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Economy of Ireland vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $540B for Israel, ranking 25/197 and 29/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $366B (67.6% of GDP) in Israel.

Ireland vs Israel GDP by year

Ireland
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Israel
2024 $609,157,459,747 $540,379,921,262
2023 $567,372,737,459 $512,184,638,999
2022 $548,341,794,599 $525,181,008,026
2021 $530,394,123,830 $489,851,549,972
2020 $436,009,027,819 $410,768,352,658
2019 $407,211,793,801 $400,645,216,359
2018 $395,780,319,817 $376,299,083,108
2017 $348,355,212,569 $358,451,839,053
2016 $305,431,252,709 $321,940,971,558
2015 $302,101,388,556 $303,469,434,072
2014 $266,490,442,124 $315,017,088,117
2013 $242,924,245,719 $298,478,070,673
2012 $226,921,827,888 $263,589,172,712
2011 $240,975,871,047 $268,094,998,225
2010 $221,732,824,603 $239,679,036,634
2009 $236,443,115,854 $213,403,181,853
2008 $275,447,471,451 $221,231,658,863
2007 $270,079,279,420 $184,681,214,673
2006 $232,180,617,162 $158,900,547,825
2005 $211,876,989,656 $147,519,922,009
2004 $194,372,115,041 $140,047,984,605
2003 $164,670,771,260 $131,408,914,824
2002 $128,596,035,288 $125,332,331,884
2001 $109,346,669,230 $135,002,039,613
2000 $100,207,610,430 $136,512,300,542
1999 $98,893,958,263 $121,417,185,062
1998 $90,199,410,116 $120,547,409,279
1997 $82,856,648,758 $119,459,826,347
1996 $75,790,786,290 $115,116,595,545
1995 $69,139,823,232 $105,497,418,059
1994 $57,097,656,066 $90,740,103,829
1993 $52,417,477,614 $79,855,877,174
1992 $55,918,538,121 $79,457,685,757
1991 $49,787,501,584 $70,998,755,007
1990 $49,305,632,408 $62,016,729,541
1989 $39,238,392,678 $52,443,479,454
1988 $37,772,896,221 $52,650,948,910
1987 $33,920,518,493 $43,049,543,635
1986 $28,714,571,852 $35,834,154,874
1985 $21,270,013,326 $28,905,736,367
1984 $20,106,648,455 $30,645,607,293
1983 $20,766,047,764 $32,675,755,462
1982 $21,474,752,962 $29,255,285,401
1981 $20,670,190,138 $26,882,009,819
1980 $21,747,855,640 $25,395,256,478
1979 $18,319,334,300 $22,609,741,060
1978 $14,647,996,074 $17,701,286,907
1977 $11,248,340,431 $18,257,113,904
1976 $9,453,756,015 $15,956,349,550
1975 $9,483,808,362 $16,141,767,373
1974 $7,896,860,615 $17,172,607,138
1973 $7,481,173,066 $11,902,574,259
1972 $6,318,060,582 $9,222,557,539
1971 $5,098,250,287 $7,052,544,000
1970 $4,395,995,086 $7,406,712,876
1969 $3,902,721,632 $6,297,852,761
1968 $3,378,701,147 $5,458,427,928
1967 $3,445,739,915 $4,762,386,783
1966 $3,198,820,904 $4,703,300,098
1965 $3,035,655,794 $4,329,084,429
1964 $2,851,091,646 $4,024,344,853
1963 $2,505,073,358 $3,535,949,089
1962 $2,329,372,972 $2,966,154,031
1961 $2,151,772,980 $3,708,586,471
1960 $1,998,550,222 $3,070,585,807

