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Economy of Brunei vs Denmark compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $425B for Denmark, ranking 142/197 and 37/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $134B (31.5% of GDP) in Denmark.

Brunei vs Denmark GDP by year

Brunei
Denmark
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Denmark
2024 $15,340,808,592 $424,524,722,037
2023 $15,095,084,656 $404,651,706,118
2022 $16,681,536,467 $400,114,306,337
2021 $14,006,496,617 $406,110,162,088
2020 $12,005,799,654 $355,631,021,932
2019 $13,469,235,365 $345,401,473,013
2018 $13,566,908,391 $355,293,374,912
2017 $12,128,168,045 $331,610,593,962
2016 $11,400,266,045 $312,181,849,372
2015 $12,930,296,870 $301,758,922,338
2014 $17,097,797,386 $352,832,602,064
2013 $18,094,148,099 $344,631,016,965
2012 $19,048,443,341 $326,792,574,245
2011 $18,524,791,063 $344,315,595,263
2010 $13,707,121,038 $322,345,594,075
2009 $11,912,904,510 $322,619,152,195
2008 $15,926,456,515 $354,979,471,960
2007 $13,432,029,484 $320,213,157,595
2006 $12,644,616,419 $283,386,151,544
2005 $10,547,202,621 $265,150,087,712
2004 $8,619,178,774 $251,986,155,631
2003 $7,167,725,262 $218,421,193,436
2002 $6,333,082,876 $178,788,209,558
2001 $6,096,155,767 $164,881,594,415
2000 $6,570,999,088 $164,043,817,224
1999 $6,309,070,378 $177,887,720,536
1998 $5,550,846,020 $176,877,077,513
1997 $7,793,034,376 $173,241,365,735
1996 $7,663,377,306 $187,481,157,846
1995 $7,700,144,069 $184,848,481,008
1994 $6,467,782,518 $156,017,919,221
1993 $6,203,339,912 $143,111,306,004
1992 $6,327,966,435 $152,966,494,260
1991 $6,284,497,294 $139,180,507,778
1990 $6,039,881,087 $138,217,740,684
1989 $4,983,622,881 $112,312,200,761
1988 $4,535,130,305 $115,540,189,705
1987 $4,918,010,080 $109,183,446,340
1986 $4,190,280,003 $87,748,695,217
1985 $6,967,623,884 $62,452,421,011
1984 $7,632,788,075 $58,868,891,335
1983 $7,927,590,750 $60,331,158,447
1982 $8,932,198,186 $60,084,214,872
1981 $9,367,218,664 $61,459,941,461
1980 $10,795,432,294 $70,811,287,816
1979 $6,044,367,628 $70,393,030,603
1978 $4,100,423,674 $60,320,089,218
1977 $3,681,242,528 $49,711,709,588
1976 $3,054,765,590 $44,503,607,444
1975 $2,496,420,258 $40,418,967,666
1974 $2,319,576,214 $34,125,712,481
1973 $433,095,527 $30,718,181,337
1972 $270,822,782 $23,230,667,549
1971 $197,525,768 $19,086,192,720
1970 $179,078,929 $17,075,457,733
1969 $161,210,236 $15,414,902,667
1968 $160,818,236 $13,505,574,133
1967 $139,029,537 $13,059,064,806
1966 $132,757,528 $11,931,740,293
1965 $114,039,501 $10,870,670,865
1964 - $9,677,401,337
1963 - $8,466,044,980
1962 - $7,953,274,741
1961 - $7,058,361,229
1960 - $6,361,166,545

