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Economy of Norway vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has a GDP of $484B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 32/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $207B in government debt (42.7% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Norway vs Rwanda GDP by year

Norway
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Rwanda
2024 $483,592,648,313 $14,251,642,235
2023 $482,949,731,777 $14,331,722,703
2022 $596,297,651,036 $13,316,161,002
2021 $503,367,986,030 $11,078,787,090
2020 $367,633,418,887 $10,174,386,857
2019 $408,742,840,909 $10,349,300,277
2018 $439,788,625,884 $9,637,904,521
2017 $401,745,275,035 $9,252,833,891
2016 $370,956,547,619 $8,695,272,058
2015 $388,159,512,246 $8,543,760,200
2014 $501,736,471,833 $8,238,966,124
2013 $526,014,468,085 $7,819,964,030
2012 $512,777,309,841 $7,654,761,050
2011 $501,360,549,669 $6,884,913,658
2010 $431,052,143,940 $6,124,756,654
2009 $387,976,400,617 $5,674,476,969
2008 $464,917,553,191 $5,179,854,065
2007 $402,643,260,488 $4,070,507,895
2006 $346,915,160,682 $3,319,784,539
2005 $309,978,579,744 $2,933,819,766
2004 $265,268,662,473 $2,376,496,067
2003 $229,385,469,337 $2,138,237,279
2002 $195,914,852,576 $1,966,003,468
2001 $174,239,354,071 $1,966,600,715
2000 $171,457,201,936 $2,068,836,754
1999 $162,383,706,021 $2,157,108,263
1998 $154,230,295,158 $1,989,343,546
1997 $161,356,631,888 $1,851,558,197
1996 $163,520,109,151 $1,382,334,879
1995 $152,029,612,325 $1,293,535,193
1994 $127,131,319,429 $753,636,370
1993 $120,579,213,713 $1,971,525,712
1992 $130,838,040,068 $2,029,026,962
1991 $121,872,464,483 $1,911,600,237
1990 $119,791,843,060 $2,550,185,679
1989 $102,633,934,391 $2,405,022,593
1988 $101,900,260,856 $2,395,492,687
1987 $94,229,907,236 $2,157,432,668
1986 $78,693,118,044 $1,944,710,684
1985 $65,416,879,914 $1,715,626,331
1984 $62,057,955,033 $1,587,413,084
1983 $61,627,240,831 $1,479,687,587
1982 $62,647,195,538 $1,407,243,139
1981 $63,596,654,761 $1,407,062,527
1980 $64,439,382,896 $1,254,765,642
1979 $53,132,244,624 $1,109,346,131
1978 $46,522,900,254 $905,709,076
1977 $41,508,030,431 $746,650,613
1976 $35,942,270,686 $637,753,853
1975 $32,877,805,200 $571,863,500
1974 $27,145,693,810 $308,458,423
1973 $22,534,253,703 $290,746,157
1972 $17,358,610,850 $246,457,838
1971 $14,583,114,840 $222,952,504
1970 $12,814,123,115 $219,900,006
1969 $11,136,187,440 $188,700,037
1968 $10,227,087,165 $172,200,018
1967 $9,577,383,653 $159,560,018
1966 $8,753,940,267 $124,525,703
1965 $8,111,945,661 $148,799,980
1964 $7,206,522,122 $129,999,994
1963 $6,553,269,536 $128,000,000
1962 $6,107,076,929 $125,000,008
1961 $5,669,689,210 $122,000,016
1960 $5,197,398,721 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Norway vs Rwanda by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,785 $102,038 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $87,497 $103,638 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $109,270 $125,490 $975 $3,099
2021 $93,073 $88,984 $830 $2,733
2020 $68,340 $67,111 $779 $2,285
2019 $76,431 $70,940 $810 $2,336
2018 $82,793 $70,254 $772 $2,125
2017 $76,132 $64,590 $758 $1,968
2016 $70,867 $59,280 $730 $1,866
2015 $74,810 $60,738 $734 $1,781
2014 $97,667 $66,332 $725 $1,678
2013 $103,554 $67,378 $705 $1,512
2012 $102,176 $65,774 $707 $1,455
2011 $101,222 $62,460 $651 $1,413
2010 $88,163 $58,213 $594 $1,314
2009 $80,348 $55,648 $564 $1,241
2008 $97,504 $62,073 $528 $1,191
2007 $85,502 $56,179 $426 $1,079
2006 $74,434 $54,358 $357 $1,002
2005 $67,047 $47,967 $324 $914
2004 $57,769 $42,667 $269.5 $832
2003 $50,250 $38,680 $249 $775
2002 $43,171 $38,056 $234 $760
2001 $38,602 $37,829 $237.3 $670
2000 $38,178 $36,994 $251.9 $609
1999 $36,393 $30,574 $264.7 $554
1998 $34,803 $28,200 $246.2 $528
1997 $36,629 $28,610 $238.7 $500
1996 $37,322 $26,826 $206 $499
1995 $34,876 $24,360 $228 $514
1994 $29,316 $23,027 $111 $311
1993 $27,964 $21,584 $247 $521
1992 $30,524 $20,623 $264.1 $575
1991 $28,597 $19,580 $254 $542
1990 $28,243 $18,461 $346 $549
1989 $24,281 - $335 -
1988 $24,207 - $344 -
1987 $22,506 - $320 -
1986 $18,883 - $297.7 -
1985 $15,754 - $271.6 -
1984 $14,989 - $259.9 -
1983 $14,928 - $250.6 -
1982 $15,225 - $246.4 -
1981 $15,513 - $254.6 -
1980 $15,772 - $234.4 -
1979 $13,047 - $213.8 -
1978 $11,463 - $179.9 -
1977 $10,266 - $152.7 -
1976 $8,927 - $134.4 -
1975 $8,204 - $124.1 -
1974 $6,812 - $68.9 -
1973 $5,690 - $66.9 -
1972 $4,414 - $58.4 -
1971 $3,736 - $54.4 -
1970 $3,306 - $55.2 -
1969 $2,894 - $48.9 -
1968 $2,680 - $46 -
1967 $2,531 - $44 -
1966 $2,333 - $35.4 -
1965 $2,179 - $43.5 -
1964 $1,951 - $39 -
1963 $1,787 - $39.3 -
1962 $1,678 - $39.2 -
1961 $1,571 - $39.3 -
1960 $1,451 - $39.4 -

