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Economy of Tunisia vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tunisia has a GDP of $51.3B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 93/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tunisia has $42.8B in government debt (83.4% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Tunisia vs United States GDP by year

Tunisia
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tunisia United States
2024 $51,332,285,657 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $48,205,328,303 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $44,929,920,093 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $47,073,234,359 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $42,491,780,918 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $41,905,642,419 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $42,686,504,460 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $42,163,530,591 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $44,360,072,680 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $45,779,494,042 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $50,271,812,921 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $48,685,446,414 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $47,311,401,813 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $48,123,325,825 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $46,206,091,938 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $43,455,740,497 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $44,859,439,902 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $38,915,353,867 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $34,376,664,601 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $32,272,186,695 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $31,183,885,241 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $27,453,902,261 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $23,141,616,605 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $22,065,832,449 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $21,473,528,161 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $22,943,202,175 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $21,802,893,587 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $20,746,210,354 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $19,587,161,807 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $18,030,876,599 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $15,633,174,304 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $14,608,335,608 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $15,496,708,060 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $13,074,782,609 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $12,290,568,182 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $10,101,851,745 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $10,096,245,762 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $9,696,715,911 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $9,017,806,654 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $8,410,226,053 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $8,254,541,195 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $8,350,582,748 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $8,133,580,052 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $8,428,445,294 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $8,744,134,354 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $7,188,863,904 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $5,968,460,080 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $5,109,324,009 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $4,508,191,942 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $4,328,965,588 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $3,545,868,575 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $2,730,813,385 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $2,237,556,149 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $1,685,162,272 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $1,439,238,095 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $1,289,904,762 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $1,214,666,667 $940,225,000,000
1967 $1,085,714,286 $859,620,034,483
1966 $1,040,952,381 $813,032,758,621
1965 $991,047,619 $741,904,862,069
1964 $1,025,866,792 $684,144,620,690
1963 $1,026,737,600 $637,058,551,724
1962 $880,027,733 $603,639,413,793
1961 $866,155,429 $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tunisia/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Tunisia vs United States by year

Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tunisia United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,181 $14,521 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $3,951 $14,041 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $3,707 $13,619 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $3,907 $12,444 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $3,549 $11,918 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $3,529 $12,495 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $3,628 $11,841 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $3,619 $11,289 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $3,848 $10,994 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $4,015 $10,783 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $4,459 $10,947 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $4,370 $10,672 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $4,297 $10,615 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $4,421 $10,436 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $4,292 $10,555 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $4,080 $10,237 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $4,255 $9,975 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $3,727 $9,479 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $3,323 $8,729 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $3,147 $8,117 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $3,067 $7,672 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $2,726 $7,098 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $2,321 $6,715 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $2,236 $6,593 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $2,199 $6,279 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $2,376 $5,930 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $2,285 $5,579 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $2,202 $5,333 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $2,107 $5,040 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $1,968 $4,686 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $1,733 $4,555 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $1,649 $4,401 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $1,785 $4,292 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,538 $3,975 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $1,476 $3,780 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $1,239 - $22,857 -
1988 $1,266 - $21,417 -
1987 $1,245 - $20,039 -
1986 $1,187 - $19,071 -
1985 $1,135 - $18,237 -
1984 $1,143 - $17,121 -
1983 $1,184 - $15,544 -
1982 $1,177 - $14,434 -
1981 $1,247 - $13,976 -
1980 $1,324 - $12,613 -
1979 $1,113 - $11,674 -
1978 $946 - $10,565 -
1977 $830 - $9,453 -
1976 $752 - $8,592 -
1975 $741 - $7,801 -
1974 $624 - $7,226 -
1973 $493 - $6,726 -
1972 $415 - $6,094 -
1971 $320 - $5,609 -
1970 $280.5 - $5,234 -
1969 $257.7 - $5,020 -
1968 $248.9 - $4,685 -
1967 $228 - $4,326 -
1966 $223.8 - $4,136 -
1965 $217.3 - $3,818 -
1964 $228.5 - $3,565 -
1963 $231.9 - $3,366 -
1962 $201.4 - $3,236 -
1961 $200.7 - $3,059 -
1960 - - $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/tunisia/united-states | CC BY

Tunisia's GDP per capita is $4,181, ranking 129/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Tunisia United States
Gross domestic product
$51.3B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
93/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
1.61%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,181
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,521
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
114/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$42.8B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
83.4%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,487
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
94/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,951
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.3B
2024
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27%
2021
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
7%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.5%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.1%
2023
4.02%
2024
Population
12437803
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tunisia
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tunisia United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 83.4% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 35.7% 84% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 36.5% 83% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 33.2% 79.7% 43.2% 125%
2020 34.5% 77.7% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 29.5% 67.3% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 28.7% 72.9% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 28.7% 67.1% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 27.2% 58.9% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 27.4% 52.4% 35% 105.4%
2014 27.7% 50.7% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 30.8% 45.6% 35.8% 105%
2012 28.3% 49% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 27.9% 43.3% 38.8% 100%
2010 24% 38.8% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 24.6% 40.3% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 23.7% 41.4% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 23.3% 42.7% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 22.9% 45.7% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 23% 50% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 23% 51.6% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 23.5% 52.6% 34% 59%
2002 24.1% 51.6% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 24% 52.2% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 24% 62.9% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 24% 61.9% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 24.2% 58.2% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 24.5% 66.6% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 26.7% 66.8% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 26.6% 65.6% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 25.9% 63.9% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 26.7% 63.8% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 25.7% 62.1% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 27.6% 63.3% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tunisia/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Tunisia's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 83.4% in Tunisia and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 40/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tunisia

