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Economy of Barbados vs Mexico compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $1.86T for Mexico, ranking 157/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $1.08T (58.3% of GDP) in Mexico.

Barbados vs Mexico GDP by year

Barbados
Mexico
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Mexico
2024 $7,498,050,000 $1,856,365,616,166
2023 $7,223,250,000 $1,798,317,581,487
2022 $6,884,900,000 $1,466,934,724,293
2021 $5,947,550,000 $1,316,569,466,686
2020 $5,407,050,000 $1,121,064,767,308
2019 $6,161,850,000 $1,304,106,203,902
2018 $6,001,950,000 $1,256,300,182,880
2017 $5,683,150,000 $1,190,721,475,906
2016 $5,674,600,000 $1,112,233,497,453
2015 $5,698,150,000 $1,213,294,467,717
2014 $5,620,600,000 $1,364,507,717,614
2013 $5,667,200,000 $1,327,436,290,283
2012 $5,761,450,000 $1,255,110,424,818
2011 $5,663,100,000 $1,229,013,703,417
2010 $5,672,900,000 $1,105,424,238,731
2009 $4,466,809,600 $943,437,415,025
2008 $4,790,410,400 $1,161,553,459,715
2007 $4,675,767,950 $1,102,355,554,972
2006 $4,217,323,400 $1,020,265,057,882
2005 $3,819,500,000 $917,571,853,529
2004 $3,444,500,000 $819,459,227,375
2003 $3,209,500,000 $765,549,967,703
2002 $3,106,500,000 $810,666,116,402
2001 $3,054,500,000 $796,064,590,549
2000 $3,059,500,000 $742,061,329,749
1999 $2,951,822,205 $631,249,359,702
1998 $2,817,083,478 $557,461,102,631
1997 $2,498,384,130 $523,449,530,464
1996 $2,363,645,403 $432,157,945,024
1995 $2,216,974,096 $380,157,469,867
1994 $2,151,344,901 $553,618,247,901
1993 $2,063,342,117 $530,160,763,663
1992 $1,957,000,000 $363,157,832,924
1991 $2,020,583,702 $313,139,656,146
1990 $2,012,131,457 $261,253,675,693
1989 $2,006,165,167 $221,403,098,267
1988 $1,812,757,918 $181,611,150,497
1987 $1,704,370,308 $147,542,558,209
1986 $1,547,755,183 $134,556,034,673
1985 $1,409,536,121 $195,241,069,482
1984 $1,346,890,071 $184,230,754,105
1983 $1,236,016,507 $156,167,000,433
1982 $1,163,923,830 $184,602,611,610
1981 $1,114,204,743 $263,797,827,860
1980 $1,012,280,615 $205,577,055,466
1979 $670,362,452 $134,531,900,899
1978 $552,883,707 $102,648,570,299
1977 $495,097,668 $81,912,018,784
1976 $435,911,269 $88,875,923,765
1975 $402,178,605 $88,000,000,000
1974 $311,804,630 $72,000,000,000
1973 $260,767,828 $55,280,000,000
1972 $213,725,217 $45,200,000,000
1971 $186,826,503 $39,200,000,000
1970 $166,210,203 $35,520,000,000
1969 $141,393,142 $32,480,000,000
1968 $125,733,669 $29,360,000,000
1967 $125,554,009 $26,560,000,000
1966 $113,195,123 $24,320,000,000
1965 $105,021,997 $21,840,000,000
1964 $99,252,731 $20,080,000,000
1963 $99,893,761 $16,960,000,000
1962 $88,782,583 $15,200,000,000
1961 $85,363,759 $14,160,000,000
1960 $80,021,847 $13,040,000,000

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/mexico | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Mexico by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mexico
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Mexico
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $14,186 $26,185
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $13,861 $25,243
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $11,406 $23,135
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $10,314 $20,783
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $8,841 $19,354
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $10,370 $20,964
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $10,085 $20,921
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $9,649 $20,489
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $9,098 $20,105
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $10,021 $19,071
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $11,391 $18,821
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $11,217 $18,170
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $10,744 $18,005
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $10,664 $17,267
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $9,729 $15,909
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $8,424 $15,191
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $10,524 $15,681
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $10,134 $15,032
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $9,513 $14,540
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $8,672 $13,260
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $7,850 $12,658
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $7,434 $12,066
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $7,983 $11,762
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $7,953 $11,739
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $7,524 $11,705
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $6,500 $11,031
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $5,833 $10,756
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $5,567 $10,182
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $4,674 $9,496
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $4,184 $8,933
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $6,202 $9,466
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $6,048 $9,041
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $4,221 $9,470
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $3,709 $9,079
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $3,154 $8,578
1989 $7,773 - $2,725 -
1988 $7,033 - $2,279 -
1987 $6,625 - $1,888 -
1986 $6,031 - $1,757 -
1985 $5,510 - $2,602 -
1984 $5,284 - $2,506 -
1983 $4,866 - $2,170 -
1982 $4,599 - $2,621 -
1981 $4,417 - $3,829 -
1980 $4,025 - $3,055 -
1979 $2,668 - $2,049 -
1978 $2,198 - $1,604 -
1977 $1,968 - $1,315 -
1976 $1,734 - $1,465 -
1975 $1,601 - $1,492 -
1974 $1,243 - $1,256 -
1973 $1,042 - $993 -
1972 $856 - $837 -
1971 $750 - $748 -
1970 $666 - $699 -
1969 $567 - $660 -
1968 $506 - $616 -
1967 $508 - $576 -
1966 $462 - $545 -
1965 $433 - $506 -
1964 $414 - $481 -
1963 $421 - $420 -
1962 $377 - $388 -
1961 $366 - $374 -
1960 $347 - $355 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/mexico | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $14,186 in Mexico, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Mexico ranks 80th at $26,185.

