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Economy of Ireland vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 25/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Ireland vs Panama GDP by year

Ireland
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Panama
2024 $609,157,459,747 $86,523,959,132
2023 $567,372,737,459 $83,812,155,244
2022 $548,341,794,599 $76,479,304,471
2021 $530,394,123,830 $67,396,392,506
2020 $436,009,027,819 $57,059,846,522
2019 $407,211,793,801 $69,778,991,193
2018 $395,780,319,817 $67,316,471,181
2017 $348,355,212,569 $64,327,688,826
2016 $305,431,252,709 $59,760,858,718
2015 $302,101,388,556 $55,767,806,073
2014 $266,490,442,124 $51,427,104,882
2013 $242,924,245,719 $46,949,496,479
2012 $226,921,827,888 $41,595,439,721
2011 $240,975,871,047 $35,687,738,252
2010 $221,732,824,603 $30,231,009,533
2009 $236,443,115,854 $27,791,215,547
2008 $275,447,471,451 $25,721,327,955
2007 $270,079,279,420 $21,717,433,808
2006 $232,180,617,162 $18,659,721,513
2005 $211,876,989,656 $16,623,906,739
2004 $194,372,115,041 $15,100,203,362
2003 $164,670,771,260 $13,603,456,003
2002 $128,596,035,288 $12,800,851,271
2001 $109,346,669,230 $12,252,906,341
2000 $100,207,610,430 $11,966,497,049
1999 $98,893,958,263 $11,660,704,777
1998 $90,199,410,116 $11,019,557,689
1997 $82,856,648,758 $10,058,854,386
1996 $75,790,786,290 $9,197,503,323
1995 $69,139,823,232 $9,573,813,700
1994 $57,097,656,066 $9,365,289,800
1993 $52,417,477,614 $8,782,585,400
1992 $55,918,538,121 $8,042,337,700
1991 $49,787,501,584 $7,074,675,500
1990 $49,305,632,408 $6,433,967,000
1989 $39,238,392,678 $5,918,469,800
1988 $37,772,896,221 $5,902,783,400
1987 $33,920,518,493 $6,827,665,300
1986 $28,714,571,852 $6,797,834,200
1985 $21,270,013,326 $6,541,517,100
1984 $20,106,648,455 $6,183,387,100
1983 $20,766,047,764 $5,923,755,900
1982 $21,474,752,962 $5,769,767,900
1981 $20,670,190,138 $5,222,421,500
1980 $21,747,855,640 $4,614,086,400
1979 $18,319,334,300 $3,704,551,600
1978 $14,647,996,074 $3,244,558,600
1977 $11,248,340,431 $2,738,261,900
1976 $9,453,756,015 $2,588,106,000
1975 $9,483,808,362 $2,435,304,100
1974 $7,896,860,615 $2,188,307,600
1973 $7,481,173,066 $1,913,793,400
1972 $6,318,060,582 $1,673,411,700
1971 $5,098,250,287 $1,523,917,200
1970 $4,395,995,086 $1,351,006,400
1969 $3,902,721,632 $1,221,305,700
1968 $3,378,701,147 $1,112,791,100
1967 $3,445,739,915 $1,034,376,400
1966 $3,198,820,904 $928,833,000
1965 $3,035,655,794 $852,485,300
1964 $2,851,091,646 $776,137,500
1963 $2,505,073,358 $722,784,500
1962 $2,329,372,972 $652,120,900
1961 $2,151,772,980 $599,026,300
1960 $1,998,550,222 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Panama by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $11,176 - $2,462 -
1988 $10,716 - $2,509 -
1987 $9,582 - $2,966 -
1986 $8,112 - $3,019 -
1985 $6,012 - $2,972 -
1984 $5,692 - $2,875 -
1983 $5,915 - $2,819 -
1982 $6,161 - $2,811 -
1981 $5,986 - $2,605 -
1980 $6,372 - $2,357 -
1979 $5,430 - $1,938 -
1978 $4,400 - $1,738 -
1977 $3,427 - $1,503 -
1976 $2,920 - $1,457 -
1975 $2,973 - $1,406 -
1974 $2,517 - $1,296 -
1973 $2,424 - $1,164 -
1972 $2,080 - $1,046 -
1971 $1,704 - $979 -
1970 $1,487 - $893 -
1969 $1,331 - $830 -
1968 $1,159 - $778 -
1967 $1,187 - $745 -
1966 $1,107 - $689 -
1965 $1,055 - $651 -
1964 $995 - $611 -
1963 $878 - $587 -
1962 $821 - $546 -
1961 $762 - $516 -
1960 $707 - $477 -

