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Economy of New Zealand vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

New Zealand has a GDP of $264B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 53/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

New Zealand has $145B in government debt (54.7% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

New Zealand vs Qatar GDP by year

New Zealand
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
New Zealand Qatar
2025 $264,057,413,740 $215,559,615,385
2024 $261,497,198,364 $216,294,505,495
2023 $256,372,177,758 $213,002,809,341
2022 $249,723,029,451 $235,709,325,714
2021 $253,732,493,988 $179,732,009,560
2020 $213,318,129,989 $144,411,363,352
2019 $213,088,034,258 $176,371,267,692
2018 $211,726,161,989 $183,334,953,819
2017 $206,561,943,051 $161,099,122,225
2016 $188,980,351,891 $151,732,181,868
2015 $178,147,457,243 $161,739,955,577
2014 $201,435,445,068 $206,224,598,571
2013 $190,943,478,290 $198,727,642,967
2012 $176,508,049,114 $186,833,502,363
2011 $168,458,838,711 $167,775,274,725
2010 $146,887,902,524 $125,122,252,747
2009 $121,663,439,315 $97,798,351,648
2008 $133,437,126,590 $115,269,780,220
2007 $137,188,946,866 $79,711,813,187
2006 $111,538,810,713 $60,882,142,857
2005 $114,720,129,550 $44,530,494,505
2004 $103,905,210,084 $31,734,065,934
2003 $88,250,885,550 $23,533,791,209
2002 $66,627,729,311 $19,363,736,264
2001 $53,872,425,917 $17,538,461,538
2000 $52,623,281,957 $17,759,890,110
1999 $58,762,260,626 $12,393,131,868
1998 $56,227,169,851 $10,255,494,505
1997 $66,075,143,415 $11,297,802,198
1996 $70,140,835,299 $9,059,340,659
1995 $63,918,703,507 $8,137,912,088
1994 $55,314,732,279 $7,374,450,549
1993 $46,775,620,817 $7,156,593,407
1992 $41,649,829,860 $7,646,153,846
1991 $42,745,329,732 $6,883,516,484
1990 $45,495,129,385 $7,360,439,560
1989 $43,920,222,525 $6,487,912,088
1988 $45,176,811,594 $6,038,186,813
1987 $40,376,354,070 $5,446,428,571
1986 $30,604,668,357 $5,053,021,978
1985 $24,679,795,396 $6,153,296,703
1984 $21,665,975,319 $6,870,329,670
1983 $24,309,279,706 $6,484,890,110
1982 $24,164,603,059 $7,611,263,736
1981 $24,417,617,184 $8,672,527,473
1980 $23,244,547,385 $7,837,915,956
1979 $20,731,243,113 $5,632,962,997
1978 $18,530,518,395 $4,052,000,413
1977 $15,446,825,318 $3,617,564,638
1976 $13,604,832,424 $3,284,273,987
1975 $12,861,983,284 $2,512,773,166
1974 $13,940,981,798 $2,401,403,227
1973 $12,802,281,898 $793,885,560
1972 $9,567,331,065 $510,262,500
1971 $7,911,136,757 $387,703,106
1970 $6,495,605,331 $301,791,302
1969 $5,814,357,709 -
1968 $5,228,045,415 -
1967 $6,016,017,227 -
1966 $5,917,437,693 -
1965 $5,706,251,400 -
1964 $7,340,766,415 -
1963 $6,699,741,645 -
1962 $6,133,158,532 -
1961 $5,721,994,864 -
1960 $5,536,098,360 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in New Zealand vs Qatar by year

