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Economy of Norway vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Norway has a GDP of $531B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 32/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $239B in government debt (45% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Norway vs Qatar GDP by year

Norway
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Qatar
2025 $530,755,719,439 $215,559,615,385
2024 $500,886,328,034 $216,294,505,495
2023 $502,197,633,323 $213,002,809,341
2022 $617,321,834,099 $235,709,325,714
2021 $521,592,200,233 $179,732,009,560
2020 $382,252,517,922 $144,411,363,352
2019 $424,244,886,364 $176,371,267,692
2018 $454,588,871,811 $183,334,953,819
2017 $415,673,181,543 $161,099,122,225
2016 $383,284,047,619 $151,732,181,868
2015 $400,669,174,331 $161,739,955,577
2014 $515,829,568,897 $206,224,598,571
2013 $540,132,255,319 $198,727,642,967
2012 $525,082,939,407 $186,833,502,363
2011 $512,868,581,628 $167,775,274,725
2010 $440,132,138,425 $125,122,252,747
2009 $395,664,488,017 $97,798,351,648
2008 $472,060,283,688 $115,269,780,220
2007 $407,813,774,161 $79,711,813,187
2006 $349,773,283,645 $60,882,142,857
2005 $311,417,306,946 $44,530,494,505
2004 $265,662,977,688 $31,734,065,934
2003 $229,192,678,173 $23,533,791,209
2002 $195,359,978,957 $19,363,736,264
2001 $173,590,978,347 $17,538,461,538
2000 $170,620,327,660 $17,759,890,110
1999 $161,304,620,987 $12,393,131,868
1998 $152,955,958,172 $10,255,494,505
1997 $160,013,571,974 $11,297,802,198
1996 $162,427,517,132 $9,059,340,659
1995 $151,083,627,983 $8,137,912,088
1994 $126,324,387,894 $7,374,450,549
1993 $119,841,699,440 $7,156,593,407
1992 $129,998,873,602 $7,646,153,846
1991 $121,149,331,318 $6,883,516,484
1990 $119,344,377,526 $7,360,439,560
1989 $102,226,808,603 $6,487,912,088
1988 $101,497,621,605 $6,038,186,813
1987 $93,913,320,965 $5,446,428,571
1986 $78,438,205,742 $5,053,021,978
1985 $65,211,464,198 $6,153,296,703
1984 $61,866,078,539 $6,870,329,670
1983 $61,417,685,434 $6,484,890,110
1982 $62,453,362,256 $7,611,263,736
1981 $63,392,804,251 $8,672,527,473
1980 $64,176,789,764 $7,837,915,956
1979 $52,935,763,512 $5,632,962,997
1978 $46,355,988,784 $4,052,000,413
1977 $41,362,637,363 $3,617,564,638
1976 $35,815,449,464 $3,284,273,987
1975 $32,742,543,381 $2,512,773,166
1974 $27,033,413,362 $2,401,403,227
1973 $22,433,660,550 $793,885,560
1972 $17,283,931,878 $510,262,500
1971 $14,523,306,736 $387,703,106
1970 $12,753,503,479 $301,791,302
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/norway/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in Norway vs Qatar by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $94,594 - $72,525 -
2024 $89,889 $102,038 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $90,984 $103,638 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $113,122 $125,490 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $96,443 $88,984 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $71,058 $67,111 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $79,329 $70,940 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $85,579 $70,254 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $78,771 $64,590 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $73,222 $59,280 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $77,221 $60,738 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $100,410 $66,332 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $106,333 $67,378 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $104,628 $65,774 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $103,545 $62,460 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $90,020 $58,213 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $81,940 $55,648 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $99,002 $62,073 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $86,600 $56,179 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $75,048 $54,358 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $67,358 $47,967 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $57,855 $42,667 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $50,208 $38,680 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $43,048 $38,056 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $38,458 $37,829 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $37,992 $36,994 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $36,151 $30,574 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $34,516 $28,200 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $36,324 $28,610 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $37,073 $26,826 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $34,659 $24,360 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $29,130 $23,027 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $27,793 $21,584 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $30,328 $20,623 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $28,427 $19,580 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $28,137 $18,461 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $24,185 - $15,243 -
1988 $24,112 - $14,682 -
1987 $22,430 - $13,719 -
1986 $18,822 - $13,213 -
1985 $15,704 - $16,815 -
1984 $14,943 - $19,749 -
1983 $14,877 - $19,669 -
1982 $15,178 - $24,431 -
1981 $15,463 - $29,543 -
1980 $15,708 - $28,407 -
1979 $12,998 - $21,777 -
1978 $11,421 - $16,757 -
1977 $10,230 - $16,058 -
1976 $8,896 - $15,710 -
1975 $8,171 - $13,014 -
1974 $6,783 - $13,540 -
1973 $5,664 - $4,905 -
1972 $4,395 - $3,483 -
1971 $3,721 - $2,952 -
1970 $3,291 - $2,594 -
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/norway/qatar | CC BY

