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Economy of Namibia vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $531B for Norway, ranking 146/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $239B (45% of GDP) in Norway.

Namibia vs Norway GDP by year

Namibia
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Norway
2025 $15,080,340,654 $530,755,719,439
2024 $13,641,190,683 $500,886,328,034
2023 $12,522,012,874 $502,197,633,323
2022 $12,569,449,123 $617,321,834,099
2021 $12,402,486,184 $521,592,200,233
2020 $10,583,748,542 $382,252,517,922
2019 $12,541,928,303 $424,244,886,364
2018 $13,682,019,076 $454,588,871,811
2017 $12,895,153,371 $415,673,181,543
2016 $10,722,018,732 $383,284,047,619
2015 $11,335,161,084 $400,669,174,331
2014 $12,435,430,970 $515,829,568,897
2013 $12,043,307,277 $540,132,255,319
2012 $13,042,053,592 $525,082,939,407
2011 $12,523,359,441 $512,868,581,628
2010 $11,431,412,421 $440,132,138,425
2009 $8,938,847,189 $395,664,488,017
2008 $8,607,431,497 $472,060,283,688
2007 $8,839,536,476 $407,813,774,161
2006 $8,001,779,551 $349,773,283,645
2005 $7,248,374,838 $311,417,306,946
2004 $6,609,205,995 $265,662,977,688
2003 $4,926,439,384 $229,192,678,173
2002 $3,349,169,826 $195,359,978,957
2001 $3,557,341,215 $173,590,978,347
2000 $3,922,232,165 $170,620,327,660
1999 $3,868,551,730 $161,304,620,987
1998 $3,873,109,866 $152,955,958,172
1997 $4,154,989,950 $160,013,571,974
1996 $3,989,163,197 $162,427,517,132
1995 $3,978,514,206 $151,083,627,983
1994 $3,666,503,530 $126,324,387,894
1993 $3,251,188,833 $119,841,699,440
1992 $3,429,521,699 $129,998,873,602
1991 $2,996,869,281 $121,149,331,318
1990 $2,789,921,854 $119,344,377,526
1989 $2,535,135,798 $102,226,808,603
1988 $2,495,094,746 $101,497,621,605
1987 $2,300,068,217 $93,913,320,965
1986 $1,809,048,527 $78,438,205,742
1985 $1,608,237,350 $65,211,464,198
1984 $1,951,260,038 $61,866,078,539
1983 $2,297,400,688 $61,417,685,434
1982 $2,118,710,248 $62,453,362,256
1981 $2,249,908,578 $63,392,804,251
1980 $2,421,990,338 $64,176,789,764
1979 - $52,935,763,512
1978 - $46,355,988,784
1977 - $41,362,637,363
1976 - $35,815,449,464
1975 - $32,742,543,381
1974 - $27,033,413,362
1973 - $22,433,660,550
1972 - $17,283,931,878
1971 - $14,523,306,736
1970 - $12,753,503,479
1969 - $11,083,505,596
1968 - $10,178,705,992
1967 - $9,532,076,026
1966 - $8,712,528,095
1965 - $8,073,570,566
1964 - $7,172,430,304
1963 - $6,522,268,053
1962 - $6,078,186,245
1961 - $5,642,867,672
1960 - $5,172,811,442

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Norway by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - $94,594 -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 $89,889 $102,038
2023 $4,226 $11,251 $90,984 $103,638
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $113,122 $125,490
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $96,443 $88,984
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $71,058 $67,111
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $79,329 $70,940
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $85,579 $70,254
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $78,771 $64,590
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $73,222 $59,280
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $77,221 $60,738
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $100,410 $66,332
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $106,333 $67,378
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $104,628 $65,774
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $103,545 $62,460
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $90,020 $58,213
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $81,940 $55,648
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $99,002 $62,073
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $86,600 $56,179
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $75,048 $54,358
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $67,358 $47,967
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $57,855 $42,667
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $50,208 $38,680
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $43,048 $38,056
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $38,458 $37,829
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $37,992 $36,994
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $36,151 $30,574
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $34,516 $28,200
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $36,324 $28,610
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $37,073 $26,826
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $34,659 $24,360
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $29,130 $23,027
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $27,793 $21,584
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $30,328 $20,623
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $28,427 $19,580
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $28,137 $18,461
1989 $1,967 - $24,185 -
1988 $2,063 - $24,112 -
1987 $1,969 - $22,430 -
1986 $1,599 - $18,822 -
1985 $1,466 - $15,704 -
1984 $1,830 - $14,943 -
1983 $2,214 - $14,877 -
1982 $2,097 - $15,178 -
1981 $2,267 - $15,463 -
1980 $2,468 - $15,708 -
1979 - - $12,998 -
1978 - - $11,421 -
1977 - - $10,230 -
1976 - - $8,896 -
1975 - - $8,171 -
1974 - - $6,783 -
1973 - - $5,664 -
1972 - - $4,395 -
1971 - - $3,721 -
1970 - - $3,291 -
1969 - - $2,881 -
1968 - - $2,667 -
1967 - - $2,519 -
1966 - - $2,321 -
1965 - - $2,168 -
1964 - - $1,941 -
1963 - - $1,779 -
1962 - - $1,670 -
1961 - - $1,563 -
1960 - - $1,444 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $94,594 in Norway, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Namibia Norway
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$531B
2025
GDP rank
146/197
2025
32/197
2025
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
1.09%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$94,594
2025
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
9/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$239B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
45%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$42,567
2025
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
15/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$50,036
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2026
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
49.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
4.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
4.5%
2025
Population
3185686
5660666

