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Economy of Kuwait vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $313B for Portugal, ranking 59/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $297B (94.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Kuwait vs Portugal GDP by year

Kuwait
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Portugal
2024 $160,227,273,053 $313,271,185,085
2023 $165,384,407,116 $292,323,800,949
2022 $183,502,046,694 $256,898,677,175
2021 $148,350,671,489 $256,055,879,091
2020 $111,045,470,606 $229,618,773,423
2019 $140,856,394,861 $240,115,970,063
2018 $138,646,316,351 $242,092,894,543
2017 $120,687,539,806 $220,862,990,767
2016 $109,406,674,125 $206,305,431,242
2015 $114,585,555,689 $199,038,523,120
2014 $162,650,450,685 $230,078,616,300
2013 $174,168,116,535 $226,677,408,292
2012 $174,047,662,680 $216,536,676,772
2011 $154,039,231,246 $245,426,767,676
2010 $115,416,245,242 $238,443,864,993
2009 $105,968,691,905 $244,667,762,836
2008 $147,379,737,230 $263,416,394,624
2007 $114,634,043,362 $240,496,147,317
2006 $101,557,330,723 $208,756,449,276
2005 $80,798,630,137 $197,253,876,705
2004 $59,439,090,601 $189,382,122,532
2003 $47,874,582,232 $165,226,175,537
2002 $38,135,788,414 $134,795,565,549
2001 $34,889,559,870 $121,604,107,165
2000 $37,718,743,480 $118,605,192,877
1999 $30,122,365,849 $127,470,385,557
1998 $25,943,705,784 $123,946,327,916
1997 $30,350,190,704 $117,016,535,163
1996 $31,492,373,309 $122,630,089,680
1995 $27,186,980,647 $118,122,007,430
1994 $24,848,483,838 $99,688,641,304
1993 $23,941,391,391 $95,009,751,901
1992 $19,858,555,215 $107,592,098,307
1991 $11,009,993,703 $89,233,599,278
1990 $18,427,777,778 $78,713,860,217
1989 $24,313,855,653 $60,594,092,182
1988 $20,690,322,153 $56,347,250,696
1987 $22,368,704,134 $48,182,925,857
1986 $17,903,989,745 $38,745,901,354
1985 $21,445,970,614 $27,115,807,742
1984 $21,700,082,753 $25,217,969,050
1983 $20,871,081,080 $27,239,650,742
1982 $21,577,153,356 $30,527,754,793
1981 $25,058,020,338 $31,977,276,873
1980 $28,638,868,356 $32,896,519,824
1979 $24,749,063,922 $26,622,819,672
1978 $15,503,557,496 $23,487,614,051
1977 $14,137,406,741 $21,439,523,311
1976 $13,132,252,802 $20,332,831,565
1975 $12,022,811,621 $19,347,607,843
1974 $13,006,948,296 $17,512,391,476
1973 $5,408,804,607 $15,090,564,186
1972 $4,450,537,925 $11,239,117,865
1971 $3,880,392,195 $9,201,604,240
1970 $2,873,638,851 $8,108,235,704
1969 $2,769,198,892 $7,287,555,035
1968 $2,662,798,935 $6,644,693,214
1967 $2,441,599,023 $6,002,607,030
1966 $2,391,199,044 $5,370,108,031
1965 $2,097,199,161 $4,901,711,248
1964 $2,071,668,533 $4,429,202,657
1963 $1,900,895,857 $4,084,251,593
1962 $1,828,107,503 $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/portugal | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Portugal by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $29,292 $51,680
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $10,965 - $6,056 -
1988 $9,692 - $5,624 -
1987 $10,896 - $4,804 -
1986 $9,077 - $3,862 -
1985 $11,322 - $2,705 -
1984 $11,919 - $2,523 -
1983 $11,965 - $2,735 -
1982 $12,979 - $3,080 -
1981 $15,825 - $3,246 -
1980 $19,032 - $3,368 -
1979 $17,386 - $2,756 -
1978 $11,567 - $2,457 -
1977 $11,238 - $2,267 -
1976 $11,141 - $2,173 -
1975 $10,882 - $2,128 -
1974 $12,527 - $2,000 -
1973 $5,532 - $1,748 -
1972 $4,836 - $1,302 -
1971 $4,486 - $1,065 -
1970 $3,552 - $934 -
1969 $3,695 - $832 -
1968 $3,872 - $752 -
1967 $3,887 - $676 -
1966 $4,176 - $601 -
1965 $4,024 - $545 -
1964 $4,379 - $490 -
1963 $4,445 - $452 -
1962 $4,748 - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/portugal | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $29,292 in Portugal, ranking 44/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Portugal
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$313B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
46/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
2.14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$29,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
44/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$297B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
94.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$27,807
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
27/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$16,747
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
171,797
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
42.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
2.42%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
6.43%
2024
Population
5100145
10667081

