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Economy of Brunei vs Germany compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $4.69T for Germany, ranking 142/197 and 3/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $2.97T (63.5% of GDP) in Germany.

Brunei vs Germany GDP by year

Brunei
Germany
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Germany
2024 $15,340,808,592 $4,685,592,577,805
2023 $15,095,084,656 $4,562,207,532,490
2022 $16,681,536,467 $4,201,021,706,479
2021 $14,006,496,617 $4,355,251,953,411
2020 $12,005,799,654 $3,941,398,957,074
2019 $13,469,235,365 $3,959,894,794,039
2018 $13,566,908,391 $4,055,433,215,302
2017 $12,128,168,045 $3,765,351,626,106
2016 $11,400,266,045 $3,536,787,895,179
2015 $12,930,296,870 $3,425,099,578,746
2014 $17,097,797,386 $3,964,870,735,761
2013 $18,094,148,099 $3,807,023,797,051
2012 $19,048,443,341 $3,596,483,233,406
2011 $18,524,791,063 $3,823,575,803,794
2010 $13,707,121,038 $3,467,093,769,667
2009 $11,912,904,510 $3,478,545,516,684
2008 $15,926,456,515 $3,808,197,720,125
2007 $13,432,029,484 $3,484,056,680,855
2006 $12,644,616,419 $3,046,308,753,671
2005 $10,547,202,621 $2,893,393,187,362
2004 $8,619,178,774 $2,852,317,768,062
2003 $7,167,725,262 $2,534,715,518,349
2002 $6,333,082,876 $2,102,350,798,306
2001 $6,096,155,767 $1,966,381,496,642
2000 $6,570,999,088 $1,966,980,701,145
1999 $6,309,070,378 $2,213,873,468,587
1998 $5,550,846,020 $2,247,760,364,566
1997 $7,793,034,376 $2,218,790,886,533
1996 $7,663,377,306 $2,506,576,553,158
1995 $7,700,144,069 $2,593,053,091,306
1994 $6,467,782,518 $2,215,282,632,277
1993 $6,203,339,912 $2,078,954,217,438
1992 $6,327,966,435 $2,141,377,582,968
1991 $6,284,497,294 $1,875,792,575,133
1990 $6,039,881,087 $1,778,162,195,860
1989 $4,983,622,881 $1,404,092,925,205
1988 $4,535,130,305 $1,406,367,016,372
1987 $4,918,010,080 $1,302,932,318,825
1986 $4,190,280,003 $1,050,092,624,516
1985 $6,967,623,884 $735,218,723,093
1984 $7,632,788,075 $727,767,760,979
1983 $7,927,590,750 $773,507,930,295
1982 $8,932,198,186 $779,421,633,755
1981 $9,367,218,664 $803,404,797,058
1980 $10,795,432,294 $953,772,499,462
1979 $6,044,367,628 $884,574,218,333
1978 $4,100,423,674 $743,182,891,918
1977 $3,681,242,528 $602,698,323,086
1976 $3,054,765,590 $521,658,712,133
1975 $2,496,420,258 $492,434,094,920
1974 $2,319,576,214 $446,934,971,657
1973 $433,095,527 $399,833,571,167
1972 $270,822,782 $300,899,944,795
1971 $197,525,768 $250,900,942,397
1970 $179,078,929 $216,629,229,947
1969 $161,210,236 $177,733,486,326
1968 $160,818,236 $156,527,292,653
1967 $139,029,537 $145,100,667,773
1966 $132,757,528 $143,304,275,684
1965 $114,039,501 $134,774,688,191
1964 - $123,330,404,665
1963 - $112,232,503,744
1962 - $105,895,435,234
1961 - $96,558,204,043
1960 - $84,619,845,881

