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Economy of Jamaica vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $30.8T for the United States, ranking 125/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $38.1T (123.9% of GDP) in the United States.

Jamaica vs United States GDP by year

Jamaica
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica United States
2025 $22,704,903,218 $30,769,700,000,000
2024 $22,014,429,051 $29,298,013,000,000
2023 $21,418,797,833 $27,811,517,000,000
2022 $18,813,516,805 $26,054,614,000,000
2021 $15,963,885,376 $23,725,645,000,000
2020 $15,000,214,216 $21,375,281,000,000
2019 $17,026,269,263 $21,539,982,000,000
2018 $16,855,447,986 $20,656,516,000,000
2017 $15,783,583,237 $19,612,102,000,000
2016 $14,898,999,754 $18,804,913,000,000
2015 $14,963,589,916 $18,295,019,000,000
2014 $13,899,217,680 $17,608,138,000,000
2013 $14,264,205,153 $16,880,683,000,000
2012 $14,807,086,556 $16,253,970,000,000
2011 $14,444,661,522 $15,599,732,000,000
2010 $13,220,549,908 $15,048,971,000,000
2009 $12,120,458,115 $14,478,067,000,000
2008 $13,709,401,520 $14,769,862,000,000
2007 $12,799,600,047 $14,474,228,000,000
2006 $11,930,179,090 $13,815,583,000,000
2005 $11,243,865,778 $13,039,197,000,000
2004 $10,174,664,854 $12,217,196,000,000
2003 $9,430,234,811 $11,456,450,000,000
2002 $9,719,009,495 $10,929,108,000,000
2001 $9,194,727,831 $10,581,929,000,000
2000 $9,005,064,475 $10,250,952,000,000
1999 $8,887,057,997 $9,631,172,000,000
1998 $8,787,195,622 $9,062,817,000,000
1997 $8,400,041,724 $8,577,552,000,000
1996 $7,393,891,921 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $6,577,520,643 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $5,452,558,947 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $5,440,075,676 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $3,535,460,090 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $4,106,207,649 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $4,592,208,087 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $4,404,937,853 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $3,828,342,820 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $3,287,007,322 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $2,754,549,582 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $2,100,239,019 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $2,373,564,549 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $3,619,262,277 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $3,293,496,312 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $2,979,027,966 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $2,679,379,372 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $2,425,064,229 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $2,644,527,822 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $3,249,733,140 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $2,966,042,856 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $2,860,442,750 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $2,375,122,375 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $1,905,917,553 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $1,875,146,587 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $1,539,861,816 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $1,404,720,442 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $1,191,239,047 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $1,083,839,133 $940,225,000,000
1967 $1,148,014,311 $859,620,034,483
1966 $1,096,759,561 $813,032,758,621
1965 $972,159,611 $741,904,862,069
1964 $897,949,001 $684,144,620,690
1963 $826,706,669 $637,058,551,724
1962 $777,727,689 $603,639,413,793
1961 $748,043,501 $561,940,310,345
1960 $699,064,380 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs United States by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - $90,027 -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $86,143 $85,810
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $83,041 $82,305
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $78,178 $77,861
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $71,486 $71,307
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $64,475 $64,402
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $65,605 $65,228
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $63,201 $62,876
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $60,322 $60,048
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $58,207 $57,977
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $57,040 $56,849
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $55,304 $55,153
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $53,410 $53,297
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $1,865 - $22,857 -
1988 $1,632 - $21,417 -
1987 $1,411 - $20,039 -
1986 $1,191 - $19,071 -
1985 $917 - $18,237 -
1984 $1,048 - $17,121 -
1983 $1,619 - $15,544 -
1982 $1,494 - $14,434 -
1981 $1,370 - $13,976 -
1980 $1,249 - $12,613 -
1979 $1,144 - $11,674 -
1978 $1,262 - $10,565 -
1977 $1,569 - $9,453 -
1976 $1,450 - $8,592 -
1975 $1,417 - $7,801 -
1974 $1,193 - $7,226 -
1973 $972 - $6,726 -
1972 $971 - $6,094 -
1971 $809 - $5,609 -
1970 $748 - $5,234 -
1969 $642 - $5,020 -
1968 $591 - $4,685 -
1967 $633 - $4,326 -
1966 $612 - $4,136 -
1965 $549 - $3,818 -
1964 $514 - $3,565 -
1963 $480 - $3,366 -
1962 $458 - $3,236 -
1961 $447 - $3,059 -
1960 $424 - $3,000 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-states | CC BY

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $90,027 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Jamaica United States
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$30.8T
2025
GDP rank
125/197
2025
1/197
2025
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$90,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
10/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$38.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
123.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$111,531
2025
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
2/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$54,600
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
$68.9T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
23,627,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
989
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
30.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
37.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
4.28%
2025
Population
2834177
344434632

