Skip to content

Economy of Haiti vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Haiti has a GDP of $25.2B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 117/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Haiti has $3.91B in government debt (15.5% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Haiti vs Thailand GDP by year

Haiti
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Haiti Thailand
2024 $25,224,154,991 $526,517,658,842
2023 $19,850,585,722 $515,906,283,941
2022 $20,253,551,921 $495,644,697,588
2021 $20,944,387,976 $506,194,668,790
2020 $14,508,222,518 $500,461,898,480
2019 $15,016,090,930 $543,976,691,794
2018 $16,403,864,618 $506,754,208,404
2017 $15,093,357,161 $456,356,813,537
2016 $14,069,277,526 $413,366,349,748
2015 $14,849,629,309 $401,296,238,228
2014 $15,146,883,498 $407,339,040,198
2013 $14,902,488,604 $420,333,654,593
2012 $13,708,925,477 $397,558,325,279
2011 $13,008,746,039 $370,818,739,624
2010 $11,859,312,725 $341,104,766,329
2009 $11,597,002,835 $281,710,630,187
2008 $10,432,962,635 $291,382,982,431
2007 $9,228,637,768 $262,942,621,455
2006 $7,638,739,123 $221,758,296,022
2005 $7,030,149,730 $189,318,408,469
2004 $6,087,360,684 $172,895,685,155
2003 $5,071,947,798 $152,280,615,246
2002 $6,205,847,214 $134,300,904,400
2001 $6,331,970,324 $120,296,476,180
2000 $6,813,566,099 $126,392,224,254
1999 $4,153,725,884 $126,669,211,779
1998 $3,723,903,724 $113,675,596,788
1997 $3,338,949,152 $150,180,456,566
1996 $2,907,517,604 $183,035,237,429
1995 $2,813,313,279 $169,278,916,593
1994 $2,167,569,046 $146,683,778,959
1993 $1,878,253,767 $128,889,262,951
1992 $2,257,129,792 $111,452,746,518
1991 $3,473,562,628 $98,234,714,971
1990 $3,096,289,800 $85,343,190,719
1989 $2,736,243,800 $72,250,748,100
1988 $2,613,926,800 $61,667,253,471
1987 $2,047,200,000 $50,535,446,555
1986 $2,318,000,000 $43,096,773,981
1985 $2,009,400,000 $38,900,711,333
1984 $1,816,200,000 $41,797,647,776
1983 $1,623,600,000 $40,042,798,388
1982 $1,474,200,000 $36,589,772,404
1981 $1,479,400,000 $34,846,039,194
1980 $1,383,800,000 $32,353,514,989
1979 $1,080,600,000 $27,371,650,825
1978 $974,200,000 $24,006,566,637
1977 $947,000,000 $19,779,312,261
1976 $879,000,000 $16,985,208,648
1975 $681,400,000 $14,882,770,594
1974 $565,399,322 $13,702,998,512
1973 $466,798,973 $10,838,587,358
1972 $371,998,958 $8,177,873,151
1971 $362,800,000 $7,375,000,024
1970 $331,200,000 $7,086,538,438
1969 $391,820,400 $6,695,336,567
1968 $367,968,800 $6,081,009,428
1967 $369,124,200 $5,638,461,442
1966 $368,948,600 $5,279,230,817
1965 $353,251,800 $4,388,937,649
1964 $325,281,200 $3,889,129,942
1963 $294,883,400 $3,540,403,457
1962 $281,896,800 $3,308,912,797
1961 $271,066,000 $3,034,037,811
1960 $273,187,200 $2,760,750,861

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

GeoRank.org/economy/haiti/thailand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Haiti vs Thailand by year

Haiti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Haiti Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,143 $3,194 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $1,706 $3,292 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $1,761 $3,275 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $1,841 $3,145 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $1,290 $3,103 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $1,352 $3,237 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $1,496 $3,197 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $1,395 $3,339 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $1,318 $3,253 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $1,411 $3,026 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $1,460 $3,076 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $1,458 $3,042 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $1,361 $2,830 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $1,312 $2,858 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $1,210 $2,695 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $1,197 $2,855 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $1,095 $2,724 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $985 $2,647 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $829 $2,504 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $776 $2,427 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $683 $2,322 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $579 $2,331 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $721 $2,248 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $749 $2,230 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $821 $2,229 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $510 $2,201 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $465 $2,152 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $425 $2,122 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $377 $2,070 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $372 $1,989 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $292.1 $1,807 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $258.1 $2,048 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $316 $2,158 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $497 $2,273 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $452 $2,202 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $407 - $1,342 -
1988 $397 - $1,164 -
1987 $318 - $970 -
1986 $367 - $842 -
1985 $325 - $774 -
1984 $299.2 - $847 -
1983 $272.8 - $827 -
1982 $252.6 - $770 -
1981 $258.5 - $748 -
1980 $246.5 - $709 -
1979 $196.2 - $612 -
1978 $180.3 - $548 -
1977 $178.7 - $462 -
1976 $169.1 - $405 -
1975 $133.6 - $364 -
1974 $113 - $343 -
1973 $95.1 - $278.3 -
1972 $77.3 - $215.6 -
1971 $76.8 - $199.7 -
1970 $71.5 - $197.1 -
1969 $86.1 - $191.4 -
1968 $82.4 - $178.8 -
1967 $84.2 - $170.7 -
1966 $85.7 - $164.5 -
1965 $83.6 - $140.9 -
1964 $78.5 - $128.6 -
1963 $72.4 - $120.7 -
1962 $70.4 - $116.2 -
1961 $69 - $109.7 -
1960 $70.8 - $102.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/haiti/thailand | CC BY

