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Economy of Iceland vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 108/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $440B (20.3% of GDP) in Russia.

Iceland vs Russia GDP by year

Iceland
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Russia
2024 $33,255,181,469 $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $31,677,891,897 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $29,166,102,877 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $26,234,872,402 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $22,034,665,041 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $24,985,687,022 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $26,677,652,544 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $25,060,086,488 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $21,083,713,310 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $17,700,486,957 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $18,052,183,515 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $16,244,319,959 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $14,943,757,823 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $15,394,005,872 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $13,922,711,577 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $13,212,543,838 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $18,247,921,360 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $21,960,110,030 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $17,671,649,843 $989,932,071,353
2005 $17,146,410,561 $764,015,973,481
2004 $13,963,943,244 $591,016,690,732
2003 $11,564,687,742 $430,347,420,185
2002 $9,416,199,700 $345,470,494,418
2001 $8,323,401,820 $306,602,070,621
2000 $9,140,168,922 $259,710,142,197
1999 $9,107,644,691 $195,907,128,351
1998 $8,637,732,542 $270,955,486,862
1997 $7,716,781,803 $404,928,954,192
1996 $7,686,566,105 $391,724,890,744
1995 $7,372,640,169 $395,537,185,735
1994 $6,612,804,056 $395,077,301,248
1993 $6,435,952,174 $435,083,713,851
1992 $7,328,497,599 $460,290,556,901
1991 $7,151,260,062 $517,962,962,963
1990 $6,694,851,159 $517,014,446,228
1989 $5,870,854,233 $506,631,299,735
1988 $6,320,093,411 $554,828,660,436
1987 $5,713,281,235 -
1986 $4,129,080,094 -
1985 $3,088,359,967 -
1984 $2,964,568,006 -
1983 $2,862,634,164 -
1982 $3,318,714,326 -
1981 $3,615,094,820 -
1980 $3,499,616,683 -
1979 $2,953,176,971 -
1978 $2,599,627,089 -
1977 $2,285,707,749 -
1976 $1,727,845,419 -
1975 $1,456,052,700 -
1974 $1,568,154,077 -
1973 $1,194,794,186 -
1972 $869,002,946 -
1971 $693,679,545 -
1970 $545,115,909 -
1969 $435,659,610 -
1968 $498,365,200 -
1967 $652,609,076 -
1966 $660,663,763 -
1965 $550,150,988 -
1964 $456,206,299 -
1963 $357,240,896 -
1962 $299,309,938 -
1961 $266,711,460 -
1960 $260,984,499 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Russia by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $15,145 $47,405
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $1,772 $6,825
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $1,331 $5,914
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $1,835 $5,465
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $2,738 $5,700
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $2,644 $5,518
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $2,666 $5,613
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $2,662 $5,734
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $2,931 $6,420
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $3,099 $6,862
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $3,490 $7,858
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $3,494 $8,028
1989 $23,219 - $3,430 -
1988 $25,307 - $3,778 -
1987 $23,238 - - -
1986 $16,980 - - -
1985 $12,793 - - -
1984 $12,378 - - -
1983 $12,080 - - -
1982 $14,191 - - -
1981 $15,666 - - -
1980 $15,340 - - -
1979 $13,082 - - -
1978 $11,630 - - -
1977 $10,305 - - -
1976 $7,848 - - -
1975 $6,680 - - -
1974 $7,287 - - -
1973 $5,627 - - -
1972 $4,155 - - -
1971 $3,366 - - -
1970 $2,666 - - -
1969 $2,142 - - -
1968 $2,473 - - -
1967 $3,284 - - -
1966 $3,378 - - -
1965 $2,861 - - -
1964 $2,414 - - -
1963 $1,924 - - -
1962 $1,641 - - -
1961 $1,490 - - -
1960 $1,486 - - -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

Iceland Russia
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
50/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
140
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
397129
141906741

