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Economy of Namibia vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $484B for Norway, ranking 147/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $207B (42.7% of GDP) in Norway.

Namibia vs Norway GDP by year

Namibia
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Norway
2024 $13,372,354,512 $483,592,648,313
2023 $12,408,271,449 $482,949,731,777
2022 $12,569,449,123 $596,297,651,036
2021 $12,402,486,184 $503,367,986,030
2020 $10,583,748,542 $367,633,418,887
2019 $12,541,928,303 $408,742,840,909
2018 $13,682,019,076 $439,788,625,884
2017 $12,895,153,371 $401,745,275,035
2016 $10,722,018,732 $370,956,547,619
2015 $11,335,161,084 $388,159,512,246
2014 $12,435,430,970 $501,736,471,833
2013 $12,043,307,277 $526,014,468,085
2012 $13,042,053,592 $512,777,309,841
2011 $12,523,359,441 $501,360,549,669
2010 $11,431,412,421 $431,052,143,940
2009 $8,938,847,189 $387,976,400,617
2008 $8,607,431,497 $464,917,553,191
2007 $8,839,536,476 $402,643,260,488
2006 $8,001,779,551 $346,915,160,682
2005 $7,248,374,838 $309,978,579,744
2004 $6,609,205,995 $265,268,662,473
2003 $4,926,439,384 $229,385,469,337
2002 $3,349,169,826 $195,914,852,576
2001 $3,557,341,215 $174,239,354,071
2000 $3,922,232,165 $171,457,201,936
1999 $3,868,551,730 $162,383,706,021
1998 $3,873,109,866 $154,230,295,158
1997 $4,154,989,950 $161,356,631,888
1996 $3,989,163,197 $163,520,109,151
1995 $3,978,514,206 $152,029,612,325
1994 $3,666,503,530 $127,131,319,429
1993 $3,251,188,833 $120,579,213,713
1992 $3,429,521,699 $130,838,040,068
1991 $2,996,869,281 $121,872,464,483
1990 $2,789,921,854 $119,791,843,060
1989 $2,535,135,798 $102,633,934,391
1988 $2,495,094,746 $101,900,260,856
1987 $2,300,068,217 $94,229,907,236
1986 $1,809,048,527 $78,693,118,044
1985 $1,608,237,350 $65,416,879,914
1984 $1,951,260,038 $62,057,955,033
1983 $2,297,400,688 $61,627,240,831
1982 $2,118,710,248 $62,647,195,538
1981 $2,249,908,578 $63,596,654,761
1980 $2,421,990,338 $64,439,382,896
1979 - $53,132,244,624
1978 - $46,522,900,254
1977 - $41,508,030,431
1976 - $35,942,270,686
1975 - $32,877,805,200
1974 - $27,145,693,810
1973 - $22,534,253,703
1972 - $17,358,610,850
1971 - $14,583,114,840
1970 - $12,814,123,115
1969 - $11,136,187,440
1968 - $10,227,087,165
1967 - $9,577,383,653
1966 - $8,753,940,267
1965 - $8,111,945,661
1964 - $7,206,522,122
1963 - $6,553,269,536
1962 - $6,107,076,929
1961 - $5,669,689,210
1960 - $5,197,398,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Norway by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $86,785 $102,038
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $87,497 $103,638
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $109,270 $125,490
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $93,073 $88,984
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $68,340 $67,111
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $76,431 $70,940
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $82,793 $70,254
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $76,132 $64,590
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $70,867 $59,280
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $74,810 $60,738
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $97,667 $66,332
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $103,554 $67,378
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $102,176 $65,774
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $101,222 $62,460
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $88,163 $58,213
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $80,348 $55,648
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $97,504 $62,073
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $85,502 $56,179
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $74,434 $54,358
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $67,047 $47,967
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $57,769 $42,667
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $50,250 $38,680
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $43,171 $38,056
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $38,602 $37,829
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $38,178 $36,994
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $36,393 $30,574
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $34,803 $28,200
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $36,629 $28,610
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $37,322 $26,826
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $34,876 $24,360
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $29,316 $23,027
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $27,964 $21,584
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $30,524 $20,623
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $28,597 $19,580
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $28,243 $18,461
1989 $1,967 - $24,281 -
1988 $2,063 - $24,207 -
1987 $1,969 - $22,506 -
1986 $1,599 - $18,883 -
1985 $1,466 - $15,754 -
1984 $1,830 - $14,989 -
1983 $2,214 - $14,928 -
1982 $2,097 - $15,225 -
1981 $2,267 - $15,513 -
1980 $2,468 - $15,772 -
1979 - - $13,047 -
1978 - - $11,463 -
1977 - - $10,266 -
1976 - - $8,927 -
1975 - - $8,204 -
1974 - - $6,812 -
1973 - - $5,690 -
1972 - - $4,414 -
1971 - - $3,736 -
1970 - - $3,306 -
1969 - - $2,894 -
1968 - - $2,680 -
1967 - - $2,531 -
1966 - - $2,333 -
1965 - - $2,179 -
1964 - - $1,951 -
1963 - - $1,787 -
1962 - - $1,678 -
1961 - - $1,571 -
1960 - - $1,451 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $86,785 in Norway, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Namibia Norway
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$484B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$86,785
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$207B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
42.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$37,074
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
17/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$49,765
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2025
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
48.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
3.15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
3.98%
2024
Population
3173089
5671119

