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Economy of Central African Republic vs Finland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $299B for Finland, ranking 171/197 and 47/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $245B (82.1% of GDP) in Finland.

Central African Republic vs Finland GDP by year

Central African Republic
Finland
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Finland
2024 $2,751,494,281 $298,696,961,298
2023 $2,555,492,086 $295,021,982,463
2022 $2,382,618,615 $280,253,099,309
2021 $2,516,498,412 $294,223,210,496
2020 $2,326,720,900 $270,000,311,606
2019 $2,221,301,351 $267,014,821,129
2018 $2,220,979,146 $273,869,255,596
2017 $2,072,349,973 $253,846,138,440
2016 $1,825,018,145 $238,777,818,793
2015 $1,695,825,714 $233,210,733,506
2014 $1,894,813,389 $273,478,528,955
2013 $1,691,544,110 $270,268,036,626
2012 $2,510,126,512 $257,443,384,493
2011 $2,437,982,705 $275,126,915,516
2010 $2,142,591,540 $249,429,613,683
2009 $2,067,381,665 $253,480,783,439
2008 $1,993,407,888 $285,698,662,071
2007 $1,699,811,295 $256,360,251,538
2006 $1,461,859,762 $217,044,068,234
2005 $1,337,894,379 $204,859,368,791
2004 $1,272,360,517 $197,458,297,640
2003 $1,142,315,523 $171,612,867,736
2002 $996,068,145 $140,360,963,812
2001 $932,648,605 $129,519,672,869
2000 $916,777,283 $125,967,821,111
1999 $999,477,511 $135,234,241,918
1998 $967,338,390 $133,990,876,725
1997 $937,741,513 $126,862,902,302
1996 $1,007,791,127 $131,991,975,149
1995 $1,115,389,674 $134,060,457,516
1994 $851,174,357 $103,182,697,780
1993 $1,278,781,262 $89,112,105,756
1992 $1,411,917,553 $112,537,828,511
1991 $1,377,374,987 $127,794,441,994
1990 $1,440,711,459 $141,446,120,355
1989 $1,233,930,281 $118,991,270,611
1988 $1,264,899,288 $109,039,090,263
1987 $1,200,991,978 $91,564,993,913
1986 $1,122,265,013 $73,511,611,541
1985 $864,849,836 $55,856,676,899
1984 $637,820,670 $52,870,993,273
1983 $658,679,333 $50,956,447,481
1982 $748,312,391 $52,784,013,815
1981 $694,803,623 $52,440,066,134
1980 $797,048,199 $53,649,984,061
1979 $700,764,748 $44,469,218,440
1978 $610,578,632 $36,259,392,058
1977 $507,298,148 $33,502,784,418
1976 $451,152,461 $31,852,352,670
1975 $378,660,016 $29,475,251,333
1974 $281,398,706 $24,851,036,710
1973 $271,183,082 $19,474,098,335
1972 $230,317,883 $14,744,499,570
1971 $201,450,800 $12,528,522,307
1970 $189,106,529 $11,358,529,162
1969 $188,039,210 $10,177,524,839
1968 $191,767,442 $8,916,565,041
1967 $163,820,514 $9,468,272,357
1966 $157,930,018 $9,306,142,172
1965 $150,574,795 $8,680,393,839
1964 $142,025,079 $7,848,987,793
1963 $129,379,124 $6,958,916,548
1962 $124,482,774 $6,407,796,043
1961 $123,134,583 $5,984,433,774
1960 $112,155,598 $5,279,481,824

