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Economy of Austria vs Central African Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Austria has a GDP of $535B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 30/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Austria has $432B in government debt (80.8% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Austria vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Austria
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Austria CAR
2024 $534,790,720,467 $2,751,494,281
2023 $516,670,509,629 $2,555,492,086
2022 $473,221,298,968 $2,382,618,615
2021 $480,466,363,177 $2,516,498,412
2020 $434,397,601,558 $2,326,720,900
2019 $442,983,642,372 $2,221,301,351
2018 $452,582,294,973 $2,220,979,146
2017 $414,926,138,133 $2,072,349,973
2016 $393,687,359,770 $1,825,018,145
2015 $379,546,097,301 $1,695,825,714
2014 $438,556,021,078 $1,894,813,389
2013 $426,580,502,769 $1,691,544,110
2012 $406,750,487,604 $2,510,126,512
2011 $428,954,737,064 $2,437,982,705
2010 $389,827,789,218 $2,142,591,540
2009 $399,290,118,782 $2,067,381,665
2008 $429,234,399,096 $1,993,407,888
2007 $386,760,177,589 $1,699,811,295
2006 $333,905,979,332 $1,461,859,762
2005 $313,952,317,331 $1,337,894,379
2004 $299,210,411,455 $1,272,360,517
2003 $260,779,834,340 $1,142,315,523
2002 $212,837,224,023 $996,068,145
2001 $196,477,206,829 $932,648,605
2000 $196,181,599,831 $916,777,283
1999 $216,421,809,126 $999,477,511
1998 $217,068,085,816 $967,338,390
1997 $211,724,812,267 $937,741,513
1996 $235,952,581,232 $1,007,791,127
1995 $240,094,169,510 $1,115,389,674
1994 $202,738,023,130 $851,174,357
1993 $189,634,029,339 $1,278,781,262
1992 $194,314,032,056 $1,411,917,553
1991 $173,113,449,617 $1,377,374,987
1990 $165,811,372,383 $1,440,711,459
1989 $132,584,448,258 $1,233,930,281
1988 $132,817,124,707 $1,264,899,288
1987 $123,682,091,859 $1,200,991,978
1986 $98,648,254,169 $1,122,265,013
1985 $69,114,996,010 $864,849,836
1984 $67,719,055,773 $637,820,670
1983 $71,838,528,420 $658,679,333
1982 $70,996,111,963 $748,312,391
1981 $70,755,997,062 $694,803,623
1980 $81,737,498,405 $797,048,199
1979 $73,647,694,287 $700,764,748
1978 $61,809,208,756 $610,578,632
1977 $51,343,861,460 $507,298,148
1976 $42,791,707,448 $451,152,461
1975 $39,902,300,703 $378,660,016
1974 $35,051,468,640 $281,398,706
1973 $29,399,860,145 $271,183,082
1972 $21,973,207,929 $230,317,883
1971 $17,788,536,733 $201,450,800
1970 $15,312,791,744 $189,106,529
1969 $13,647,475,854 $188,039,210
1968 $12,499,863,917 $191,767,442
1967 $11,634,569,522 $163,820,514
1966 $10,939,526,219 $157,930,018
1965 $10,041,659,445 $150,574,795
1964 $9,213,648,656 $142,025,079
1963 $8,414,050,621 $129,379,124
1962 $7,793,042,529 $124,482,774
1961 $7,346,566,038 $123,134,583
1960 $6,624,086,313 $112,155,598

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

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Austria vs Central African Republic by year

