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Economy of Brazil vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brazil has a GDP of $2.19T compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 10/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brazil has $1.91T in government debt (87.3% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Brazil vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Brazil
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brazil Sao Tome
2024 $2,185,821,648,944 $822,154,621
2023 $2,191,131,869,706 $690,456,807
2022 $1,951,923,832,084 $540,809,499
2021 $1,670,647,464,063 $524,402,456
2020 $1,476,107,292,152 $471,229,485
2019 $1,873,288,158,839 $412,976,083
2018 $1,916,933,708,353 $383,717,328
2017 $2,063,514,688,806 $322,002,845
2016 $1,795,693,265,999 $292,267,272
2015 $1,802,211,999,456 $259,999,643
2014 $2,456,043,766,032 $293,119,143
2013 $2,472,819,362,044 $267,041,748
2012 $2,465,228,293,707 $225,815,132
2011 $2,616,156,606,579 $226,455,001
2010 $2,208,838,108,484 $190,021,192
2009 $1,666,996,294,252 $200,668,065
2008 $1,695,855,391,758 $188,021,165
2007 $1,397,114,247,189 $149,146,919
2006 $1,107,626,711,163 $142,775,104
2005 $891,633,826,625 $136,450,662
2004 $669,289,321,945 $114,582,284
2003 $558,233,724,165 $102,085,769
2002 $509,795,270,685 $85,171,074
2001 $559,983,704,094 $75,951,133
2000 $655,448,188,259 $76,198,395
1999 $599,642,075,004 $77,302,212
1998 $863,711,007,325 $72,285,404
1997 $883,206,452,795 $91,920,274
1996 $850,426,433,004 $135,188,166
1995 $769,333,330,412 $103,695,237
1994 $525,369,851,354 $131,338,415
1993 $368,295,778,245 $125,742,229
1992 $328,187,960,872 $94,861,781
1991 $342,609,231,343 $107,484,143
1990 $390,725,626,003 $119,297,933
1989 $412,990,820,287 $98,545,367
1988 $307,881,930,752 $99,000,764
1987 $283,056,836,894 $115,952,925
1986 $256,480,852,471 $115,928,907
1985 $210,879,844,639 $82,733,069
1984 $188,339,974,087 $78,213,796
1983 $189,656,506,321 $75,110,289
1982 $271,314,113,768 $80,307,763
1981 $258,015,174,749 $83,499,264
1980 $237,393,489,893 $81,662,231
1979 $221,338,204,480 $65,755,928
1978 $200,278,646,124 $55,044,563
1977 $176,344,101,402 $49,207,692
1976 $153,168,949,208 $52,039,421
1975 $129,203,555,239 $60,101,710
1974 $109,794,519,728 $57,817,591
1973 $83,592,275,863 $56,011,245
1972 $58,434,858,375 $41,430,257
1971 $48,869,830,902 $37,288,845
1970 $42,327,664,794 $37,211,826
1969 $37,171,640,819 -
1968 $33,930,457,425 -
1967 $31,086,389,195 -
1966 $28,283,323,733 -
1965 $22,465,522,884 -
1964 $20,963,733,695 -
1963 $23,287,712,878 -
1962 $19,231,747,852 -
1961 $17,275,940,449 -
1960 $17,030,465,539 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brazil vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Brazil
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brazil Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,311 $22,338 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $10,378 $21,176 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $9,281 $19,877 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $7,973 $18,076 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $7,074 $16,102 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $9,030 $16,070 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $9,301 $15,464 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $10,081 $14,559 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $8,836 $14,309 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $8,936 $14,821 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $12,275 $15,827 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $12,459 $15,722 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $12,522 $15,198 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $13,397 $15,212 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $11,403 $14,452 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $8,679 $13,391 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $8,908 $13,445 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $7,410 $12,673 $879 $2,650
2006 $5,934 $11,751 $862 $2,551
2005 $4,828 $11,081 $844 $2,329
2004 $3,664 $10,526 $727 $2,171
2003 $3,091 $9,802 $664 $2,094
2002 $2,856 $9,617 $568 $1,945
2001 $3,176 $9,304 $519 $1,898
2000 $3,767 $9,092 $529 $1,830
1999 $3,494 $8,635 $543 $1,802
1998 $5,106 $8,599 $514 $1,754
1997 $5,299 $8,602 $662 $1,714
1996 $5,179 $8,301 $987 $1,693
1995 $4,757 $8,097 $769 $1,663
1994 $3,299 $7,727 $990 $1,623
1993 $2,349 $7,260 $964 $1,581
1992 $2,127 $6,869 $740 $1,556
1991 $2,258 $6,867 $855 $1,540
1990 $2,620 $6,688 $970 $1,504
1989 $2,819 - $821 -
1988 $2,141 - $847 -
1987 $2,006 - $1,018 -
1986 $1,854 - $1,043 -
1985 $1,556 - $761 -
1984 $1,420 - $735 -
1983 $1,461 - $720 -
1982 $2,138 - $783 -
1981 $2,080 - $830 -
1980 $1,959 - $829 -
1979 $1,870 - $683 -
1978 $1,733 - $587 -
1977 $1,562 - $539 -
1976 $1,390 - $585 -
1975 $1,201 - $693 -
1974 $1,045 - $683 -
1973 $815 - $676 -
1972 $583 - $511 -
1971 $500 - $470 -
1970 $444 - $479 -
1969 $399 - - -
1968 $374 - - -
1967 $351 - - -
1966 $328 - - -