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Israel by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $54,177 $57,236
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $52,004 $55,171
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $54,950 $53,619
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $52,271 $46,162
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $44,576 $40,955
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $44,251 $41,325
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $42,363 $40,190
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $41,138 $39,471
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $37,672 $38,189
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $36,213 $35,871
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $38,343 $34,816
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $37,034 $34,827
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $33,321 $32,484
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $34,523 $31,314
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $31,439 $29,456
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $28,508 $28,087
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $30,269 $28,084
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $25,721 $28,307
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $22,527 $26,385
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $21,287 $25,701
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $20,568 $26,078
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $19,643 $24,702
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $19,076 $26,101
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $20,966 $25,806
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $21,707 $25,766
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $19,823 $23,415
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $20,189 $22,927
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $20,469 $22,279
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $20,224 $21,672
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $19,026 $20,642
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $16,807 $19,478
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $15,179 $18,218
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $15,510 $17,553
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $14,346 $16,486
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $13,308 $15,721
1989 $11,176 - $11,608 -
1988 $10,716 - $11,853 -
1987 $9,582 - $9,853 -
1986 $8,112 - $8,335 -
1985 $6,012 - $6,829 -
1984 $5,692 - $7,369 -
1983 $5,915 - $7,960 -
1982 $6,161 - $7,258 -
1981 $5,986 - $6,795 -
1980 $6,372 - $6,549 -
1979 $5,430 - $5,972 -
1978 $4,400 - $4,797 -
1977 $3,427 - $5,053 -
1976 $2,920 - $4,516 -
1975 $2,973 - $4,672 -
1974 $2,517 - $5,085 -
1973 $2,424 - $3,631 -
1972 $2,080 - $2,930 -
1971 $1,704 - $2,298 -
1970 $1,487 - $2,490 -
1969 $1,331 - $2,189 -
1968 $1,159 - $1,947 -
1967 $1,187 - $1,735 -
1966 $1,107 - $1,789 -
1965 $1,055 - $1,689 -
1964 $995 - $1,626 -
1963 $878 - $1,486 -
1962 $821 - $1,294 -
1961 $762 - $1,697 -
1960 $707 - $1,452 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $54,177 in Israel, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Ireland Israel
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$540B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
0.87%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$54,177
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$366B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
67.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$36,645
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
18/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$43,003
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
179,905
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
41
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
26.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
43.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
3.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
2.9%
2024
Population
5518360
10290887

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 43.8% 67.6%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 39.3% 61.3%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 40% 67.7%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 38.3% 59.8%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 28.1% 74% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 38.3% 64.9%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 39.7% 66%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 39.7% 69%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 33% 26.1% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 43% 88.3%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 50% 87.2%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 55% 101%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 52.6% 99.3%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 53.2% 100.3%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 52.8% 102.3%
1994 44.2% 88% 41.7% 110.2%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 42.2% 118.3%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 44.1% 119.6%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 34.4% 123.7%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 46.8% 138.3%
1989 42.5% 97.9% 47.5% 147.4%
1988 48.2% 106.5% 46.5% 145.4%
1987 51.4% 108.3% 52.8% 143.2%
1986 52.9% 107.2% 55.7% 162.5%
1985 53.2% 93% 65.2% 199%
1984 52.7% 90.2% - 284%
1983 55.6% 86.1% - 260.5%
1982 56.7% 73.5% 69.7% -
1981 54.1% 68.8% 71.8% -
1980 53.7% 64.6% 69.4% 154.3%
1979 48.7% 63.5% 70.1% 155.5%
1978 46.2% 50.6% 62.2% 133.6%
1977 44.6% 49.2% 69.1% 142%
1976 47.8% 51.7% 66.3% 97.4%
1975 48.2% 48.3% 62% 85.1%
1974 44.3% 43.5% - 79.8%
1973 40.3% 35.1% - 62.1%
1972 41.5% 37.3% - 63.9%
1971 45.3% 39.8% - -
1970 44.1% 41.7% 41.6% -
1969 42.5% 42.6% 41.1% -
1968 40% 44.7% 39.4% -
1967 39.3% 47.1% 33.9% -
1966 36.9% 47.7% 29.6% -
1965 35.8% 44.6% 27.8% -
1964 34.8% 43.1% 28.2% -
1963 33.6% 45.2% 26.9% -
1962 31.7% 44.5% 27.7% -
1961 31.4% 44.3% 30.3% -
1960 29.1% 44.9% 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Israel spent $237B, or 43.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 67.6% in Israel, ranking 138/185 and 62/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Israel
2024 4.09% -8.26%
2023 1.52% -5.06%
2022 1.67% 0.32%
2021 -1.37% -3.37%
2020 -4.87% -10.7%
2019 0.41% -3.79%
2018 0.09% -3.56%
2017 -0.3% -1.13%
2016 -0.76% -1.79%
2015 -1.97% -1.21%
2014 -3.52% -2.29%
2013 -6.28% -4.06%
2012 -8.42% -4.46%
2011 -13.5% -3.43%
2010 -32.1% -3.72%
2009 -13.9% -6.53%
2008 -7.03% -3.5%
2007 0.27% -0.43%
2006 2.78% -0.95%
2005 1.57% -2.74%
2004 1.3% -3.4%
2003 0.35% -5.03%
2002 -0.52% -8.22%
2001 0.96% -4.06%
2000 4.86% -0.8%
1999 3.54% -6.26%
1998 2.07% -7.99%
1997 1.37% -4.84%
1996 -0.2% -5.97%
1995 -2.07% -4.28%
1994 -1.82% -5.62%
1993 -2.62% -5.62%
1992 -2.84% -8%
1991 -2.8% -7.04%
1990 -2.69% -9.67%
1989 -2.64% -9.03%
1988 -4.62% -7.57%
1987 -8.47% -7.47%
1986 -10.5% -7.51%
1985 -10.7% -14.2%
1984 -9.43% -
1983 -11.5% -
1982 -13.1% -13.8%
1981 -12.1% -23.5%
1980 -11.1% -19.6%
1979 -10% -16.7%
1978 -8.27% -14.7%
1977 -6.44% -20.3%
1976 -7.34% -19.4%
1975 -11.1% -19.6%
1974 -6.96% -
1973 -3.84% -
1972 -3.23% -
1971 -3.5% -
1970 -3.64% -16%
1969 -3.4% -15.3%
1968 -2.72% -11.7%
1967 -2.69% -7.68%
1966 -2.26% -4.35%
1965 -3.5% -2.72%
1964 -3.35% -3.65%
1963 -2.92% -4.41%
1962 -2.91% -4.09%
1961 -2.6% -5.86%
1960 -1.97% -6.62%
1959 -2.16% -7.23%
1958 -4.3% -8.31%
1957 -5.19% -7.17%
1956 -3.23% -9.3%
1955 -5.06% -4.3%
1954 -5.28% -7.84%
1953 -5.77% -8.32%
1952 -7.84% -7.19%
1951 -4.62% -8.13%
1950 -5.21% -10.7%
1949 -2.17% -
1948 -1.29% -
1947 -1.8% -
1946 -0.43% -
1945 -0.43% -
1944 0.39% -
1943 -1.18% -
1942 -2.48% -
1941 -1.42% -
1940 -0.15% -
1939 -7.31% -
1938 -0.92% -
1937 -0.77% -
1936 -0.19% -
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 2.97% -
1932 - -
1931 -1.63% -
1930 - -
1929 -3.41% -
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 -1.95% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.9B, equivalent to 4.09% of GDP. This compares to Israel's deficit of $44.6B, or 8.26% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 50 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 58 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.34% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Israel
2024 2.11% 3.07%
2023 6.3% 4.23%
2022 7.83% 4.41%
2021 2.34% 1.48%
2020 -0.33% -0.58%
2019 0.94% 0.82%
2018 0.47% 0.81%
2017 0.36% 0.25%
2016 0.02% -0.54%
2015 -0.33% -0.62%
2014 0.19% 0.47%
2013 0.52% 1.59%
2012 1.69% 1.68%
2011 2.55% 3.49%
2010 -0.92% 2.7%
2009 -4.45% 3.37%
2008 4.04% 4.53%
2007 4.89% 0.47%
2006 3.94% 2.05%
2005 2.46% 1.34%
2004 2.18% -0.42%
2003 3.49% 0.71%
2002 4.63% 5.8%
2001 4.85% 1.12%
2000 5.58% 1.03%
1999 1.63% 5.19%
1998 2.41% 5.49%
1997 1.54% 8.95%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 2.25% in Israel. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 3.07% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.2B
Chemicals & pharma $294M
Textiles & consumer goods $54.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30.8M
Animal & marine products $10.6M
Raw materials & minerals $7.18M
Metals $3.74M
Raw agricultural goods $472K
Precious metals & jewellery $448K
Miscellaneous $420K
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.22B
IT & IP services $498M
Manufacturing & construction services $43M
Chemicals & pharma $22.8M
Metals $5.97M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.11M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.7M
Raw agricultural goods $2.7M
Raw materials & minerals $1.78M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.12M

