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Economy of Portugal vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Portugal has a GDP of $313B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 46/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Portugal has $297B in government debt (94.9% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Portugal vs Romania GDP by year

Portugal
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Portugal Romania
2024 $313,271,185,085 $382,564,217,989
2023 $292,323,800,949 $347,757,995,759
2022 $256,898,677,175 $295,319,437,557
2021 $256,055,879,091 $285,071,280,114
2020 $229,618,773,423 $250,625,048,304
2019 $240,115,970,063 $250,080,428,512
2018 $242,092,894,543 $241,791,427,224
2017 $220,862,990,767 $210,147,385,855
2016 $206,305,431,242 $185,290,759,249
2015 $199,038,523,120 $177,885,131,240
2014 $230,078,616,300 $199,722,319,676
2013 $226,677,408,292 $189,798,603,751
2012 $216,536,676,772 $179,117,323,107
2011 $245,426,767,676 $192,623,977,894
2010 $238,443,864,993 $170,064,350,672
2009 $244,667,762,836 $174,110,532,659
2008 $263,416,394,624 $214,315,932,061
2007 $240,496,147,317 $174,588,782,939
2006 $208,756,449,276 $122,023,735,993
2005 $197,253,876,705 $98,454,380,120
2004 $189,382,122,532 $74,973,656,852
2003 $165,226,175,537 $57,806,384,143
2002 $134,795,565,549 $46,065,502,703
2001 $121,604,107,165 $40,395,116,581
2000 $118,605,192,877 $37,253,739,511
1999 $127,470,385,557 $35,953,156,754
1998 $123,946,327,916 $41,696,091,974
1997 $117,016,535,163 $35,575,214,078
1996 $122,630,089,680 $36,937,074,278
1995 $118,122,007,430 $37,430,162,103
1994 $99,688,641,304 $30,072,805,104
1993 $95,009,751,901 $26,361,160,450
1992 $107,592,098,307 $25,121,666,667
1991 $89,233,599,278 $28,850,634,900
1990 $78,713,860,217 $38,247,882,300
1989 $60,594,092,182 $41,450,777,202
1988 $56,347,250,696 $40,424,528,302
1987 $48,182,925,857 $38,067,567,568
1986 $38,745,901,354 -
1985 $27,115,807,742 -
1984 $25,217,969,050 -
1983 $27,239,650,742 -
1982 $30,527,754,793 -
1981 $31,977,276,873 -
1980 $32,896,519,824 -
1979 $26,622,819,672 -
1978 $23,487,614,051 -
1977 $21,439,523,311 -
1976 $20,332,831,565 -
1975 $19,347,607,843 -
1974 $17,512,391,476 -
1973 $15,090,564,186 -
1972 $11,239,117,865 -
1971 $9,201,604,240 -
1970 $8,108,235,704 -
1969 $7,287,555,035 -
1968 $6,644,693,214 -
1967 $6,002,607,030 -
1966 $5,370,108,031 -
1965 $4,901,711,248 -
1964 $4,429,202,657 -
1963 $4,084,251,593 -
1962 $3,835,883,663 -
1961 $3,573,719,085 -
1960 $3,339,150,158 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Portugal vs Romania by year

Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Portugal Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,292 $51,680 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $27,635 $49,353 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $24,621 $45,250 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $24,711 $38,658 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $22,299 $35,967 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $23,343 $37,866 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $23,541 $34,897 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $21,442 $32,971 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $19,980 $31,589 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $19,216 $29,608 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $22,121 $28,765 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $21,676 $27,966 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $20,593 $26,476 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $23,247 $26,803 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $22,552 $27,292 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $23,151 $26,472 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $24,949 $26,666 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $22,811 $25,738 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $19,839 $24,677 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $18,780 $22,725 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $18,064 $21,476 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $15,798 $20,850 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $12,937 $20,357 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $11,735 $19,529 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $11,526 $18,883 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $12,475 $17,718 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $12,199 $16,688 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $11,576 $15,789 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $12,185 $14,922 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $11,781 $14,406 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $9,977 $13,578 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $9,535 $13,202 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $10,811 $13,182 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $8,959 $12,739 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $7,885 $11,780 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $6,056 - $1,790 -
1988 $5,624 - $1,753 -
1987 $4,804 - $1,659 -
1986 $3,862 - - -
1985 $2,705 - - -
1984 $2,523 - - -
1983 $2,735 - - -
1982 $3,080 - - -
1981 $3,246 - - -
1980 $3,368 - - -
1979 $2,756 - - -
1978 $2,457 - - -
1977 $2,267 - - -
1976 $2,173 - - -
1975 $2,128 - - -
1974 $2,000 - - -
1973 $1,748 - - -
1972 $1,302 - - -
1971 $1,065 - - -
1970 $934 - - -
1969 $832 - - -
1968 $752 - - -
1967 $676 - - -
1966 $601 - - -
1965 $545 - - -
1964 $490 - - -
1963 $452 - - -
1962 $426 - - -
1961 $400 - - -
1960 $377 - - -

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

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

Portugal's GDP per capita is $29,292, ranking 44/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Portugal Romania
Gross domestic product
$313B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
46/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
2.14%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,292
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
44/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,680
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
42/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$297B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.9%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$27,807
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
27/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,747
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$61.9B
2018
$47.4B
2024
Number of millionaires
171,797
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.9%
2023
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2023
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.8%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.42%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.43%
2024
5.43%
2024
Population
10667081
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Portugal
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Portugal Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.8% 94.9% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 42.3% 97.7% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 43.9% 111.2% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 47.3% 123.9% 37% 51.5%
2020 49.1% 134.1% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 42.5% 116.1% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 43.3% 121.1% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 45.5% 126% 31% 37.1%
2016 44.9% 131.2% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 48.2% 131% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 51.7% 132.5% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 50% 130.8% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 48.8% 128.6% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 50% 114% 35% 32.6%
2010 51.9% 100.1% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 50.3% 87.8% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 45.5% 75.6% 35.3% 13%
2007 44.5% 72.7% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 45.1% 73.7% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 46.8% 72.2% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 46.1% 67.1% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 45.4% 63.9% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 44.2% 60% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 44.1% 57.4% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 42.8% 54.2% 35% 29.6%
1999 42.5% 55.4% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 42.6% 55.6% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 42.4% 58.7% 33.5% 15%
1996 43% 63.3% 33.5% 11%
1995 42.6% 62.2% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 42.8% 60.4% 33.1% -
1993 46.5% 57.2% 33.5% -
1992 48.2% 58.1% 41.5% -
1991 45.9% 63.9% 38.3% -
1990 42.2% 60.2% 38.4% -
1989 36.2% 55.4% 40.1% -
1988 36.2% 56.8% 36.6% -
1987 37.5% 57.2% 40.7% -
1986 38.9% 59.8% 42.5% -
1985 37.5% 59.4% 41.6% -
1984 34.6% 51.3% 28.6% -
1983 34.7% 46.7% 25.8% -
1982 35.8% 43% 28.5% -
1981 35.3% 39.3% 30.4% -
1980 32.4% 31% 33.6% -
1979 30.8% 35.2% 42% -
1978 31.7% 31.4% 42.1% -
1977 35.1% 26.9% 39.9% -
1976 38.2% 24.5% 37.5% -
1975 31.9% 19.2% 40.6% -
1974 25.8% 13.5% 37.6% -
1973 25.7% 13.6% 32.6% -
1972 22.8% 14.5% 29.9% -
1971 15.5% 15.7% 27.2% -
1970 15.5% 16.5% 28.1% -
1969 14.9% 16.8% 32.1% -
1968 14.3% 17.2% 31.8% -
1967 14.1% 18.5% 30.6% -
1966 14.4% 20.2% 27.3% -
1965 13.4% 20.4% 25.6% -
1964 13.9% 21.9% 25.1% -
1963 14.6% 20.8% 23.1% -
1962 14.5% 18.7% 43.4% -
1961 14.6% 17.1% - -
1960 14.3% 16.4% - -

