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Economy of United Arab Emirates vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The United Arab Emirates has a GDP of $552B compared to $30.8T for the United States, ranking 31/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United Arab Emirates has $193B in government debt (34.3% of GDP), compared to $38.1T (123.9% of GDP) in the United States.

United Arab Emirates vs United States GDP by year

United Arab Emirates
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
UAE United States
2025 - $30,769,700,000,000
2024 $552,324,919,096 $29,298,013,000,000
2023 $522,622,268,401 $27,811,517,000,000
2022 $511,403,404,642 $26,054,614,000,000
2021 $422,441,282,436 $23,725,645,000,000
2020 $357,161,776,271 $21,375,281,000,000
2019 $433,926,218,686 $21,539,982,000,000
2018 $440,560,003,161 $20,656,516,000,000
2017 $403,365,056,079 $19,612,102,000,000
2016 $381,717,208,621 $18,804,913,000,000
2015 $381,973,135,513 $18,295,019,000,000
2014 $424,935,834,104 $17,608,138,000,000
2013 $409,632,574,703 $16,880,683,000,000
2012 $392,793,559,051 $16,253,970,000,000
2011 $368,881,033,963 $15,599,732,000,000
2010 $307,736,348,527 $15,048,971,000,000
2009 $253,547,358,747 $14,478,067,000,000
2008 $315,474,615,741 $14,769,862,000,000
2007 $257,916,148,767 $14,474,228,000,000
2006 $222,116,532,963 $13,815,583,000,000
2005 $180,617,467,954 $13,039,197,000,000
2004 $147,824,249,958 $12,217,196,000,000
2003 $124,346,476,180 $11,456,450,000,000
2002 $109,816,091,079 $10,929,108,000,000
2001 $103,311,631,797 $10,581,929,000,000
2000 $104,337,463,730 $10,250,952,000,000
1999 $84,445,399,335 $9,631,172,000,000
1998 $75,674,384,205 $9,062,817,000,000
1997 $78,838,886,862 $8,577,552,000,000
1996 $73,571,217,377 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $65,743,604,966 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $59,305,111,228 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $55,625,269,485 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $54,239,188,746 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $51,552,058,250 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $50,701,374,187 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $41,464,966,302 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $36,275,613,877 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $36,384,802,310 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $33,943,568,481 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $40,603,631,079 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $41,807,931,453 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $42,803,373,390 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $46,622,715,281 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $49,333,471,895 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $43,599,134,193 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $31,225,557,022 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $23,775,718,541 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $24,871,660,292 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $19,213,212,475 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $14,720,729,969 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $11,651,505,689 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $4,231,243,616 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $1,415,086,929 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $939,893,600 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $685,986,701 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-arab-emirates/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in United Arab Emirates vs United States by year

United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
UAE United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $90,027 -
2024 $50,274 $79,229 $86,143 $85,810
2023 $49,851 $77,955 $83,041 $82,305
2022 $50,760 $75,072 $78,178 $77,861
2021 $44,118 $68,580 $71,486 $71,307
2020 $37,992 $66,791 $64,475 $64,402
2019 $45,939 $79,816 $65,605 $65,228
2018 $47,135 $77,446 $63,201 $62,876
2017 $43,734 $70,282 $60,322 $60,048
2016 $42,721 $69,987 $58,207 $57,977
2015 $44,910 $73,986 $57,040 $56,849
2014 $52,725 $87,478 $55,304 $55,153
2013 $53,247 $87,526 $53,410 $53,297
2012 $53,142 $89,198 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $51,922 $89,665 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $44,795 $85,120 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $37,803 $84,780 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $50,054 $94,628 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $45,855 $100,813 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $44,343 $106,814 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $38,719 $101,301 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $33,377 $98,661 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $29,660 $92,636 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $27,754 $88,467 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $27,745 $90,370 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $29,866 $92,899 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $25,856 $87,658 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $24,889 $90,229 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $27,983 $96,009 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $28,323 $94,620 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $27,003 $93,702 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $25,473 $89,959 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $25,033 $86,330 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $25,648 $87,509 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $25,691 $87,250 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $26,710 $88,455 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $23,167 - $22,857 -
1988 $21,570 - $21,417 -
1987 $23,113 - $20,039 -
1986 $23,132 - $19,071 -
1985 $29,468 - $18,237 -
1984 $32,012 - $17,121 -
1983 $34,650 - $15,544 -
1982 $39,972 - $14,434 -
1981 $44,855 - $13,976 -
1980 $42,925 - $12,613 -
1979 $34,238 - $11,674 -
1978 $29,379 - $10,565 -
1977 $35,020 - $9,453 -
1976 $31,197 - $8,592 -
1975 $27,117 - $7,801 -
1974 $23,823 - $7,226 -
1973 $9,696 - $6,726 -
1972 $3,675 - $6,094 -
1971 $2,805 - $5,609 -
1970 $2,394 - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-arab-emirates/united-states | CC BY

