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Economy of Gabon vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 127/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Gabon vs United States GDP by year

Gabon
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon United States
2024 $20,895,684,426 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $19,388,372,071 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $20,440,655,695 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $19,444,935,097 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $15,342,236,164 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $16,874,405,465 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $16,867,326,402 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $14,929,487,485 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $14,023,890,265 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $14,383,107,763 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $18,203,966,896 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $17,595,744,798 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $17,170,464,016 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $18,210,307,744 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $14,372,593,020 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $12,113,699,068 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $15,571,348,344 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $12,455,409,587 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $10,327,598,306 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $9,582,783,991 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $7,770,219,008 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $6,511,903,365 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $5,335,451,100 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $5,023,265,413 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $5,080,483,629 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $4,662,992,036 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $4,483,417,310 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $5,326,817,115 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $5,694,040,003 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $4,958,845,648 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $4,190,819,344 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $4,378,645,081 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $5,592,390,827 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $5,402,919,785 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $5,952,293,765 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $4,186,411,464 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $3,834,503,376 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $3,281,797,043 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $3,403,638,189 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $3,339,914,757 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $3,561,451,561 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $3,391,275,732 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $3,618,007,841 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $3,862,269,121 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $4,279,637,942 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $3,030,251,120 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $2,389,479,272 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $2,809,349,069 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $3,009,409,974 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $2,157,592,940 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $1,544,216,002 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $722,780,701 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $430,508,359 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $381,687,073 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $323,802,476 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $318,124,701 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $294,468,564 $940,225,000,000
1967 $271,543,680 $859,620,034,483
1966 $245,849,781 $813,032,758,621
1965 $226,474,286 $741,904,862,069
1964 $215,679,855 $684,144,620,690
1963 $154,480,244 $637,058,551,724
1962 $182,796,536 $603,639,413,793
1961 $167,637,907 $561,940,310,345
1960 $141,468,978 $541,988,586,207

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs United States by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $4,374 - $22,857 -
1988 $4,119 - $21,417 -
1987 $3,624 - $20,039 -
1986 $3,865 - $19,071 -
1985 $3,898 - $18,237 -
1984 $4,273 - $17,121 -
1983 $4,182 - $15,544 -
1982 $4,584 - $14,434 -
1981 $5,026 - $13,976 -
1980 $5,718 - $12,613 -
1979 $4,155 - $11,674 -
1978 $3,360 - $10,565 -
1977 $4,048 - $9,453 -
1976 $4,441 - $8,592 -
1975 $3,258 - $7,801 -
1974 $2,384 - $7,226 -
1973 $1,140 - $6,726 -
1972 $693 - $6,094 -
1971 $627 - $5,609 -
1970 $543 - $5,234 -
1969 $545 - $5,020 -
1968 $515 - $4,685 -
1967 $482 - $4,326 -
1966 $443 - $4,136 -
1965 $415 - $3,818 -
1964 $400 - $3,565 -
1963 $290.7 - $3,366 -
1962 $348 - $3,236 -
1961 $323 - $3,059 -
1960 $276.1 - $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/gabon/united-states | CC BY

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Gabon United States
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
4.02%
2024
Population
2663339
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 43.2% 125%
2020 19.8% 83% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 35% 105.4%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 35.8% 105%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 38.8% 100%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 22.6% 26% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 34% 59%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 27.8% 81% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 29.7% 57% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 22.6% 90% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 51/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon United States
2024 -3.84% -8.03%
2023 1.79% -7.8%
2022 -0.89% -3.72%
2021 -1.93% -11.4%
2020 -2.19% -14.1%
2019 2.13% -5.81%
2018 -0.21% -5.33%
2017 -1.7% -4.79%
2016 -4.71% -4.36%
2015 -1.12% -3.53%
2014 5.98% -4.03%
2013 -3.07% -4.56%
2012 6.2% -8.11%
2011 1.41% -9.72%
2010 2.7% -11%
2009 6.77% -13.2%
2008 11% -6.61%
2007 8.06% -2.91%
2006 8.67% -2.04%
2005 7.98% -3.07%
2004 6.99% -4.24%
2003 7.75% -4.77%
2002 3.72% -3.82%
2001 4.07% -0.54%
2000 11.1% 3.62%
1999 1.11% 2.71%
1998 -13.1% 2.18%
1997 1.41% 0.88%
1996 2.12% -0.46%
1995 2.64% -1.7%
1994 -1.53% -2.05%
1993 -5.35% -3.35%
1992 -4.9% -3.98%
1991 -2.03% -2.72%
1990 -3.83% -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 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.4% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon United States
2024 1.17% 2.95%
2023 3.63% 4.12%
2022 4.23% 8%
2021 1.09% 4.7%
2020 1.35% 1.23%
2019 2.46% 1.81%
2018 4.75% 2.44%
2017 2.65% 2.13%
2016 2.11% 1.26%
2015 -0.34% 0.12%
2014 4.69% 1.62%
2013 0.51% 1.46%
2012 2.65% 2.07%
2011 1.26% 3.16%
2010 1.46% 1.64%
2009 1.89% -0.36%
2008 5.26% 3.84%
2007 5.03% 2.85%
2006 -1.41% 3.23%
2005 3.71% 3.39%
2004 0.41% 2.68%
2003 2.24% 2.27%
2002 0.04% 1.59%
2001 2.14% 2.83%
2000 0.5% 3.38%
1999 -1.94% 2.19%
1998 1.45% 1.55%
1997 3.97% 2.34%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $128M
Machinery & equipment $19.4M
Wood & paper products $15.8M
Metals $1.52M
Textiles & consumer goods $93K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $126M
Animal & marine products $21.1M
Chemicals & pharma $5.98M
Metals $5.75M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.11M
Raw materials & minerals $3.76M
Miscellaneous $2.68M
Weapons & explosives $747K
Wood & paper products $451K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $315K

Balance of trade

Gabon United States
Current account balance
$141M
2015
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$841B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
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.

Gabon United States
Economic freedom 56.6 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 27/197
Property rights 30 91.6
Government integrity 22.6 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 76.4
Tax burden 76.5 75.3
Government spending 85.5 57.9
Fiscal health 87.9 18.5
Business freedom 63.6 88.6
Labor freedom 55.4 76.3
Monetary freedom 80.9 84.2
Trade freedom 57.4 67.6
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon United States
2026 56.6 72.8
2025 56.3 70.2
2024 56.9 70.1
2023 56.1 70.6
2022 55.8 72.1
2021 58.1 74.8
2020 56.7 76.6
2019 56.3 76.8
2018 58 75.7
2017 58.6 75.1
2016 59 75.4
2015 58.3 76.2
2014 57.8 75.5
2013 57.8 76
2012 56.4 76.3
2011 56.7 77.8
2010 55.4 78
2009 55 80.7
2008 54.2 81
2007 54.8 81.2
2006 56.1 81.2
2005 54.8 79.9
2004 57.1 78.7
2003 58.7 78.2
2002 58 78.4
2001 55 79.1
2000 58.2 76.4
1999 60.5 75.5
1998 59.2 75.4
1997 58.8 75.6
1996 55.7 76.7
1995 57.5 76.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon United States
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/gabon/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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, 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 (2023–2024, 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.