1965 $268 - - -
1964 $257.3 - - -
1963 $294.2 - - -
1962 $250.2 - - -
1961 $231.6 - - -
1960 $235.3 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Brazil's GDP per capita is $10,311, ranking 85/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brazil ranks 88th at $22,338, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Brazil Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$2.19T
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
10/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
3.42%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,311
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
85/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,338
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
88/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$1.91T
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.3%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,999
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
60/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,263
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$659B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
433,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
56
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
40.8%
2023
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.3%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.7%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.4%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.8%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
213824938
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brazil
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brazil Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 45.7% 87.3% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 45.3% 84% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 43.4% 83.9% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 40.4% 88.9% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 46.2% 96% 23.2% 91%
2019 43% 87.1% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 44.2% 84.8% 28% 95.9%
2017 44.3% 82.7% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 45.5% 77.4% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 46.2% 71.7% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 41.4% 61.6% 36% 92.5%
2013 39.8% 59.6% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 39.3% 61.6% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 39.4% 60.6% 53.4% 86%
2010 39.5% 62.4% 51.7% 83%
2009 40.5% 64.7% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 39.9% 61.4% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 40.4% 63% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 42.6% 64.6% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 41.9% 67% 43.7% 334%
2004 39.7% 68% 60.6% 354%
2003 41.3% 71.5% 51.9% 329%
2002 44.5% 76.1% 44.3% 367%
2001 39.8% 67.3% 52.8% 418%
2000 34.5% 62.2% 10.7% -
1999 39.6% 44.5% - -
1998 40.9% 38.9% - -
1997 38.6% 31.8% - -
1996 38.2% 30.7% - -
1995 - 28% - -
1994 - 30% - -
1993 - 32.6% - -
1992 - 37.1% - -
1991 - 38.1% - -
1990 - 40.6% - -
1989 - 40.2% - -
1988 - 46.9% - -
1987 - 50.3% - -
1986 11.7% 49.4% - -
1985 11.1% 52.6% - -
1984 10% 55.8% - -
1983 9.7% 51.5% - -
1982 8.1% 32.8% - -
1981 7.8% 34.6% - -
1980 6.8% 39.7% - -
1979 9% 36.6% - -
1978 10.2% 37% - -
1977 10.4% 31% - -
1976 10.6% 31.8% - -
1975 10.7% 27.7% - -
1974 10.5% 25.7% - -
1973 11% 22.4% - -
1972 12.6% 22.5% - -
1971 11.7% 17.9% - -
1970 11.4% 17% - -
1969 11.2% 16.5% - -
1968 14.4% 15.8% - -
1967 13.5% 13.8% - -
1966 14.6% 19.6% - -
1965 14% 17.6% - -
1964 25.4% 22.2% - -
1963 22.8% 20.4% - -
1962 23.1% 23.7% - -
1961 12% 25.7% - -
1960 13.7% 22.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Brazil's government spending was $998B, accounting for 45.7% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.3% in Brazil and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 38/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brazil

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brazil Sao Tome
2024 -6.19% 0.92%
2023 -7.71% -2.13%
2022 -3.96% -2.24%
2021 -2.63% -1.52%
2020 -11.6% 2.94%
2019 -4.86% -0.07%
2018 -6.99% -2.02%
2017 -7.97% -3.11%
2016 -7.99% -5.01%
2015 -9.28% -7.6%
2014 -6.27% -6.27%
2013 -3.42% 2.13%
2012 -2.35% -12.3%
2011 -2.74% -13%
2010 -3.55% -12.1%
2009 -4.23% -18%
2008 -2.39% 13.6%
2007 -2.66% 125.1%
2006 -4.87% 18%
2005 -3.36% 26.8%
2004 -2.95% -25.1%
2003 -5.4% -15.9%
2002 -4.15% -10.4%
2001 -3.47% -13.5%
2000 -3.32% 51.5%
1999 -5.17% -
1998 -7.22% -
1997 -5.6% -
1996 -5.35% -
1995 - -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 -1.6% -
1985 -1.3% -
1984 -0.4% -
1983 0.1% -
1982 1.4% -
1981 1% -
1980 2.5% -
1979 0.4% -
1978 -0.1% -
1977 0.1% -
1976 0.1% -
1975 0% -
1974 0.6% -
1973 0.1% -
1972 -0.1% -
1971 -0.3% -
1970 -0.4% -
1969 -0.6% -
1968 -1.6% -
1967 -2.1% -
1966 -1.3% -
1965 -2% -
1964 -8.79% -
1963 -5.78% -
1962 -6.82% -
1961 -2.93% -
1960 -3.85% -
1959 -0.18% -
1958 -0.76% -
1957 -0.29% -
1956 -0.14% -
1955 -0.62% -
1954 -0.49% -
1953 -1.26% -
1952 0.64% -
