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Economy of Bhutan vs France compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $3.16T for France, ranking 170/197 and 7/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $3.58T (113.1% of GDP) in France.

Bhutan vs France GDP by year

Bhutan
France
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan France
2024 - $3,160,442,622,465
2023 $3,012,896,789 $3,056,250,648,138
2022 $2,898,227,744 $2,794,788,137,067
2021 $2,768,802,960 $2,966,433,692,008
2020 $2,457,604,334 $2,647,926,055,110
2019 $2,735,683,570 $2,722,793,515,172
2018 $2,583,335,722 $2,781,576,320,884
2017 $2,591,358,009 $2,588,868,323,335
2016 $2,357,504,761 $2,470,407,619,777
2015 $2,187,815,803 $2,442,483,452,643
2014 $2,089,079,571 $2,861,236,112,552
2013 $1,943,696,952 $2,816,077,607,875
2012 $1,973,387,228 $2,683,007,095,787
2011 $1,977,728,659 $2,870,408,553,990
2010 $1,708,880,730 $2,646,230,027,988
2009 $1,331,343,798 $2,700,075,882,519
2008 $1,317,517,835 $2,926,802,941,586
2007 $1,255,767,964 $2,655,816,911,867
2006 $942,879,879 $2,317,861,544,691
2005 $860,391,000 $2,192,146,403,028
2004 $735,348,490 $2,109,792,297,237
2003 $651,935,430 $1,835,095,983,049
2002 $559,345,264 $1,492,427,756,382
2001 $496,110,226 $1,370,376,677,299
2000 $460,733,418 $1,360,959,069,477
1999 $399,311,200 $1,486,915,879,702
1998 $363,458,381 $1,496,906,382,032
1997 $352,229,077 $1,449,392,222,971
1996 $303,408,346 $1,598,889,216,566
1995 $290,490,984 $1,595,219,345,512
1994 $258,954,708 $1,385,822,778,828
1993 $225,973,693 $1,314,383,368,080
1992 $240,233,531 $1,389,663,073,110
1991 $240,294,286 $1,258,961,748,634
1990 $287,765,007 $1,257,649,439,827
1989 $264,798,626 $1,016,742,237,302
1988 $272,298,067 $1,010,827,662,152
1987 $242,742,766 $926,320,855,615
1986 $191,218,115 $764,946,585,851
1985 $163,288,815 $547,220,981,165
1984 $160,423,494 $525,033,325,828
1983 $156,704,290 $553,356,312,936
1982 $141,439,317 $578,152,310,610
1981 $139,174,178 $609,184,791,792
1980 $128,669,201 $694,529,183,483
1979 $105,377,995 $608,218,624,730
1978 $94,086,228 $501,724,418,605
1977 $97,884,434 $406,401,711,688
1976 $88,461,263 $368,363,152,144
1975 $86,820,762 $357,324,307,786
1974 $92,901,784 $282,739,225,314
1973 $78,900,289 $261,970,536,240
1972 $70,139,867 $201,738,881,664
1971 $66,289,450 $164,694,210,962
1970 $61,812,113 $147,312,861,698
1969 - $140,660,914,841
1968 - $128,710,572,572
1967 - $118,088,635,381
1966 - $109,306,730,313
1965 - $100,927,668,584
1964 - $93,424,179,943
1963 - $84,227,606,650
1962 - $75,196,980,365
1961 - $67,158,050,215
1960 - $61,959,085,885

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/france | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs France by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan France
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $46,103 $62,557
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $44,700 $60,839
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $40,989 $57,043
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $43,725 $52,517
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $39,170 $49,482
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $40,408 $51,130
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $41,418 $46,381
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $38,687 $44,469
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $37,024 $42,880
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $36,702 $40,905
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $43,148 $40,218
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $42,669 $39,583
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $40,864 $37,671
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $43,930 $37,510
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $40,695 $35,908
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $41,728 $34,685
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $45,465 $35,053
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $41,486 $34,066
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $36,432 $32,424
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $34,696 $30,431
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $33,645 $28,921
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $29,480 $28,024
2002 $896 $3,663 $24,145 $28,350
2001 $812 $3,338 $22,332 $27,347
2000 $772 $3,113 $22,341 $26,007
1999 $685 $3,017 $24,576 $24,204
1998 $638 $2,819 $24,869 $23,263
1997 $630 $2,683 $24,169 $22,190
1996 $553 $2,548 $26,758 $21,268
1995 $530 $2,374 $26,792 $20,701
1994 $467 $2,146 $23,360 $19,892
1993 $407 $2,001 $22,239 $19,094
1992 $416 $1,840 $23,615 $18,801
1991 $401 $1,657 $21,501 $18,198
1990 $488 $1,638 $21,586 $17,475
1989 $462 - $17,547 -
1988 $489 - $17,550 -
1987 $449 - $16,176 -
1986 $365 - $13,430 -
1985 $321 - $9,657 -
1984 $326 - $9,312 -
1983 $328 - $9,862 -
1982 $306 - $10,360 -
1981 $311 - $10,956 -
1980 $296.9 - $12,565 -
1979 $251.4 - $11,063 -
1978 $232.2 - $9,167 -
1977 $249.9 - $7,459 -
1976 $233.7 - $6,792 -
1975 $237.4 - $6,617 -
1974 $262.8 - $5,261 -
1973 $230.9 - $4,907 -
1972 $212.4 - $3,809 -
1971 $207.7 - $3,137 -
1970 $200.3 - $2,833 -
1969 - - $2,729 -
1968 - - $2,518 -
1967 - - $2,328 -
1966 - - $2,173 -
1965 - - $2,024 -
1964 - - $1,891 -
1963 - - $1,723 -
1962 - - $1,554 -
1961 - - $1,402 -
1960 - - $1,307 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/france | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $46,103 in France, ranking 27/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while France ranks 30th at $62,557.

