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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 18/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Saudi Arabia vs Venezuela GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Venezuela
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $119,802,963,258
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $102,376,526,556
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $89,013,255,585
2021 $982,661,066,667 $56,614,976,855
2020 $767,951,200,000 $42,838,020,721
2019 $888,890,133,333 $73,014,084,091
2018 $886,564,800,000 $102,021,093,965
2017 $741,266,133,333 $115,883,275,163
2016 $689,279,466,667 $112,915,034,262
2015 $693,414,400,000 $125,449,241,571
2014 $787,153,066,667 $214,689,614,733
2013 $769,755,733,333 $258,930,655,486
2012 $751,921,333,333 $372,592,062,768
2011 $680,660,800,000 $316,482,190,800
2010 $528,207,466,667 $393,192,354,511
2009 $429,097,866,667 $329,787,628,928
2008 $519,796,800,000 $315,953,388,511
2007 $415,964,509,673 $230,364,012,576
2006 $376,900,133,511 $183,477,522,124
2005 $328,459,608,764 $145,513,489,652
2004 $258,742,133,333 $112,451,400,425
2003 $215,807,733,333 $83,620,628,582
2002 $189,605,866,667 $92,893,587,734
2001 $184,137,600,000 $122,911,036,747
2000 $189,514,933,333 $117,146,466,003
1999 $161,717,066,667 $97,972,842,462
1998 $146,775,466,667 $91,336,763,255
1997 $165,963,684,913 $85,837,678,560
1996 $158,662,483,311 $70,543,211,119
1995 $143,343,124,166 $77,389,487,770
1994 $135,174,899,866 $58,418,666,667
1993 $132,967,957,276 $60,037,460,783
1992 $137,087,850,467 $60,416,519,620
1991 $132,223,230,975 $53,453,444,787
1990 $117,630,173,565 $48,606,952,195
1989 $95,344,459,279 $43,536,709,104
1988 $88,256,074,766 $60,226,413,793
1987 $85,695,861,148 $48,029,034,483
1986 $86,961,922,765 $60,516,123,711
1985 $103,897,846,494 $61,965,466,667
1984 $119,624,858,116 $59,867,743,468
1983 $129,171,635,311 $67,556,279,070
1982 $153,240,313,858 $67,736,744,186
1981 $184,291,360,139 $66,327,441,860
1980 $164,539,660,725 $59,116,511,628
1979 $111,858,444,786 $48,310,930,233
1978 $80,266,516,687 $39,316,279,070
1977 $74,188,986,586 $36,210,697,674
1976 $64,005,665,722 $31,419,534,884
1975 $46,773,208,643 $27,464,651,163
1974 $45,412,957,746 $26,100,930,233
1973 $14,947,435,499 $17,035,581,395
1972 $9,664,267,087 $13,977,727,273
1971 $7,184,806,909 $12,986,590,909
1970 $5,377,333,333 $11,561,111,111
1969 $4,485,777,644 $10,285,111,111
1968 $4,187,777,711 $10,034,444,444
1967 $3,257,022,223 $9,250,000,000
1966 $2,920,555,557 $8,781,333,333
1965 $2,647,955,558 $8,427,777,778
1964 $2,371,808,713 $8,192,413,793
1963 $2,207,393,172 $9,608,717,288
1962 $2,130,606,532 $8,814,309,884
1961 $1,920,811,284 $8,067,267,031
1960 $1,748,124,064 $7,663,938,303

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/venezuela | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Venezuela by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $4,218 -
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $3,617 -
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $3,155 -
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $2,005 -
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $1,506 -
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $2,523 -
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $3,423 -
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $3,791 -
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $3,670 -
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $4,103 -
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $7,096 -
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $8,656 -
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $12,607 -
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $9,414 - $2,250 -
1988 $9,165 - $3,191 -
1987 $9,386 - $2,611 -
1986 $10,078 - $3,376 -
1985 $12,745 - $3,549 -
1984 $15,541 - $3,520 -
1983 $17,810 - $4,079 -
1982 $22,454 - $4,202 -
1981 $28,703 - $4,228 -
1980 $27,206 - $3,874 -
1979 $19,612 - $3,257 -
1978 $14,914 - $2,727 -
1977 $14,595 - $2,585 -
1976 $13,313 - $2,309 -
1975 $10,266 - $2,078 -
1974 $10,503 - $2,034 -
1973 $3,640 - $1,367 -
1972 $2,474 - $1,155 -
1971 $1,929 - $1,106 -
1970 $1,509 - $1,015 -
1969 $1,313 - $932 -
1968 $1,276 - $938 -
1967 $1,032 - $893 -
1966 $961 - $876 -
1965 $904 - $869 -
1964 $840 - $874 -
1963 $812 - $1,060 -
1962 $813 - $1,007 -
1961 $760 - $954 -
