Skip to content

Economy of Australia vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $1.58B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 14/197 and 182/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $350M (22.1% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

Australia vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

Australia
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Solomon Islands
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $1,583,964,704
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $1,506,124,566
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $1,466,670,930
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $1,558,312,104
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $1,536,143,428
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $1,619,150,564
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $1,615,473,250
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $1,469,790,526
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $1,379,486,291
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $1,307,908,814
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $1,335,576,763
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $1,285,905,958
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $1,185,217,634
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $1,063,898,227
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $898,128,551
2009 $931,761,689,771 $805,557,289
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $776,335,523
2007 $856,603,595,823 $695,291,218
2006 $749,708,370,333 $617,257,458
2005 $696,811,489,613 $552,881,357
2004 $615,643,050,221 $468,000,121
2003 $468,517,181,130 $417,666,639
2002 $396,436,967,263 $346,406,739
2001 $380,360,222,861 $409,508,553
2000 $416,901,962,163 $419,842,674
1999 $390,347,787,943 $488,024,514
1998 $400,361,527,505 $457,579,840
1997 $436,321,902,767 $526,554,006
1996 $401,962,517,479 $510,586,430
1995 $368,725,126,225 $469,443,202
1994 $323,269,456,935 $402,837,005
1993 $312,568,858,910 $300,746,361
1992 $325,982,966,981 $269,034,596
1991 $326,416,407,861 $227,540,473
1990 $311,840,666,465 $214,877,667
1989 $300,264,309,002 $172,882,411
1988 $236,461,079,970 $176,494,394
1987 $189,726,707,253 $155,128,542
1986 $182,707,050,923 $147,620,048
1985 $180,861,108,959 $165,524,943
1984 $193,749,932,078 $181,570,474
1983 $177,523,719,680 $181,220,399
1982 $194,323,071,831 $192,902,019
1981 $177,151,979,566 $193,750,541
1980 $150,200,557,103 $182,852,107
1979 $135,093,718,051 $151,276,496
1978 $118,660,813,780 $111,027,427
1977 $110,504,702,914 $93,145,283
1976 $105,209,354,856 $83,100,834
1975 $97,440,939,506 $74,620,320
1974 $89,086,219,602 $84,539,332
1973 $63,923,126,201 $55,272,109
1972 $52,117,990,654 $40,606,712
1971 $45,283,847,245 $50,056,883
1970 $41,395,206,623 -
1969 $36,738,245,878 $28,606,411
1968 $32,763,365,242 $28,084,253
1967 $30,487,524,878 $25,203,524
1966 $27,349,284,376 -
1965 $26,014,244,162 -
1964 $23,835,843,814 -
1963 $21,573,443,452 -
1962 $19,953,923,193 -
1961 $19,713,123,154 -
1960 $18,635,682,982 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/solomon-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Solomon Islands by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $1,934 $2,675
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $986 $1,556
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $896 $1,433
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $757 $1,344
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $912 $1,387
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $953 $1,503
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $829 $1,556
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $764 $1,505
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $666 $1,346
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $648 $1,266
1989 $17,858 - $538 -
1988 $14,303 - $567 -
1987 $11,666 - $515 -
1986 $11,406 - $506 -
1985 $11,455 - $586 -
1984 $12,436 - $665 -
1983 $11,532 - $686 -
1982 $12,798 - $756 -
1981 $11,871 - $786 -
1980 $10,223 - $768 -
1979 $9,308 - $658 -
1978 $8,264 - $500 -
1977 $7,786 - $434 -
1976 $7,497 - $401 -
1975 $7,014 - $372 -
1974 $6,492 - $433 -
1973 $4,778 - $291.3 -
1972 $3,955 - $219.5 -
1971 $3,500 - $277.1 -
1970 $3,310 - - -
1969 $2,996 - $165.9 -
1968 $2,728 - $166.9 -
1967 $2,584 - $153.5 -
1966 $2,347 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,134 - - -
1963 $1,970 - - -
1962 $1,858 - - -
1961 $1,880 - - -
1960 $1,813 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/solomon-islands | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $1,934 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

Australia Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$1.58B
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$1,934
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
157/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
183/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$350M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
22.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$427
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
169/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$1,776
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
35.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
0.69%
2013
Population
27799169
863951