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

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

Norway's GDP per capita is $86,785, ranking 8/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Norway Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$484B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
32/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
2.1%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,785
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$207B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.7%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$37,074
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
17/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,765
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
$2.75B
2024
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
17
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48.5%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.15%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.98%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
5671119
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48.5% 42.7% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 45.9% 44.1% 27% 63.4%
2022 37.5% 36.1% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 46.3% 41.6% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 56.7% 46% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 50.2% 40.5% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 47.7% 39.3% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 49.2% 38.2% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 50.4% 37.9% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 48.2% 34.3% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 45.2% 29.6% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 43.5% 31.4% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 42.4% 30.9% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 43.3% 29.6% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 44.5% 43% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 45.6% 42.5% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 39.8% 47.5% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 41% 49.5% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 40.5% 52.6% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 41.8% 42.3% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 47.6% 43.1% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 46.1% 33.9% 20.5% 92%
2001 43.2% 27.2% 19.1% 84%
2000 41.3% 28.7% 18.2% 86%
1999 46.4% 25% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 47.8% 23.6% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 45.5% 25.8% 17% 72.2%
1996 47% 28.4% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 49.3% 32.7% 18% 100.8%
1994 49.4% 50.6% 13.3% -
1993 50.2% 53.7% 20.3% -
1992 51.3% 45% 21.5% -
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/norway/rwanda | CC BY