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Russia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Russia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 36.9% 20.3%
2023 45% 61.5% 35.7% 19.5%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 35.2% 18.5%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 34.9% 16.5%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 39.2% 19.2%
2019 43% 65.7% 33.8% 13.7%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 32.6% 13.6%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 34.8% 14.3%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 36.6% 14.8%
2015 43% 96.3% 35.3% 15.3%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 34.9% 15.1%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 34.7% 12.3%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 34% 11.2%
2011 50% 136.6% 33.3% 10.3%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 35.5% 10.1%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 38.6% 9.92%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 32% 7.45%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 31.9% 8.03%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 29% 9.8%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 29.5% 14.9%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 29.6% 20.8%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 32.6% 28.3%
2002 45% 81.3% 33.8% 37.6%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 31.5% 44.4%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 30.7% 55.9%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 34.3% 92.4%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 39.7% 135.2%
1997 41.3% 51.1% - 51.5%
1996 43.9% 55.6% - 51.9%
1995 44.4% 58.1% - 53.7%
1994 45% 54.8% - 63.5%
1993 45.1% 52.3% - 92.4%
1992 44.7% 45.4% - 116%
1991 42.8% 37.6% - -
1990 42.6% 35.5% - -
1989 42.9% 35.3% - -
1988 41.4% 30.6% - -
1987 36.5% 27.3% - -
1986 39.5% 29.9% - -
1985 37% 32% - -
1984 34.7% 32.4% - -
1983 37.8% 30.8% - -
1982 36% 28.9% - -
1981 35.3% 22.4% - -
1980 33.9% 24.8% - -
1979 32.4% 21.1% - -
1978 31.9% 19.8% - -
1977 31.7% 18.4% - -
1976 32.1% 17.2% - -
1975 36.9% 16.4% - -
1974 36.6% 12.5% - -
1973 33.7% 11.5% - -
1972 33.3% 14.5% - -
1971 32.5% 11.7% - -
1970 29.9% 11.4% - -
1969 30.3% 14.6% - -
1968 33.3% 14.2% - -
1967 31.6% 8.8% - -
1966 28.3% 5.56% - -
1965 28.3% 7.78% - -
1964 28.2% 7.97% - -
1963 26.2% 7.89% - -
1962 24.9% 7.47% - -
1961 25.3% 8.49% - -
1960 33.2% 13.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Russia spent $802B, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 20.3% in Russia, ranking 80/185 and 175/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Russia
2024 -3.51% -1.6%
2023 -2.28% -2.22%
2022 -3.93% -1.34%
2021 -8.33% 0.78%
2020 -8.73% -3.99%
2019 -1.57% 1.93%
2018 0.94% 2.92%
2017 0.97% -1.47%
2016 12.4% -3.67%
2015 -0.39% -3.39%
2014 0.29% -1.07%
2013 -1.24% -1.16%
2012 -2.59% 0.38%
2011 -6.46% 1.43%
2010 -6.58% -3.19%
2009 -8.54% -5.89%
2008 -12% 4.55%
2007 5.52% 5.59%
2006 6.37% 7.8%
2005 4.92% 7.6%
2004 0.28% 4.57%
2003 -2.3% 1.35%
2002 -2.25% 0.67%
2001 -0.28% 2.99%
2000 1.43% 3.11%
1999 1.3% -3.59%
1998 -0.56% -7.42%
1997 0.04% -
1996 -1.52% -
1995 -2.87% -
1994 -4.59% -
1993 -4.36% -
1992 -1.86% -
1991 -0.66% -
1990 -3.16% -
1989 -4.29% -
1988 -1.93% -
1987 -0.79% -
1986 -3.93% -
1985 -1.56% -
1984 2.25% -
1983 -1.96% -
1982 1.72% -
1981 1.32% -
1980 1.37% -
1979 -0.07% -
1978 -0.9% -
1977 -1.2% -
1976 0.02% -
1975 -3.87% -
1974 -3.64% -
1973 -0.74% -
1972 0.05% -
1971 -0.69% -
1970 0.27% -
1969 -0.88% -
1968 -0.89% -
1967 0.78% -
1966 1.69% -
1965 0.15% -
1964 -0.41% -
1963 1.8% -
1962 2.25% -
1961 1.64% -
1960 2.38% -
1959 2.44% -
1958 2.16% -
1957 1.2% -
1956 -0.09% -
1955 1.57% -
1954 1.25% -
1953 0.34% -
1952 3.33% -
1951 2.73% -
1950 1.23% -
1949 -0.3% -
1948 0.67% -
1947 -1.95% -
1946 -0.37% -
1945 -2.33% -
1944 -3.23% -
1943 -0.89% -
1942 -0.75% -
1941 -1.33% -
1940 -1.35% 0.15%
1939 -2.6% 0.12%
1938 -2.01% 0.16%
1937 -2.6% 0.12%
1936 -3.34% 0.1%
1935 -3.46% 0.07%
1934 -4.79% 0.25%
1933 -3.42% 0.58%
1932 -4.65% 0.06%
1931 -4.27% -1.12%
1930 -4.94% -1.62%
1929 -1.94% -0.4%
1928 -1.94% -0.4%
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% 0.69%
1911 -3.06% 1.26%
1910 -1.27% 1.52%
1909 -2.15% -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/russia | 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 Russia's deficit of $34.9B, or 1.6% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.38% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.21% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Russia
2024 5.86% 8.4%
2023 8.74% 5.9%
2022 8.31% 13.7%
2021 4.44% 6.7%
2020 2.85% 3.4%
2019 3.01% 4.5%
2018 2.68% 2.9%
2017 1.76% 3.7%
2016 1.7% 7%
2015 1.63% 15.5%
2014 2.04% 7.8%
2013 3.87% 6.8%
2012 5.19% 5.1%
2011 4% 8.4%
2010 5.4% 6.8%
2009 12% 11.6%
2008 12.7% 14.1%
2007 5.05% 9%
2006 6.69% 9.7%
2005 3.99% 12.7%
2004 3.16% 10.9%
2003 2.06% 13.7%
2002 5.2% 15.8%
2001 6.41% 21.5%
2000 5.14% 20.8%
1999 3.23% 85.7%
1998 1.66% 27.7%
1997 1.82% 14.8%

