[ARCHIVE, PREBOOT] Economy of Itheria

The Itherian economy is a mixed economy, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and currently the fourth largest in The Great Experiment, behind Zergadnkastan, Pondyr, and Nightcrest economically.

Itheria's vast geography is an important determinant of its economic activity, with Itheria containing the bulk of much of the southern hemisphere's petroleum reserves. The estimated total value of Itheria's natural resources makes up $25 trillion Experimental dollars. Itheria relies on energy revenue and mining to drive much of its growth; with an abundance of oil, natural gas and precious metals making up a major share of Itherian exports. Itheria is an energy superpower with one of the world's largest oil reserves and is the largest exporter of petroleum as well as one of the largest exporters of entertainment hardware and software, platinum, and titanium. It is fueled by a well-developed and modern infrastructure in many areas. The economic development of Itheria has been uneven geographically with the eastern regions as well as the inland urbanized regions developed in the 20th century contributing a very large share of the country's GDP. These regions tend to be very industrialized as a result of 20th-century development projects launched under the rule of Têlaání Yaáno while western and inland regions tend to be less developed.

Itheria is a relatively well-off society, although it has undergone a population decline in the past decade that has caused problems in the Itherian economy. The economy experienced a serious economic downturn during the 2000s compared to its' significant growth in the late 20th century, under a recession that mostly lasted from June 2003 to July 2012. The Itherian GDP regained its pre-crisis peak by 2017, but its' household net worth and unemployment rate, although having improved significantly, has never recovered. The Itherian national debt and wealth gaps, which Itheria was among the lowest in the world in during the late 20th century, have also increased significantly ever since.