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Economy of New Zealand vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

New Zealand has a GDP of $260B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 52/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

New Zealand has $131B in government debt (50.2% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

New Zealand vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

New Zealand
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
New Zealand Saint Lucia
2024 $260,172,385,098 $2,549,062,963
2023 $255,194,972,673 $2,430,166,667
2022 $249,509,991,440 $2,342,714,815
2021 $253,977,931,815 $1,867,185,185
2020 $213,029,554,654 $1,499,274,074
2019 $213,006,341,102 $2,095,344,444
2018 $211,985,631,173 $2,060,955,556
2017 $206,745,969,246 $1,998,503,704
2016 $189,100,085,275 $1,868,544,444
2015 $178,224,167,088 $1,807,640,741
2014 $201,518,402,787 $1,749,185,185
2013 $191,012,364,177 $1,660,392,593
2012 $176,560,711,239 $1,598,207,407
2011 $168,484,908,960 $1,568,370,370
2010 $146,887,902,524 $1,482,385,185
2009 $121,663,439,315 $1,401,507,889
2008 $133,437,126,590 $1,437,731,111
2007 $137,188,946,866 $1,336,088,815
2006 $111,538,810,713 $1,268,319,185
2005 $114,720,129,550 $1,135,555,556
2004 $103,905,210,084 $1,066,666,667
2003 $88,250,885,550 $987,407,407
2002 $66,627,729,311 $900,000,000
2001 $53,872,425,917 $892,592,593
2000 $52,623,281,957 $932,592,593
1999 $58,762,260,626 $921,851,852
1998 $56,227,169,851 $877,407,407
1997 $66,075,143,415 $805,925,926
1996 $70,140,835,299 $788,888,889
1995 $63,918,703,507 $762,962,963
1994 $55,314,732,279 $713,703,704
1993 $46,775,620,817 $684,814,815
1992 $41,649,829,860 $674,074,074
1991 $42,745,329,732 $613,703,704
1990 $45,495,129,385 $579,629,630
1989 $43,920,222,525 $486,666,667
1988 $45,176,811,594 $429,629,630
1987 $40,376,354,070 $375,555,556
1986 $30,604,668,357 $340,000,000
1985 $24,679,795,396 $284,444,444
1984 $21,665,975,319 $251,481,481
1983 $24,309,279,706 $197,037,037
1982 $24,164,603,059 $183,333,333
1981 $24,417,617,184 $194,444,444
1980 $23,244,547,385 $170,370,370
1979 $20,731,243,113 -
1978 $18,530,518,395 -
1977 $15,446,825,318 -
1976 $13,604,832,424 -
1975 $12,861,983,284 -
1974 $13,940,981,798 -
1973 $12,802,281,898 -
1972 $9,567,331,065 -
1971 $7,911,136,757 -
1970 $6,495,605,331 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in New Zealand vs Saint Lucia by year

New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
New Zealand Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $49,205 $55,551 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $49,076 $54,697 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $49,100 $54,034 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $49,950 $48,249 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $41,998 $45,513 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $42,856 $45,278 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $43,257 $42,527 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $42,950 $42,244 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $40,114 $39,989 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $38,665 $37,513 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $44,618 $37,331 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $43,000 $36,263 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $40,054 $33,055 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $38,432 $32,739 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $33,762 $31,305 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $28,277 $30,746 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $31,325 $29,896 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $32,480 $29,331 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $26,655 $27,732 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $27,751 $25,677 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $25,420 $25,124 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $21,914 $23,996 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $16,874 $23,306 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $13,883 $22,511 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $13,641 $21,500 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $15,322 $20,579 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $14,738 $19,323 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $17,474 $19,100 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $18,794 $18,392 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $17,400 $17,864 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $15,280 $17,108 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $13,094 $15,900 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $11,793 $14,877 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $12,230 $14,501 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $13,663 $14,812 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $13,312 - $3,565 -
1988 $13,759 - $3,182 -
1987 $12,331 - $2,819 -
1986 $9,428 - $2,591 -
1985 $7,601 - $2,202 -
1984 $6,714 - $1,979 -
1983 $7,598 - $1,576 -
1982 $7,656 - $1,489 -
1981 $7,814 - $1,605 -
1980 $7,467 - $1,428 -
1979 $6,668 - - -
1978 $5,937 - - -
1977 $4,951 - - -
1976 $4,374 - - -
1975 $4,172 - - -
1974 $4,611 - - -
1973 $4,323 - - -
1972 $3,295 - - -
1971 $2,773 - - -
1970 $2,311 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/saint-lucia | CC BY

New Zealand's GDP per capita is $49,205, ranking 26/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

New Zealand Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$260B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
52/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
1.29%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$49,205
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
26/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$55,551
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
38/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$131B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.2%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$24,722
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$37,758
2026
$10,412
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$92.9B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.92%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.76%
2024
10.1%
2024
Population
5374272
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

