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Economy of Costa Rica vs Haiti compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $25.2B for Haiti, ranking 73/197 and 117/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $3.91B (15.5% of GDP) in Haiti.

Costa Rica vs Haiti GDP by year

Costa Rica
Haiti
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Haiti
2024 $95,350,423,177 $25,224,154,991
2023 $86,497,941,439 $19,850,585,722
2022 $69,243,626,029 $20,253,551,921
2021 $64,960,725,734 $20,944,387,976
2020 $62,395,610,760 $14,508,222,518
2019 $64,417,670,521 $15,016,090,930
2018 $62,420,164,992 $16,403,864,618
2017 $60,516,044,657 $15,093,357,161
2016 $58,847,019,610 $14,069,277,526
2015 $56,441,920,821 $14,849,629,309
2014 $52,016,408,854 $15,146,883,498
2013 $50,949,668,842 $14,902,488,604
2012 $47,231,655,432 $13,708,925,477
2011 $42,762,613,699 $13,008,746,039
2010 $37,658,616,952 $11,859,312,725
2009 $30,745,714,313 $11,597,002,835
2008 $30,801,745,700 $10,432,962,635
2007 $26,884,700,709 $9,228,637,768
2006 $22,715,540,324 $7,638,739,123
2005 $20,040,642,477 $7,030,149,730
2004 $18,610,594,846 $6,087,360,684
2003 $17,271,760,507 $5,071,947,798
2002 $16,578,820,687 $6,205,847,214
2001 $15,976,174,337 $6,331,970,324
2000 $15,013,629,662 $6,813,566,099
1999 $14,254,866,285 $4,153,725,884
1998 $13,684,255,947 $3,723,903,724
1997 $12,614,602,382 $3,338,949,152
1996 $11,678,424,507 $2,907,517,604
1995 $11,578,594,260 $2,813,313,279
1994 $10,489,903,725 $2,167,569,046
1993 $9,564,815,975 $1,878,253,767
1992 $8,579,754,758 $2,257,129,792
1991 $7,215,725,487 $3,473,562,628
1990 $5,711,687,787 $3,096,289,800
1989 $5,251,025,767 $2,736,243,800
1988 $4,614,629,898 $2,613,926,800
1987 $4,532,952,047 $2,047,200,000
1986 $4,418,983,871 $2,318,000,000
1985 $3,919,203,960 $2,009,400,000
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,816,200,000
1983 $3,146,772,631 $1,623,600,000
1982 $2,606,623,555 $1,474,200,000
1981 $2,623,803,096 $1,479,400,000
1980 $4,831,447,001 $1,383,800,000
1979 $4,035,519,323 $1,080,600,000
1978 $3,523,208,810 $974,200,000
1977 $3,072,427,013 $947,000,000
1976 $2,412,555,426 $879,000,000
1975 $1,960,863,466 $681,400,000
1974 $1,666,544,754 $565,399,322
1973 $1,528,925,846 $466,798,973
1972 $1,238,251,696 $371,998,958
1971 $1,077,147,538 $362,800,000
1970 $984,830,158 $331,200,000
1969 $853,630,204 $391,820,400
1968 $773,841,494 $367,968,800
1967 $699,456,619 $369,124,200
1966 $647,305,630 $368,948,600
1965 $592,981,162 $353,251,800
1964 $542,578,367 $325,281,200
1963 $511,902,137 $294,883,400
1962 $479,180,824 $281,896,800
1961 $490,325,182 $271,066,000
1960 $507,513,830 $273,187,200

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/haiti | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Haiti by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Haiti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Haiti
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $2,143 $3,194
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $1,706 $3,292
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $1,761 $3,275
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $1,841 $3,145
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $1,290 $3,103
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $1,352 $3,237
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $1,496 $3,197
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $1,395 $3,339
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $1,318 $3,253
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $1,411 $3,026
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $1,460 $3,076
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $1,458 $3,042
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $1,361 $2,830
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $1,312 $2,858
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $1,210 $2,695
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $1,197 $2,855
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $1,095 $2,724
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $985 $2,647
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $829 $2,504
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $776 $2,427
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $683 $2,322
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $579 $2,331
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $721 $2,248
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $749 $2,230
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $821 $2,229
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $510 $2,201
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $465 $2,152
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $425 $2,122
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $377 $2,070
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $372 $1,989
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $292.1 $1,807
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $258.1 $2,048
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $316 $2,158
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $497 $2,273
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $452 $2,202
1989 $1,725 - $407 -
1988 $1,555 - $397 -
1987 $1,567 - $318 -
1986 $1,569 - $367 -
1985 $1,429 - $325 -
1984 $1,372 - $299.2 -
1983 $1,213 - $272.8 -
1982 $1,032 - $252.6 -
1981 $1,068 - $258.5 -
1980 $2,021 - $246.5 -
1979 $1,735 - $196.2 -
1978 $1,556 - $180.3 -
1977 $1,393 - $178.7 -
1976 $1,123 - $169.1 -
1975 $937 - $133.6 -
1974 $817 - $113 -
1973 $769 - $95.1 -
1972 $639 - $77.3 -
1971 $570 - $76.8 -
1970 $536 - $71.5 -
1969 $477 - $86.1 -
1968 $445 - $82.4 -
1967 $414 - $84.2 -
1966 $395 - $85.7 -
1965 $374 - $83.6 -
1964 $354 - $78.5 -
1963 $346 - $72.4 -
1962 $335 - $70.4 -
1961 $356 - $69 -
1960 $382 - $70.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/haiti | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $2,143 in Haiti, ranking 153/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Haiti ranks 177th at $3,194.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Haiti
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
-4.17%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$2,143
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,194
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
177/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$3.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
15.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$332
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
176/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,896
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
31.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.1%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
5.25%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
26.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
14.1%
2012
Population
5181862
12076663