In 2024, Norway's government spending was $234B, accounting for 48.5% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.7% in Norway and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 127/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Rwanda
2024 13.2% -6.57%
2023 16.6% -5.04%
2022 25.5% -5.74%
2021 10.3% -7%
2020 -2.56% -9.54%
2019 6.52% -5.08%
2018 7.81% -2.57%
2017 4.96% -2.52%
2016 4.04% -2.27%
2015 5.99% -2.68%
2014 8.57% -3.92%
2013 10.6% -1.27%
2012 13.7% -2.38%
2011 13.3% -0.86%
2010 10.9% -0.64%
2009 10.2% 0.26%
2008 18.5% 0.83%
2007 17% -1.56%
2006 17.9% -0.03%
2005 14.7% 1.12%
2004 10.8% 2.27%
2003 7.2% -1.23%
2002 9.03% -2.03%
2001 13.2% -1.8%
2000 15% -0.22%
1999 5.71% -4.41%
1998 3.07% -2.59%
1997 7.35% -2.22%
1996 6.01% -5.01%
1995 2.96% -2.04%
1994 0.04% -9.54%
1993 -1.64% -6.6%
1992 -2.07% -7.21%
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/norway/rwanda | CC BY

In 2024, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $64.1B, equivalent to 13.2% of GDP. This compares to Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 3 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 9.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Rwanda
2024 3.15% 1.77%
2023 5.52% 19.8%
2022 5.76% 17.7%
2021 3.48% -0.39%
2020 1.29% 9.85%
2019 2.17% 3.35%
2018 2.76% -0.31%
2017 1.88% 8.28%
2016 3.55% 7.17%
2015 2.17% 2.53%
2014 2.04% 2.35%
2013 2.12% 5.92%
2012 0.7% 10.3%
2011 1.28% 3.08%
2010 2.42% -0.25%
2009 2.2% 12.9%
2008 3.75% 15.4%
2007 0.71% 9.08%
2006 2.33% 8.88%
2005 1.53% 9.01%
2004 0.45% 12.3%
2003 2.49% 7.45%
2002 1.29% 1.99%
2001 3% 3.34%
2000 3.09% 3.9%
1999 2.37% -2.41%
1998 2.25% 6.21%
1997 2.57% 12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.44%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 3.15% in Norway and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Metals $191K
Animal & marine products $150K
Textiles & consumer goods $148K
Machinery & equipment $75K
Chemicals & pharma $12K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Miscellaneous $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $547K
Miscellaneous $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Norway Rwanda
Current account balance
$71.6B
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
11/190
2024
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.8%
2024
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$97.5B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$162B
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$63.6B
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$55.6B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.5%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Norway Rwanda
Economic freedom 78.8 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 121/197
Property rights 99.6 60.3
Government integrity 94.3 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 27.5
Tax burden 63.3 80.6
Government spending 42 75.7
Fiscal health 96.4 37.5
Business freedom 91.2 60.1
Labor freedom 69.3 49.1
Monetary freedom 72.4 72.3
Trade freedom 85.6 61.8
Investment freedom 75 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway Rwanda
2026 78.8 56.5
2025 78.3 54.8
2024 77.5 51.6
2023 76.9 52.2
2022 76.9 57.1
2021 73.4 68.3
2020 73.4 70.9
2019 73 71.1
2018 74.3 69.1
2017 74 67.6
2016 70.8 63.1
2015 71.8 64.8
2014 70.9 64.7
2013 70.5 64.1
2012 68.8 64.9
2011 70.3 62.7
2010 69.4 59.1
2009 70.2 54.2
2008 68.6 54.2
2007 67.9 52.4
2006 67.9 52.8
2005 64.5 51.7
2004 66.2 53.3
2003 67.2 47.8
2002 67.4 50.4
2001 67.1 45.4
2000 70.1 42.3
1999 68.6 39.8
1998 68 39.1
1997 65.1 38.3
1996 65.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Norway Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.08%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$547B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,830
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$81.2B
2024
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
32/177
2024
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$7.83B
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.95B
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
25.9%
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/norway/rwanda | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.

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.