Skip to content

Economy of Japan vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Japan has a GDP of $4.44T compared to $48.6B for Latvia, ranking 4/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.16T in government debt (206.5% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (46.9% of GDP) in Latvia.

Japan vs Latvia GDP by year

Japan
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Latvia
2025 $4,435,162,999,977 $48,618,869,160
2024 $4,190,008,188,359 $44,001,275,013
2023 $4,384,854,269,962 $42,779,550,937
2022 $4,447,976,207,315 $38,003,198,509
2021 $5,225,933,520,753 $38,183,326,785
2020 $5,189,197,543,645 $33,379,927,435
2019 $5,245,755,000,479 $33,099,503,951
2018 $5,154,293,721,630 $33,247,935,477
2017 $5,038,231,631,661 $29,391,059,767
2016 $5,110,357,383,254 $27,117,105,060
2015 $4,534,438,580,495 $26,344,565,877
2014 $4,985,763,289,561 $30,277,203,767
2013 $5,272,297,037,397 $29,152,128,168
2012 $6,333,803,928,788 $27,116,149,949
2011 $6,279,422,550,219 $26,575,547,901
2010 $5,811,578,109,447 $23,468,324,572
2009 $5,336,765,697,589 $25,691,530,442
2008 $5,160,197,175,876 $34,135,200,994
2007 $4,624,670,179,655 $29,420,499,248
2006 $4,648,058,930,707 $20,434,922,247
2005 $4,875,648,486,366 $16,306,935,905
2004 $4,941,485,123,807 $13,827,070,379
2003 $4,573,413,206,709 $11,244,337,720
2002 $4,245,946,980,572 $9,249,030,241
2001 $4,438,792,748,062 $8,190,888,740
2000 $5,042,381,838,343 $7,761,252,607
1999 $4,688,983,449,627 $7,324,192,890
1998 $4,150,359,076,370 $6,974,112,951
1997 $4,579,780,793,432 $6,349,481,007
1996 $5,021,441,618,840 $5,799,465,288
1995 $5,639,649,753,986 $5,608,208,785
1994 $5,104,063,486,348 -
1993 $4,632,480,515,091 -
1992 $4,064,529,567,505 -
1991 $3,724,887,648,862 -
1990 $3,252,994,239,867 -
1989 $3,174,934,735,896 -
1988 $3,191,546,727,316 -
1987 $2,635,094,473,494 -
1986 $2,164,729,071,349 -
1985 $1,457,070,301,468 -
1984 $1,374,165,212,365 -
1983 $1,297,622,008,229 -
1982 $1,183,132,285,328 -
1981 $1,271,443,597,067 -
1980 $1,153,159,955,513 -
1979 $1,100,608,979,757 -
1978 $1,057,419,758,047 -
1977 $752,590,681,822 -
1976 $611,495,350,304 -
1975 $544,082,569,364 -
1974 $500,355,087,138 -
1973 $450,756,970,744 -
1972 $331,776,379,992 -
1971 $250,530,994,765 -
1970 $221,798,003,144 -
1969 $188,179,852,753 -
1968 $160,201,483,788 -
1967 $135,265,319,098 -
1966 $115,427,351,851 -
1965 $99,387,878,008 -
1964 $89,332,989,729 -
1963 $75,945,582,324 -
1962 $66,356,388,224 -
1961 $58,472,696,006 -
1960 $48,417,804,545 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Latvia by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $35,951 - $26,312 -
2024 $33,797 $52,039 $23,579 $43,394
2023 $35,215 $50,662 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $35,548 $47,192 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $41,581 $44,355 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $41,099 $42,426 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $41,425 $42,678 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $40,645 $42,142 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $39,680 $41,444 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $40,215 $40,597 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $35,665 $40,899 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $39,173 $39,555 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $41,369 $39,402 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $49,627 $37,606 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $49,122 $36,214 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $45,378 $35,336 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $41,678 $33,543 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $40,294 $35,274 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $36,130 $35,015 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $36,354 $33,632 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $38,159 $32,170 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $38,678 $30,832 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $35,809 $29,392 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $33,316 $28,624 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $34,910 $27,943 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $39,753 $27,288 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $37,029 $25,736 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $32,835 $25,508 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $36,331 $25,619 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $39,930 $24,999 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $44,947 $23,858 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $40,774 $22,823 - $5,012
1993 $37,111 $22,168 - $4,722
1992 $32,667 $21,825 - $4,760
1991 $30,048 $21,227 - $6,762
1990 $26,345 $19,912 - $7,448
1989 $25,798 - - -
1988 $26,037 - - -
1987 $21,587 - - -
1986 $17,819 - - -
1985 $12,058 - - -
1984 $11,443 - - -
1983 $10,876 - - -
1982 $9,986 - - -
1981 $10,806 - - -
1980 $9,872 - - -
1979 $9,497 - - -
1978 $9,202 - - -
1977 $6,609 - - -
1976 $5,422 - - -
1975 $4,876 - - -
1974 $4,542 - - -
1973 $4,147 - - -
1972 $3,095 - - -
1971 $2,370 - - -
1970 $2,145 - - -
1969 $1,841 - - -
1968 $1,586 - - -
1967 $1,354 - - -
1966 $1,168 - - -
1965 $1,015 - - -
1964 $922 - - -
1963 $792 - - -
1962 $699 - - -
1961 $622 - - -
1960 $519 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $35,951, ranking 34/197, compared to $26,312 in Latvia, ranking 51/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Japan Latvia
Gross domestic product
$4.44T
2025
$48.6B
2025
GDP rank
4/197
2025
99/197
2025
GDP growth
1.19%
2024-2025
2.14%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$35,951
2025
$26,312
2025
GDP per capita rank
34/197
2025
51/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$9.16T
2025
$22.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
206.5%
2025
46.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$74,248
2025
$12,353
2025
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2025
50/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,962
2026
$16,702
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.61T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,902,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
41
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.3%
2020
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2020
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.9%
2025
45.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.17%
2024-2025
3.75%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.5%
2025
6.9%
2025
Population
122704252
1826986

