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Economy of Iceland vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 108/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Iceland vs Panama GDP by year

Iceland
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Panama
2024 $33,255,181,469 $86,523,959,132
2023 $31,677,891,897 $83,812,155,244
2022 $29,166,102,877 $76,479,304,471
2021 $26,234,872,402 $67,396,392,506
2020 $22,034,665,041 $57,059,846,522
2019 $24,985,687,022 $69,778,991,193
2018 $26,677,652,544 $67,316,471,181
2017 $25,060,086,488 $64,327,688,826
2016 $21,083,713,310 $59,760,858,718
2015 $17,700,486,957 $55,767,806,073
2014 $18,052,183,515 $51,427,104,882
2013 $16,244,319,959 $46,949,496,479
2012 $14,943,757,823 $41,595,439,721
2011 $15,394,005,872 $35,687,738,252
2010 $13,922,711,577 $30,231,009,533
2009 $13,212,543,838 $27,791,215,547
2008 $18,247,921,360 $25,721,327,955
2007 $21,960,110,030 $21,717,433,808
2006 $17,671,649,843 $18,659,721,513
2005 $17,146,410,561 $16,623,906,739
2004 $13,963,943,244 $15,100,203,362
2003 $11,564,687,742 $13,603,456,003
2002 $9,416,199,700 $12,800,851,271
2001 $8,323,401,820 $12,252,906,341
2000 $9,140,168,922 $11,966,497,049
1999 $9,107,644,691 $11,660,704,777
1998 $8,637,732,542 $11,019,557,689
1997 $7,716,781,803 $10,058,854,386
1996 $7,686,566,105 $9,197,503,323
1995 $7,372,640,169 $9,573,813,700
1994 $6,612,804,056 $9,365,289,800
1993 $6,435,952,174 $8,782,585,400
1992 $7,328,497,599 $8,042,337,700
1991 $7,151,260,062 $7,074,675,500
1990 $6,694,851,159 $6,433,967,000
1989 $5,870,854,233 $5,918,469,800
1988 $6,320,093,411 $5,902,783,400
1987 $5,713,281,235 $6,827,665,300
1986 $4,129,080,094 $6,797,834,200
1985 $3,088,359,967 $6,541,517,100
1984 $2,964,568,006 $6,183,387,100
1983 $2,862,634,164 $5,923,755,900
1982 $3,318,714,326 $5,769,767,900
1981 $3,615,094,820 $5,222,421,500
1980 $3,499,616,683 $4,614,086,400
1979 $2,953,176,971 $3,704,551,600
1978 $2,599,627,089 $3,244,558,600
1977 $2,285,707,749 $2,738,261,900
1976 $1,727,845,419 $2,588,106,000
1975 $1,456,052,700 $2,435,304,100
1974 $1,568,154,077 $2,188,307,600
1973 $1,194,794,186 $1,913,793,400
1972 $869,002,946 $1,673,411,700
1971 $693,679,545 $1,523,917,200
1970 $545,115,909 $1,351,006,400
1969 $435,659,610 $1,221,305,700
1968 $498,365,200 $1,112,791,100
1967 $652,609,076 $1,034,376,400
1966 $660,663,763 $928,833,000
1965 $550,150,988 $852,485,300
1964 $456,206,299 $776,137,500
1963 $357,240,896 $722,784,500
1962 $299,309,938 $652,120,900
1961 $266,711,460 $599,026,300
1960 $260,984,499 $537,147,100

