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Economy of Japan vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Japan has a GDP of $4.44T compared to $5.25B for Liberia, ranking 4/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.16T in government debt (206.5% of GDP), compared to $2.88B (54.9% of GDP) in Liberia.

Japan vs Liberia GDP by year

Japan
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Liberia
2025 $4,435,162,999,977 $5,245,938,900
2024 $4,190,008,188,359 $4,779,300,900
2023 $4,384,854,269,962 $4,390,000,000
2022 $4,447,976,207,315 $4,001,047,000
2021 $5,225,933,520,753 $3,513,049,500
2020 $5,189,197,543,645 $3,176,126,300
2019 $5,245,755,000,479 $3,319,596,500
2018 $5,154,293,721,630 $3,422,754,800
2017 $5,038,231,631,661 $3,390,703,400
2016 $5,110,357,383,254 $3,398,419,600
2015 $4,534,438,580,495 $3,227,075,700
2014 $4,985,763,289,561 $3,225,652,000
2013 $5,272,297,037,397 $3,177,198,100
2012 $6,333,803,928,788 $2,791,614,000
2011 $6,279,422,550,219 $2,398,000,000
2010 $5,811,578,109,447 $1,998,000,000
2009 $5,336,765,697,589 $1,768,000,000
2008 $5,160,197,175,876 $1,726,000,000
2007 $4,624,670,179,655 $1,373,000,000
2006 $4,648,058,930,707 $1,119,000,000
2005 $4,875,648,486,366 $949,000,000
2004 $4,941,485,123,807 $897,000,000
2003 $4,573,413,206,709 $748,000,000
2002 $4,245,946,980,572 $927,000,000
2001 $4,438,792,748,062 $906,000,000
2000 $5,042,381,838,343 $874,000,000
1999 $4,688,983,449,627 $441,800,000
1998 $4,150,359,076,370 $359,600,000
1997 $4,579,780,793,432 $295,900,000
1996 $5,021,441,618,840 $159,400,000
1995 $5,639,649,753,986 $134,800,000
1994 $5,104,063,486,348 $132,200,000
1993 $4,632,480,515,091 $160,400,000
1992 $4,064,529,567,505 $223,500,000
1991 $3,724,887,648,862 $348,000,000
1990 $3,252,994,239,867 $384,400,000
1989 $3,174,934,735,896 $786,300,000
1988 $3,191,546,727,316 $1,038,300,000
1987 $2,635,094,473,494 $972,800,000
1986 $2,164,729,071,349 $840,964,400
1985 $1,457,070,301,468 $851,296,100
1984 $1,374,165,212,365 $848,478,300
1983 $1,297,622,008,229 $823,374,900
1982 $1,183,132,285,328 $863,933,200
1981 $1,271,443,597,067 $846,514,500
1980 $1,153,159,955,513 $854,711,500
1979 $1,100,608,979,757 $814,067,900
1978 $1,057,419,758,047 $717,240,400
1977 $752,590,681,822 $673,010,600
1976 $611,495,350,304 $596,675,700
1975 $544,082,569,364 $577,549,300
1974 $500,355,087,138 $486,955,000
1973 $450,756,970,744 $386,968,300
1972 $331,776,379,992 $368,098,000
1971 $250,530,994,765 $341,543,100
1970 $221,798,003,144 $323,099,700
1969 $188,179,852,753 $306,961,800
1968 $160,201,483,788 $276,820,700
1967 $135,265,319,098 $261,024,300
1966 $115,427,351,851 $244,459,500
1965 $99,387,878,008 $229,260,800
1964 $89,332,989,729 $218,929,100
1963 $75,945,582,324 $200,229,600
1962 $66,356,388,224 $191,861,800
1961 $58,472,696,006 $183,920,900
1960 $48,417,804,545 $190,495,600

