Skip to content

Economy of Congo vs Greece compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $256B for Greece, ranking 141/197 and 53/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $397B (154.8% of GDP) in Greece.

Congo vs Greece GDP by year

Congo
Greece
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Greece
2024 $15,719,986,077 $256,238,371,778
2023 $15,321,055,823 $242,946,187,738
2022 $15,817,030,155 $217,990,189,601
2021 $14,825,690,211 $218,303,801,895
2020 $11,468,687,464 $191,362,985,555
2019 $13,976,637,780 $207,305,649,887
2018 $14,773,900,289 $213,298,873,494
2017 $11,834,473,039 $200,381,103,984
2016 $10,931,328,151 $193,097,239,006
2015 $12,434,793,867 $194,567,373,678
2014 $17,919,321,078 $233,911,581,521
2013 $17,958,720,699 $236,556,279,641
2012 $17,692,911,296 $238,841,140,018
2011 $15,655,383,577 $283,228,079,776
2010 $13,148,396,212 $296,417,644,404
2009 $9,723,299,915 $326,829,054,686
2008 $11,649,857,673 $351,121,399,546
2007 $8,782,703,437 $314,226,996,944
2006 $8,072,305,029 $269,073,415,334
2005 $6,650,001,680 $242,315,668,619
2004 $4,656,974,940 $234,979,615,898
2003 $3,503,723,088 $196,930,509,813
2002 $3,034,250,924 $150,253,800,086
2001 $2,796,704,604 $132,050,474,720
2000 $3,227,927,698 $125,760,166,225
1999 $2,354,772,960 $137,131,371,955
1998 $1,949,481,379 $139,612,812,176
1997 $2,322,719,103 $138,766,067,640
1996 $2,540,697,539 $142,502,984,145
1995 $2,116,003,868 $134,974,613,914
1994 $1,769,365,438 $114,980,063,202
1993 $2,684,323,623 $107,295,704,518
1992 $2,933,222,703 $114,608,178,405
1991 $2,724,853,506 $103,680,863,713
1990 $2,798,746,050 $96,529,587,274
1989 $2,389,593,026 $78,067,933,277
1988 $2,212,536,312 $75,200,610,137
1987 $2,297,753,652 $64,739,630,096
1986 $1,849,268,212 $55,595,445,472
1985 $2,160,872,540 $47,155,741,426
1984 $2,193,581,365 $47,352,146,312
1983 $2,097,274,290 $48,741,397,059
1982 $2,160,640,565 $53,858,346,939
1981 $1,993,512,323 $51,618,456,335
1980 $1,705,796,853 $56,039,256,595
1979 $1,198,749,667 $53,724,121,435
1978 $878,771,772 $43,654,480,519
1977 $765,224,029 $35,673,080,481
1976 $754,549,601 $30,719,552,239
1975 $767,102,680 $28,129,128,587
1974 $585,364,634 $24,998,715,909
1973 $541,973,363 $22,037,019,563
1972 $410,669,264 $16,650,659,091
1971 $322,128,019 $14,388,806,818
1970 $274,960,700 $12,957,113,636
1969 $265,040,036 $11,454,106,327
1968 $251,247,458 $9,950,331,206
1967 $237,397,428 $9,146,592,856
1966 $220,613,582 $8,472,021,467
1965 $198,318,064 $7,582,209,670
1964 $185,693,725 $6,576,906,345
1963 $172,233,431 $5,813,285,627
1962 $166,521,240 $5,140,542,929
1961 $151,675,739 $4,892,397,431
1960 $131,731,863 $4,274,890,307

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/greece | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Greece by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Greece
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Greece
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $24,626 $44,327
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $23,344 $42,711
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $20,887 $39,612
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $20,655 $33,531
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $17,887 $29,533
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $19,335 $31,927
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $19,873 $29,792
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $18,632 $28,682
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $17,919 $27,505
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $17,981 $26,608
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $21,475 $26,450
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $21,573 $25,731
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $21,624 $24,583
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $25,505 $25,693
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $26,653 $27,839
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $29,425 $29,963
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $31,696 $30,441
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $28,441 $28,896
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $24,416 $28,076
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $22,054 $25,004
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $21,449 $24,826
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $18,021 $23,253
2002 $906 $3,888 $13,782 $21,985
2001 $855 $3,748 $12,157 $20,304
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $11,638 $18,820
1999 $776 $3,464 $12,743 $17,758
1998 $660 $3,602 $13,023 $17,434
1997 $804 $3,510 $13,016 $16,630
1996 $899 $3,547 $13,433 $15,778
1995 $770 $3,434 $12,779 $15,218
1994 $662 $3,327 $10,937 $14,667
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $10,257 $14,150
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $11,021 $14,130
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $10,047 $13,824
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $9,467 $13,126
1989 $1,033 - $7,738 -
1988 $984 - $7,492 -
1987 $1,052 - $6,474 -
1986 $872 - $5,578 -
1985 $1,049 - $4,747 -
1984 $1,097 - $4,785 -
1983 $1,075 - $4,950 -
1982 $1,131 - $5,502 -
1981 $1,066 - $5,305 -
1980 $933 - $5,812 -
1979 $670 - $5,627 -
1978 $503 - $4,629 -
1977 $448 - $3,832 -
1976 $453 - $3,343 -
1975 $471 - $3,109 -
1974 $370 - $2,789 -
1973 $353 - $2,468 -
1972 $276.3 - $1,873 -
1971 $223.5 - $1,629 -
1970 $196.7 - $1,474 -
1969 $195.4 - $1,306 -
1968 $190.8 - $1,138 -
1967 $185.7 - $1,053 -
1966 $177.6 - $984 -
1965 $164.2 - $887 -
1964 $158.1 - $773 -
1963 $150.7 - $686 -
1962 $149.6 - $608 -
1961 $139.9 - $583 -
1960 $124.7 - $513 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/greece | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $24,626 in Greece, ranking 49/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Greece ranks 52nd at $44,327.

