% 61.4%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 40.4% 63%
2006 13% 8.37% 42.6% 64.6%
2005 14.1% 27% 41.9% 67%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 39.7% 68%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 41.3% 71.5%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 44.5% 76.1%
2001 15.4% 38% 39.8% 67.3%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 34.5% 62.2%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 39.6% 44.5%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 40.9% 38.9%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 38.6% 31.8%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 38.2% 30.7%
1995 20.2% 48.3% - 28%
1994 18.5% 64.6% - 30%
1993 16.4% 41.9% - 32.6%
1992 18.4% 41.8% - 37.1%
1991 17.2% 44% - 38.1%
1990 18.1% 45.3% - 40.6%
1989 17.1% 50.3% - 40.2%
1988 - - - 46.9%
1987 - - - 50.3%
1986 - - 11.7% 49.4%
1985 - - 11.1% 52.6%
1984 - - 10% 55.8%
1983 - - 9.7% 51.5%
1982 - - 8.1% 32.8%
1981 - - 7.8% 34.6%
1980 - - 6.8% 39.7%
1979 - - 9% 36.6%
1978 - - 10.2% 37%
1977 - - 10.4% 31%
1976 - - 10.6% 31.8%
1975 - - 10.7% 27.7%
1974 - - 10.5% 25.7%
1973 - - 11% 22.4%
1972 - - 12.6% 22.5%
1971 - - 11.7% 17.9%
1970 - - 11.4% 17%
1969 - - 11.2% 16.5%
1968 - - 14.4% 15.8%
1967 - - 13.5% 13.8%
1966 - - 14.6% 19.6%
1965 - - 14% 17.6%
1964 - - 25.4% 22.2%
1963 - - 22.8% 20.4%
1962 - - 23.1% 23.7%
1961 - - 12% 25.7%
1960 - - 13.7% 22.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/brazil | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Brazil spent $1.08T, or 47.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 93.3% in Brazil, ranking 83/185 and 29/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Brazil
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Brazil
2025 -2.9% -8.07%
2024 -3.06% -6.17%
2023 -4.13% -7.71%
2022 -5.55% -3.96%
2021 -2.53% -2.63%
2020 -4.68% -11.6%
2019 -0.53% -4.86%
2018 -2.96% -6.99%
2017 -4.18% -7.97%
2016 -4.29% -7.99%
2015 -5.55% -9.28%
2014 -1.65% -6.27%
2013 -1.37% -3.42%
2012 -0.22% -2.35%
2011 -0.98% -2.74%
2010 -0.28% -3.55%
2009 -2.24% -4.23%
2008 -0.04% -2.39%
2007 0.22% -2.66%
2006 -0.15% -4.87%
2005 -1.52% -3.36%
2004 -0.7% -2.95%
2003 -1.07% -5.4%
2002 -3.33% -4.15%
2001 -3.27% -3.47%
2000 -3.69% -3.32%
1999 1.94% -5.17%
1998 2.5% -7.22%
1997 0.64% -5.6%
1996 -0.15% -5.35%
1995 -2.61% -
1994 -2.14% -
1993 -0.56% -
1992 -2.71% -
1991 -3.08% -
1990 -3.24% -
1989 0.89% -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -1.6%
1985 - -1.3%
1984 - -0.4%
1983 - 0.1%
1982 - 1.4%
1981 - 1%
1980 - 2.5%
1979 - 0.4%
1978 - -0.1%
1977 - 0.1%
1976 - 0.1%
1975 - 0%
1974 - 0.6%
1973 - 0.1%
1972 - -0.1%
1971 - -0.3%
1970 - -0.4%
1969 - -0.6%
1968 - -1.6%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.3%
1965 - -2%
1964 - -8.79%
1963 - -5.78%
1962 - -6.82%
1961 - -2.93%
1960 - -3.85%
1959 - -0.18%
1958 - -0.76%
1957 - -0.29%
1956 - -0.14%
1955 - -0.62%
1954 - -0.49%
1953 - -1.26%
1952 - 0.64%
1951 - 0.87%
1950 - -1.58%
1949 - -1.22%
1948 - 0.002%
1947 - 0.25%
1946 - -1.78%
1945 - -2.87%
1944 - -2.37%
1943 - -0.75%
1942 - -2.55%
1941 - -2.15%
1940 - -1.13%
1939 - -1.2%
1938 - -0.59%
1937 - -1.62%
1936 - -0.27%
1935 - -0.5%
1934 - -2.28%
1933 - -1.56%
1932 - -6.47%
1931 - -1.56%
1930 - -3.58%
1929 - -0.09%
1928 - 0.57%
1927 - 0.12%
1926 - -0.76%
1925 - -0.07%
1924 - -0.45%
1923 - -1.94%
1922 - -3.8%
1921 - -2.98%
1920 - -3.11%
1919 - -3.69%
1918 - -4.51%
1917 - -4.8%
1916 - -4.35%
1915 - -6.33%
1914 - -7.32%
1913 - -1.91%
1912 - -3.05%
1911 - -2.15%
1910 - -2.06%
1909 - -1.62%
1908 - -1.89%
1907 - 0.38%
1906 - 0.28%
1905 - 0.96%
1904 - -0.62%
1903 - 1.79%
1902 - 1.59%
1901 - -2.46%
1900 - -5.57%
1899 - -2.13%
1898 - -14%
1897 - -2.38%
1896 - -0.79%
1895 - -1.33%
1894 - -4.11%
1893 - -1.77%
1892 - -2.6%
1891 - 0.51%
1890 - -3.02%
1889 - -3.79%
1888 - 0.63%
1887 - -0.76%
1886 - -3.8%
1885 - -5.71%
1884 - -3.89%
1883 - -3.33%
1882 - -1.58%
1881 - -1.9%
