To analyze the figures given for the decline in industrial production during the Great Depression, we need to compare each country's rate of decline. Here is a summary of the data:
- United States: 46.8%
- Great Britain: 16.2%
- Germany: 41.8%
- France: 31.3%
- Sweden: 10.3%
Next, let's break down the implications of these numbers:
1. United States: A very high rate of decline, indicating a substantial impact on industrial production.
2. Great Britain: A moderate decline compared to other countries, indicating some resilience or less reliance on industrial production compared to countries like the United States and Germany.
3. Germany: Another high rate of decline, showing a significant reliance on industrial production, which was heavily hit.
4. France: A notable decline but not as severe as the United States or Germany, still indicating a considerable impact.
5. Sweden: The lowest rate of decline among the listed countries, suggesting that its industrial production was less affected during the Great Depression.
Considering these observations, the conclusion that can most likely be drawn is:
- Sweden did not depend heavily on industrial production. This is because the rate of decline in industrial production for Sweden is significantly lower than in the other countries listed. This lower decline suggests that industrial production was not a major part of Sweden's economy compared to the other countries.
Other statements are less supported by the data:
- Sweden's economy being less stable: This is not directly inferred from the given data on industrial production alone.
- Sweden and Great Britain's economies being similar: The rates of decline do not sufficiently support this statement.
- Sweden having a lower unemployment rate than the United States: Industrial production declines do not directly provide information on unemployment rates.
Therefore, the correct conclusion based on the given figures is: "Sweden did not depend on industrial production."
