Economy of North America

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Economy of North America
NYC Downtown Manhattan Skyline seen from Paulus Hook 2019-12-20 IMG 7347 FRD.jpg
Statistics
Population596 million [1] [2] (2021)
GDP
GDP rank
GDP growth
1% (2023 est.) [5]
GDP per capita
  • $59,330 (nominal; 2023 est) [6]
  • $62,540 (PPP; 2023 est) [7]
GDP per capita rank
3.8% (2023 est.) [8]
26.8 million (2022) [9]
Public finances
117.4% of GDP (2023 est.) [10]
Most numbers are from the International Monetary Fund. IMF North America Datasets
All values, unless otherwise stated, are in US dollars.

The economy of North America comprises more than 596 million people (8% of the world population) in its 24 sovereign states and 15 dependent territories. [1] [2] It is marked by a sharp division between the predominantly English speaking countries of Canada and the United States, which are among the wealthiest and most developed nations in the world, and countries of Central America and the Caribbean in the former Latin America that are less developed. Mexico and Caribbean nations of the Commonwealth of Nations are between the economic extremes of the development of North America.

Contents

Mexico lies in between these two extremes as a newly industrialized country (NIC), and is a part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), being one of the only two Latin American members of this organisation (together with Chile). The United States is by far the largest economy in North America and the largest national economy in the world.

The US, Canada and Mexico have significant and multifaceted economic systems. [11] In 2011, the US has an estimated per capita gross domestic product (PPP) of $47,200, and is the most technologically developed economy in North America. [11] The United States' services sector comprises 80% of the country's GDP (estimated in 2017), industry comprises 19.1% and agriculture comprises 0.9%. [11]

Canada's economic trends are similar to that of the United States, with significant growth in the sectors of services, mining and manufacturing. [12] Canada's GDP (PPP) was estimated at $39,400 in 2010. [12] Canada's services sector comprises 70.2% of the country's GDP (estimated in 2017), industry comprises 28.2% and agriculture comprises 1.6%. [12]

Mexico has a GDP (PPP) of $15,312, and per capita income is estimated at one-third of the United States'. [13] The country has both modern and outdated industrial and agricultural facilities and operations, [13] and is modernizing in sectors such as energy production, telecommunications and airports. [13]

Economic development

Great Depression

The Great Depression began in North America in October 1929. The start is often dated to the stock market collapse of Black Tuesday although this was not the cause of the Great Depression. [14] Canada and the United States experienced especially large declines, with the gross domestic product falling 37% from 1929 to 1933 in the United States, and 43% in Canada over the same period. [15] The economy reached its lowest point in 1933, however recovery was slow. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 created demand for war materials that brought about the end of the depression.

The Great Depression spurred increased government intervention in the economy in North America. The United States introduced unemployment insurance, a minimum wage and standardised working hours under the New Deal. [16] Canada introduced similar measures. [17] Mexico nationalised some key industries during the Great Depression, with the railroads nationalised by 1937 and the oil industry nationalised in 1938. [18]

World War II

Due to the large scale enlistment of men into armed forces during World War II, women entered the workforce en masse, filling many jobs in manufacturing and technical areas that had previously been closed to women. This led to the "We can do it!" campaign. [19] The economic output in North America increased substantially, with unemployment practically eliminated in the United States. [20] Rationing severely reduced the availability of consumer goods, with the increase in industrial production coming from the demand for war materials. During the peak of World War II activity, nearly 40 per cent of US GDP was devoted to war production. [21]

Cold War

After the 2nd world war, the United States and Russia emerged as the world superpowers with both economies being strong and thus each country wanted to be recognised as a superpower.The relationship between the two countries further deteriorated with the space race.

US-Canada Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA - a new era of economic integration

The Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement of 1989 and the subsequent expansion to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) triggered a dramatic increase in trade between these three countries, with Mexican trade with the United States and Canada increasing threefold. [22] Over 85% of Canadian exports in 2006 went to the United States. [23]

Regional variation

With various climate zones, agricultural products vary from country to country. Job sectors are also different, with industrialized countries having more service workers, and developing countries relying on agriculture.

Trade blocs

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a group of Pacific Rim countries which meet with the purpose of improving economic and political ties. APEC's stated goals are aimed at free and open trade and investments by cutting tariffs between zero and five percent in the Asia-Pacific area for industrialised economies by 2010 and for developing economies by 2020.

The organisation has members from four continents, those from North America are Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Caribbean Community

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was created "To provide dynamic leadership and service, in partnership with Community institutions and Groups, toward the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all". Its secretariat is based in Georgetown, Guyana, South America.

- On January 1, 2006, six members: (Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago) unofficially ushered in the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME).

- At the official signing of the protocol on January 30, 2006, in Jamaica, A further six members: (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) announced their intention to join by the second quarter of 2006. Montserrat, a British Oversees territory is awaiting approval by the United Kingdom. Haiti and the Bahamas have no immediate plans to join.