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tunisia United States
2024 -5.92% -8.03%
2023 -7.03% -7.8%
2022 -6.91% -3.72%
2021 -7.6% -11.4%
2020 -9.06% -14.1%
2019 -3.6% -5.81%
2018 -4.27% -5.33%
2017 -5.61% -4.79%
2016 -5.87% -4.36%
2015 -4.95% -3.53%
2014 -3.11% -4.03%
2013 -7.05% -4.56%
2012 -4.9% -8.11%
2011 -3.19% -9.72%
2010 -0.46% -11%
2009 -2.59% -13.2%
2008 -0.62% -6.61%
2007 -2.47% -2.91%
2006 -2.33% -2.04%
2005 -2.59% -3.07%
2004 -2.1% -4.24%
2003 -2.64% -4.77%
2002 -2.55% -3.82%
2001 -2.87% -0.54%
2000 -3.22% 3.62%
1999 -3.05% 2.71%
1998 -2.84% 2.18%
1997 -3.7% 0.88%
1996 -5.18% -0.46%
1995 -4.53% -1.7%
1994 -2.87% -2.05%
1993 -3.22% -3.35%
1992 -3.45% -3.98%
1991 -5.25% -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tunisia/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Tunisia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.04B, equivalent to 5.92% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Tunisia recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Tunisia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.48% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tunisia

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tunisia United States
2024 7% 2.95%
2023 9.3% 4.12%
2022 8.3% 8%
2021 5.7% 4.7%
2020 5.6% 1.23%
2019 6.7% 1.81%
2018 7.3% 2.44%
2017 5.3% 2.13%
2016 3.6% 1.26%
2015 4.4% 0.12%
2014 4.6% 1.62%
2013 5.3% 1.46%
2012 4.6% 2.07%
2011 3.2% 3.16%
2010 4.4% 1.64%
2009 3.5% -0.36%
2008 4.9% 3.84%
2007 3.4% 2.85%
2006 4.1% 3.23%
2005 2% 3.39%
2004 3.7% 2.68%
2003 2.7% 2.27%
2002 2.7% 1.59%
2001 1.9% 2.83%
2000 2.8% 3.38%
1999 2.8% 2.19%
1998 3.1% 1.55%
1997 3.6% 2.34%

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/tunisia/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Tunisia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.52%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 7% in Tunisia and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Tunisia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $148M
Machinery & equipment $95.2M
Raw materials & minerals $82.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $40.9M
Raw agricultural goods $14.6M
Wood & paper products $8.38M
Metals $6.23M
Chemicals & pharma $4.9M
Miscellaneous $4.85M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.13M
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $144M
Raw agricultural goods $143M
Chemicals & pharma $84.1M
Metals $25.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24.3M
Wood & paper products $21.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $21.6M
Miscellaneous $18.9M
Raw materials & minerals $13.6M
Weapons & explosives $6.93M

Balance of trade

Tunisia United States
Current account balance
-$775M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
117/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.51%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$18.7B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$8.95B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$3.92B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$11.2B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.3%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Tunisia United States
Economic freedom 48.1 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 172/197 27/197
Property rights 55.7 91.6
Government integrity 42.1 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 39.7 76.4
Tax burden 68.5 75.3
Government spending 62.5 57.9
Fiscal health 16 18.5
Business freedom 59.4 88.6
Labor freedom 55.8 76.3
Monetary freedom 72.4 84.2
Trade freedom 54.6 67.6
Investment freedom 20 80
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tunisia
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tunisia United States
2026 48.1 72.8
2025 49.1 70.2
2024 48.8 70.1
2023 52.9 70.6
2022 54.2 72.1
2021 56.6 74.8
2020 55.8 76.6
2019 55.4 76.8
2018 58.9 75.7
2017 55.7 75.1
2016 57.6 75.4
2015 57.7 76.2
2014 57.3 75.5
2013 57 76
2012 58.6 76.3
2011 58.5 77.8
2010 58.9 78
2009 58 80.7
2008 60.1 81
2007 60.3 81.2
2006 57.5 81.2
2005 55.4 79.9
2004 58.4 78.7
2003 58.1 78.2
2002 60.2 78.4
2001 60.8 79.1
2000 61.3 76.4
1999 61.1 75.5
1998 63.9 75.4
1997 63.8 75.6
1996 63.9 76.7
1995 63.4 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/tunisia/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Tunisia is 48.1, ranking 172/197, 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

Tunisia United States
Services, % of GDP
62.6%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.6%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.74%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$47.7B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,230
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.34B
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
80/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$725M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$760M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.6M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
10.9%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.6%
2021
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
7.86%
2024
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/tunisia/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 (1991–2024, 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)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.

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.