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Economy of Norway vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has a GDP of $484B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 32/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $207B in government debt (42.7% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Norway vs Romania GDP by year

Norway
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Romania
2024 $483,592,648,313 $382,564,217,989
2023 $482,949,731,777 $347,757,995,759
2022 $596,297,651,036 $295,319,437,557
2021 $503,367,986,030 $285,071,280,114
2020 $367,633,418,887 $250,625,048,304
2019 $408,742,840,909 $250,080,428,512
2018 $439,788,625,884 $241,791,427,224
2017 $401,745,275,035 $210,147,385,855
2016 $370,956,547,619 $185,290,759,249
2015 $388,159,512,246 $177,885,131,240
2014 $501,736,471,833 $199,722,319,676
2013 $526,014,468,085 $189,798,603,751
2012 $512,777,309,841 $179,117,323,107
2011 $501,360,549,669 $192,623,977,894
2010 $431,052,143,940 $170,064,350,672
2009 $387,976,400,617 $174,110,532,659
2008 $464,917,553,191 $214,315,932,061
2007 $402,643,260,488 $174,588,782,939
2006 $346,915,160,682 $122,023,735,993
2005 $309,978,579,744 $98,454,380,120
2004 $265,268,662,473 $74,973,656,852
2003 $229,385,469,337 $57,806,384,143
2002 $195,914,852,576 $46,065,502,703
2001 $174,239,354,071 $40,395,116,581
2000 $171,457,201,936 $37,253,739,511
1999 $162,383,706,021 $35,953,156,754
1998 $154,230,295,158 $41,696,091,974
1997 $161,356,631,888 $35,575,214,078
1996 $163,520,109,151 $36,937,074,278
1995 $152,029,612,325 $37,430,162,103
1994 $127,131,319,429 $30,072,805,104
1993 $120,579,213,713 $26,361,160,450
1992 $130,838,040,068 $25,121,666,667
1991 $121,872,464,483 $28,850,634,900
1990 $119,791,843,060 $38,247,882,300
1989 $102,633,934,391 $41,450,777,202
1988 $101,900,260,856 $40,424,528,302
1987 $94,229,907,236 $38,067,567,568
1986 $78,693,118,044 -
1985 $65,416,879,914 -
1984 $62,057,955,033 -
1983 $61,627,240,831 -
1982 $62,647,195,538 -
1981 $63,596,654,761 -
1980 $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/norway/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Norway vs Romania by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,785 $102,038 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $87,497 $103,638 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $109,270 $125,490 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $93,073 $88,984 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $68,340 $67,111 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $76,431 $70,940 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $82,793 $70,254 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $76,132 $64,590 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $70,867 $59,280 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $74,810 $60,738 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $97,667 $66,332 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $103,554 $67,378 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $102,176 $65,774 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $101,222 $62,460 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $88,163 $58,213 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $80,348 $55,648 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $97,504 $62,073 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $85,502 $56,179 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $74,434 $54,358 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $67,047 $47,967 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $57,769 $42,667 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $50,250 $38,680 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $43,171 $38,056 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $38,602 $37,829 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $38,178 $36,994 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $36,393 $30,574 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $34,803 $28,200 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $36,629 $28,610 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $37,322 $26,826 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $34,876 $24,360 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $29,316 $23,027 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $27,964 $21,584 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $30,524 $20,623 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $28,597 $19,580 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $28,243 $18,461 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $24,281 - $1,790 -
1988 $24,207 - $1,753 -
1987 $22,506 - $1,659 -
1986 $18,883 - - -
1985 $15,754 - - -
1984 $14,989 - - -
1983 $14,928 - - -
1982 $15,225 - - -
1981 $15,513 - - -
1980 $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/norway/romania | CC BY

