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Economy of Italy vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Italy has a GDP of $2.38T compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 8/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Italy has $3.22T in government debt (135.3% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Italy vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Italy
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Italy Vanuatu
2024 $2,380,825,077,244 $1,117,972,034
2023 $2,316,727,999,333 $1,115,861,056
2022 $2,104,067,630,319 $1,055,031,361
2021 $2,179,207,773,596 $950,394,007
2020 $1,907,481,094,079 $909,421,044
2019 $2,019,606,796,584 $936,526,268
2018 $2,099,435,266,459 $914,727,908
2017 $1,970,720,904,585 $880,043,284
2016 $1,887,111,188,177 $804,323,577
2015 $1,845,428,048,839 $759,690,181
2014 $2,173,255,507,986 $773,717,011
2013 $2,153,225,581,941 $758,304,466
2012 $2,097,929,495,122 $747,839,698
2011 $2,306,974,020,278 $770,153,588
2010 $2,144,936,254,535 $670,712,980
2009 $2,209,484,319,013 $592,622,319
2008 $2,417,508,414,187 $590,748,429
2007 $2,222,524,108,128 $516,392,923
2006 $1,958,563,654,386 $439,358,587
2005 $1,864,982,261,287 $394,962,433
2004 $1,812,808,753,295 $364,996,869
2003 $1,582,930,016,539 $314,471,413
2002 $1,281,746,271,196 $262,596,536
2001 $1,172,041,488,806 $257,926,882
2000 $1,149,661,363,439 $272,014,628
1999 $1,255,004,736,464 $268,006,973
1998 $1,272,729,786,997 $262,293,411
1997 $1,244,988,176,444 $272,771,209
1996 $1,314,776,508,972 $261,370,044
1995 $1,177,369,428,266 $249,333,250
1994 $1,101,750,159,702 $233,701,301
1993 $1,067,412,587,671 $200,491,853
1992 $1,323,204,350,354 $209,088,825
1991 $1,249,092,439,519 $201,334,169
1990 $1,183,945,130,899 $168,879,207
1989 $930,801,709,004 $154,013,202
1988 $893,663,934,841 $158,351,368
1987 $807,570,134,449 $139,464,174
1986 $641,862,313,287 $126,498,935
1985 $453,259,761,687 $131,856,421
1984 $438,896,930,791 $144,482,515
1983 $444,063,496,940 $117,389,554
1982 $428,257,421,618 $114,501,913
1981 $431,695,533,981 $113,781,796
1980 $478,356,755,596 $121,185,498
1979 $394,584,507,108 $119,258,835
1978 $315,784,469,541 -
1977 $258,190,019,750 -
1976 $225,235,205,862 -
1975 $228,220,643,535 -
1974 $200,024,444,775 -
1973 $175,896,529,392 -
1972 $145,594,833,997 -
1971 $124,959,712,859 -
1970 $113,656,669,765 -
1969 $100,996,667,239 -
1968 $91,485,448,148 -
1967 $84,401,995,573 -
1966 $76,622,444,787 -
1965 $70,717,012,186 -
1964 $65,720,771,779 -
1963 $60,035,924,618 -
1962 $52,413,872,628 -
1961 $46,649,487,320 -
1960 $42,012,422,612 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/italy/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Italy vs Vanuatu by year

Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Italy Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $40,385 $62,014 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $39,277 $60,030 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $35,654 $57,261 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $36,853 $49,825 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $32,091 $44,436 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $33,813 $46,662 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $34,904 $43,387 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $32,844 $42,142 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $31,392 $40,483 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $30,640 $37,384 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $36,028 $36,666 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $35,702 $36,459 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $34,854 $36,281 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $38,432 $36,392 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $35,857 $34,974 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $37,100 $34,502 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $40,829 $35,422 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $37,826 $34,108 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $33,537 $32,454 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $32,063 $30,138 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $31,348 $29,581 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $27,578 $29,249 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $22,451 $28,833 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $20,570 $28,134 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $20,190 $27,152 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $22,050 $25,655 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $22,365 $25,075 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $21,884 $23,937 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $23,123 $23,101 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $20,712 $22,446 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $19,382 $21,369 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $18,782 $20,485 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $23,297 $20,196 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $22,007 $19,596 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $20,874 $18,680 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $16,424 - $1,067 -
1988 $15,781 - $1,125 -
1987 $14,268 - $1,017 -
1986 $11,341 - $946 -
1985 $8,009 - $1,012 -
1984 $7,758 - $1,137 -
1983 $7,851 - $947 -
1982 $7,574 - $946 -
1981 $7,640 - $962 -
1980 $8,476 - $1,048 -
1979 $7,006 - $1,055 -
1978 $5,623 - - -
1977 $4,614 - - -
1976 $4,042 - - -
1975 $4,116 - - -
1974 $3,629 - - -
1973 $3,213 - - -
1972 $2,677 - - -
1971 $2,311 - - -
1970 $2,112 - - -
1969 $1,886 - - -
1968 $1,718 - - -
1967 $1,595 - - -
1966 $1,459 - - -
1965 $1,357 - - -
1964 $1,272 - - -
1963 $1,171 - - -
1962 $1,030 - - -
1961 $923 - - -
1960 $837 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/italy/vanuatu | CC BY

