Land, the first factor, is one of the greatest resources in the United States. Though we must import certain elements, the U.S. is reasonably self-sufficient in many other natural resources. But in order to sustain this level of self-sufficiency, the United States must conserve its natural resources because they are rapidly decreasing. Capital is the second factor influencing economic growth. The ratio therefore stands for the average amount of capital stock each worker uses in his or her job.
Capital goods are the result of production, making it possible to influence their creation.
The key to the creation is saving, and the saving is left up to the consumer. When people cut back on consumption to save and invest, they liberate factors of production to generate new capital. Yet this tactic is not always possible. In some countries, people are so impoverished that they cannot bear to save their money because it would compromise their survival. In these countries there is low investment in capital goods.