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Economy of Iraq vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a GDP of $280B compared to $1.21T for the Netherlands, ranking 50/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $130B in government debt (46.5% of GDP), compared to $532B (43.8% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Iraq vs Netherlands GDP by year

Iraq
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Netherlands
2024 $279,641,257,615 $1,214,927,698,573
2023 $268,881,051,644 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $287,372,232,138 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $209,691,945,713 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $180,898,797,517 $932,560,861,701
2019 $233,636,097,800 $928,903,005,576
2018 $227,367,469,034 $929,733,599,797
2017 $187,217,660,051 $848,233,537,846
2016 $166,743,557,748 $797,163,949,290
2015 $166,774,104,959 $775,743,675,303
2014 $228,415,656,175 $901,556,501,756
2013 $234,637,675,129 $883,951,539,007
2012 $218,002,476,129 $845,689,017,066
2011 $185,749,664,444 $913,140,741,333
2010 $138,516,722,650 $852,464,982,433
2009 $111,657,580,326 $878,954,223,140
2008 $131,614,434,154 $957,901,566,041
2007 $88,837,057,320 $853,499,460,873
2006 $65,147,051,918 $737,593,995,289
2005 $50,065,104,668 $688,133,699,636
2004 $36,633,669,269 $661,224,886,143
2003 $21,921,569,479 $582,435,617,082
2002 $32,928,454,672 $475,529,972,123
2001 $36,176,430,129 $432,536,219,669
2000 $48,364,250,944 $417,649,282,154
1999 $36,881,601,584 $447,778,514,140
1998 $20,617,405,044 $438,612,530,549
1997 $20,764,857,056 $417,506,211,882
1996 $10,433,698,621 $451,372,549,020
1995 $12,894,029,888 $452,967,334,614
1994 $3,991,349,283 $379,688,232,232
1993 $1,031,944,881 $354,070,495,966
1992 $553,671,958 $363,497,050,125
1991 $407,796,350 $327,982,316,124
1990 $180,408,064,516 $318,799,003,994
1989 $65,831,935,484 $258,716,904,292
1988 $62,684,516,129 $262,295,966,105
1987 $56,774,193,548 $245,406,949,521
1986 $47,264,516,129 $201,157,708,221
1985 $48,425,161,290 $144,057,523,222
1984 $46,938,387,097 $144,124,462,912
1983 $40,712,903,226 $153,671,294,109
1982 $42,382,333,333 $158,712,765,536
1981 $37,823,000,000 $164,375,775,854
1980 $52,569,000,000 $195,439,301,707
1979 $37,816,457,839 $179,933,827,310
1978 $23,762,275,652 $156,089,077,205
1977 $19,838,130,715 $127,203,923,857
1976 $17,754,825,601 $109,329,386,564
1975 $13,458,516,763 $100,397,061,694
1974 $11,516,762,614 $87,371,810,804
1973 $5,134,367,778 $71,946,639,603
1972 $4,113,848,002 $54,787,070,173
1971 $3,865,346,535 $44,644,730,576
1970 $3,281,318,687 $38,220,884,519
1969 $3,007,758,797 $34,086,038,090
1968 $2,896,598,841 $30,097,635,751
1967 $2,551,522,656 $27,143,828,099
1966 $2,530,306,096 $24,741,480,717
1965 $2,335,785,506 $22,721,869,808
1964 $2,136,408,198 $20,232,048,553
1963 $1,805,901,510 $17,193,744,109
1962 $1,784,174,541 $15,847,582,341
1961 $1,671,960,965 $14,599,836,396
1960 $1,537,252,193 $13,282,979,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Netherlands by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $67,520 $86,174
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $818 $6,068 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $901 $7,964 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $936 $6,020 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $485 $5,034 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $619 $4,598 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $23 $2,694 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $10,261 - $21,322 $19,203
1989 $3,791 - $17,423 -
1988 $3,707 - $17,771 -
1987 $3,436 - $16,734 -
1986 $2,940 - $13,804 -
1985 $3,088 - $9,941 -
1984 $3,066 - $9,992 -
1983 $2,743 - $10,696 -
1982 $2,942 - $11,089 -
1981 $2,700 - $11,537 -
1980 $3,868 - $13,812 -
1979 $2,871 - $12,817 -
1978 $1,863 - $11,196 -
1977 $1,609 - $9,180 -
1976 $1,489 - $7,937 -
1975 $1,166 - $7,346 -
1974 $1,031 - $6,450 -
1973 $476 - $5,353 -
1972 $394 - $4,110 -
1971 $384 - $3,384 -
1970 $337 - $2,931 -
1969 $320 - $2,647 -
1968 $319 - $2,364 -
1967 $290.6 - $2,155 -
1966 $298.2 - $1,986 -
1965 $284.8 - $1,848 -
1964 $269.4 - $1,668 -
1963 $235.5 - $1,437 -
1962 $240.7 - $1,342 -
1961 $232.4 - $1,254 -
1960 $218.9 - $1,156 -