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/panama | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Panama by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $23,219 - $2,462 -
1988 $25,307 - $2,509 -
1987 $23,238 - $2,966 -
1986 $16,980 - $3,019 -
1985 $12,793 - $2,972 -
1984 $12,378 - $2,875 -
1983 $12,080 - $2,819 -
1982 $14,191 - $2,811 -
1981 $15,666 - $2,605 -
1980 $15,340 - $2,357 -
1979 $13,082 - $1,938 -
1978 $11,630 - $1,738 -
1977 $10,305 - $1,503 -
1976 $7,848 - $1,457 -
1975 $6,680 - $1,406 -
1974 $7,287 - $1,296 -
1973 $5,627 - $1,164 -
1972 $4,155 - $1,046 -
1971 $3,366 - $979 -
1970 $2,666 - $893 -
1969 $2,142 - $830 -
1968 $2,473 - $778 -
1967 $3,284 - $745 -
1966 $3,378 - $689 -
1965 $2,861 - $651 -
1964 $2,414 - $611 -
1963 $1,924 - $587 -
1962 $1,641 - $546 -
1961 $1,490 - $516 -
1960 $1,486 - $477 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/panama | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Iceland Panama
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
8.61%
2024
Population
397129
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 45% 61.5% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 43% 65.7% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 43% 96.3% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 23% 34.7%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 22.8% 34%
2011 50% 136.6% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 22.7% 40%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 45% 81.3% 23.5% 57%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 23% 55.1%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 21.5% 65%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 45% 54.8% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 42.6% 35.5% 41.5% 112.7%
1989 42.9% 35.3% 43% 104.4%
1988 41.4% 30.6% 41.8% 105%
1987 36.5% 27.3% 40.1% 92.2%
1986 39.5% 29.9% 38.6% 84%
1985 37% 32% 39.7% 82.5%
1984 34.7% 32.4% 44% 82.5%
1983 37.8% 30.8% 44.6% 86.6%
1982 36% 28.9% 48% 80.9%
1981 35.3% 22.4% 30.7% 68.7%
1980 33.9% 24.8% 30.5% 69.4%
1979 32.4% 21.1% 35% 78.9%
1978 31.9% 19.8% 27.6% 83.1%
1977 31.7% 18.4% 16.9% 77.7%
1976 32.1% 17.2% 15.9% 69.7%
1975 36.9% 16.4% 15.3% 52.6%
1974 36.6% 12.5% 15.3% 37.6%
1973 33.7% 11.5% 14.4% 32.6%
1972 33.3% 14.5% 15.6% 29.5%
1971 32.5% 11.7% 15% 26.2%
1970 29.9% 11.4% 22.4% 25.7%
1969 30.3% 14.6% 20.5% 23.2%
1968 33.3% 14.2% 14.2% 18%
1967 31.6% 8.8% 14.9% 17.8%
1966 28.3% 5.56% 14% 17.9%
1965 28.3% 7.78% 13.2% 18.7%
1964 28.2% 7.97% 14.1% 20%
1963 26.2% 7.89% 19.1% 22.6%
1962 24.9% 7.47% 16.4% 19.8%
1961 25.3% 8.49% 18.9% 20.5%
1960 33.2% 13.6% 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/panama | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 80/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Panama
2024 -3.51% -7.42%
2023 -2.28% -3.9%
2022 -3.93% -3.98%
2021 -8.33% -6.48%
2020 -8.73% -10.2%
2019 -1.57% -2.89%
2018 0.94% -2.88%
2017 0.97% -1.92%
2016 12.4% -1.89%
2015 -0.39% -2.3%
2014 0.29% -3.21%
2013 -1.24% -2.38%
2012 -2.59% -1.31%
2011 -6.46% -1.96%
2010 -6.58% -1.68%
2009 -8.54% -0.9%
2008 -12% 0.37%
2007 5.52% 3.12%
2006 6.37% 0.51%
2005 4.92% -2.21%
2004 0.28% -4.33%
2003 -2.3% -2.27%
2002 -2.25% -0.96%
2001 -0.28% -0.42%
2000 1.43% 2.05%
1999 1.3% -0.65%
1998 -0.56% -1.11%
1997 0.04% 1.24%
1996 -1.52% 2.48%
1995 -2.87% 2.3%
1994 -4.59% 2.12%
1993 -4.36% -9.4%
1992 -1.86% -2.62%
1991 -0.66% -0.6%
1990 -3.16% -3.65%
1989 -4.29% -13.6%
1988 -1.93% -13.5%
1987 -0.79% -1.7%
1986 -3.93% -1%
1985 -1.56% -2.57%
1984 2.25% -7.56%
1983 -1.96% -7.62%
1982 1.72% -13.3%
1981 1.32% -6.77%
1980 1.37% -5.17%
1979 -0.07% -12.1%
1978 -0.9% -5.21%
1977 -1.2% -1.61%
1976 0.02% -2.65%
1975 -3.87% -0.74%
1974 -3.64% -0.6%
1973 -0.74% -0.01%
1972 0.05% -1.17%
1971 -0.69% -0.51%
1970 0.27% -8.02%
1969 -0.88% -7.56%
1968 -0.89% -1.5%
1967 0.78% -1.97%
1966 1.69% -1.18%
1965 0.15% -1.17%
1964 -0.41% -2.51%
1963 1.8% -6.71%
1962 2.25% -3.01%
1961 1.64% -5.45%
1960 2.38% -3.05%
1959 2.44% -3.79%
1958 2.16% -1.62%
1957 1.2% -0.89%
1956 -0.09% -3.69%
1955 1.57% -1.33%
1954 1.25% -0.2%
1953 0.34% -0.55%
1952 3.33% -3.84%
1951 2.73% -2.54%
1950 1.23% -3.89%
1949 -0.3% -1%
1948 0.67% -1.21%
1947 -1.95% -1.94%
1946 -0.37% -3.19%
1945 -2.33% -
1944 -3.23% -
1943 -0.89% -
1942 -0.75% -
1941 -1.33% -
1940 -1.35% -
1939 -2.6% -
1938 -2.01% -
1937 -2.6% -
1936 -3.34% -
1935 -3.46% -
1934 -4.79% -
1933 -3.42% -
1932 -4.65% -
1931 -4.27% -
1930 -4.94% -
1929 -1.94% -
1928 -1.94% -
1927 -3.45% -
1926 -2.43% -
1925 0.43% -
1924 -1.78% -
1923 -4.99% -
1922 -4.67% -
1921 -6.12% -
1920 -7.45% -
1919 -2.5% -
1918 -7.43% -
1917 -11.3% -
1916 -2.53% -
1915 -2.06% -
1914 -3.21% -
1913 -2.3% -
1912 -2.93% -
1911 -3.06% -
1910 -1.27% -
1909 -2.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/panama | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.17B, equivalent to 3.51% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 40 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 57 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.21% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Panama
2024 5.86% 0.69%
2023 8.74% 1.49%
2022 8.31% 2.86%
2021 4.44% 1.63%
2020 2.85% -1.55%
2019 3.01% -0.36%
2018 2.68% 0.76%
2017 1.76% 0.88%
2016 1.7% 0.74%
2015 1.63% 0.14%
2014 2.04% 2.63%
2013 3.87% 4.03%
2012 5.19% 5.7%
2011 4% 5.88%
2010 5.4% 3.49%
2009 12% 2.41%
2008 12.7% 8.76%
2007 5.05% 4.17%
2006 6.69% 2.46%
2005 3.99% 2.86%
2004 3.16% 0.47%
2003 2.06% 0.39%
2002 5.2% 1.01%
2001 6.41% 0.31%
2000 5.14% 1.5%
1999 3.23% 1.25%
1998 1.66% 0.56%
1997 1.82% 1.32%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/panama | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3.26M
Machinery & equipment $966K
Raw materials & minerals $672K
Precious metals & jewellery $192K
Textiles & consumer goods $134K
Chemicals & pharma $107K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $103K
Metals $10K
Panama
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $67K
Machinery & equipment $4K