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/finland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Finland by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Finland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Finland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $53,150 $65,378
2023 $496 $1,257 $52,834 $63,415
2022 $467 $1,218 $50,441 $62,133
2021 $492 $1,129 $53,099 $56,790
2020 $463 $1,066 $48,829 $53,297
2019 $449 $985 $48,358 $52,276
2018 $455 $906 $49,654 $49,249
2017 $432 $884 $46,085 $47,235
2016 $387 $826 $43,451 $44,562
2015 $366 $769 $42,560 $42,258
2014 $410 $699 $50,074 $41,547
2013 $364 $710 $49,691 $41,326
2012 $544 $1,062 $47,552 $40,739
2011 $534 $980 $51,060 $40,846
2010 $477 $936 $46,506 $38,946
2009 $456 $877 $47,478 $37,988
2008 $437 $798 $53,769 $40,081
2007 $381 $783 $48,473 $37,843
2006 $334 $743 $41,214 $34,440
2005 $312 $702 $39,050 $32,048
2004 $303 $690 $37,768 $31,195
2003 $278.4 $648 $32,920 $29,043
2002 $248.6 $688 $26,989 $28,596
2001 $238 $668 $24,965 $27,798
2000 $239.2 $640 $24,336 $26,783
1999 $268 $660 $26,180 $24,762
1998 $266.6 $645 $26,000 $23,570
1997 $265.5 $626 $24,682 $21,787
1996 $293.3 $601 $25,757 $20,067
1995 $333 $631 $26,246 $19,568
1994 $261.3 $592 $20,278 $18,458
1993 $405 $570 $17,589 $17,458
1992 $462 $573 $22,320 $17,271
1991 $465 $618 $25,489 $17,563
1990 $502 $620 $28,366 $18,149
1989 $443 - $23,969 -
1988 $466 - $22,044 -
1987 $450 - $18,565 -
1986 $426 - $14,947 -
1985 $333 - $11,394 -
1984 $248.3 - $10,830 -
1983 $259.6 - $10,494 -
1982 $298.4 - $10,935 -
1981 $280.3 - $10,925 -
1980 $325 - $11,225 -
1979 $289.1 - $9,333 -
1978 $254.6 - $7,629 -
1977 $213.8 - $7,070 -
1976 $192.1 - $6,740 -
1975 $163.6 - $6,256 -
1974 $124 - $5,298 -
1973 $121.8 - $4,174 -
1972 $105.5 - $3,178 -
1971 $94.1 - $2,716 -
1970 $90.2 - $2,466 -
1969 $91.7 - $2,201 -
1968 $95.6 - $1,927 -
1967 $83.6 - $2,056 -
1966 $82.3 - $2,032 -
1965 $80.2 - $1,902 -
1964 $77.2 - $1,726 -
1963 $71.8 - $1,538 -
1962 $70.4 - $1,427 -
1961 $71 - $1,341 -
1960 $65.9 - $1,192 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/finland | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $53,150 in Finland, ranking 23/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Finland ranks 27th at $65,378.

Economic indicators

CAR Finland
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$299B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
47/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
0.42%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$53,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
23/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$65,378
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
27/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$245B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
82.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$43,662
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
12/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$36,394
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$20.3B
2004
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
22.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
57.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
1.57%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
8.34%
2024
Population
5753659
5631965