Economic indicators

Bhutan France
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$3.16T
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
7/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
1.19%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$46,103
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
27/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$62,557
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
30/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$3.58T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
113.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$52,165
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
8/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$35,669
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.37T
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
2,897,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
52
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
57.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
7.44%
2024
Population
803385
68788006

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
France
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan France
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 57.2% 113.1%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 56.8% 109.6%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 58.4% 111.4%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 59.5% 112.8%
2020 30.9% 116% 61.7% 114.9%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 55.3% 98.1%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 56.4% 98.5%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 57.7% 98.7%
2016 30.5% 103% 57.4% 98.1%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 57.6% 96.9%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 58.4% 96.1%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 58.6% 94.5%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 57.9% 91.7%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 57% 88.7%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 57.7% 86.3%
2009 39.3% 61% 58% 84.1%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 54.3% 69.8%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 53.6% 65.5%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 53.7% 65.4%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 54.3% 68.2%
2004 31% 76% 54% 66.9%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 54.4% 65.4%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 53.9% 61.3%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 52.8% 59.3%
2000 43% 44% 52.6% 59.7%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 53.7% 61.4%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 54% 62.1%
1997 37.8% 33% 55.6% 62%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 56% 60.6%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 56% 57.8%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 55.9% 51.6%
1993 35.2% 60.2% 56.5% 48.2%
1992 34.5% 35.6% 54% 41.7%
1991 30.8% 33.5% 52.7% 37.8%
1990 35.8% 27.4% 51.6% 36.8%
1989 46.8% 26.4% 48.9% 34%
1988 45.3% 24.7% 50.1% 33.3%
1987 47.5% 17.3% 50.7% 33.4%
1986 - - 51.3% 31.1%
1985 - - 51.9% 30.6%
1984 - - 51.2% 29%
1983 - - 50.2% 26.6%
1982 - - 49.9% 25.3%
1981 - - 48.5% 22%
1980 - - 46% 20.7%
1979 - - 44.9% 21.1%
1978 - - 44.7% 21.2%
1977 - - 21.4% 15%
1976 - - 21.7% 15.1%
1975 - - 22% 16.1%
1974 - - 19.9% 15.4%
1973 - - 19.7% 15.8%
1972 - - 19.8% 17.7%
1971 - - 20% 20.1%
1970 - - 20.5% 21%
1969 - - 21.5% 14.4%
1968 - - 22.7% 15.8%
1967 - - 21.4% 16.1%
1966 - - 21.4% 15.3%
1965 - - 21.1% 17.6%
1964 - - 21% 19.6%
1963 - - 22.6% 22.2%
1962 - - 21.7% 23.6%
1961 - - 21.9% 26.3%
1960 - - 22.2% 28.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/france | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while France spent $1.81T, or 57.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 113.1% in France, ranking 17/185 and 14/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

