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Economy of Trinidad and Tobago vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Trinidad and Tobago has a GDP of $25.6B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 115/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Trinidad and Tobago has $16.5B in government debt (64.2% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Trinidad and Tobago vs United States GDP by year

Trinidad and Tobago
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Trinidad United States
2024 $25,633,544,529 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $25,036,993,423 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $28,341,164,301 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $24,222,963,263 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $20,888,515,184 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $23,477,745,792 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $23,883,058,083 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $23,830,750,901 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $23,624,322,193 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $26,841,141,793 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $29,474,180,005 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $28,560,537,057 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $27,147,349,937 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $25,433,007,437 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $22,157,920,592 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $19,172,165,226 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $27,871,587,350 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $21,641,620,050 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $18,369,361,094 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $15,982,389,018 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $13,280,291,990 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $11,305,459,802 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $9,008,298,229 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $8,824,849,191 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $8,154,342,116 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $6,808,982,521 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $6,043,686,654 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $5,737,771,523 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $5,759,570,336 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $5,329,217,747 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $4,947,181,646 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $4,669,491,134 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $5,439,552,941 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $5,307,905,882 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $5,068,000,000 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $4,323,058,824 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $4,496,910,569 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $4,797,777,778 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $4,794,444,444 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $7,375,918,367 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $7,757,083,333 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $7,763,750,000 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $8,140,416,667 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $6,992,083,333 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $6,235,833,333 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $4,602,416,625 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $3,562,333,458 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $3,138,666,667 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $2,500,424,955 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $2,442,669,825 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $2,042,001,071 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $1,308,785,431 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $1,083,391,758 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $896,765,215 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $821,850,000 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $779,200,000 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $758,899,950 $940,225,000,000
1967 $761,981,912 $859,620,034,483
1966 $723,739,857 $813,032,758,621
1965 $736,573,159 $741,904,862,069
1964 $711,897,520 $684,144,620,690
1963 $678,239,329 $637,058,551,724
1962 $619,322,810 $603,639,413,793
1961 $584,964,621 $561,940,310,345
1960 $535,673,252 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Trinidad and Tobago vs United States by year

Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Trinidad United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,733 $36,329 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $18,308 $34,623 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $20,751 $32,979 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $17,713 $30,482 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $15,284 $26,731 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $17,213 $29,316 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $17,571 $28,673 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $17,566 $28,484 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $17,449 $28,232 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $19,887 $29,825 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $21,908 $32,027 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $21,305 $31,746 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $20,332 $31,883 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $19,151 $31,078 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $16,815 $30,778 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $14,634 $29,602 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $21,299 $30,807 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $16,607 $29,355 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $14,153 $27,393 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $12,346 $23,536 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $9,871 $20,674 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $8,445 $18,743 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $6,763 $16,141 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $6,657 $14,797 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $6,179 $13,953 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $5,179 $12,812 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $4,613 $11,735 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $4,394 $10,769 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $4,427 $9,883 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $4,115 $9,099 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $3,840 $8,631 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $3,647 $8,209 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $4,277 $8,129 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $4,205 $7,274 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $4,047 $6,878 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $3,482 - $22,857 -
1988 $3,656 - $21,417 -
1987 $3,941 - $20,039 -
1986 $3,985 - $19,071 -
1985 $6,212 - $18,237 -
1984 $6,613 - $17,121 -
1983 $6,690 - $15,544 -
1982 $7,091 - $14,434 -
1981 $6,160 - $13,976 -
1980 $5,559 - $12,613 -
1979 $4,155 - $11,674 -
1978 $3,258 - $10,565 -
1977 $2,907 - $9,453 -
1976 $2,345 - $8,592 -
1975 $2,319 - $7,801 -
1974 $1,962 - $7,226 -
1973 $1,273 - $6,726 -
1972 $1,067 - $6,094 -
1971 $894 - $5,609 -
1970 $829 - $5,234 -
1969 $795 - $5,020 -
1968 $783 - $4,685 -
1967 $797 - $4,326 -
1966 $768 - $4,136 -
1965 $793 - $3,818 -
1964 $780 - $3,565 -
1963 $756 - $3,366 -
1962 $704 - $3,236 -
1961 $678 - $3,059 -
1960 $634 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-states | CC BY

Trinidad and Tobago's GDP per capita is $18,733, ranking 61/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Trinidad United States
Gross domestic product
$25.6B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
115/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
2.51%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,733
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
61/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$36,329
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
62/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$16.5B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.2%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$12,028
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
45/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,007
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.89B
2001
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
1992
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
1992
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.3%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.53%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2020
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.01%
2024
4.02%
2024
Population
1374840
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Trinidad United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.3% 64.2% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 33.5% 62.2% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 27.2% 51.3% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 30.3% 58.4% 43.2% 125%
2020 36.2% 62.5% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 31.2% 46.2% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 30.2% 41.5% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 30.7% 39.8% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 31.9% 35.4% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 35% 27.1% 35% 105.4%
2014 32.8% 23.5% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 31.3% 21.6% 35.8% 105%
2012 29.5% 21.8% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 29.4% 26.4% 38.8% 100%
2010 30.4% 16.8% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 37% 20.7% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 26.7% 13.5% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 25.7% 16.2% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 31.6% 16.9% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 26.7% 19.8% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 22.5% 24.2% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 22.2% 30.2% 34% 59%
2002 24.4% 37% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 24.8% 36.6% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 23.1% 38.9% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 24.1% 42.2% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 26.9% 42.8% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 27.2% 46.1% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 27.6% 47% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 26.2% 50.1% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 25.4% 52.6% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 26.9% 58.8% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 28.6% 49.2% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 29.6% 49.5% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 26.9% 47.7% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 30.9% 51.9% 33.7% 61.6%
1988 45.3% 65.3% 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government spending was $8.28B, accounting for 32.3% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 70/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Trinidad and Tobago

