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Economy of Cape Verde vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $347B for Portugal, ranking 172/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $312B (89.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Cape Verde vs Portugal GDP by year

Cape Verde
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Portugal
2025 $3,056,630,435 $346,639,825,142
2024 $2,713,721,857 $313,656,884,871
2023 $2,504,525,538 $292,323,800,949
2022 $2,247,003,344 $256,898,677,175
2021 $2,051,842,619 $256,055,879,091
2020 $1,821,565,614 $229,618,773,423
2019 $2,252,177,124 $240,115,970,063
2018 $2,205,099,507 $242,092,894,543
2017 $1,996,741,540 $220,862,990,767
2016 $1,849,789,986 $206,305,431,242
2015 $1,749,857,620 $199,038,523,120
2014 $2,041,930,125 $230,078,616,300
2013 $2,028,910,915 $226,677,408,292
2012 $1,913,081,210 $216,536,676,772
2011 $2,046,817,987 $245,426,767,676
2010 $1,824,751,468 $238,443,864,993
2009 $1,852,334,575 $244,667,762,836
2008 $1,959,620,648 $263,416,394,624
2007 $1,649,621,739 $240,496,147,317
2006 $1,107,571,458 $208,756,449,276
2005 $972,241,677 $197,253,876,705
2004 $924,940,012 $189,382,122,532
2003 $813,260,469 $165,226,175,537
2002 $620,507,387 $134,795,565,549
2001 $563,090,490 $121,604,107,165
2000 $539,227,278 $118,605,192,877
1999 $592,416,703 $127,470,385,557
1998 $521,910,561 $123,946,327,916
1997 $490,608,658 $117,016,535,163
1996 $501,979,270 $122,630,089,680
1995 $487,148,994 $118,122,007,430
1994 $406,580,652 $99,688,641,304
1993 $490,417,390 $95,009,751,901
1992 $357,160,985 $107,592,098,307
1991 $319,827,059 $89,233,599,278
1990 $306,890,963 $78,713,860,217
1989 $267,448,571 $60,594,092,182
1988 $264,308,140 $56,347,250,696
1987 $235,253,065 $48,182,925,857
1986 $190,651,168 $38,745,901,354
1985 $137,728,205 $27,115,807,742
1984 $132,019,039 $25,217,969,050
1983 $138,476,176 $27,239,650,742
1982 $140,630,679 $30,527,754,793
1981 $139,468,209 $31,977,276,873
1980 $142,246,815 $32,896,519,824
1979 - $26,622,819,672
1978 - $23,487,614,051
1977 - $21,439,523,311
1976 - $20,332,831,565
1975 - $19,347,607,843
1974 - $17,512,391,476
1973 - $15,090,564,186
1972 - $11,239,117,865
1971 - $9,201,604,240
1970 - $8,108,235,704
1969 - $7,287,555,035
1968 - $6,644,693,214
1967 - $6,002,607,030
1966 - $5,370,108,031
1965 - $4,901,711,248
1964 - $4,429,202,657
1963 - $4,084,251,593
1962 - $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Portugal by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $32,082 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $29,328 $51,680
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $991 $1,540 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $908 $1,186 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $832 $1,069 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $817 $1,044 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $727 - $6,056 -
1988 $729 - $5,624 -
1987 $658 - $4,804 -
1986 $541 - $3,862 -
1985 $396 - $2,705 -
1984 $385 - $2,523 -
1983 $410 - $2,735 -
1982 $423 - $3,080 -
1981 $425 - $3,246 -
1980 $440 - $3,368 -
1979 - - $2,756 -
1978 - - $2,457 -
1977 - - $2,267 -
1976 - - $2,173 -
1975 - - $2,128 -
1974 - - $2,000 -
1973 - - $1,748 -
1972 - - $1,302 -
1971 - - $1,065 -
1970 - - $934 -
1969 - - $832 -
1968 - - $752 -
1967 - - $676 -
1966 - - $601 -
1965 - - $545 -
1964 - - $490 -
1963 - - $452 -
1962 - - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $32,082 in Portugal, ranking 43/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Portugal
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$347B
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
46/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
1.86%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$32,082
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
43/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$312B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
89.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$28,843
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
26/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$16,647
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
181,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
43.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
2.34%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
6%
2025
Population
530853
10788071