Balance of trade

Iceland Panama
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Panama
Economic freedom 75 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 70/197
Property rights 94.9 56.7
Government integrity 85 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 49.6
Tax burden 72.2 86.1
Government spending 37 85.5
Fiscal health 76.2 51.8
Business freedom 86.8 72.6
Labor freedom 59.3 60.9
Monetary freedom 73.5 78.2
Trade freedom 79.8 80.2
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Panama
2026 75 64.9
2025 72.8 65.5
2024 70.5 64.1
2023 72.2 63.8
2022 77 65.4
2021 77.4 66.2
2020 77.1 67.2
2019 77.1 67.2
2018 77 67
2017 74.4 66.3
2016 73.3 64.8
2015 72 64.1
2014 72.4 63.4
2013 72.1 62.5
2012 70.9 65.2
2011 68.2 64.9
2010 73.7 64.8
2009 75.9 64.7
2008 75.8 64.7
2007 76 64.6
2006 75.8 65.6
2005 76.6 64.3
2004 72.1 65.3
2003 73.5 68.4
2002 73.1 68.5
2001 73.4 70.6
2000 74 71.6
1999 71.4 72.6
1998 71.2 72.6
1997 70.5 72.4
1996 - 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/panama | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Panama
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$865M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
33.5%
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/iceland/panama | 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 (1909–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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.

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.