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Economy of Japan vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Japan has a GDP of $4.44T compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 4/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.16T in government debt (206.5% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Japan vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Japan
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Sierra Leone
2025 $4,435,162,999,977 $7,464,157,904
2024 $4,190,008,188,359 $6,971,127,234
2023 $4,384,854,269,962 $6,415,852,766
2022 $4,447,976,207,315 $7,121,125,277
2021 $5,225,933,520,753 $7,166,931,483
2020 $5,189,197,543,645 $6,688,307,706
2019 $5,245,755,000,479 $6,523,577,590
2018 $5,154,293,721,630 $6,390,514,689
2017 $5,038,231,631,661 $5,749,846,528
2016 $5,110,357,383,254 $6,084,297,211
2015 $4,534,438,580,495 $6,788,352,975
2014 $4,985,763,289,561 $7,686,138,791
2013 $5,272,297,037,397 $7,502,762,863
2012 $6,333,803,928,788 $6,141,666,509
2011 $6,279,422,550,219 $4,861,632,885
2010 $5,811,578,109,447 $4,262,805,967
2009 $5,336,765,697,589 $3,953,403,098
2008 $5,160,197,175,876 $4,157,895,298
2007 $4,624,670,179,655 $3,632,957,611
2006 $4,648,058,930,707 $3,263,697,467
2005 $4,875,648,486,366 $2,545,275,313
2004 $4,941,485,123,807 $2,237,350,687
2003 $4,573,413,206,709 $2,142,618,046
2002 $4,245,946,980,572 $1,933,863,911
2001 $4,438,792,748,062 $1,681,473,894
2000 $5,042,381,838,343 $635,866,404
1999 $4,688,983,449,627 $669,386,624
1998 $4,150,359,076,370 $672,368,187
1997 $4,579,780,793,432 $850,232,760
1996 $5,021,441,618,840 $941,709,423
1995 $5,639,649,753,986 $870,740,292
1994 $5,104,063,486,348 $911,853,802
1993 $4,632,480,515,091 $768,867,883
1992 $4,064,529,567,505 $679,940,814
1991 $3,724,887,648,862 $779,981,987
1990 $3,252,994,239,867 $649,644,098
1989 $3,174,934,735,896 $932,974,420
1988 $3,191,546,727,316 $1,055,083,933
1987 $2,635,094,473,494 $660,106,336
1986 $2,164,729,071,349 $490,181,457
1985 $1,457,070,301,468 $856,890,459
1984 $1,374,165,212,365 $1,087,471,862
1983 $1,297,622,008,229 $995,104,305
1982 $1,183,132,285,328 $1,295,361,886
1981 $1,271,443,597,067 $1,114,830,472
1980 $1,153,159,955,513 $1,100,685,845
1979 $1,100,608,979,757 $1,109,374,911
1978 $1,057,419,758,047 $960,728,339
1977 $752,590,681,822 $691,777,584
1976 $611,495,350,304 $594,895,942
1975 $544,082,569,364 $679,336,344
1974 $500,355,087,138 $648,590,643
1973 $450,756,970,744 $575,230,724
1972 $331,776,379,992 $465,381,340
1971 $250,530,994,765 $419,549,305
1970 $221,798,003,144 $434,410,974
1969 $188,179,852,753 $408,690,163
1968 $160,201,483,788 $329,859,732
1967 $135,265,319,098 $348,795,303
1966 $115,427,351,851 $375,479,850
1965 $99,387,878,008 $359,379,856
1964 $89,332,989,729 $371,847,461
1963 $75,945,582,324 $348,547,279
1962 $66,356,388,224 $342,721,416
1961 $58,472,696,006 $327,834,191
1960 $48,417,804,545 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Sierra Leone by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $35,951 - $846 -
2024 $33,797 $52,039 $807 $3,522
2023 $35,215 $50,662 $758 $3,368
2022 $35,548 $47,192 $860 $3,144
2021 $41,581 $44,355 $885 $2,849
2020 $41,099 $42,426 $845 $2,719
2019 $41,425 $42,678 $844 $2,704
2018 $40,645 $42,142 $846 $2,640
2017 $39,680 $41,444 $779 $2,501
2016 $40,215 $40,597 $844 $2,635
2015 $35,665 $40,899 $965 $2,560
2014 $39,173 $39,555 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $41,369 $39,402 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $49,627 $37,606 $938 $2,317
2011 $49,122 $36,214 $761 $2,043
2010 $45,378 $35,336 $685 $1,900
2009 $41,678 $33,543 $653 $1,814
2008 $40,294 $35,274 $705 $1,824
2007 $36,130 $35,015 $632 $1,770
2006 $36,354 $33,632 $580 $1,698
2005 $38,159 $32,170 $463 $1,615
2004 $38,678 $30,832 $418 $1,541
2003 $35,809 $29,392 $414 $1,458
2002 $33,316 $28,624 $389 $1,360
2001 $34,910 $27,943 $358 $1,121
2000 $39,753 $27,288 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $37,029 $25,736 $155 $1,167