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Finland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Finland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 57.7% 82.1%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 55.9% 77.5%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 52.6% 74%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 55.2% 73.2%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 56.5% 75.3%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 52.6% 65.3%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 52.7% 65.3%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 52.8% 66.6%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 55.1% 68.6%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 55.7% 68.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 57.6% 64.8%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 57.1% 60.8%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 55.7% 57.9%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 53.8% 52%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 54% 50.1%
2009 16% 20.3% 54.1% 41.5%
2008 16% 35.8% 47.9% 32.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 46.7% 33.9%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 48.3% 38%
2005 16.2% 103% 49.2% 39.9%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 48.2% 42.6%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 48.3% 42.7%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 47.5% 40.1%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 46.2% 40.9%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 46.9% 42.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 49.9% 44%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 51.3% 46.8%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 54.9% 52.2%
1996 11.7% 93% 58.5% 55.4%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 60% 55.2%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 62.2% 56.2%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 63.7% 54.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 60.8% 39.3%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 55.8% 21.9%
1990 22% 44.6% 47.1% 13.9%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 44.4% 14.3%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 46.4% 16.5%
1987 - - 47.8% 17.6%
1986 - - 46.9% 16.4%
1985 - - 46.3% 15.8%
1984 - - 44.4% 15.2%
1983 - - 44.4% 15.4%
1982 - - 42.7% 13.9%
1981 - - 41% 11.5%
1980 - - 40.1% 10.9%
1979 - - 40.3% 11%
1978 - - 41.3% 10.7%
1977 - - 41.7% 8.22%
1976 - - 39.8% 7.09%
1975 - - 38.6% 6.76%
1974 - - 22.9% 2.97%
1973 - - 21.8% 4.42%
1972 - - 20.4% 6.46%
1971 - - 22.8% 7.94%
1970 - - 21.9% 9.19%
1969 - - 22.2% 10.8%
1968 - - 25.5% 13.9%
1967 - - 23.5% 14.2%
1966 - - 23.3% 13.7%
1965 - - 23.2% 13%
1964 - - 22.8% 12.5%
1963 - - 21.6% 12.2%
1962 - - 23.9% 10.3%
1961 - - 22.7% 9.12%
1960 - - 22.5% 9.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/finland | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Finland spent $172B, or 57.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 82.1% in Finland, ranking 77/185 and 42/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Finland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Finland
2024 -5.08% -4.41%
2023 -3.44% -2.98%
2022 -5.23% -0.18%
2021 -5.8% -2.69%
2020 -3.24% -5.53%
2019 1.33% -0.93%
2018 -0.93% -0.87%
2017 -1% -0.63%
2016 1.17% -1.7%
2015 -0.53% -2.43%
2014 -3.02% -2.99%
2013 -2.3% -2.52%
2012 -0.78% -2.15%
2011 -2.15% -1.01%
2010 -1.35% -2.57%
2009 -0.54% -2.48%
2008 -1.23% 4.18%
2007 1.04% 5.12%
2006 8.58% 3.93%
2005 -4.37% 2.59%
2004 -1.74% 2.16%
2003 -3.06% 2.34%
2002 -1.19% 3.97%
2001 -0.88% 4.89%
2000 -2.01% 6.73%
1999 -0.5% 1.6%
1998 0.001% 1.54%
1997 -1.57% -1.33%
1996 -1.06% -3.37%
1995 -4.84% -5.98%
1994 -7.57% -6.41%
1993 -5.66% -8.09%
1992 -7.33% -4.88%
1991 -8% 0.3%
1990 -6.6% 6.63%
1989 -3.25% 6.73%
1988 -3.72% 5.09%
1987 - 1.63%
1986 - 3.83%
1985 - 3.33%
1984 - 3.23%
1983 - 1.52%
1982 - 3.06%
1981 - 5.11%
1980 - 3.7%
1979 - 3.41%
1978 - 3.83%
1977 - 6.27%
1976 - 7.65%
1975 - 4.96%
1974 - -0.03%
1973 - 1.48%
1972 - -0.18%
1971 - 0.15%
1970 - 1.06%
1969 - 0.94%
1968 - -1.69%
1967 - -0.26%
1966 - -1.08%
1965 - -1.67%
1964 - -1.35%
1963 - -2.5%
1962 - -2.37%
1961 - -3.03%
1960 - -0.52%
1959 - -0.12%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -1.14%
1955 - -1%
1954 - -0.17%
1953 - 0.02%
1952 - -1.24%
1951 - 1.1%
1950 - -0.26%
1949 - -2.77%
1948 - 1.88%
1947 - -5.99%
1946 - -15.3%
1945 - -6.35%
1944 - -21.5%
1943 - -14.2%
1942 - -16.4%
1941 - -35.8%
1940 - -36.9%
1939 - -9.76%
1938 - -1.48%
1937 - -4.44%
1936 - -3.75%
1935 - -3.81%
1934 - -2.81%
1933 - -1.63%
1932 - -2.61%
1931 - -2.32%
1930 - -1.94%
1929 - -0.78%
1928 - -2.07%
1927 - -0.32%
1926 - -2.9%
1925 - -2.92%
1924 - 0.04%
1923 - -2.3%
1922 - 0.62%
1921 - -2.59%
1920 - -2.6%
1919 - -7.49%
1918 - -11.4%
1917 - -1.27%
1916 - 1.48%
1915 - -0.29%
1914 - -1.15%
1913 - -0.25%
1912 - 0.33%
1911 - -0.14%
1910 - -0.3%
1909 - -2.64%
1908 - -1.92%
1907 - 0.24%
1906 - 0.86%
1905 - -1.28%
1904 - -1.63%
1903 - -0.3%
1902 - -1.74%
1901 - -2.13%
1900 - -0.52%
1899 - -1%
1898 - -4.55%
1897 - -0.37%
1896 - -0.56%
1895 - -1.21%
1894 - -0.62%
1893 - 0%
1892 - 0.82%
1891 - 0.16%
1890 - 0.17%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - -0.59%
1887 - -1.46%
1886 - 0%
1885 - -1.2%
1884 - -0.2%
1883 - 0%
1882 - 0.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/finland | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $140M, equivalent to 5.08% of GDP. This compares to Finland's deficit of $13.2B, or 4.41% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Finland ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.23% of GDP for Finland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Finland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Finland
2024 1.5% 1.57%
2023 3% 6.25%
2022 5.6% 7.12%
2021 4.3% 2.19%
2020 0.9% 0.29%
2019 2.8% 1.02%
2018 1.6% 1.08%
2017 4.2% 0.75%
2016 4.9% 0.36%
2015 1.4% -0.21%
2014 17.8% 1.04%
2013 4% 1.48%
2012 5.9% 2.81%
2011 1.2% 3.42%
2010 1.5% 1.18%
2009 3.6% -0%
2008 9.2% 4.07%
2007 0.9% 2.51%
2006 6.9% 1.57%
2005 2.9% 0.62%
2004 -2.6% 0.19%
2003 4.4% 0.88%
2002 2.3% 1.57%
2001 4.1% 2.58%
2000 3.4% 3.04%
1999 -1.6% 1.16%
1998 -2% 1.4%
1997 1.6% 1.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/finland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 1.83% in Finland. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 1.57% in Finland.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Finland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $303K
Textiles & consumer goods $47K
Machinery & equipment $16K

