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Economy of Ireland vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $611B for Israel, ranking 24/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $418B (68.5% of GDP) in Israel.

Ireland vs Israel GDP by year

Ireland
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Israel
2025 $721,701,359,046 $610,777,842,874
2024 $609,157,459,747 $542,284,494,491
2023 $567,372,737,459 $513,393,395,492
2022 $548,341,794,599 $525,157,951,213
2021 $530,394,123,830 $489,735,019,666
2020 $436,009,027,819 $410,908,899,711
2019 $407,211,793,801 $399,207,771,082
2018 $395,780,319,817 $375,470,422,244
2017 $348,355,212,569 $357,360,816,857
2016 $305,431,252,709 $321,083,954,798
2015 $302,101,388,556 $302,841,190,258
2014 $266,490,442,124 $314,376,760,832
2013 $242,924,245,719 $298,045,324,736
2012 $226,921,827,888 $263,172,104,091
2011 $240,975,871,047 $267,739,352,609
2010 $221,732,824,603 $239,372,857,534
2009 $236,443,115,854 $213,112,649,594
2008 $275,447,471,451 $220,952,472,408
2007 $270,079,279,420 $184,448,882,452
2006 $232,180,617,162 $158,706,516,002
2005 $211,876,989,656 $147,346,035,831
2004 $194,372,115,041 $139,925,423,025
2003 $164,670,771,260 $131,278,887,815
2002 $128,596,035,288 $125,215,963,105
2001 $109,346,669,230 $134,889,159,474
2000 $100,207,610,430 $136,409,902,632
1999 $98,893,958,263 $121,329,240,042
1998 $90,199,410,116 $120,468,659,246
1997 $82,856,648,758 $119,389,303,067
1996 $75,790,786,290 $115,051,957,577
1995 $69,139,823,232 $105,432,315,611
1994 $57,097,656,066 $90,684,108,118
1993 $52,417,477,614 $79,806,598,120
1992 $55,918,538,121 $79,408,652,426
1991 $49,787,501,584 $70,954,941,681
1990 $49,305,632,408 $61,978,459,022
1989 $39,238,392,678 $52,411,116,588
1988 $37,772,896,221 $52,618,458,014
1987 $33,920,518,493 $43,022,977,765
1986 $28,714,571,852 $35,812,041,620
1985 $21,270,013,326 $28,887,898,639
1984 $20,106,648,455 $30,626,695,891
1983 $20,766,047,764 $32,655,591,256
1982 $21,474,752,962 $29,237,231,967
1981 $20,670,190,138 $26,865,420,933
1980 $21,747,855,640 $25,379,585,067
1979 $18,319,334,300 $22,595,788,591
1978 $14,647,996,074 $17,690,363,444
1977 $11,248,340,431 $18,245,847,441
1976 $9,453,756,015 $15,946,502,888
1975 $9,483,808,362 $16,131,806,290
1974 $7,896,860,615 $17,162,009,924
1973 $7,481,173,066 $11,895,229,181
1972 $6,318,060,582 $9,216,866,299
1971 $5,098,250,287 $7,048,191,876
1970 $4,395,995,086 $7,402,142,195
1969 $3,902,721,632 $6,293,966,357
1968 $3,378,701,147 $5,455,059,532
1967 $3,445,739,915 $4,759,447,914
1966 $3,198,820,904 $4,700,397,692
1965 $3,035,655,794 $4,326,412,951
1964 $2,851,091,646 $4,021,861,430
1963 $2,505,073,358 $3,533,767,055
1962 $2,329,372,972 $2,964,323,618
1961 $2,151,772,980 $3,706,297,903
1960 $1,998,550,222 $3,068,690,949