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

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Germany by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Germany
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $56,104 $73,552
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $54,777 $71,684
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $50,507 $69,049
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $52,349 $62,531
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $47,395 $58,686
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $47,656 $59,271
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $48,916 $56,273
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $45,554 $54,110
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $42,949 $51,570
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $41,930 $48,545
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $48,960 $47,939
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $47,207 $45,889
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $44,718 $44,229
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $47,631 $43,398
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $42,397 $39,726
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $42,472 $37,574
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $46,379 $38,444
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $42,351 $36,914
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $36,980 $34,741
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $35,084 $32,314
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $34,567 $31,753
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $30,711 $30,301
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $25,487 $29,514
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $23,878 $28,674
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $23,926 $27,474
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $26,965 $26,518
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $27,396 $25,446
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $27,047 $24,649
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $30,600 $24,169
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $31,747 $23,631
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $27,202 $22,869
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $25,617 $21,900
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $26,560 $21,746
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $23,443 $21,001
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $22,386 $19,468
1989 $20,090 - $17,829 -
1988 $18,825 - $17,997 -
1987 $21,030 - $16,739 -
1986 $18,501 - $13,511 -
1985 $31,827 - $9,464 -
1984 $36,061 - $9,347 -
1983 $38,720 - $9,900 -
1982 $45,075 - $9,950 -
1981 $48,793 - $10,246 -
1980 $58,005 - $12,183 -
1979 $33,501 - $11,322 -
1978 $23,447 - $9,517 -
1977 $21,747 - $7,711 -
1976 $18,671 - $6,659 -
1975 $15,793 - $6,259 -
1974 $15,195 - $5,660 -
1973 $2,939 - $5,065 -
1972 $1,905 - $3,824 -
1971 $1,432 - $3,204 -
1970 $1,325 - $2,771 -
1969 $1,226 - $2,281 -
1968 $1,274 - $2,025 -
1967 $1,149 - $1,886 -
1966 $1,146 - $1,871 -
1965 $1,029 - $1,774 -
1964 - - $1,637 -
1963 - - $1,502 -
1962 - - $1,431 -
1961 - - $1,316 -
1960 - - $1,162 -

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

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $56,104 in Germany, ranking 19/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Germany ranks 20th at $73,552.

Economic indicators

Brunei Germany
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$4.69T
2024
GDP rank
142/197
2024
3/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
-0.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$56,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$73,552
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
20/197
2024
Government debt
$351M
2024
$2.97T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
63.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$35,606
2024
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
21/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$41,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.04T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
2,675,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
171
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25%
2020
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
2.26%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
3.37%
2024
Population
470884
82575542

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Germany
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Germany
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 49.4% 63.5%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 48.1% 62.4%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 48.6% 64.4%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 50.7% 68%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 51.1% 68%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 45.5% 58.7%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 44.7% 60.8%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 44.5% 64%
2016 39.4% 3% 44.7% 68.3%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 44.5% 71.2%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 44.5% 74.5%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 45.2% 77.5%
2012 31% 2.1% 45.1% 79.8%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 45.3% 78.5%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 48.1% 81%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 48.3% 72.4%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 44.4% 65.2%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 43.5% 63.7%
2006 28% 0.59% 45.3% 66.4%
2005 29.1% 0% 46.9% 67.1%
2004 33.2% 0% 47% 65%
2003 30.9% 0% 48.5% 63.3%
2002 41.4% 0% 48.2% 59.8%
2001 35.5% 0% 47.7% 58.1%
2000 37.5% 0% 48.1% 59.2%
1999 44.1% 0% 48.5% 60.3%
1998 45.4% 0% 48.3% 59.4%
1997 39% 0% 48.8% 58.8%
1996 36.9% 0% 49.6% 57.7%
1995 44% 0% 55.2% 54.9%
1994 47.1% 0% 48.3% 47.5%
1993 38% 0% 48.3% 45.1%
1992 34.1% 0% 47.4% 41.4%
1991 30.6% 0% 46.5% 39%
1990 32% 0% 44.7% 40.7%
1989 - - 44.3% 39.2%
1988 - - 45.6% 40.5%
1987 - - 46% 40.1%
1986 - - 45.7% 39.1%
1985 - - 46.6% 39.2%
1984 - - 47.2% 38.7%
1983 - - 47.9% 38%
1982 - - 49.1% 36.4%
1981 - - 49% 33.6%
1980 - - 48.2% 30.1%
1979 - - 47.4% 28.2%
1978 - - 47.7% 27.4%
1977 - - 49% 26%
1976 - - 49.4% 25.1%
1975 - - 50.3% 23.7%
1974 - - 46% 18.5%
1973 - - 42.4% 17.3%
1972 - - 41.8% 18%
1971 - - 40.9% 17.7%
1970 - - 39.5% 17.7%
1969 - - 29.7% 20.3%
1968 - - 28.5% 22.5%
1967 - - 28.8% 22.5%
1966 - - 28.3% 19.8%
1965 - - 28.4% 18.7%
1964 - - 29% 18.2%
1963 - - 29.1% 18.1%
1962 - - 29.2% 17.6%
1961 - - 28.8% 18.7%
1960 - - 22.9% 18.4%