1960 $718 - $939 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/venezuela | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$324B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.73T
2024
$3.98B
2002
Number of millionaires
351,855
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
7.53%
2020
Population
36734925
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 28.3% 23% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 11.2% 337%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 21% 206%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 38% 58.4%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 33% 8.43% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 37.1% 14% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 32.2% 56%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 31% 48.2%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 30.3% 103% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 31% 34.8%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 39.3% - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/venezuela | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 163/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Venezuela
2024 -2.49% -3.6%
2023 -1.77% -1.25%
2022 2.24% -5.29%
2021 -1.99% -5.85%
2020 -10.2% -6.63%
2019 -3.96% -10.9%
2018 -5.21% -31%
2017 -8.57% -13.3%
2016 -13.2% -8.46%
2015 -14.9% -8.06%
2014 -3.4% -9.81%
2013 5.47% -10.4%
2012 11.7% -9.86%
2011 11.4% -8.24%
2010 4.39% -4.74%
2009 -5.38% -8.69%
2008 29.8% -3.46%
2007 11.8% -2.82%
2006 20.8% -1.6%
2005 18% 4.09%
2004 9.72% 2.47%
2003 1.2% 0.17%
2002 -5.91% -1.48%
2001 -3.91% -4.59%
2000 3.18% 4.45%
1999 -5.99% 0.74%
1998 -8.88% -4.49%
1997 -2.51% 2.58%
1996 -3.25% 7.94%
1995 -5.12% -5.86%
1994 -8.31% -11.2%
1993 -9.33% -2.92%
1992 -8.12% -6.37%
1991 -3.28% -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/venezuela | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.9B, equivalent to 2.49% of GDP. This compares to Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.02% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Venezuela
2024 1.69% 49%
2023 2.33% 338%
2022 2.47% 186.5%
2021 3.06% 1,589%
2020 3.37% 2,355%
2019 -1.19% 19,906%
2018 2.47% 65,374%
2017 -0.83% 438%
2016 2.05% 254.9%
2015 1.22% 121.7%
2014 2.24% 62.2%
2013 3.51% 40.6%
2012 2.87% 21.1%
2011 5.83% 26.1%
2010 5.34% 28.2%
2009 5.06% 26%
2008 9.87% 31.4%
2007 4.17% 18.7%
2006 2.21% 13.7%
2005 0.48% 16%
2004 0.52% 21.7%
2003 0.61% 31.1%
2002 0.25% 22.4%
2001 -1.12% 12.5%
2000 -1.12% 16.2%
1999 -1.33% 23.6%
1998 -0.37% 35.8%
1997 0.06% 50%

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/saudi-arabia/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2.32M
Wood & paper products $1.28M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $643K
Chemicals & pharma $223K
Raw materials & minerals $172K
Machinery & equipment $156K
Metals $91K
Miscellaneous $5K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Metals $8.61M
Machinery & equipment $57K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Venezuela
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$125B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Venezuela
Economic freedom 65.4 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 194/197
Property rights 51.4 0
Government integrity 52.7 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 5.1
Tax burden 99.2 73.4
Government spending 77 93
Fiscal health 97.9 29.1
Business freedom 71.2 31.1
Labor freedom 41.8 35.5
Monetary freedom 81.2 0
Trade freedom 73.8 43.2
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Venezuela
2026 65.4 27.3
2025 64.4 27.6
2024 61.9 28.1
2023 58.3 25.8
2022 55.5 24.8
2021 66 24.7
2020 62.4 25.2
2019 60.7 25.9
2018 59.6 25.2
2017 64.4 27
2016 62.1 33.7
2015 62.1 34.3
2014 62.2 36.3
2013 60.6 36.1
2012 62.5 38.1
2011 66.2 37.6
2010 64.1 37.1
2009 64.3 39.9
2008 62.5 44.7
2007 60.9 47.9
2006 63 44.6
2005 63 45.2
2004 60.4 46.7
2003 63.2 54.8
2002 65.3 54.7
2001 62.2 54.6
2000 66.5 57.4
1999 65.5 56.1
1998 69.3 54
1997 68.7 52.8
1996 68.3 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/venezuela | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$2.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
4.9%
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/saudi-arabia/venezuela | 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 (1920–1997, 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 (2013–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.