Haiti's GDP per capita is $2,143, ranking 153/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Haiti ranks 177th at $3,194, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Haiti Thailand
Gross domestic product
$25.2B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
117/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
-4.17%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,143
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,194
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
177/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$3.91B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
15.5%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$332
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,896
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2012
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2012
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
5.25%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
26.9%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
14.1%
2012
0.78%
2024
Population
12076663
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Haiti
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Haiti Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 5.25% 15.5% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 6.46% 28.5% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 8.33% 29.5% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 9.42% 28.9% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 9.86% 22.3% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 9.59% 26.5% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 11.3% 24.1% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 10.2% 22.5% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 10.5% 24.4% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 12.7% 23.9% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 14.6% 21.4% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 15.9% 25.1% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 16.4% 24.1% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 14.1% 22.3% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 12.6% 24.9% 22% 39.8%
2009 11.6% 19.4% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 11.2% 33.9% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 11.1% 24.4% 20% 36%
2006 9.67% 32.2% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 8.75% 29.7% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 7.38% 30.4% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 7.83% 37.8% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 6.64% 32% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 6.11% 28.8% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 6.25% 32.5% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 6.91% 24.1% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 5.4% 24% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 5.46% 26.2% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 - 26.2% 18% 15.2%
1995 - 26.2% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 - 35.3% 16% 6.69%
1993 - 98% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 - 118.9% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 - 80.7% 17% 14.1%
1990 - 85.1% 16.6% 18%
1989 - 98.7% 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - 90.9% 15.1% 30.3%
1987 32.4% 58.6% 17.5% 38.8%
1986 15.1% 26.5% 19.5% 40.1%
1985 17.4% 25.6% 20.5% 36.8%
1984 16.9% 27.3% 19.3% 30.6%
1983 21.9% 28.9% 19.5% 28.9%
1982 20.7% 25.5% 20.2% 27.1%
1981 17.4% 23.7% 19.1% 24.4%
1980 17.2% 20.3% 18.7% 22.1%
1979 13.1% 19.8% 16.9% 23.7%
1978 18.9% 20.1% 16.6% 22.8%
1977 16.7% 18.5% 16.1% 22.4%
1976 13.4% 14.9% 15.6% 22%
1975 12.8% 14.2% 14.2% 15.8%
1974 9.24% 13.3% 13.2% 16.3%
1973 9.4% 8.92% 15.9% 21.2%
1972 11.2% 11.1% 18.5% 26.8%
1971 11.2% 11% 18.8% 21.5%
1970 11.4% 12.5% 17.6% 18.5%
1969 10.1% - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 10.3% - 16% 15.5%
1967 7.52% - 15.5% 15%
1966 7.2% - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 7.91% - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 8.95% - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 7.34% 21.6% 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/haiti/thailand | CC BY

In 2024, Haiti's government spending was $1.32B, accounting for 5.25% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 15.5% in Haiti and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 177/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Haiti