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Haiti
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Haiti
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 5.25% 15.5%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 6.46% 28.5%
2022 19.2% 63% 8.33% 29.5%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 9.42% 28.9%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 9.86% 22.3%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 9.59% 26.5%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 11.3% 24.1%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 10.2% 22.5%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 10.5% 24.4%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 12.7% 23.9%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 14.6% 21.4%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 15.9% 25.1%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 16.4% 24.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 14.1% 22.3%
2010 18% 28.1% 12.6% 24.9%
2009 16.7% 26% 11.6% 19.4%
2008 15.2% 24% 11.2% 33.9%
2007 14.6% 27% 11.1% 24.4%
2006 15.2% 33% 9.67% 32.2%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 8.75% 29.7%
2004 17% 41% 7.38% 30.4%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 7.83% 37.8%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 6.64% 32%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 6.11% 28.8%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 6.25% 32.5%
1999 16.7% 39% 6.91% 24.1%
1998 16% 40.7% 5.4% 24%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 5.46% 26.2%
1996 17.3% 33.7% - 26.2%
1995 16.4% 29.1% - 26.2%
1994 17.4% 27% - 35.3%
1993 13.8% 24.4% - 98%
1992 13.7% 23.3% - 118.9%
1991 14% 28.4% - 80.7%
1990 18.9% 18.5% - 85.1%
1989 26.1% 19.3% - 98.7%
1988 24.5% 18.2% - 90.9%
1987 27.2% 21.2% 32.4% 58.6%
1986 26.4% 26.1% 15.1% 26.5%
1985 21.8% 22.8% 17.4% 25.6%
1984 22.8% 25.2% 16.9% 27.3%
1983 23.6% 29.8% 21.9% 28.9%
1982 18.4% 31.8% 20.7% 25.5%
1981 21% 32.3% 17.4% 23.7%
1980 25% 37.7% 17.2% 20.3%
1979 24.9% 39.5% 13.1% 19.8%
1978 23.2% 41.7% 18.9% 20.1%
1977 19.3% 27.8% 16.7% 18.5%
1976 20.1% 29.5% 13.4% 14.9%
1975 19.1% 26.1% 12.8% 14.2%
1974 18.3% 30.3% 9.24% 13.3%
1973 18.4% 32.8% 9.4% 8.92%
1972 17.2% 31.8% 11.2% 11.1%
1971 17.5% 30.4% 11.2% 11%
1970 14.9% 28.6% 11.4% 12.5%
1969 14.5% 26.1% 10.1% -
1968 13.8% 27.7% 10.3% -
1967 14.7% 26.7% 7.52% -
1966 14.3% 24.8% 7.2% -
1965 13.8% 24.1% 7.91% -
1964 13.5% 22.7% - -
1963 13.3% 21.8% 8.95% -
1962 14% 19.7% - -
1961 13.2% 20.3% - -
1960 12.5% 16.1% 7.34% 21.6%

