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Economy of DR Congo vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 87/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

DR Congo vs Switzerland GDP by year

DR Congo
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Switzerland
2024 $70,962,185,791 $936,564,198,049
2023 $69,843,655,425 $894,424,821,645
2022 $70,422,346,142 $828,508,926,958
2021 $59,067,289,574 $815,309,330,987
2020 $46,691,989,749 $741,999,406,006
2019 $46,845,900,350 $721,369,112,727
2018 $46,659,954,092 $725,568,717,468
2017 $37,537,521,566 $695,200,833,086
2016 $38,600,224,214 $687,895,460,903
2015 $40,179,574,490 $694,118,186,380
2014 $38,352,980,553 $726,537,808,338
2013 $34,891,189,160 $706,234,937,371
2012 $30,029,369,929 $686,420,221,558
2011 $26,392,379,642 $715,888,126,682
2010 $24,161,641,931 $598,851,028,907
2009 $18,607,259,481 $554,212,916,092
2008 $22,723,488,723 $567,267,767,519
2007 $18,374,807,773 $490,740,715,595
2006 $15,484,044,535 $441,634,672,197
2005 $12,609,728,573 $418,284,865,885
2004 $10,297,483,481 $403,912,891,033
2003 $8,937,567,060 $362,075,086,508
2002 $8,728,038,525 $309,301,422,430
2001 $7,438,189,100 $286,582,672,434
2000 $19,088,046,306 $279,216,033,870
1999 $4,711,259,427 $297,873,643,323
1998 $6,217,805,821 $303,459,014,347
1997 $6,090,838,693 $294,788,198,856
1996 $5,771,456,952 $340,103,959,547
1995 $5,643,439,376 $352,835,806,342
1994 $5,820,382,248 $301,375,055,202
1993 $10,706,259,937 $272,237,527,071
1992 $8,227,343,907 $279,921,425,828
1991 $9,625,436,873 $268,901,693,863
1990 $9,349,764,580 $265,763,573,999
1989 $9,021,862,775 $208,105,846,934
1988 $8,861,299,977 $215,540,625,299
1987 $7,661,625,473 $199,236,370,038
1986 $8,095,367,168 $159,089,921,063
1985 $7,195,042,616 $110,980,314,192
1984 $7,857,729,193 $109,455,312,168
1983 $11,006,712,650 $114,634,358,535
1982 $13,651,667,371 $115,043,365,512
1981 $12,537,821,038 $112,244,805,519
1980 $14,394,927,495 $122,557,843,886
1979 $15,068,422,236 $114,970,094,425
1978 $15,372,608,002 $102,280,472,036
1977 $12,344,424,764 $73,135,771,167
1976 $9,648,583,225 $68,476,524,644
1975 $10,237,343,174 $65,466,081,819
1974 $9,596,960,180 $57,103,011,446
1973 $7,870,239,461 $49,550,006,320
1972 $6,173,712,814 $36,844,318,854
1971 $5,594,770,359 $30,040,171,751
1970 $4,877,684,910 $24,998,066,773
1969 $5,032,434,970 $22,442,043,274
1968 $3,909,780,539 $20,712,102,794
1967 $3,384,063,372 $19,397,044,714
1966 $4,532,660,182 $18,019,402,374
1965 $4,043,901,818 $16,780,226,225
1964 $2,881,545,273 $15,833,133,858
1963 $6,213,185,743 $14,283,872,299
1962 $3,779,841,429 $12,989,649,694
1961 $3,086,746,857 $11,713,348,834
1960 $3,359,404,118 $10,412,232,621

