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Economy of Ireland vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 24/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Ireland vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Ireland
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Saudi Arabia
2025 $721,701,359,046 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $609,157,459,747 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $567,372,737,459 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $548,341,794,599 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $530,394,123,830 $982,661,066,667
2020 $436,009,027,819 $767,951,200,000
2019 $407,211,793,801 $888,890,133,333
2018 $395,780,319,817 $886,564,800,000
2017 $348,355,212,569 $741,266,133,333
2016 $305,431,252,709 $689,279,466,667
2015 $302,101,388,556 $693,414,400,000
2014 $266,490,442,124 $787,153,066,667
2013 $242,924,245,719 $769,755,733,333
2012 $226,921,827,888 $751,921,333,333
2011 $240,975,871,047 $680,660,800,000
2010 $221,732,824,603 $528,207,466,667
2009 $236,443,115,854 $429,097,866,667
2008 $275,447,471,451 $519,796,800,000
2007 $270,079,279,420 $415,964,509,673
2006 $232,180,617,162 $376,900,133,511
2005 $211,876,989,656 $328,459,608,764
2004 $194,372,115,041 $258,742,133,333
2003 $164,670,771,260 $215,807,733,333
2002 $128,596,035,288 $189,605,866,667
2001 $109,346,669,230 $184,137,600,000
2000 $100,207,610,430 $189,514,933,333
1999 $98,893,958,263 $161,717,066,667
1998 $90,199,410,116 $146,775,466,667
1997 $82,856,648,758 $165,963,684,913
1996 $75,790,786,290 $158,662,483,311
1995 $69,139,823,232 $143,343,124,166
1994 $57,097,656,066 $135,174,899,866
1993 $52,417,477,614 $132,967,957,276
1992 $55,918,538,121 $137,087,850,467
1991 $49,787,501,584 $132,223,230,975
1990 $49,305,632,408 $117,630,173,565
1989 $39,238,392,678 $95,344,459,279
1988 $37,772,896,221 $88,256,074,766
1987 $33,920,518,493 $85,695,861,148
1986 $28,714,571,852 $86,961,922,765
1985 $21,270,013,326 $103,897,846,494
1984 $20,106,648,455 $119,624,858,116
1983 $20,766,047,764 $129,171,635,311
1982 $21,474,752,962 $153,240,313,858
1981 $20,670,190,138 $184,291,360,139
1980 $21,747,855,640 $164,539,660,725
1979 $18,319,334,300 $111,858,444,786
1978 $14,647,996,074 $80,266,516,687
1977 $11,248,340,431 $74,188,986,586
1976 $9,453,756,015 $64,005,665,722
1975 $9,483,808,362 $46,773,208,643
1974 $7,896,860,615 $45,412,957,746
1973 $7,481,173,066 $14,947,435,499
1972 $6,318,060,582 $9,664,267,087
1971 $5,098,250,287 $7,184,806,909
1970 $4,395,995,086 $5,377,333,333
1969 $3,902,721,632 $4,485,777,644
1968 $3,378,701,147 $4,187,777,711
1967 $3,445,739,915 $3,257,022,223
1966 $3,198,820,904 $2,920,555,557
1965 $3,035,655,794 $2,647,955,558
1964 $2,851,091,646 $2,371,808,713
1963 $2,505,073,358 $2,207,393,172
1962 $2,329,372,972 $2,130,606,532
1961 $2,151,772,980 $1,920,811,284
1960 $1,998,550,222 $1,748,124,064

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

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Saudi Arabia by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $34,537 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $11,176 - $9,414 -
1988 $10,716 - $9,165 -
1987 $9,582 - $9,386 -
1986 $8,112 - $10,078 -
1985 $6,012 - $12,745 -
1984 $5,692 - $15,541 -
1983 $5,915 - $17,810 -
1982 $6,161 - $22,454 -
1981 $5,986 - $28,703 -
1980 $6,372 - $27,206 -
1979 $5,430 - $19,612 -
1978 $4,400 - $14,914 -
1977 $3,427 - $14,595 -
1976 $2,920 - $13,313 -
1975 $2,973 - $10,266 -
1974 $2,517 - $10,503 -
1973 $2,424 - $3,640 -
1972 $2,080 - $2,474 -
1971 $1,704 - $1,929 -
1970 $1,487 - $1,509 -
1969 $1,331 - $1,313 -
1968 $1,159 - $1,276 -
1967 $1,187 - $1,032 -
1966 $1,107 - $961 -
1965 $1,055 - $904 -
1964 $995 - $840 -
1963 $878 - $812 -
1962 $821 - $813 -
1961 $762 - $760 -
1960 $707 - $718 -

