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# Proportion Between Productive and Unproductive Hands

## Definition

The ratio determining the relative numbers of productive labourers who add
value to materials versus unproductive labourers who provide services without
creating vendible commodities. This proportion depends on the relative size
of funds for maintaining productive versus unproductive hands, and determines
whether a country tends toward industry or idleness.

## Source Chapter

Book II, Chapter 3

## Context

The central analytical relationship in the chapter, showing how the division
of annual produce between capital replacement and revenue affects the overall
productive capacity and economic character of a nation.

## Economic Domain

General Theory

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