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Economy of Iceland vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $120B for Kenya, ranking 108/197 and 64/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $81B (67.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Iceland vs Kenya GDP by year

Iceland
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Kenya
2024 $33,255,181,469 $120,339,557,906
2023 $31,677,891,897 $107,500,884,685
2022 $29,166,102,877 $114,448,978,153
2021 $26,234,872,402 $109,703,658,905
2020 $22,034,665,041 $100,657,505,751
2019 $24,985,687,022 $100,378,436,207
2018 $26,677,652,544 $92,202,979,985
2017 $25,060,086,488 $82,036,510,877
2016 $21,083,713,310 $74,815,144,164
2015 $17,700,486,957 $70,120,446,897
2014 $18,052,183,515 $68,285,796,514
2013 $16,244,319,959 $61,671,440,408
2012 $14,943,757,823 $56,396,704,672
2011 $15,394,005,872 $46,869,473,151
2010 $13,922,711,577 $45,405,615,064
2009 $13,212,543,838 $42,347,217,913
2008 $18,247,921,360 $35,895,153,328
2007 $21,960,110,030 $31,958,195,182
2006 $17,671,649,843 $25,825,512,284
2005 $17,146,410,561 $18,737,895,513
2004 $13,963,943,244 $16,095,337,094
2003 $11,564,687,742 $14,904,517,650
2002 $9,416,199,700 $13,147,736,899
2001 $8,323,401,820 $12,986,007,426
2000 $9,140,168,922 $12,705,350,098
1999 $9,107,644,691 $12,896,010,459
1998 $8,637,732,542 $14,093,998,844
1997 $7,716,781,803 $13,115,764,358
1996 $7,686,566,105 $12,045,865,396
1995 $7,372,640,169 $9,046,320,255
1994 $6,612,804,056 $7,148,148,564
1993 $6,435,952,174 $5,751,786,643
1992 $7,328,497,599 $8,209,120,763
1991 $7,151,260,062 $8,151,488,783
1990 $6,694,851,159 $8,572,359,038
1989 $5,870,854,233 $8,283,114,514
1988 $6,320,093,411 $8,355,380,879
1987 $5,713,281,235 $7,970,820,369
1986 $4,129,080,094 $7,239,126,568
1985 $3,088,359,967 $6,135,034,214
1984 $2,964,568,006 $6,191,437,070
1983 $2,862,634,164 $5,979,198,314
1982 $3,318,714,326 $6,431,579,357
1981 $3,615,094,820 $6,854,491,706
1980 $3,499,616,683 $7,265,315,820
1979 $2,953,176,971 $6,234,391,113
1978 $2,599,627,089 $5,303,735,111
1977 $2,285,707,749 $4,494,378,764
1976 $1,727,845,419 $3,474,542,392
1975 $1,456,052,700 $3,259,345,083
1974 $1,568,154,077 $2,969,958,812
1973 $1,194,794,186 $2,509,001,324
1972 $869,002,946 $2,107,279,157
1971 $693,679,545 $1,778,391,289
1970 $545,115,909 $1,603,447,359
1969 $435,659,610 $1,458,379,417
1968 $498,365,200 $1,353,295,459
1967 $652,609,076 $1,232,559,507
1966 $660,663,763 $1,164,519,674
1965 $550,150,988 $997,919,321
1964 $456,206,299 $998,759,334
1963 $357,240,896 $926,589,349
1962 $299,309,938 $868,111,401
1961 $266,711,460 $792,959,473
1960 $260,984,499 $791,265,459

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/kenya | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Kenya by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $2,132 $6,644
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $916 $2,459
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $840 $2,481
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $700 $2,330
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $523 $2,189
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $464 $2,066
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $443 $1,975
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $403 $1,940
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $411 $1,961
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $415 $1,907
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $434 $1,910
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $488 $1,895
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $467 $1,865
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $441 $1,875
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $340 $1,818
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $229 $1,723
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $337 $1,728
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $345 $1,756
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $374 $1,729
1989 $23,219 - $374 -
1988 $25,307 - $391 -
1987 $23,238 - $387 -
1986 $16,980 - $364 -
1985 $12,793 - $320 -
1984 $12,378 - $334 -
1983 $12,080 - $335 -
1982 $14,191 - $374 -
1981 $15,666 - $413 -
