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Economy of China vs Colombia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $419B for Colombia, ranking 2/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $256B (61.2% of GDP) in Colombia.

China vs Colombia GDP by year

China
Colombia
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Colombia
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $418,818,154,879
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $366,291,836,138
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $345,632,492,851
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $318,524,633,225
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $270,348,342,541
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $323,031,701,193
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $334,198,218,098
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $311,866,875,157
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $282,720,100,286
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $293,492,370,193
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $381,240,864,422
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $382,093,697,078
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $370,691,143,018
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $334,966,134,805
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $286,498,534,095
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $232,468,663,110
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $242,504,150,473
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $206,229,540,926
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $161,792,958,905
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $145,600,529,606
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $117,092,416,666
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $94,644,969,157
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $97,945,812,803
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $98,200,641,203
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $99,875,074,951
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $86,186,158,685
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $98,443,739,941
1997 $967,753,570,435 $106,659,508,271
1996 $868,523,936,530 $97,160,109,278
1995 $738,190,896,228 $92,507,279,383
1994 $566,929,539,493 $81,703,500,846
1993 $446,557,291,212 $66,446,804,803
1992 $428,502,354,788 $58,418,985,443
1991 $384,510,452,962 $49,175,565,911
1990 $361,560,229,446 $47,844,090,710
1989 $348,380,566,802 $39,540,080,200
1988 $312,888,888,889 $39,212,550,050
1987 $273,455,156,951 $36,373,307,085
1986 $301,310,144,928 $34,942,489,684
1985 $310,064,625,850 $34,894,411,352
1984 $260,442,857,143 $38,253,120,738
1983 $231,130,268,199 $38,729,822,782
1982 $205,480,916,031 $38,968,039,722
1981 $196,218,253,968 $36,388,366,869
1980 $191,487,500,000 $33,400,735,644
1979 $178,573,913,043 $27,940,411,250
1978 $149,788,617,886 $23,263,511,958
1977 $175,226,595,860 $19,470,960,619
1976 $154,196,810,059 $15,341,403,660
1975 $163,687,619,736 $13,098,633,902
1974 $144,418,433,058 $12,370,029,584
1973 $138,764,340,892 $10,315,760,000
1972 $113,871,930,714 $8,671,358,733
1971 $99,959,013,880 $7,820,380,971
1970 $92,752,930,873 $7,198,360,460
1969 $79,847,786,729 $6,450,175,214
1968 $70,980,323,819 $5,960,212,869
1967 $73,011,350,596 $5,825,170,438
1966 $76,854,053,259 $5,428,518,519
1965 $70,565,994,356 $5,760,761,905
1964 $59,821,862,703 $5,973,366,667
1963 $50,812,227,919 $4,836,166,667
1962 $47,310,737,754 $4,955,543,963
1961 $50,162,299,350 $4,540,447,761
1960 $59,846,235,025 $4,031,152,977

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/colombia | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Colombia by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Colombia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Colombia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $7,919 $22,349
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $7,001 $21,246
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $6,680 $20,854
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $6,223 $17,383
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $5,340 $15,519
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $6,473 $16,182
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $6,817 $15,239
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $6,480 $14,401
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $5,960 $14,027
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $6,249 $13,332
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $8,187 $13,355
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $8,279 $12,780
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $8,109 $12,093
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $7,401 $11,707
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $6,398 $10,841
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $5,251 $10,367
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $5,542 $10,307
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $4,770 $9,909
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $3,790 $9,154
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $3,456 $8,432
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $2,819 $7,909
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $2,312 $7,420
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $2,429 $7,109
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $2,473 $6,935
2000 $969 $2,964 $2,555 $6,776
1999 $881 $2,690 $2,241 $6,544
1998 $835 $2,483 $2,605 $6,854
1997 $787 $2,297 $2,873 $6,861
1996 $713 $2,088 $2,665 $6,639
1995 $613 $1,884 $2,584 $6,506
1994 $476 $1,680 $2,326 $6,174
1993 $379 $1,471 $1,929 $5,826
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,730 $5,509
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,486 $5,281
1990 $319 $991 $1,475 $5,109
1989 $311 - $1,244 -
1988 $284 - $1,260 -
1987 $252.3 - $1,193 -
1986 $282.4 - $1,169 -
1985 $295 - $1,192 -
1984 $251.2 - $1,336 -
1983 $225.9 - $1,384 -
1982 $203.7 - $1,425 -
1981 $197.4 - $1,362 -
1980 $195.1 - $1,280 -
1979 $184.3 - $1,095 -
1978 $156.7 - $932 -
1977 $185.7 - $798 -
1976 $165.7 - $643 -
1975 $178.6 - $561 -
1974 $160.4 - $542 -
1973 $157.3 - $462 -
1972 $132.1 - $397 -
1971 $118.8 - $367 -
1970 $113.3 - $346 -
1969 $100.3 - $318 -
1968 $91.6 - $302 -
1967 $96.8 - $303 -
1966 $104.5 - $290.3 -
1965 $98.7 - $317 -
1964 $85.7 - $339 -
1963 $74.5 - $282.6 -
1962 $71.1 - $298.5 -
1961 $76 - $282.1 -
1960 $89.7 - $258.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/colombia | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $7,919 in Colombia, ranking 94/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349.