New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
New Zealand Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $49,591 - $72,525 -
2024 $49,432 $55,551 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $49,302 $54,697 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $49,142 $54,034 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $49,902 $48,249 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $42,055 $45,513 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $42,872 $45,278 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $43,204 $42,527 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $42,912 $42,244 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $40,088 $39,989 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $38,649 $37,513 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $44,600 $37,331 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $42,985 $36,263 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $40,042 $33,055 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $38,426 $32,739 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $33,762 $31,305 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $28,277 $30,746 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $31,325 $29,896 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $32,480 $29,331 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $26,655 $27,732 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $27,751 $25,677 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $25,420 $25,124 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $21,914 $23,996 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $16,874 $23,306 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $13,883 $22,511 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $13,641 $21,500 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $15,322 $20,579 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $14,738 $19,323 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $17,474 $19,100 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $18,794 $18,392 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $17,400 $17,864 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $15,280 $17,108 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $13,094 $15,900 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $11,793 $14,877 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $12,230 $14,501 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $13,663 $14,812 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $13,312 - $15,243 -
1988 $13,759 - $14,682 -
1987 $12,331 - $13,719 -
1986 $9,428 - $13,213 -
1985 $7,601 - $16,815 -
1984 $6,714 - $19,749 -
1983 $7,598 - $19,669 -
1982 $7,656 - $24,431 -
1981 $7,814 - $29,543 -
1980 $7,467 - $28,407 -
1979 $6,668 - $21,777 -
1978 $5,937 - $16,757 -
1977 $4,951 - $16,058 -
1976 $4,374 - $15,710 -
1975 $4,172 - $13,014 -
1974 $4,611 - $13,540 -
1973 $4,323 - $4,905 -
1972 $3,295 - $3,483 -
1971 $2,773 - $2,952 -
1970 $2,311 - $2,594 -
1969 $2,097 - - -
1968 $1,902 - - -
1967 $2,208 - - -
1966 $2,211 - - -
1965 $2,171 - - -
1964 $2,839 - - -
1963 $2,646 - - -
1962 $2,471 - - -
1961 $2,365 - - -
1960 $2,334 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/qatar | CC BY

New Zealand's GDP per capita is $49,591, ranking 26/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

New Zealand Qatar
Gross domestic product
$264B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
53/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
0.46%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$49,591
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
26/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$55,551
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
38/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$145B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.7%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$27,139
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
27/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,222
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$103B
2025
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires
5
2026
2
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.84%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.25%
2025
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.26%
2025
0.1%
2024
Population
5380024
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

New Zealand
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
New Zealand Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 41.6% 54.7% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 41.7% 51.4% 26% 41.3%
2023 41% 47.3% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 41.7% 46.9% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 41.8% 47.5% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 41.9% 43.2% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 38.7% 31.8% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 36.1% 28.1% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 35.6% 31.1% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 36.4% 33.4% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 37.2% 34.2% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 37.6% 34.2% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 38.6% 34.6% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 39.7% 35.7% 31% 32.1%
2011 42.3% 34.7% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 42.9% 29.6% 32% 30.4%
2009 40.3% 24.3% 36.4% 36%
2008 38.4% 19% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 37% 16.3% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 37.8% 18.4% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 37.1% 20.8% 29% 19.1%
2004 36.1% 22.5% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 36.6% 24.7% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 36.7% 26.4% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 37.2% 28.2% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 38.2% 30% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 39.2% 32% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 40.1% 34.5% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 39.3% 34.6% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 39.8% 37.3% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 41.6% 43.5% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 42.7% 48.9% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 46.7% 54.6% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 52.4% 58.7% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 52.9% 58% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 49.5% 55.5% 50% 12.6%
1989 47.8% 54.9% - -
1988 46.1% 54.7% - -
1987 46.1% 62.9% - -
1986 46.9% 68.5% - -
1985 46.2% 64.1% - -
1984 40.7% 62.8% - -
1983 41.4% 59.6% - -
1982 39.9% 51.5% - -
1981 39.1% 50.5% - -
1980 38% 52.2% - -
1979 38.4% 52% - -
1978 36.6% 50% - -
1977 30% 44.6% - -
1976 31.6% 47.6% - -
1975 30.1% 41.4% - -
1974 27.3% 39.6% - -
1973 27.1% 44% - -
1972 26.4% 46% - -
1971 26.8% 71.3% - -
1970 24.8% 76.5% - -
1969 25.9% 85.8% - -
1968 26.2% 86.5% - -
1967 26% 59.7% - -
1966 25% 58.2% - -
1965 24.9% 59.6% - -
1964 19.4% 61.8% - -
1963 19.4% 64.5% - -
1962 21.6% 65% - -
1961 21.1% 64.6% - -
1960 25.3% 68.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/qatar | CC BY

