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Economy of Malta vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malta has a GDP of $25B compared to $484B for Norway, ranking 119/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $11.5B in government debt (46.2% of GDP), compared to $207B (42.7% of GDP) in Norway.

Malta vs Norway GDP by year

Malta
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Norway
2024 $24,971,574,502 $483,592,648,313
2023 $22,610,561,526 $482,949,731,777
2022 $18,928,276,162 $596,297,651,036
2021 $19,739,875,611 $503,367,986,030
2020 $16,404,663,226 $367,633,418,887
2019 $16,337,793,531 $408,742,840,909
2018 $16,153,779,511 $439,788,625,884
2017 $14,161,366,724 $401,745,275,035
2016 $12,025,782,834 $370,956,547,619
2015 $11,340,795,042 $388,159,512,246
2014 $11,888,032,874 $501,736,471,833
2013 $10,796,782,636 $526,014,468,085
2012 $9,609,532,089 $512,777,309,841
2011 $9,789,361,703 $501,360,549,669
2010 $9,097,044,159 $431,052,143,940
2009 $8,734,745,698 $387,976,400,617
2008 $9,135,419,465 $464,917,553,191
2007 $7,908,412,306 $402,643,260,488
2006 $6,749,838,806 $346,915,160,682
2005 $6,393,234,993 $309,978,579,744
2004 $6,104,141,520 $265,268,662,473
2003 $5,418,315,224 $229,385,469,337
2002 $4,455,127,414 $195,914,852,576
2001 $4,070,867,133 $174,239,354,071
2000 $4,036,809,815 $171,457,201,936
1999 $4,111,857,809 $162,383,706,021
1998 $4,010,111,688 $154,230,295,158
1997 $3,787,023,707 $161,356,631,888
1996 $3,822,547,197 $163,520,109,151
1995 $3,709,396,045 $152,029,612,325
1994 $2,998,505,428 $127,131,319,429
1993 $2,709,193,538 $120,579,213,713
1992 $3,021,942,759 $130,838,040,068
1991 $2,750,216,747 $121,872,464,483
1990 $2,547,328,748 $119,791,843,060
1989 $2,118,655,677 $102,633,934,391
1988 $2,019,503,068 $101,900,260,856
1987 $1,751,293,461 $94,229,907,236
1986 $1,435,038,441 $78,693,118,044
1985 $1,117,797,439 $65,416,879,914
1984 $1,101,807,023 $62,057,955,033
1983 $1,165,729,707 $61,627,240,831
1982 $1,234,474,404 $62,647,195,538
1981 $1,243,509,394 $63,596,654,761
1980 $1,250,198,601 $64,439,382,896
1979 $1,001,288,847 $53,132,244,624
1978 $793,673,402 $46,522,900,254
1977 $625,563,171 $41,508,030,431
1976 $527,936,989 $35,942,270,686
1975 $474,618,321 $32,877,805,200
1974 $376,081,124 $27,145,693,810
1973 $345,616,106 $22,534,253,703
1972 $295,106,628 $17,358,610,850
1971 $264,578,485 $14,583,114,840
1970 $250,728,796 $12,814,123,115
1969 - $11,136,187,440
1968 - $10,227,087,165
1967 - $9,577,383,653
1966 - $8,753,940,267
1965 - $8,111,945,661
1964 - $7,206,522,122
1963 - $6,553,269,536
1962 - $6,107,076,929
1961 - $5,669,689,210
1960 - $5,197,398,721

