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Economy of Japan vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Japan has a GDP of $4.44T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 4/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.16T in government debt (206.5% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Japan vs Syria GDP by year

Japan
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Syria
2025 $4,435,162,999,977 -
2024 $4,190,008,188,359 -
2023 $4,384,854,269,962 $19,993,439,950
2022 $4,447,976,207,315 $23,737,634,644
2021 $5,225,933,520,753 $14,892,885,528
2020 $5,189,197,543,645 $12,501,503,673
2019 $5,245,755,000,479 $22,583,046,645
2018 $5,154,293,721,630 $21,497,779,248
2017 $5,038,231,631,661 $16,369,842,725
2016 $5,110,357,383,254 $12,597,854,088
2015 $4,534,438,580,495 $16,466,861,435
2014 $4,985,763,289,561 $21,502,061,466
2013 $5,272,297,037,397 $21,361,254,635
2012 $6,333,803,928,788 $43,190,318,033
2011 $6,279,422,550,219 $67,539,433,544
2010 $5,811,578,109,447 $61,390,833,273
2009 $5,336,765,697,589 $54,111,721,044
2008 $5,160,197,175,876 $52,557,913,397
2007 $4,624,670,179,655 $40,465,331,020
2006 $4,648,058,930,707 $33,751,812,959
2005 $4,875,648,486,366 $28,858,937,499
2004 $4,941,485,123,807 $25,086,910,448
2003 $4,573,413,206,709 $21,828,144,686
2002 $4,245,946,980,572 $20,786,986,580
2001 $4,438,792,748,062 $20,078,599,626
2000 $5,042,381,838,343 $18,937,031,610
1999 $4,688,983,449,627 $15,873,875,969
1998 $4,150,359,076,370 $15,200,846,154
1997 $4,579,780,793,432 $14,505,233,463
1996 $5,021,441,618,840 $13,789,560,878
1995 $5,639,649,753,986 $11,396,706,587
1994 $5,104,063,486,348 $10,122,020,000
1993 $4,632,480,515,091 $13,695,962,055
1992 $4,064,529,567,505 $13,253,565,861
1991 $3,724,887,648,862 $12,981,833,333
1990 $3,252,994,239,867 $12,308,624,418
1989 $3,174,934,735,896 $9,853,395,762
1988 $3,191,546,727,316 $10,577,041,645
1987 $2,635,094,473,494 $11,356,215,543
1986 $2,164,729,071,349 $13,293,205,278
1985 $1,457,070,301,468 $16,403,539,893
1984 $1,374,165,212,365 $17,503,078,174
1983 $1,297,622,008,229 $17,589,277,143
1982 $1,183,132,285,328 $16,298,929,011
1981 $1,271,443,597,067 $15,518,201,335
1980 $1,153,159,955,513 $13,062,420,382
1979 $1,100,608,979,757 $9,929,681,529
1978 $1,057,419,758,047 $9,275,200,458
1977 $752,590,681,822 $7,696,011,396
1976 $611,495,350,304 $7,633,528,867
1975 $544,082,569,364 $6,826,980,444
1974 $500,355,087,138 $5,159,557,148
1973 $450,756,970,744 $3,239,487,516
1972 $331,776,379,992 $3,059,681,698
1971 $250,530,994,765 $2,589,851,325
1970 $221,798,003,144 $2,140,384,010
1969 $188,179,852,753 $2,245,011,515
1968 $160,201,483,788 $1,753,746,430
1967 $135,265,319,098 $1,580,229,799
1966 $115,427,351,851 $1,342,287,553
1965 $99,387,878,008 $1,472,036,540
1964 $89,332,989,729 $1,339,494,267
1963 $75,945,582,324 $1,200,447,408
1962 $66,356,388,224 $1,110,565,881
1961 $58,472,696,006 $945,244,972
1960 $48,417,804,545 $857,704,413