Economic indicators

China Colombia
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$419B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
39/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
1.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$7,919
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$22,349
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
87/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$256B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
61.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$4,849
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
82/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$5,722
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$72.6B
2024
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
42.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
34.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
6.61%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
9.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
9.62%
2024
Population
1402578808
54105437

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Colombia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Colombia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 34.6% 61.2%
2023 32.7% 82% 35.1% 55.5%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 34.1% 61.3%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 34.5% 64.4%
2020 34.8% 69% 33.7% 65.3%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 32.9% 51%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 34.7% 51.8%
2017 32% 53.9% 29.3% 49.4%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 30% 49.9%
2015 31% 40.8% 31.3% 50.4%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 31.3% 43.3%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 30% 37.6%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 29.1% 34%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 30.2% 35.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 30.4% 36.5%
2009 25.2% 34% 30.9% 35.4%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 28.4% 32.4%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 28.2% 32.7%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 28.4% 36%
2005 18% 25.9% 25.9% 38.5%
2004 17.6% 26% 26.6% 41.5%
2003 18% 26.4% 28% 45%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 28.1% 47.5%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 27.5% 41.1%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 26.6% 38%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 28.2% 34%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 26.3% 27.4%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 26.2% 25.3%
1996 11% 21.2% 25.1% 23.3%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 22.2% 13.8%
1994 12.4% - 20.6% 12.5%
1993 13.4% - 20% 14.2%
1992 14.6% - 18.4% 16.1%
1991 16.5% - 17.7% 14.5%
1990 18.2% - 17.4% 16.7%
1989 18.6% - 10.3% 17.3%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 10.3% 17.9%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 9.7% 18.9%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 9.8% 20.2%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 10.5% 19.3%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 10.3% 15.5%
1983 28.3% - 10.2% 10.8%
1982 27.9% - 10.6% 8.8%
1981 - - 9.9% 8.5%
1980 - - 9.6% 8%
1979 - - 8.6% 7.7%
1978 - - 8.1% 7.6%
1977 - - 7.7% 9.2%
1976 - - 8% 12.2%
1975 - - 9.4% 14.6%
1974 - - 8.8% 15.9%
1973 - - 9.4% 16.3%
1972 - - 10.3% 16.9%
1971 - - 10.3% 16.2%
1970 - - 10% 16.7%
1969 - - 9.2% 17%
1968 - - 8.9% 16.2%
1967 - - 8.2% 15.8%
1966 - - 8% 15.3%
1965 - - 7% 15.2%
1964 - - 8.1% 13.1%
1963 - - 8.6% 13.9%
1962 - - 7.8% 14.8%
1961 - - 8.6% 8.7%
1960 - - 6.7% 7.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/colombia | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Colombia spent $145B, or 34.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 61.2% in Colombia, ranking 34/185 and 75/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Colombia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Colombia
2024 -7.34% -6.25%
2023 -6.71% -2.92%
2022 -7.32% -6.34%
2021 -5.9% -7.26%
2020 -9.56% -7.12%
2019 -6% -3.48%
2018 -4.2% -4.67%
2017 -3.34% -2.5%
2016 -3.33% -2.27%
2015 -2.5% -3.52%
2014 -0.67% -1.74%
2013 -0.82% -1.02%
2012 -0.3% 0.15%
2011 -0.1% -1.99%
2010 -0.36% -3.3%
2009 -1.72% -2.67%
2008 -0.02% 0.04%
2007 0.06% -0.82%
2006 -1.13% -0.99%
2005 -1.38% -0.02%
2004 -1.49% -1.31%
2003 -2.36% -2.7%
2002 -2.84% -3.45%
2001 -2.56% -2.71%
2000 -2.81% -2.94%
1999 -2.3% -5.37%
1998 -1.08% -3.86%
1997 -0.73% -3.23%
1996 -0.73% -2.49%
1995 -0.94% -1%
1994 -1.68% -0.14%
1993 -0.89% -0.24%
1992 -1.22% -0.07%
1991 -1.04% 0.35%
1990 -0.72% -0.41%
1989 -0.91% -1.4%
1988 -2.22% -1.3%
1987 -2.08% -0.4%
1986 -1.82% -1.4%
1985 -0.45% -2.4%
1984 -1.44% -3.3%
1983 -1.61% -3.1%
1982 -1.33% -3.6%
1981 - -2.8%
1980 - -2.2%
1979 - -0.7%
1978 - 0.3%
1977 - 0.5%
1976 - 0.6%
1975 - -0.5%
1974 - -1.2%
1973 - -1.1%
1972 - -1.7%
1971 - -1%
1970 - -0.7%
1969 - -0.5%
1968 - 0%
1967 - -0.2%
1966 - 0.1%
1965 - -0.6%
1964 - -1.1%
1963 - -1.7%
1962 - -1.6%
1961 - -1.5%
1960 - 1.2%
1959 - 2%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.4%
1956 - -0.2%
1955 - 0.7%
1954 - 1.3%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 1.6%
1951 - 2.1%
1950 - 0.9%
1949 - 0.5%
1948 - -0.1%
1947 - 0.2%
1946 - -0.5%
1945 - 0.1%
1944 - -0.2%
1943 - -0.7%
1942 - -1.5%
1941 - 0%
1940 - -1.5%
1939 - 0.8%
1938 - 0.5%
1937 - 1.4%
1936 - 1.1%
1935 - 1.3%
1934 - 0.2%
1933 - -0.4%
1932 - -0.8%
1931 - -0.2%
1930 - 0.3%
1929 - 0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -0.6%
1926 - 0%
1925 - 1%
1924 - 0.5%
1923 - 0.3%
1922 - -0.7%
1921 - -1.6%
1920 - 0.4%
1919 - -0.8%
1918 - -2.1%
1917 - -0.5%
1916 - 0.2%
1915 - -0.2%
1914 - -0.5%
1913 - 0.5%
1912 - -0.3%
1911 - -0.1%
1910 - -0.3%
1909 - -3.3%
1908 - -2.7%
1907 - -2.7%
1906 - 0.2%
1905 - -0.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/colombia | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Colombia's deficit of $26.2B, or 6.25% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Colombia ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.45% of GDP for Colombia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Colombia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Colombia
2024 0.2% 6.61%
2023 0.2% 11.7%
2022 2% 10.2%
2021 0.9% 3.5%
2020 2.5% 2.53%
2019 2.9% 3.52%
2018 2.1% 3.24%
2017 1.6% 4.31%
2016 2% 7.51%
2015 1.5% 4.99%
2014 2% 2.9%
2013 2.7% 2.02%
2012 2.6% 3.17%
2011 5.4% 3.42%
2010 3.3% 2.27%
2009 -0.7% 4.2%
2008 5.9% 7%
2007 4.7% 5.54%
2006 1.5% 4.29%
2005 1.8% 5.05%
2004 3.9% 5.9%
2003 1.1% 7.13%
2002 -0.8% 6.35%
2001 0.7% 7.97%
2000 0.4% 9.23%
1999 -1.4% 10.9%
1998 -0.8% 18.7%
1997 2.8% 18.5%