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Israel by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $60,337 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $54,217 $57,236
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $52,126 $55,171
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $54,947 $53,619
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $52,258 $46,162
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $44,591 $40,955
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $44,092 $41,325
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $42,269 $40,190
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $41,013 $39,471
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $37,571 $38,189
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $36,138 $35,871
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $38,265 $34,816
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $36,981 $34,827
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $33,269 $32,484
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $34,477 $31,314
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $31,399 $29,456
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $28,470 $28,087
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $30,231 $28,084
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $25,689 $28,307
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $22,500 $26,385
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $21,262 $25,701
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $20,550 $26,078
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $19,624 $24,702
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $19,059 $26,101
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $20,949 $25,806
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $21,690 $25,766
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $19,809 $23,415
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $20,176 $22,927
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $20,457 $22,279
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $20,213 $21,672
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $19,014 $20,642
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $16,796 $19,478
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $15,169 $18,218
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $15,500 $17,553
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $14,337 $16,486
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $13,300 $15,721
1989 $11,176 - $11,601 -
1988 $10,716 - $11,846 -
1987 $9,582 - $9,847 -
1986 $8,112 - $8,330 -
1985 $6,012 - $6,824 -
1984 $5,692 - $7,364 -
1983 $5,915 - $7,955 -
1982 $6,161 - $7,253 -
1981 $5,986 - $6,791 -
1980 $6,372 - $6,545 -
1979 $5,430 - $5,968 -
1978 $4,400 - $4,794 -
1977 $3,427 - $5,050 -
1976 $2,920 - $4,514 -
1975 $2,973 - $4,669 -
1974 $2,517 - $5,082 -
1973 $2,424 - $3,629 -
1972 $2,080 - $2,928 -
1971 $1,704 - $2,297 -
1970 $1,487 - $2,489 -
1969 $1,331 - $2,188 -
1968 $1,159 - $1,946 -
1967 $1,187 - $1,734 -
1966 $1,107 - $1,788 -
1965 $1,055 - $1,688 -
1964 $995 - $1,625 -
1963 $878 - $1,485 -
1962 $821 - $1,293 -
1961 $762 - $1,696 -
1960 $707 - $1,452 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $60,337 in Israel, ranking 19/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Ireland Israel
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$611B
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
27/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
2.93%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$60,337
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$418B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
68.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$41,338
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
16/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$48,251
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
195,000
2026
Number of billionaires
11
2026
42
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
27%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
43.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
3.04%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
3%
2025
Population
5562212
10334048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 43.6% 68.5%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 43.7% 67.7%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 39.6% 61.3%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 40.1% 67.7%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 38.4% 59.8%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 28.1% 74% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 38.3% 65.8%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 39.7% 66%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 39.7% 69%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 33% 26.1% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 43% 88.3%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 50% 87.2%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 55% 101%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 52.6% 99.3%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 53.2% 100.3%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 52.8% 102.3%
1994 43.9% 88% 41.7% 110.2%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 42.2% 118.3%
1992 44.8% 90.6% 44.1% 119.6%
1991 44.4% 93.8% 34.4% 123.7%
1990 42.8% 92.7% 46.8% 138.3%
1989 42.5% 97.9% 47.5% 147.4%
1988 48.2% 106.5% 46.5% 145.4%
1987 51.4% 108.3% 52.8% 143.2%
1986 52.9% 107.2% 55.7% 162.5%
1985 53.2% 93% 65.2% 199%
1984 52.7% 90.2% - 284%
1983 55.6% 86.1% - 260.5%
1982 56.7% 73.5% 69.7% -
1981 54.1% 68.8% 71.8% -
1980 53.7% 64.6% 69.4% 154.3%
1979 48.7% 63.5% 70.1% 155.5%
1978 46.2% 50.6% 62.2% 133.6%
1977 44.6% 49.2% 69.1% 142%
1976 47.8% 51.7% 66.3% 97.4%
1975 48.2% 48.3% 62% 85.1%
1974 44.3% 43.5% - 79.8%
1973 40.3% 35.1% - 62.1%
1972 41.5% 37.3% - 63.9%
1971 45.3% 39.8% - -
1970 44.1% 41.7% 41.6% -
1969 42.5% 42.6% 41.1% -
1968 40% 44.7% 39.4% -
1967 39.3% 47.1% 33.9% -
1966 36.9% 47.7% 29.6% -
1965 35.8% 44.6% 27.8% -
1964 34.8% 43.1% 28.2% -
1963 33.6% 45.2% 26.9% -
1962 31.7% 44.5% 27.7% -
1961 31.4% 44.3% 30.3% -
1960 29.1% 44.9% 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Israel spent $266B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 68.5% in Israel, ranking 149/185 and 60/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Israel
2025 1.54% -5.22%
2024 4.02% -8.07%
2023 1.36% -5.38%
2022 1.58% 0.3%
2021 -1.31% -3.37%
2020 -4.87% -10.6%
2019 0.41% -3.79%
2018 0.09% -3.58%
2017 -0.3% -1.17%
2016 -0.76% -1.78%
2015 -1.97% -1.2%
2014 -3.52% -2.28%
2013 -6.28% -4.07%
2012 -8.42% -4.46%
2011 -13.5% -3.43%
2010 -32.1% -3.72%
2009 -13.9% -6.53%
2008 -7.03% -3.49%
2007 0.27% -0.43%
2006 2.78% -0.94%
2005 1.57% -2.74%
2004 1.3% -3.4%
2003 0.35% -5.03%
2002 -0.52% -8.21%
2001 0.96% -4.06%
2000 4.86% -0.8%
1999 3.54% -6.26%
1998 2.07% -7.99%
1997 1.37% -4.84%
1996 -0.2% -5.97%
1995 -2.07% -4.28%
1994 -1.98% -5.62%
1993 -2.7% -5.62%
1992 -2.92% -8%
1991 -2.82% -7.04%
1990 -2.77% -9.67%
1989 -2.64% -9.03%
1988 -4.62% -7.57%
1987 -8.47% -7.47%
1986 -10.5% -7.51%
1985 -10.7% -14.2%
1984 -9.43% -
1983 -11.5% -
1982 -13.1% -13.8%
1981 -12.1% -23.5%
1980 -11.1% -19.6%
1979 -10% -16.7%
1978 -8.27% -14.7%
1977 -6.44% -20.3%
1976 -7.34% -19.4%
1975 -11.1% -19.6%
1974 -6.96% -
1973 -3.84% -
1972 -3.23% -
1971 -3.5% -
1970 -3.64% -16%
1969 -3.4% -15.3%
1968 -2.72% -11.7%
1967 -2.69% -7.68%
1966 -2.26% -4.35%
1965 -3.5% -2.72%
1964 -3.35% -3.65%
1963 -2.92% -4.41%
1962 -2.91% -4.09%
1961 -2.6% -5.86%
1960 -1.97% -6.62%
1959 -2.16% -7.23%
1958 -4.3% -8.31%
1957 -5.19% -7.17%
1956 -3.23% -9.3%
1955 -5.06% -4.3%
1954 -5.28% -7.84%
1953 -5.77% -8.32%
1952 -7.84% -7.19%
1951 -4.62% -8.13%
1950 -5.21% -10.7%
1949 -2.17% -
1948 -1.29% -
1947 -1.8% -
1946 -0.43% -
1945 -0.43% -
1944 0.39% -
1943 -1.18% -
1942 -2.48% -
1941 -1.42% -
1940 -0.15% -
1939 -7.31% -
1938 -0.92% -
1937 -0.77% -
1936 -0.19% -
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 2.97% -
1932 - -
1931 -1.63% -
1930 - -
1929 -3.41% -
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 -1.95% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