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/iceland/russia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 13.4% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $17.8M
Business & finance services $8.52M
Government & miscellaneous services $5.68M
Transport & tourism services $5.2M
Animal & marine products $3.27M
IT & IP services $2.01M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $868K
Raw materials & minerals $266K
Manufacturing & construction services $237K
Textiles & consumer goods $129K
Russia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $30M
Machinery & equipment $9.89M
Raw materials & minerals $7.37M
Business & finance services $2.95M
Metals $1.69M
Wood & paper products $1.29M
Transport & tourism services $1.29M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.13M
IT & IP services $485K
Chemicals & pharma $253K

Balance of trade

Iceland Russia
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$434B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Russia
Economic freedom 75 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 161/197
Property rights 94.9 18.6
Government integrity 85 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 22.8
Tax burden 72.2 81.9
Government spending 37 61.3
Fiscal health 76.2 94.4
Business freedom 86.8 51.4
Labor freedom 59.3 59.1
Monetary freedom 73.5 61.8
Trade freedom 79.8 69.4
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Russia
2026 75 50.3
2025 72.8 51.6
2024 70.5 52
2023 72.2 53.8
2022 77 56.1
2021 77.4 61.5
2020 77.1 61
2019 77.1 58.9
2018 77 58.2
2017 74.4 57.1
2016 73.3 50.6
2015 72 52.1
2014 72.4 51.9
2013 72.1 51.1
2012 70.9 50.5
2011 68.2 50.5
2010 73.7 50.3
2009 75.9 50.8
2008 75.8 49.8
2007 76 52.2
2006 75.8 52.4
2005 76.6 51.3
2004 72.1 52.8
2003 73.5 50.8
2002 73.1 48.7
2001 73.4 49.8
2000 74 51.8
1999 71.4 54.5
1998 71.2 52.8
1997 70.5 48.6
1996 - 51.6
1995 - 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Russia
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
26.3%
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/iceland/russia | 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 (1885–1996, 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)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.