Central American Free Trade Agreement

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is an agreement between the United States and the Central American countries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The treaty is aimed at promoting free trade between its members. Canada and Mexico are negotiating membership.

North American Free Trade Agreement

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States to eliminate tariffs on goods traded between themselves.

Although currently only a trade agreement, with no supranational bodies or laws as in the European Union, there have been various proposals to move towards a customs union or a North American currency union. It is unknown whether this may eventually develop into a North American Union similar to that of Europe.

Currency

Below is a list of the currencies of North America, with exchange rates between each currency and both the euro and US dollarsas of 20 July 2022. This list may vary as it is not current.

CountryCurrencyworth in euroworth in USD Central bank
Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg  Antigua and Barbuda EC dollar 0.36 0.37 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas Bahamian dollar 0.98 1.00 Central Bank of the Bahamas
Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados Barbadian dollar 0.49 0.50 Central Bank of Barbados
Flag of Belize.svg  Belize Belizean dollar 0.49 0.50 Central Bank of Belize
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Canadian dollar 0.76 0.78 Bank of Canada
Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica Colón 0.001 0.001 Central Bank of Costa Rica
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Cuban convertible peso 0.98 1.00 Central Bank of Cuba
Cuban peso 0.04 0.04
Flag of Dominica.svg  Dominica EC dollar 0.36 0.37 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Peso 0.02 0.02 Central Bank of the Dominican Republic
Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador US dollar 0.98 1.00 Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador
Greenland Danish krone 0.13 0.14 Danmarks Nationalbank
Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada EC dollar 0.36 0.37 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala Quetzal 0.13 0.13 Bank of Guatemala
Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti Gourde 0.008 0.009 Central Bank of Haiti
Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras Lempira 0.04 0.04 Central Bank of Honduras
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica Jamaican dollar 0.006 0.007 Bank of Jamaica
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Mexican peso 0.05 0.05 Bank of Mexico
Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua Córdoba 0.03 0.03 Central Bank of Nicaragua
Flag of Panama.svg  Panama Balboa 0.98 1.00 National Bank of Panama
Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg  Saint Kitts and Nevis EC dollar 0.36 0.37 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Flag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia EC dollar 0.36 0.37 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines EC dollar 0.36 0.37 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago dollar 0.14 0.15 Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag of the United States.svg  United States US dollar 0.98 1.00 Federal Reserve System

Table correct as of 20 July 2022

Economic sectors

Agriculture

Agriculture is very important in Central American and Caribbean nations. In western Canada, in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba, wheat and other various main agricultural products are grown. The U.S. also has many states with significant agriculture production, mainly in the central continental U.S. Mexico produces many tropical fruits and vegetables as well as edible animals.

Manufacturing

North America has developed and its manufacturing sector has grown. In the beginning the European nations were the large manufacturing powers. At the start of the 1950s, the United States was a top manufacturing power, with Canada and Mexico also making significant progress.

Service

In Canada, the US and the Caribbean, service-based employment is a significant percentage of overall employment. Many people work in stores and other retail locations. In Canada more than 70% work in the services sector, with a similar percentage in the United States.

Investment and banking

The United States leads North America in investment and banking. Canada, Mexico and most recently, February 2011, El Salvador is growing in this sector. And smaller economic powers such as Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama are also growing slowly in this sector.

Tourism

Tourism is extremely important for the Caribbean economies, as they contain many beaches and have warm climates. Skiing in Canada and the US is also important. Tourism of national parks and natural landmarks, such as Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon in the United States, and Niagara Falls and Moraine lake in Canada, contribute to the economy in these regions.

See also

Statistics:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of the Bahamas</span>

The economy of the Bahamas is dependent upon tourism and offshore banking. The Bahamas is the richest country in the West Indies and is ranked 14th in North America for nominal GDP. It is a stable, developing nation in the Lucayan Archipelago, with a population of 391,232 (2016). Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth for many years. The slowdown in the Economy of the United States and the September 11 attacks held back growth in these sectors from 2001 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Canada</span>

The economy of Canada is a highly developed mixed economy, with the world's tenth-largest economy as of 2023, and a nominal GDP of approximately US$2.117 trillion. Canada is one of the world's largest trading nations, with a highly globalized economy. In 2021, Canadian trade in goods and services reached $2.016 trillion. Canada's exports totalled over $637 billion, while its imported goods were worth over $631 billion, of which approximately $391 billion originated from the United States. In 2018, Canada had a trade deficit in goods of $22 billion and a trade deficit in services of $25 billion. The Toronto Stock Exchange is the tenth-largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalization, listing over 1,500 companies with a combined market capitalization of over US$3 trillion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Ecuador</span>

The economy of Ecuador is the eighth largest in Latin America and the 69th largest in the world by total GDP. Ecuador's economy is based on the export of oil, bananas, shrimp, gold, other primary agricultural products and money transfers from Ecuadorian emigrants employed abroad. In 2017, remittances constituted 2.7% of Ecuador's GDP. The total trade amounted to 42% of the Ecuador's GDP in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Haiti</span>