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/denmark | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Denmark by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Denmark
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Denmark
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $71,026 $81,878
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $68,044 $77,892
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $67,781 $78,914
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $69,341 $69,715
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $60,985 $62,682
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $59,404 $60,595
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $61,325 $57,234
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $57,522 $55,272
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $54,501 $51,821
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $53,094 $48,897
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $62,520 $47,880
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $61,378 $46,869
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $58,444 $44,755
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $61,810 $44,444
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $58,105 $43,038
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $58,413 $40,524
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $64,617 $41,467
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $58,632 $39,110
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $52,119 $37,392
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $48,926 $34,238
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $46,625 $33,016
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $40,519 $30,864
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $33,257 $30,667
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $30,768 $29,459
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $30,722 $28,648
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $33,426 $26,642
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $33,346 $25,799
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $32,780 $24,887
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $35,622 $23,723
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $35,321 $22,677
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $29,968 $21,669
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $27,582 $20,217
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $29,579 $19,830
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $27,003 $19,067
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $26,886 $18,225
1989 $20,090 - $21,882 -
1988 $18,825 - $22,525 -
1987 $21,030 - $21,296 -
1986 $18,501 - $17,137 -
1985 $31,827 - $12,213 -
1984 $36,061 - $11,517 -
1983 $38,720 - $11,797 -
1982 $45,075 - $11,740 -
1981 $48,793 - $12,000 -
1980 $58,005 - $13,822 -
1979 $33,501 - $13,757 -
1978 $23,447 - $11,818 -
1977 $21,747 - $9,770 -
1976 $18,671 - $8,773 -
1975 $15,793 - $7,988 -
1974 $15,195 - $6,764 -
1973 $2,939 - $6,117 -
1972 $1,905 - $4,654 -
1971 $1,432 - $3,846 -
1970 $1,325 - $3,464 -
1969 $1,226 - $3,151 -
1968 $1,274 - $2,776 -
1967 $1,149 - $2,701 -
1966 $1,146 - $2,487 -
1965 $1,029 - $2,284 -
1964 - - $2,049 -
1963 - - $1,807 -
1962 - - $1,711 -
1961 - - $1,531 -
1960 - - $1,389 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/denmark | CC BY

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $71,026 in Denmark, ranking 12/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Denmark ranks 14th at $81,878.

Economic indicators

Brunei Denmark
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$425B
2024
GDP rank
142/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
3.48%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$71,026
2024
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$81,878
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
14/197
2024
Government debt
$351M
2024
$134B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
31.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$22,340
2024
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
30/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$53,468
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$151B
2004
Number of millionaires n/a
376,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
9
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
47.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.6%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
6.15%
2024
Population
470884
6032403

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Denmark
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Denmark
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 47.3% 31.5%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 47.4% 33.8%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 45.1% 34.2%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 49.7% 40.7%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 53.3% 46.3%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 49.8% 38.3%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 50.8% 38.5%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 50.6% 40.2%
2016 39.4% 3% 52.4% 41.7%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 54.4% 44.6%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 55.1% 48.7%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 55.6% 47.8%
2012 31% 2.1% 57.9% 48.7%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 56.3% 50%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 56.5% 46.1%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 56.3% 43%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 50.3% 35.5%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 49.5% 29.5%
2006 28% 0.59% 49.7% 33.2%
2005 29.1% 0% 51.1% 39.4%
2004 33.2% 0% 52.8% 46.2%
2003 30.9% 0% 53.5% 48.2%
2002 41.4% 0% 53.1% 50.3%
2001 35.5% 0% 53% 50.1%
2000 37.5% 0% 52.9% 53.6%
1999 44.1% 0% 54.7% 56.8%
1998 45.4% 0% 55.6% 60.3%
1997 39% 0% 56.2% 64.4%
1996 36.9% 0% 58.2% 68.3%
1995 44% 0% 58.7% 71.5%
1994 47.1% 0% 59.5% 75.3%
1993 38% 0% 59.5% 78.7%
1992 34.1% 0% 56.4% 66.7%
1991 30.6% 0% 55.5% 63.2%
1990 32% 0% 55.1% 62.4%
1989 - - 56.2% 62.2%
1988 - - 56.1% 64.7%
1987 - - 54% 62.5%
1986 - - 52.3% 66.8%
1985 - - 55.5% 74.7%
1984 - - 56.6% 77.7%
1983 - - 57.9% 74.2%
1982 - - 57.7% 64.5%
1981 - - 56.3% 51.7%
1980 - - 52.7% 39.2%
1979 - - 49.6% 31.8%
1978 - - 47.2% 25.5%
1977 - - 45.6% 15.2%
1976 - - 45% 11.4%
1975 - - 45.3% 7.01%
1974 - - 43.6% 6.2%
1973 - - 39.5% 8.94%
1972 - - 42.1% 11.5%
1971 - - 42.2% 12.9%
1970 - - 24.4% 7.62%
1969 - - 25.3% 8.36%
1968 - - 24.3% 9.36%
1967 - - 22.2% 10.1%
1966 - - 21.1% 11.2%
1965 - - 17.1% 12.9%
1964 - - 17.6% 14.5%
1963 - - 18.2% 13.7%
1962 - - 17% 15.3%
1961 - - 15.6% 16.4%
1960 - - 16.4% 20.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/denmark | CC BY