1998 $32,835 $25,508 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $36,331 $25,619 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $39,930 $24,999 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $44,947 $23,858 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $40,774 $22,823 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $37,111 $22,168 $185 $1,269
1992 $32,667 $21,825 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $30,048 $21,227 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $26,345 $19,912 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $25,798 - $231.3 -
1988 $26,037 - $268.2 -
1987 $21,587 - $172.4 -
1986 $17,819 - $131.5 -
1985 $12,058 - $235.5 -
1984 $11,443 - $306 -
1983 $10,876 - $285.8 -
1982 $9,986 - $380 -
1981 $10,806 - $334 -
1980 $9,872 - $336 -
1979 $9,497 - $346 -
1978 $9,202 - $305 -
1977 $6,609 - $224.2 -
1976 $5,422 - $196.4 -
1975 $4,876 - $228.4 -
1974 $4,542 - $222.1 -
1973 $4,147 - $200.6 -
1972 $3,095 - $165.4 -
1971 $2,370 - $151.8 -
1970 $2,145 - $160.2 -
1969 $1,841 - $153.6 -
1968 $1,586 - $126.3 -
1967 $1,354 - $136.1 -
1966 $1,168 - $149.3 -
1965 $1,015 - $145.6 -
1964 $922 - $153.4 -
1963 $792 - $146.3 -
1962 $699 - $146.3 -
1961 $622 - $142.3 -
1960 $519 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/sierra-leone | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $35,951, ranking 34/197, compared to $846 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Japan Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$4.44T
2025
$7.46B
2025
GDP rank
4/197
2025
160/197
2025
GDP growth
1.19%
2024-2025
4.61%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$35,951
2025
$846
2025
GDP per capita rank
34/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$9.16T
2025
$3.38B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
206.5%
2025
45.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$74,248
2025
$383
2025
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2025
173/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,962
2026
$1,418
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
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2020
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.9%
2025
16.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.17%
2024-2025
7.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
16.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.5%
2025
1.65%
2018
Population
122704252
9090531

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.9% 206.5% 16.5% 45.2%
2024 37.3% 214.5% 17.6% 46.7%
2023 37.8% 220.3% 15.4% 49.4%
2022 40.2% 227.8% 16.7% 54%
2021 41.3% 222.7% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 43.6% 228.8% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 36.4% 206.3% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 36% 203.7% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 35.9% 203.1% 15% 44.2%
2016 36.5% 202.1% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 36.6% 200.1% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 37.8% 203.6% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 38.4% 201.2% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 38.4% 197.1% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 38.4% 190.6% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 37.4% 178.6% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 38.3% 172.9% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 33.7% 153.6% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 32.8% 150.4% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 32.7% 152.1% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 33.2% 153.4% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 33.3% 148.8% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 34.6% 140.2% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 34.9% 134.6% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 34.7% 126.8% 12% 113.5%
2000 35.4% 118.5% 10.3% -
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2025, Japan's government spending was $1.63T, accounting for 36.9% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 206.5% in Japan and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 3/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Sierra Leone
