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Economy of Iraq vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iraq has a GDP of $254B compared to $4.44T for Japan, ranking 54/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $137B in government debt (53.9% of GDP), compared to $9.16T (206.5% of GDP) in Japan.

Iraq vs Japan GDP by year

Iraq
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Japan
2025 $254,367,293,538 $4,435,162,999,977
2024 $279,641,257,615 $4,190,008,188,359
2023 $268,881,051,644 $4,384,854,269,962
2022 $287,372,232,138 $4,447,976,207,315
2021 $209,691,945,713 $5,225,933,520,753
2020 $180,898,797,517 $5,189,197,543,645
2019 $233,636,097,800 $5,245,755,000,479
2018 $227,367,469,034 $5,154,293,721,630
2017 $187,217,660,051 $5,038,231,631,661
2016 $166,743,557,748 $5,110,357,383,254
2015 $166,774,104,959 $4,534,438,580,495
2014 $228,415,656,175 $4,985,763,289,561
2013 $234,637,675,129 $5,272,297,037,397
2012 $218,002,476,129 $6,333,803,928,788
2011 $185,749,664,444 $6,279,422,550,219
2010 $138,516,722,650 $5,811,578,109,447
2009 $111,657,580,326 $5,336,765,697,589
2008 $131,614,434,154 $5,160,197,175,876
2007 $88,837,057,320 $4,624,670,179,655
2006 $65,147,051,918 $4,648,058,930,707
2005 $50,065,104,668 $4,875,648,486,366
2004 $36,633,669,269 $4,941,485,123,807
2003 $21,921,569,479 $4,573,413,206,709
2002 $32,928,454,672 $4,245,946,980,572
2001 $36,176,430,129 $4,438,792,748,062
2000 $48,364,250,944 $5,042,381,838,343
1999 $36,881,601,584 $4,688,983,449,627
1998 $20,617,405,044 $4,150,359,076,370
1997 $20,764,857,056 $4,579,780,793,432
1996 $10,433,698,621 $5,021,441,618,840
1995 $12,894,029,888 $5,639,649,753,986
1994 $3,991,349,283 $5,104,063,486,348
1993 $1,031,944,881 $4,632,480,515,091
1992 $553,671,958 $4,064,529,567,505
1991 $407,796,350 $3,724,887,648,862
1990 $180,408,064,516 $3,252,994,239,867
1989 $65,831,935,484 $3,174,934,735,896
1988 $62,684,516,129 $3,191,546,727,316
1987 $56,774,193,548 $2,635,094,473,494
1986 $47,264,516,129 $2,164,729,071,349
1985 $48,425,161,290 $1,457,070,301,468
1984 $46,938,387,097 $1,374,165,212,365
1983 $40,712,903,226 $1,297,622,008,229
1982 $42,382,333,333 $1,183,132,285,328
1981 $37,823,000,000 $1,271,443,597,067
1980 $52,569,000,000 $1,153,159,955,513
1979 $37,816,457,839 $1,100,608,979,757
1978 $23,762,275,652 $1,057,419,758,047
1977 $19,838,130,715 $752,590,681,822
1976 $17,754,825,601 $611,495,350,304
1975 $13,458,516,763 $544,082,569,364
1974 $11,516,762,614 $500,355,087,138
1973 $5,134,367,778 $450,756,970,744
1972 $4,113,848,002 $331,776,379,992
1971 $3,865,346,535 $250,530,994,765
1970 $3,281,318,687 $221,798,003,144
1969 $3,007,758,797 $188,179,852,753
1968 $2,896,598,841 $160,201,483,788
1967 $2,551,522,656 $135,265,319,098
1966 $2,530,306,096 $115,427,351,851
1965 $2,335,785,506 $99,387,878,008
1964 $2,136,408,198 $89,332,989,729
1963 $1,805,901,510 $75,945,582,324
1962 $1,784,174,541 $66,356,388,224
1961 $1,671,960,965 $58,472,696,006
1960 $1,537,252,193 $48,417,804,545