In 2025, New Zealand's government spending was $110B, accounting for 41.6% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.7% in New Zealand and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 91/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
New Zealand

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
New Zealand Qatar
2025 -3.86% -1%
2024 -3.21% 0.71%
2023 -3.22% 5.51%
2022 -3.96% 10.4%
2021 -3.35% 0.24%
2020 -4.21% -2.13%
2019 -2.44% 1%
2018 1.31% 2.26%
2017 1.38% -6.82%
2016 0.98% -9.2%
2015 0.37% 18.4%
2014 -0.33% 13.4%
2013 -1.28% 19.3%
2012 -2.18% 8.55%
2011 -4.94% 5.24%
2010 -5.49% 4.6%
2009 -1.8% 14.1%
2008 1.48% 9.49%
2007 3.6% 10.3%
2006 4.62% 8.39%
2005 5.13% 9.8%
2004 4.49% 17.7%
2003 3.69% 6.71%
2002 2.56% 7.89%
2001 1.29% 4.48%
2000 0.18% 4.62%
1999 -1.1% -4.35%
1998 -0.47% -7%
1997 1.24% -9.4%
1996 2.58% -8.73%
1995 3.7% -5.78%
1994 2% -11.8%
1993 -1.51% -9.53%
1992 -6.25% -2.74%
1991 -6.12% -2.57%
1990 -2.72% 3.23%
1989 -2.16% -
1988 -1.88% -
1987 -3.43% -
1986 -5.33% -
1985 -6.97% -
1984 -8.68% -
1983 -6.64% -
1982 -6.26% -
1981 -6.02% -
1980 -4.9% -
1979 -6.55% -
1978 -3.41% -
1977 -1.09% -
1976 -2.07% -
1975 0.11% -
1974 0.03% -
1973 -0.07% -
1972 0.12% -
1971 0.09% -
1970 -0.05% -
1969 0.17% -
1968 0.03% -
1967 0.02% -
1966 0.09% -
1965 0.26% -
1964 -0.08% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 0.02% -
1961 0.03% -
1960 0.05% -
1959 0.03% -
1958 -0.02% -
1957 0.32% -
1956 1.33% -
1955 0.73% -
1954 0.22% -
1953 0.43% -
1952 1.73% -
1951 1.17% -
1950 0.78% -
1949 0.53% -
1948 0.36% -
1947 1.07% -
1946 0.31% -
1945 0.32% -
1944 0.59% -
1943 1.24% -
1942 0.56% -
1941 0.64% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 0.34% -
1938 0.38% -
1937 0.23% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 1.19% -
1934 -0.55% -
1933 0.02% -
1932 -1.77% -
1931 -1.12% -
1930 0.09% -
1929 -0.37% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.4% -
1926 0.72% -
1925 0.78% -
1924 1.2% -
1923 0.95% -
1922 -0.2% -
1921 3.55% -
1920 1.51% -
1919 2.9% -
1918 4.35% -
1917 3.89% -
1916 1.46% -
1915 0.06% -
1914 0.45% -
1913 0.79% -
1912 0.89% -
1911 1.24% -
1910 0.36% -
1909 0.31% -
1908 1.26% -
1907 1.13% -
1906 0.97% -
1905 1.41% -
1904 1.42% -
1903 0.55% -
1902 0.63% -
1901 1.11% -
1900 1.59% -
1899 1.15% -
1898 1.38% -
1897 0.86% -
1896 0.65% -
1895 0.32% -
1894 0.76% -
1893 1.14% -
1892 0.09% -
1891 0.46% -
1890 0.05% -
1889 0.59% -
1888 -1.64% -
1887 -1.63% -
1886 -0.53% -
1885 -0.47% -
1884 -0.1% -
1883 0.38% -
1882 0.18% -
1881 -2.33% -
1880 -2.39% -
1879 -0.55% -
1878 -0.85% -
1877 -2.53% -
1876 -5.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/qatar | CC BY