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

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

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Germany spent $2.32T, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 63.5% in Germany, ranking 185/185 and 72/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Germany
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Germany
2024 -10.2% -2.66%
2023 -10.9% -2.49%
2022 2.53% -1.91%
2021 -8.16% -3.17%
2020 -15.8% -4.38%
2019 -3.69% 1.33%
2018 -3.59% 1.88%
2017 -10.4% 1.34%
2016 -21.7% 1.13%
2015 -14.5% 0.91%
2014 3.58% 0.73%
2013 13% 0.12%
2012 15.8% -0.05%
2011 25.6% -0.84%
2010 7.61% -4.42%
2009 3.61% -3.18%
2008 36.1% -0.26%
2007 3.12% 0.15%
2006 19.8% -1.76%
2005 16% -3.37%
2004 8.57% -3.42%
2003 8.06% -3.83%
2002 -4.61% -4.09%
2001 2.59% -3.12%
2000 6.86% -1.71%
1999 -18.3% -1.87%
1998 -24% -2.65%
1997 -11.8% -3.03%
1996 -8.7% -3.64%
1995 -19.8% -9.44%
1994 -22.6% -2.54%
1993 -12.8% -3.11%
1992 -8.28% -2.63%
1991 -1.06% -3.21%
1990 -1.63% -1.94%
1989 - 0.08%
1988 - -2.02%
1987 - -1.85%
1986 - -1.18%
1985 - -1.18%
1984 - -2.04%
1983 - -2.95%
1982 - -3.56%
1981 - -4.03%
1980 - -3.02%
1979 - -2.71%
1978 - -2.62%
1977 - -2.56%
1976 - -3.5%
1975 - -5.78%
1974 - -1.69%
1973 - 1.14%
1972 - -0.37%
1971 - 0.16%
1970 - 0.53%
1969 - -0.43%
1968 - 1.39%
1967 - 2.73%
1966 - 1.76%
1965 - 2.26%
1964 - 1.49%
1963 - 1.43%
1962 - 0.49%
1961 - -0.12%
1960 - -0.34%
1959 - 0.77%
1958 - 1.77%
1957 - 1.99%
1956 - 0.59%
1955 - -1.41%
1954 - -0.37%
1953 - -0.13%
1952 - 0%
1951 - 1.15%
1950 - 1.81%
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 - -0.64%
1933 - -0.43%
1932 - -1.11%
1931 - -1.03%
1930 - -1.52%
1929 - -0.9%
1928 - -1.47%
1927 - -0.44%
1926 - -1.3%
1925 - 0.34%
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.007%
1912 - -0.26%
1911 - 0.06%
1910 - -0.21%
1909 - 0.11%
1908 - -0.11%
1907 - -0.14%
1906 - 0.76%
1905 - 1.21%
1904 - 0.41%
1903 - 0.88%
1902 - 0.08%
1901 - 0.91%
1900 - 0.27%
1899 - 0.6%
1898 - 0.47%
1897 - 0.39%
1896 - 0.63%
1895 - 0.47%
1894 - 0.44%
1893 - 0.42%
1892 - -0.24%
1891 - 1.18%
1890 - 0.12%
1889 - 1.16%
1888 - 0.62%
1887 - 0.88%
1886 - 0.23%
1885 - 0.21%
1884 - 0.23%
1883 - 0.55%
1882 - 0.41%
1881 - 0.12%
1880 - -0.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/germany | 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 Germany's deficit of $125B, or 2.66% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Germany ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.03% of GDP for Germany.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Germany
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Germany
2024 -0.39% 2.26%
2023 0.36% 5.95%
2022 3.68% 6.87%
2021 1.73% 3.07%
2020 1.94% 0.14%
2019 -0.39% 1.45%
2018 1.03% 1.73%
2017 -1.26% 1.51%
2016 -0.28% 0.49%
2015 -0.49% 0.51%
2014 -0.21% 0.91%
2013 0.39% 1.5%
2012 0.11% 2.01%
2011 0.14% 2.08%
2010 0.36% 1.1%
2009 1.04% 0.31%
2008 2.08% 2.63%
2007 0.97% 2.3%
2006 0.16% 1.58%
2005 1.24% 1.55%
2004 0.81% 1.67%
2003 0.3% 1.03%
2002 -2.31% 1.42%
2001 0.6% 1.98%
2000 1.56% 1.44%
1999 -0.42% 0.59%
1998 -0.44% 0.91%
1997 1.71% 1.94%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 1.82% in Germany. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 2.26% in Germany.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.92M
Chemicals & pharma $202K
Raw materials & minerals $149K
Textiles & consumer goods $71K
Miscellaneous $66K
Metals $18K
Wood & paper products $1K
Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $25.6M
Raw materials & minerals $2.73M
Miscellaneous $2.65M
Chemicals & pharma $2.62M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.04M
Wood & paper products $1.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $994K
Animal & marine products $812K
Metals $552K
Weapons & explosives $102K

