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Economy of Ireland vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $109B for Sri Lanka, ranking 24/197 and 71/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $100B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Ireland vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Ireland
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Sri Lanka
2025 $721,701,359,046 $108,825,231,671
2024 $609,157,459,747 $99,616,111,266
2023 $567,372,737,459 $84,080,307,356
2022 $548,341,794,599 $74,143,020,304
2021 $530,394,123,830 $88,556,699,052
2020 $436,009,027,819 $84,335,574,372
2019 $407,211,793,801 $88,998,706,178
2018 $395,780,319,817 $94,450,015,983
2017 $348,355,212,569 $94,369,350,439
2016 $305,431,252,709 $88,000,210,878
2015 $302,101,388,556 $85,090,300,896
2014 $266,490,442,124 $82,531,125,462
2013 $242,924,245,719 $76,976,204,075
2012 $226,921,827,888 $70,447,216,891
2011 $240,975,871,047 $67,753,285,882
2010 $221,732,824,603 $58,636,049,581
2009 $236,443,115,854 $42,066,224,093
2008 $275,447,471,451 $40,713,826,215
2007 $270,079,279,420 $32,350,238,760
2006 $232,180,617,162 $28,267,410,543
2005 $211,876,989,656 $24,405,791,045
2004 $194,372,115,041 $20,662,525,941
2003 $164,670,771,260 $18,881,765,437
2002 $128,596,035,288 $16,536,535,647
2001 $109,346,669,230 $15,749,753,805
2000 $100,207,610,430 $16,595,882,819
1999 $98,893,958,263 $15,711,933,513
1998 $90,199,410,116 $15,760,736,956
1997 $82,856,648,758 $15,091,913,884
1996 $75,790,786,290 $13,897,738,375
1995 $69,139,823,232 $13,029,697,561
1994 $57,097,656,066 $11,717,604,209
1993 $52,417,477,614 $10,338,679,636
1992 $55,918,538,121 $9,703,011,636
1991 $49,787,501,584 $9,000,362,582
1990 $49,305,632,408 $8,032,551,173
1989 $39,238,392,678 $6,987,267,684
1988 $37,772,896,221 $6,978,371,581
1987 $33,920,518,493 $6,682,167,120
1986 $28,714,571,852 $6,405,210,564
1985 $21,270,013,326 $5,978,460,972
1984 $20,106,648,455 $6,043,474,843
1983 $20,766,047,764 $5,167,913,302
1982 $21,474,752,962 $4,768,765,017
1981 $20,670,190,138 $4,415,844,156
1980 $21,747,855,640 $4,024,621,900
1979 $18,319,334,300 $3,364,611,432
1978 $14,647,996,074 $2,733,183,857
1977 $11,248,340,431 $4,104,509,583
1976 $9,453,756,015 $3,591,319,857
1975 $9,483,808,362 $3,791,298,146
1974 $7,896,860,615 $3,574,586,466
1973 $7,481,173,066 $2,875,625,000
1972 $6,318,060,582 $2,553,936,348
1971 $5,098,250,287 $2,369,308,600
1970 $4,395,995,086 $2,296,470,588
1969 $3,902,721,632 $1,965,546,218
1968 $3,378,701,147 $1,801,344,538
1967 $3,445,739,915 $1,859,465,021
1966 $3,198,820,904 $1,751,470,588
1965 $3,035,655,794 $1,698,319,328
1964 $2,851,091,646 $1,309,747,899
1963 $2,505,073,358 $1,240,672,269
1962 $2,329,372,972 $1,434,156,379
1961 $2,151,772,980 $1,444,327,731
1960 $1,998,550,222 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Sri Lanka by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $5,002 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $4,545 $15,633
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $3,815 $14,456
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $946 $4,850
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $835 $4,522
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $804 $4,328
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $860 $4,368
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $829 $4,103
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $848 $3,952
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $827 $3,804
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $776 $3,582
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $742 $3,454
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $678 $3,260
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $607 $3,067
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $580 $2,851
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $546 $2,713
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $491 $2,527
1989 $11,176 - $430 -
1988 $10,716 - $434 -
1987 $9,582 - $420 -
1986 $8,112 - $407 -
1985 $6,012 - $385 -
1984 $5,692 - $391 -
1983 $5,915 - $336 -
1982 $6,161 - $312 -
1981 $5,986 - $292.5 -
1980 $6,372 - $271.1 -
1979 $5,430 - $230.8 -
1978 $4,400 - $191 -
1977 $3,427 - $292.1 -
1976 $2,920 - $260.3 -
1975 $2,973 - $279.8 -
1974 $2,517 - $268.7 -
1973 $2,424 - $220.2 -
1972 $2,080 - $199.4 -
1971 $1,704 - $188.8 -
1970 $1,487 - $186.9 -
1969 $1,331 - $163.6 -
1968 $1,159 - $153.5 -
1967 $1,187 - $162.3 -
1966 $1,107 - $156.6 -
1965 $1,055 - $155.6 -
1964 $995 - $122.9 -
1963 $878 - $119.4 -
1962 $821 - $141.4 -
1961 $762 - $145.9 -
1960 $707 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sri-lanka | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $5,002 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Ireland Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$109B
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
71/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
4.95%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$5,002
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
124/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$100B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$4,584
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
90/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$2,830
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$26.1B
2025
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
-4.76%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
4.32%
2024
Population
5562212
21926160