Austria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Austria CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $58,269 $73,911 $516 $1,263
2023 $56,580 $73,545 $496 $1,257
2022 $52,337 $72,065 $467 $1,218
2021 $53,649 $62,969 $492 $1,129
2020 $48,716 $58,523 $463 $1,066
2019 $49,886 $60,355 $449 $985
2018 $51,194 $56,636 $455 $906
2017 $47,164 $53,870 $432 $884
2016 $45,061 $52,398 $387 $826
2015 $43,915 $49,549 $366 $769
2014 $51,315 $48,355 $410 $699
2013 $50,305 $47,520 $364 $710
2012 $48,250 $46,156 $544 $1,062
2011 $51,117 $44,172 $534 $980
2010 $46,611 $41,735 $477 $936
2009 $47,857 $40,687 $456 $877
2008 $51,581 $41,047 $437 $798
2007 $46,623 $39,192 $381 $783
2006 $40,382 $37,388 $334 $743
2005 $38,157 $34,777 $312 $702
2004 $36,614 $33,519 $303 $690
2003 $32,110 $31,959 $278.4 $648
2002 $26,335 $30,952 $248.6 $688
2001 $24,430 $29,553 $238 $668
2000 $24,487 $29,221 $239.2 $640
1999 $27,079 $27,500 $268 $660
1998 $27,212 $26,531 $266.6 $645
1997 $26,572 $25,301 $265.5 $626
1996 $29,646 $24,427 $293.3 $601
1995 $30,207 $23,604 $333 $631
1994 $25,546 $22,553 $261.3 $592
1993 $23,987 $21,647 $405 $570
1992 $24,783 $21,209 $462 $573
1991 $22,323 $20,536 $465 $618
1990 $21,596 $19,396 $502 $620
1989 $17,401 - $443 -
1988 $17,510 - $466 -
1987 $16,329 - $450 -
1986 $13,032 - $426 -
1985 $9,136 - $333 -
1984 $8,956 - $248.3 -
1983 $9,500 - $259.6 -
1982 $9,373 - $298.4 -
1981 $9,348 - $280.3 -
1980 $10,827 - $325 -
1979 $9,755 - $289.1 -
1978 $8,173 - $254.6 -
1977 $6,784 - $213.8 -
1976 $5,656 - $192.1 -
1975 $5,265 - $163.6 -
1974 $4,613 - $124 -
1973 $3,875 - $121.8 -
1972 $2,913 - $105.5 -
1971 $2,372 - $94.1 -
1970 $2,051 - $90.2 -
1969 $1,834 - $91.7 -
1968 $1,686 - $95.6 -
1967 $1,577 - $83.6 -
1966 $1,494 - $82.3 -
1965 $1,381 - $80.2 -
1964 $1,275 - $77.2 -
1963 $1,173 - $71.8 -
1962 $1,093 - $70.4 -
1961 $1,037 - $71 -
1960 $940 - $65.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/central-african-republic | CC BY

Austria's GDP per capita is $58,269, ranking 16/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Austria ranks 19th at $73,911, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Austria CAR
Gross domestic product
$535B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
30/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.66%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$58,269
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
16/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,911
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
19/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$432B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80.8%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$47,075
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
10/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,736
2026
$1,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$121B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
9
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2023
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
56%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.94%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.16%
2024
6.9%
2017
Population
9163419
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Austria
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Austria CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 56% 80.8% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 52.7% 78.5% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 53% 78.4% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 56% 82.4% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 57.3% 83.2% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 49.1% 71% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 49.2% 74.6% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 49.8% 79.1% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 50.6% 83.4% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 51.2% 85.6% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 52.4% 85.2% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 52.4% 82.4% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 51.8% 82.9% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 51.3% 83.4% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 53.4% 83.7% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 54.6% 80.8% 16% 20.3%
2008 50.4% 69.5% 16% 35.8%
2007 49.7% 65.8% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 50.9% 68.2% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 51.7% 69.4% 16.2% 103%
2004 54.3% 65.9% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 51.8% 66.4% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 51.6% 67.4% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 51.8% 67.2% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 50.9% 66.1% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 50.5% 61.3% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 54.4% 69.2% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 52.5% 63.4% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 55.9% 68.2% 11.7% 93%
1995 56.1% 68.2% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 54.3% 64.1% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 54.3% 61% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 49.3% 56.3% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 47.9% 56.4% 22.6% 55.8%
1990 46.8% 56.2% 22% 44.6%
1989 51.6% 56.6% 19.6% 50.9%
1988 53.1% 57.7% 21.4% 48.8%
1987 54.5% 55.5% - -
1986 54.3% 52% - -
1985 53.5% 47.8% - -
1984 52.6% 46% - -
1983 52.4% 43.7% - -
1982 52% 39.7% - -
1981 51.5% 37.5% - -
1980 50% 35.6% - -
1979 49.8% 34.1% - -
1978 50.8% 32.2% - -
1977 47.6% 28.5% - -
1976 47.9% 26.2% - -
1975 46.1% 22.8% - -
1974 42% 16.8% - -
1973 41.5% 16.7% - -
1972 40.1% 16.7% - -
1971 40% 17.4% - -
1970 39.5% 18.6% - -
1969 40.7% 16.8% - -
1968 40.9% 16.8% - -
1967 40.7% 15.6% - -
1966 38.7% 14.1% - -
1965 38.3% 14.8% - -
1964 38.7% 15.5% - -
1963 38.6% 15.6% - -
1962 37.6% 15.5% - -
1961 35.7% 16% - -
1960 36.3% 17.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Austria's government spending was $300B, accounting for 56% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80.8% in Austria and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 44/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Austria

