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<p>Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) is an internationally standardised measure
that captures whole economy investment, covering business, government and residential
investment. International data on GFCF is available from the OECD, while data on the
UK can be found in the ONS' business investment release; <a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bus-invest/business-investment/index.html"
target="_blank">http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bus-invest/business-investment/index.html</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>Detailed internationally comparable data on investment are not readily available.
Some countries also collect data on the shares of GFCF carried out by different institutional
sectors, especially that conducted by general government; this data can be obtained
from the OECD.</p><p> </p><p>While some forms of intangible investment are captured
in the standard national accounts measure of investment (most notably software), a
large range of intangible assets are not, including research and development, advertising,
organisational know-how and training. The most comprehensive set of internationally
comparable estimates are produced by <a href="http://www.intan-invest.net/" target="_blank">www.intan-invest.net</a>.
These are produced on a market-sector basis and are therefore not directly comparable
with the OECD statistics referenced above, which cover both market and non-market
activity.</p><p> </p><p>It should be noted that a range of forthcoming changes to
national accounting rules will affect cross-country estimates of GFCF and GDP. The
most relevant of these for estimates of GFCF are the inclusion of spending on research
and development and weapons systems. Further details can be found on the ONS website,
at the following address: <a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/development-programmes/esa2010/index.html"
target="_blank">http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/development-programmes/esa2010/index.html</a></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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