In 2025, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.2B, equivalent to 1.54% of GDP. This compares to Israel's deficit of $31.9B, or 5.22% of GDP.

Over the past 66 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 50 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 59 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.31% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Israel
2025 2.21% 3.04%
2024 2.11% 3.07%
2023 6.3% 4.23%
2022 7.83% 4.41%
2021 2.34% 1.48%
2020 -0.33% -0.58%
2019 0.94% 0.82%
2018 0.47% 0.81%
2017 0.36% 0.25%
2016 0.02% -0.54%
2015 -0.33% -0.62%
2014 0.19% 0.47%
2013 0.52% 1.59%
2012 1.69% 1.68%
2011 2.55% 3.49%
2010 -0.92% 2.7%
2009 -4.45% 3.37%
2008 4.04% 4.53%
2007 4.89% 0.47%
2006 3.94% 2.05%
2005 2.46% 1.34%
2004 2.18% -0.42%
2003 3.49% 0.71%
2002 4.63% 5.8%
2001 4.85% 1.12%
2000 5.58% 1.03%
1999 1.63% 5.19%
1998 2.41% 5.49%
1997 1.54% 8.95%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 2.27% in Israel. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 3.04% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.21B
Chemicals & pharma $293M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $25.5M
Animal & marine products $10.3M
Raw materials & minerals $6.55M
Metals $4.18M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.65M
Miscellaneous $660K
Precious metals & jewellery $582K
Wood & paper products $397K
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.5B
IT & IP services $375M
Manufacturing & construction services $66M
Chemicals & pharma $18.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.64M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.47M
Raw agricultural goods $2.71M
Metals $1.34M
Raw materials & minerals $1.21M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.17M

Balance of trade

Ireland Israel
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$8.53B
2025
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
26/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+1.4%
2025
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$102B
2025
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$76.2B
2025
Service imports
$467B
2024
$53.2B
2025
Service exports
$526B
2024
$92.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
25.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Israel
Economic freedom 83.3 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 47/197
Property rights 94.4 73.1
Government integrity 84 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 68.1
Tax burden 77.7 60.2
Government spending 85.9 52
Fiscal health 97 60.8
Business freedom 85.5 72.4
Labor freedom 61.3 56.8
Monetary freedom 79.3 78.2
Trade freedom 79.4 82.8
Investment freedom 90 70
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Israel
2026 83.3 68.4
2025 83.1 69.9
2024 82.6 70.1
2023 82 68.9
2022 82 68
2021 81.4 73.8
2020 80.9 74
2019 80.5 72.8
2018 80.4 72.2
2017 76.7 69.7
2016 77.3 70.7
2015 76.6 70.5
2014 76.2 68.4
2013 75.7 66.9
2012 76.9 67.8
2011 78.7 68.5
2010 81.3 67.7
2009 82.2 67.6
2008 82.5 66.3
2007 82.6 64.8
2006 82.2 64.4
2005 80.8 62.6
2004 80.3 61.4
2003 80.9 62.7
2002 80.5 66.9
2001 81.2 66.1
2000 76.1 65.5
1999 74.6 68.3
1998 73.7 68
1997 72.6 62.7
1996 68.5 62
1995 68.5 61.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ireland Israel
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
72.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
17.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
1.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$569B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$58,870
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$229B
2025
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
18/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
-$11.8B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$9.92B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
24.3%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ireland/israel | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.

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.