Italy's GDP per capita is $40,385, ranking 29/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Italy ranks 31st at $62,014, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Italy Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$2.38T
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
8/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
0.69%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$40,385
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
29/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,014
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
31/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$3.22T
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
135.3%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$54,652
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
6/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,800
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$587B
2014
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,344,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
74
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2023
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2023
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.6%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.98%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
6.5%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
58562681
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Italy
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Italy Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.6% 135.3% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 54% 134.6% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 54.9% 138.3% 42% 42.8%
2021 56% 145.8% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 56.8% 154.4% 43.4% 48%
2019 48.4% 133.9% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 48.3% 134.2% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 48.8% 133.7% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 49% 134.2% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 50.2% 134.8% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 50.7% 134.8% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 50.9% 131.9% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 50.5% 125.9% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 49% 119.1% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 49.8% 118.8% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 51.1% 116.1% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 47.8% 105.8% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 46.6% 103.5% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 47.6% 106.3% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 47.1% 106.2% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 46.7% 104.7% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 47% 105.1% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 46.5% 105.9% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 47.1% 108.5% 22.3% 37%
2000 46.4% 108.7% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 47.1% 113.1% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 48% 113.9% 27.9% 28%
1997 49.3% 116.5% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 51.3% 118.9% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 51.4% 119.1% 28% 24.1%
1994 55.1% 130.8% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 57.8% 124.1% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 56.8% 113% 31.8% 21%
1991 55.3% 105.3% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 54.2% 101.7% - -
1989 51.6% 91.8% - -
1988 50.4% 89.2% - -
1987 49.8% 87.4% - -
1986 50.5% 83.4% - -
1985 49.8% 79.1% - -
1984 49.1% 73.1% - -
1983 48.9% 67.8% - -
1982 46.7% 61.8% - -
1981 44.6% 57.3% - -
1980 40.8% 55.1% - -
1979 40.1% 58.9% - -
1978 40.9% 59.9% - -
1977 38.5% 56% - -
1976 38.1% 57.3% - -
1975 39.1% 57.9% - -
1974 34.8% 50.8% - -
1973 35.3% 51.1% - -
1972 36.4% 48.2% - -
1971 34.4% 42.4% - -
1970 32.3% 37.8% - -
1969 32.1% 37% - -
1968 32.6% 36.4% - -
1967 17.9% 33.3% - -
1966 19.1% 33.4% - -
1965 18.6% 28.4% - -
1964 18.2% 27.2% - -
1963 16.7% 27.2% - -
1962 17.5% 29% - -
1961 17.3% 30% - -
1960 16.5% 31.4% - -

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/italy/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Italy's government spending was $1.2T, accounting for 50.6% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 135.3% in Italy and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 8/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Italy