Economic indicators

Barbados Mexico
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$1.86T
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
1.43%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$14,186
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
69/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$26,185
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
80/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$1.08T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
58.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$8,272
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
63/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$10,231
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$418B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
399,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
22
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
34.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
30.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
7%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
2.62%
2024
Population
282798
133323134

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Mexico
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Mexico
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 30.3% 58.3%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 28.5% 52.6%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 28.5% 53.8%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 26.7% 56.7%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 27.8% 58.5%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 25.3% 51.9%
2018 26.9% 115% 25% 52.2%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 25% 52.5%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 26.5% 55%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 26.6% 51%
2014 29% 122% 26.9% 47.1%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 26.7% 44.1%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 27% 40.8%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 26.6% 41.2%
2010 29.7% 96% 26.5% 40.2%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 26.5% 41.7%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 26.5% 40.6%
2007 27.8% 69% 22.5% 35.5%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 21.6% 35.8%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 21.2% 36.8%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 20.5% 38.9%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 21.5% 42.1%
2002 31% 66.1% 19.8% 39.9%
2001 22% 62.6% 19.5% 37.3%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 19.4% 38.5%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 20.1% 41.7%
1998 19% 50.5% 19.5% 39.7%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 20.7% 39.1%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 20.8% 42.5%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 18.9% 30.7%
1994 17% 55% 18.9% 26.8%
1993 - - 18.2% 19.2%
1992 - - 19% 21.5%
1991 - - 20.1% 29.2%
1990 - - 22.9% 35.7%
1989 - - 19.2% 36%
1988 - - 23.6% 36.5%
1987 - - 26.7% 52.7%
1986 - - 25.1% 47.8%
1985 - - 21.4% 30.4%
1984 - - 19.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 21.6% 25.3%
1982 - - 24.7% 29.8%
1981 - - 20.1% 41.7%
1980 - - 17.5% 31.4%
1979 - - 16.5% 35.8%
1978 - - 15.7% 39%
1977 - - 15.5% 41.5%
1976 - - 15.5% 31.3%
1975 - - 14.7% 24.4%
1974 - - 13.8% 21.7%
1973 - - 12.7% 20%
1972 - - 11.9% 17.9%
1971 - - 10.6% 17%
1970 - - 10.9% 17.1%
1969 - - 11.8% 10.7%
1968 - - 10.9% 7.85%
1967 - - 10.4% 8.22%
1966 - - 11.6% 5.14%
1965 - - 10.7% 9.99%
1964 - - 9.21% 6.22%
1963 - - 8.51% 4.13%
1962 - - 8.26% 4.2%
1961 - - 8.01% 4.38%
1960 - - 9.5% 4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/mexico | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Mexico spent $563B, or 30.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 58.3% in Mexico, ranking 18/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Mexico
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Mexico
2024 -0.89% -5.73%
2023 -1.71% -4.29%
2022 -1.96% -4.32%
2021 -4.65% -3.75%
2020 -4.16% -4.29%
2019 3.08% -2.27%
2018 -0.34% -2.14%
2017 -3.89% -1.03%
2016 -4.88% -2.68%
2015 -8.16% -3.86%
2014 -6.57% -4.37%
2013 -8.98% -3.56%
2012 -7.07% -3.57%
2011 -3.63% -3.2%
2010 -7.55% -3.8%
2009 -6.56% -3.94%
2008 -4.1% -0.68%
2007 -4.34% -1.46%
2006 -3.41% -1.23%
2005 -3.03% -1.43%
2004 -2.97% -1.35%
2003 -3.08% -2.24%
2002 -5.28% -2.18%
2001 4.07% -2.57%
2000 4.94% -2.69%
1999 5.39% -4.49%
1998 6.03% -4.49%
1997 5.64% -3.48%
1996 3.76% -3.66%
1995 6.22% -2.28%
1994 6.72% -2.25%
1993 - -1.51%
1992 - 2.26%
1991 - 1.49%
1990 - -3.11%
1989 - -4.75%
1988 - -8.76%
1987 - -11.6%
1986 - -11.2%
1985 - -7.2%
1984 - -5.79%
1983 - -6.03%
1982 - -11.4%
1981 - -4.9%
1980 - -1.75%
1979 - -2.15%
1978 - -1.88%
1977 - -2.43%
1976 - -3.14%
1975 - -2.64%
1974 - -3.33%
1973 - -2.75%
1972 - -2.3%
1971 - -1.43%
1970 - -1.71%
1969 - -2.74%
1968 - -2.06%
1967 - -2.12%
1966 - -3.2%
1965 - -2.51%
1964 - -1.44%
1963 - -0.92%
1962 - -0.79%
1961 - -0.88%
1960 - -1.36%
1959 - -0.73%
1958 - 0.24%
1957 - -0.03%
1956 - 0.52%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - -0.94%
1953 - -0.58%
1952 - 0.42%
1951 - -0.26%
1950 - -0.2%
1949 - 0.44%
1948 - -1.55%
1947 - -0.93%
1946 - 0.66%
1945 - -1.11%
1944 - -1.12%
1943 - 0.05%
1942 - -0.93%
1941 - -0.26%
1940 - -0.4%
1939 - -0.06%
1938 - -0.91%
1937 - -0.41%
1936 - -0.39%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.72%
1933 - -0.58%
1932 - 0%
1931 - 0.71%
1930 - 0.21%
1929 - 0.95%
1928 - 0.24%
1927 - -0.3%
1926 - -0.29%
1925 - 0.46%
1924 - 1.34%
1923 - 1.02%
1922 - 1.13%
1921 - 0.64%
1920 - 0.91%
1919 - 0.41%
1918 - -0.19%
1917 - 0.63%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.28%
1912 - -0.79%
1911 - -0.31%
1910 - 0.1%
1909 - 0.15%
1908 - -0.08%
1907 - 0.43%
1906 - 0.72%
1905 - 0.35%
1904 - 1.09%
1903 - 3.82%
1902 - 0.42%
1901 - 0.62%
1900 - 0.76%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/mexico | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to Mexico's deficit of $106B, or 5.73% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Mexico ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.01% of GDP for Mexico.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Mexico
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Mexico
2024 -0.44% 4.72%
2023 9.79% 5.53%
2022 - 7.9%
2021 - 5.69%
2020 - 3.4%
2019 4.1% 3.64%
2018 3.67% 4.9%
2017 4.66% 6.04%
2016 1.28% 2.82%
2015 -1.11% 2.72%
2014 1.77% 4.02%
2013 1.81% 3.81%
2012 4.53% 4.11%
2011 9.43% 3.41%
2010 5.82% 4.16%
2009 3.64% 5.3%
2008 8.11% 5.12%
2007 4.03% 3.97%
2006 7.31% 3.63%
2005 6.08% 3.99%
2004 1.39% 4.69%
2003 1.62% 4.55%
2002 0.13% 5.03%
2001 2.58% 6.37%
2000 2.44% 9.49%
1999 1.56% 16.6%
1998 -1.27% 15.9%
1997 7.71% 20.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/mexico | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 6.15% in Mexico. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 4.72% in Mexico.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $162K
Miscellaneous $62K
Wood & paper products $37K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Mexico
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.17M
Chemicals & pharma $1.33M
Metals $1.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $566K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $270K
Raw materials & minerals $97K
Wood & paper products $92K
Miscellaneous $30K