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

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

GDP per capita in Japan vs Liberia by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $35,951 - $915 -
2024 $33,797 $52,039 $851 $1,871
2023 $35,215 $50,662 $799 $1,795
2022 $35,548 $47,192 $745 $1,692
2021 $41,581 $44,355 $668 $1,539
2020 $41,099 $42,426 $617 $1,660
2019 $41,425 $42,678 $658 $1,900
2018 $40,645 $42,142 $692 $1,800
2017 $39,680 $41,444 $699 $1,665
2016 $40,215 $40,597 $715 $1,490
2015 $35,665 $40,899 $693 $1,340
2014 $39,173 $39,555 $707 $1,419
2013 $41,369 $39,402 $711 $1,360
2012 $49,627 $37,606 $638 $1,157
2011 $49,122 $36,214 $568 $1,041
2010 $45,378 $35,336 $492 $980
2009 $41,678 $33,543 $448 $939
2008 $40,294 $35,274 $452 $915
2007 $36,130 $35,015 $374 $873
2006 $36,354 $33,632 $321 $815
2005 $38,159 $32,170 $287.5 $774
2004 $38,678 $30,832 $284.1 $745
2003 $35,809 $29,392 $239.8 $716
2002 $33,316 $28,624 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $34,910 $27,943 $300 $987
2000 $39,753 $27,288 $298.5 $965
1999 $37,029 $25,736 $156.6 $762
1998 $32,835 $25,508 $134.7 $652
1997 $36,331 $25,619 $122.6 $548
1996 $39,930 $24,999 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $44,947 $23,858 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $40,774 $22,823 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $37,111 $22,168 $74.4 $328
1992 $32,667 $21,825 $107.8 $497
1991 $30,048 $21,227 $177.9 $793
1990 $26,345 $19,912 $172.9 $787
1989 $25,798 - $312 -
1988 $26,037 - $424 -
1987 $21,587 - $409 -
1986 $17,819 - $364 -
1985 $12,058 - $380 -
1984 $11,443 - $390 -
1983 $10,876 - $391 -
1982 $9,986 - $422 -
1981 $10,806 - $426 -
1980 $9,872 - $443 -
1979 $9,497 - $435 -
1978 $9,202 - $394 -
1977 $6,609 - $381 -
1976 $5,422 - $347 -
1975 $4,876 - $346 -
1974 $4,542 - $299.4 -
1973 $4,147 - $244.4 -
1972 $3,095 - $238.6 -
1971 $2,370 - $227.1 -
1970 $2,145 - $220.3 -
1969 $1,841 - $214.7 -
1968 $1,586 - $198.6 -
1967 $1,354 - $192.2 -
1966 $1,168 - $184.6 -
1965 $1,015 - $177.6 -
1964 $922 - $173.9 -
1963 $792 - $163.1 -
1962 $699 - $160.3 -
1961 $622 - $157.5 -
1960 $519 - $167.2 -

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

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

Japan's GDP per capita is $35,951, ranking 34/197, compared to $915 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Japan Liberia
Gross domestic product
$4.44T
2025
$5.25B
2025
GDP rank
4/197
2025
162/197
2025
GDP growth
1.19%
2024-2025
5.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$35,951
2025
$915
2025
GDP per capita rank
34/197
2025
184/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$9.16T
2025
$2.88B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
206.5%
2025
54.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$74,248
2025
$502
2025
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2025
167/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,962
2026
$1,467
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
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2020
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.9%
2025
22.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.17%
2024-2025
8.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.5%
2025
5.93%
2017
Population
122704252
5916561

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.9% 206.5% 22.4% 54.9%
2024 37.3% 214.5% 24.1% 56.4%
2023 37.8% 220.3% 28.6% 57.2%
2022 40.2% 227.8% 27.4% 54.4%
2021 41.3% 222.7% 29.8% 53.5%
2020 43.6% 228.8% 35.3% 58.5%
2019 36.4% 206.3% 32.3% 48.1%
2018 36% 203.7% 32.7% 36.2%
2017 35.9% 203.1% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 36.5% 202.1% 35.8% 28%
2015 36.6% 200.1% 37.1% 24.4%
2014 37.8% 203.6% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 38.4% 201.2% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 38.4% 197.1% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 38.4% 190.6% 29.8% 22.5%
2010 37.4% 178.6% 25.1% 25.4%
2009 38.3% 172.9% 24% 132.2%
2008 33.7% 153.6% 21.8% 235.3%
2007 32.8% 150.4% 16.1% 367%
2006 32.7% 152.1% 10.6% 451%
2005 33.2% 153.4% 11.7% 488%
2004 33.3% 148.8% 12.1% 543%
2003 34.6% 140.2% 8.98% 600%
2002 34.9% 134.6% 12.7% 464%
2001 34.7% 126.8% 12.1% 465%
2000 35.4% 118.5% 14.5% 468%
1999 35.2% 113.5% - -
1998 38.1% 101.6% - -
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/liberia | CC BY