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 35.8% 22.1%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 40.1% 20.3%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 40.8% 15.5%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 37.8% 15.9%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 40.4% 12.8%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 36.7% 34% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 36.3% 24% 27% 18.3%
2010 37% 20.3% 23.9% 22.9%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 24.8% 18.9%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 27% 28.9%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 23.7% 33%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 19.9% 42.3%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 17% 44.7%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 14.7% 58.2%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 14.9% 61.3%
2002 34.9% 15% 16.7% 65.7%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 18.1% 52.8%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 18.7% 44.3%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 18.7% 42%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 15.5% 39.5%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 19.3% 25.9%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 24.2% -
1995 33.7% 31.1% 24.7% -
1994 33.7% 31.7% 30.2% -
1993 34.1% 30.7% 33.2% -
1992 34.1% 27.6% 35.1% -
1991 33.1% 21.6% 39.4% -
1990 30.5% 16.4% 30% -
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $567M, or 35.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 22.1% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 104/185 and 173/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Solomon Islands
2024 -2.25% -3.08%
2023 -1.27% -3.81%
2022 -2.21% -2.51%
2021 -6.37% -1.86%
2020 -8.73% -2.44%
2019 -4.41% -1.52%
2018 -1.26% 1.49%
2017 -1.72% -2.27%
2016 -2.42% -3.56%
2015 -2.79% 0.81%
2014 -2.92% 2.13%
2013 -2.81% 3.57%
2012 -3.51% 4.63%
2011 -4.53% 6.22%
2010 -5.12% 6.02%
2009 -4.56% 2.35%
2008 -1.1% 1.94%
2007 1.47% 15.3%
2006 1.77% 13%
2005 1.71% 13.4%
2004 1.32% 17%
2003 1.05% 10.6%
2002 0.19% -4.35%
2001 -0.03% -2.4%
2000 1.25% -2.93%
1999 0.67% -0.32%
1998 -0.25% 5.04%
1997 -0.49% 2.14%
1996 -1.46% 3.73%
1995 -2.6% 3.19%
1994 -3.79% 4.33%
1993 -4.73% 2.45%
1992 -4.74% 4.13%
1991 -2.79% 0.14%
1990 -0.23% 0.58%
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to the Solomon Islands' deficit of $48.8M, or 3.08% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.99% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.66% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Solomon Islands
2024 3.16% 4.32%
2023 5.6% 5.89%
2022 6.59% 5.52%
2021 2.86% -0.12%
2020 0.85% 2.96%
2019 1.61% 1.63%
2018 1.91% 3.46%
2017 1.95% 0.49%
2016 1.28% 0.51%
2015 1.51% -0.57%
2014 2.49% 5.17%
2013 2.45% 5.39%
2012 1.76% 5.91%
2011 3.3% 7.34%
2010 2.92% 1.05%
2009 1.77% 7.09%
2008 4.35% 17.3%
2007 2.33% 7.67%
2006 3.56% 11.2%
2005 2.69% 7.33%
2004 2.34% 6.99%
2003 2.73% 8.27%
2002 2.98% 10.9%
2001 4.41% 6.93%
2000 4.46% 7.89%
1999 1.48% 8.02%
1998 0.86% 12.4%
1997 0.22% 8.08%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 6.04% in the Solomon Islands. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 4.32% in the Solomon Islands.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $30.1M
Animal & marine products $12.1M
Raw agricultural goods $7.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.92M
Chemicals & pharma $5.32M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.24M
Miscellaneous $3.73M
Metals $2.46M
Raw materials & minerals $1.88M
Wood & paper products $978K
Solomon Islands
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $2.27M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.22M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.13M
Machinery & equipment $190K
Metals $73K
Raw agricultural goods $47K
Animal & marine products $45K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Australia Solomon Islands
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$510M
2024
Service imports
$109B
2024
$248M
2024
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 80.1 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 137/197
Property rights 88.2 55.8
Government integrity 88.1 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 59.1
Tax burden 61.8 71.3
Government spending 56.6 54.6
Fiscal health 89 83.3
Business freedom 92.3 52.3
Labor freedom 61.5 60.4
Monetary freedom 77.2 76.5
Trade freedom 89.8 43.6
Investment freedom 80 15
Financial freedom 80 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Solomon Islands
2026 80.1 53.7
2025 79.3 56.3
2024 76.2 55
2023 74.8 56.9
2022 77.7 56.5
2021 82.4 56.5
2020 82.6 52.9
2019 80.9 54.6
2018 80.9 57.5
2017 81 55
2016 80.3 47
2015 81.4 47
2014 82 46.2
2013 82.6 45
2012 83.1 46.2
2011 82.5 45.9
2010 82.6 42.9
2009 82.6 46
2008 82.2 -
2007 81.1 -
2006 79.9 -
2005 79 -
2004 77.9 -
2003 77.4 -
2002 77.3 -
2001 77.4 -
2000 77.1 -
1999 76.4 -
1998 75.6 -
1997 75.5 -
1996 74 -
1995 74.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 53.7 for the Solomon Islands, ranking 137/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$1.57B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$2,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$688M
2023
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
149/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
19.5%
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/australia/solomon-islands | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.