Skip to content

Economy of Mali vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mali has a GDP of $26.8B compared to $313B for Portugal, ranking 113/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mali has $13.9B in government debt (51.7% of GDP), compared to $297B (94.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Mali vs Portugal GDP by year

Mali
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mali Portugal
2024 $26,794,747,240 $313,271,185,085
2023 $24,813,860,599 $292,323,800,949
2022 $22,539,987,719 $256,898,677,175
2021 $22,999,245,263 $256,055,879,091
2020 $20,698,560,939 $229,618,773,423
2019 $20,477,421,885 $240,115,970,063
2018 $20,368,015,381 $242,092,894,543
2017 $18,308,362,040 $220,862,990,767
2016 $16,743,796,800 $206,305,431,242
2015 $15,583,181,170 $199,038,523,120
2014 $17,081,681,993 $230,078,616,300
2013 $15,747,192,681 $226,677,408,292
2012 $14,795,114,603 $216,536,676,772
2011 $15,452,791,789 $245,426,767,676
2010 $12,710,739,159 $238,443,864,993
2009 $12,155,217,833 $244,667,762,836
2008 $11,462,490,840 $263,416,394,624
2007 $9,699,047,443 $240,496,147,317
2006 $8,212,007,554 $208,756,449,276
2005 $7,429,066,951 $197,253,876,705
2004 $6,485,774,930 $189,382,122,532
2003 $5,605,613,011 $165,226,175,537
2002 $4,647,238,257 $134,795,565,549
2001 $4,124,281,594 $121,604,107,165
2000 $3,521,570,876 $118,605,192,877
1999 $4,091,446,054 $127,470,385,557
1998 $3,894,433,432 $123,946,327,916
1997 $3,414,879,486 $117,016,535,163
1996 $3,743,103,420 $122,630,089,680
1995 $3,373,322,735 $118,122,007,430
1994 $2,655,768,636 $99,688,641,304
1993 $3,632,801,877 $95,009,751,901
1992 $3,680,775,037 $107,592,098,307
1991 $3,576,562,682 $89,233,599,278
1990 $3,248,417,791 $78,713,860,217
1989 $2,824,822,489 $60,594,092,182
1988 $2,712,207,901 $56,347,250,696
1987 $2,437,004,680 $48,182,925,857
1986 $2,132,938,007 $38,745,901,354
1985 $1,594,347,021 $27,115,807,742
1984 $1,387,809,615 $25,217,969,050
1983 $1,496,616,127 $27,239,650,742
1982 $1,680,304,773 $30,527,754,793
1981 $2,234,583,940 $31,977,276,873
1980 $2,704,362,789 $32,896,519,824
1979 $1,595,422,956 $26,622,819,672
1978 $1,222,702,573 $23,487,614,051
1977 $1,049,838,548 $21,439,523,311
1976 $939,228,017 $20,332,831,565
1975 $830,710,615 $19,347,607,843
1974 $538,747,340 $17,512,391,476
1973 $563,683,703 $15,090,564,186
1972 $486,617,280 $11,239,117,865
1971 $395,218,629 $9,201,604,240
1970 $359,772,315 $8,108,235,704
1969 $339,913,867 $7,287,555,035
1968 $343,771,973 $6,644,693,214
1967 $275,494,478 $6,002,607,030
1966 - $5,370,108,031
1965 - $4,901,711,248
1964 - $4,429,202,657
1963 - $4,084,251,593
1962 - $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/mali/portugal | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mali vs Portugal by year

Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mali Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,095 $3,315 $29,292 $51,680
2023 $1,044 $3,175 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $977 $3,014 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $1,027 $2,796 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $953 $2,724 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $972 $2,820 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $996 $2,684 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $924 $2,607 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $872 $2,532 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $838 $2,330 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $948 $2,185 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $902 $2,059 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $873 $1,990 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $938 $2,046 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $797 $2,012 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $787 $1,945 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $767 $1,893 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $671 $1,852 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $587 $1,832 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $549 $1,771 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $495 $1,730 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $442 $1,715 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $378 $1,581 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $346 $1,559 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $305 $1,357 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $364 $1,376 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $357 $1,332 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $321 $1,267 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $360 $1,224 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $331 $1,154 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $266.5 $1,147 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $372 $1,087 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $385 $1,039 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $382 $1,091 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $354 $956 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $314 - $6,056 -
1988 $307 - $5,624 -
1987 $280.7 - $4,804 -
1986 $250 - $3,862 -
1985 $190.4 - $2,705 -
1984 $169.1 - $2,523 -
1983 $186.3 - $2,735 -
1982 $213.8 - $3,080 -
1981 $290.5 - $3,246 -
1980 $359 - $3,368 -
1979 $216.3 - $2,756 -
1978 $169.1 - $2,457 -
1977 $148.1 - $2,267 -
1976 $134.9 - $2,173 -
1975 $121.5 - $2,128 -
1974 $80.2 - $2,000 -
1973 $85.4 - $1,748 -
1972 $75.1 - $1,302 -
1971 $62 - $1,065 -
1970 $57.3 - $934 -
1969 $55 - $832 -
1968 $56.5 - $752 -
1967 $46 - $676 -
1966 - - $601 -
1965 - - $545 -
1964 - - $490 -
1963 - - $452 -
1962 - - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

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

Mali's GDP per capita is $1,095, ranking 173/197, compared to $29,292 in Portugal, ranking 44/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mali ranks 174th at $3,315, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Mali Portugal
Gross domestic product
$26.8B
2024
$313B
2024
GDP rank
113/197
2024
46/197
2024
GDP growth
4.99%
2023-2024
2.14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,095
2024
$29,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
173/197
2024
44/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,315
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
174/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$13.9B
2024
$297B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51.7%
2024
94.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$566
2024
$27,807
2024
Government debt per person rank
161/185
2024
27/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,463
2026
$16,747
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
171,797
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.3%
2021
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.2%
2021
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
42.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.2%
2023-2024
2.42%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.45%
2023
6.43%
2024
Population
26143152
10667081

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mali
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mali Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.7% 51.7% 42.8% 94.9%
2023 24.8% 51.9% 42.3% 97.7%
2022 24.4% 50.3% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 26.9% 51.6% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 26.1% 47.3% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 23.1% 40.7% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 20.3% 37.5% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 22.9% 38.2% 45.5% 126%
2016 22.3% 37.2% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 20.9% 30.7% 48.2% 131%
2014 20% 26.9% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 19.8% 26.4% 50% 130.8%
2012 15.5% 25.4% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 20.6% 24% 50% 114%
2010 20.3% 25.3% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 22.8% 21.9% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 18.8% 20.1% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 21.5% 18.5% 44.5% 72.7%
2006 22.1% 18.1% 45.1% 73.7%
2005 21.6% 46.6% 46.8% 72.2%
2004 21.8% 42.4% 46.1% 67.1%
2003 20.8% 44.1% 45.4% 63.9%
2002 19.9% 42.6% 44.2% 60%
2001 18.3% 77.5% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 19.4% 90.5% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 - - 42.5% 55.4%
1998 - - 42.6% 55.6%
1997 - - 42.4% 58.7%
1996 - - 43% 63.3%
1995 - - 42.6% 62.2%
1994 - - 42.8% 60.4%
1993 - - 46.5% 57.2%
1992 - - 48.2% 58.1%
1991 - - 45.9% 63.9%
1990 - - 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/mali/portugal | CC BY

In 2024, Mali's government spending was $6.61B, accounting for 24.7% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $134B, or 42.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51.7% in Mali and 94.9% in Portugal, ranking 102/185 and 27/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mali