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/switzerland | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Switzerland by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $660 $1,731 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $688 $1,590 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $596 $1,402 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $486 $1,089 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $504 $1,056 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $518 $1,049 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $431 $991 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $460 $950 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $496 $910 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $489 $859 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $460 $761 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $410 $648 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $373 $644 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $352 $606 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $280.2 $573 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $353 $584 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $294.1 $550 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $255.4 $508 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $214.5 $484 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $180.7 $456 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $161.5 $428 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $162.4 $410 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $142.7 $404 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $378 $417 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $96.3 $452 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $131.5 $481 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $132.3 $497 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $127.4 $526 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $127 $532 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $136.5 $540 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $263.3 $576 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $209.7 $674 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $253.8 $762 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $254.9 $832 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $254.2 - $31,309 -
1988 $257.7 - $32,690 -
1987 $230.1 - $30,441 -
1986 $250.9 - $24,460 -
1985 $230.1 - $17,152 -
1984 $259.8 - $16,991 -
1983 $376 - $17,859 -
1982 $482 - $18,000 -
1981 $456 - $17,665 -
1980 $539 - $19,394 -
1979 $582 - $18,266 -
1978 $615 - $16,282 -
1977 $509 - $11,644 -
1976 $408 - $10,865 -
1975 $445 - $10,328 -
1974 $428 - $9,005 -
1973 $361 - $7,856 -
1972 $290.5 - $5,885 -
1971 $270.3 - $4,835 -
1970 $242.2 - $4,044 -
1969 $257.1 - $3,657 -
1968 $205.6 - $3,413 -
1967 $183.3 - $3,237 -
1966 $252.8 - $3,045 -
1965 $232 - $2,865 -
1964 $169.9 - $2,735 -
1963 $376 - $2,508 -
1962 $235.1 - $2,330 -
1961 $197.1 - $2,155 -
1960 $220.1 - $1,954 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/switzerland | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
4.34%
2024
Population
117507801
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 16.5% 27% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 34.4% 41%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 37% 43.2%
2019 14% 19.4% 32% 39.6%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 14.3% 33% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 16% 25.5% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 30% 44.8%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 7.59% 112% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 4.17% 136% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 2.49% 135% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 2.15% - 33.2% 52.7%
1998 2.78% - 32.7% 55.9%
1997 2.51% - 32.9% 53.7%
1996 2.17% - 33% 51.3%
1995 - - 32.4% 50%
1994 - - 32.5% 47.1%
1993 - - 32.5% 44.4%
1992 - - 31.3% 39.5%
1991 - - 29.5% 35.1%
1990 - - 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 172/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Switzerland
2024 -1.48% 0.58%
2023 -1.65% 0.12%
2022 -1.01% 1.19%
2021 -1.68% -0.29%
2020 -3.17% -3.01%
2019 -3.17% 1.34%
2018 -1.34% 1.29%
2017 -0.05% 1.13%
2016 -0.93% 0.24%
2015 -1.35% 0.55%
2014 3.73% -0.25%
2013 3.28% -0.43%
2012 1.71% 0.24%
2011 -0.94% 0.68%
2010 -0.95% 0.35%
2009 0.92% 0.5%
2008 -0.41% 1.93%
2007 1.12% 1.57%
2006 1.97% 0.85%
2005 1.3% -0.65%
2004 -0.17% -1.39%
2003 -3.92% -1.36%
2002 0.89% -1.75%
2001 -1.13% 0.21%
2000 -1.85% 0.28%
1999 -1.35% -1.57%
1998 -1.55% -1.31%
1997 -1.06% -2.33%
1996 -0.56% -2.01%
1995 - -1.86%
1994 - -2.59%
1993 - -3.15%
1992 - -2.96%
1991 - -1.85%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.05B, equivalent to 1.48% of GDP. This compares to Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.11% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Switzerland
2024 - 1.06%
2023 - 2.14%
2022 - 2.84%
2021 - 0.58%
2020 - -0.73%
2019 - 0.36%
2018 - 0.94%
2017 - 0.53%
2016 2.89% -0.43%
2015 0.74% -1.14%
2014 1.24% -0.01%
2013 0.81% -0.22%
2012 9.72% -0.69%
2011 15.3% 0.23%
2010 7.1% 0.69%
2009 2.8% -0.48%
2008 17.3% 2.43%
2007 16.9% 0.73%
2006 13.1% 1.06%
2005 21.3% 1.17%
2004 3.99% 0.8%
2003 12.9% 0.64%
2002 31.5% 0.64%
2001 360% 0.99%
2000 514% 1.56%
1999 284.9% 0.81%
1998 29.1% 0.02%
1997 198.5% 0.52%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 0.47% in Switzerland. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Metals $566M
Raw materials & minerals $31.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.02M
Machinery & equipment $280K
Raw agricultural goods $171K
Textiles & consumer goods $65K
Chemicals & pharma $37K
Wood & paper products $5K
Animal & marine products $1K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $17.5M
Wood & paper products $4.75M
Chemicals & pharma $4.59M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.57M
Metals $397K
Raw materials & minerals $388K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20K
Miscellaneous $15K
Raw agricultural goods $8K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Switzerland
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Switzerland
Economic freedom 47 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 2/197
Property rights 15.4 94.4
Government integrity 12.8 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 98.3
Tax burden 73.8 70.9
Government spending 91.2 69.5
Fiscal health 95.9 97.2
Business freedom 32.3 86.3
Labor freedom 54.2 60
Monetary freedom 58.6 82.3
Trade freedom 68.2 87
Investment freedom 30 85
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Switzerland
2026 47 83.7
2025 47.3 83.7
2024 47.6 83
2023 47.9 83.8
2022 47.6 84.2
2021 49 81.9
2020 49.5 82
2019 50.3 81.9
2018 52.1 81.7
2017 56.4 81.5
2016 46.4 81
2015 45 80.5
2014 40.6 81.6
2013 39.6 81
2012 41.1 81.1
2011 40.7 81.9
2010 41.4 81.1
2009 42.8 79.4
2008 - 79.5
2007 - 78
2006 - 78.9
2005 - 79.3
2004 - 79.5
2003 - 79
2002 - 79.3
2001 - 76
2000 34.8 76.8
1999 34 79.1
1998 40.6 79
1997 39.5 78.6
1996 39.5 76.8
1995 41.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/switzerland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
27%
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/dr-congo/switzerland | 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 (1899–1989, 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 (2022–2024, 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.