1980 $15,340 - $454 -
1979 $13,082 - $403 -
1978 $11,630 - $355 -
1977 $10,305 - $311 -
1976 $7,848 - $248.9 -
1975 $6,680 - $241.2 -
1974 $7,287 - $227.2 -
1973 $5,627 - $198.6 -
1972 $4,155 - $172.6 -
1971 $3,366 - $150.9 -
1970 $2,666 - $141 -
1969 $2,142 - $133.3 -
1968 $2,473 - $128.7 -
1967 $3,284 - $121.9 -
1966 $3,378 - $119.8 -
1965 $2,861 - $106.9 -
1964 $2,414 - $111.3 -
1963 $1,924 - $107.4 -
1962 $1,641 - $104.6 -
1961 $1,490 - $99.3 -
1960 $1,486 - $102.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/kenya | CC BY

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $2,132 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Iceland Kenya
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
64/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$2,132
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
154/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$81B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
67.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$1,436
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
133/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$3,229
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$15B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
23.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
4.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
9.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
5.44%
2022
Population
397129
58955623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 23.3% 67.3%
2023 45% 61.5% 22.7% 73.4%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 23.2% 67.8%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 24% 68.2%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 24.8% 68%
2019 43% 65.7% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 25.4% 50.4%
2015 43% 96.3% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 50% 136.6% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 20.3% 36%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 16% 43.8%
2002 45% 81.3% 15.7% 42%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 15.6% 36%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 15.2% 40.5%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 17.3% 52.1%
1994 45% 54.8% 18.8% 57%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 18.9% 61.6%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 17.6% 41.2%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 16.4% 43%
1990 42.6% 35.5% 17.2% 37.6%
1989 42.9% 35.3% 16.3% 33.4%
1988 41.4% 30.6% 15.9% 33.9%
1987 36.5% 27.3% 15.5% 36.3%
1986 39.5% 29.9% 15.3% 31.3%
1985 37% 32% 15.6% 28.8%
1984 34.7% 32.4% 14.9% 25.6%
1983 37.8% 30.8% 14.6% 26.1%
1982 36% 28.9% 16.2% 26.9%
1981 35.3% 22.4% - -
1980 33.9% 24.8% - -
1979 32.4% 21.1% - -
1978 31.9% 19.8% - -
1977 31.7% 18.4% - -
1976 32.1% 17.2% - -
1975 36.9% 16.4% - -
1974 36.6% 12.5% - -
1973 33.7% 11.5% - -
1972 33.3% 14.5% - -
1971 32.5% 11.7% - -
1970 29.9% 11.4% - -
1969 30.3% 14.6% - -
1968 33.3% 14.2% - -
1967 31.6% 8.8% - -
1966 28.3% 5.56% - -
1965 28.3% 7.78% - -
1964 28.2% 7.97% - -
1963 26.2% 7.89% - -
1962 24.9% 7.47% - -
1961 25.3% 8.49% - -
1960 33.2% 13.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/kenya | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $28B, or 23.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 67.3% in Kenya, ranking 80/185 and 64/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Kenya
2024 -3.51% -5.77%
2023 -2.28% -5.71%
2022 -3.93% -6.06%
2021 -8.33% -7.2%
2020 -8.73% -8.13%
2019 -1.57% -7.42%
2018 0.94% -6.94%
2017 0.97% -7.4%
2016 12.4% -7.47%
2015 -0.39% -6.68%
2014 0.29% -5.75%
2013 -1.24% -5.25%
2012 -2.59% -5.29%
2011 -6.46% -3.64%
2010 -6.58% -3.67%
2009 -8.54% -3.12%
2008 -12% -1.95%
2007 5.52% -0.95%
2006 6.37% -0.43%
2005 4.92% -0.19%
2004 0.28% 0.5%
2003 -2.3% -0.73%
2002 -2.25% -1.29%
2001 -0.28% -0.53%
2000 1.43% 0.38%
1999 1.3% 0.84%
1998 -0.56% -0.03%
1997 0.04% -0.91%
1996 -1.52% -0.49%
1995 -2.87% -0.23%
1994 -4.59% -4.14%
1993 -4.36% -8.57%
1992 -1.86% -8.28%
1991 -0.66% -6.56%
1990 -3.16% -3.28%
1989 -4.29% -2.39%
1988 -1.93% -1.97%
1987 -0.79% -2.27%
1986 -3.93% -2.98%
1985 -1.56% -3.05%
1984 2.25% -2.55%
1983 -1.96% -2.17%
