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Economy of Malaysia vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $484B for Norway, ranking 38/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $207B (42.7% of GDP) in Norway.

Malaysia vs Norway GDP by year

Malaysia
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Norway
2024 $422,227,005,429 $483,592,648,313
2023 $399,949,418,753 $482,949,731,777
2022 $407,830,525,990 $596,297,651,036
2021 $373,784,553,030 $503,367,986,030
2020 $337,456,163,961 $367,633,418,887
2019 $365,177,721,022 $408,742,840,909
2018 $358,788,845,713 $439,788,625,884
2017 $319,109,094,160 $401,745,275,035
2016 $301,256,033,870 $370,956,547,619
2015 $301,355,266,965 $388,159,512,246
2014 $338,066,095,097 $501,736,471,833
2013 $323,276,235,524 $526,014,468,085
2012 $314,443,047,642 $512,777,309,841
2011 $297,951,668,675 $501,360,549,669
2010 $255,017,638,456 $431,052,143,940
2009 $202,257,453,037 $387,976,400,617
2008 $230,811,614,370 $464,917,553,191
2007 $193,549,569,478 $402,643,260,488
2006 $162,692,258,307 $346,915,160,682
2005 $143,534,405,819 $309,978,579,744
2004 $124,749,473,684 $265,268,662,473
2003 $110,202,368,421 $229,385,469,337
2002 $100,845,526,316 $195,914,852,576
2001 $92,783,947,368 $174,239,354,071
2000 $93,789,736,842 $171,457,201,936
1999 $79,148,421,053 $162,383,706,021
1998 $72,167,498,981 $154,230,295,158
1997 $100,005,323,302 $161,356,631,888
1996 $100,855,393,910 $163,520,109,151
1995 $88,705,342,903 $152,029,612,325
1994 $74,478,356,958 $127,131,319,429
1993 $66,894,966,969 $120,579,213,713
1992 $59,167,550,163 $130,838,040,068
1991 $49,143,148,094 $121,872,464,483
1990 $44,024,585,240 $119,791,843,060
1989 $38,847,965,293 $102,633,934,391
1988 $35,272,109,220 $101,900,260,856
1987 $32,181,210,158 $94,229,907,236
1986 $27,734,111,400 $78,693,118,044
1985 $31,199,633,353 $65,416,879,914
1984 $33,942,897,422 $62,057,955,033
1983 $30,347,442,111 $61,627,240,831
1982 $26,804,493,635 $62,647,195,538
1981 $25,004,285,792 $63,596,654,761
1980 $24,488,224,677 $64,439,382,896
1979 $21,213,264,962 $53,132,244,624
1978 $16,358,079,862 $46,522,900,254
1977 $13,139,488,633 $41,508,030,431
1976 $11,050,234,599 $35,942,270,686
1975 $9,298,800,799 $32,877,805,200
1974 $9,496,204,302 $27,145,693,810
1973 $7,662,902,678 $22,534,253,703
1972 $5,043,347,250 $17,358,610,850
1971 $4,244,395,956 $14,583,114,840
1970 $3,864,145,667 $12,814,123,115
1969 $3,664,552,041 $11,136,187,440
1968 $3,330,371,551 $10,227,087,165
1967 $3,188,924,677 $9,577,383,653
1966 $3,143,517,944 $8,753,940,267
1965 $2,956,337,669 $8,111,945,661
1964 $2,674,423,922 $7,206,522,122
1963 $2,510,110,348 $6,553,269,536
1962 $2,001,489,602 $6,107,076,929
1961 $1,901,856,123 $5,669,689,210
1960 $1,916,229,477 $5,197,398,721

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/norway | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Norway by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $86,785 $102,038
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $87,497 $103,638
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $109,270 $125,490
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $93,073 $88,984
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $68,340 $67,111
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $76,431 $70,940
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $82,793 $70,254
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $76,132 $64,590
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $70,867 $59,280
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $74,810 $60,738
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $97,667 $66,332
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $103,554 $67,378
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $102,176 $65,774
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $101,222 $62,460
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $88,163 $58,213
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $80,348 $55,648
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $97,504 $62,073
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $85,502 $56,179
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $74,434 $54,358
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $67,047 $47,967
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $57,769 $42,667
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $50,250 $38,680
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $43,171 $38,056
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $38,602 $37,829
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $38,178 $36,994
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $36,393 $30,574
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $34,803 $28,200
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $36,629 $28,610
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $37,322 $26,826
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $34,876 $24,360
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $29,316 $23,027
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $27,964 $21,584
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $30,524 $20,623
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $28,597 $19,580
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $28,243 $18,461
1989 $2,244 - $24,281 -
1988 $2,100 - $24,207 -
1987 $1,977 - $22,506 -
1986 $1,760 - $18,883 -
1985 $2,046 - $15,754 -
1984 $2,300 - $14,989 -
1983 $2,124 - $14,928 -
1982 $1,938 - $15,225 -
1981 $1,866 - $15,513 -
1980 $1,886 - $15,772 -
1979 $1,680 - $13,047 -
1978 $1,327 - $11,463 -
1977 $1,092 - $10,266 -
1976 $940 - $8,927 -
1975 $811 - $8,204 -
1974 $848 - $6,812 -
1973 $701 - $5,690 -
1972 $472 - $4,414 -
1971 $407 - $3,736 -
1970 $380 - $3,306 -
1969 $368 - $2,894 -
1968 $342 - $2,680 -
1967 $335 - $2,531 -
1966 $339 - $2,333 -
1965 $326 - $2,179 -
1964 $303 - $1,951 -
1963 $291.8 - $1,787 -
1962 $238.8 - $1,678 -
1961 $232.9 - $1,571 -
1960 $240.8 - $1,451 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/norway | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $86,785 in Norway, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Norway
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$484B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$86,785
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$207B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
42.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$37,074
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
17/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$49,765
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires
19
2025
17
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
48.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
3.15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
3.98%
2024
Population
36512221
5671119