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.9% 206.5% 45.4% 46.9%
2024 37.3% 214.5% 44% 46.2%
2023 37.8% 220.3% 42.9% 44.4%
2022 40.2% 227.8% 43.6% 44.4%
2021 41.3% 222.7% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 43.6% 228.8% 42.6% 44%
2019 36.4% 206.3% 39% 37.9%
2018 36% 203.7% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 35.9% 203.1% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 36.5% 202.1% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 36.6% 200.1% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 37.8% 203.6% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 38.4% 201.2% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 38.4% 197.1% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 38.4% 190.6% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 37.4% 178.6% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 38.3% 172.9% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 33.7% 153.6% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 32.8% 150.4% 34.8% 9%
2006 32.7% 152.1% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 33.2% 153.4% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 33.3% 148.8% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 34.6% 140.2% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 34.9% 134.6% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 34.7% 126.8% 35% 17.8%
2000 35.4% 118.5% 37% 15.1%
1999 35.2% 113.5% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 38.1% 101.6% 38.1% 9.81%
1997 32.4% 91.3% - -
1996 33.1% 85.3% - -
1995 32.8% 80.7% - -
1994 32.1% 73.3% - -
1993 31.4% 63.2% - -
1992 29.6% 57.9% - -
1991 28.6% 54.1% - -
1990 28.8% 54.8% - -
1989 29.2% 65.7% - -
1988 29.9% 71.9% - -
1987 30.6% 75.8% - -
1986 30.4% 74.1% - -
1985 30.4% 68.3% - -
1984 31.2% 65.6% - -
1983 31.8% 63.5% - -
1982 31.7% 57.7% - -
1981 31.5% 52.8% - -
1980 33.5% 47.8% - -
1979 33.2% 43.8% - -
1978 32.1% 39% - -
1977 30.4% 31.1% - -
1976 29.1% 26.1% - -
1975 28.5% 20.9% - -
1974 25.5% 16.7% - -
1973 23.3% 15.9% - -
1972 23.1% 16.3% - -
1971 21.8% 12.6% - -
1970 20.2% 11.2% - -
1969 19.8% 11.4% - -
1968 20.1% 11.8% - -
1967 19.9% 11.4% - -
1966 20.8% 11.2% - -
1965 20.4% 9.78% - -
1964 19.8% 8.53% - -
1963 20% 8.66% - -
1962 19.4% 9.01% - -
1961 18.2% 8.44% - -
1960 18.4% 10.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

