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Economy of Estonia vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Estonia has a GDP of $47B compared to $4.44T for Japan, ranking 101/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

Estonia has $11.4B in government debt (24.2% of GDP), compared to $9.16T (206.5% of GDP) in Japan.

Estonia vs Japan GDP by year

Estonia
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Estonia Japan
2025 $47,030,833,799 $4,435,162,999,977
2024 $43,130,419,829 $4,190,008,188,359
2023 $41,470,344,395 $4,384,854,269,962
2022 $38,226,641,740 $4,447,976,207,315
2021 $37,201,101,171 $5,225,933,520,753
2020 $31,820,771,494 $5,189,197,543,645
2019 $31,873,748,770 $5,245,755,000,479
2018 $31,222,632,741 $5,154,293,721,630
2017 $27,469,461,919 $5,038,231,631,661
2016 $24,561,027,788 $5,110,357,383,254
2015 $23,311,847,751 $4,534,438,580,495
2014 $27,055,689,003 $4,985,763,289,561
2013 $25,451,032,781 $5,272,297,037,397
2012 $23,237,406,116 $6,333,803,928,788
2011 $23,303,915,795 $6,279,422,550,219
2010 $19,524,355,419 $5,811,578,109,447
2009 $19,633,984,440 $5,336,765,697,589
2008 $24,342,935,404 $5,160,197,175,876
2007 $22,450,264,166 $4,624,670,179,655
2006 $17,025,671,810 $4,648,058,930,707
2005 $14,109,491,357 $4,875,648,486,366
2004 $12,148,595,031 $4,941,485,123,807
2003 $9,876,595,528 $4,573,413,206,709
2002 $7,370,119,619 $4,245,946,980,572
2001 $6,250,218,423 $4,438,792,748,062
2000 $5,686,579,748 $5,042,381,838,343
1999 $5,756,912,266 $4,688,983,449,627
1998 $5,674,080,543 $4,150,359,076,370
1997 $5,154,420,649 $4,579,780,793,432
1996 $4,786,018,988 $5,021,441,618,840
1995 $4,502,970,889 $5,639,649,753,986
1994 $4,123,011,420 $5,104,063,486,348
1993 $4,013,091,682 $4,632,480,515,091
1992 - $4,064,529,567,505
1991 - $3,724,887,648,862
1990 - $3,252,994,239,867
1989 - $3,174,934,735,896
1988 - $3,191,546,727,316
1987 - $2,635,094,473,494
1986 - $2,164,729,071,349
1985 - $1,457,070,301,468
1984 - $1,374,165,212,365
1983 - $1,297,622,008,229
1982 - $1,183,132,285,328
1981 - $1,271,443,597,067
1980 - $1,153,159,955,513
1979 - $1,100,608,979,757
1978 - $1,057,419,758,047
1977 - $752,590,681,822
1976 - $611,495,350,304
1975 - $544,082,569,364
1974 - $500,355,087,138
1973 - $450,756,970,744
1972 - $331,776,379,992
1971 - $250,530,994,765
1970 - $221,798,003,144
1969 - $188,179,852,753
1968 - $160,201,483,788
1967 - $135,265,319,098
1966 - $115,427,351,851
1965 - $99,387,878,008
1964 - $89,332,989,729
1963 - $75,945,582,324
1962 - $66,356,388,224
1961 - $58,472,696,006
1960 - $48,417,804,545

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

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/japan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Estonia vs Japan by year

Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Estonia Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,418 - $35,951 -
2024 $31,428 $49,969 $33,797 $52,039
2023 $30,264 $48,637 $35,215 $50,662
2022 $28,340 $48,218 $35,548 $47,192
2021 $27,951 $44,252 $41,581 $44,355
2020 $23,934 $40,672 $41,099 $42,426
2019 $24,021 $40,586 $41,425 $42,678
2018 $23,618 $37,121 $40,645 $42,142
2017 $20,852 $34,507 $39,680 $41,444
2016 $18,666 $31,948 $40,215 $40,597
2015 $17,722 $29,713 $35,665 $40,899
2014 $20,582 $29,404 $39,173 $39,555
2013 $19,310 $27,831 $41,369 $39,402
2012 $17,568 $26,243 $49,627 $37,606
2011 $17,556 $24,652 $49,122 $36,214
2010 $14,664 $21,614 $45,378 $35,336
2009 $14,712 $20,489 $41,678 $33,543
2008 $18,206 $22,804 $40,294 $35,274
2007 $16,745 $22,201 $36,130 $35,015
2006 $12,641 $19,344 $36,354 $33,632
2005 $10,415 $16,638 $38,159 $32,170
2004 $8,916 $14,538 $38,678 $30,832
2003 $7,205 $13,135 $35,809 $29,392
2002 $5,343 $11,667 $33,316 $28,624
2001 $4,503 $10,309 $34,910 $27,943
2000 $4,071 $9,425 $39,753 $27,288
1999 $4,141 $8,412 $37,029 $25,736
1998 $4,093 $8,451 $32,835 $25,508
1997 $3,683 $7,980 $36,331 $25,619
1996 $3,381 $6,892 $39,930 $24,999
1995 $3,134 $6,480 $44,947 $23,858
1994 $2,819 $5,967 $40,774 $22,823
1993 $2,686 $5,814 $37,111 $22,168
1992 - $5,872 $32,667 $21,825
1991 - $7,151 $30,048 $21,227
1990 - $7,481 $26,345 $19,912
1989 - - $25,798 -
1988 - - $26,037 -
1987 - - $21,587 -
1986 - - $17,819 -
1985 - - $12,058 -
1984 - - $11,443 -
1983 - - $10,876 -
1982 - - $9,986 -
1981 - - $10,806 -
1980 - - $9,872 -
1979 - - $9,497 -
1978 - - $9,202 -
1977 - - $6,609 -
1976 - - $5,422 -
1975 - - $4,876 -
1974 - - $4,542 -
1973 - - $4,147 -
1972 - - $3,095 -
1971 - - $2,370 -
1970 - - $2,145 -
1969 - - $1,841 -
1968 - - $1,586 -
1967 - - $1,354 -
1966 - - $1,168 -
1965 - - $1,015 -
1964 - - $922 -
1963 - - $792 -
1962 - - $699 -
1961 - - $622 -
1960 - - $519 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/japan | CC BY

Estonia's GDP per capita is $34,418, ranking 37/197, compared to $35,951 in Japan, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

Estonia Japan
Gross domestic product
$47B
2025
$4.44T
2025
GDP rank
101/197
2025
4/197
2025
GDP growth
0.58%
2024-2025
1.19%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$34,418
2025
$35,951
2025
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2025
34/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,969
2024
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
45/197
2024
41/197
2024
Government debt
$11.4B
2025
$9.16T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.2%
2025
206.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$8,325
2025
$74,248
2025
Government debt per person rank
67/185
2025
3/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,647
2026
$22,962
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.61T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,902,000
2026
Number of billionaires
2
2026
41
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.7%
2023
24.3%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
36.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.83%
2024-2025
3.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.5%
2025
2.5%
2025
Population
1347027
122704252

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Estonia
Spending

Debt
Japan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Estonia Japan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.2% 24.2% 36.9% 206.5%
2024 43.6% 23.5% 37.3% 214.5%
2023 43.5% 20.2% 37.8% 220.3%
2022 40.1% 19.2% 40.2% 227.8%
2021 42.1% 18.4% 41.3% 222.7%
2020 44.7% 19.1% 43.6% 228.8%
2019 39.1% 9.05% 36.4% 206.3%
2018 38.8% 8.51% 36% 203.7%
2017 38.9% 9.43% 35.9% 203.1%
2016 38.9% 10.2% 36.5% 202.1%
2015 39.3% 10.8% 36.6% 200.1%
2014 37.6% 11.6% 37.8% 203.6%
2013 38.3% 11.4% 38.4% 201.2%
2012 39.4% 11.1% 38.4% 197.1%
2011 37.6% 7.6% 38.4% 190.6%
2010 40.7% 7.99% 37.4% 178.6%
2009 46.1% 7.98% 38.3% 172.9%
2008 39.5% 4.67% 33.7% 153.6%
2007 33.8% 3.91% 32.8% 150.4%
2006 33.5% 4.72% 32.7% 152.1%
2005 33.7% 4.73% 33.2% 153.4%
2004 34.1% 5.16% 33.3% 148.8%
2003 35% 5.6% 34.6% 140.2%
2002 35.9% 5.66% 34.9% 134.6%
2001 35.3% 4.93% 34.7% 126.8%
2000 36.4% 5.11% 35.4% 118.5%
1999 40.7% 5.93% 35.2% 113.5%
1998 38.9% 5.4% 38.1% 101.6%
1997 35.8% 6.03% 32.4% 91.3%
1996 38.6% 7.3% 33.1% 85.3%
1995 39.5% 8.66% 32.8% 80.7%
1994 - - 32.1% 73.3%
1993 - - 31.4% 63.2%
1992 - - 29.6% 57.9%
1991 - - 28.6% 54.1%
1990 - - 28.8% 54.8%
1989 - - 29.2% 65.7%
1988 - - 29.9% 71.9%
1987 - - 30.6% 75.8%
1986 - - 30.4% 74.1%
1985 - - 30.4% 68.3%
1984 - - 31.2% 65.6%
1983 - - 31.8% 63.5%
1982 - - 31.7% 57.7%
1981 - - 31.5% 52.8%
1980 - - 33.5% 47.8%
1979 - - 33.2% 43.8%
1978 - - 32.1% 39%
1977 - - 30.4% 31.1%
1976 - - 29.1% 26.1%
1975 - - 28.5% 20.9%
1974 - - 25.5% 16.7%
1973 - - 23.3% 15.9%
1972 - - 23.1% 16.3%
1971 - - 21.8% 12.6%
1970 - - 20.2% 11.2%
1969 - - 19.8% 11.4%
1968 - - 20.1% 11.8%
1967 - - 19.9% 11.4%
1966 - - 20.8% 11.2%
1965 - - 20.4% 9.78%
1964 - - 19.8% 8.53%
1963 - - 20% 8.66%
1962 - - 19.4% 9.01%
1961 - - 18.2% 8.44%
1960 - - 18.4% 10.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/japan | CC BY