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/norway | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malta vs Norway by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $43,899 $69,864 $86,785 $102,038
2023 $40,906 $67,057 $87,497 $103,638
2022 $35,639 $60,589 $109,270 $125,490
2021 $38,097 $56,852 $93,073 $88,984
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $68,340 $67,111
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $76,431 $70,940
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $82,793 $70,254
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $76,132 $64,590
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $70,867 $59,280
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $74,810 $60,738
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $97,667 $66,332
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $103,554 $67,378
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $102,176 $65,774
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $101,222 $62,460
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $88,163 $58,213
2009 $21,176 $26,782 $80,348 $55,648
2008 $22,315 $26,654 $97,504 $62,073
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $85,502 $56,179
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $74,434 $54,358
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $67,047 $47,967
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $57,769 $42,667
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $50,250 $38,680
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $43,171 $38,056
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $38,602 $37,829
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $38,178 $36,994
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $36,393 $30,574
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $34,803 $28,200
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $36,629 $28,610
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $37,322 $26,826
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $34,876 $24,360
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $29,316 $23,027
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $27,964 $21,584
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $30,524 $20,623
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $28,597 $19,580
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $28,243 $18,461
1989 $6,041 - $24,281 -
1988 $5,814 - $24,207 -
1987 $5,084 - $22,506 -
1986 $4,195 - $18,883 -
1985 $3,322 - $15,754 -
1984 $3,333 - $14,989 -
1983 $3,527 - $14,928 -
1982 $3,788 - $15,225 -
1981 $3,898 - $15,513 -
1980 $3,948 - $15,772 -
1979 $3,196 - $13,047 -
1978 $2,559 - $11,463 -
1977 $2,038 - $10,266 -
1976 $1,727 - $8,927 -
1975 $1,560 - $8,204 -
1974 $1,245 - $6,812 -
1973 $1,144 - $5,690 -
1972 $976 - $4,414 -
1971 $874 - $3,736 -
1970 $828 - $3,306 -
1969 - - $2,894 -
1968 - - $2,680 -
1967 - - $2,531 -
1966 - - $2,333 -
1965 - - $2,179 -
1964 - - $1,951 -
1963 - - $1,787 -
1962 - - $1,678 -
1961 - - $1,571 -
1960 - - $1,451 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/norway | CC BY

Malta's GDP per capita is $43,899, ranking 28/197, compared to $86,785 in Norway, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Malta Norway
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$484B
2024
GDP rank
119/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP growth
6.8%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$43,899
2024
$86,785
2024
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$207B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.2%
2024
42.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$20,269
2024
$37,074
2024
Government debt per person rank
31/185
2024
17/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,692
2026
$49,765
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.29B
2024
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2022
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2022
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.3%
2024
48.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.65%
2023-2024
3.15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.12%
2024
3.98%
2024
Population
581729
5671119

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.3% 46.2% 48.5% 42.7%
2023 36.1% 46.8% 45.9% 44.1%
2022 38.3% 50.1% 37.5% 36.1%
2021 39.4% 49.6% 46.3% 41.6%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 56.7% 46%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 50.2% 40.5%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 47.7% 39.3%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 49.2% 38.2%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 50.4% 37.9%
2015 37.8% 55% 48.2% 34.3%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 45.2% 29.6%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 43.5% 31.4%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 42.4% 30.9%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 43.3% 29.6%
2010 40.1% 65% 44.5% 43%
2009 41.1% 66% 45.6% 42.5%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 39.8% 47.5%
2007 41.2% 62% 41% 49.5%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 40.5% 52.6%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 41.8% 42.3%
2004 42% 70.4% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 47.6% 43.1%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 46.1% 33.9%
2001 44.4% 70% 43.2% 27.2%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 41.3% 28.7%
1999 - 69.8% 46.4% 25%
1998 - 66.4% 47.8% 23.6%
1997 - 60.8% 45.5% 25.8%
1996 - 51.5% 47% 28.4%
1995 - 45.3% 49.3% 32.7%
1994 - - 49.4% 50.6%
1993 - - 50.2% 53.7%
1992 - - 51.3% 45%
1991 - - 50% 39.2%
1990 - - 48.9% 28.9%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