Norway's GDP per capita is $86,785, ranking 8/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Norway Romania
Gross domestic product
$484B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
32/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
2.1%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,785
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$207B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.7%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$37,074
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
17/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,765
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
$47.4B
2024
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
17
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48.5%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.15%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.98%
2024
5.43%
2024
Population
5671119
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48.5% 42.7% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 45.9% 44.1% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 37.5% 36.1% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 46.3% 41.6% 37% 51.5%
2020 56.7% 46% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 50.2% 40.5% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 47.7% 39.3% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 49.2% 38.2% 31% 37.1%
2016 50.4% 37.9% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 48.2% 34.3% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 45.2% 29.6% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 43.5% 31.4% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 42.4% 30.9% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 43.3% 29.6% 35% 32.6%
2010 44.5% 43% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 45.6% 42.5% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 39.8% 47.5% 35.3% 13%
2007 41% 49.5% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 40.5% 52.6% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 41.8% 42.3% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 47.6% 43.1% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 46.1% 33.9% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 43.2% 27.2% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 41.3% 28.7% 35% 29.6%
1999 46.4% 25% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 47.8% 23.6% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 45.5% 25.8% 33.5% 15%
1996 47% 28.4% 33.5% 11%
1995 49.3% 32.7% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 49.4% 50.6% 33.1% -
1993 50.2% 53.7% 33.5% -
1992 51.3% 45% 41.5% -
1991 50% 39.2% 38.3% -
1990 48.9% 28.9% 38.4% -
1989 52.2% 30.4% 40.1% -
1988 52.6% 30.5% 36.6% -
1987 50.5% 31.3% 40.7% -
1986 48.1% 37.8% 42.5% -
1985 44% 30.2% 41.6% -
1984 44.5% 27.8% 28.6% -
1983 46.4% 27.4% 25.8% -
1982 46.6% 29.7% 28.5% -
1981 46.1% 32.9% 30.4% -
1980 46.1% 36.8% 33.6% -
1979 47.2% 39.6% 42% -
1978 47.9% 49.9% 42.1% -
1977 46.5% 43.8% 39.9% -
1976 45.2% 38.5% 37.5% -
1975 43.5% 36.7% 40.6% -
1974 42.2% 35.4% 37.6% -
1973 42.3% 37.7% 32.6% -
1972 42.2% 38.9% 29.9% -
1971 40.7% 38.5% 27.2% -
1970 38.9% 38.6% 28.1% -
1969 38% 22.3% 32.1% -
1968 36.2% 22.5% 31.8% -
1967 34.9% 22.6% 30.6% -
1966 33.5% 22.4% 27.3% -
1965 32.9% 23% 25.6% -
1964 32% 24.2% 25.1% -
1963 31.9% 25.3% 23.1% -
1962 30.6% 26.7% 43.4% -
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 (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Norway's government spending was $234B, accounting for 48.5% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.7% in Norway and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 127/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Romania
2024 13.2% -8.68%
2023 16.6% -5.61%
2022 25.5% -5.83%
2021 10.3% -6.7%
2020 -2.56% -9.54%
2019 6.52% -4.55%
2018 7.81% -2.74%
2017 4.96% -2.86%
2016 4.04% -2.5%
2015 5.99% -1.35%
2014 8.57% -1.76%
2013 10.6% -2.44%
2012 13.7% -2.39%
2011 13.3% -4.14%
2010 10.9% -6.22%
2009 10.2% -6.86%
2008 18.5% -4.6%
2007 17% -3.05%
2006 17.9% -1.36%
2005 14.7% -0.69%
2004 10.8% -3.39%
2003 7.2% -2.29%
2002 9.03% -2.59%
2001 13.2% -3.2%
2000 15% -3.99%
1999 5.71% -3.58%
1998 3.07% -5.33%
1997 7.35% -5.19%
1996 6.01% -4.74%
1995 2.96% -3.32%
1994 0.04% -2.2%
1993 -1.64% -0.35%
1992 -2.07% -4.55%
1991 -0.12% 3.23%
1990 1.95% 1.03%
1989 1.81% -2.87%
1988 2.65% 8.4%
1987 4.56% 2.37%
1986 5.87% 5.72%
1985 9.84% 6.36%
1984 6.97% 15.2%
1983 6.03% 9.35%
1982 3.96% 0.36%
1981 4.82% 0.61%
1980 5.38% -1.95%
1979 2.16% 0%
1978 0.94% 0%
1977 1.01% 0.23%
1976 2.2% 0.66%
1975 2.88% 0.41%
1974 4.06% 0.51%
1973 4.99% 1.53%
1972 3.93% 1.21%
1971 3.71% 0.89%
1970 2.83% 0.52%
1969 3.57% 0.93%
1968 3.38% 1.65%
1967 4.19% 1.23%
1966 3.59% 0.91%
1965 2.78% -1.29%
1964 3.08% -3.11%
1963 2.6% -1.61%
1962 4% -4.86%
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/norway/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $64.1B, equivalent to 13.2% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 8.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Romania
2024 3.15% 5.6%
2023 5.52% 10.4%
2022 5.76% 13.8%
2021 3.48% 5%
2020 1.29% 2.6%
2019 2.17% 3.8%
2018 2.76% 4.6%
2017 1.88% 1.3%
2016 3.55% -1.6%
2015 2.17% -0.6%
2014 2.04% 1.1%
2013 2.12% 4%
2012 0.7% 3.3%
2011 1.28% 5.8%
2010 2.42% 6.1%
2009 2.2% 5.6%
2008 3.75% 7.8%
2007 0.71% 4.8%
2006 2.33% 6.6%
2005 1.53% 9%
2004 0.45% 11.9%
2003 2.49% 15.4%
2002 1.29% 22.5%
2001 3% 34.5%
2000 3.09% 45.7%
1999 2.37% 45.8%
1998 2.25% 59.1%
1997 2.57% 154.8%