In 2025, Japan's government spending was $1.63T, accounting for 36.9% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $22.1B, or 45.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 206.5% in Japan and 46.9% in Latvia, ranking 3/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Latvia
2025 -1.05% -4.05%
2024 -1.67% -1.72%
2023 -2.39% -3.36%
2022 -4.23% -3.95%
2021 -6.32% -5.71%
2020 -9.04% -3.85%
2019 -3.05% -0.39%
2018 -2.44% -0.77%
2017 -3.05% -0.85%
2016 -3.58% -0.41%
2015 -3.64% -1.57%
2014 -5.58% -1.74%
2013 -7.62% -0.58%
2012 -8.22% 0.18%
2011 -9.02% -3.38%
2010 -9.05% -6.56%
2009 -9.62% -7.14%
2008 -4.07% -3.29%
2007 -2.86% 0.63%
2006 -3% -0.48%
2005 -4.39% -1.06%
2004 -5.26% -1.04%
2003 -7.35% -1.67%
2002 -7.22% -2.59%
2001 -6.11% -2.03%
2000 -7.17% -2.57%
1999 -6.68% -3.54%
1998 -9.91% -0.66%
1997 -3.44% -
1996 -4.75% -
1995 -4.22% -
1994 -3.7% -
1993 -2.34% -
1992 0.56% -
1991 1.64% -
1990 1.91% -
1989 1.23% -
1988 0.49% -
1987 -0.36% -
1986 -1.36% -
1985 -1.37% -
1984 -2.62% -
1983 -3.95% -
1982 -3.81% -
1981 -3.85% -
1980 -4.66% -
1979 -5% -
1978 -5.79% -
1977 -4.02% -
1976 -3.89% -
1975 -2.92% -
1974 0.38% -
1973 0.56% -
1972 -0.13% -
1971 1.21% -
1970 1.74% -
1969 1.26% -
1968 0.88% -
1967 0.8% -
1966 -0.34% -
1965 0.48% -
1964 0.85% -
1963 1.08% -
1962 1.49% -
1961 2.58% -
1960 1.85% -
1959 0.97% -
1958 -0.1% -
1957 1.27% -
1956 1.39% -
1955 -0.67% -
1954 0.7% -
1953 1.65% -
1952 2.22% -
1951 5.06% -
1950 6.99% -
1949 12.5% -
1948 7.53% -
1947 6.09% -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 0.32% -
1942 -0.13% -
1941 -0.19% -
1940 0.31% -
1939 0.11% -
1938 0.45% -
1937 0.71% -
1936 0.34% -
1935 0.26% -
1934 0.34% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.31% -
1931 0.23% -
1930 0.19% -
1929 0.5% -
1928 0.42% -
1927 0.58% -
1926 0.65% -
1925 0.75% -
1924 0.84% -
1923 0.87% -
1922 0.89% -
1921 1.43% -
1920 1.19% -
1919 1.21% -
1918 1.58% -
1917 1.54% -
1916 1.37% -
1915 1.41% -
1914 1.31% -
1913 1.21% -
1912 1.27% -
1911 1.21% -
1910 1.57% -
1909 1.51% -
1908 1.63% -
1907 1.77% -
1906 0.46% -
1905 -0.68% -
1904 -0.81% -
1903 0.19% -
1902 0.44% -
1901 0.21% -
1900 0.53% -
1899 0.2% -
1898 0.6% -
1897 0.33% -
1896 0.88% -
1895 0.28% -
1894 -0.24% -
1893 0.6% -
1892 0.63% -
1891 0.61% -
1890 0.74% -
1889 0.18% -
1888 0.13% -
1887 0.11% -
1886 0.03% -
1885 0.01% -
1884 0.001% -
1883 0.03% -
1882 0.001% -
1881 0.001% -
1880 0.004% -
1879 0.02% -
1878 0.02% -
1877 -0.29% -
1876 -0.42% -
1875 0.005% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

