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Economy of Benin vs Brazil compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $2.19T for Brazil, ranking 126/197 and 10/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $1.91T (87.3% of GDP) in Brazil.

Benin vs Brazil GDP by year

Benin
Brazil
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Brazil
2024 $21,482,643,706 $2,185,821,648,944
2023 $19,673,291,004 $2,191,131,869,706
2022 $17,425,405,091 $1,951,923,832,084
2021 $17,687,623,530 $1,670,647,464,063
2020 $15,686,741,884 $1,476,107,292,152
2019 $14,391,686,313 $1,873,288,158,839
2018 $14,262,408,090 $1,916,933,708,353
2017 $12,701,655,837 $2,063,514,688,806
2016 $11,821,065,853 $1,795,693,265,999
2015 $11,388,160,997 $1,802,211,999,456
2014 $13,284,527,847 $2,456,043,766,032
2013 $12,517,845,124 $2,472,819,362,044
2012 $11,141,358,116 $2,465,228,293,707
2011 $10,693,321,364 $2,616,156,606,579
2010 $9,535,345,016 $2,208,838,108,484
2009 $9,738,626,517 $1,666,996,294,252
2008 $9,787,734,526 $1,695,855,391,758
2007 $8,169,048,383 $1,397,114,247,189
2006 $7,034,111,315 $1,107,626,711,163
2005 $6,567,654,954 $891,633,826,625
2004 $6,190,270,380 $669,289,321,945
2003 $5,349,258,094 $558,233,724,165
2002 $4,194,342,686 $509,795,270,685
2001 $3,666,222,635 $559,983,704,094
2000 $3,519,991,440 $655,448,188,259
1999 $3,677,393,999 $599,642,075,004
1998 $2,455,092,686 $863,711,007,325
1997 $2,268,301,646 $883,206,452,795
1996 $2,361,116,449 $850,426,433,004
1995 $2,169,627,138 $769,333,330,412
1994 $1,598,075,944 $525,369,851,354
1993 $2,274,558,083 $368,295,778,245
1992 $1,695,315,306 $328,187,960,872
1991 $1,986,437,797 $342,609,231,343
1990 $1,959,965,330 $390,725,626,003
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 $2,620 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $10,311 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
$21.5B
2024
$2.19T
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
3.42%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$10,311
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
85/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$22,338
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
88/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$1.91T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$8,999
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
60/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$6,263
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$659B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
433,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
56
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
40.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
45.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
4.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
15%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
6.8%
2024
Population
15272847
213824938

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
2024 18.1% 53.4% 45.7% 87.3%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 45.3% 84%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 43.4% 83.9%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 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 10.9% 39.2% 40.9% 38.9%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 38.6% 31.8%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 38.2% 30.7%
1995 14.8% 48.3% - 28%
1994 13.6% 64.6% - 30%
1993 12% 41.9% - 32.6%
1992 13.5% 41.8% - 37.1%
1991 12.6% 44% - 38.1%
1990 13.3% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Brazil spent $998B, or 45.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 87.3% in Brazil, ranking 99/185 and 38/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Brazil
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Brazil
2024 -3.06% -6.19%
2023 -4.13% -7.71%
2022 -5.55% -3.96%
2021 -5.71% -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 1.83% -7.22%
1997 0.47% -5.6%
1996 -0.11% -5.35%
1995 -1.91% -
1994 -1.57% -
1993 -0.41% -
1992 -1.98% -
1991 -2.25% -
1990 -2.37% -
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $658M, equivalent to 3.06% of GDP. This compares to Brazil's deficit of $135B, or 6.19% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Brazil ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.09% of GDP for Brazil.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Brazil
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Brazil
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 6.13% in Brazil. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 4.4% in Brazil.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $364K
Textiles & consumer goods $41K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Metals $4K
Brazil
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $69.5M
Animal & marine products $14.9M
Machinery & equipment $6.16M
Chemicals & pharma $837K
Weapons & explosives $762K
Wood & paper products $557K
Raw agricultural goods $443K
Raw materials & minerals $336K
Textiles & consumer goods $233K
Metals $160K

Balance of trade

Benin Brazil
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$66.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
188/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-3.03%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$274B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$340B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$103B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$48.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
17.9%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
48.9%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
20.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
5.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$2.11T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$21,590
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$330B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
11/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$47.8B
2024
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
35.1%
2024
17%
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/benin/brazil | 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 (1880–2000, 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.

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.