According to U.S. estimates annual growth over the years 1966–70 and 1976–80 was as follows: gross national product, 5.2 percent and 2.2 percent; industrial growth, 6.3 percent and 2.6 percent; agriculture, 3.7 percent and 0.8 percent; investment, 6 percent and 4.3 percent. The agricultural performance was even worse than these figures imply: over the years 1971–75 there was negative growth annually of 0.6 percent. Population growth during the period 1966–80 averaged 0.9 percent. There were, however, bright spots: in some defense sectors and the space industry the U.S.S.R. led the world or was on a par with the best foreign producers. But the rest of the economy paid a heavy price for this. Despite huge investments in agriculture, with one ruble in three going into agriculture and agriculture-related industry, output declined.