The United Arab Emirates' GDP per capita is $50,274, ranking 25/197, compared to $90,027 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

UAE United States
Gross domestic product
$552B
2024
$30.8T
2025
GDP rank
31/197
2024
1/197
2025
GDP growth
3.99%
2023-2024
2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$50,274
2024
$90,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
25/197
2024
10/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$79,229
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
16/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$193B
2024
$38.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.3%
2025
123.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$17,568
2024
$111,531
2025
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
2/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,096
2026
$54,600
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.11T
2025
$68.9T
2025
Number of millionaires
183,000
2026
23,627,000
2026
Number of billionaires
6
2026
989
2026
Income share by richest 10%
20.5%
2018
30.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2018
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.6%
2025
37.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2024-2025
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.65%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.88%
2024
4.28%
2025
Population
11885001
344434632

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
UAE United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.6% 34.3% 37.7% 123.9%
2024 21.4% 34.9% 37.7% 122.3%
2023 22.7% 31.9% 37.5% 120%
2022 22.7% 31.5% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 25.9% 35.7% 43.2% 125%
2020 30.5% 30.1% 44.7% 132.6%
2019 27.4% 25.8% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 25.9% 20.7% 35.3% 107.7%
2017 27.2% 21.2% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 31.7% 18.6% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 26.4% 15.6% 35% 105.4%
2014 31.4% 13.5% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 28.9% 15.3% 35.8% 105%
2012 27.8% 20.2% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 29.6% 20.4% 38.8% 100%
2010 30.4% 18.3% 39.8% 95.7%
2009 35% 21.1% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 22% 8.95% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 17.7% 8.89% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 15.6% 5.05% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 15.7% 4.48% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 17.7% 4.08% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 20% 3.33% 34% 59%
2002 21.3% 3.43% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 25.2% 2.69% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 21.8% 3.12% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 24.3% 4.73% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 25.8% 4.18% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 22.6% 2.86% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 27.6% 3.48% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 26.1% 5.06% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 30.1% 5.58% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 31.5% 6.01% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 29.6% 5.31% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 36% 4.97% 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-arab-emirates/united-states | CC BY

In 2025, the United Arab Emirates' government spending was $118B, accounting for 22.6% of its GDP, while the United States spent $11.6T, or 37.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 123.9% in the United States, ranking 146/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United Arab Emirates

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
UAE United States
2025 5.15% -6.82%
2024 6.41% -7.86%
2023 5.82% -7.89%
2022 9.8% -3.72%
2021 3.96% -11.5%
2020 -2.42% -14.1%
2019 2.5% -5.81%
2018 3.65% -5.33%
2017 -0.16% -4.79%
2016 -2.95% -4.36%
2015 -6.35% -3.53%
2014 1.74% -4.03%
2013 7.99% -4.56%
2012 8.59% -8.11%
2011 5.05% -9.72%
2010 0.52% -11%
2009 -6.13% -13.2%
2008 17.6% -6.61%
2007 17.1% -2.91%
2006 20.2% -2.04%
2005 16% -3.07%
2004 6.4% -4.24%
2003 2.35% -4.77%
2002 -1.24% -3.82%
2001 1.21% -0.54%
2000 10.7% 3.62%
1999 1.31% 2.71%
1998 1% 2.18%
1997 6.71% 0.88%
1996 0.92% -0.46%
1995 3.58% -1.7%
1994 -1.78% -2.05%
1993 -2.89% -3.35%
1992 3.34% -3.98%
1991 3.89% -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-arab-emirates/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $35.4B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.3T, or 7.86% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the United Arab Emirates recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, the United Arab Emirates posted an annual surplus equal to 4.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.48% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United Arab Emirates