Norway's GDP per capita is $94,594, ranking 9/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Norway Qatar
Gross domestic product
$531B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
32/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
1.09%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$94,594
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$239B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$42,567
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,036
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires
17
2026
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.6%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.06%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2026
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
0.1%
2024
Population
5660666
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 49.6% 45% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 46.9% 52.8% 26% 41.3%
2023 44.2% 42.4% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 36.2% 34.8% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 44.7% 40.1% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 54.5% 44.3% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 48.4% 39% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 46.1% 38.1% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 47.6% 36.9% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 48.8% 36.7% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 46.7% 33.2% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 44% 28.8% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 42.3% 30.6% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 41.4% 30.2% 31% 32.1%
2011 42.3% 28.9% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 43.6% 42.1% 32% 30.4%
2009 44.7% 41.7% 36.4% 36%
2008 39.2% 46.8% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 40.5% 48.9% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 40.1% 52.2% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 41.6% 42.1% 29% 19.1%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 47.7% 43.1% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 46.3% 34% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 43.4% 27.3% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 41.5% 28.8% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 46.7% 25.1% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 48.2% 23.8% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 45.9% 26% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 47.4% 28.6% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 49.6% 32.9% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 49.7% 51% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 50.5% 54% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 51.6% 45.3% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 50.3% 39.5% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 49.1% 29.1% 50% 12.6%
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 (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Norway's government spending was $263B, accounting for 49.6% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45% in Norway and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 117/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Qatar
2025 9.34% -1%
2024 12.8% 0.71%
2023 15.9% 5.51%
2022 24.7% 10.4%
2021 9.93% 0.24%
2020 -2.46% -2.13%
2019 6.28% 1%
2018 7.56% 2.26%
2017 4.79% -6.82%
2016 3.91% -9.2%
2015 5.8% 18.4%
2014 8.34% 13.4%
2013 10.3% 19.3%
2012 13.4% 8.55%
2011 13% 5.24%
2010 10.6% 4.6%
2009 10% 14.1%
2008 18.3% 9.49%
2007 16.8% 10.3%
2006 17.7% 8.39%
2005 14.7% 9.8%
2004 10.8% 17.7%
2003 7.21% 6.71%
2002 9.05% 7.89%
2001 13.2% 4.48%
2000 15.1% 4.62%
1999 5.75% -4.35%
1998 3.09% -7%
1997 7.41% -9.4%
1996 6.05% -8.73%
1995 2.98% -5.78%
1994 0.04% -11.8%
1993 -1.65% -9.53%
1992 -2.08% -2.74%
1991 -0.12% -2.57%
1990 1.96% 3.23%
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/norway/qatar | CC BY

In 2025, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $49.6B, equivalent to 9.34% of GDP. This compares to Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 8.62% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Qatar
2025 3.06% 0.6%
2024 3.15% 1.2%
2023 5.52% 3.1%
2022 5.76% 5%
2021 3.48% 2.3%
2020 1.29% -2.5%
2019 2.17% -0.9%
2018 2.76% 0.1%
2017 1.88% 0.6%
2016 3.55% 2.7%
2015 2.17% 0.9%
2014 2.04% 4.2%
2013 2.12% 3.1%
2012 0.7% 1.8%
2011 1.28% 2%
2010 2.42% -2.4%
2009 2.2% -4.9%
2008 3.75% 15.1%
2007 0.71% 13.7%
2006 2.33% 11.7%
2005 1.53% 9%
2004 0.45% 6.8%
2003 2.49% 2.3%
2002 1.29% 0.2%
2001 3% 1.7%
2000 3.09% 1.6%
1999 2.37% 2.2%
1998 2.25% 2.9%
1997 2.57% 2.7%

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/norway/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 3.06% in Norway and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $44M
Animal & marine products $14.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.45M
Metals $3.05M
Chemicals & pharma $2.33M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.92M
Raw materials & minerals $1.25M
Weapons & explosives $412K
Wood & paper products $249K
Miscellaneous $236K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $29.3M
Weapons & explosives $2.62M
Textiles & consumer goods $432K
Raw materials & minerals $390K
Chemicals & pharma $300K
Metals $169K
Miscellaneous $9K

Balance of trade

Norway Qatar
Current account balance
$74.1B
2025
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2025
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14%
2025
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$105B
2025
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$177B
2025
$90B
2025
Service imports
$73.9B
2025
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$63.5B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.7%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Norway Qatar
Economic freedom 78.8 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 37/197
Property rights 99.6 66.2
Government integrity 94.3 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 41.5
Tax burden 63.3 99.9
Government spending 42 79.9
Fiscal health 96.4 96.6
Business freedom 91.2 68
Labor freedom 69.3 58.5
Monetary freedom 72.4 76
Trade freedom 85.6 81.8
Investment freedom 75 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway Qatar
2026 78.8 70.2
2025 78.3 70.2
2024 77.5 68.8
2023 76.9 68.6
2022 76.9 67.7
2021 73.4 72
2020 73.4 72.3
2019 73 72.6
2018 74.3 72.6
2017 74 73.1
2016 70.8 70.7
2015 71.8 70.8
2014 70.9 71.2
2013 70.5 71.3
2012 68.8 71.3
2011 70.3 70.5
2010 69.4 69
2009 70.2 65.8
2008 68.6 62.2
2007 67.9 62.9
2006 67.9 62.4
2005 64.5 63.5
2004 66.2 66.5
2003 67.2 65.9
2002 67.4 61.9
2001 67.1 60
2000 70.1 62
1999 68.6 62
1998 68 -
1997 65.1 -
1996 65.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Norway Qatar
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
34.5%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.64%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$546B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$107,770
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$85.5B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
34/177
2025
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$8.93B
2025
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12.1B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.62B
2024
$1.56B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/norway/qatar | 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 (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, 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.