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Syria by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $35,951 - - -
2024 $33,797 $52,039 - -
2023 $35,215 $50,662 $847 $4,650
2022 $35,548 $47,192 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $41,581 $44,355 $689 $4,593
2020 $41,099 $42,426 $594 $3,738
2019 $41,425 $42,678 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $40,645 $42,142 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $39,680 $41,444 $852 $3,265
2016 $40,215 $40,597 $656 -
2015 $35,665 $40,899 $848 -
2014 $39,173 $39,555 $1,061 -
2013 $41,369 $39,402 $986 -
2012 $49,627 $37,606 $1,898 -
2011 $49,122 $36,214 $2,952 -
2010 $45,378 $35,336 $2,731 -
2009 $41,678 $33,543 $2,462 -
2008 $40,294 $35,274 $2,429 -
2007 $36,130 $35,015 $1,938 -
2006 $36,354 $33,632 $1,719 -
2005 $38,159 $32,170 $1,534 -
2004 $38,678 $30,832 $1,368 -
2003 $35,809 $29,392 $1,220 -
2002 $33,316 $28,624 $1,190 -
2001 $34,910 $27,943 $1,178 -
2000 $39,753 $27,288 $1,138 -
1999 $37,029 $25,736 $978 -
1998 $32,835 $25,508 $961 -
1997 $36,331 $25,619 $941 -
1996 $39,930 $24,999 $918 -
1995 $44,947 $23,858 $780 -
1994 $40,774 $22,823 $712 -
1993 $37,111 $22,168 $993 -
1992 $32,667 $21,825 $990 -
1991 $30,048 $21,227 $1,000 -
1990 $26,345 $19,912 $978 -
1989 $25,798 - $809 -
1988 $26,037 - $898 -
1987 $21,587 - $997 -
1986 $17,819 - $1,208 -
1985 $12,058 - $1,544 -
1984 $11,443 - $1,706 -
1983 $10,876 - $1,776 -
1982 $9,986 - $1,703 -
1981 $10,806 - $1,676 -
1980 $9,872 - $1,458 -
1979 $9,497 - $1,146 -
1978 $9,202 - $1,108 -
1977 $6,609 - $951 -
1976 $5,422 - $976 -
1975 $4,876 - $904 -
1974 $4,542 - $707 -
1973 $4,147 - $459 -
1972 $3,095 - $448 -
1971 $2,370 - $393 -
1970 $2,145 - $335 -
1969 $1,841 - $364 -
1968 $1,586 - $293.3 -
1967 $1,354 - $272.9 -
1966 $1,168 - $239.3 -
1965 $1,015 - $270.8 -
1964 $922 - $254.2 -
1963 $792 - $234.9 -
1962 $699 - $223.9 -
1961 $622 - $196.3 -
1960 $519 - $183.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/syria | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $35,951, ranking 34/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Japan Syria
Gross domestic product
$4.44T
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
4/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
1.19%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$35,951
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
34/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$9.16T
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
206.5%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$74,248
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,962
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.61T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,902,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
41
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.3%
2020
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2020
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.9%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
3.17%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.5%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
122704252
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.9% 206.5% - -
2024 37.3% 214.5% - -
2023 37.8% 220.3% - -
2022 40.2% 227.8% - -
2021 41.3% 222.7% - -
2020 43.6% 228.8% - -
2019 36.4% 206.3% - -
2018 36% 203.7% - -
2017 35.9% 203.1% - -
2016 36.5% 202.1% - -
2015 36.6% 200.1% - -
2014 37.8% 203.6% - -
2013 38.4% 201.2% - -
2012 38.4% 197.1% - -
2011 38.4% 190.6% - -
2010 37.4% 178.6% 28.6% 30%
2009 38.3% 172.9% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 33.7% 153.6% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 32.8% 150.4% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 32.7% 152.1% 26.3% 45%
2005 33.2% 153.4% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 33.3% 148.8% 31.3% 113%
2003 34.6% 140.2% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 34.9% 134.6% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 34.7% 126.8% 28% 144.5%
2000 35.4% 118.5% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 35.2% 113.5% 28% 147.7%
1998 38.1% 101.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 32.4% 91.3% 29% 147.6%
1996 33.1% 85.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 32.8% 80.7% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 32.1% 73.3% 30.3% 163%
1993 31.4% 63.2% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 29.6% 57.9% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 28.6% 54.1% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 28.8% 54.8% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 29.2% 65.7% - -
1988 29.9% 71.9% - -
1987 30.6% 75.8% - -
1986 30.4% 74.1% - -
1985 30.4% 68.3% - -
1984 31.2% 65.6% - -
1983 31.8% 63.5% - -
1982 31.7% 57.7% - -
1981 31.5% 52.8% - -
1980 33.5% 47.8% - -
1979 33.2% 43.8% - -
1978 32.1% 39% - -
1977 30.4% 31.1% - -
1976 29.1% 26.1% - -
1975 28.5% 20.9% - -
1974 25.5% 16.7% - -
1973 23.3% 15.9% - -
1972 23.1% 16.3% - -
1971 21.8% 12.6% - -
1970 20.2% 11.2% - -
1969 19.8% 11.4% - -
1968 20.1% 11.8% - -
1967 19.9% 11.4% - -
1966 20.8% 11.2% - -
1965 20.4% 9.78% - -
1964 19.8% 8.53% - -
1963 20% 8.66% - -
1962 19.4% 9.01% - -
1961 18.2% 8.44% - -
1960 18.4% 10.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/syria | CC BY