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/china/colombia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 6.52% in Colombia. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 6.61% in Colombia.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.42B
Textiles & consumer goods $3.01B
Chemicals & pharma $2.05B
Metals $1.74B
Raw materials & minerals $599M
Miscellaneous $475M
Wood & paper products $183M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $152M
Raw agricultural goods $83.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $42.4M
Colombia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.62B
Metals $464M
Raw agricultural goods $187M
Animal & marine products $36.1M
Machinery & equipment $22.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18M
Wood & paper products $14.1M
Chemicals & pharma $7.97M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.43M
Precious metals & jewellery $74K

Balance of trade

China Colombia
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$6.88B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
172/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-1.64%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$60.2B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$51.1B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$18.5B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$18.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
20.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
16.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Colombia
Economic freedom 48.3 59.8
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 101/197
Property rights 40.9 43.1
Government integrity 42.3 41.6
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 57.4
Tax burden 69.3 68.6
Government spending 67.8 64
Fiscal health 4.4 49.8
Business freedom 68.7 71.2
Labor freedom 57.9 59.1
Monetary freedom 76.1 71.9
Trade freedom 73.4 71.4
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Colombia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Colombia
2026 48.3 59.8
2025 49 59.8
2024 48.5 59.2
2023 48.3 63.1
2022 48 65.1
2021 58.4 68.1
2020 59.5 69.2
2019 58.4 67.3
2018 57.8 68.9
2017 57.4 69.7
2016 52 70.8
2015 52.7 71.7
2014 52.5 70.7
2013 51.9 69.6
2012 51.2 68
2011 52 68
2010 51 65.5
2009 53.2 62.3
2008 53.1 62.2
2007 52 59.9
2006 53.6 60.4
2005 53.7 59.6
2004 52.5 61.2
2003 52.6 64.2
2002 52.8 64.2
2001 52.6 65.6
2000 56.4 63.3
1999 54.8 65.3
1998 53.1 65.5
1997 51.7 66.4
1996 51.3 64.3
1995 52 64.5

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/colombia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 59.8 for Colombia, ranking 101/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Colombia
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
9.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$372B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$21,890
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$61.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
38/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$9.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$13.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$4.51B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
8.25%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
31.8%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
16.8%
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/china/colombia | 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 (1905–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
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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.