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/portugal/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Portugal's government spending was $134B, accounting for 42.8% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.9% in Portugal and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 27/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Portugal

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Portugal Romania
2024 0.7% -8.68%
2023 1.21% -5.61%
2022 -0.31% -5.83%
2021 -2.83% -6.7%
2020 -5.75% -9.54%
2019 0.12% -4.55%
2018 -0.43% -2.74%
2017 -3% -2.86%
2016 -1.94% -2.5%
2015 -4.37% -1.35%
2014 -7.32% -1.76%
2013 -5.21% -2.44%
2012 -6.2% -2.39%
2011 -7.73% -4.14%
2010 -11.4% -6.22%
2009 -9.87% -6.86%
2008 -3.81% -4.6%
2007 -2.91% -3.05%
2006 -4.07% -1.36%
2005 -6.11% -0.69%
2004 -5.99% -3.39%
2003 -5.66% -2.29%
2002 -3.73% -2.59%
2001 -4.73% -3.2%
2000 -3.35% -3.99%
1999 -2.99% -3.58%
1998 -4.3% -5.33%
1997 -3.65% -5.19%
1996 -4.63% -4.74%
1995 -5.14% -3.32%
1994 -7.37% -2.2%
1993 -8.06% -0.35%
1992 -5.19% -4.55%
1991 -7.93% 3.23%
1990 -6.82% 1.03%
1989 -2.86% -2.87%
1988 -3.52% 8.4%
1987 -6.79% 2.37%
1986 -7.45% 5.72%
1985 -8.35% 6.36%
1984 -5.23% 15.2%
1983 -4.86% 9.35%
1982 -7.02% 0.36%
1981 -8.34% 0.61%
1980 -6.92% -1.95%
1979 -6.08% 0%
1978 -7.15% 0%
1977 -7.5% 0.23%
1976 -10.2% 0.66%
1975 -7.1% 0.41%
1974 -3.2% 0.51%
1973 -5.39% 1.53%
1972 -7.72% 1.21%
1971 -0.23% 0.89%
1970 -0.24% 0.52%
1969 -1.53% 0.93%
1968 -1.24% 1.65%
1967 -0.46% 1.23%
1966 -2% 0.91%
1965 -0.03% -1.29%
1964 -1.93% -3.11%
1963 -3.33% -1.61%
1962 -1.69% -4.86%
1961 -3.17% -
1960 -3.13% -
1959 -1.73% -
1958 -0.52% -
1957 0.08% -
1956 -0.18% -
1955 -0.31% -
1954 -0.58% -
1953 -0.35% -
1952 -0.34% -
1951 0.94% -
1950 -0.83% -
1949 -0.46% -
1948 -2.04% -
1947 -1.65% -
1946 -2.32% -
1945 -2.38% -
1944 -1.44% -
1943 0.03% -
1942 -0.35% -
1941 -0.08% -
1940 -1.74% -
1939 -0.73% -
1938 -0.08% -
1937 -0.09% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.75% -
1934 0.6% -
1933 -0.07% -
1932 -0.03% -
1931 0.04% -
1930 0.79% -
1929 1.86% -
1928 0.2% -
1927 -2.27% -
1926 -4.21% -
1925 -1.48% -
1924 -3.16% -
1923 -3.47% -
1922 -10% -
1921 -6.5% -
1920 -5.66% -
1919 -8.83% -
1918 -8.3% -
1917 -5.49% -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -0.34% -
1912 -0.02% -
1911 -0.73% -
1910 -0.19% -
1909 -0.82% -
1908 -0.56% -
1907 -0.69% -
1906 -0.45% -
1905 -0.75% -
1904 -0.26% -
1903 -0.91% -
1902 -0.5% -
1901 -0.69% -
1900 -0.35% -
1899 -0.77% -
1898 -0.5% -
1897 -0.93% -
1896 -1.35% -
1895 -0.2% -
1894 -0.16% -
1893 -0.02% -
1892 -0.8% -
1891 -2.15% -
1890 -2.01% -
1889 -1.95% -
1888 -2.14% -
1887 -0.67% -
1886 -1.43% -
1885 -1.68% -
1884 -1.48% -
1883 -1.1% -
1882 -0.39% -
1881 -1.2% -
1880 -1.63% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Portugal's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.19B, equivalent to 0.7% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, Portugal recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Portugal posted an annual deficit equal to 4.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Portugal