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mali Portugal
2024 -2.57% 0.7%
2023 -3.57% 1.21%
2022 -4.75% -0.31%
2021 -4.91% -2.83%
2020 -5.42% -5.75%
2019 -1.68% 0.12%
2018 -4.74% -0.43%
2017 -2.86% -3%
2016 -3.95% -1.94%
2015 -1.82% -4.37%
2014 -2.89% -7.32%
2013 -2.37% -5.21%
2012 -0.96% -6.2%
2011 -3.42% -7.73%
2010 -2.57% -11.4%
2009 -3.71% -9.87%
2008 -1.97% -3.81%
2007 -2.78% -2.91%
2006 27.8% -4.07%
2005 -2.76% -6.11%
2004 -2.36% -5.99%
2003 -1.19% -5.66%
2002 -3.09% -3.73%
2001 -2.8% -4.73%
2000 -2.64% -3.35%
1999 - -2.99%
1998 - -4.3%
1997 - -3.65%
1996 - -4.63%
1995 - -5.14%
1994 - -7.37%
1993 - -8.06%
1992 - -5.19%
1991 - -7.93%
1990 - -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/mali/portugal | CC BY

In 2024, Mali's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $687M, equivalent to 2.57% of GDP. This compares to Portugal's surplus of $2.19B, or 0.7% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Mali recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Mali posted an annual deficit equal to 1.76% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.19% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mali

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mali Portugal
2024 3.2% 2.42%
2023 2.1% 4.31%
2022 9.7% 7.83%
2021 3.8% 1.27%
2020 0.5% -0.01%
2019 -3% 0.34%
2018 1.9% 0.99%
2017 2.4% 1.37%
2016 -1.8% 0.61%
2015 1.4% 0.49%
2014 0.9% -0.28%
2013 -0.6% 0.27%
2012 5.3% 2.77%
2011 3% 3.65%
2010 1.2% 1.4%
2009 2.4% -0.84%
2008 9.2% 2.59%
2007 1.4% 2.45%
2006 1.6% 3.11%
2005 6.4% 2.28%
2004 -3.1% 2.37%
2003 -1.3% 3.22%
2002 5% 3.6%
2001 5.2% 4.37%
2000 -0.8% 2.85%
1999 -1.2% 2.34%
1998 4.1% 2.57%
1997 -0.7% 2.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Mali has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.08%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2024, inflation was 3.2% in Mali and 2.42% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Mali
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2.28M
Metals $1.54M
Textiles & consumer goods $604K
Machinery & equipment $594K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.95M
Machinery & equipment $2.59M
Metals $382K
Textiles & consumer goods $168K
Raw materials & minerals $164K
Chemicals & pharma $133K
Wood & paper products $133K
Miscellaneous $7K
Raw agricultural goods $6K
Animal & marine products $4K

Balance of trade

Mali Portugal
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
136/190
2023
28/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.49%
2023
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$5.73B
2023
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$5.65B
2023
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$2.34B
2023
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$475M
2023
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.3%
2024
43.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.6%
2024
45.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mali Portugal
Economic freedom 52.1 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 150/197 33/197
Property rights 13.8 88.9
Government integrity 23.2 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 23.3 90.1
Tax burden 67.9 60.6
Government spending 81.8 44.6
Fiscal health 73.6 82
Business freedom 40.8 83.1
Labor freedom 54.1 54.8
Monetary freedom 78.2 77.7
Trade freedom 64 79.4
Investment freedom 65 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mali
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mali Portugal
2026 52.1 71.2
2025 52.6 70.5
2024 52.5 68.7
2023 54.5 69.5
2022 55.9 70.8
2021 55.6 67.5
2020 55.9 67
2019 58.1 65.3
2018 57.6 63.4
2017 58.6 62.6
2016 56.5 65.1
2015 56.4 65.3
2014 55.5 63.5
2013 56.4 63.1
2012 55.8 63
2011 56.3 64
2010 55.6 64.4
2009 55.6 64.9
2008 55.6 63.9
2007 54.7 64
2006 54.1 62.9
2005 57.3 62.4
2004 56.6 64.9
2003 58.6 64.9
2002 61.1 65.4
2001 60.1 66
2000 60.3 65.5
1999 58.4 65.6
1998 57.3 65
1997 56.4 63.6
1996 57 64.5
1995 52.4 62.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mali is 52.1, ranking 150/197, 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

Mali Portugal
Services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
66.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.5%
2024
18.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.3%
2024
2.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$25.2B
2024
$288B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,230
2024
$50,730
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$42.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
48/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$673M
2023
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$921M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$78.1M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.41%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.3%
2024
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
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/mali/portugal | 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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.

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.