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Trinidad United States
2024 -5.24% -8.03%
2023 -1.24% -7.8%
2022 0.92% -3.72%
2021 -8.1% -11.4%
2020 -12.2% -14.1%
2019 -3.74% -5.81%
2018 -5.89% -5.33%
2017 -10.4% -4.79%
2016 -10.1% -4.36%
2015 -7.56% -3.53%
2014 -4.31% -4.03%
2013 -2.67% -4.56%
2012 -1.26% -8.11%
2011 -0.67% -9.72%
2010 0.13% -11%
2009 -5.42% -13.2%
2008 5.39% -6.61%
2007 3.12% -2.91%
2006 1.56% -2.04%
2005 2.36% -3.07%
2004 1.84% -4.24%
2003 1.8% -4.77%
2002 -0.2% -3.82%
2001 0.61% -0.54%
2000 0.17% 3.62%
1999 -0.88% 2.71%
1998 -1.8% 2.18%
1997 0.11% 0.88%
1996 -0.45% -0.46%
1995 0.17% -1.7%
1994 -0.02% -2.05%
1993 0.23% -3.35%
1992 -2.74% -3.98%
1991 -0.21% -2.72%
1990 -1.27% -1.64%
1989 -4.46% -0.8%
1988 -9.34% -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.34B, equivalent to 5.24% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Trinidad and Tobago recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Trinidad and Tobago posted an annual deficit equal to 2.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.21% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Trinidad and Tobago

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Trinidad United States
2024 0.53% 2.95%
2023 4.63% 4.12%
2022 5.83% 8%
2021 2.06% 4.7%
2020 0.6% 1.23%
2019 1% 1.81%
2018 1.02% 2.44%
2017 1.88% 2.13%
2016 3.07% 1.26%
2015 4.66% 0.12%
2014 5.68% 1.62%
2013 5.2% 1.46%
2012 9.26% 2.07%
2011 5.11% 3.16%
2010 10.5% 1.64%
2009 6.98% -0.36%
2008 12% 3.84%
2007 7.89% 2.85%
2006 8.33% 3.23%
2005 6.87% 3.39%
2004 3.72% 2.68%
2003 3.81% 2.27%
2002 4.15% 1.59%
2001 5.54% 2.83%
2000 3.56% 3.38%
1999 3.44% 2.19%
1998 5.61% 1.55%
1997 3.63% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.88%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Trinidad
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.2B
Metals $692M
Chemicals & pharma $171M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $52.8M
Machinery & equipment $45.3M
Miscellaneous $24.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $19.9M
Animal & marine products $7.72M
Wood & paper products $6.12M
Raw agricultural goods $2.63M
United States
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.17B
Machinery & equipment $697M
Chemicals & pharma $282M
Miscellaneous $193M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $188M
Raw agricultural goods $107M
Animal & marine products $100M
Textiles & consumer goods $86.2M
Metals $83.9M
Wood & paper products $31.1M

Balance of trade

Trinidad United States
Current account balance
$645M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.52%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$7.54B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$10B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$2.71B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$1.26B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45%
2025
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Trinidad United States
Economic freedom 62.4 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 87/197 27/197
Property rights 47.3 91.6
Government integrity 45.5 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 58.8 76.4
Tax burden 76.1 75.3
Government spending 71.1 57.9
Fiscal health 86.3 18.5
Business freedom 67.1 88.6
Labor freedom 57.2 76.3
Monetary freedom 81 84.2
Trade freedom 68.8 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Trinidad United States
2026 62.4 72.8
2025 63.6 70.2
2024 60.4 70.1
2023 59.5 70.6
2022 58.8 72.1
2021 59 74.8
2020 58.3 76.6
2019 57 76.8
2018 57.7 75.7
2017 61.2 75.1
2016 62.9 75.4
2015 64.1 76.2
2014 62.7 75.5
2013 62.3 76
2012 64.4 76.3
2011 66.5 77.8
2010 65.7 78
2009 68 80.7
2008 69.5 81
2007 70.6 81.2
2006 70.4 81.2
2005 71.5 79.9
2004 71.3 78.7
2003 68.8 78.2
2002 70.1 78.4
2001 71.8 79.1
2000 74.5 76.4
1999 72.4 75.5
1998 72 75.4
1997 71.3 75.6
1996 69.2 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Trinidad and Tobago is 62.4, ranking 87/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Trinidad United States
Services, % of GDP
59.2%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.78%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$27B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$36,580
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.6B
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
94/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$980M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$453M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$527M
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20%
2020
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2023
21.8%
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/trinidad-and-tobago/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, 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.