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% - -
2024 22.4% 38.3% 19.1% 100.8%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 20% 102.7%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 18.2% 75%
2015 28.1% 74% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 21% 72.8%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 33% 26.1% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 43.9% 88% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 44.8% 90.6% 23% 77.9%
1991 44.4% 93.8% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 42.8% 92.7% 25.4% 78.9%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 149/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Sri Lanka
2025 1.54% -
2024 4.02% -5.43%
2023 1.36% -8.32%
2022 1.58% -10.2%
2021 -1.31% -11.7%
2020 -4.87% -13.4%
2019 0.41% -7.52%
2018 0.09% -4.96%
2017 -0.3% -5.1%
2016 -0.76% -5%
2015 -1.97% -6.64%
2014 -3.52% -5.99%
2013 -6.28% -5%
2012 -8.42% -5.44%
2011 -13.5% -6.01%
2010 -32.1% -6.73%
2009 -13.9% -8.33%
2008 -7.03% -5.93%
2007 0.27% -5.81%
2006 2.78% -5.91%
2005 1.57% -5.93%
2004 1.3% -6.32%
2003 0.35% -6.15%
2002 -0.52% -6.9%
2001 0.96% -8.48%
2000 4.86% -7.78%
1999 3.54% -5.58%
1998 2.07% -6.79%
1997 1.37% -5.71%
1996 -0.2% -6.89%
1995 -2.07% -7.11%
1994 -1.98% -7.41%
1993 -2.7% -5.77%
1992 -2.92% -4.95%
1991 -2.82% -7.97%
1990 -2.77% -6.39%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.5B, equivalent to 4.02% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.4B, or 5.43% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.84% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Sri Lanka
2025 2.21% -4.76%
2024 2.11% -0.43%
2023 6.3% 16.5%
2022 7.83% 49.7%
2021 2.34% 7.01%
2020 -0.33% 6.15%
2019 0.94% 3.53%
2018 0.47% 2.14%
2017 0.36% 7.7%
2016 0.02% 3.96%
2015 -0.33% 3.77%
2014 0.19% 3.18%
2013 0.52% 6.91%
2012 1.69% 7.54%
2011 2.55% 6.72%
2010 -0.92% 6.22%
2009 -4.45% 3.46%
2008 4.04% 22.6%
2007 4.89% 15.8%
2006 3.94% 10%
2005 2.46% 11.6%
2004 2.18% 7.58%
2003 3.49% 6.31%
2002 4.63% 9.55%
2001 4.85% 14.2%
2000 5.58% 6.18%
1999 1.63% 4.69%
1998 2.41% 9.36%
1997 1.54% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 8.86% in Sri Lanka. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and -4.76% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.06M
Machinery & equipment $1.11M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $524K
Wood & paper products $219K
Textiles & consumer goods $156K
Raw agricultural goods $81K
Raw materials & minerals $41K
Animal & marine products $16K
Weapons & explosives $13K
Miscellaneous $4K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $47.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23.5M
Raw materials & minerals $8.41M
Machinery & equipment $8.37M
Animal & marine products $683K
Miscellaneous $550K
Raw agricultural goods $303K
Chemicals & pharma $262K
Wood & paper products $149K
Metals $77K

Balance of trade

Ireland Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
22.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 83.3 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 162/197
Property rights 94.4 47.3
Government integrity 84 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 47.2
Tax burden 77.7 77
Government spending 85.9 89
Fiscal health 97 0
Business freedom 85.5 60.1
Labor freedom 61.3 54.3
Monetary freedom 79.3 65.9
Trade freedom 79.4 65.6
Investment freedom 90 30
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Sri Lanka
2026 83.3 50.3
2025 83.1 49.4
2024 82.6 49.2
2023 82 52.2
2022 82 53.3
2021 81.4 55.7
2020 80.9 57.4
2019 80.5 56.4
2018 80.4 57.8
2017 76.7 57.4
2016 77.3 59.9
2015 76.6 58.6
2014 76.2 60
2013 75.7 60.7
2012 76.9 58.3
2011 78.7 57.1
2010 81.3 54.6
2009 82.2 56
2008 82.5 58.4
2007 82.6 59.4
2006 82.2 58.7
2005 80.8 61
2004 80.3 61.6
2003 80.9 62.5
2002 80.5 64
2001 81.2 66
2000 76.1 63.2
1999 74.6 64
1998 73.7 64.6
1997 72.6 65.5
1996 68.5 62.5
1995 68.5 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
54.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
25.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
8.36%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$102B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$16,750
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
96/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
29.6%
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/sri-lanka | 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.

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.