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/malta/norway | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government spending was $9.32B, accounting for 37.3% of its GDP, while Norway spent $234B, or 48.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.2% in Malta and 42.7% in Norway, ranking 118/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Norway
2024 -3.58% 13.2%
2023 -4.65% 16.6%
2022 -5.31% 25.5%
2021 -6.95% 10.3%
2020 -8.72% -2.56%
2019 0.72% 6.52%
2018 1.86% 7.81%
2017 3.4% 4.96%
2016 1.1% 4.04%
2015 -0.84% 5.99%
2014 -1.49% 8.57%
2013 -2.19% 10.6%
2012 -3.31% 13.7%
2011 -2.99% 13.3%
2010 -2.22% 10.9%
2009 -3.11% 10.2%
2008 -4.06% 18.5%
2007 -2.05% 17%
2006 -2.46% 17.9%
2005 -2.83% 14.7%
2004 -4.28% 10.8%
2003 -9.04% 7.2%
2002 -5.62% 9.03%
2001 -6.5% 13.2%
2000 -5.83% 15%
1999 - 5.71%
1998 - 3.07%
1997 - 7.35%
1996 - 6.01%
1995 - 2.96%
1994 - 0.04%
1993 - -1.64%
1992 - -2.07%
1991 - -0.12%
1990 - 1.95%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/norway | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $893M, equivalent to 3.58% of GDP. This compares to Norway's surplus of $64.1B, or 13.2% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 1 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.24% of GDP, compared to surplus of 11.3% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Norway
2024 1.65% 3.15%
2023 5.09% 5.52%
2022 6.15% 5.76%
2021 1.5% 3.48%
2020 0.64% 1.29%
2019 1.64% 2.17%
2018 1.16% 2.76%
2017 1.36% 1.88%
2016 0.64% 3.55%
2015 1.1% 2.17%
2014 0.31% 2.04%
2013 1.18% 2.12%
2012 2.38% 0.7%
2011 2.96% 1.28%
2010 1.52% 2.42%
2009 2.08% 2.2%
2008 4.26% 3.75%
2007 1.25% 0.71%
2006 2.77% 2.33%
2005 3.01% 1.53%
2004 2.79% 0.45%
2003 1.3% 2.49%
2002 2.19% 1.29%
2001 2.93% 3%
2000 2.37% 3.09%
1999 2.13% 2.37%
1998 2.39% 2.25%
1997 3.11% 2.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/norway | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 2.44% in Norway. In 2024, inflation was 1.65% in Malta and 3.15% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $296M
Business & finance services $174M
IT & IP services $44.5M
Manufacturing & construction services $8.75M
Government & miscellaneous services $2.96M
Wood & paper products $2.88M
Machinery & equipment $2.48M
Chemicals & pharma $1.64M
Textiles & consumer goods $239K
Metals $84K
Norway
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $7.18M
Machinery & equipment $6.39M
Metals $612K
Textiles & consumer goods $526K
Animal & marine products $391K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $310K
Miscellaneous $69K
Wood & paper products $56K
Chemicals & pharma $50K
Raw agricultural goods $27K

Balance of trade

Malta Norway
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
$71.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
47/190
2024
11/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.12%
2024
+14.8%
2024
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$97.5B
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$162B
2024
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$63.6B
2024
Service exports
$25B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.7%
2024
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
118.5%
2024
47.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Norway
Economic freedom 68.2 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 9/197
Property rights 85.5 99.6
Government integrity 54.3 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 96.4
Tax burden 68.5 63.3
Government spending 58.4 42
Fiscal health 63.2 96.4
Business freedom 83.2 91.2
Labor freedom 62.6 69.3
Monetary freedom 73.1 72.4
Trade freedom 79.4 85.6
Investment freedom 60 75
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Norway
2026 68.2 78.8
2025 66.8 78.3
2024 64.5 77.5
2023 67.5 76.9
2022 71.5 76.9
2021 70.2 73.4
2020 69.5 73.4
2019 68.6 73
2018 68.5 74.3
2017 67.7 74
2016 66.7 70.8
2015 66.5 71.8
2014 66.4 70.9
2013 67.5 70.5
2012 67 68.8
2011 65.7 70.3
2010 67.2 69.4
2009 66.1 70.2
2008 66 68.6
2007 66.1 67.9
2006 67.3 67.9
2005 68.9 64.5
2004 63.3 66.2
2003 61.1 67.2
2002 62.2 67.4
2001 62.9 67.1
2000 58.3 70.1
1999 59.3 68.6
1998 61.2 68
1997 57.9 65.1
1996 55.8 65.4
1995 56.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/norway | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malta Norway
Services, % of GDP
81.8%
2024
51.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.23%
2024
2.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.9B
2024
$547B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,340
2024
$106,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.42B
2024
$81.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
137/177
2024
32/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
-$7.83B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$4.95B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2024
24.1%
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/malta/norway | 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 (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2021–2024, 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.

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.