Balance of trade

Brunei Germany
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
$270B
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
2/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
+5.77%
2024
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$1.21T
2024
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$1.47T
2024
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$548B
2024
Service exports
$410M
2024
$470B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
37.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Germany
Economic freedom 67.5 71.7
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 30/197
Property rights 66.1 95.5
Government integrity 60.4 84.5
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 94.6
Tax burden 95 60.5
Government spending 75.6 28.8
Fiscal health 39 83.1
Business freedom 75.3 79.8
Labor freedom 75.1 52.2
Monetary freedom 74.8 72.5
Trade freedom 84.6 79.4
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Germany
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Germany
2026 67.5 71.7
2025 67 71.6
2024 65.9 72.1
2023 65.7 73.7
2022 64.8 76.1
2021 66.6 72.5
2020 66.6 73.5
2019 65.1 73.5
2018 64.2 74.2
2017 69.8 73.8
2016 67.3 74.4
2015 68.9 73.8
2014 69 73.4
2013 - 72.8
2012 - 71
2011 - 71.8
2010 - 71.1
2009 - 70.5
2008 - 70.6
2007 - 70.8
2006 - 70.8
2005 - 68.1
2004 - 69.5
2003 - 69.7
2002 - 70.4
2001 - 69.5
2000 - 65.7
1999 - 65.6
1998 - 64.3
1997 - 67.5
1996 - 69.1
1995 - 69.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 71.7 for Germany, ranking 30/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Germany
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
64%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
0.91%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$4.6T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$76,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$378B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
10/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
$32.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$47.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$80.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
14.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
21.5%
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/germany | 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 (1880–1990, 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 (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.