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Economy of Iceland vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iceland has a GDP of $38.6B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 105/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $21.6B in government debt (56.1% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Iceland vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Iceland
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Saudi Arabia
2025 $38,582,528,789 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $33,186,621,855 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $31,701,996,434 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $29,176,227,825 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $26,234,872,402 $982,661,066,667
2020 $22,034,665,041 $767,951,200,000
2019 $24,985,687,022 $888,890,133,333
2018 $26,677,652,544 $886,564,800,000
2017 $25,060,086,488 $741,266,133,333
2016 $21,083,713,310 $689,279,466,667
2015 $17,700,486,957 $693,414,400,000
2014 $18,052,183,515 $787,153,066,667
2013 $16,244,319,959 $769,755,733,333
2012 $14,943,757,823 $751,921,333,333
2011 $15,394,005,872 $680,660,800,000
2010 $13,922,711,577 $528,207,466,667
2009 $13,212,543,838 $429,097,866,667
2008 $18,247,921,360 $519,796,800,000
2007 $21,960,110,030 $415,964,509,673
2006 $17,671,649,843 $376,900,133,511
2005 $17,146,410,561 $328,459,608,764
2004 $13,963,943,244 $258,742,133,333
2003 $11,564,687,742 $215,807,733,333
2002 $9,416,199,700 $189,605,866,667
2001 $8,323,401,820 $184,137,600,000
2000 $9,140,168,922 $189,514,933,333
1999 $9,107,644,691 $161,717,066,667
1998 $8,637,732,542 $146,775,466,667
1997 $7,716,781,803 $165,963,684,913
1996 $7,686,566,105 $158,662,483,311
1995 $7,372,640,169 $143,343,124,166
1994 $6,612,804,056 $135,174,899,866
1993 $6,435,952,174 $132,967,957,276
1992 $7,328,497,599 $137,087,850,467
1991 $7,151,260,062 $132,223,230,975
1990 $6,694,851,159 $117,630,173,565
1989 $5,870,854,233 $95,344,459,279
1988 $6,320,093,411 $88,256,074,766
1987 $5,713,281,235 $85,695,861,148
1986 $4,129,080,094 $86,961,922,765
1985 $3,088,359,967 $103,897,846,494
1984 $2,964,568,006 $119,624,858,116
1983 $2,862,634,164 $129,171,635,311
1982 $3,318,714,326 $153,240,313,858
1981 $3,615,094,820 $184,291,360,139
1980 $3,499,616,683 $164,539,660,725
1979 $2,953,176,971 $111,858,444,786
1978 $2,599,627,089 $80,266,516,687
1977 $2,285,707,749 $74,188,986,586
1976 $1,727,845,419 $64,005,665,722
1975 $1,456,052,700 $46,773,208,643
1974 $1,568,154,077 $45,412,957,746
1973 $1,194,794,186 $14,947,435,499
1972 $869,002,946 $9,664,267,087
1971 $693,679,545 $7,184,806,909
1970 $545,115,909 $5,377,333,333
1969 $435,659,610 $4,485,777,644
1968 $498,365,200 $4,187,777,711
1967 $652,609,076 $3,257,022,223
1966 $660,663,763 $2,920,555,557
1965 $550,150,988 $2,647,955,558
1964 $456,206,299 $2,371,808,713
1963 $357,240,896 $2,207,393,172
1962 $299,309,938 $2,130,606,532
1961 $266,711,460 $1,920,811,284
1960 $260,984,499 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Saudi Arabia by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,323 - $34,537 -
2024 $85,863 $84,257 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $82,201 $81,608 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $76,377 $75,333 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $23,219 - $9,414 -
1988 $25,307 - $9,165 -
1987 $23,238 - $9,386 -
1986 $16,980 - $10,078 -
1985 $12,793 - $12,745 -
1984 $12,378 - $15,541 -
1983 $12,080 - $17,810 -
1982 $14,191 - $22,454 -
1981 $15,666 - $28,703 -
1980 $15,340 - $27,206 -
1979 $13,082 - $19,612 -
1978 $11,630 - $14,914 -
1977 $10,305 - $14,595 -
1976 $7,848 - $13,313 -
1975 $6,680 - $10,266 -
1974 $7,287 - $10,503 -
1973 $5,627 - $3,640 -
1972 $4,155 - $2,474 -
1971 $3,366 - $1,929 -
1970 $2,666 - $1,509 -
1969 $2,142 - $1,313 -
1968 $2,473 - $1,276 -
1967 $3,284 - $1,032 -
1966 $3,378 - $961 -
1965 $2,861 - $904 -
1964 $2,414 - $840 -
1963 $1,924 - $812 -
1962 $1,641 - $813 -
1961 $1,490 - $760 -
1960 $1,486 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $98,323, ranking 8/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Iceland Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$38.6B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
105/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
1.28%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$98,323
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$21.6B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.1%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$55,165
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,153
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.09%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2026
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
3.24%
2025
Population
398674
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45% 56.1% 29% 31.7%
2024 47.1% 60.4% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 45.2% 61.5% 28.3% 23%
2022 46.2% 66.4% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 50.4% 76.1% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 43% 65.7% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 43.4% 62.3% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 43% 96.3% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 45.3% 114.1% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 47.2% 132.2% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 50% 136.6% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 33% 8.43%
2009 53.4% 128.2% 37.1% 14%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 44.2% 67.4% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 47.3% 84.1% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 45% 81.3% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 47% 82.5% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 30.3% 103%
1998 40.3% 43.3% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 41.4% 51.1% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 42.5% 53.7% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 43% 56.1% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 43.6% 53% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 43.7% 50.6% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 43.3% 43.9% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 41.6% 36.4% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 41.4% 34.4% 39.3% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Iceland's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 45% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.1% in Iceland and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 86/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Saudi Arabia
2025 -2.77% -5.77%
2024 -3.71% -2.46%
2023 -2.32% -1.77%
2022 -3.82% 2.24%
2021 -7.96% -1.99%
2020 -8.81% -10.2%
2019 -1.45% -3.96%
2018 1.04% -5.21%
2017 1.28% -8.57%
2016 12.7% -13.2%
2015 -0.14% -14.9%
2014 0.59% -3.4%
2013 -0.88% 5.47%
2012 -2.59% 11.7%
2011 -6.42% 11.4%
2010 -6.56% 4.39%
2009 -8.5% -5.38%
2008 -12% 29.8%
2007 5.57% 11.8%
2006 6.42% 20.8%
2005 4.96% 18%
2004 0.33% 9.72%
2003 -2.25% 1.2%
2002 -2.21% -5.91%
2001 -0.27% -3.91%
2000 1.43% 3.18%
1999 1.3% -5.99%
1998 -0.55% -8.88%
1997 0.05% -2.51%
1996 -1.46% -3.25%
1995 -2.77% -5.12%
1994 -4.44% -8.31%
1993 -4.21% -9.33%
1992 -1.8% -8.12%
1991 -0.63% -3.28%
1990 -3.06% -
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% -
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 (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.07B, equivalent to 2.77% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Saudi Arabia
2025 4.09% 2.08%
2024 5.86% 1.69%
2023 8.74% 2.33%
2022 8.31% 2.47%
2021 4.44% 3.06%
2020 2.85% 3.37%
2019 3.01% -1.19%
2018 2.68% 2.47%
2017 1.76% -0.83%
2016 1.7% 2.05%
2015 1.63% 1.22%
2014 2.04% 2.24%
2013 3.87% 3.51%
2012 5.19% 2.87%
2011 4% 5.83%
2010 5.4% 5.34%
2009 12% 5.06%
2008 12.7% 9.87%
2007 5.05% 4.17%
2006 6.69% 2.21%
2005 3.99% 0.48%
2004 3.16% 0.52%
2003 2.06% 0.61%
2002 5.2% 0.25%
2001 6.41% -1.12%
2000 5.14% -1.12%
1999 3.23% -1.33%
1998 1.66% -0.37%
1997 1.82% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.64%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 4.09% in Iceland and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $525K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $312K
Animal & marine products $128K
Chemicals & pharma $47K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $2K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $900K
Textiles & consumer goods $120K
Chemicals & pharma $46K