Economic indicators

Congo Greece
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$256B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
53/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
2.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$24,626
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
49/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$44,327
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
52/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$397B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
154.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$38,119
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
16/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$14,396
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$83.2B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
16
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
26%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
48%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
2.74%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
10%
2024
Population
6681829
10181414

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Greece
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Greece
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 48% 154.8%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 49.5% 165.2%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 52.8% 178.4%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 56.7% 197.8%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 59.3% 209.9%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 47.6% 183.7%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 48.6% 189.6%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 48.5% 182.6%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 50.3% 183.7%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 51.9% 180%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 51.5% 182.8%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 53% 180.5%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 54.9% 164.3%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 55.1% 175.1%
2010 23% 43.5% 53.1% 147.8%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 54.8% 128.5%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 51.5% 110.9%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 47.8% 104.6%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 45.9% 105.3%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 46.6% 109.9%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 48.8% 105.5%
2003 27% 185.3% 47.9% 104.3%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 47.1% 107.9%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 47.5% 110.5%
2000 22.6% 145% 48.2% 108.9%
1999 28.8% 0% 48% 102.8%
1998 25.1% 0% 46.7% 100.8%
1997 22.2% 0% 45.1% 102.6%
1996 15.7% 0% 46.1% 103.7%
1995 27.6% 0% 46.6% 100.4%
1994 30.7% 0% 36.9% 99.7%
1993 32.8% 0% 38.6% 101.7%
1992 32.8% 0% 36.9% 81.1%
1991 34.1% 0% 35.2% 75.7%
1990 30.4% 0% 38.5% 74.2%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 34.8% 60.7%
1988 - - 33.8% 57.9%
1987 - - 34% 53.2%
1986 - - 33.8% 47.8%
1985 - - 34.2% 47.3%
1984 - - 32% 40.6%
1983 - - 30.2% 34.1%
1982 - - 28.7% 29.7%
1981 - - 28.1% 27.1%
1980 - - 24.5% 22.8%
1979 - - 24.1% 22.7%
1978 - - 30.1% 32.3%
1977 - - 30.1% 24.5%
1976 - - 29.1% 23.7%
1975 - - 28.7% 24.1%
1974 - - 25.3% 22.5%
1973 - - 24.3% 22%
1972 - - 26.8% 26.5%
1971 - - 25.8% 25%
1970 - - 25.2% 24.7%
1969 - - 29.7% 25.8%
1968 - - 26.3% 23%
1967 - - 24.6% 21.1%
1966 - - 22.8% 19%
1965 - - 21.7% 16.5%
1964 - - 20.4% 21.3%
1963 - - 19.5% 22.6%
1962 - - 19.7% 16.6%
1961 - - 19.3% 14.4%
1960 - - 20% 13.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/greece | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Greece spent $123B, or 48% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 154.8% in Greece, ranking 25/185 and 7/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Greece
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Greece
2024 3.62% 1.34%
2023 5.81% -1.35%
2022 8.94% -2.46%
2021 1.63% -7.58%
2020 -1.1% -10.3%
2019 4.3% -0.09%
2018 5.22% 0.78%
2017 -5.57% 1.05%
2016 -14.5% 0.28%
2015 -17.8% -3.03%
2014 -10.7% -4.29%
2013 -2.85% -4.06%
2012 7.24% -6.94%
2011 16.1% -10.5%
2010 15.5% -11.4%
2009 4.76% -15.4%
2008 23.9% -10.3%
2007 8.99% -6.81%
2006 16% -6.04%
2005 13.4% -6.33%
2004 3.33% -9.05%
2003 0.37% -8.05%
2002 -7.34% -6.2%
2001 -0.71% -5.64%
2000 1.05% -4.21%
1999 -4.75% -6.02%
1998 -5.16% -6.48%
1997 3.67% -6.25%
1996 9.2% -8.35%
1995 -6.38% -9.87%
1994 -10.6% -8.48%
1993 -11.3% -11.5%
1992 -12.7% -10.6%
1991 -11.2% -9.63%
1990 -4.1% -13.3%
1989 0.78% -11.9%
1988 - -9.63%
1987 - -8.09%
1986 - -8.62%
1985 - -9.56%
1984 - -7.19%
1983 - -6.17%
1982 - -5.49%
1981 - -7.08%
1980 - -2.5%
1979 - -2.34%
1978 - -5.39%
1977 - -5.21%
1976 - -5.05%
1975 - -5.3%
1974 - -4.39%
1973 - -3.71%
1972 - -4.16%
1971 - -3.32%
1970 - -3.24%
1969 - -6.65%
1968 - -3.39%
1967 - -2.59%
1966 - -2.17%
1965 - -2.55%
1964 - -2.89%
1963 - -2.25%
1962 - -2.4%
1961 - -2.69%
1960 - -3.3%
1959 - -2.77%
1958 - -2.27%
1957 - -2.45%
1956 - -0.39%
1955 - -3.57%
1954 - -2.87%
1953 - -3.01%
1952 - -7.21%
1951 - -11.5%
1950 - -12.7%
1949 - -10.4%
1948 - -7.65%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - 0.48%
1938 - 1.78%
1937 - 1.06%
1936 - 0.95%
1935 - 0.72%
1934 - 0.88%
1933 - -2.79%
1932 - -1.78%
1931 - -4%
1930 - -2.23%
1929 - -18.7%
1928 - -0.27%
1927 - 2.65%
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -8.96%
1912 - -7.43%
1911 - -4.61%
1910 - -1.53%
1909 - -2.64%
1908 - -1.54%
1907 - -1.23%
1906 - 0.66%
1905 - 0.91%
1904 - -0.04%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.67%
1901 - 0.1%
1900 - 0.41%
1899 - 0.86%
1898 - -34.5%
1897 - -8.46%
1896 - 0.82%
1895 - 0.37%
1894 - 2.91%
1893 - 0.14%
1892 - -2.28%
1891 - -6.48%
1890 - -11.2%
1889 - -15.7%
1888 - -3.59%
1887 - -4.88%
1886 - -11.5%
1885 - -12.1%
1884 - -7.16%
1883 - -2.42%
1882 - -1.69%
1881 - -14.5%
1880 - -13.5%

