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Economy of Norway vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has a GDP of $484B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 32/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $207B in government debt (42.7% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Norway vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Norway
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway UAE
2024 $483,592,648,313 $552,324,846,835
2023 $482,949,731,777 $522,622,191,967
2022 $596,297,651,036 $511,403,403,676
2021 $503,367,986,030 $422,441,388,700
2020 $367,633,418,887 $357,161,878,829
2019 $408,742,840,909 $433,926,208,305
2018 $439,788,625,884 $440,560,108,918
2017 $401,745,275,035 $403,365,010,211
2016 $370,956,547,619 $381,717,086,453
2015 $388,159,512,246 $381,973,042,886
2014 $501,736,471,833 $424,935,874,745
2013 $526,014,468,085 $409,632,675,289
2012 $512,777,309,841 $392,793,464,942
2011 $501,360,549,669 $368,881,143,635
2010 $431,052,143,940 $307,736,419,333
2009 $387,976,400,617 $253,547,358,747
2008 $464,917,553,191 $315,474,615,739
2007 $402,643,260,488 $257,916,133,424
2006 $346,915,160,682 $222,116,541,865
2005 $309,978,579,744 $180,617,467,965
2004 $265,268,662,473 $147,824,370,320
2003 $229,385,469,337 $124,346,358,067
2002 $195,914,852,576 $109,816,201,498
2001 $174,239,354,071 $103,311,640,572
2000 $171,457,201,936 $104,337,372,362
1999 $162,383,706,021 $84,445,473,111
1998 $154,230,295,158 $75,674,336,283
1997 $161,356,631,888 $78,839,008,445
1996 $163,520,109,151 $73,571,233,996
1995 $152,029,612,325 $65,743,666,576
1994 $127,131,319,429 $59,305,093,980
1993 $120,579,213,713 $55,625,170,253
1992 $130,838,040,068 $54,239,171,888
1991 $121,872,464,483 $51,552,165,622
1990 $119,791,843,060 $50,701,443,748
1989 $102,633,934,391 $41,464,995,914
1988 $101,900,260,856 $36,275,674,203
1987 $94,229,907,236 $36,384,908,744
1986 $78,693,118,044 $33,943,612,095
1985 $65,416,879,914 $40,603,650,232
1984 $62,057,955,033 $41,807,954,236
1983 $61,627,240,831 $42,803,323,345
1982 $62,647,195,538 $46,622,718,605
1981 $63,596,654,761 $49,333,424,135
1980 $64,439,382,896 $43,599,160,050
1979 $53,132,244,624 $31,225,659,621
1978 $46,522,900,254 $23,775,764,225
1977 $41,508,030,431 $24,871,775,165
1976 $35,942,270,686 $19,213,158,779
1975 $32,877,805,200 $14,720,728,249
1974 $27,145,693,810 $11,651,505,689
1973 $22,534,253,703 $4,231,243,616
1972 $17,358,610,850 $1,415,086,929
1971 $14,583,114,840 $939,893,600
1970 $12,814,123,115 $685,986,701
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/norway/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Norway vs United Arab Emirates by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,785 $102,038 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $87,497 $103,638 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $109,270 $125,490 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $93,073 $88,984 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $68,340 $67,111 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $76,431 $70,940 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $82,793 $70,254 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $76,132 $64,590 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $70,867 $59,280 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $74,810 $60,738 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $97,667 $66,332 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $103,554 $67,378 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $102,176 $65,774 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $101,222 $62,460 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $88,163 $58,213 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $80,348 $55,648 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $97,504 $62,073 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $85,502 $56,179 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $74,434 $54,358 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $67,047 $47,967 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $57,769 $42,667 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $50,250 $38,680 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $43,171 $38,056 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $38,602 $37,829 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $38,178 $36,994 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $36,393 $30,574 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $34,803 $28,200 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $36,629 $28,610 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $37,322 $26,826 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $34,876 $24,360 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $29,316 $23,027 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $27,964 $21,584 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $30,524 $20,623 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $28,597 $19,580 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $28,243 $18,461 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $24,281 - $23,167 -
1988 $24,207 - $21,570 -
1987 $22,506 - $23,113 -
1986 $18,883 - $23,132 -
1985 $15,754 - $29,468 -
1984 $14,989 - $32,012 -
1983 $14,928 - $34,650 -
1982 $15,225 - $39,972 -
1981 $15,513 - $44,854 -
1980 $15,772 - $42,925 -
1979 $13,047 - $34,238 -
1978 $11,463 - $29,379 -
1977 $10,266 - $35,020 -
1976 $8,927 - $31,197 -
1975 $8,204 - $27,117 -
1974 $6,812 - $23,823 -
1973 $5,690 - $9,696 -
1972 $4,414 - $3,675 -
1971 $3,736 - $2,805 -
1970 $3,306 - $2,394 -
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/norway/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Norway's GDP per capita is $86,785, ranking 8/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Norway UAE
Gross domestic product
$484B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
32/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
2.1%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,785
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$207B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.7%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$37,074
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
17/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,765
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
17
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48.5%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.15%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.98%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
5671119