Balance of trade

CAR Finland
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$1.99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
143/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-0.67%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$76.6B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$83.1B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$47.4B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
41.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Finland
Economic freedom 43.1 76.6
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 15/197
Property rights 5.6 99.9
Government integrity 19.2 95.4
Judicial effectiveness 4 96.4
Tax burden 65.5 68.4
Government spending 90.1 7.9
Fiscal health 59 76.3
Business freedom 26.5 85.3
Labor freedom 48.5 65.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 80.3
Trade freedom 47.6 79.4
Investment freedom 45 85
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Finland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Finland
2026 43.1 76.6
2025 42.8 77
2024 41.3 76.3
2023 43.8 77.1
2022 45.7 78.3
2021 48.8 76.1
2020 50.7 75.7
2019 49.1 74.9
2018 49.2 74.1
2017 51.8 74
2016 45.2 72.6
2015 45.9 73.4
2014 46.7 73.4
2013 50.4 74
2012 50.3 72.3
2011 49.3 74
2010 48.4 73.8
2009 48.3 74.5
2008 48.6 74.6
2007 50.6 74
2006 54.2 72.9
2005 56.5 71
2004 57.5 73.4
2003 60 73.7
2002 59.8 73.6
2001 - 69.7
2000 - 64.3
1999 - 63.9
1998 - 63.5
1997 - 65.2
1996 - 63.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/finland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 76.6 for Finland, ranking 15/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Finland
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
62.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
22.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
2.47%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$290B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$65,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$18B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
65/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$3.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$8.74B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$12B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
12.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
22.3%
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/central-african-republic/finland | 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 (1882–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.