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Italy Vanuatu
2024 -3.45% -2.34%
2023 -7.24% -0.95%
2022 -8.11% -6.5%
2021 -8.88% 2.38%
2020 -9.38% -1.95%
2019 -1.45% 2.81%
2018 -2.19% 6.26%
2017 -2.51% -1.2%
2016 -2.4% -0.72%
2015 -2.46% -8.66%
2014 -2.82% 1.44%
2013 -2.87% -0.25%
2012 -2.99% -1.7%
2011 -3.52% -2.19%
2010 -4.16% -2.63%
2009 -5.06% -0.85%
2008 -2.58% -0.04%
2007 -1.33% 0.28%
2006 -3.61% 0.49%
2005 -4.1% 1.86%
2004 -3.46% 0.8%
2003 -3.23% -1.35%
2002 -2.88% -3.63%
2001 -3.18% -3.33%
2000 -2.42% -6.28%
1999 -1.77% -0.55%
1998 -2.99% -6.65%
1997 -2.98% -0.51%
1996 -6.61% -1.78%
1995 -7.2% -2.59%
1994 -8.84% -1.49%
1993 -9.76% -3.67%
1992 -10.1% -2.32%
1991 -11.1% -2.81%
1990 -11.1% -
1989 -11.4% -
1988 -11% -
1987 -11.5% -
1986 -12% -
1985 -12.4% -
1984 -11.5% -
1983 -10.1% -
1982 -10% -
1981 -10.9% -
1980 -6.97% -
1979 -8.23% -
1978 -8.47% -
1977 -6.96% -
1976 -7.88% -
1975 -10.3% -
1974 -6.24% -
1973 -6.36% -
1972 -6.84% -
1971 -4.71% -
1970 -3.22% -
1969 -2.85% -
1968 -2.55% -
1967 -0.97% -
1966 -1.59% -
1965 -2.67% -
1964 -2.35% -
1963 -0.3% -
1962 -0.95% -
1961 -0.57% -
1960 -0.28% -
1959 -1% -
1958 -0.98% -
1957 -1.09% -
1956 -1.46% -
1955 -2.03% -
1954 -1.84% -
1953 -2.33% -
1952 -4.08% -
1951 -3.86% -
1950 -2.42% -
1949 -2.82% -
1948 -4.58% -
1947 -6.62% -
1946 -9.82% -
1945 -16.9% -
1944 -35.1% -
1943 -16.1% -
1942 -26.9% -
1941 -25.1% -
1940 -24.3% -
1939 -9.49% -
1938 -5.97% -
1937 -5.78% -
1936 -7.93% -
1935 -9.83% -
1934 -2.5% -
1933 -4.85% -
1932 -3.06% -
1931 -2.14% -
1930 -0.55% -
1929 -0.59% -
1928 -2.09% -
1927 -1.71% -
1926 -0.09% -
1925 1.7% -
1924 1.19% -
1923 -3.21% -
1922 -11% -
1921 -7.77% -
1920 -5.89% -
1919 -11.2% -
1918 -22.7% -
1917 -27.6% -
1916 -28.2% -
1915 -25.8% -
1914 -12.4% -
1913 -0.86% -
1912 -1.86% -
1911 -0.63% -
1910 -0.32% -
1909 -0.69% -
1908 -1.31% -
1907 -0.51% -
1906 -0.69% -
1905 -1.57% -
1904 0.58% -
1903 0.32% -
1902 0.48% -
1901 0.36% -
1900 0.28% -
1899 -0.11% -
1898 -0.21% -
1897 0.009% -
1896 -0.43% -
1895 -0.69% -
1894 -0.23% -
1893 -0.49% -
1892 -0.25% -
1891 -1.41% -
1890 -0.32% -
1889 -1.32% -
1888 -2.11% -
1887 -1.94% -
1886 -0.5% -
1885 0.2% -
1884 -1.46% -
1883 -0.51% -
1882 -0.5% -
1881 -0.04% -
1880 0.38% -
1879 0.73% -
1878 0.09% -
1877 -0.009% -
1876 -0.05% -
1875 0.58% -
1874 -0.08% -
1873 0.21% -
1872 0% -
1871 -0.13% -
1870 -0.82% -
1869 0.33% -
1868 -0.79% -
1867 -1.45% -
1866 -3.1% -
1865 -2.72% -
1864 -3.06% -
1863 -4.16% -
1862 -3.96% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/italy/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Italy's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $82B, equivalent to 3.45% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Italy recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Italy posted an annual deficit equal to 4.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Italy

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Italy Vanuatu
2024 0.98% -
2023 5.62% 11.2%
2022 8.2% 6.68%
2021 1.87% 2.34%
2020 -0.14% 5.33%
2019 0.61% 2.76%
2018 1.14% 2.33%
2017 1.23% 3.08%
2016 -0.09% 0.84%
2015 0.04% 2.48%
2014 0.24% 0.8%
2013 1.22% 1.46%
2012 3.04% 1.35%
2011 2.78% 0.87%
2010 1.53% 2.76%
2009 0.77% 4.3%
2008 3.35% 4.84%
2007 1.83% 3.94%
2006 2.09% 2.04%
2005 1.99% 1.2%
2004 2.21% 1.42%
2003 2.67% 3.02%
2002 2.47% 1.96%
2001 2.79% 3.58%
2000 2.54% 2.54%
1999 1.66% 2%
1998 1.96% 3.28%
1997 2.04% 2.83%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/italy/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Italy has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.06%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 0.98% in Italy and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Italy
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $394K
Machinery & equipment $285K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $280K
Chemicals & pharma $150K
Miscellaneous $108K
Metals $37K
Wood & paper products $21K
Animal & marine products $17K
Precious metals & jewellery $12K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Italy Vanuatu
Current account balance
$25.8B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
19/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.08%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$562B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$621B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$160B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$155B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Italy Vanuatu
Economic freedom 63.3 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 80/197 92/197
Property rights 84.8 62.1
Government integrity 60.8 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 80.9 67.9
Tax burden 57.5 96.9
Government spending 15.3 48.1
Fiscal health 17.2 78.8
Business freedom 74.5 50.3
Labor freedom 70.6 41
Monetary freedom 79.1 72.1
Trade freedom 79.4 62
Investment freedom 80 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Italy
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Italy Vanuatu
2026 63.3 61.1
2025 60.9 61.8
2024 60.1 62.2
2023 62.3 62.1
2022 65.4 62.9
2021 64.9 60.5
2020 63.8 60.7
2019 62.2 56.4
2018 62.5 69.5
2017 62.5 67.4
2016 61.2 60.8
2015 61.7 61.1
2014 60.9 59.5
2013 60.6 56.6
2012 58.8 56.6
2011 60.3 56.7
2010 62.7 56.4
2009 61.4 58.4
2008 62.6 -
2007 62.8 -
2006 62 -
2005 64.9 -
2004 64.2 -
2003 64.3 -
2002 63.6 -
2001 63 -
2000 61.9 -
1999 61.6 -
1998 59.1 -
1997 58.1 -
1996 60.8 -
1995 61.2 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/italy/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Italy is 63.3, ranking 80/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Italy Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
65%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$2.28T
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,620
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$291B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
12/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$19B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.9B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$45.9B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.1%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/italy/vanuatu | 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 (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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.