1982 1.72% -3.07%
1981 1.32% -
1980 1.37% -
1979 -0.07% -
1978 -0.9% -
1977 -1.2% -
1976 0.02% -
1975 -3.87% -
1974 -3.64% -
1973 -0.74% -
1972 0.05% -
1971 -0.69% -
1970 0.27% -
1969 -0.88% -
1968 -0.89% -
1967 0.78% -
1966 1.69% -
1965 0.15% -
1964 -0.41% -
1963 1.8% -
1962 2.25% -
1961 1.64% -
1960 2.38% -
1959 2.44% -
1958 2.16% -
1957 1.2% -
1956 -0.09% -
1955 1.57% -
1954 1.25% -
1953 0.34% -
1952 3.33% -
1951 2.73% -
1950 1.23% -
1949 -0.3% -
1948 0.67% -
1947 -1.95% -
1946 -0.37% -
1945 -2.33% -
1944 -3.23% -
1943 -0.89% -
1942 -0.75% -
1941 -1.33% -
1940 -1.35% -
1939 -2.6% -
1938 -2.01% -
1937 -2.6% -
1936 -3.34% -
1935 -3.46% -
1934 -4.79% -
1933 -3.42% -
1932 -4.65% -
1931 -4.27% -
1930 -4.94% -
1929 -1.94% -
1928 -1.94% -
1927 -3.45% -
1926 -2.43% -
1925 0.43% -
1924 -1.78% -
1923 -4.99% -
1922 -4.67% -
1921 -6.12% -
1920 -7.45% -
1919 -2.5% -
1918 -7.43% -
1917 -11.3% -
1916 -2.53% -
1915 -2.06% -
1914 -3.21% -
1913 -2.3% -
1912 -2.93% -
1911 -3.06% -
1910 -1.27% -
1909 -2.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/kenya | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.17B, equivalent to 3.51% of GDP. This compares to Kenya's deficit of $6.94B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Kenya
2024 5.86% 4.49%
2023 8.74% 7.67%
2022 8.31% 7.66%
2021 4.44% 6.11%
2020 2.85% 5.41%
2019 3.01% 5.24%
2018 2.68% 4.69%
2017 1.76% 8.01%
2016 1.7% 6.3%
2015 1.63% 6.58%
2014 2.04% 6.88%
2013 3.87% 5.72%
2012 5.19% 9.38%
2011 4% 14%
2010 5.4% 3.96%
2009 12% 9.23%
2008 12.7% 26.2%
2007 5.05% 9.76%
2006 6.69% 14.5%
2005 3.99% 10.3%
2004 3.16% 11.6%
2003 2.06% 9.82%
2002 5.2% 1.96%
2001 6.41% 5.74%
2000 5.14% 9.98%
1999 3.23% 5.74%
1998 1.66% 6.72%
1997 1.82% 11.4%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/kenya | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 8.39% in Kenya. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 4.49% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $147K
Machinery & equipment $144K
Chemicals & pharma $53K
Animal & marine products $48K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Wood & paper products $19K
Metals $6K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $64K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $48K
Wood & paper products $18K
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Animal & marine products $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Iceland Kenya
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
134/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
23.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
17.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Kenya
Economic freedom 75 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 128/197
Property rights 94.9 40.2
Government integrity 85 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 47
Tax burden 72.2 76.3
Government spending 37 84.1
Fiscal health 76.2 36.2
Business freedom 86.8 61.5
Labor freedom 59.3 56.5
Monetary freedom 73.5 75.1
Trade freedom 79.8 52
Investment freedom 70 55
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Kenya
2026 75 55.5
2025 72.8 54.8
2024 70.5 53.6
2023 72.2 52.5
2022 77 52.6
2021 77.4 54.9
2020 77.1 55.3
2019 77.1 55.1
2018 77 54.7
2017 74.4 53.5
2016 73.3 57.5
2015 72 55.6
2014 72.4 57.1
2013 72.1 55.9
2012 70.9 57.5
2011 68.2 57.4
2010 73.7 57.5
2009 75.9 58.7
2008 75.8 59.3
2007 76 59.6
2006 75.8 59.7
2005 76.6 57.9
2004 72.1 57.7
2003 73.5 58.6
2002 73.1 58.2
2001 73.4 57.6
2000 74 59.7
1999 71.4 58.2
1998 71.2 58.4
1997 70.5 60.1
1996 - 56.4
1995 - 54.5

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iceland/kenya | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iceland Kenya
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
55.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$118B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$6,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
75/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.79%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
16.8%
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/iceland/kenya | 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 (1909–1997, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.