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Economy of Nicaragua vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nicaragua has a GDP of $22.2B compared to $577B for Thailand, ranking 128/197 and 30/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.74B in government debt (34.8% of GDP), compared to $373B (64.7% of GDP) in Thailand.

Nicaragua vs Thailand GDP by year

Nicaragua
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Thailand
2025 $22,237,167,113 $577,009,981,112
2024 $19,696,311,850 $529,385,520,942
2023 $17,805,842,221 $517,013,369,475
2022 $15,634,573,556 $495,691,837,308
2021 $14,209,019,392 $506,049,783,825
2020 $12,726,422,432 $500,274,927,779
2019 $12,699,023,614 $543,976,691,794
2018 $13,025,221,974 $506,754,208,404
2017 $13,785,893,007 $456,356,813,537
2016 $13,286,093,388 $413,366,349,748
2015 $12,756,696,261 $401,296,238,228
2014 $11,880,438,824 $407,339,040,198
2013 $10,982,988,249 $420,333,654,593
2012 $10,532,017,232 $397,558,325,279
2011 $9,774,329,333 $370,818,739,624
2010 $8,758,602,233 $341,104,766,329
2009 $8,298,702,489 $281,710,630,187
2008 $8,496,967,597 $291,382,982,431
2007 $7,423,375,015 $262,942,621,455
2006 $6,763,672,381 $221,758,296,022
2005 $6,321,324,279 $189,318,408,469
2004 $5,792,932,838 $172,895,685,155
2003 $5,322,228,351 $152,280,615,246
2002 $5,223,727,303 $134,300,904,400
2001 $5,351,752,034 $120,296,476,180
2000 $5,109,587,050 $126,392,224,254
1999 $4,856,026,259 $126,669,211,779
1998 $4,635,347,386 $113,675,596,788
1997 $4,389,973,490 $150,180,456,566
1996 $4,308,351,903 $183,035,237,429
1995 $4,140,470,000 $169,278,916,593
1994 $3,863,185,119 $146,683,778,959
1993 $1,756,454,248 $128,889,262,951
1992 $1,792,800,000 $111,452,746,518
1991 $1,488,804,124 $98,234,714,971
1990 $1,009,455,484 $85,343,190,719
1989 $1,013,184,756 $72,250,748,100
1988 $2,630,900,096 $61,667,253,471
1987 $3,851,200,118 $50,535,446,555
1986 $2,885,799,994 $43,096,773,981
1985 $2,683,699,935 $38,900,711,333
1984 $3,117,599,872 $41,797,647,776
1983 $2,753,100,058 $40,042,798,388
1982 $2,454,499,872 $36,589,772,404
1981 $2,474,700,227 $34,846,039,194
1980 $2,144,300,006 $32,353,514,989
1979 $1,567,599,982 $27,371,650,825
1978 $2,127,699,979 $24,006,566,637
1977 $2,226,999,874 $19,779,312,261
1976 $1,836,899,999 $16,985,208,648
1975 $1,581,599,959 $14,882,770,594
1974 $1,521,400,012 $13,702,998,512
1973 $1,092,900,015 $10,838,587,358
1972 $878,570,045 $8,177,873,151
1971 $828,569,953 $7,375,000,024
1970 $778,569,939 $7,086,538,438
1969 $750,000,003 $6,695,336,567
1968 $692,859,985 $6,081,009,428
1967 $657,140,011 $5,638,461,442
1966 $607,140,010 $5,279,230,817
1965 $564,290,020 $4,388,937,649
1964 $347,119,918 $3,889,129,942
1963 $297,324,163 $3,540,403,457
1962 $269,283,804 $3,308,912,797
1961 $244,144,237 $3,034,037,811
1960 $227,223,322 $2,760,750,861