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 48.5% 42.7%
2023 37% 67.2% 45.9% 44.1%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 37.5% 36.1%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 46.3% 41.6%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 56.7% 46%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 50.2% 40.5%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 47.7% 39.3%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 49.2% 38.2%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 50.4% 37.9%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 48.2% 34.3%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 45.2% 29.6%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 43.5% 31.4%
2012 35% 24.6% 42.4% 30.9%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 43.3% 29.6%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 44.5% 43%
2009 32% 15.9% 45.6% 42.5%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 39.8% 47.5%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 41% 49.5%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 40.5% 52.6%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 41.8% 42.3%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 47.6% 43.1%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 46.1% 33.9%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 43.2% 27.2%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 41.3% 28.7%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 46.4% 25%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 47.8% 23.6%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 45.5% 25.8%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 47% 28.4%
1995 29.6% 18% 49.3% 32.7%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 49.4% 50.6%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 50.2% 53.7%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 51.3% 45%
1991 33% 11.8% 50% 39.2%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 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 (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Norway spent $234B, or 48.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 42.7% in Norway, ranking 61/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Norway
2024 -3.59% 13.2%
2023 -3.14% 16.6%
2022 -6.33% 25.5%
2021 -8.68% 10.3%
2020 -8.07% -2.56%
2019 -5.49% 6.52%
2018 -5.09% 7.81%
2017 -4.99% 4.96%
2016 -9.3% 4.04%
2015 -8.3% 5.99%
2014 -6.44% 8.57%
2013 -4.69% 10.6%
2012 -3.1% 13.7%
2011 -7.09% 13.3%
2010 -4.98% 10.9%
2009 -0.4% 10.2%
2008 3.48% 18.5%
2007 6.01% 17%
2006 3.41% 17.9%
2005 -0.31% 14.7%
2004 -2.67% 10.8%
2003 -4.47% 7.2%
2002 -1.38% 9.03%
2001 -2.01% 13.2%
2000 -0.79% 15%
1999 -1.88% 5.71%
1998 -2.76% 3.07%
1997 -2.38% 7.35%
1996 -3.7% 6.01%
1995 -1.74% 2.96%
1994 -0.57% 0.04%
1993 -2.73% -1.64%
1992 -2.55% -2.07%
1991 -1.59% -0.12%
1990 1.08% 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/namibia/norway | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Norway's surplus of $64.1B, or 13.2% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.75% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Norway
2024 4.2% 3.15%
2023 5.9% 5.52%
2022 6.1% 5.76%
2021 3.6% 3.48%
2020 2.2% 1.29%
2019 3.7% 2.17%
2018 4.3% 2.76%
2017 6.1% 1.88%
2016 6.7% 3.55%
2015 3.4% 2.17%
2014 5.3% 2.04%
2013 5.6% 2.12%
2012 6.7% 0.7%
2011 5% 1.28%
2010 4.9% 2.42%
2009 9.5% 2.2%
2008 9.1% 3.75%
2007 6.5% 0.71%
2006 5% 2.33%
2005 2.3% 1.53%
2004 4.1% 0.45%
2003 7.2% 2.49%
2002 12.7% 1.29%
2001 10.2% 3%
2000 10.2% 3.09%
1999 9.4% 2.37%
1998 6.6% 2.25%
1997 9.7% 2.57%

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/namibia/norway | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 2.44% in Norway. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 3.15% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $22.2M
Animal & marine products $5.66M
Raw materials & minerals $3.12M
Metals $2.92M
Textiles & consumer goods $2M
Raw agricultural goods $720K
Chemicals & pharma $473K
Miscellaneous $338K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $61K
Precious metals & jewellery $53K
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $45M
Metals $3.73M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.46M
Animal & marine products $721K
Raw materials & minerals $532K
Chemicals & pharma $239K
Miscellaneous $143K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17K
Weapons & explosives $14K
Wood & paper products $13K

Balance of trade

Namibia Norway
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$71.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
11/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+14.8%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$97.5B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$162B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$63.6B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
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.

Namibia Norway
Economic freedom 60.2 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 9/197
Property rights 63.1 99.6
Government integrity 51.5 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 96.4
Tax burden 66.4 63.3
Government spending 57.1 42
Fiscal health 60.5 96.4
Business freedom 58 91.2
Labor freedom 62.7 69.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 72.4
Trade freedom 69.8 85.6
Investment freedom 50 75
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Norway
2026 60.2 78.8
2025 58.7 78.3
2024 57.5 77.5
2023 57.7 76.9
2022 59.2 76.9
2021 62.6 73.4
2020 60.9 73.4
2019 58.7 73
2018 58.5 74.3
2017 62.5 74
2016 61.9 70.8
2015 59.6 71.8
2014 59.4 70.9
2013 60.3 70.5
2012 61.9 68.8
2011 62.7 70.3
2010 62.2 69.4
2009 62.4 70.2
2008 61.4 68.6
2007 63.5 67.9
2006 60.7 67.9
2005 61.4 64.5
2004 62.4 66.2
2003 67.3 67.2
2002 65.1 67.4
2001 64.8 67.1
2000 66.7 70.1
1999 66.1 68.6
1998 66.1 68
1997 61.6 65.1
1996 - 65.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia Norway
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
51.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
2.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$547B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$106,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$81.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
32/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$7.83B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$4.95B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/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)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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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.

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.