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

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Ireland Panama
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$18.3B
2024
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
8.61%
2024
Population
5518360
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 28.1% 74% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 23% 34.7%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 22.8% 34%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 22.7% 40%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 33% 26.1% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 23.5% 57%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 23% 55.1%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 21.5% 65%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 44.2% 88% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 46.8% 90.6% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 46.1% 93.8% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 44.6% 92.7% 41.5% 112.7%
1989 42.5% 97.9% 43% 104.4%
1988 48.2% 106.5% 41.8% 105%
1987 51.4% 108.3% 40.1% 92.2%
1986 52.9% 107.2% 38.6% 84%
1985 53.2% 93% 39.7% 82.5%
1984 52.7% 90.2% 44% 82.5%
1983 55.6% 86.1% 44.6% 86.6%
1982 56.7% 73.5% 48% 80.9%
1981 54.1% 68.8% 30.7% 68.7%
1980 53.7% 64.6% 30.5% 69.4%
1979 48.7% 63.5% 35% 78.9%
1978 46.2% 50.6% 27.6% 83.1%
1977 44.6% 49.2% 16.9% 77.7%
1976 47.8% 51.7% 15.9% 69.7%
1975 48.2% 48.3% 15.3% 52.6%
1974 44.3% 43.5% 15.3% 37.6%
1973 40.3% 35.1% 14.4% 32.6%
1972 41.5% 37.3% 15.6% 29.5%
1971 45.3% 39.8% 15% 26.2%
1970 44.1% 41.7% 22.4% 25.7%
1969 42.5% 42.6% 20.5% 23.2%
1968 40% 44.7% 14.2% 18%
1967 39.3% 47.1% 14.9% 17.8%
1966 36.9% 47.7% 14% 17.9%
1965 35.8% 44.6% 13.2% 18.7%
1964 34.8% 43.1% 14.1% 20%
1963 33.6% 45.2% 19.1% 22.6%
1962 31.7% 44.5% 16.4% 19.8%
1961 31.4% 44.3% 18.9% 20.5%
1960 29.1% 44.9% 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 138/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Panama
2024 4.09% -7.42%
2023 1.52% -3.9%
2022 1.67% -3.98%
2021 -1.37% -6.48%
2020 -4.87% -10.2%
2019 0.41% -2.89%
2018 0.09% -2.88%
2017 -0.3% -1.92%
2016 -0.76% -1.89%
2015 -1.97% -2.3%
2014 -3.52% -3.21%
2013 -6.28% -2.38%
2012 -8.42% -1.31%
2011 -13.5% -1.96%
2010 -32.1% -1.68%
2009 -13.9% -0.9%
2008 -7.03% 0.37%
2007 0.27% 3.12%
2006 2.78% 0.51%
2005 1.57% -2.21%
2004 1.3% -4.33%
2003 0.35% -2.27%
2002 -0.52% -0.96%
2001 0.96% -0.42%
2000 4.86% 2.05%
1999 3.54% -0.65%
1998 2.07% -1.11%
1997 1.37% 1.24%
1996 -0.2% 2.48%
1995 -2.07% 2.3%
1994 -1.82% 2.12%
1993 -2.62% -9.4%
1992 -2.84% -2.62%
1991 -2.8% -0.6%
1990 -2.69% -3.65%
1989 -2.64% -13.6%
1988 -4.62% -13.5%
1987 -8.47% -1.7%
1986 -10.5% -1%
1985 -10.7% -2.57%
1984 -9.43% -7.56%
1983 -11.5% -7.62%
1982 -13.1% -13.3%
1981 -12.1% -6.77%
1980 -11.1% -5.17%
1979 -10% -12.1%
1978 -8.27% -5.21%
1977 -6.44% -1.61%
1976 -7.34% -2.65%
1975 -11.1% -0.74%
1974 -6.96% -0.6%
1973 -3.84% -0.01%
1972 -3.23% -1.17%
1971 -3.5% -0.51%
1970 -3.64% -8.02%
1969 -3.4% -7.56%
1968 -2.72% -1.5%
1967 -2.69% -1.97%
1966 -2.26% -1.18%
1965 -3.5% -1.17%
1964 -3.35% -2.51%
1963 -2.92% -6.71%
1962 -2.91% -3.01%
1961 -2.6% -5.45%
1960 -1.97% -3.05%
1959 -2.16% -3.79%
1958 -4.3% -1.62%
1957 -5.19% -0.89%
1956 -3.23% -3.69%
1955 -5.06% -1.33%
1954 -5.28% -0.2%
1953 -5.77% -0.55%
1952 -7.84% -3.84%
1951 -4.62% -2.54%
1950 -5.21% -3.89%
1949 -2.17% -1%
1948 -1.29% -1.21%
1947 -1.8% -1.94%
1946 -0.43% -3.19%
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 (1926–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 50 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 57 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.21% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Panama
2024 2.11% 0.69%
2023 6.3% 1.49%
2022 7.83% 2.86%
2021 2.34% 1.63%
2020 -0.33% -1.55%
2019 0.94% -0.36%
2018 0.47% 0.76%
2017 0.36% 0.88%
2016 0.02% 0.74%
2015 -0.33% 0.14%
2014 0.19% 2.63%
2013 0.52% 4.03%
2012 1.69% 5.7%
2011 2.55% 5.88%
2010 -0.92% 3.49%
2009 -4.45% 2.41%
2008 4.04% 8.76%
2007 4.89% 4.17%
2006 3.94% 2.46%
2005 2.46% 2.86%
2004 2.18% 0.47%
2003 3.49% 0.39%
2002 4.63% 1.01%
2001 4.85% 0.31%
2000 5.58% 1.5%
1999 1.63% 1.25%
1998 2.41% 0.56%
1997 1.54% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21.5M
Chemicals & pharma $11.2M
Machinery & equipment $3.27M
Precious metals & jewellery $256K
Animal & marine products $202K
Textiles & consumer goods $114K
Wood & paper products $110K
Raw materials & minerals $65K
Metals $6K
Panama
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $449K
Chemicals & pharma $326K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $87K
Machinery & equipment $16K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Wood & paper products $5K