In 2025, Estonia's government spending was $21.3B, accounting for 45.2% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.63T, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.2% in Estonia and 206.5% in Japan, ranking 168/185 and 3/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Estonia

Japan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Estonia Japan
2025 -1.33% -1.05%
2024 -1.54% -1.67%
2023 -3.07% -2.39%
2022 -1.08% -4.23%
2021 -2.57% -6.32%
2020 -5.42% -9.04%
2019 -0.11% -3.05%
2018 -1.15% -2.44%
2017 -1.07% -3.05%
2016 -0.62% -3.58%
2015 -0.24% -3.64%
2014 0.42% -5.58%
2013 -0.66% -7.62%
2012 -0.86% -8.22%
2011 0.09% -9.02%
2010 -1.09% -9.05%
2009 -3.43% -9.62%
2008 -2.92% -4.07%
2007 2.5% -2.86%
2006 2.71% -3%
2005 1.07% -4.39%
2004 2.29% -5.26%
2003 1.67% -7.35%
2002 0.29% -7.22%
2001 0.4% -6.11%
2000 -0.11% -7.17%
1999 -3.42% -6.68%
1998 0.65% -9.91%
1997 2.98% -3.44%
1996 -0.93% -4.75%
1995 -0.26% -4.22%
1994 - -3.7%
1993 - -2.34%
1992 - 0.56%
1991 - 1.64%
1990 - 1.91%
1989 - 1.23%
1988 - 0.49%
1987 - -0.36%
1986 - -1.36%
1985 - -1.37%
1984 - -2.62%
1983 - -3.95%
1982 - -3.81%
1981 - -3.85%
1980 - -4.66%
1979 - -5%
1978 - -5.79%
1977 - -4.02%
1976 - -3.89%
1975 - -2.92%
1974 - 0.38%
1973 - 0.56%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - 1.21%
1970 - 1.74%
1969 - 1.26%
1968 - 0.88%
1967 - 0.8%
1966 - -0.34%
1965 - 0.48%
1964 - 0.85%
1963 - 1.08%
1962 - 1.49%
1961 - 2.58%
1960 - 1.85%
1959 - 0.97%
1958 - -0.1%
1957 - 1.27%
1956 - 1.39%
1955 - -0.67%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.65%
1952 - 2.22%
1951 - 5.06%
1950 - 6.99%
1949 - 12.5%
1948 - 7.53%
1947 - 6.09%
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - 0.32%
1942 - -0.13%
1941 - -0.19%
1940 - 0.31%
1939 - 0.11%
1938 - 0.45%
1937 - 0.71%
1936 - 0.34%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.34%
1933 - 0.28%
1932 - 0.31%
1931 - 0.23%
1930 - 0.19%
1929 - 0.5%
1928 - 0.42%
1927 - 0.58%
1926 - 0.65%
1925 - 0.75%
1924 - 0.84%
1923 - 0.87%
1922 - 0.89%
1921 - 1.43%
1920 - 1.19%
1919 - 1.21%
1918 - 1.58%
1917 - 1.54%
1916 - 1.37%
1915 - 1.41%
1914 - 1.31%
1913 - 1.21%
1912 - 1.27%
1911 - 1.21%
1910 - 1.57%
1909 - 1.51%
1908 - 1.63%
1907 - 1.77%
1906 - 0.46%
1905 - -0.68%
1904 - -0.81%
1903 - 0.19%
1902 - 0.44%
1901 - 0.21%
1900 - 0.53%
1899 - 0.2%
1898 - 0.6%
1897 - 0.33%
1896 - 0.88%
1895 - 0.28%
1894 - -0.24%
1893 - 0.6%
1892 - 0.63%
1891 - 0.61%
1890 - 0.74%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - 0.13%
1887 - 0.11%
1886 - 0.03%
1885 - 0.01%
1884 - 0.001%
1883 - 0.03%
1882 - 0.001%
1881 - 0.001%
1880 - 0.004%
1879 - 0.02%
1878 - 0.02%
1877 - -0.29%
1876 - -0.42%
1875 - 0.005%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/japan | CC BY