Balance of trade

Barbados Mexico
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$16.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
181/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-0.9%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$637B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$618B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$72B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$63B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
37.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
36.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Mexico
Economic freedom 70.4 59.8
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 102/197
Property rights 76.4 37.6
Government integrity 71.3 28.8
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 40.4
Tax burden 83.2 75.4
Government spending 74.5 74.6
Fiscal health 76.5 56.7
Business freedom 72.3 67
Labor freedom 54.3 57.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 70.6
Trade freedom 48.2 74.2
Investment freedom 60 75
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Mexico
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Mexico
2026 70.4 59.8
2025 68.9 61.3
2024 66.8 62
2023 69.8 63.2
2022 71.3 63.7
2021 65 65.5
2020 61.4 66
2019 64.7 64.7
2018 57 64.8
2017 54.5 63.6
2016 68.3 65.2
2015 67.9 66.4
2014 68.3 66.8
2013 69.3 67
2012 69 65.3
2011 68.5 67.8
2010 68.3 68.3
2009 71.5 65.8
2008 71.3 66.2
2007 70 66
2006 71.9 64.7
2005 70.1 65.2
2004 69.4 66
2003 71.3 65.3
2002 73.6 63
2001 71.5 60.6
2000 69.5 59.3
1999 66.7 58.5
1998 67.9 57.9
1997 64.5 57.1
1996 62.3 61.2
1995 - 63.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/mexico | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 59.8 for Mexico, ranking 102/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Mexico
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
31.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
3.72%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$1.68T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$25,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$232B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
16/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$32.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$45.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.71%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
29.6%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
24.1%
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/barbados/mexico | 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 (1900–1995, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.