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Sustainable Development
The Government's approach - delivering UK sustainable development
together
34. Investment
(a) Total investment (b) social investment relative to GDP, 1990 to 2006
Contextual indicator
Total investment relative to GDP grew by 9 per cent in real terms between 1990 and1998.
Thereafter, it remained relatively stable until 2006 when it rose to 15 per cent above 1990
levels.
In 2006 social investment, defined here as government investment in new buildings,
vehicles and other capital expenditure for the health sector, schools, higher education,
water, sewearage, rail and buses, was 1.6 per cent of GDP at current prices.
An increasing proportion of social investment now comes from the private sector. This
makes the current indicator difficult to assess. A more meaningful measure will be
developed.