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% 49.6% 45%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 46.9% 52.8%
2023 37% 67.9% 44.2% 42.4%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 36.2% 34.8%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 44.7% 40.1%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 54.5% 44.3%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 48.4% 39%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 46.1% 38.1%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 47.6% 36.9%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 48.8% 36.7%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 46.7% 33.2%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 44% 28.8%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 42.3% 30.6%
2012 35% 24.6% 41.4% 30.2%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 42.3% 28.9%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 43.6% 42.1%
2009 32% 15.9% 44.7% 41.7%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 39.2% 46.8%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 40.5% 48.9%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 40.1% 52.2%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 41.6% 42.1%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 47.7% 43.1%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 46.3% 34%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 43.4% 27.3%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 41.5% 28.8%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 46.7% 25.1%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 48.2% 23.8%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 45.9% 26%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 47.4% 28.6%
1995 29.6% 18% 49.6% 32.9%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 49.7% 51%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 50.5% 54%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 51.6% 45.3%
1991 33% 11.8% 50.3% 39.5%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 49.1% 29.1%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while Norway spent $263B, or 49.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 45% in Norway, ranking 57/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Norway
2025 -6.46% 9.34%
2024 -3.84% 12.8%
2023 -3.14% 15.9%
2022 -6.33% 24.7%
2021 -8.68% 9.93%
2020 -8.07% -2.46%
2019 -5.49% 6.28%
2018 -5.09% 7.56%
2017 -4.99% 4.79%
2016 -9.3% 3.91%
2015 -8.3% 5.8%
2014 -6.44% 8.34%
2013 -4.69% 10.3%
2012 -3.1% 13.4%
2011 -7.09% 13%
2010 -4.98% 10.6%
2009 -0.4% 10%
2008 3.48% 18.3%
2007 6.01% 16.8%
2006 3.41% 17.7%
2005 -0.31% 14.7%
2004 -2.67% 10.8%
2003 -4.47% 7.21%
2002 -1.38% 9.05%
2001 -2.01% 13.2%
2000 -0.79% 15.1%
1999 -1.88% 5.75%
1998 -2.76% 3.09%
1997 -2.38% 7.41%
1996 -3.7% 6.05%
1995 -1.74% 2.98%
1994 -0.57% 0.04%
1993 -2.73% -1.65%
1992 -2.55% -2.08%
1991 -1.59% -0.12%
1990 1.08% 1.96%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $974M, equivalent to 6.46% of GDP. This compares to Norway's surplus of $49.6B, or 9.34% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.62% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Norway
2025 3.5% 3.06%
2024 4.2% 3.15%
2023 5.9% 5.52%
2022 6.1% 5.76%
2021 3.6% 3.48%
2020 2.2% 1.29%
2019 3.7% 2.17%
2018 4.3% 2.76%
2017 6.1% 1.88%
2016 6.7% 3.55%
2015 3.4% 2.17%
2014 5.3% 2.04%
2013 5.6% 2.12%
2012 6.7% 0.7%
2011 5% 1.28%
2010 4.9% 2.42%
2009 9.5% 2.2%
2008 9.1% 3.75%
2007 6.5% 0.71%
2006 5% 2.33%
2005 2.3% 1.53%
2004 4.1% 0.45%
2003 7.2% 2.49%
2002 12.7% 1.29%
2001 10.2% 3%
2000 10.2% 3.09%
1999 9.4% 2.37%
1998 6.6% 2.25%
1997 9.7% 2.57%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.2%, compared with 2.46% in Norway. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 3.06% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $17M
Machinery & equipment $5.92M
Chemicals & pharma $3.6M
Metals $2.21M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.12M
Raw materials & minerals $631K
Raw agricultural goods $349K
Miscellaneous $268K
Wood & paper products $87K
Precious metals & jewellery $65K
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $19.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.52M
Chemicals & pharma $942K
Metals $858K
Raw materials & minerals $530K
Animal & marine products $273K
Wood & paper products $58K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19K
Miscellaneous $17K
Weapons & explosives $14K

Balance of trade

Namibia Norway
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
$74.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
10/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
+14%
2025
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$105B
2025
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$177B
2025
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$73.9B
2025
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$63.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
2025
45.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia Norway
Economic freedom 60.2 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 9/197
Property rights 63.1 99.6
Government integrity 51.5 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 96.4
Tax burden 66.4 63.3
Government spending 57.1 42
Fiscal health 60.5 96.4
Business freedom 58 91.2
Labor freedom 62.7 69.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 72.4
Trade freedom 69.8 85.6
Investment freedom 50 75
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Norway
2026 60.2 78.8
2025 58.7 78.3
2024 57.5 77.5
2023 57.7 76.9
2022 59.2 76.9
2021 62.6 73.4
2020 60.9 73.4
2019 58.7 73
2018 58.5 74.3
2017 62.5 74
2016 61.9 70.8
2015 59.6 71.8
2014 59.4 70.9
2013 60.3 70.5
2012 61.9 68.8
2011 62.7 70.3
2010 62.2 69.4
2009 62.4 70.2
2008 61.4 68.6
2007 63.5 67.9
2006 60.7 67.9
2005 61.4 64.5
2004 62.4 66.2
2003 67.3 67.2
2002 65.1 67.4
2001 64.8 67.1
2000 66.7 70.1
1999 66.1 68.6
1998 66.1 68
1997 61.6 65.1
1996 - 65.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia Norway
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
34.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
1.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$546B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$107,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$85.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
34/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$12.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$5.62B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
23.2%
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/namibia/norway | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1992, 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.