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Haiti Thailand
2024 6.96% -1.29%
2023 0.77% -1.98%
2022 -1.75% -4.61%
2021 -2.45% -6.74%
2020 -1.96% -4.47%
2019 -1.99% 0.43%
2018 -1.13% 0.2%
2017 -0.32% -0.42%
2016 0.12% 0.41%
2015 -1.47% 0.19%
2014 -3.64% -0.7%
2013 -3.98% 0.6%
2012 -2.71% -0.86%
2011 -1.43% 0.09%
2010 -1.5% -1.07%
2009 -2% -2.21%
2008 -1.8% 0.8%
2007 -1.55% 0.22%
2006 -0.91% 1.87%
2005 -0.83% 2.17%
2004 -1.34% 1.11%
2003 -2.24% 1.98%
2002 -1.8% -6.72%
2001 -1.55% -1.77%
2000 -1.36% -1.79%
1999 -1.54% -9.02%
1998 0.21% -6.29%
1997 0.37% -1.68%
1996 - 2.75%
1995 - 3.05%
1994 - 2.78%
1993 - 6.67%
1992 - -0.18%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 -4.94% -2.38%
1986 -1.4% -4.32%
1985 -0.97% -5.11%
1984 -3.52% -3.85%
1983 -5.72% -4.02%
1982 -3.93% -6.18%
1981 -4.38% -4.07%
1980 -5.68% -4.41%
1979 -2.21% -3.62%
1978 -3.24% -3.31%
1977 -2.85% -2.91%
1976 -1.16% -3.35%
1975 -1.73% -1.73%
1974 0.23% 1.29%
1973 0.03% -2.7%
1972 0.24% -4.81%
1971 -0.08% -5.47%
1970 -0.19% -3.73%
1969 -0.39% -2.53%
1968 -0.46% -2.79%
1967 0% -2.1%
1966 0% -1.13%
1965 0% -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 0% -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 0.006% 0.48%
1959 -1.11% -1.15%
1958 -2.21% -0.91%
1957 0.28% -1.31%
1956 -2.18% -1.38%
1955 -0.86% -1.65%
1954 -0.81% -3.46%
1953 -1.01% -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 -0.12% 0.7%
1948 0.21% -0.1%
1947 1.06% -
1946 0.51% -
1945 0.47% -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 -0.21% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 -0.16% -
1938 0.15% -
1937 -0.08% -
1936 -0.06% -
1935 -0.2% -
1934 -1.23% -
1933 0% -
1932 0.4% -
1931 -0.49% -
1930 -0.52% -
1929 -0.32% -
1928 -0.25% -
1927 0.73% -
1926 -0.45% -
1925 0.05% -
1924 -0.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/haiti/thailand | CC BY

In 2024, Haiti's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.76B, equivalent to 6.96% of GDP. This compares to Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Haiti recorded a fiscal deficit in 40 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 42 years. On average, Haiti posted an annual deficit equal to 1.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.52% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Haiti

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Haiti Thailand
2024 26.9% 1.37%
2023 36.8% 8.48%
2022 34% -1.61%
2021 16.8% 1.23%
2020 22.8% -0.85%
2019 18.7% 0.71%
2018 12.5% 1.06%
2017 10.7% 0.67%
2016 11.5% 0.19%
2015 6.73% -0.9%
2014 3.44% 1.9%
2013 4.77% 2.18%
2012 5.02% 3.01%
2011 6.33% 3.81%
2010 4.83% 3.25%
2009 0.39% -0.85%
2008 15.3% 5.47%
2007 6.56% 2.24%
2006 11.3% 4.64%
2005 14% 4.54%
2004 21% 2.76%
2003 28.7% 1.8%
2002 7.03% 0.7%
2001 13.3% 1.63%
2000 9.33% 1.59%
1999 3% 0.28%
1998 5.27% 7.99%
1997 20.6% 5.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/haiti/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Haiti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.5%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 26.9% in Haiti and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Haiti
Export category Export value
Metals $6.57M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $392K
Machinery & equipment $208K
Wood & paper products $70K
Chemicals & pharma $41K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.83M
Chemicals & pharma $1.06M
Raw materials & minerals $959K
Raw agricultural goods $364K
Textiles & consumer goods $200K
Wood & paper products $102K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $31K
Metals $12K
Miscellaneous $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Haiti Thailand
Current account balance
-$145M
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
92/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.58%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$4.27B
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$767M
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$518M
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$96.6M
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
3.4%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Haiti Thailand
Economic freedom 46.1 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 178/197 88/197
Property rights 6.6 41.8
Government integrity 13 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 17.3 35
Tax burden 81.7 80.8
Government spending 98.7 83.6
Fiscal health 99.5 81
Business freedom 30.7 69.9
Labor freedom 54.7 56.4
Monetary freedom 45.1 73.3
Trade freedom 66.4 70.2
Investment freedom 20 55
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Haiti
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Haiti Thailand
2026 46.1 62.2
2025 46.1 60.6
2024 48.2 59
2023 49.9 60.6
2022 50 63.2
2021 50.8 69.7
2020 52.3 69.4
2019 52.7 68.3
2018 55.8 67.1
2017 49.6 66.2
2016 51.3 63.9
2015 51.3 62.4
2014 48.9 63.3
2013 48.1 64.1
2012 50.7 64.9
2011 52.1 64.7
2010 50.8 64.1
2009 50.5 63
2008 49 62.3
2007 51.4 63.5
2006 49.2 63.3
2005 48.4 62.5
2004 51.2 63.7
2003 50.6 65.8
2002 47.9 69.1
2001 47.1 68.9
2000 45.7 66.6
1999 45.9 66.9
1998 45.7 67.3
1997 45.8 66.1
1996 41 71
1995 43 71.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/haiti/thailand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Haiti is 46.1, ranking 178/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Haiti Thailand
Services, % of GDP
48.3%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,190
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.72B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
121/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$20M
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.15%
2024
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.5%
2012
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.94%
2024
21.6%
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/haiti/thailand | 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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, 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 (2017–2024, 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.