In 2025, Japan's government spending was $1.63T, accounting for 36.9% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.18B, or 22.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 206.5% in Japan and 54.9% in Liberia, ranking 3/185 and 90/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Liberia
2025 -1.05% -1.41%
2024 -1.67% -1.8%
2023 -2.39% -8.55%
2022 -4.23% -5.82%
2021 -6.32% -2.5%
2020 -9.04% -4.02%
2019 -3.05% -4.92%
2018 -2.44% -4.7%
2017 -3.05% -7.14%
2016 -3.58% -3.83%
2015 -3.64% -3.74%
2014 -5.58% -4.92%
2013 -7.62% 1.29%
2012 -8.22% -2.86%
2011 -9.02% -4.39%
2010 -9.05% 1.16%
2009 -9.62% -1.4%
2008 -4.07% -2.7%
2007 -2.86% 2.28%
2006 -3% 4.23%
2005 -4.39% -0.51%
2004 -5.26% -0.56%
2003 -7.35% 0.36%
2002 -7.22% -1.57%
2001 -6.11% -0.94%
2000 -7.17% -0.08%
1999 -6.68% -
1998 -9.91% -
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/liberia | 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 Liberia's deficit of $74.2M, or 1.41% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.27% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Liberia
2025 3.17% 8.3%
2024 2.74% 8.2%
2023 3.27% 10.1%
2022 2.5% 7.6%
2021 -0.23% 7.8%
2020 -0.02% 17%
2019 0.47% 27%
2018 0.99% 23.5%
2017 0.48% 12.4%
2016 -0.13% 8.8%
2015 0.8% 7.7%
2014 2.76% 9.9%
2013 0.34% 7.6%
2012 -0.04% 6.8%
2011 -0.27% 8.5%
2010 -0.73% 7.3%
2009 -1.35% 7.4%
2008 1.38% 17.5%
2007 0.06% 11.4%
2006 0.25% 9.5%
2005 -0.28% 6.9%
2004 -0.009% 3.6%
2003 -0.26% 10.3%
2002 -0.92% 14.2%
2001 -0.74% 12.1%
2000 -0.68% 5.3%
1999 -0.34% 2%
1998 0.66% -
1997 1.75% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 27 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.49%, compared with 10.3% in Liberia. In 2025, inflation was 3.17% in Japan and 8.3% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.93B
Raw materials & minerals $10.5M
Metals $2.95M
Miscellaneous $1.58M
Raw agricultural goods $1.28M
Chemicals & pharma $1.04M
Textiles & consumer goods $260K
Wood & paper products $54K
Precious metals & jewellery $36K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $35K
Liberia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $386K
Raw materials & minerals $364K
Metals $203K
Textiles & consumer goods $125K

Balance of trade

Japan Liberia
Current account balance
$216B
2025
$120M
2024
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2025
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.86%
2025
+2.51%
2024
Goods imports
$729B
2025
$1.51B
2024
Goods exports
$725B
2025
$1.31B
2024
Service imports
$269B
2025
$253M
2024
Service exports
$246B
2025
$42.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22%
2024
28.5%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Liberia
Economic freedom 70.3 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 163/197
Property rights 94.2 40.4
Government integrity 81.1 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 23.4
Tax burden 63 86.1
Government spending 52 79.5
Fiscal health 41.7 56.9
Business freedom 77.8 38
Labor freedom 65.9 43.4
Monetary freedom 74.3 71.4
Trade freedom 76.2 57.4
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Liberia
2026 70.3 49.8
2025 70.2 48.5
2024 67.5 49.9
2023 69.3 49.6
2022 69.9 47.9
2021 74.1 49.2
2020 73.3 49
2019 72.1 49.7
2018 72.3 50.9
2017 69.6 49.1
2016 73.1 52.2
2015 73.3 52.7
2014 72.4 52.4
2013 71.8 49.3
2012 71.6 48.6
2011 72.8 46.5
2010 72.9 46.2
2009 72.8 48.1
2008 73 -
2007 72.7 -
2006 73.3 -
2005 67.3 -
2004 64.3 -
2003 67.6 -
2002 66.7 -
2001 70.9 -
2000 70.7 -
1999 69.1 -
1998 70.2 -
1997 70.3 -
1996 72.6 -
1995 75 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Liberia
Services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
40%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
24.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.96%
2024
32.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.73T
2025
$4.76B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$58,920
2025
$1,840
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.37T
2025
$339M
2025
Total reserves ranking
3/177
2025
166/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$172B
2025
-$397M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.9B
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$207B
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.12%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.7%
2024
n/a

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/liberia | CC BY

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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 (2020–2025, 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.