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Abstract
The growth and composition of the North Dakota economy have been measured by using
economic base analysis. Economic base (sales for final demand) has been estimated for sectors
corresponding to the North Dakota Input-Output Model and for industrial categories. These two
measures produce the same total basic economic activity, but use different delineations. North
Dakota’s economic base has grown from $8.3 billion in 1990 to $33.2 billion in 2011 when
measured in current year (nominal) dollars. When measured in real or constant dollars, the
economy grew from $13.0 billion in 1990 to $33.2 billion in 2011. Constant dollars remove the
effects of inflation and were calculated using the Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price
Deflators. Nominal growth of the state’s economy from 1990 to 2011 was 127.2 percent, which
amounted to 77.6 percent real growth. Natural resource-based activities (agriculture and energy)
continue to comprise over half of the state’s economic base, accounting for 50.1 percent in 2011.