In 2025, Estonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $626M, equivalent to 1.33% of GDP. This compares to Japan's deficit of $46.7B, or 1.05% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Estonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Estonia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.35% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Estonia

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Estonia Japan
2025 4.83% 3.17%
2024 3.52% 2.74%
2023 9.16% 3.27%
2022 19.4% 2.5%
2021 4.65% -0.23%
2020 -0.44% -0.02%
2019 2.28% 0.47%
2018 3.44% 0.99%
2017 3.42% 0.48%
2016 0.15% -0.13%
2015 -0.49% 0.8%
2014 -0.11% 2.76%
2013 2.78% 0.34%
2012 3.93% -0.04%
2011 4.98% -0.27%
2010 2.97% -0.73%
2009 -0.08% -1.35%
2008 10.4% 1.38%
2007 6.6% 0.06%
2006 4.44% 0.25%
2005 4.08% -0.28%
2004 3.05% -0.009%
2003 1.33% -0.26%
2002 3.57% -0.92%
2001 5.75% -0.74%
2000 4.02% -0.68%
1999 3.3% -0.34%
1998 8.21% 0.66%
1997 10.6% 1.75%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/japan | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Estonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.47%, compared with 0.54% in Japan. In 2025, inflation was 4.83% in Estonia and 3.17% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Estonia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $44.9M
Machinery & equipment $24.1M
Transport & tourism services $8.88M
Raw agricultural goods $7.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.12M
Raw materials & minerals $6.05M
IT & IP services $5.3M
Business & finance services $3.03M
Metals $2.38M
Chemicals & pharma $2.02M
Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $167M
Miscellaneous $16.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.34M
Metals $3.32M
Chemicals & pharma $2.08M
Raw materials & minerals $1.52M
Raw agricultural goods $139K
Precious metals & jewellery $128K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $74K
Wood & paper products $25K

Balance of trade

Estonia Japan
Current account balance
-$70M
2025
$216B
2025
Current account balance ranking
79/190
2025
3/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.15%
2025
+4.86%
2025
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$729B
2025
Goods exports
$21.2B
2025
$725B
2025
Service imports
$12B
2025
$269B
2025
Service exports
$15.6B
2025
$246B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.4%
2025
22.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.4%
2025
22%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Estonia Japan
Economic freedom 78.7 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 10/197 36/197
Property rights 93.6 94.2
Government integrity 86.3 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 92.4 97.9
Tax burden 77.9 63
Government spending 46 52
Fiscal health 93.1 41.7
Business freedom 82.8 77.8
Labor freedom 59 65.9
Monetary freedom 73.9 74.3
Trade freedom 79.4 76.2
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Estonia
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Estonia Japan
2026 78.7 70.3
2025 78.9 70.2
2024 77.8 67.5
2023 78.6 69.3
2022 80 69.9
2021 78.2 74.1
2020 77.7 73.3
2019 76.6 72.1
2018 78.8 72.3
2017 79.1 69.6
2016 77.2 73.1
2015 76.8 73.3
2014 75.9 72.4
2013 75.3 71.8
2012 73.2 71.6
2011 75.2 72.8
2010 74.7 72.9
2009 76.4 72.8
2008 77.9 73
2007 78 72.7
2006 74.9 73.3
2005 75.2 67.3
2004 77.4 64.3
2003 77.7 67.6
2002 77.6 66.7
2001 76.1 70.9
2000 69.9 70.7
1999 73.8 69.1
1998 72.5 70.2
1997 69.1 70.3
1996 65.4 72.6
1995 65.2 75

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

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/japan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Estonia is 78.7, ranking 10/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Estonia Japan
Services, % of GDP
65.8%
2025
71.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2025
26.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.65%
2025
0.96%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.2B
2025
$4.73T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$51,370
2025
$58,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.44B
2025
$1.37T
2025
Total reserves ranking
124/177
2025
3/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$814M
2025
$172B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.44B
2024
$18.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.72B
2024
$207B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
27.7%
2024

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/estonia/japan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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.

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.