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/thailand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Thailand by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,173 - $8,057 -
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $7,387 $24,712
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $7,211 $23,519
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $6,910 $22,243
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $7,055 $20,243
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $6,983 $19,164
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $980 $2,672 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $949 $2,497 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $913 $2,418 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $911 $2,325 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $892 $2,187 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $849 $2,064 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $394 $1,998 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $411 $2,003 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $350 $1,995 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $249.2 - $1,342 -
1988 $662 - $1,164 -
1987 $992 - $970 -
1986 $761 - $842 -
1985 $724 - $774 -
1984 $861 - $847 -
1983 $780 - $827 -
1982 $714 - $770 -
1981 $740 - $748 -
1980 $659 - $709 -
1979 $495 - $612 -
1978 $691 - $548 -
1977 $744 - $462 -
1976 $633 - $405 -
1975 $561 - $364 -
1974 $557 - $343 -
1973 $413 - $278.3 -
1972 $341 - $215.6 -
1971 $331 - $199.7 -
1970 $321 - $197.1 -
1969 $319 - $191.4 -
1968 $304 - $178.8 -
1967 $297.9 - $170.7 -
1966 $284 - $164.5 -
1965 $272.3 - $140.9 -
1964 $172.7 - $128.6 -
1963 $152.5 - $120.7 -
1962 $142.3 - $116.2 -
1961 $132.9 - $109.7 -
1960 $127.5 - $102.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/thailand | CC BY

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $3,173, ranking 140/197, compared to $8,057 in Thailand, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Thailand
Gross domestic product
$22.2B
2025
$577B
2025
GDP rank
128/197
2025
30/197
2025
GDP growth
4.92%
2024-2025
2.44%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,173
2025
$8,057
2025
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2025
97/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$373B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.8%
2025
64.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,104
2025
$5,211
2025
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2025
83/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,939
2026
$7,438
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$512B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
26%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
23%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2024-2025
-0.13%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
0.6%
2025
Population
7144725
71565981

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.1% 34.8% 23% 64.7%
2024 26.2% 37.9% 22.6% 62.9%
2023 26% 42.4% 22.7% 62.2%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 30% 48.4% 26.8% 58.4%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 21.6% 41.8%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 22% 39.8%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 21.9% 26% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 20% 36%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 20.8% 84% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 18% - 18% 15.2%
1995 17.7% - 17.2% 5.12%
1994 18.4% - 16% 6.69%
1993 18.4% - 18.8% 9.14%
1992 18.4% - 17.8% 11.4%
1991 16.8% - 17% 14.1%
1990 28.2% - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 24.8% - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - 266.6% 17.5% 38.8%
1986 26.1% 159.2% 19.5% 40.1%
1985 29.9% 218% 20.5% 36.8%
1984 31.9% 198% 19.3% 30.6%
1983 33.8% 211.6% 19.5% 28.9%
1982 49.4% 159.1% 20.2% 27.1%
1981 39.3% 149.1% 19.1% 24.4%
1980 30.4% 152.1% 18.7% 22.1%
1979 20.7% 116.3% 16.9% 23.7%
1978 17.7% 76.9% 16.6% 22.8%
1977 19.9% 62.7% 16.1% 22.4%
1976 16.2% 59.5% 15.6% 22%
1975 17.5% 57.8% 14.2% 15.8%
1974 15.3% 40% 13.2% 16.3%
1973 12.8% 32.9% 15.9% 21.2%
1972 15.1% 30.2% 18.5% 26.8%
1971 15.1% 31.6% 18.8% 21.5%
1970 13.2% 35.4% 17.6% 18.5%
1969 11.1% - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 10.9% - 16% 15.5%
1967 12.7% - 15.5% 15%
1966 12.2% - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 10.9% - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 10.2% - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 10.5% - 12% 12.6%
1962 10.6% - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 9.93% - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 11.2% - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/thailand | CC BY

In 2025, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.8B, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $133B, or 23% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.8% in Nicaragua and 64.7% in Thailand, ranking 145/185 and 67/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Thailand
2025 2.1% -1.91%
2024 2.25% -1.29%
2023 2.3% -1.91%
2022 0.65% -4.61%
2021 -1.26% -6.72%
2020 -2.57% -4.47%
2019 -1.12% 0.43%
2018 -4.35% 0.2%
2017 -1.75% -0.51%
2016 -1.92% 0.41%
2015 -1.64% 0.19%
2014 -0.89% -0.7%
2013 -0.3% 0.6%
2012 0.22% -0.86%
2011 0.59% 0.09%
2010 0.69% -1.07%
2009 -0.9% -2.21%
2008 0.27% 0.8%
2007 1.88% 0.22%
2006 1.36% 1.87%
2005 1.72% 2.17%
2004 1.69% 1.11%
2003 1.3% 1.98%
2002 2.07% -6.72%
2001 0.34% -1.77%
2000 2.15% -1.79%
1999 -6.86% -9.02%
1998 -2.88% -6.29%
1997 -3.31% -1.68%
1996 -5% 2.75%
1995 -4.62% 3.05%
1994 -5.79% 2.78%
1993 -4.66% 6.67%
1992 -3.8% -0.18%
1991 -3.45% 1.6%
1990 -15.2% 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 -22.4% 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 -7.33% -4.32%
1985 -11.3% -5.11%
1984 -11.8% -3.85%
1983 -15.6% -4.02%
1982 -20.2% -6.18%
1981 -10.6% -4.07%
1980 -6.53% -4.41%
1979 -5.89% -3.62%
1978 -4.44% -3.31%
1977 -5.91% -2.91%
1976 -2.2% -3.35%
1975 -3.53% -1.73%
1974 -1.41% 1.29%
1973 1.21% -2.7%
1972 -2.61% -4.81%
1971 -2.33% -5.47%
1970 -2.69% -3.73%
1969 -1.57% -2.53%
1968 -1.21% -2.79%
1967 -2.11% -2.1%
1966 -1.04% -1.13%
1965 0.3% -1.05%
1964 0.2% -1.01%
1963 0.75% -0.81%
1962 -0.29% -0.27%
1961 0.04% 0.05%
1960 -1.28% 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/thailand | CC BY