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Austria CAR
2024 -4.64% -5.08%
2023 -2.62% -3.44%
2022 -3.31% -5.23%
2021 -5.69% -5.8%
2020 -8.2% -3.24%
2019 0.54% 1.33%
2018 0.2% -0.93%
2017 -0.78% -1%
2016 -1.45% 1.17%
2015 -0.48% -0.53%
2014 -1.92% -3.02%
2013 -1.99% -2.3%
2012 -2.18% -0.78%
2011 -2.48% -2.15%
2010 -4.46% -1.35%
2009 -5.38% -0.54%
2008 -1.57% -1.23%
2007 -1.56% 1.04%
2006 -2.61% 8.58%
2005 -2.59% -4.37%
2004 -4.94% -1.74%
2003 -1.84% -3.06%
2002 -1.43% -1.19%
2001 -0.71% -0.88%
2000 -2.07% -2.01%
1999 -2.63% -0.5%
1998 -2.68% 0.001%
1997 -2.38% -1.57%
1996 -4.38% -1.06%
1995 -6.17% -4.84%
1994 -5.04% -7.57%
1993 -4.57% -5.66%
1992 -2.15% -7.33%
1991 -2.96% -8%
1990 -2.58% -6.6%
1989 -3.07% -3.25%
1988 -3.43% -3.72%
1987 -4.33% -
1986 -3.84% -
1985 -2.71% -
1984 -2.67% -
1983 -4.22% -
1982 -3.29% -
1981 -1.79% -
1980 -1.62% -
1979 -2.3% -
1978 -2.67% -
1977 -2.11% -
1976 -3.61% -
1975 -2.41% -
1974 1.23% -
1973 1.24% -
1972 1.97% -
1971 1.46% -
1970 1.16% -
1969 -0.08% -
1968 -0.83% -
1967 -0.56% -
1966 1.73% -
1965 1.38% -
1964 0.48% -
1963 -0.5% -
1962 1.12% -
1961 1.68% -
1960 -0.49% -
1959 -2.16% -
1958 -3.52% -
1957 -0.7% -
1956 -0.78% -
1955 -0.5% -
1954 -0.35% -
1953 -0.24% -
1952 -0.73% -
1951 -1.57% -
1950 -7.72% -
1949 -9.23% -
1948 -9.3% -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 -2.84% -
1936 -3.91% -
1935 -5.46% -
1934 -5.28% -
1933 -3.55% -
1932 -9.16% -
1931 -11.5% -
1930 -9.68% -
1929 -6.83% -
1928 -7.63% -
1927 -7.3% -
1926 -6.18% -
1925 -4.96% -
1924 -5.69% -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 -0.69% -
1911 0.03% -
1910 -0.42% -
1909 -5.51% -
1908 -1.24% -
1907 -2.73% -
1906 -0.05% -
1905 -0.71% -
1904 -1.12% -
1903 -0.97% -
1902 -0.75% -
1901 -0.56% -
1900 -0.05% -
1899 -0.08% -
1898 -0.17% -
1897 0.1% -
1896 0.03% -
1895 0.36% -
1894 -1.16% -
1893 -1.31% -
1892 -0.86% -
1891 -4.01% -
1890 -0.26% -
1889 -1.61% -
1888 -0.97% -
1887 -1.09% -
1886 -0.43% -
1885 -0.57% -
1884 -6.43% -
1883 -0.69% -
1882 -1.06% -
1881 -3.91% -
1880 -1.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Austria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.8B, equivalent to 4.64% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Austria recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Austria posted an annual deficit equal to 2.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.37% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Austria