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% 37.7% 123.9%
2024 30.1% 62.5% 37.7% 122.3%
2023 27.7% 66.5% 37.5% 120%
2022 27.1% 70.2% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 27.6% 86.3% 43.2% 125%
2020 30.1% 101.3% 44.7% 132.6%
2019 27.5% 87.7% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 27.5% 88.3% 35.3% 107.7%
2017 26.9% 95.1% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 26.5% 106.9% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 25.9% 115.9% 35% 105.4%
2014 26.1% 134.4% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 26.3% 135.2% 35.8% 105%
2012 29.1% 140.3% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 31.2% 135.9% 38.8% 100%
2010 32.3% 137.8% 39.8% 95.7%
2009 37.7% 138.3% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 33.9% 123.8% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 30.6% 111.6% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 30.1% 114.2% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 28.6% 121.5% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 30.7% 116.9% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 31.1% 120.1% 34% 59%
2002 30.1% 115.4% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 27.8% 105.3% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 25.7% 89.5% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 27.9% 80.7% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 27.9% 75.6% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 27.6% 74.4% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 27.4% 70.2% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 22.1% 85.2% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 19.9% 90.4% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 19.6% 106.2% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 18.2% 100.4% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 19.9% 175.1% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 22.6% 128.8% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-states | CC BY

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while the United States spent $11.6T, or 37.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 123.9% in the United States, ranking 62/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica United States
2025 -3.77% -6.82%
2024 0.22% -7.86%
2023 0.04% -7.89%
2022 0.26% -3.72%
2021 0.84% -11.5%
2020 -2.87% -14.1%
2019 0.85% -5.81%
2018 1.1% -5.33%
2017 0.42% -4.79%
2016 -0.18% -4.36%
2015 -0.28% -3.53%
2014 -0.48% -4.03%
2013 0.12% -4.56%
2012 -3.97% -8.11%
2011 -6.24% -9.72%
2010 -6.17% -11%
2009 -10.8% -13.2%
2008 -7.32% -6.61%
2007 -3.7% -2.91%
2006 -4.74% -2.04%
2005 -3.22% -3.07%
2004 -4.56% -4.24%
2003 -5.42% -4.77%
2002 -6.55% -3.82%
2001 -4.77% -0.54%
2000 -0.78% 3.62%
1999 -3.41% 2.71%
1998 -5.73% 2.18%
1997 -6.39% 0.88%
1996 -5.25% -0.46%
1995 1.53% -1.7%
1994 2.4% -2.05%
1993 2.37% -3.35%
1992 2.83% -3.98%
1991 3.14% -2.72%
1990 2.06% -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-states | CC BY

In 2025, Jamaica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $856M, equivalent to 3.77% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.1T, or 6.82% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.47% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica United States
2025 4% -
2024 5.41% 2.95%
2023 6.47% 4.12%
2022 10.3% 8%
2021 5.86% 4.7%
2020 5.23% 1.23%
2019 3.91% 1.81%
2018 3.74% 2.44%
2017 4.38% 2.13%
2016 2.35% 1.26%
2015 3.69% 0.12%
2014 8.27% 1.62%
2013 9.34% 1.46%
2012 6.87% 2.07%
2011 7.56% 3.16%
2010 12.6% 1.64%
2009 9.59% -0.36%
2008 22% 3.84%
2007 9.24% 2.85%
2006 8.56% 3.23%
2005 15.1% 3.39%
2004 13.6% 2.68%
2003 10.1% 2.27%
2002 7.08% 1.59%
2001 6.8% 2.83%
2000 8.17% 3.38%
1999 5.95% 2.19%
1998 8.63% 1.55%
1997 9.66% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $565M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $127M
Raw agricultural goods $41.3M
Machinery & equipment $18.7M
Animal & marine products $15.5M
Chemicals & pharma $3.35M
Wood & paper products $1.83M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.39M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.04M
Miscellaneous $596K
United States
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.03B
Machinery & equipment $412M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $375M
Chemicals & pharma $204M
Miscellaneous $145M
Raw agricultural goods $144M
Animal & marine products $128M
Wood & paper products $79.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $76.6M
Metals $46.4M

Balance of trade

Jamaica United States
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$1.12T
2025
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
190/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$3.44T
2025
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$2.2T
2025
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$903B
2025
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$1.23T
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
14%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
11%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica United States
Economic freedom 68.2 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 27/197
Property rights 66.8 91.6
Government integrity 49.4 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 76.4
Tax burden 76.3 75.3
Government spending 76 57.9
Fiscal health 92.2 18.5
Business freedom 68.5 88.6
Labor freedom 59.2 76.3
Monetary freedom 74.2 84.2
Trade freedom 70.4 67.6
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica United States
2026 68.2 72.8
2025 68.7 70.2
2024 68.1 70.1
2023 68.1 70.6
2022 67.4 72.1
2021 69 74.8
2020 68.5 76.6
2019 68.6 76.8
2018 69.1 75.7
2017 69.5 75.1
2016 67.5 75.4
2015 67.7 76.2
2014 66.7 75.5
2013 66.8 76
2012 65.1 76.3
2011 65.7 77.8
2010 65.5 78
2009 65.2 80.7
2008 65.7 81
2007 65.5 81.2
2006 66.4 81.2
2005 67 79.9
2004 66.7 78.7
2003 67 78.2
2002 61.7 78.4
2001 63.7 79.1
2000 65.5 76.4
1999 64.7 75.5
1998 67.1 75.4
1997 67.7 75.6
1996 66.7 76.7
1995 64.4 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica United States
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$30.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$89,490
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
$1.39T
2025
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
2/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
$21.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
21.5%
2024

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/jamaica/united-states | 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 (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2026, 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.