Similarly, the rate of growth in real gross domestic expenditure changed from minus ½ per cent to positive growth of 3 per cent per annum. Greater confidence was also reflected in a substantial improvement in gross domestic fixed investment, which declined by 2½ per cent per year from 1989 to 1993, but then increased by 7 per cent per year from 1994 to 1998.
One of the emerging weaknesses in the economy is reflected in the decline over these two periods in gross domestic saving as a percentage of gross domestic product, from an annual average of 19 per cent in the first, to 16 per cent in the second period. •  Where the economy failed most was in the creation of jobs.