France
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan France
2024 -0.17% -5.77%
2023 -4.73% -5.44%
2022 -6.95% -4.74%
2021 -5.76% -6.58%
2020 -1.81% -8.93%
2019 -1.49% -2.39%
2018 -1.52% -2.32%
2017 -4.49% -3.36%
2016 -2.31% -3.76%
2015 -0.49% -3.89%
2014 2.46% -4.57%
2013 -4.55% -4.94%
2012 -2.1% -5.17%
2011 -3.02% -5.3%
2010 1.92% -7.16%
2009 -0.8% -7.38%
2008 -2.57% -3.5%
2007 0.79% -2.99%
2006 -0.07% -2.66%
2005 -6.96% -3.5%
2004 1.8% -3.55%
2003 -10.2% -4.09%
2002 -4.33% -3.18%
2001 -12.2% -1.42%
2000 -3.39% -1.32%
1999 -1.28% -1.55%
1998 1.28% -2.39%
1997 -1.92% -3.71%
1996 2.55% -3.89%
1995 -0.88% -5.11%
1994 -0.13% -5.46%
1993 4.71% -6.4%
1992 -3.47% -4.64%
1991 -0.48% -2.89%
1990 -7.21% -2.45%
1989 -10.1% -1.9%
1988 1.33% -2.7%
1987 -0.56% -2.13%
1986 - -3.3%
1985 - -3.08%
1984 - -2.8%
1983 - -2.58%
1982 - -2.91%
1981 - -2.39%
1980 - -0.27%
1979 - -0.36%
1978 - -1.73%
1977 - 0.9%
1976 - 1.01%
1975 - -0.28%
1974 - 3.05%
1973 - 1.97%
1972 - 1.94%
1971 - -0.13%
1970 - 0.02%
1969 - -0.49%
1968 - -2.54%
1967 - -0.8%
1966 - -0.57%
1965 - -0.07%
1964 - -0.25%
1963 - -2.24%
1962 - -1.53%
1961 - -1.36%
1960 - -1.95%
1959 - 0.56%
1958 - 0.08%
1957 - -1.99%
1956 - -2.62%
1955 - -1.04%
1954 - -0.78%
1953 - -4.79%
1952 - -6.82%
1951 - -4.42%
1950 - -5.56%
1949 - -7.31%
1948 - -9.11%
1947 - -7.6%
1946 - -8.1%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -6.89%
1936 - -4.76%
1935 - -4.22%
1934 - -4.31%
1933 - -4.96%
1932 - -1.86%
1931 - -2.06%
1930 - -1.65%
1929 - 1.48%
1928 - 1.13%
1927 - -0.04%
1926 - -0.02%
1925 - -0.87%
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.05%
1912 - 0.23%
1911 - 0.31%
1910 - -0.12%
1909 - -0.11%
1908 - -0.15%
1907 - 0.23%
1906 - -0.04%
1905 - 0.18%
1904 - 0.3%
1903 - 0.21%
1902 - -0.37%
1901 - -0.39%
1900 - 0.21%
1899 - 0.21%
1898 - 0.29%
1897 - 0.01%
1896 - -0.03%
1895 - -0.07%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - -0.3%
1892 - -0.03%
1891 - 0.36%
1890 - 0.31%
1889 - 0.09%
1888 - 0.18%
1887 - -0.07%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - -0.59%
1884 - -0.35%
1883 - -0.23%
1882 - -0.15%
1881 - 0.64%
1880 - 0.65%

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/bhutan/france | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to France's deficit of $166B, or 5.44% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while France ran a deficit in 37 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.98% of GDP for France.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

France
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan France
2024 4.3% 2%
2023 4.5% 4.88%
2022 5.9% 5.22%
2021 8.2% 1.64%
2020 3% 0.48%
2019 2.8% 1.11%
2018 3.6% 1.85%
2017 4.3% 1.03%
2016 3.3% 0.18%
2015 6.7% 0.04%
2014 9.6% 0.51%
2013 8.1% 0.86%
2012 10.1% 1.95%
2011 8.6% 2.11%
2010 4.8% 1.53%
2009 7.1% 0.09%
2008 6.3% 2.81%
2007 5.2% 1.49%
2006 4.9% 1.68%
2005 4.8% 1.75%
2004 3.3% 2.14%
2003 2.5% 2.1%
2002 2.9% 1.92%
2001 3.7% 1.63%
2000 7.2% 1.68%
1999 9.1% 0.54%
1998 7.6% 0.65%
1997 8.6% 1.2%

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/bhutan/france | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 1.61% in France. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 2% in France.

Top exports between countries

Bhutan
Export category Export value
Metals $496K
Raw agricultural goods $40K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Miscellaneous $6K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
France
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.19M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $600K
Metals $181K
Raw agricultural goods $116K
Textiles & consumer goods $96K
Chemicals & pharma $29K
Precious metals & jewellery $25K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Bhutan France
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$2.69B
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
42/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+0.09%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$733B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$668B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$341B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$403B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
34.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
33.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan France
Economic freedom 57.5 64.6
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 72/197
Property rights 69.2 91.2
Government integrity 72.2 73.4
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 84.7
Tax burden 83.4 54.6
Government spending 74.1 0.9
Fiscal health 25.8 34.8
Business freedom 67.8 78.4
Labor freedom 60.1 59.1
Monetary freedom 71.6 73.2
Trade freedom 63.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 75
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
France
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan France
2026 57.5 64.6
2025 57.5 64.4
2024 55.4 62.5
2023 59 63.6
2022 59.3 65.9
2021 58.3 65.7
2020 62.1 66
2019 62.9 63.8
2018 61.8 63.9
2017 58.4 63.3
2016 59.5 62.3
2015 57.4 62.5
2014 56.7 63.5
2013 55 64.1
2012 56.6 63.2
2011 57.6 64.6
2010 57 64.2
2009 57.7 63.3
2008 - 64.7
2007 - 62.1
2006 - 61.1
2005 - 60.5
2004 - 60.9
2003 - 59.2
2002 - 58
2001 - 58
2000 - 57.4
1999 - 59.1
1998 - 58.9
1997 - 59.1
1996 - 63.7
1995 - 64.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/france | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 64.6 for France, ranking 72/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan France
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
70.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
17.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
1.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$3.1T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$63,880
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$283B
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
13/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$10.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$52.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$41.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
15.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
21.5%
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/bhutan/france | 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 (1880–1992, 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 (2021–2024, 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.