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

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

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Japan by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,410 - $35,951 -
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $33,797 $52,039
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $35,215 $50,662
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $35,548 $47,192
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $41,581 $44,355
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $41,099 $42,426
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $41,425 $42,678
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $40,645 $42,142
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $39,680 $41,444
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $40,215 $40,597
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $35,665 $40,899
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $39,173 $39,555
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $41,369 $39,402
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $49,627 $37,606
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $49,122 $36,214
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $45,378 $35,336
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $41,678 $33,543
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $40,294 $35,274
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $36,130 $35,015
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $36,354 $33,632
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $38,159 $32,170
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $38,678 $30,832
2003 $818 $6,068 $35,809 $29,392
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $33,316 $28,624
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $34,910 $27,943
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $39,753 $27,288
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $37,029 $25,736
1998 $901 $7,964 $32,835 $25,508
1997 $936 $6,020 $36,331 $25,619
1996 $485 $5,034 $39,930 $24,999
1995 $619 $4,598 $44,947 $23,858
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $40,774 $22,823
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $37,111 $22,168
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $32,667 $21,825
1991 $23 $2,694 $30,048 $21,227
1990 $10,261 - $26,345 $19,912
1989 $3,791 - $25,798 -
1988 $3,707 - $26,037 -
1987 $3,436 - $21,587 -
1986 $2,940 - $17,819 -
1985 $3,088 - $12,058 -
1984 $3,066 - $11,443 -
1983 $2,743 - $10,876 -
1982 $2,942 - $9,986 -
1981 $2,700 - $10,806 -
1980 $3,868 - $9,872 -
1979 $2,871 - $9,497 -
1978 $1,863 - $9,202 -
1977 $1,609 - $6,609 -
1976 $1,489 - $5,422 -
1975 $1,166 - $4,876 -
1974 $1,031 - $4,542 -
1973 $476 - $4,147 -
1972 $394 - $3,095 -
1971 $384 - $2,370 -
1970 $337 - $2,145 -
1969 $320 - $1,841 -
1968 $319 - $1,586 -
1967 $290.6 - $1,354 -
1966 $298.2 - $1,168 -
1965 $284.8 - $1,015 -
1964 $269.4 - $922 -
1963 $235.5 - $792 -
1962 $240.7 - $699 -
1961 $232.4 - $622 -
1960 $218.9 - $519 -

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

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

Iraq's GDP per capita is $5,410, ranking 119/197, compared to $35,951 in Japan, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

Iraq Japan
Gross domestic product
$254B
2025
$4.44T
2025
GDP rank
54/197
2025
4/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.16%
2024-2025
1.19%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,410
2025
$35,951
2025
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2025
34/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
41/197
2024
Government debt
$137B
2025
$9.16T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.9%
2025
206.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,917
2025
$74,248
2025
Government debt per person rank
108/185
2025
3/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,782
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 n/a
41
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
24.3%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.7%
2025
36.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.3%
2024-2025
3.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
2.5%
2025
Population
48531417
122704252

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Japan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Japan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 42.7% 53.9% 36.9% 206.5%
2024 41.7% 45.2% 37.3% 214.5%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 37.8% 220.3%
2022 33.9% 39% 40.2% 227.8%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 41.3% 222.7%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 43.6% 228.8%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 36.4% 206.3%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 36% 203.7%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 35.9% 203.1%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 36.5% 202.1%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 36.6% 200.1%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 37.8% 203.6%
2013 48.2% 32% 38.4% 201.2%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 38.4% 197.1%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 38.4% 190.6%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 37.4% 178.6%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 38.3% 172.9%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 33.7% 153.6%
2007 44% 117.1% 32.8% 150.4%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 32.7% 152.1%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 33.2% 153.4%
2004 91.5% 344% 33.3% 148.8%
2003 - - 34.6% 140.2%
2002 - - 34.9% 134.6%
2001 - - 34.7% 126.8%
2000 - - 35.4% 118.5%
1999 - - 35.2% 113.5%
1998 - - 38.1% 101.6%
1997 - - 32.4% 91.3%
1996 - - 33.1% 85.3%
1995 - - 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/iraq/japan | CC BY

