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Economy of Malta vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malta has a GDP of $25B compared to $1.21T for the Netherlands, ranking 119/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $11.5B in government debt (46.2% of GDP), compared to $532B (43.8% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Malta vs Netherlands GDP by year

Malta
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Netherlands
2024 $24,971,574,502 $1,214,927,698,573
2023 $22,610,561,526 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $18,928,276,162 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $19,739,875,611 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $16,404,663,226 $932,560,861,701
2019 $16,337,793,531 $928,903,005,576
2018 $16,153,779,511 $929,733,599,797
2017 $14,161,366,724 $848,233,537,846
2016 $12,025,782,834 $797,163,949,290
2015 $11,340,795,042 $775,743,675,303
2014 $11,888,032,874 $901,556,501,756
2013 $10,796,782,636 $883,951,539,007
2012 $9,609,532,089 $845,689,017,066
2011 $9,789,361,703 $913,140,741,333
2010 $9,097,044,159 $852,464,982,433
2009 $8,734,745,698 $878,954,223,140
2008 $9,135,419,465 $957,901,566,041
2007 $7,908,412,306 $853,499,460,873
2006 $6,749,838,806 $737,593,995,289
2005 $6,393,234,993 $688,133,699,636
2004 $6,104,141,520 $661,224,886,143
2003 $5,418,315,224 $582,435,617,082
2002 $4,455,127,414 $475,529,972,123
2001 $4,070,867,133 $432,536,219,669
2000 $4,036,809,815 $417,649,282,154
1999 $4,111,857,809 $447,778,514,140
1998 $4,010,111,688 $438,612,530,549
1997 $3,787,023,707 $417,506,211,882
1996 $3,822,547,197 $451,372,549,020
1995 $3,709,396,045 $452,967,334,614
1994 $2,998,505,428 $379,688,232,232
1993 $2,709,193,538 $354,070,495,966
1992 $3,021,942,759 $363,497,050,125
1991 $2,750,216,747 $327,982,316,124
1990 $2,547,328,748 $318,799,003,994
1989 $2,118,655,677 $258,716,904,292
1988 $2,019,503,068 $262,295,966,105
1987 $1,751,293,461 $245,406,949,521
1986 $1,435,038,441 $201,157,708,221
1985 $1,117,797,439 $144,057,523,222
1984 $1,101,807,023 $144,124,462,912
1983 $1,165,729,707 $153,671,294,109
1982 $1,234,474,404 $158,712,765,536
1981 $1,243,509,394 $164,375,775,854
1980 $1,250,198,601 $195,439,301,707
1979 $1,001,288,847 $179,933,827,310
1978 $793,673,402 $156,089,077,205
1977 $625,563,171 $127,203,923,857
1976 $527,936,989 $109,329,386,564
1975 $474,618,321 $100,397,061,694
1974 $376,081,124 $87,371,810,804
1973 $345,616,106 $71,946,639,603
1972 $295,106,628 $54,787,070,173
1971 $264,578,485 $44,644,730,576
1970 $250,728,796 $38,220,884,519
1969 - $34,086,038,090
1968 - $30,097,635,751
1967 - $27,143,828,099
1966 - $24,741,480,717
1965 - $22,721,869,808
1964 - $20,232,048,553
1963 - $17,193,744,109
1962 - $15,847,582,341
1961 - $14,599,836,396
1960 - $13,282,979,015

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/netherlands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malta vs Netherlands by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $43,899 $69,864 $67,520 $86,174
2023 $40,906 $67,057 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $35,639 $60,589 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $38,097 $56,852 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $21,176 $26,782 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $22,315 $26,654 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $6,041 - $17,423 -
1988 $5,814 - $17,771 -
1987 $5,084 - $16,734 -
1986 $4,195 - $13,804 -
1985 $3,322 - $9,941 -
1984 $3,333 - $9,992 -
1983 $3,527 - $10,696 -
1982 $3,788 - $11,089 -
1981 $3,898 - $11,537 -
1980 $3,948 - $13,812 -
1979 $3,196 - $12,817 -
1978 $2,559 - $11,196 -
1977 $2,038 - $9,180 -
1976 $1,727 - $7,937 -
1975 $1,560 - $7,346 -
1974 $1,245 - $6,450 -
1973 $1,144 - $5,353 -
1972 $976 - $4,110 -
1971 $874 - $3,384 -
1970 $828 - $2,931 -
1969 - - $2,647 -
1968 - - $2,364 -
1967 - - $2,155 -
1966 - - $1,986 -
1965 - - $1,848 -
1964 - - $1,668 -
1963 - - $1,437 -
1962 - - $1,342 -
1961 - - $1,254 -
1960 - - $1,156 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/netherlands | CC BY

Malta's GDP per capita is $43,899, ranking 28/197, compared to $67,520 in the Netherlands, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Malta Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$1.21T
2024
GDP rank
119/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP growth
6.8%
2023-2024
1.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$43,899
2024
$67,520
2024
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$532B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.2%
2024
43.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$20,269
2024
$29,571
2024
Government debt per person rank
31/185
2024
24/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,692
2026
$47,815
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.29B
2024
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,267,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2022
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2022
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.3%
2024
44.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.65%
2023-2024
3.35%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.12%
2024
3.64%
2024
Population
581729
18252623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.3% 46.2% 44.4% 43.8%
2023 36.1% 46.8% 44% 45.9%
2022 38.3% 50.1% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 39.4% 49.6% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 42.8% 56%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 37.8% 55% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 40.1% 65% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 41.1% 66% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 41.2% 62% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 44% 45%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 42% 70.4% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 44.4% 70% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 - 69.8% 44.3% 58.6%
1998 - 66.4% 44.6% 62.7%
1997 - 60.8% 45.7% 65.7%
1996 - 51.5% 47.3% 71.2%
1995 - 45.3% 53.9% 73%
1994 - - 49.4% 73.5%
1993 - - 50.9% 76.7%
1992 - - 50.2% 75.6%
1991 - - 49.6% 74.8%
1990 - - 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