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/costa-rica/haiti | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Haiti spent $1.32B, or 5.25% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 15.5% in Haiti, ranking 79/185 and 177/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Haiti
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Haiti
2024 -3.78% 6.96%
2023 -3.25% 0.77%
2022 -2.81% -1.75%
2021 -5.09% -2.45%
2020 -8.38% -1.96%
2019 -6.68% -1.99%
2018 -5.66% -1.13%
2017 -5.88% -0.32%
2016 -5.09% 0.12%
2015 -5.52% -1.47%
2014 -5.45% -3.64%
2013 -5.25% -3.98%
2012 -4.22% -2.71%
2011 -3.91% -1.43%
2010 -4.96% -1.5%
2009 -3.25% -2%
2008 0.18% -1.8%
2007 0.56% -1.55%
2006 -1.04% -0.91%
2005 -2.09% -0.83%
2004 -3.42% -1.34%
2003 -3.43% -2.24%
2002 -4.99% -1.8%
2001 -3.47% -1.55%
2000 -3.68% -1.36%
1999 -2.88% -1.54%
1998 -2.96% 0.21%
1997 -3.39% 0.37%
1996 -4.32% -
1995 -3.68% -
1994 -5.46% -
1993 -1.52% -
1992 -1.51% -
1991 -2.41% -
1990 -4.4% -
1989 -1.55% -
1988 0.57% -
1987 -2.57% -4.94%
1986 -4.26% -1.4%
1985 -1.06% -0.97%
1984 -0.5% -3.52%
1983 -1.84% -5.72%
1982 -0.94% -3.93%
1981 -3.14% -4.38%
1980 -7.24% -5.68%
1979 -6.6% -2.21%
1978 -4.12% -3.24%
1977 -2.63% -2.85%
1976 -2.42% -1.16%
1975 -1.13% -1.73%
1974 0.26% 0.23%
1973 -2.41% 0.03%
1972 -4.54% 0.24%
1971 -4.72% -0.08%
1970 -1.41% -0.19%
1969 -1.61% -0.39%
1968 -1.72% -0.46%
1967 -3.03% 0%
1966 -2.12% 0%
1965 -1.71% 0%
1964 -1.51% -
1963 -2.01% 0%
1962 -1.99% -
1961 -0.71% -
1960 -0.19% 0.006%
1959 0.49% -1.11%
1958 0% -2.21%
1957 0.3% 0.28%
1956 0.05% -2.18%
1955 - -0.86%
1954 - -0.81%
1953 - -1.01%
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -0.12%
1948 - 0.21%
1947 - 1.06%
1946 - 0.51%
1945 - 0.47%
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -0.21%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - -0.16%
1938 - 0.15%
1937 - -0.08%
1936 - -0.06%
1935 - -0.2%
1934 - -1.23%
1933 - 0%
1932 - 0.4%
1931 - -0.49%
1930 - -0.52%
1929 - -0.32%
1928 - -0.25%
1927 - 0.73%
1926 - -0.45%
1925 - 0.05%
1924 - -0.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/haiti | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.61B, equivalent to 3.78% of GDP. This compares to Haiti's surplus of $1.76B, or 6.96% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 61 of those years, while Haiti ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.11% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.42% of GDP for Haiti.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Haiti
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Haiti
2024 -0.41% 26.9%
2023 0.53% 36.8%
2022 8.27% 34%
2021 1.73% 16.8%
2020 0.72% 22.8%
2019 2.1% 18.7%
2018 2.22% 12.5%
2017 1.63% 10.7%
2016 -0.02% 11.5%
2015 0.8% 6.73%
2014 4.52% 3.44%
2013 5.23% 4.77%
2012 4.5% 5.02%
2011 4.88% 6.33%
2010 5.66% 4.83%
2009 7.84% 0.39%
2008 13.4% 15.3%
2007 9.36% 6.56%
2006 11.5% 11.3%
2005 13.8% 14%
2004 12.3% 21%
2003 9.45% 28.7%
2002 9.17% 7.03%
2001 11.3% 13.3%
2000 11% 9.33%
1999 10% 3%
1998 11.7% 5.27%
1997 13.2% 20.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/haiti | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 13.5% in Haiti. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 26.9% in Haiti.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.71M
Chemicals & pharma $973K
Wood & paper products $799K
Raw materials & minerals $534K
Miscellaneous $167K
Metals $129K
Machinery & equipment $120K
Weapons & explosives $13K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Haiti
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $61K
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Haiti
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$145M
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
92/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-0.58%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$4.27B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$767M
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$518M
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$96.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
18.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
3.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Haiti
Economic freedom 69.1 46.1
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 178/197
Property rights 66 6.6
Government integrity 64.1 13
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 17.3
Tax burden 78.6 81.7
Government spending 89.3 98.7
Fiscal health 75.6 99.5
Business freedom 79.9 30.7
Labor freedom 55.9 54.7
Monetary freedom 78.2 45.1
Trade freedom 75 66.4
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Haiti
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Haiti
2026 69.1 46.1
2025 68.6 46.1
2024 67.7 48.2
2023 66.5 49.9
2022 65.4 50
2021 64.2 50.8
2020 65.8 52.3
2019 65.3 52.7
2018 65.6 55.8
2017 65 49.6
2016 67.4 51.3
2015 67.2 51.3
2014 66.9 48.9
2013 67 48.1
2012 68 50.7
2011 67.3 52.1
2010 65.9 50.8
2009 66.4 50.5
2008 64.2 49
2007 64 51.4
2006 65.9 49.2
2005 66.1 48.4
2004 66.4 51.2
2003 67 50.6
2002 67.5 47.9
2001 67.6 47.1
2000 68.4 45.7
1999 67.4 45.9
1998 65.6 45.7
1997 65.6 45.8
1996 66.4 41
1995 68 43

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/haiti | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 46.1 for Haiti, ranking 178/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Haiti
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
48.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
33.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
15.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$2.72B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
121/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$20M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$20M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
2.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
58.5%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
9.94%
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/costa-rica/haiti | 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 (1924–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2017–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.