In 2025, Japan's government spending was $1.63T, accounting for 36.9% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 206.5% in Japan and 30% in Syria, ranking 3/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Syria
2025 -1.05% -
2024 -1.67% -
2023 -2.39% -
2022 -4.23% -
2021 -6.32% -
2020 -9.04% -
2019 -3.05% -
2018 -2.44% -
2017 -3.05% -
2016 -3.58% -
2015 -3.64% -
2014 -5.58% -
2013 -7.62% -
2012 -8.22% -
2011 -9.02% -
2010 -9.05% -7.79%
2009 -9.62% -2.89%
2008 -4.07% -2.86%
2007 -2.86% -2.99%
2006 -3% -1.12%
2005 -4.39% -4.41%
2004 -5.26% -4.18%
2003 -7.35% -2.7%
2002 -7.22% -2.02%
2001 -6.11% 2.3%
2000 -7.17% -1.36%
1999 -6.68% -1.47%
1998 -9.91% -2.81%
1997 -3.44% -1.78%
1996 -4.75% -2.83%
1995 -4.22% -3.81%
1994 -3.7% -6%
1993 -2.34% -4.96%
1992 0.56% -7.26%
1991 1.64% -6.57%
1990 1.91% -3.92%
1989 1.23% -
1988 0.49% -
1987 -0.36% -
1986 -1.36% -
1985 -1.37% -
1984 -2.62% -
1983 -3.95% -
1982 -3.81% -
1981 -3.85% -
1980 -4.66% -
1979 -5% -
1978 -5.79% -
1977 -4.02% -
1976 -3.89% -
1975 -2.92% -
1974 0.38% -
1973 0.56% -
1972 -0.13% -
1971 1.21% -
1970 1.74% -
1969 1.26% -
1968 0.88% -
1967 0.8% -
1966 -0.34% -
1965 0.48% -
1964 0.85% -
1963 1.08% -
1962 1.49% -
1961 2.58% -
1960 1.85% -
1959 0.97% -
1958 -0.1% -
1957 1.27% -
1956 1.39% -
1955 -0.67% -
1954 0.7% -
1953 1.65% -
1952 2.22% -
1951 5.06% -
1950 6.99% -
1949 12.5% -
1948 7.53% -
1947 6.09% -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 0.32% -
1942 -0.13% -
1941 -0.19% -
1940 0.31% -
1939 0.11% -
1938 0.45% -
1937 0.71% -
1936 0.34% -
1935 0.26% -
1934 0.34% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.31% -
1931 0.23% -
1930 0.19% -
1929 0.5% -
1928 0.42% -
1927 0.58% -
1926 0.65% -
1925 0.75% -
1924 0.84% -
1923 0.87% -
1922 0.89% -
1921 1.43% -
1920 1.19% -
1919 1.21% -
1918 1.58% -
1917 1.54% -
1916 1.37% -
1915 1.41% -
1914 1.31% -
1913 1.21% -
1912 1.27% -
1911 1.21% -
1910 1.57% -
1909 1.51% -
1908 1.63% -
1907 1.77% -
1906 0.46% -
1905 -0.68% -
1904 -0.81% -
1903 0.19% -
1902 0.44% -
1901 0.21% -
1900 0.53% -
1899 0.2% -
1898 0.6% -
1897 0.33% -
1896 0.88% -
1895 0.28% -
1894 -0.24% -
1893 0.6% -
1892 0.63% -
1891 0.61% -
1890 0.74% -
1889 0.18% -
1888 0.13% -
1887 0.11% -
1886 0.03% -
1885 0.01% -
1884 0.001% -
1883 0.03% -
1882 0.001% -
1881 0.001% -
1880 0.004% -
1879 0.02% -
1878 0.02% -
1877 -0.29% -
1876 -0.42% -
1875 0.005% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Japan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $526B, equivalent to 9.05% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.62% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Syria
2025 3.17% -
2024 2.74% -
2023 3.27% -
2022 2.5% -
2021 -0.23% -
2020 -0.02% -
2019 0.47% 13.4%
2018 0.99% 0.94%
2017 0.48% 18.1%
2016 -0.13% 47.7%
2015 0.8% 38.5%
2014 2.76% 10.9%
2013 0.34% 40%
2012 -0.04% 36.7%
2011 -0.27% 4.75%
2010 -0.73% 4.4%
2009 -1.35% 2.92%
2008 1.38% 15.7%
2007 0.06% 3.91%
2006 0.25% 10%
2005 -0.28% 7.24%
2004 -0.009% 4.43%
2003 -0.26% 5.8%
2002 -0.92% -0.13%
2001 -0.74% 3%
2000 -0.68% -3.85%
1999 -0.34% -3.7%
1998 0.66% -0.8%
1997 1.75% 1.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.18%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 3.17% in Japan and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.51M
Miscellaneous $3.93M
Chemicals & pharma $2.76M
Textiles & consumer goods $394K
Raw materials & minerals $160K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21K
Raw agricultural goods $21K
Metals $13K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $58.7M
Raw agricultural goods $7.07M
Machinery & equipment $3.3M
Chemicals & pharma $560K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $56K