In 2025, New Zealand's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.2B, equivalent to 3.86% of GDP. This compares to Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, New Zealand recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, New Zealand posted an annual deficit equal to 0.5% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
New Zealand

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
New Zealand Qatar
2025 2.84% 0.6%
2024 2.92% 1.2%
2023 5.73% 3.1%
2022 7.17% 5%
2021 3.94% 2.3%
2020 1.71% -2.5%
2019 1.62% -0.9%
2018 1.6% 0.1%
2017 1.85% 0.6%
2016 0.65% 2.7%
2015 0.29% 0.9%
2014 1.23% 4.2%
2013 1.13% 3.1%
2012 1.06% 1.8%
2011 4.03% 2%
2010 2.3% -2.4%
2009 2.12% -4.9%
2008 3.96% 15.1%
2007 2.38% 13.7%
2006 3.37% 11.7%
2005 3.04% 9%
2004 2.29% 6.8%
2003 1.75% 2.3%
2002 2.68% 0.2%
2001 2.63% 1.7%
2000 2.62% 1.6%
1999 -0.11% 2.2%
1998 1.27% 2.9%
1997 1.19% 2.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, New Zealand has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.39%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 2.84% in New Zealand and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

New Zealand
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $18.6M
Raw agricultural goods $5.21M
Machinery & equipment $3.92M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.06M
Textiles & consumer goods $303K
Transport & tourism services $200K
Wood & paper products $182K
Precious metals & jewellery $159K
Chemicals & pharma $118K
Metals $117K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $29.7M
Chemicals & pharma $17M
Metals $5.75M
Machinery & equipment $564K
Animal & marine products $177K
Textiles & consumer goods $58K
Miscellaneous $41K
Raw agricultural goods $29K
Wood & paper products $7K

Balance of trade

New Zealand Qatar
Current account balance
-$9.56B
2025
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
174/190
2025
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.62%
2025
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$48.2B
2025
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$47.2B
2025
$90B
2025
Service imports
$20.3B
2025
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$19.5B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

New Zealand Qatar
Economic freedom 77.8 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 13/197 37/197
Property rights 85.4 66.2
Government integrity 90 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 95.9 41.5
Tax burden 66.1 99.9
Government spending 48 79.9
Fiscal health 72.2 96.6
Business freedom 89.1 68
Labor freedom 68.6 58.5
Monetary freedom 77.4 76
Trade freedom 90.6 81.8
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

New Zealand
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
New Zealand Qatar
2026 77.8 70.2
2025 78.1 70.2
2024 77.8 68.8
2023 78.9 68.6
2022 80.6 67.7
2021 83.9 72
2020 84.1 72.3
2019 84.4 72.6
2018 84.2 72.6
2017 83.7 73.1
2016 81.6 70.7
2015 82.1 70.8
2014 81.2 71.2
2013 81.4 71.3
2012 82.1 71.3
2011 82.3 70.5
2010 82.1 69
2009 82 65.8
2008 80.7 62.2
2007 81.4 62.9
2006 82 62.4
2005 82.3 63.5
2004 81.5 66.5
2003 81.1 65.9
2002 80.7 61.9
2001 81.1 60
2000 80.9 62
1999 81.7 62
1998 79.2 -
1997 79 -
1996 78.1 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/qatar | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for New Zealand is 77.8, ranking 13/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

New Zealand Qatar
Services, % of GDP
68.2%
2023
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.4%
2023
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.01%
2023
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$248B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$53,600
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$28.2B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
59/177
2025
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.58B
2025
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.76B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$882M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
30.6%
2022

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/qatar | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.