Balance of trade

Ireland Panama
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Panama
Economic freedom 83.3 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 70/197
Property rights 94.4 56.7
Government integrity 84 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 49.6
Tax burden 77.7 86.1
Government spending 85.9 85.5
Fiscal health 97 51.8
Business freedom 85.5 72.6
Labor freedom 61.3 60.9
Monetary freedom 79.3 78.2
Trade freedom 79.4 80.2
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Panama
2026 83.3 64.9
2025 83.1 65.5
2024 82.6 64.1
2023 82 63.8
2022 82 65.4
2021 81.4 66.2
2020 80.9 67.2
2019 80.5 67.2
2018 80.4 67
2017 76.7 66.3
2016 77.3 64.8
2015 76.6 64.1
2014 76.2 63.4
2013 75.7 62.5
2012 76.9 65.2
2011 78.7 64.9
2010 81.3 64.8
2009 82.2 64.7
2008 82.5 64.7
2007 82.6 64.6
2006 82.2 65.6
2005 80.8 64.3
2004 80.3 65.3
2003 80.9 68.4
2002 80.5 68.5
2001 81.2 70.6
2000 76.1 71.6
1999 74.6 72.6
1998 73.7 72.6
1997 72.6 72.4
1996 68.5 71.8
1995 68.5 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Panama
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$865M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
33.5%
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/panama | 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 (1926–1993, 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 (2021–2024, 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.

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.