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 43.7% 89.9%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 42.5% 93.5%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 41.9% 96.9%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 28% 113% 45.5% 126%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 48.2% 131%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 50% 130.8%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 50% 114%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 44.6% 72.7%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 45.2% 73.7%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 46.7% 72.2%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 46% 67.1%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 45.3% 63.9%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 44.2% 60%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 35% 66.4% 42.5% 55.4%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 42.6% 55.6%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 42.4% 58.7%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 43% 63.3%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 42.6% 62.2%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $152B, or 43.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 89.9% in Portugal, ranking 23/185 and 30/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Portugal
2025 1.06% 0.31%
2024 -1.07% 0.5%
2023 -0.28% 1.26%
2022 -4.25% -0.31%
2021 -7.51% -2.83%
2020 -9.29% -5.75%
2019 -1.62% 0.12%
2018 -2.36% -0.43%
2017 -2.63% -3%
2016 -2.73% -1.94%
2015 -4.16% -4.37%
2014 -6.93% -7.32%
2013 -8.49% -5.21%
2012 -9.36% -6.2%
2011 -6.98% -7.73%
2010 -9.6% -11.4%
2009 -5.32% -9.87%
2008 -1.42% -3.81%
2007 -0.86% -2.91%
2006 -4.32% -4.06%
2005 -4.69% -6.05%
2004 -2.98% -5.91%
2003 -3.63% -5.57%
2002 -6.14% -3.7%
2001 -5.03% -4.68%
2000 -15.5% -3.32%
1999 -10.9% -2.93%
1998 -3.16% -4.3%
1997 -10.2% -3.65%
1996 -11.2% -4.63%
1995 -11.1% -5.14%
1994 -12.8% -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.3M, equivalent to 1.06% of GDP. This compares to Portugal's surplus of $1.07B, or 0.31% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.13% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Portugal
2025 2.3% 2.34%
2024 1.1% 2.42%
2023 3.7% 4.31%
2022 7.9% 7.83%
2021 1.9% 1.27%
2020 0.6% -0.01%
2019 1.1% 0.34%
2018 1.3% 0.99%
2017 0.8% 1.37%
2016 -1.4% 0.61%
2015 0.1% 0.49%
2014 -0.2% -0.28%
2013 1.5% 0.27%
2012 2.5% 2.77%
2011 4.5% 3.65%
2010 2.1% 1.4%
2009 1% -0.84%
2008 6.8% 2.59%
2007 4.4% 2.45%
2006 4.8% 3.11%
2005 0.4% 2.28%
2004 -1.9% 2.37%
2003 1.2% 3.22%
2002 1.9% 3.6%
2001 3.7% 4.37%
2000 -2.4% 2.85%
1999 4.3% 2.34%
1998 4.4% 2.57%
1997 8.6% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 2.34% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $8.17M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $176K
Animal & marine products $138K
Chemicals & pharma $98K
Machinery & equipment $22K
Wood & paper products $1K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $90.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $78.6M
Chemicals & pharma $59.2M
Metals $42.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $42.7M
Raw materials & minerals $32.5M
Raw agricultural goods $31.2M
Animal & marine products $24M
Wood & paper products $21.3M
Miscellaneous $2.75M

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Portugal
Current account balance
$108M
2025
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
30/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$350M
2025
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$940M
2025
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
42.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
43.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cape Verde Portugal
Economic freedom 71.4 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 33/197
Property rights 72.7 88.9
Government integrity 63.3 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 90.1
Tax burden 84.4 60.6
Government spending 79.5 44.6
Fiscal health 74.4 82
Business freedom 78.9 83.1
Labor freedom 59.5 54.8
Monetary freedom 80.4 77.7
Trade freedom 66.6 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Portugal
2026 71.4 71.2
2025 68.7 70.5
2024 62.9 68.7
2023 65.8 69.5
2022 66.7 70.8
2021 63.8 67.5
2020 63.6 67
2019 63.1 65.3
2018 60 63.4
2017 56.9 62.6
2016 66.5 65.1
2015 66.4 65.3
2014 66.1 63.5
2013 63.7 63.1
2012 63.5 63
2011 64.6 64
2010 61.8 64.4
2009 61.3 64.9
2008 57.9 63.9
2007 56.5 64
2006 58.6 62.9
2005 57.8 62.4
2004 58.1 64.9
2003 56.1 64.9
2002 57.6 65.4
2001 56.3 66
2000 51.9 65.5
1999 50.7 65.6
1998 48 65
1997 47.7 63.6
1996 49.7 64.5
1995 - 62.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, 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

Cape Verde Portugal
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
66.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
18.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
1.96%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$323B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$52,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$68.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
39/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
21%
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/cape-verde/portugal | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, 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.