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48.5% 42.7% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 45.9% 44.1% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 37.5% 36.1% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 46.3% 41.6% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 56.7% 46% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 50.2% 40.5% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 47.7% 39.3% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 49.2% 38.2% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 50.4% 37.9% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 48.2% 34.3% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 45.2% 29.6% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 43.5% 31.4% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 42.4% 30.9% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 43.3% 29.6% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 44.5% 43% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 45.6% 42.5% 35% 21.1%
2008 39.8% 47.5% 22% 8.95%
2007 41% 49.5% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 40.5% 52.6% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 41.8% 42.3% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 47.6% 43.1% 20% 3.33%
2002 46.1% 33.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 43.2% 27.2% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 41.3% 28.7% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 46.4% 25% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 47.8% 23.6% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 45.5% 25.8% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 47% 28.4% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 49.3% 32.7% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 49.4% 50.6% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 50.2% 53.7% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 51.3% 45% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 50% 39.2% 36% 4.97%
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 (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/norway/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Norway's government spending was $234B, accounting for 48.5% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.7% in Norway and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 127/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway UAE
2024 13.2% 6.41%
2023 16.6% 5.82%
2022 25.5% 9.8%
2021 10.3% 3.96%
2020 -2.56% -2.42%
2019 6.52% 2.5%
2018 7.81% 3.65%
2017 4.96% -0.16%
2016 4.04% -2.95%
2015 5.99% -6.35%
2014 8.57% 1.74%
2013 10.6% 7.99%
2012 13.7% 8.59%
2011 13.3% 5.05%
2010 10.9% 0.52%
2009 10.2% -6.13%
2008 18.5% 17.6%
2007 17% 17.1%
2006 17.9% 20.2%
2005 14.7% 16%
2004 10.8% 6.4%
2003 7.2% 2.35%
2002 9.03% -1.24%
2001 13.2% 1.21%
2000 15% 10.7%
1999 5.71% 1.31%
1998 3.07% 1%
1997 7.35% 6.71%
1996 6.01% 0.92%
1995 2.96% 3.58%
1994 0.04% -1.78%
1993 -1.64% -2.89%
1992 -2.07% 3.34%
1991 -0.12% 3.89%
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/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 8.95% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway UAE
2024 3.15% 1.7%
2023 5.52% 1.6%
2022 5.76% 4.8%
2021 3.48% -0.1%
2020 1.29% -2.1%
2019 2.17% -1.9%
2018 2.76% 3.1%
2017 1.88% 2%
2016 3.55% 1.6%
2015 2.17% 4.1%
2014 2.04% 2.3%
2013 2.12% 1.1%
2012 0.7% 0.7%
2011 1.28% 0.9%
2010 2.42% 0.9%
2009 2.2% -4.7%
2008 3.75% 12.3%
2007 0.71% 11.1%
2006 2.33% 9.3%
2005 1.53% 6.2%
2004 0.45% 5%
2003 2.49% 3.1%
2002 1.29% 2.9%
2001 3% 2.8%
2000 3.09% 1.3%
1999 2.37% 2.1%
1998 2.25% 2%
1997 2.57% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/norway/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.44%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 3.15% in Norway and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $212M
Animal & marine products $96.9M
Metals $63.9M
Miscellaneous $20.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19.9M
Chemicals & pharma $15.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.13M
Raw materials & minerals $5.09M
Wood & paper products $2.78M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.03M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $60M
Metals $8.56M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.65M
Chemicals & pharma $3.54M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.4M
Raw materials & minerals $1.97M
Raw agricultural goods $991K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $791K
Wood & paper products $258K
Miscellaneous $32K

Balance of trade

Norway UAE
Current account balance
$71.6B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
11/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.8%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$97.5B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$162B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$63.6B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$55.6B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.5%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Norway UAE
Economic freedom 78.8 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 29/197
Property rights 99.6 62.9
Government integrity 94.3 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 34.4
Tax burden 63.3 99.9
Government spending 42 85.1
Fiscal health 96.4 97.6
Business freedom 91.2 84.5
Labor freedom 69.3 63.2
Monetary freedom 72.4 81.2
Trade freedom 85.6 78.6
Investment freedom 75 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway UAE
2026 78.8 71.9
2025 78.3 71.6
2024 77.5 71.1
2023 76.9 70.9
2022 76.9 70.2
2021 73.4 76.9
2020 73.4 76.2
2019 73 77.6
2018 74.3 77.6
2017 74 76.9
2016 70.8 72.6
2015 71.8 72.4
2014 70.9 71.4
2013 70.5 71.1
2012 68.8 69.3
2011 70.3 67.8
2010 69.4 67.3
2009 70.2 64.7
2008 68.6 62.6
2007 67.9 62.6
2006 67.9 62.2
2005 64.5 65.2
2004 66.2 67.2
2003 67.2 73.4
2002 67.4 73.6
2001 67.1 74.9
2000 70.1 74.2
1999 68.6 71.5
1998 68 72.2
1997 65.1 71.9
1996 65.4 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/norway/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Norway UAE
Services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.08%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$547B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,830
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$81.2B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
32/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$7.83B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.95B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | 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)
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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.