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 42.8% 94.9%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 42.3% 97.7%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 45.5% 126%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 48.2% 131%
2014 45% 3.43% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 50% 130.8%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 50% 114%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 44.5% 72.7%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 45.1% 73.7%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 46.8% 72.2%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 46.1% 67.1%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 45.4% 63.9%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 44.2% 60%
2001 41.4% 23% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 42.5% 55.4%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 42.6% 55.6%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 42.4% 58.7%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 43% 63.3%
1995 52% 34.9% 42.6% 62.2%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 42.8% 60.4%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 46.5% 57.2%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 48.2% 58.1%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 45.9% 63.9%
1990 122.9% - 42.2% 60.2%
1989 - - 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/portugal | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $134B, or 42.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 94.9% in Portugal, ranking 184/185 and 27/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Portugal
2024 23.8% 0.7%
2023 28.2% 1.21%
2022 30% -0.31%
2021 9.98% -2.83%
2020 0.14% -5.75%
2019 13% 0.12%
2018 17.5% -0.43%
2017 15.3% -3%
2016 13.1% -1.94%
2015 16.6% -4.37%
2014 30% -7.32%
2013 40.6% -5.21%
2012 40.7% -6.2%
2011 38.8% -7.73%
2010 31.9% -11.4%
2009 31.3% -9.87%
2008 21.3% -3.81%
2007 37.1% -2.91%
2006 28% -4.07%
2005 38.9% -6.11%
2004 32.5% -5.99%
2003 27.2% -5.66%
2002 31% -3.73%
2001 45.2% -4.73%
2000 52.5% -3.35%
1999 28.2% -2.99%
1998 19.5% -4.3%
1997 29.5% -3.65%
1996 24.3% -4.63%
1995 11.7% -5.14%
1994 1.76% -7.37%
1993 -3.12% -8.06%
1992 -28.1% -5.19%
1991 -145% -7.93%
1990 -50% -6.82%
1989 - -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/portugal | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $38.1B, equivalent to 23.8% of GDP. This compares to Portugal's surplus of $2.19B, or 0.7% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.6% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Portugal
2024 2.9% 2.42%
2023 3.64% 4.31%
2022 3.98% 7.83%
2021 3.42% 1.27%
2020 2.1% -0.01%
2019 1.09% 0.34%
2018 0.54% 0.99%
2017 2.17% 1.37%
2016 3.2% 0.61%
2015 3.27% 0.49%
2014 2.91% -0.28%
2013 2.68% 0.27%
2012 3.26% 2.77%
2011 4.84% 3.65%
2010 4.5% 1.4%
2009 4.61% -0.84%
2008 10.6% 2.59%
2007 5.48% 2.45%
2006 3.06% 3.11%
2005 4.14% 2.28%
2004 1.25% 2.37%
2003 0.96% 3.22%
2002 0.89% 3.6%
2001 1.3% 4.37%
2000 1.81% 2.85%
1999 2.99% 2.34%
1998 0.13% 2.57%
1997 0.68% 2.34%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 2.42% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $17.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.63M
Machinery & equipment $84K
Raw materials & minerals $45K
Miscellaneous $13K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $15.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.1M
Chemicals & pharma $6.81M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.36M
Machinery & equipment $5.26M
Raw agricultural goods $2.94M
Metals $2.77M
Wood & paper products $1.57M
Animal & marine products $176K
Precious metals & jewellery $103K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Portugal
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
28/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
43.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
45.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Portugal
Economic freedom 59.9 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 33/197
Property rights 42 88.9
Government integrity 47.9 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 90.1
Tax burden 97.7 60.6
Government spending 36.2 44.6
Fiscal health 99.9 82
Business freedom 57.4 83.1
Labor freedom 49.2 54.8
Monetary freedom 68.7 77.7
Trade freedom 75.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Portugal
2026 59.9 71.2
2025 59.9 70.5
2024 58.5 68.7
2023 56.7 69.5
2022 58.3 70.8
2021 64.1 67.5
2020 63.2 67
2019 60.8 65.3
2018 62.2 63.4
2017 65.1 62.6
2016 62.7 65.1
2015 62.5 65.3
2014 62.3 63.5
2013 63.1 63.1
2012 62.5 63
2011 64.9 64
2010 67.7 64.4
2009 65.6 64.9
2008 68.1 63.9
2007 66.4 64
2006 66.5 62.9
2005 64.6 62.4
2004 63.6 64.9
2003 66.7 64.9
2002 65.4 65.4
2001 68.2 66
2000 69.7 65.5
1999 69.5 65.6
1998 66.3 65
1997 64.8 63.6
1996 66.1 64.5
1995 - 62.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/portugal | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Portugal
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
66.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
18.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
2.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$288B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$50,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$42.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
48/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$6.84B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
20.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/portugal | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.

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.