1880 - -4.84%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/brazil | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $712M, equivalent to 2.9% of GDP. This compares to Brazil's deficit of $184B, or 8.07% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Brazil ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.19% of GDP for Brazil.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Brazil
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Brazil
2025 1.1% 5%
2024 1.2% 4.4%
2023 2.7% 4.6%
2022 1.4% 9.3%
2021 1.7% 8.3%
2020 3% 3.2%
2019 -0.9% 3.7%
2018 0.8% 3.7%
2017 1.8% 3.4%
2016 -0.8% 8.7%
2015 0.2% 9%
2014 -0.6% 6.3%
2013 0.4% 6.2%
2012 6.7% 5.4%
2011 2.7% 6.6%
2010 2.1% 5%
2009 0.9% 4.9%
2008 7.4% 5.7%
2007 1.3% 3.6%
2006 3.8% 4.2%
2005 5.4% 6.9%
2004 0.9% 6.6%
2003 1.5% 14.7%
2002 2.4% 8.4%
2001 4% 6.8%
2000 4.2% 7%
1999 0.3% 4.9%
1998 5.8% 3.2%
1997 3.8% 6.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/brazil | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 6.09% in Brazil. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 5% in Brazil.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $364K
Textiles & consumer goods $39K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Metals $4K
Brazil
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $97M
Animal & marine products $35.2M
Weapons & explosives $2.25M
Wood & paper products $681K
Chemicals & pharma $594K
Machinery & equipment $407K
Raw materials & minerals $374K
Raw agricultural goods $292K
Textiles & consumer goods $226K
Metals $69K

Balance of trade

Benin Brazil
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$66.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
188/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-2.93%
2025
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$291B
2025
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$351B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$105B
2025
Service exports
$461M
2023
$54.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
17.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
17.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Brazil
Economic freedom 60 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 148/197
Property rights 46.4 49.2
Government integrity 44.1 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 55.6
Tax burden 69.4 70.6
Government spending 89.1 39.8
Fiscal health 65.4 28
Business freedom 53.3 65.7
Labor freedom 60.2 57
Monetary freedom 82.1 76
Trade freedom 62.6 69
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Brazil
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Brazil
2026 60 52.4
2025 58.5 55.1
2024 57.7 53.2
2023 59.8 53.5
2022 61 53.3
2021 59.6 53.4
2020 55.2 53.7
2019 55.3 51.9
2018 56.7 51.4
2017 59.2 52.9
2016 59.3 56.5
2015 58.8 56.6
2014 57.1 56.9
2013 57.6 57.7
2012 55.7 57.9
2011 56 56.3
2010 55.4 55.6
2009 55.4 56.7
2008 55.2 56.2
2007 55.1 56.2
2006 54 60.9
2005 52.3 61.7
2004 54.6 62
2003 54.9 63.4
2002 57.3 61.5
2001 60.1 61.9
2000 61.5 61.1
1999 60.6 61.3
1998 61.7 52.3
1997 61.3 52.6
1996 54.5 48.1
1995 - 51.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/brazil | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 52.4 for Brazil, ranking 148/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Brazil
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
6.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$2.25T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$22,670
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$359B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
13/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$47.5B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$74.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$26.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
5.4%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
4.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
17.1%
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/benin/brazil | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. 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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.