Haiti has a free market economy with low labor costs. A republic, it was a French colony before gaining independence in an uprising by its enslaved people. It faced embargoes and isolation after its independence as well as political crises punctuated by foreign interventions and devastating natural disasters. Haiti's estimated population in 2018 was 11,439,646. The Economist reported in 2010: "Long known as the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Haiti has stumbled from one crisis to another since the Duvalier years."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North America</span> Continent in the Northern Hemisphere

North America is a continent in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. The region includes the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Clipperton Island, Greenland, Mexico, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Nicaragua</span>

The economy of Nicaragua is focused primarily on the agricultural sector. Nicaragua itself is the least developed country in Central America, and the second poorest in the Americas by nominal GDP. In recent years, under the administrations of Daniel Ortega, the Nicaraguan economy has expanded somewhat, following the Great Recession, when the country's economy actually contracted by 1.5%, due to decreased export demand in the American and Central American markets, lower commodity prices for key agricultural exports, and low remittance growth. The economy saw 4.5% growth in 2010 thanks to a recovery in export demand and growth in its tourism industry. Nicaragua's economy continues to post growth, with preliminary indicators showing the Nicaraguan economy growing an additional 5% in 2011. Consumer Price inflation have also curtailed since 2008, when Nicaragua's inflation rate hovered at 19.82%. In 2009 and 2010, the country posted lower inflation rates, 3.68% and 5.45%, respectively. Remittances are a major source of income, equivalent to 15% of the country's GDP, which originate primarily from Costa Rica, the United States, and European Union member states. Approximately one million Nicaraguans contribute to the remittance sector of the economy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Panama</span>

The economy of Panama is based mainly on the tourism and services sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of its GDP and accounts for most of its foreign income. Services include banking, commerce, insurance, container ports, and flagship registry, medical and health and tourism. Historically, the Panama Canal was the key source of Panama's income, but its importance has been displaced by the services sector.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Senegal</span>

The economy of Senegal is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fishing and agriculture, which are the main sources of employment in rural areas, despite abundant natural resources in iron, zircon, gas, gold, phosphates, and numerous oil discoveries recently. Senegal's economy gains most of its foreign exchange from fish, phosphates, groundnuts, tourism, and services. As one of the dominant parts of the economy, the agricultural sector of Senegal is highly vulnerable to environmental conditions, such as variations in rainfall and climate change, and changes in world commodity prices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Guyana</span>

The economy of Guyana is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 19.9% in 2021. In 2024, Guyana had a per capita gross domestic product of Int$80,137 and an average GDP growth of 4.2% over the previous decade. Guyana's economy was transformed in 2015 with the discovery of an offshore oil field in the country's waters about 190 km from Georgetown, making the first commercial-grade crude oil draw in December 2019, sending it abroad for refining.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Developed country</span> Country with a developed economy and infrastructure

A developed country, or advanced country, is a sovereign state that has a high quality of life, developed economy, and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less industrialized nations. Most commonly, the criteria for evaluating the degree of economic development are the gross domestic product (GDP), gross national product (GNP), the per capita income, level of industrialization, amount of widespread infrastructure and general standard of living. Which criteria are to be used and which countries can be classified as being developed are subjects of debate. Different definitions of developed countries are provided by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank; moreover, HDI ranking is used to reflect the composite index of life expectancy, education, and income per capita. Another commonly used measure of a developed country is the threshold of GDP (PPP) per capita of at least US$22,000. In 2023, 40 countries fit all four criteria, while an additional 19 countries fit three out of four.

The economies of Canada and the United States are similar because both are developed countries. While both countries feature in the top ten economies in the world in 2022, the U.S. is the largest economy in the world, with US$24.8 trillion, with Canada ranking ninth at US$2.2 trillion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Europe</span>

The economy of Europe comprises about 748 million people in 50 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Asia</span>

The economy of Asia comprises about 4.7 billion people living in 50 different nations. Asia is the fastest growing economic region, as well as the largest continental economy by both GDP Nominal and PPP in the world. Moreover, Asia is the site of some of the world's longest modern economic booms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Belize</span>

The economy of Belize is a small, essentially private enterprise economy that is based primarily on agriculture, tourism, and services. The cultivation of newly discovered oil in the town of Spanish Lookout has presented new prospects and problems for this developing nation. Belize's primary exports are citrus, sugar, and bananas. Belize's trade deficit has been growing, mostly as a result of low export prices for sugar and bananas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Central America</span>

The economy of Central America is the eleventh-largest economy in Latin America, behind Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. According to the World Bank, the nominal GDP of Central America reached 204 billion US dollar in 2010, as recovery from the crisis of 2009, where gross domestic product (GDP) suffered a decline to 3.8%. The major economic sectors are agriculture and tourism, although the industrial sector has shown strong growth, mainly in Panama.

Mexico and the International Monetary Fund are the international relations between Mexico and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Mexico joined the IMF in 1945. As of 2022, Mexico has had 18 numbers of arraignment with the IMF.

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