the goldman sachs group , inc . and subsidiaries management 2019s discussion and analysis other principal transactions revenues in the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 3.20 billion for 2016 , 36% ( 36 % ) lower than 2015 , primarily due to significantly lower revenues from investments in equities , primarily reflecting a significant decrease in net gains from private equities , driven by company-specific events and corporate performance . in addition , revenues in debt securities and loans were significantly lower compared with 2015 , reflecting significantly lower revenues related to relationship lending activities , due to the impact of changes in credit spreads on economic hedges . losses related to these hedges were $ 596 million in 2016 , compared with gains of $ 329 million in 2015 . this decrease was partially offset by higher net gains from investments in debt instruments . see note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further information about economic hedges related to our relationship lending activities . net interest income . net interest income in the consolidated statements of earnings was $ 2.59 billion for 2016 , 16% ( 16 % ) lower than 2015 , reflecting an increase in interest expense primarily due to the impact of higher interest rates on other interest-bearing liabilities , interest- bearing deposits and collateralized financings , and increases in total average long-term borrowings and total average interest-bearing deposits . the increase in interest expense was partially offset by higher interest income related to collateralized agreements , reflecting the impact of higher interest rates , and loans receivable , reflecting an increase in total average balances and the impact of higher interest rates . see 201cstatistical disclosures 2014 distribution of assets , liabilities and shareholders 2019 equity 201d for further information about our sources of net interest income . operating expenses our operating expenses are primarily influenced by compensation , headcount and levels of business activity . compensation and benefits includes salaries , discretionary compensation , amortization of equity awards and other items such as benefits . discretionary compensation is significantly impacted by , among other factors , the level of net revenues , overall financial performance , prevailing labor markets , business mix , the structure of our share- based compensation programs and the external environment . in addition , see 201cuse of estimates 201d for further information about expenses that may arise from litigation and regulatory proceedings . in the context of the challenging environment , we completed an initiative during 2016 that identified areas where we can operate more efficiently , resulting in a reduction of approximately $ 900 million in annual run rate compensation . for 2016 , net savings from this initiative , after severance and other related costs , were approximately $ 500 million . the table below presents our operating expenses and total staff ( including employees , consultants and temporary staff ) . .
what portion of total operating expenses is related to compensation and benefits in 2016?
in the table above , other expenses for 2015 included $ 3.37 billion recorded for the settlement agreement with the rmbs working group . see note 27 to the consolidated financial statements in part ii , item 8 of our annual report on form 10-k for the year ended december 31 , 2015 for further information . 2017 versus 2016 . operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 20.94 billion for 2017 , 3% ( 3 % ) higher than 2016 . compensation and benefits expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 11.85 billion for 2017 , 2% ( 2 % ) higher than 2016 . the ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues for 2017 was 37.0% ( 37.0 % ) compared with 38.1% ( 38.1 % ) for 2016 . non-compensation expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 9.09 billion for 2017 , 5% ( 5 % ) higher than 2016 , primarily driven by our investments to fund growth . the increase compared with 2016 reflected higher expenses related to consolidated investments and our digital lending and deposit platform , marcus : by goldman sachs ( marcus ) . these increases were primarily included in depreciation and amortization expenses , market development expenses and other expenses . in addition , technology expenses increased , reflecting higher expenses related to cloud-based services and software depreciation , and professional fees increased , primarily related to consulting costs . these increases were partially offset by lower net provisions for litigation and regulatory proceedings , and lower occupancy expenses ( primarily related to exit costs in 2016 ) . net provisions for litigation and regulatory proceedings for 2017 were $ 188 million compared with $ 396 million for 2016 . 2017 included a $ 127 million charitable contribution to goldman sachs gives , our donor-advised fund . compensation was reduced to fund this charitable contribution to goldman sachs gives . we ask our participating managing directors to make recommendations regarding potential charitable recipients for this contribution . 54 goldman sachs 2017 form 10-k .