In 2025, Japan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $46.7B, equivalent to 1.05% of GDP. This compares to Latvia's deficit of $1.97B, or 4.05% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.29% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Latvia
2025 3.17% 3.75%
2024 2.74% 1.27%
2023 3.27% 8.94%
2022 2.5% 17.3%
2021 -0.23% 3.28%
2020 -0.02% 0.22%
2019 0.47% 2.81%
2018 0.99% 2.53%
2017 0.48% 2.93%
2016 -0.13% 0.14%
2015 0.8% 0.17%
2014 2.76% 0.62%
2013 0.34% -0.03%
2012 -0.04% 2.26%
2011 -0.27% 4.37%
2010 -0.73% -1.08%
2009 -1.35% 3.53%
2008 1.38% 15.4%
2007 0.06% 10.1%
2006 0.25% 6.54%
2005 -0.28% 6.75%
2004 -0.009% 6.19%
2003 -0.26% 2.94%
2002 -0.92% 1.94%
2001 -0.74% 2.49%
2000 -0.68% 2.65%
1999 -0.34% 2.36%
1998 0.66% 4.64%
1997 1.75% 8.45%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.54%, compared with 4.26% in Latvia. In 2025, inflation was 3.17% in Japan and 3.75% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.75M
Miscellaneous $7.86M
Raw materials & minerals $7.57M
Chemicals & pharma $6.52M
Metals $5.86M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.45M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.92M
Precious metals & jewellery $837K
Wood & paper products $672K
Raw agricultural goods $49K
Latvia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $29.2M
Machinery & equipment $12M
Raw materials & minerals $8.93M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.29M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.69M
Chemicals & pharma $2.51M
Raw agricultural goods $2.43M
Transport & tourism services $2.16M
Business & finance services $2.13M
Metals $1.3M

Balance of trade

Japan Latvia
Current account balance
$216B
2025
-$1.64B
2025
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2025
133/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.86%
2025
-3.38%
2025
Goods imports
$729B
2025
$25.6B
2025
Goods exports
$725B
2025
$21.1B
2025
Service imports
$269B
2025
$7.07B
2025
Service exports
$246B
2025
$9.33B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
67.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22%
2024
62.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Latvia
Economic freedom 70.3 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 31/197
Property rights 94.2 88.8
Government integrity 81.1 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 70.9
Tax burden 63 70.9
Government spending 52 42.7
Fiscal health 41.7 80.8
Business freedom 77.8 80.7
Labor freedom 65.9 60.5
Monetary freedom 74.3 76.3
Trade freedom 76.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Latvia
2026 70.3 71.6
2025 70.2 71.4
2024 67.5 71.5
2023 69.3 72.8
2022 69.9 74.8
2021 74.1 72.3
2020 73.3 71.9
2019 72.1 70.4
2018 72.3 73.6
2017 69.6 74.8
2016 73.1 70.4
2015 73.3 69.7
2014 72.4 68.7
2013 71.8 66.5
2012 71.6 65.2
2011 72.8 65.8
2010 72.9 66.2
2009 72.8 66.6
2008 73 68.3
2007 72.7 67.9
2006 73.3 66.9
2005 67.3 66.3
2004 64.3 67.4
2003 67.6 66
2002 66.7 65
2001 70.9 66.4
2000 70.7 63.4
1999 69.1 64.2
1998 70.2 63.4
1997 70.3 62.4
1996 72.6 55
1995 75 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Latvia
Services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
64.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.96%
2024
4.01%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.73T
2025
$46.1B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$58,920
2025
$45,740
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.37T
2025
$6.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
3/177
2025
95/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$172B
2025
$72.5M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.9B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$207B
2024
$257M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.7%
2024
24.1%
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/japan/latvia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.