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
UAE United States
2025 1.3% -
2024 1.7% 2.95%
2023 1.6% 4.12%
2022 4.8% 8%
2021 -0.1% 4.7%
2020 -2.1% 1.23%
2019 -1.9% 1.81%
2018 3.1% 2.44%
2017 2% 2.13%
2016 1.6% 1.26%
2015 4.1% 0.12%
2014 2.3% 1.62%
2013 1.1% 1.46%
2012 0.7% 2.07%
2011 0.9% 3.16%
2010 0.9% 1.64%
2009 -4.7% -0.36%
2008 12.3% 3.84%
2007 11.1% 2.85%
2006 9.3% 3.23%
2005 6.2% 3.39%
2004 5% 2.68%
2003 3.1% 2.27%
2002 2.9% 1.59%
2001 2.8% 2.83%
2000 1.3% 3.38%
1999 2.1% 2.19%
1998 2% 1.55%
1997 3% 2.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-arab-emirates/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the United Arab Emirates has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.4B
Precious metals & jewellery $2.72B
Metals $2.14B
Chemicals & pharma $1.07B
Wood & paper products $676M
Textiles & consumer goods $241M
Raw materials & minerals $192M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $128M
Raw agricultural goods $101M
Animal & marine products $17.4M
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $19.9B
Precious metals & jewellery $3.91B
Chemicals & pharma $2.02B
Miscellaneous $1.26B
Weapons & explosives $1.01B
Raw agricultural goods $795M
Raw materials & minerals $623M
Textiles & consumer goods $610M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $503M
Metals $463M

Balance of trade

UAE United States
Current account balance
$80B
2024
-$1.12T
2025
Current account balance ranking
9/190
2024
190/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$400B
2024
$3.44T
2025
Goods exports
$467B
2024
$2.2T
2025
Service imports
$117B
2024
$903B
2025
Service exports
$181B
2024
$1.23T
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
92.2%
2023
14%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
106.8%
2023
11%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

UAE United States
Economic freedom 71.9 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 29/197 27/197
Property rights 62.9 91.6
Government integrity 65.3 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 76.4
Tax burden 99.9 75.3
Government spending 85.1 57.9
Fiscal health 97.6 18.5
Business freedom 84.5 88.6
Labor freedom 63.2 76.3
Monetary freedom 81.2 84.2
Trade freedom 78.6 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
UAE United States
2026 71.9 72.8
2025 71.6 70.2
2024 71.1 70.1
2023 70.9 70.6
2022 70.2 72.1
2021 76.9 74.8
2020 76.2 76.6
2019 77.6 76.8
2018 77.6 75.7
2017 76.9 75.1
2016 72.6 75.4
2015 72.4 76.2
2014 71.4 75.5
2013 71.1 76
2012 69.3 76.3
2011 67.8 77.8
2010 67.3 78
2009 64.7 80.7
2008 62.6 81
2007 62.6 81.2
2006 62.2 81.2
2005 65.2 79.9
2004 67.2 78.7
2003 73.4 78.2
2002 73.6 78.4
2001 74.9 79.1
2000 74.2 76.4
1999 71.5 75.5
1998 72.2 75.4
1997 71.9 75.6
1996 71.6 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-arab-emirates/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the United Arab Emirates is 71.9, ranking 29/197, 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

UAE United States
Services, % of GDP
54.9%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.77%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$566B
2024
$30.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$81,640
2024
$89,490
2025
Total reserves including gold
$292B
2025
$1.39T
2025
Total reserves ranking
14/177
2025
2/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$31.5B
2024
$21.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$45.6B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.5%
2020
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2023
21.5%
2024

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/united-arab-emirates/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.