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Denmark spent $201B, or 47.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 31.5% in Denmark, ranking 185/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Denmark
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Denmark
2024 -10.2% 4.46%
2023 -10.9% 3.43%
2022 2.53% 3.39%
2021 -8.16% 4.12%
2020 -15.8% 0.36%
2019 -3.69% 4.28%
2018 -3.59% 0.81%
2017 -10.4% 1.69%
2016 -21.7% 0.3%
2015 -14.5% -0.9%
2014 3.58% 1.43%
2013 13% -0.94%
2012 15.8% -3.2%
2011 25.6% -1.77%
2010 7.61% -2.52%
2009 3.61% -2.75%
2008 36.1% 3.46%
2007 3.12% 5.31%
2006 19.8% 5.29%
2005 16% 5.2%
2004 8.57% 2.23%
2003 8.06% 0.14%
2002 -4.61% 0.25%
2001 2.59% 1.13%
2000 6.86% 1.79%
1999 -18.3% 1.06%
1998 -24% -0.28%
1997 -11.8% -1.22%
1996 -8.7% -2.4%
1995 -19.8% -3.5%
1994 -22.6% -3.85%
1993 -12.8% -3.73%
1992 -8.28% -2.6%
1991 -1.06% -3.15%
1990 -1.63% -1.78%
1989 - 0.3%
1988 - 1.46%
1987 - 2.46%
1986 - 3.23%
1985 - -1.38%
1984 - -3.58%
1983 - -6.29%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -5.84%
1980 - -2.32%
1979 - -0.69%
1978 - 0.41%
1977 - 0.37%
1976 - 0.19%
1975 - -1.23%
1974 - 3.7%
1973 - 4.97%
1972 - 5.01%
1971 - 4.96%
1970 - 0.7%
1969 - 0.3%
1968 - -0.06%
1967 - 1.49%
1966 - 0.99%
1965 - 2.13%
1964 - 1.79%
1963 - 1.2%
1962 - -0.09%
1961 - 1.73%
1960 - 1.25%
1959 - 0.79%
1958 - 0.25%
1957 - 0.26%
1956 - -0.01%
1955 - -1.17%
1954 - -0.84%
1953 - 1.75%
1952 - 1.18%
1951 - 0.79%
1950 - 1.08%
1949 - 0.63%
1948 - 1.07%
1947 - 0.84%
1946 - 2.69%
1945 - -1.03%
1944 - 0%
1943 - 0%
1942 - 0%
1941 - 0%
1940 - 0%
1939 - 0%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - 0.22%
1936 - -1.36%
1935 - -0.97%
1934 - 0.03%
1933 - 1.69%
1932 - -3.22%
1931 - -1.67%
1930 - 0.03%
1929 - 0.13%
1928 - -4.99%
1927 - -2.33%
1926 - -0.48%
1925 - -3.1%
1924 - -0.8%
1923 - -0.56%
1922 - -1.33%
1921 - -2.41%
1920 - -0.46%
1919 - -0.38%
1918 - 1.95%
1917 - 3.1%
1916 - 1.51%
1915 - -0.48%
1914 - 0.43%
1913 - 0.07%
1912 - 0.13%
1911 - -1.02%
1910 - -1.72%
1909 - -2.49%
1908 - -0.82%
1907 - 0.26%
1906 - -0.42%
1905 - 0.22%
1904 - -0.1%
1903 - 0.03%
1902 - -0.06%
1901 - -0.71%
1900 - -0.84%
1899 - -0.59%
1898 - -0.43%
1897 - -0.61%
1896 - -0.07%
1895 - -0.17%
1894 - -0.26%
1893 - -0.42%
1892 - -0.73%
1891 - -0.76%
1890 - -0.97%
1889 - -0.55%
1888 - -0.49%
1887 - -0.68%
1886 - -0.39%
1885 - 0.48%
1884 - 1.2%
1883 - 0.73%
1882 - 0.35%
1881 - 0.42%
1880 - -2.65%