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/norway/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.44%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 3.15% in Norway and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $300M
Raw materials & minerals $296M
Animal & marine products $33.5M
Metals $22.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $13M
Miscellaneous $7.78M
Chemicals & pharma $6.83M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.88M
Wood & paper products $1.85M
Precious metals & jewellery $102K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $525M
Metals $104M
IT & IP services $67.3M
Transport & tourism services $61.1M
Business & finance services $44.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $42.4M
Raw agricultural goods $16.6M
Raw materials & minerals $7.45M
Manufacturing & construction services $7.21M
Chemicals & pharma $3.29M

Balance of trade

Norway Romania
Current account balance
$71.6B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
11/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.8%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$97.5B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$162B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$63.6B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$55.6B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.5%
2024
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Norway Romania
Economic freedom 78.8 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 64/197
Property rights 99.6 81
Government integrity 94.3 50
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 67
Tax burden 63.3 89.1
Government spending 42 56.7
Fiscal health 96.4 21.4
Business freedom 91.2 74.4
Labor freedom 69.3 63.6
Monetary freedom 72.4 72.7
Trade freedom 85.6 79.4
Investment freedom 75 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway Romania
2026 78.8 65.4
2025 78.3 66.5
2024 77.5 64.4
2023 76.9 64.5
2022 76.9 67.1
2021 73.4 69.5
2020 73.4 69.7
2019 73 68.6
2018 74.3 69.4
2017 74 69.7
2016 70.8 65.6
2015 71.8 66.6
2014 70.9 65.5
2013 70.5 65.1
2012 68.8 64.4
2011 70.3 64.7
2010 69.4 64.2
2009 70.2 63.2
2008 68.6 61.7
2007 67.9 61.2
2006 67.9 58.2
2005 64.5 52.1
2004 66.2 50
2003 67.2 50.6
2002 67.4 48.7
2001 67.1 50
2000 70.1 52.1
1999 68.6 50.1
1998 68 54.4
1997 65.1 50.8
1996 65.4 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Norway Romania
Services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.08%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$547B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,830
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$81.2B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
32/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$7.83B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.95B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
25%
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/norway/romania | 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 (1881–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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)
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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.