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Austria CAR
2024 2.94% 1.5%
2023 7.81% 3%
2022 8.55% 5.6%
2021 2.77% 4.3%
2020 1.38% 0.9%
2019 1.53% 2.8%
2018 2% 1.6%
2017 2.08% 4.2%
2016 0.89% 4.9%
2015 0.9% 1.4%
2014 1.61% 17.8%
2013 2% 4%
2012 2.49% 5.9%
2011 3.29% 1.2%
2010 1.81% 1.5%
2009 0.51% 3.6%
2008 3.22% 9.2%
2007 2.17% 0.9%
2006 1.44% 6.9%
2005 2.3% 2.9%
2004 2.06% -2.6%
2003 1.36% 4.4%
2002 1.81% 2.3%
2001 2.65% 4.1%
2000 2.34% 3.4%
1999 0.57% -1.6%
1998 0.92% -2%
1997 1.31% 1.6%

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/austria/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Austria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 2.94% in Austria and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Top exports between countries

Austria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $209K
Chemicals & pharma $142K
Textiles & consumer goods $72K
Wood & paper products $72K
Raw agricultural goods $35K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23K
Raw materials & minerals $23K
Metals $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $170K

Balance of trade

Austria CAR
Current account balance
$8.19B
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.53%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$195B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$201B
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$90.5B
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$96.6B
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.1%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.7%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Austria CAR
Economic freedom 69.8 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 38/197 182/197
Property rights 95.7 5.6
Government integrity 75 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 94.8 4
Tax burden 45.7 65.5
Government spending 12.8 90.1
Fiscal health 67.1 59
Business freedom 78.7 26.5
Labor freedom 81.6 48.5
Monetary freedom 76.4 75.6
Trade freedom 79.4 47.6
Investment freedom 60 45
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Austria
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Austria CAR
2026 69.8 43.1
2025 69.7 42.8
2024 68.4 41.3
2023 71.1 43.8
2022 73.8 45.7
2021 73.9 48.8
2020 73.3 50.7
2019 72 49.1
2018 71.8 49.2
2017 72.3 51.8
2016 71.7 45.2
2015 71.2 45.9
2014 72.4 46.7
2013 71.8 50.4
2012 70.3 50.3
2011 71.9 49.3
2010 71.6 48.4
2009 71.2 48.3
2008 71.4 48.6
2007 71.6 50.6
2006 71.1 54.2
2005 68.8 56.5
2004 67.6 57.5
2003 67.6 60
2002 67.4 59.8
2001 68.1 -
2000 68.4 -
1999 64 -
1998 65.4 -
1997 65.2 -
1996 68.9 -
1995 70 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/austria/central-african-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Austria is 69.8, ranking 38/197, compared to 43.1 for the Central African Republic, ranking 182/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Austria CAR
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.22%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$503B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,160
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$35.4B
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
53/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$135M
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.8B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
23.6%
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/austria/central-african-republic | 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 (1880–1996, 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 (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.