2025 -1.05% -4.2%
2024 -1.67% -5.16%
2023 -2.39% -4.99%
2022 -4.23% -5.93%
2021 -6.32% -4.35%
2020 -9.04% -3.5%
2019 -3.05% -1.95%
2018 -2.44% -3.57%
2017 -3.05% -5.61%
2016 -3.58% -5.41%
2015 -3.64% -2.86%
2014 -5.58% -2.77%
2013 -7.62% -1.74%
2012 -8.22% -3.41%
2011 -9.02% -2.78%
2010 -9.05% -3.09%
2009 -9.62% -1.51%
2008 -4.07% -2.22%
2007 -2.86% 12.6%
2006 -3% -0.93%
2005 -4.39% -1.17%
2004 -5.26% -1.46%
2003 -7.35% -2.78%
2002 -7.22% -3.03%
2001 -6.11% -3.22%
2000 -7.17% -1.94%
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/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $313M, or 4.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Sierra Leone
2025 3.17% 7.6%
2024 2.74% 28.4%
2023 3.27% 47.7%
2022 2.5% 27.2%
2021 -0.23% 11.9%
2020 -0.02% 13.4%
2019 0.47% 14.8%
2018 0.99% 16%
2017 0.48% 18.2%
2016 -0.13% 10.9%
2015 0.8% 6.7%
2014 2.76% 4.6%
2013 0.34% 5.5%
2012 -0.04% 6.6%
2011 -0.27% 6.8%
2010 -0.73% 7.2%
2009 -1.35% 7.5%
2008 1.38% 8.2%
2007 0.06% 17%
2006 0.25% 10.5%
2005 -0.28% 13.7%
2004 -0.009% 12.9%
2003 -0.26% 4%
2002 -0.92% 0.1%
2001 -0.74% 2.6%
2000 -0.68% -0.9%
1999 -0.34% 34.1%
1998 0.66% 36%
1997 1.75% 14.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.54%, compared with 13.6% in Sierra Leone. In 2025, inflation was 3.17% in Japan and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.26M
Wood & paper products $629K
Chemicals & pharma $424K
Textiles & consumer goods $373K
Raw materials & minerals $367K
Raw agricultural goods $230K
Metals $149K
Miscellaneous $75K
Animal & marine products $42K
Precious metals & jewellery $33K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Japan Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$216B
2025
-$984M
2024
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2025
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.86%
2025
-14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$729B
2025
$2.4B
2024
Goods exports
$725B
2025
$1.55B
2024
Service imports
$269B
2025
$514M
2024
Service exports
$246B
2025
$49.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22%
2024
20.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 70.3 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 165/197
Property rights 94.2 32.9
Government integrity 81.1 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 42
Tax burden 63 88.2
Government spending 52 92.4
Fiscal health 41.7 54.1
Business freedom 77.8 44.8
Labor freedom 65.9 38.2
Monetary freedom 74.3 53.6
Trade freedom 76.2 63.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Sierra Leone
2026 70.3 49.6
2025 70.2 48
2024 67.5 44.6
2023 69.3 50.2
2022 69.9 52
2021 74.1 51.7
2020 73.3 48
2019 72.1 47.5
2018 72.3 51.8
2017 69.6 52.6
2016 73.1 52.3
2015 73.3 51.7
2014 72.4 50.5
2013 71.8 48.3
2012 71.6 49.1
2011 72.8 49.6
2010 72.9 47.9
2009 72.8 47.8
2008 73 48.3
2007 72.7 47
2006 73.3 45.2
2005 67.3 44.8
2004 64.3 43.6
2003 67.6 42.2
2002 66.7 -
2001 70.9 -
2000 70.7 44.2
1999 69.1 47.2
1998 70.2 47.7
1997 70.3 45
1996 72.6 52.3
1995 75 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
41.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
25.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.96%
2024
29.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.73T
2025
$7.34B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$58,920
2025
$3,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.37T
2025
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
3/177
2025
161/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$172B
2025
-$122M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.9B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$207B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.7%
2024
23.2%
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/sierra-leone | 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)
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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.