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Economy of Bulgaria vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 67/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Bulgaria vs United States GDP by year

Bulgaria
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria United States
2024 $113,343,355,780 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $102,199,231,385 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $90,506,153,294 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $84,374,613,233 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $70,486,877,546 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $68,507,731,354 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $66,097,226,262 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $59,167,647,388 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $53,929,397,039 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $50,765,918,159 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $57,080,897,012 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $55,819,262,375 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $54,297,052,002 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $57,681,293,007 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $50,689,051,382 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $52,023,801,230 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $54,480,684,188 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $44,431,257,129 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $34,380,536,496 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $29,868,657,858 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $26,157,743,369 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $21,144,957,990 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $16,403,043,850 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $14,183,446,026 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $13,245,990,274 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $13,637,098,579 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $15,031,055,047 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $11,316,127,379 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $12,294,964,838 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $18,991,484,420 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $9,709,240,034 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $10,832,064,942 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $8,602,887,623 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $7,628,738,475 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $20,632,090,909 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $21,988,444,444 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $22,555,941,176 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $28,101,000,000 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $20,249,294,118 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $17,155,421,053 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $17,594,944,444 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $16,563,666,667 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $19,342,000,000 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $19,870,000,000 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $19,839,230,769 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 - $2,627,333,000,000
1978 - $2,351,599,000,000
1977 - $2,081,826,000,000
1976 - $1,873,412,000,000
1975 - $1,684,904,000,000
1974 - $1,545,243,000,000
1973 - $1,425,376,000,000
1972 - $1,279,110,000,000
1971 - $1,164,850,000,000
1970 - $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs United States by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $884 $7,215 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $2,477 - $22,857 -
1988 $2,511 - $21,417 -
1987 $3,132 - $20,039 -
1986 $2,260 - $19,071 -
1985 $1,915 - $18,237 -
1984 $1,964 - $17,121 -
1983 $1,853 - $15,544 -
1982 $2,169 - $14,434 -
1981 $2,235 - $13,976 -
1980 $2,239 - $12,613 -
1979 - - $11,674 -
1978 - - $10,565 -
1977 - - $9,453 -
1976 - - $8,592 -
1975 - - $7,801 -
1974 - - $7,226 -
1973 - - $6,726 -
1972 - - $6,094 -
1971 - - $5,609 -
1970 - - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-states | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria United States
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
4.02%
2024
Population
6359449
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 43.2% 125%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 36% 18.4% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 32% 22.9% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 32.7% 27% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 35% 105.4%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 35.8% 105%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 32% 14.3% 38.8% 100%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 34% 28.5% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 34% 59%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 44% 113.8% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 45.4% 72% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 169/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria United States
2024 -3.04% -8.03%
2023 -3.03% -7.8%
2022 -0.8% -3.72%
2021 -2.8% -11.4%
2020 -2.92% -14.1%
2019 -0.96% -5.81%
2018 0.12% -5.33%
2017 0.82% -4.79%
2016 1.54% -4.36%
2015 -2.77% -3.53%
2014 -3.65% -4.03%
2013 -1.75% -4.56%
2012 -0.43% -8.11%
2011 -1.83% -9.72%
2010 -3.77% -11%
2009 -0.86% -13.2%
2008 2.73% -6.61%
2007 3.09% -2.91%
2006 3.22% -2.04%
2005 2.19% -3.07%
2004 1.59% -4.24%
2003 0.003% -4.77%
2002 -0.61% -3.82%
2001 -0.58% -0.54%
2000 -0.6% 3.62%
1999 0.15% 2.71%
1998 1.08% 2.18%
1997 0.83% 0.88%
1996 -10.1% -0.46%
1995 -7.98% -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 0% -13.4%
1943 0% -19.3%
1942 -0.3% -16.3%
1941 3.96% -10.2%
1940 0.75% -9.73%
1939 0.72% -11.9%
1938 1% -10.4%
1937 1.41% -9.22%
1936 1.17% -12.1%
1935 1.34% -13.3%
1934 -0.12% -14.9%
1933 -0.56% -14.3%
1932 -2.14% -12.7%
1931 -3.07% -9.76%
1930 -5.48% -5.46%
1929 -6.67% -4.58%
1928 -1.09% -
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.44B, equivalent to 3.04% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.68% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria United States
2024 2.6% 2.95%
2023 8.6% 4.12%
2022 13% 8%
2021 2.8% 4.7%
2020 1.2% 1.23%
2019 2.5% 1.81%
2018 2.6% 2.44%
2017 1.2% 2.13%
2016 -1.3% 1.26%
2015 -1.1% 0.12%
2014 -1.6% 1.62%
2013 0.4% 1.46%
2012 2.4% 2.07%
2011 3.4% 3.16%
2010 3% 1.64%
2009 2.5% -0.36%
2008 12% 3.84%
2007 7.6% 2.85%
2006 7.4% 3.23%
2005 6% 3.39%
2004 6.1% 2.68%
2003 2.3% 2.27%
2002 5.8% 1.59%
2001 7.4% 2.83%
2000 10.3% 3.38%
1999 2.6% 2.19%
1998 18.7% 1.55%
1997 1,061% 2.34%

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/bulgaria/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $442M
Metals $205M
Chemicals & pharma $98.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $86.9M
Transport & tourism services $75.1M
Raw agricultural goods $73M
Textiles & consumer goods $66M
Precious metals & jewellery $62.1M
Raw materials & minerals $50M
IT & IP services $45.5M
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $344M
Business & finance services $170M
Transport & tourism services $148M
Raw materials & minerals $62.1M
IT & IP services $49M
Chemicals & pharma $44.3M
Miscellaneous $15.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15.2M
Raw agricultural goods $14M
Government & miscellaneous services $12M

Balance of trade

Bulgaria United States
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria United States
Economic freedom 68.9 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 27/197
Property rights 75.8 91.6
Government integrity 48.4 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 76.4
Tax burden 89.1 75.3
Government spending 58.4 57.9
Fiscal health 90.4 18.5
Business freedom 78.2 88.6
Labor freedom 62.4 76.3
Monetary freedom 75.8 84.2
Trade freedom 79.4 67.6
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria United States
2026 68.9 72.8
2025 68.8 70.2
2024 68.5 70.1
2023 69.3 70.6
2022 71 72.1
2021 70.4 74.8
2020 70.2 76.6
2019 69 76.8
2018 68.3 75.7
2017 67.9 75.1
2016 65.9 75.4
2015 66.8 76.2
2014 65.7 75.5
2013 65 76
2012 64.7 76.3
2011 64.9 77.8
2010 62.3 78
2009 64.6 80.7
2008 63.7 81
2007 62.7 81.2
2006 64.1 81.2
2005 62.3 79.9
2004 59.2 78.7
2003 57 78.2
2002 57.1 78.4
2001 51.9 79.1
2000 47.3 76.4
1999 46.2 75.5
1998 45.7 75.4
1997 47.6 75.6
1996 48.6 76.7
1995 50 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria United States
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
21.8%
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/bulgaria/united-states | 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 (1924–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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) (2020, 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.