Balance of trade

Iceland Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$1.34B
2025
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2025
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.48%
2025
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$10.4B
2025
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$7.4B
2025
$311B
2025
Service imports
$5.98B
2025
$129B
2025
Service exports
$8.16B
2025
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 75 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 65/197
Property rights 94.9 51.4
Government integrity 85 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 38.2
Tax burden 72.2 99.2
Government spending 37 77
Fiscal health 76.2 97.9
Business freedom 86.8 71.2
Labor freedom 59.3 41.8
Monetary freedom 73.5 81.2
Trade freedom 79.8 73.8
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Saudi Arabia
2026 75 65.4
2025 72.8 64.4
2024 70.5 61.9
2023 72.2 58.3
2022 77 55.5
2021 77.4 66
2020 77.1 62.4
2019 77.1 60.7
2018 77 59.6
2017 74.4 64.4
2016 73.3 62.1
2015 72 62.1
2014 72.4 62.2
2013 72.1 60.6
2012 70.9 62.5
2011 68.2 66.2
2010 73.7 64.1
2009 75.9 64.3
2008 75.8 62.5
2007 76 60.9
2006 75.8 63
2005 76.6 63
2004 72.1 60.4
2003 73.5 63.2
2002 73.1 65.3
2001 73.4 62.2
2000 74 66.5
1999 71.4 65.5
1998 71.2 69.3
1997 70.5 68.7
1996 - 68.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
66.2%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.65%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$35B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$83,250
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.73B
2025
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2025
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$650M
2025
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.83B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$300M
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2025
31.6%
2025

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/iceland/saudi-arabia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.