1951 0.87% -
1950 -1.58% -
1949 -1.22% -
1948 0.002% -
1947 0.25% -
1946 -1.78% -
1945 -2.87% -
1944 -2.37% -
1943 -0.75% -
1942 -2.55% -
1941 -2.15% -
1940 -1.13% -
1939 -1.2% -
1938 -0.59% -
1937 -1.62% -
1936 -0.27% -
1935 -0.5% -
1934 -2.28% -
1933 -1.56% -
1932 -6.47% -
1931 -1.56% -
1930 -3.58% -
1929 -0.09% -
1928 0.57% -
1927 0.12% -
1926 -0.76% -
1925 -0.07% -
1924 -0.45% -
1923 -1.94% -
1922 -3.8% -
1921 -2.98% -
1920 -3.11% -
1919 -3.69% -
1918 -4.51% -
1917 -4.8% -
1916 -4.35% -
1915 -6.33% -
1914 -7.32% -
1913 -1.91% -
1912 -3.05% -
1911 -2.15% -
1910 -2.06% -
1909 -1.62% -
1908 -1.89% -
1907 0.38% -
1906 0.28% -
1905 0.96% -
1904 -0.62% -
1903 1.79% -
1902 1.59% -
1901 -2.46% -
1900 -5.57% -
1899 -2.13% -
1898 -14% -
1897 -2.38% -
1896 -0.79% -
1895 -1.33% -
1894 -4.11% -
1893 -1.77% -
1892 -2.6% -
1891 0.51% -
1890 -3.02% -
1889 -3.79% -
1888 0.63% -
1887 -0.76% -
1886 -3.8% -
1885 -5.71% -
1884 -3.89% -
1883 -3.33% -
1882 -1.58% -
1881 -1.9% -
1880 -4.84% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Brazil's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $135B, equivalent to 6.19% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Brazil recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Brazil posted an annual deficit equal to 4.98% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brazil

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brazil Sao Tome
2024 4.4% 14.4%
2023 4.6% 21.2%
2022 9.3% 18%
2021 8.3% 8.1%
2020 3.2% 9.8%
2019 3.7% 7.7%
2018 3.7% 7.9%
2017 3.4% 5.7%
2016 8.7% 5.4%
2015 9% 6.1%
2014 6.3% 7%
2013 6.2% 8.1%
2012 5.4% 10.6%
2011 6.6% 14.3%
2010 5% 13.3%
2009 4.9% 17%
2008 5.7% 32%
2007 3.6% 18.6%
2006 4.2% 23.1%
2005 6.9% 17.2%
2004 6.6% 13.3%
2003 14.7% 9.8%
2002 8.4% 10.1%
2001 6.8% 9.2%
2000 7% 11%
1999 4.9% 11%
1998 3.2% 42.1%
1997 6.9% 69%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Brazil has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.13%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 4.4% in Brazil and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Brazil
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.62M
Animal & marine products $653K
Raw agricultural goods $614K
Chemicals & pharma $503K
Textiles & consumer goods $267K
Wood & paper products $140K
Raw materials & minerals $73K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Metals $5K
Miscellaneous $3K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $19K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Metals $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Brazil Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$66.2B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
188/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.03%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$274B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$340B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$103B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$48.1B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.9%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Brazil Sao Tome
Economic freedom 52.4 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 148/197 93/197
Property rights 49.2 55.2
Government integrity 37.2 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 55.6 60.8
Tax burden 70.6 88.6
Government spending 39.8 80.6
Fiscal health 28 89.5
Business freedom 65.7 59.9
Labor freedom 57 40.8
Monetary freedom 76 59.4
Trade freedom 69 65
Investment freedom 40 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brazil
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brazil Sao Tome
2026 52.4 60.6
2025 55.1 60.4
2024 53.2 60.5
2023 53.5 61.5
2022 53.3 60.3
2021 53.4 55.9
2020 53.7 56.2
2019 51.9 54
2018 51.4 53.6
2017 52.9 55.4
2016 56.5 56.7
2015 56.6 53.3
2014 56.9 48.8
2013 57.7 48
2012 57.9 50.2
2011 56.3 49.5
2010 55.6 48.8
2009 56.7 43.8
2008 56.2 -
2007 56.2 -
2006 60.9 -
2005 61.7 -
2004 62 -
2003 63.4 -
2002 61.5 -
2001 61.9 -
2000 61.1 -
1999 61.3 -
1998 52.3 -
1997 52.6 -
1996 48.1 -
1995 51.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brazil/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Brazil is 52.4, ranking 148/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brazil Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
59.2%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.75%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.11T
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,590
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$330B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
11/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$47.8B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$74.1B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$26.3B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.4%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
4.2%
2020
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
2024
n/a

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/brazil/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.