Balance of trade

Ireland Israel
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$15.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
21/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$96.3B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$70B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$44.4B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$83.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
28.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Israel
Economic freedom 83.3 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 47/197
Property rights 94.4 73.1
Government integrity 84 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 68.1
Tax burden 77.7 60.2
Government spending 85.9 52
Fiscal health 97 60.8
Business freedom 85.5 72.4
Labor freedom 61.3 56.8
Monetary freedom 79.3 78.2
Trade freedom 79.4 82.8
Investment freedom 90 70
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Israel
2026 83.3 68.4
2025 83.1 69.9
2024 82.6 70.1
2023 82 68.9
2022 82 68
2021 81.4 73.8
2020 80.9 74
2019 80.5 72.8
2018 80.4 72.2
2017 76.7 69.7
2016 77.3 70.7
2015 76.6 70.5
2014 76.2 68.4
2013 75.7 66.9
2012 76.9 67.8
2011 78.7 68.5
2010 81.3 67.7
2009 82.2 67.6
2008 82.5 66.3
2007 82.6 64.8
2006 82.2 64.4
2005 80.8 62.6
2004 80.3 61.4
2003 80.9 62.7
2002 80.5 66.9
2001 81.2 66.1
2000 76.1 65.5
1999 74.6 68.3
1998 73.7 68
1997 72.6 62.7
1996 68.5 62
1995 68.5 61.5

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Israel
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
72.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
1.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$528B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$56,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$215B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
18/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$4.86B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$9.92B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
23.4%
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/ireland/israel | 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 (1926–1999, 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 (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
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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.