In 2025, Iraq's government spending was $109B, accounting for 42.7% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.63T, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.9% in Iraq and 206.5% in Japan, ranking 95/185 and 3/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Japan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Japan
2025 -6.41% -1.05%
2024 -3.45% -1.67%
2023 -1.14% -2.39%
2022 8.1% -4.23%
2021 -0.38% -6.32%
2020 -12.8% -9.04%
2019 0.83% -3.05%
2018 7.69% -2.44%
2017 -1.52% -3.05%
2016 -14.4% -3.58%
2015 -12.8% -3.64%
2014 -5.63% -5.58%
2013 -6.06% -7.62%
2012 4.09% -8.22%
2011 4.74% -9.02%
2010 -4.18% -9.05%
2009 -14.9% -9.62%
2008 -0.86% -4.07%
2007 9.98% -2.86%
2006 10.7% -3%
2005 4.07% -4.39%
2004 -35.4% -5.26%
2003 - -7.35%
2002 - -7.22%
2001 - -6.11%
2000 - -7.17%
1999 - -6.68%
1998 - -9.91%
1997 - -3.44%
1996 - -4.75%
1995 - -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/iraq/japan | CC BY

In 2025, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.3B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Japan's deficit of $46.7B, or 1.05% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.96% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Japan
2025 0.3% 3.17%
2024 2.61% 2.74%
2023 4.36% 3.27%
2022 4.99% 2.5%
2021 6.04% -0.23%
2020 0.57% -0.02%
2019 -0.2% 0.47%
2018 0.37% 0.99%
2017 0.18% 0.48%
2016 0.56% -0.13%
2015 1.39% 0.8%
2014 2.24% 2.76%
2013 1.88% 0.34%
2012 6.09% -0.04%
2011 5.6% -0.27%
2010 2.43% -0.73%
2009 6.87% -1.35%
2008 12.7% 1.38%
2007 -10.1% 0.06%
2006 53.2% 0.25%
2005 37% -0.28%
2004 27% -0.009%
2003 33.6% -0.26%
2002 19.3% -0.92%
2001 16.4% -0.74%
2000 4.98% -0.68%
1999 12.6% -0.34%
1998 14.8% 0.66%
1997 23.1% 1.75%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10%, compared with 0.54% in Japan. In 2025, inflation was 0.3% in Iraq and 3.17% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $786M
Metals $269M
Raw materials & minerals $43.5M
Miscellaneous $16.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.66M
Chemicals & pharma $4.88M
Raw agricultural goods $468K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $141K
Precious metals & jewellery $76K
Wood & paper products $65K

Balance of trade

Iraq Japan
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$216B
2025
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
3/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+4.86%
2025
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$729B
2025
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$725B
2025
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$269B
2025
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$246B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.4%
2024
22.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
22%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Japan
Economic freedom 15.6 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 36/197
Property rights 8.3 94.2
Government integrity 20.2 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 97.9
Tax burden 85.5 63
Government spending 65.3 52
Fiscal health 95.7 41.7
Business freedom 42.8 77.8
Labor freedom 60.6 65.9
Monetary freedom 68.6 74.3
Trade freedom 40 76.2
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Japan
2026 - 70.3
2025 - 70.2
2024 - 67.5
2023 - 69.3
2022 - 69.9
2021 - 74.1
2020 - 73.3
2019 - 72.1
2018 - 72.3
2017 - 69.6
2016 - 73.1
2015 - 73.3
2014 - 72.4
2013 - 71.8
2012 - 71.6
2011 - 72.8
2010 - 72.9
2009 - 72.8
2008 - 73
2007 - 72.7
2006 - 73.3
2005 - 67.3
2004 - 64.3
2003 - 67.6
2002 15.6 66.7
2001 17.2 70.9
2000 17.2 70.7
1999 17.2 69.1
1998 17.2 70.2
1997 17.2 70.3
1996 17.2 72.6
1995 - 75

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, 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

Iraq Japan
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
71.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
26.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.41%
2025
0.96%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$267B
2025
$4.73T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,290
2025
$58,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$1.37T
2025
Total reserves ranking
30/177
2024
3/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
$172B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$18.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$207B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
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/iraq/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)
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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.