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

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

Iraq's GDP per capita is $6,074, ranking 113/197, compared to $67,520 in the Netherlands, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Iraq Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$280B
2024
$1.21T
2024
GDP rank
50/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.55%
2023-2024
1.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$67,520
2024
GDP per capita rank
113/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$130B
2024
$532B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
43.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
$29,571
2024
Government debt per person rank
105/185
2024
24/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$47,815
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,267,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
44.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-12.3%
2023-2024
3.35%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
3.64%
2024
Population
48289334
18252623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.9% 46.5% 44.4% 43.8%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 44% 45.9%
2022 33.9% 39% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 42.8% 56%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 48.2% 32% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 44% 117.1% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 44% 45%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 91.5% 344% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 - - 45.8% 49.8%
2002 - - 44.8% 48.7%
2001 - - 44.1% 49.4%
2000 - - 43.2% 52.2%
1999 - - 44.3% 58.6%
1998 - - 44.6% 62.7%
1997 - - 45.7% 65.7%
1996 - - 47.3% 71.2%
1995 - - 53.9% 73%
1994 - - 49.4% 73.5%
1993 - - 50.9% 76.7%
1992 - - 50.2% 75.6%
1991 - - 49.6% 74.8%
1990 - - 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iraq's government spending was $120B, accounting for 42.9% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $540B, or 44.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.5% in Iraq and 43.8% in the Netherlands, ranking 117/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Netherlands
2024 -4.14% -0.94%
2023 -1.14% -0.37%
2022 8.1% 0.002%
2021 -0.38% -2.26%
2020 -12.8% -3.72%
2019 0.83% 1.91%
2018 7.69% 1.49%
2017 -1.52% 1.35%
2016 -14.4% 0.23%
2015 -12.8% -1.84%
2014 -5.63% -2.17%
2013 -6.06% -2.87%
2012 4.09% -3.83%
2011 4.74% -4.42%
2010 -4.18% -5.3%
2009 -14.9% -5.06%
2008 -0.86% -0.06%
2007 9.98% -0.16%
2006 10.7% 0.04%
2005 4.07% -0.51%
2004 -35.4% -1.82%
2003 - -3.19%
2002 - -2.23%
2001 - -0.47%
2000 - 1.14%
1999 - 0.28%
1998 - -1.34%
1997 - -1.6%
1996 - -1.91%
1995 - -8.72%
1994 - -3.53%
1993 - -3.13%
1992 - -3.12%
1991 - -2.05%
1990 - -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.6B, equivalent to 4.14% of GDP. This compares to the Netherlands' deficit of $11.5B, or 0.94% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Netherlands
2024 -12.3% 3.35%
2023 4.36% 3.84%
2022 4.99% 10%
2021 6.04% 2.68%
2020 0.57% 1.27%
2019 -0.2% 2.63%
2018 0.37% 1.7%
2017 0.18% 1.38%
2016 0.56% 0.32%
2015 1.39% 0.6%
2014 2.24% 0.98%
2013 1.88% 2.51%
2012 6.09% 2.46%
2011 5.8% 2.34%
2010 2.88% 1.28%
2009 6.87% 1.19%
2008 12.7% 2.49%
2007 -10.1% 1.61%
2006 53.2% 1.1%
2005 37% 1.69%
2004 27% 1.26%
2003 33.6% 2.09%
2002 19.3% 3.29%
2001 16.4% 4.16%
2000 4.98% 2.36%
1999 12.6% 2.16%
1998 14.8% 1.96%
1997 23.1% 2.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.86%, compared with 2.31% in the Netherlands. In 2024, inflation was -12.3% in Iraq and 3.35% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $293M
Chemicals & pharma $128M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $88.6M
Animal & marine products $72.9M
Raw agricultural goods $40.7M
Raw materials & minerals $17.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.5M
Metals $6.47M
Wood & paper products $3.45M
Weapons & explosives $1.64M

Balance of trade

Iraq Netherlands
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
24/190
2024
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+9.13%
2024
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$693B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$262B
2024
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2024
71.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
82.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Netherlands
Economic freedom 15.6 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 11/197
Property rights 8.3 96
Government integrity 20.2 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 96.1
Tax burden 85.5 54
Government spending 65.3 42.2
Fiscal health 95.7 95.9
Business freedom 42.8 85
Labor freedom 60.6 59.3
Monetary freedom 68.6 77
Trade freedom 40 79.4
Investment freedom 10 90
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Netherlands
2026 - 78.5
2025 - 78.2
2024 - 77.3
2023 - 78
2022 - 79.5
2021 - 76.8
2020 - 77
2019 - 76.8
2018 - 76.2
2017 - 75.8
2016 - 74.6
2015 - 73.7
2014 - 74.2
2013 - 73.5
2012 - 73.3
2011 - 74.7
2010 - 75
2009 - 77
2008 - 77.4
2007 - 75.5
2006 - 75.4
2005 - 72.9
2004 - 74.5
2003 - 74.6
2002 15.6 75.1
2001 17.2 73
2000 17.2 70.4
1999 17.2 70.2
1998 17.2 69.2
1997 17.2 70.4
1996 17.2 69.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iraq Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
70.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
17.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.39%
2024
1.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
$1.12T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,530
2024
$84,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$79.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
28/177
2024
34/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.2%
2024
19.7%
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/iraq/netherlands | 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 (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.