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/brunei/denmark | CC BY

In 2024, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.56B, equivalent to 10.2% of GDP. This compares to Denmark's surplus of $18.9B, or 4.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Denmark ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.44% of GDP for Denmark.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Denmark
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Denmark
2024 -0.39% 1.37%
2023 0.36% 3.31%
2022 3.68% 7.7%
2021 1.73% 1.85%
2020 1.94% 0.42%
2019 -0.39% 0.76%
2018 1.03% 0.81%
2017 -1.26% 1.15%
2016 -0.28% 0.25%
2015 -0.49% 0.45%
2014 -0.21% 0.56%
2013 0.39% 0.79%
2012 0.11% 2.4%
2011 0.14% 2.76%
2010 0.36% 2.31%
2009 1.04% 1.3%
2008 2.08% 3.42%
2007 0.97% 1.69%
2006 0.16% 1.92%
2005 1.24% 1.82%
2004 0.81% 1.15%
2003 0.3% 2.08%
2002 -2.31% 2.42%
2001 0.6% 2.34%
2000 1.56% 2.9%
1999 -0.42% 2.5%
1998 -0.44% 1.85%
1997 1.71% 2.18%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/denmark | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 1.95% in Denmark. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 1.37% in Denmark.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $28K
Miscellaneous $9K
Metals $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Denmark
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.87M
Animal & marine products $657K
Chemicals & pharma $534K
Metals $331K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $301K
Textiles & consumer goods $140K
Raw agricultural goods $71K
Raw materials & minerals $24K
Wood & paper products $16K
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

Brunei Denmark
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
$52.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
14/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
+12.3%
2024
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$132B
2024
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$172B
2024
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$410M
2024
$129B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
60.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
71%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Denmark
Economic freedom 67.5 79
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 8/197
Property rights 66.1 99.9
Government integrity 60.4 98
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 89.3
Tax burden 95 43.4
Government spending 75.6 34.8
Fiscal health 39 98
Business freedom 75.3 90.4
Labor freedom 75.1 65
Monetary freedom 74.8 80.1
Trade freedom 84.6 79.4
Investment freedom 65 90
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Denmark
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Denmark
2026 67.5 79
2025 67 79.1
2024 65.9 77.8
2023 65.7 77.6
2022 64.8 78
2021 66.6 77.8
2020 66.6 78.3
2019 65.1 76.7
2018 64.2 76.6
2017 69.8 75.1
2016 67.3 75.3
2015 68.9 76.3
2014 69 76.1
2013 - 76.1
2012 - 76.2
2011 - 78.6
2010 - 77.9
2009 - 79.6
2008 - 79.2
2007 - 77
2006 - 75.4
2005 - 75.3
2004 - 72.4
2003 - 73.2
2002 - 71.1
2001 - 68.3
2000 - 68.3
1999 - 68.1
1998 - 67.5
1997 - 67.5
1996 - 67.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/denmark | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 79 for Denmark, ranking 8/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Denmark
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
63.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
0.93%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$434B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$84,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
25/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
$11.9B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$18.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$30.7B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
12.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
23.2%
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/brunei/denmark | 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 (1880–1991, 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)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.