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/congo/greece | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $568M, equivalent to 3.62% of GDP. This compares to Greece's surplus of $3.43B, or 1.34% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Greece ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.64% of GDP for Greece.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Greece
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Greece
2024 3.1% 2.74%
2023 4.3% 3.46%
2022 3% 9.65%
2021 2% 1.22%
2020 1.4% -1.25%
2019 0.4% 0.25%
2018 1.2% 0.63%
2017 0.4% 1.12%
2016 3.2% -0.83%
2015 3.2% -1.74%
2014 0.9% -1.31%
2013 4.6% -0.92%
2012 5% 1.5%
2011 1.8% 3.33%
2010 0.4% 4.71%
2009 4.3% 1.21%
2008 6% 4.15%
2007 2.6% 2.9%
2006 4.7% 3.2%
2005 2.5% 3.55%
2004 3.7% 2.9%
2003 1.7% 3.53%
2002 3% 3.63%
2001 0.8% 3.37%
2000 0.5% 3.15%
1999 3% 2.64%
1998 2.2% 4.77%
1997 12.7% 5.54%

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/congo/greece | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 2.4% in Greece. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 2.74% in Greece.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $2.59M
Metals $28K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Greece
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $778K
Chemicals & pharma $638K
Metals $562K
Machinery & equipment $469K
Raw materials & minerals $286K
Textiles & consumer goods $180K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $110K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Congo Greece
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$18.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
182/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-7.11%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$91.2B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$52.6B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$31.1B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$55.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
47.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
42.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Greece
Economic freedom 48.6 63.2
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 82/197
Property rights 28.7 78
Government integrity 13.9 54.8
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 68
Tax burden 73.7 59.9
Government spending 85.8 24.7
Fiscal health 80.8 78.9
Business freedom 35.8 77.8
Labor freedom 52.4 59.7
Monetary freedom 78.4 72.6
Trade freedom 52.8 79.4
Investment freedom 35 55
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Greece
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Greece
2026 48.6 63.2
2025 48.6 60.6
2024 47.8 55.1
2023 48.1 56.9
2022 48.5 61.5
2021 50.7 60.9
2020 41.8 59.9
2019 39.7 57.7
2018 38.9 57.3
2017 40 55
2016 42.8 53.2
2015 42.7 54
2014 43.7 55.7
2013 43.5 55.4
2012 43.8 55.4
2011 43.6 60.3
2010 43.2 62.7
2009 45.4 60.8
2008 45.3 60.6
2007 44.4 58.7
2006 43.8 60.1
2005 46.2 59
2004 45.9 59.1
2003 47.7 58.8
2002 45.3 59.1
2001 44.3 63.4
2000 40.6 61
1999 41.6 61
1998 33.8 60.6
1997 42.2 59.6
1996 40.3 60.5
1995 - 61.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/greece | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 63.2 for Greece, ranking 82/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Greece
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
68%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
15%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
3.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$236B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$43,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$15.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
67/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$4.52B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$6.74B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$2.22B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
18.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
18.3%
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/congo/greece | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1880–1989, 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.