In 2025, Nicaragua's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $467M, equivalent to 2.1% of GDP. This compares to Thailand's deficit of $11B, or 1.91% of GDP.

Over the past 66 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 43 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 43 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 3.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.52% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Thailand
2025 2.1% -0.13%
2024 4.6% 0.4%
2023 8.4% 1.23%
2022 10.5% 6.08%
2021 4.9% 1.23%
2020 3.7% -0.85%
2019 5.4% 0.71%
2018 4.9% 1.07%
2017 3.9% 0.66%
2016 3.5% 0.19%
2015 4% -0.9%
2014 6% 1.89%
2013 7.1% 2.19%
2012 7.2% 3.01%
2011 8.1% 3.81%
2010 5.5% 3.25%
2009 3.7% -0.85%
2008 19.8% 5.47%
2007 11.1% 2.24%
2006 9.1% 4.64%
2005 9.6% 4.54%
2004 8.5% 2.76%
2003 5.3% 1.8%
2002 3.8% 0.7%
2001 7.4% 1.63%
2000 11.5% 1.59%
1999 11.2% 0.28%
1998 13% 7.99%
1997 9.2% 5.63%

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/nicaragua/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.34%, compared with 2.15% in Thailand. In 2025, inflation was 2.1% in Nicaragua and -0.13% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $2.7M
Metals $794K
Wood & paper products $136K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36K
Raw agricultural goods $32K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $57.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.15M
Raw materials & minerals $2.74M
Textiles & consumer goods $738K
Metals $590K
Chemicals & pharma $186K
Raw agricultural goods $163K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Thailand
Current account balance
$818M
2024
$15.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
20/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
+2.76%
2025
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$312B
2025
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$335B
2025
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$77.2B
2025
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$76.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.9%
2025
67.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
71.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Thailand
Economic freedom 53.6 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 88/197
Property rights 23.8 41.8
Government integrity 13.4 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 35
Tax burden 74.5 80.8
Government spending 77.7 83.6
Fiscal health 96.9 81
Business freedom 54.4 69.9
Labor freedom 47.3 56.4
Monetary freedom 69.4 73.3
Trade freedom 67 70.2
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Thailand
2026 53.6 62.2
2025 54 60.6
2024 53.4 59
2023 54.9 60.6
2022 54.8 63.2
2021 56.3 69.7
2020 57.2 69.4
2019 57.7 68.3
2018 58.9 67.1
2017 59.2 66.2
2016 58.6 63.9
2015 57.6 62.4
2014 58.4 63.3
2013 56.6 64.1
2012 57.9 64.9
2011 58.8 64.7
2010 58.3 64.1
2009 59.8 63
2008 60.8 62.3
2007 62.7 63.5
2006 63.8 63.3
2005 62.5 62.5
2004 61.4 63.7
2003 62.6 65.8
2002 61.1 69.1
2001 58 68.9
2000 56.9 66.6
1999 54 66.9
1998 53.8 67.3
1997 53.3 66.1
1996 54.1 71
1995 42.5 71.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/thailand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Thailand
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
60.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
31.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
8.75%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$19.9B
2025
$551B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,780
2025
$25,570
2025
Total reserves including gold
$8.32B
2025
$282B
2025
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2025
15/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$9.51B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
3.51%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
22.1%
2025

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/nicaragua/thailand | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.