Balance of trade

Japan Syria
Current account balance
$216B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.86%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$729B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$725B
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$269B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$246B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22%
2024
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Syria
Economic freedom 70.3 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 155/197
Property rights 94.2 4
Government integrity 81.1 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 3.7
Tax burden 63 87.3
Government spending 52 78.5
Fiscal health 41.7 13.8
Business freedom 77.8 33.8
Labor freedom 65.9 37.2
Monetary freedom 74.3 80
Trade freedom 76.2 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Syria
2026 70.3 -
2025 70.2 -
2024 67.5 -
2023 69.3 -
2022 69.9 -
2021 74.1 -
2020 73.3 -
2019 72.1 -
2018 72.3 -
2017 69.6 -
2016 73.1 -
2015 73.3 -
2014 72.4 -
2013 71.8 -
2012 71.6 51.2
2011 72.8 51.3
2010 72.9 49.4
2009 72.8 51.3
2008 73 47.2
2007 72.7 48.3
2006 73.3 51.2
2005 67.3 46.3
2004 64.3 40.6
2003 67.6 41.3
2002 66.7 36.3
2001 70.9 36.6
2000 70.7 37.2
1999 69.1 39
1998 70.2 42.2
1997 70.3 43
1996 72.6 42.3
1995 75 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Syria
Services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.96%
2024
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$4.73T
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$58,920
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$1.37T
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
3/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$172B
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.9B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$207B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.7%
2024
16%
1969

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/japan/syria | 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 (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.

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.