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

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Ireland Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires
11
2026
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
3.24%
2025
Population
5562212
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 29% 31.7%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 28.3% 23%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 28.1% 74% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 33% 8.43%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 37.1% 14%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 33% 26.1% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 30.3% 103%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 43.9% 88% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 44.8% 90.6% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 44.4% 93.8% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 42.8% 92.7% 39.3% -
1989 42.5% 97.9% - -
1988 48.2% 106.5% - -
1987 51.4% 108.3% - -
1986 52.9% 107.2% - -
1985 53.2% 93% - -
1984 52.7% 90.2% - -
1983 55.6% 86.1% - -
1982 56.7% 73.5% - -
1981 54.1% 68.8% - -
1980 53.7% 64.6% - -
1979 48.7% 63.5% - -
1978 46.2% 50.6% - -
1977 44.6% 49.2% - -
1976 47.8% 51.7% - -
1975 48.2% 48.3% - -
1974 44.3% 43.5% - -
1973 40.3% 35.1% - -
1972 41.5% 37.3% - -
1971 45.3% 39.8% - -
1970 44.1% 41.7% - -
1969 42.5% 42.6% - -
1968 40% 44.7% - -
1967 39.3% 47.1% - -
1966 36.9% 47.7% - -
1965 35.8% 44.6% - -
1964 34.8% 43.1% - -
1963 33.6% 45.2% - -
1962 31.7% 44.5% - -
1961 31.4% 44.3% - -
1960 29.1% 44.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 149/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Saudi Arabia
2025 1.54% -5.77%
2024 4.02% -2.46%
2023 1.36% -1.77%
2022 1.58% 2.24%
2021 -1.31% -1.99%
2020 -4.87% -10.2%
2019 0.41% -3.96%
2018 0.09% -5.21%
2017 -0.3% -8.57%
2016 -0.76% -13.2%
2015 -1.97% -14.9%
2014 -3.52% -3.4%
2013 -6.28% 5.47%
2012 -8.42% 11.7%
2011 -13.5% 11.4%
2010 -32.1% 4.39%
2009 -13.9% -5.38%
2008 -7.03% 29.8%
2007 0.27% 11.8%
2006 2.78% 20.8%
2005 1.57% 18%
2004 1.3% 9.72%
2003 0.35% 1.2%
2002 -0.52% -5.91%
2001 0.96% -3.91%
2000 4.86% 3.18%
1999 3.54% -5.99%
1998 2.07% -8.88%
1997 1.37% -2.51%
1996 -0.2% -3.25%
1995 -2.07% -5.12%
1994 -1.98% -8.31%
1993 -2.7% -9.33%
1992 -2.92% -8.12%
1991 -2.82% -3.28%
1990 -2.77% -
1989 -2.64% -
1988 -4.62% -
1987 -8.47% -
1986 -10.5% -
1985 -10.7% -
1984 -9.43% -
1983 -11.5% -
1982 -13.1% -
1981 -12.1% -
1980 -11.1% -
1979 -10% -
1978 -8.27% -
1977 -6.44% -
1976 -7.34% -
1975 -11.1% -
1974 -6.96% -
1973 -3.84% -
1972 -3.23% -
1971 -3.5% -
1970 -3.64% -
1969 -3.4% -
1968 -2.72% -
1967 -2.69% -
1966 -2.26% -
1965 -3.5% -
1964 -3.35% -
1963 -2.92% -
1962 -2.91% -
1961 -2.6% -
1960 -1.97% -
1959 -2.16% -
1958 -4.3% -
1957 -5.19% -
1956 -3.23% -
1955 -5.06% -
1954 -5.28% -
1953 -5.77% -
1952 -7.84% -
1951 -4.62% -
1950 -5.21% -
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) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.2B, equivalent to 1.54% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Saudi Arabia
2025 2.21% 2.08%
2024 2.11% 1.69%
2023 6.3% 2.33%
2022 7.83% 2.47%
2021 2.34% 3.06%
2020 -0.33% 3.37%
2019 0.94% -1.19%
2018 0.47% 2.47%
2017 0.36% -0.83%
2016 0.02% 2.05%
2015 -0.33% 1.22%
2014 0.19% 2.24%
2013 0.52% 3.51%
2012 1.69% 2.87%
2011 2.55% 5.83%
2010 -0.92% 5.34%
2009 -4.45% 5.06%
2008 4.04% 9.87%
2007 4.89% 4.17%
2006 3.94% 2.21%
2005 2.46% 0.48%
2004 2.18% 0.52%
2003 3.49% 0.61%
2002 4.63% 0.25%
2001 4.85% -1.12%
2000 5.58% -1.12%
1999 1.63% -1.33%
1998 2.41% -0.37%
1997 1.54% 0.06%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $2.56B
Chemicals & pharma $719M
Government & miscellaneous services $709M
Machinery & equipment $252M
Animal & marine products $57.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $47.6M
Manufacturing & construction services $27.1M
Precious metals & jewellery $15.8M
Business & finance services $15.2M
Raw materials & minerals $13M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $27.1M
Chemicals & pharma $11.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.22M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.3M
Animal & marine products $448K
Precious metals & jewellery $317K
Raw agricultural goods $284K
Raw materials & minerals $276K
Metals $239K
Wood & paper products $197K

Balance of trade

Ireland Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$311B
2025
Service imports
$467B
2024
$129B
2025
Service exports
$526B
2024
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
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.

Ireland Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 83.3 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 65/197
Property rights 94.4 51.4
Government integrity 84 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 38.2
Tax burden 77.7 99.2
Government spending 85.9 77
Fiscal health 97 97.9
Business freedom 85.5 71.2
Labor freedom 61.3 41.8
Monetary freedom 79.3 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 73.8
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Saudi Arabia
2026 83.3 65.4
2025 83.1 64.4
2024 82.6 61.9
2023 82 58.3
2022 82 55.5
2021 81.4 66
2020 80.9 62.4
2019 80.5 60.7
2018 80.4 59.6
2017 76.7 64.4
2016 77.3 62.1
2015 76.6 62.1
2014 76.2 62.2
2013 75.7 60.6
2012 76.9 62.5
2011 78.7 66.2
2010 81.3 64.1
2009 82.2 64.3
2008 82.5 62.5
2007 82.6 60.9
2006 82.2 63
2005 80.8 63
2004 80.3 60.4
2003 80.9 63.2
2002 80.5 65.3
2001 81.2 62.2
2000 76.1 66.5
1999 74.6 65.5
1998 73.7 69.3
1997 72.6 68.7
1996 68.5 68.3
1995 68.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, 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

Ireland Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
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/ireland/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 (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.