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 48.5% 42.7%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 45.9% 44.1%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 37.5% 36.1%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 46.3% 41.6%
2020 25% 67.7% 56.7% 46%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 50.2% 40.5%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 47.7% 39.3%
2017 22% 54.4% 49.2% 38.2%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 50.4% 37.9%
2015 24.7% 57% 48.2% 34.3%
2014 26% 55.4% 45.2% 29.6%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 43.5% 31.4%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 42.4% 30.9%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 43.3% 29.6%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 44.5% 43%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 45.6% 42.5%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 39.8% 47.5%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 41% 49.5%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 40.5% 52.6%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 41.8% 42.3%
2004 25.9% 42% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 47.6% 43.1%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 46.1% 33.9%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 43.2% 27.2%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 41.3% 28.7%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 46.4% 25%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 47.8% 23.6%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 45.5% 25.8%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 47% 28.4%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 49.3% 32.7%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 49.4% 50.6%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 50.2% 53.7%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 51.3% 45%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 50% 39.2%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 48.9% 28.9%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

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/malaysia/norway | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Norway spent $234B, or 48.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 42.7% in Norway, ranking 58/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Norway
2024 -3.95% 13.2%
2023 -3.97% 16.6%
2022 -4.56% 25.5%
2021 -6.03% 10.3%
2020 -4.9% -2.56%
2019 -2.01% 6.52%
2018 -2.64% 7.81%
2017 -2.41% 4.96%
2016 -2.6% 4.04%
2015 -2.55% 5.99%
2014 -2.63% 8.57%
2013 -3.48% 10.6%
2012 -3.1% 13.7%
2011 -3.57% 13.3%
2010 -4.32% 10.9%
2009 -5.88% 10.2%
2008 -3.4% 18.5%
2007 -2.57% 17%
2006 -2.6% 17.9%
2005 -2.83% 14.7%
2004 -3.35% 10.8%
2003 -4.6% 7.2%
2002 -3.96% 9.03%
2001 -4.36% 13.2%
2000 -6.05% 15%
1999 -3% 5.71%
1998 -0.63% 3.07%
1997 4.84% 7.35%
1996 3.27% 6.01%
1995 3.1% 2.96%
1994 5.45% 0.04%
1993 3.44% -1.64%
1992 1.81% -2.07%
1991 1.6% -0.12%
1990 0.15% 1.95%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/norway | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.7B, equivalent to 3.95% of GDP. This compares to Norway's surplus of $64.1B, or 13.2% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.75% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Norway
2024 1.83% 3.15%
2023 2.49% 5.52%
2022 3.38% 5.76%
2021 2.48% 3.48%
2020 -1.14% 1.29%
2019 0.66% 2.17%
2018 0.88% 2.76%
2017 3.87% 1.88%
2016 2.09% 3.55%
2015 2.1% 2.17%
2014 3.14% 2.04%
2013 2.11% 2.12%
2012 1.66% 0.7%
2011 3.17% 1.28%
2010 1.62% 2.42%
2009 0.58% 2.2%
2008 5.44% 3.75%
2007 2.03% 0.71%
2006 3.61% 2.33%
2005 2.98% 1.53%
2004 1.42% 0.45%
2003 1.09% 2.49%
2002 1.81% 1.29%
2001 1.42% 3%
2000 1.53% 3.09%
1999 2.74% 2.37%
1998 5.27% 2.25%
1997 2.66% 2.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/norway | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.44% in Norway. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 3.15% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $164M
Raw materials & minerals $20.9M
Chemicals & pharma $11M
Metals $10.5M
Miscellaneous $5.72M
Wood & paper products $3.14M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.51M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $852K
Weapons & explosives $42K
Precious metals & jewellery $30K
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $83.8M
Miscellaneous $44M
Animal & marine products $42.6M
Metals $27.4M
Chemicals & pharma $14.2M
Raw materials & minerals $3.53M
Wood & paper products $1.56M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.49M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.12M
Weapons & explosives $595K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Norway
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$71.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
11/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+14.8%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$97.5B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$162B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$63.6B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
47.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Norway
Economic freedom 68 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 9/197
Property rights 62.7 99.6
Government integrity 52.9 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 96.4
Tax burden 83.5 63.3
Government spending 82 42
Fiscal health 62.5 96.4
Business freedom 79.6 91.2
Labor freedom 55.4 69.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.4
Trade freedom 83 85.6
Investment freedom 60 75
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Norway
2026 68 78.8
2025 67.1 78.3
2024 65.7 77.5
2023 67.3 76.9
2022 68.1 76.9
2021 74.4 73.4
2020 74.7 73.4
2019 74 73
2018 74.5 74.3
2017 73.8 74
2016 71.5 70.8
2015 70.8 71.8
2014 69.6 70.9
2013 66.1 70.5
2012 66.4 68.8
2011 66.3 70.3
2010 64.8 69.4
2009 64.6 70.2
2008 63.9 68.6
2007 63.8 67.9
2006 61.6 67.9
2005 61.9 64.5
2004 59.9 66.2
2003 61.1 67.2
2002 60.1 67.4
2001 60.2 67.1
2000 66 70.1
1999 68.9 68.6
1998 68.2 68
1997 66.8 65.1
1996 69.9 65.4
1995 71.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/norway | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Norway
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
51.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
2.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$547B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$106,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$81.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
32/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$7.83B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$4.95B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
24.1%
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/malaysia/norway | 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.