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/malta/netherlands | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government spending was $9.32B, accounting for 37.3% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $540B, or 44.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.2% in Malta and 43.8% in the Netherlands, ranking 118/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Netherlands
2024 -3.58% -0.94%
2023 -4.65% -0.37%
2022 -5.31% 0.002%
2021 -6.95% -2.26%
2020 -8.72% -3.72%
2019 0.72% 1.91%
2018 1.86% 1.49%
2017 3.4% 1.35%
2016 1.1% 0.23%
2015 -0.84% -1.84%
2014 -1.49% -2.17%
2013 -2.19% -2.87%
2012 -3.31% -3.83%
2011 -2.99% -4.42%
2010 -2.22% -5.3%
2009 -3.11% -5.06%
2008 -4.06% -0.06%
2007 -2.05% -0.16%
2006 -2.46% 0.04%
2005 -2.83% -0.51%
2004 -4.28% -1.82%
2003 -9.04% -3.19%
2002 -5.62% -2.23%
2001 -6.5% -0.47%
2000 -5.83% 1.14%
1999 - 0.28%
1998 - -1.34%
1997 - -1.6%
1996 - -1.91%
1995 - -8.72%
1994 - -3.53%
1993 - -3.13%
1992 - -3.12%
1991 - -2.05%
1990 - -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

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/malta/netherlands | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $893M, equivalent to 3.58% of GDP. This compares to the Netherlands' deficit of $11.5B, or 0.94% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.4% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Netherlands
2024 1.65% 3.35%
2023 5.09% 3.84%
2022 6.15% 10%
2021 1.5% 2.68%
2020 0.64% 1.27%
2019 1.64% 2.63%
2018 1.16% 1.7%
2017 1.36% 1.38%
2016 0.64% 0.32%
2015 1.1% 0.6%
2014 0.31% 0.98%
2013 1.18% 2.51%
2012 2.38% 2.46%
2011 2.96% 2.34%
2010 1.52% 1.28%
2009 2.08% 1.19%
2008 4.26% 2.49%
2007 1.25% 1.61%
2006 2.77% 1.1%
2005 3.01% 1.69%
2004 2.79% 1.26%
2003 1.3% 2.09%
2002 2.19% 3.29%
2001 2.93% 4.16%
2000 2.37% 2.36%
1999 2.13% 2.16%
1998 2.39% 1.96%
1997 3.11% 2.11%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/netherlands | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 2.31% in the Netherlands. In 2024, inflation was 1.65% in Malta and 3.35% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $963M
Business & finance services $566M
IT & IP services $144M
Chemicals & pharma $33.3M
Manufacturing & construction services $28.3M
Raw materials & minerals $21.2M
Machinery & equipment $19.3M
Government & miscellaneous services $9.58M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.04M
Metals $925K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $588M
Machinery & equipment $191M
Transport & tourism services $93.7M
Animal & marine products $82.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $75.4M
IT & IP services $65.3M
Manufacturing & construction services $48.4M
Chemicals & pharma $48.4M
Raw agricultural goods $45.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $40.9M

Balance of trade

Malta Netherlands
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
47/190
2024
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.12%
2024
+9.13%
2024
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$693B
2024
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$262B
2024
Service exports
$25B
2024
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.7%
2024
71.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
118.5%
2024
82.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Netherlands
Economic freedom 68.2 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 11/197
Property rights 85.5 96
Government integrity 54.3 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 96.1
Tax burden 68.5 54
Government spending 58.4 42.2
Fiscal health 63.2 95.9
Business freedom 83.2 85
Labor freedom 62.6 59.3
Monetary freedom 73.1 77
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Netherlands
2026 68.2 78.5
2025 66.8 78.2
2024 64.5 77.3
2023 67.5 78
2022 71.5 79.5
2021 70.2 76.8
2020 69.5 77
2019 68.6 76.8
2018 68.5 76.2
2017 67.7 75.8
2016 66.7 74.6
2015 66.5 73.7
2014 66.4 74.2
2013 67.5 73.5
2012 67 73.3
2011 65.7 74.7
2010 67.2 75
2009 66.1 77
2008 66 77.4
2007 66.1 75.5
2006 67.3 75.4
2005 68.9 72.9
2004 63.3 74.5
2003 61.1 74.6
2002 62.2 75.1
2001 62.9 73
2000 58.3 70.4
1999 59.3 70.2
1998 61.2 69.2
1997 57.9 70.4
1996 55.8 69.7
1995 56.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/netherlands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malta Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
81.8%
2024
70.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
17.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.23%
2024
1.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.9B
2024
$1.12T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,340
2024
$84,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.42B
2024
$79.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
137/177
2024
34/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2024
19.7%
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/malta/netherlands | 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)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.