Capital intensity in United States
United States: Capital intensity was 198 in 2015. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2015)
198
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
10th
of 23 countries
All-time high
200
in 2010
All-time low
25
in 1890
Years of data
126
1890–2015
Capital intensity in United States, 1890–2015
Source: Bergeaud et al. (2016) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for capital intensity in United States is 198, measured in 2015.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 13.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, capital intensity in United States peaked at 200 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 25, in 1890.
That places United States 10th out of 23 countries with data for 2015, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Capital intensity in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 25 | — |
| 1891 | 25 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 25 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 28 | +12.0% |
| 1894 | 31 | +10.7% |
| 1895 | 29 | -6.5% |
| 1896 | 30 | +3.4% |
| 1897 | 31 | +3.3% |
| 1898 | 31 | +0.0% |
| 1899 | 29 | -6.5% |
| 1900 | 30 | +3.4% |
| 1901 | 28 | -6.7% |
| 1902 | 30 | +7.1% |
| 1903 | 30 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 30 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 31 | +3.3% |
| 1906 | 30 | -3.2% |
| 1907 | 32 | +6.7% |
| 1908 | 34 | +6.2% |
| 1909 | 34 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 35 | +2.9% |
| 1911 | 36 | +2.9% |
| 1912 | 37 | +2.8% |
| 1913 | 38 | +2.7% |
| 1914 | 40 | +5.3% |
| 1915 | 41 | +2.5% |
| 1916 | 41 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 42 | +2.4% |
| 1918 | 45 | +7.1% |
| 1919 | 51 | +13.3% |
| 1920 | 51 | +0.0% |
| 1921 | 60 | +17.6% |
| 1922 | 50 | -16.7% |
| 1923 | 49 | -2.0% |
| 1924 | 56 | +14.3% |
| 1925 | 52 | -7.1% |
| 1926 | 55 | +5.8% |
| 1927 | 57 | +3.6% |
| 1928 | 57 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 56 | -1.8% |
| 1930 | 63 | +12.5% |
| 1931 | 71 | +12.7% |
| 1932 | 85 | +19.7% |
| 1933 | 82 | -3.5% |
| 1934 | 82 | +0.0% |
| 1935 | 76 | -7.3% |
| 1936 | 70 | -7.9% |
| 1937 | 71 | +1.4% |
| 1938 | 85 | +19.7% |
| 1939 | 77 | -9.4% |
| 1940 | 73 | -5.2% |
| 1941 | 66 | -9.6% |
| 1942 | 60 | -9.1% |
| 1943 | 52 | -13.3% |
| 1944 | 55 | +5.8% |
| 1945 | 58 | +5.5% |
| 1946 | 60 | +3.4% |
| 1947 | 61 | +1.7% |
| 1948 | 64 | +4.9% |
| 1949 | 66 | +3.1% |
| 1950 | 68 | +3.0% |
| 1951 | 66 | -2.9% |
| 1952 | 67 | +1.5% |
| 1953 | 69 | +3.0% |
| 1954 | 73 | +5.8% |
| 1955 | 73 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 74 | +1.4% |
| 1957 | 78 | +5.4% |
| 1958 | 83 | +6.4% |
| 1959 | 82 | -1.2% |
| 1960 | 84 | +2.4% |
| 1961 | 87 | +3.6% |
| 1962 | 88 | +1.1% |
| 1963 | 90 | +2.3% |
| 1964 | 91 | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 92 | +1.1% |
| 1966 | 93 | +1.1% |
| 1967 | 95 | +2.2% |
| 1968 | 97 | +2.1% |
| 1969 | 98 | +1.0% |
| 1970 | 103 | +5.1% |
| 1971 | 106 | +2.9% |
| 1972 | 107 | +0.9% |
| 1973 | 108 | +0.9% |
| 1974 | 111 | +2.8% |
| 1975 | 117 | +5.4% |
| 1976 | 117 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 116 | -0.9% |
| 1978 | 115 | -0.9% |
| 1979 | 116 | +0.9% |
| 1980 | 120 | +3.4% |
| 1981 | 123 | +2.5% |
| 1982 | 127 | +3.3% |
| 1983 | 128 | +0.8% |
| 1984 | 126 | -1.6% |
| 1985 | 127 | +0.8% |
| 1986 | 130 | +2.4% |
| 1987 | 130 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 130 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 130 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 133 | +2.3% |
| 1991 | 138 | +3.8% |
| 1992 | 141 | +2.2% |
| 1993 | 141 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 140 | -0.7% |
| 1995 | 140 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 142 | +1.4% |
| 1997 | 142 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 144 | +1.4% |
| 1999 | 146 | +1.4% |
| 2000 | 149 | +2.1% |
| 2001 | 156 | +4.7% |
| 2002 | 163 | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 169 | +3.7% |
| 2004 | 172 | +1.8% |
| 2005 | 174 | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 176 | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 180 | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 185 | +2.8% |
| 2009 | 198 | +7.0% |
| 2010 | 200 | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 198 | -1.0% |
| 2012 | 198 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 199 | +0.5% |
| 2014 | 198 | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 198 | +0.0% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 198 is above the median for high income countries, which is 198, 1.0× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 28.4 | 25 | 31 | 10 |
| 1900s | 30.9 | 28 | 34 | 10 |
| 1910s | 40.6 | 35 | 51 | 10 |
| 1920s | 54.3 | 49 | 60 | 10 |
| 1930s | 76.2 | 63 | 85 | 10 |
| 1940s | 61.5 | 52 | 73 | 10 |
| 1950s | 73.3 | 66 | 83 | 10 |
| 1960s | 91.5 | 84 | 98 | 10 |
| 1970s | 111.6 | 103 | 117 | 10 |
| 1980s | 127.1 | 120 | 130 | 10 |
| 1990s | 140.7 | 133 | 146 | 10 |
| 2000s | 172.2 | 149 | 198 | 10 |
| 2010s | 198.5 | 198 | 200 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is capital intensity in United States?
- Capital intensity in United States was 198 in 2015, according to Bergeaud et al. (2016) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest capital intensity recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 200 in 2010.
- What is the lowest capital intensity recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 25 in 1890.
- How does United States rank for capital intensity?
- United States ranks 10th out of 23 countries with data for 2015.
- Is capital intensity rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Bergeaud et al. (2016) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Capital intensity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Capital intensity is defined as the total stock of capital divided by the total hours worked. This is measured in 2010 international-$ per hour.