New Zealand
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
New Zealand Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 41.9% 50.2% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 41.2% 46.9% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 41.8% 46.9% 23% 74.4%
2021 41.9% 47.5% 27.4% 87%
2020 42% 43.2% 34.9% 100%
2019 38.8% 31.8% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 36.1% 28.1% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 35.6% 31.1% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 36.4% 33.3% 23% 61.3%
2015 37.2% 34.2% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 37.7% 34.2% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 38.6% 34.5% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 39.7% 35.7% 28% 60.8%
2011 42.4% 34.7% 27% 55.2%
2010 42.9% 29.6% 26% 53%
2009 40.3% 24.3% 24.5% 51%
2008 38.5% 19% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 37.1% 16.3% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 37.9% 18.4% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 37.1% 20.8% 26% 51.9%
2004 36.2% 22.5% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 36.7% 24.7% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 36.8% 26.4% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 37.2% 28.2% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 38.3% 30% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 39.3% 32% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 40.1% 34.5% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 39.3% 34.6% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 39.9% 37.3% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 41.6% 43.5% 19.2% 22.9%
1994 42.8% 48.9% 19.1% 23.8%
1993 46.8% 54.6% 21.8% 22.9%
1992 52.5% 58.7% 18.4% 22.2%
1991 53% 58% 18.4% 19.8%
1990 49.6% 55.5% 16.7% 17%
1989 47.8% 54.9% 19% 18.1%
1988 46.1% 54.7% 18.2% 18.6%
1987 46.1% 62.9% 19.9% 19.6%
1986 46.9% 68.5% 21.1% 17.2%
1985 46.2% 64.1% 20.4% 17.1%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, New Zealand's government spending was $109B, accounting for 41.9% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.2% in New Zealand and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 107/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
New Zealand

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
New Zealand Saint Lucia
2024 -3.61% -2.13%
2023 -3.54% -3.09%
2022 -4.16% -1.67%
2021 -3.5% -5.1%
2020 -4.35% -12%
2019 -2.5% -3.51%
2018 1.27% -1.03%
2017 1.36% -1.14%
2016 0.98% -0.79%
2015 0.36% -2.35%
2014 -0.34% -3.08%
2013 -1.29% -4.84%
2012 -2.19% -7.62%
2011 -4.96% -5.38%
2010 -5.51% -4.17%
2009 -1.81% -2.67%
2008 1.47% -0.72%
2007 3.6% -1.62%
2006 4.62% -5.07%
2005 5.13% -6.18%
2004 4.49% -2.63%
2003 3.68% -3.23%
2002 2.55% -3.1%
2001 1.29% -3.08%
2000 0.17% -1.16%
1999 -1.11% 1.62%
1998 -0.48% 2.25%
1997 1.23% -1.13%
1996 2.58% -0.58%
1995 3.7% -0.13%
1994 1.99% -0.02%
1993 -1.53% -0.26%
1992 -6.27% -0.66%
1991 -6.14% -0.43%
1990 -2.74% 0.29%
1989 -2.16% 0.89%
1988 -1.88% 2.02%
1987 -3.43% 0.56%
1986 -5.33% -1.61%
1985 -6.97% -1.5%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, New Zealand's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $9.38B, equivalent to 3.61% of GDP. This compares to Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, New Zealand recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, New Zealand posted an annual deficit equal to 0.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.15% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
New Zealand

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
New Zealand Saint Lucia
2024 2.92% -0.11%
2023 5.73% 4.07%
2022 7.17% 6.38%
2021 3.94% 2.41%
2020 1.71% -1.76%
2019 1.62% 0.54%
2018 1.6% 1.94%
2017 1.85% 0.1%
2016 0.65% -3.08%
2015 0.29% -0.98%
2014 1.23% 3.52%
2013 1.13% 1.47%
2012 1.06% 4.18%
2011 4.03% 2.77%
2010 2.3% 3.25%
2009 2.12% -0.16%
2008 3.96% 5.55%
2007 2.38% 2.82%
2006 3.37% 2.4%
2005 3.04% 3.9%
2004 2.29% 1.46%
2003 1.75% 1.03%
2002 2.68% -0.26%
2001 2.63% 5.31%
2000 2.62% 3.71%
1999 -0.11% 3.5%
1998 1.27% 3.2%
1997 1.19% -0.006%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, New Zealand has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.37%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 2.92% in New Zealand and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

New Zealand
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $2.6M
Machinery & equipment $77K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $5K

Balance of trade

New Zealand Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$12.1B
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
178/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.65%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$47.3B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$43.3B
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$19.5B
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$18.9B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.4%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

New Zealand Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 77.8 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 13/197 57/197
Property rights 85.4 64.3
Government integrity 90 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.9 77.3
Tax burden 66.1 77.7
Government spending 48 82.6
Fiscal health 72.2 80
Business freedom 89.1 71.9
Labor freedom 68.6 65.2
Monetary freedom 77.4 81
Trade freedom 90.6 60
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

New Zealand
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
New Zealand Saint Lucia
2026 77.8 67.5
2025 78.1 67
2024 77.8 62.2
2023 78.9 60.7
2022 80.6 64.3
2021 83.9 67.5
2020 84.1 68.2
2019 84.4 68.7
2018 84.2 67.6
2017 83.7 65
2016 81.6 70
2015 82.1 70.2
2014 81.2 70.7
2013 81.4 70.4
2012 82.1 71.3
2011 82.3 70.8
2010 82.1 70.5
2009 82 68.8
2008 80.7 -
2007 81.4 -
2006 82 -
2005 82.3 -
2004 81.5 -
2003 81.1 -
2002 80.7 -
2001 81.1 -
2000 80.9 -
1999 81.7 -
1998 79.2 -
1997 79 -
1996 78.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for New Zealand is 77.8, ranking 13/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

New Zealand Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
67.4%
2022
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.6%
2022
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.57%
2022
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$53,600
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$22.1B
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
59/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$878M
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.76B
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$882M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
n/a

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/new-zealand/saint-lucia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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.