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Portugal Romania
2024 2.42% 5.6%
2023 4.31% 10.4%
2022 7.83% 13.8%
2021 1.27% 5%
2020 -0.01% 2.6%
2019 0.34% 3.8%
2018 0.99% 4.6%
2017 1.37% 1.3%
2016 0.61% -1.6%
2015 0.49% -0.6%
2014 -0.28% 1.1%
2013 0.27% 4%
2012 2.77% 3.3%
2011 3.65% 5.8%
2010 1.4% 6.1%
2009 -0.84% 5.6%
2008 2.59% 7.8%
2007 2.45% 4.8%
2006 3.11% 6.6%
2005 2.28% 9%
2004 2.37% 11.9%
2003 3.22% 15.4%
2002 3.6% 22.5%
2001 4.37% 34.5%
2000 2.85% 45.7%
1999 2.34% 45.8%
1998 2.57% 59.1%
1997 2.34% 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/portugal/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Portugal has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.17%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 2.42% in Portugal and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Portugal
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $400M
Textiles & consumer goods $96.9M
Chemicals & pharma $42.7M
Raw materials & minerals $20.2M
Metals $20.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18.8M
Transport & tourism services $15.1M
Wood & paper products $8.02M
Raw agricultural goods $4.43M
Animal & marine products $3.01M
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $297M
Raw agricultural goods $124M
Transport & tourism services $47.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $44.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $31.5M
Chemicals & pharma $30.7M
IT & IP services $30.3M
Business & finance services $22.6M
Metals $19.2M
Raw materials & minerals $16.9M

Balance of trade

Portugal Romania
Current account balance
$6.51B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
28/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.08%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$109B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$81.4B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$62.7B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.8%
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.

Portugal Romania
Economic freedom 71.2 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 33/197 64/197
Property rights 88.9 81
Government integrity 63.4 50
Judicial effectiveness 90.1 67
Tax burden 60.6 89.1
Government spending 44.6 56.7
Fiscal health 82 21.4
Business freedom 83.1 74.4
Labor freedom 54.8 63.6
Monetary freedom 77.7 72.7
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Portugal
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Portugal Romania
2026 71.2 65.4
2025 70.5 66.5
2024 68.7 64.4
2023 69.5 64.5
2022 70.8 67.1
2021 67.5 69.5
2020 67 69.7
2019 65.3 68.6
2018 63.4 69.4
2017 62.6 69.7
2016 65.1 65.6
2015 65.3 66.6
2014 63.5 65.5
2013 63.1 65.1
2012 63 64.4
2011 64 64.7
2010 64.4 64.2
2009 64.9 63.2
2008 63.9 61.7
2007 64 61.2
2006 62.9 58.2
2005 62.4 52.1
2004 64.9 50
2003 64.9 50.6
2002 65.4 48.7
2001 66 50
2000 65.5 52.1
1999 65.6 50.1
1998 65 54.4
1997 63.6 50.8
1996 64.5 46.2
1995 62.4 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Portugal is 71.2, ranking 33/197, 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

Portugal Romania
Services, % of GDP
66.3%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.02%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$288B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$50,730
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$42.4B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
48/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.64B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.5B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$6.84B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.4%
2021
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
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/portugal/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 (1880–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.