Updated November 15, 2023
Difference Between Economic Growth vs Economic Development
Economic growth is the increase in goods & services produced by an economy or nation, considered for a specific period of time. The rise in the country’s output of goods and services is steady and constant. It may be caused by an improvement in the quality of education, improvements in technology, or in any way if there is value addition in goods and services produced by every sector of the economy.
It can be measured as a percentage increase in real gross domestic product where a gross domestic product (GDP) is adjusted by inflation. GDP is the market value of final goods & services which is produced in an economy or nation.
Economic Development focuses on both qualitative and quantitative growth of the economy. It measures all the aspects, which include people in a country becoming wealthier, healthier, better educated, and having greater access to good quality housing. Economic Development can create more opportunities in the sectors of education, healthcare, employment, and the conservation of the environment. It indicates an increase in the per capita income of every citizen. Living standards include safe drinking water, improved sanitation systems, medical facilities, the spread of primary education to improve literacy rate, poverty eradication, balanced transport networks, increased employment opportunities, etc. Quality of living standards is the major indicator of economic development. Therefore, an increase in economic development is necessary for an economy to achieve the status of a Developed Nation.
It can be measured by the Human Development Index, which considers the literacy rates & life expectancy, which affect productivity and could lead to Economic Growth.
Economic Growth vs Economic Development (Infographics)
Below is the top 7 difference between Economic Growth and Economic Development
Key Differences Between Economic Growth vs Economic Development
Both Economic Growth vs Economic Development are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Differences:
- Economic Growth is the increase in the country’s real output in a particular time span. Economic Development is the increase in the level of production in an economy, the enrichment of living standards, and the advancement of technology.
- Economic growth does not consider the Income from the Informal Economy. The Informal economy is unrecorded economic activity. Economic Development considers all formal or informal activities and gives people with low living standards suitable shelter and proper employment.
- Economic Growth does not reflect the depletion of natural resources. Depletion of resources such as pollution, congestion & disease. Governments are under pressure due to environmental issues, mainly global warming. However, Economic Development is concerned with Sustainability, which means meeting the needs of the present without compromising.
- Economic growth is the subset of economic development.
- Economic growth indicates the expansion of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the concept of Economic Growth is related to the developed countries. Economic Development is a broader concept than Economic Growth. Economic Development refers to the increase of the Real National Income of any country’s economic and socio-economic structure over a long period. Economic Development is related to underdeveloped or developing countries of the world.
- Unlike economic development, Economic growth is an automatic process. Meanwhile, economic development is the outcome of planned and result-oriented activities.
- Economic Growth refers to the rise in the value of all the products produced in the economy. It indicates the yearly increase in the country’s GDP, or GNP, in percentage terms. It alludes to a considerable rise in the per-capita national product over a period, i.e. the growth rate of increase in total output should be greater than the population growth rate.
- Economic growth is necessary but not enough to achieve economic development.
- Both Economic Growth vs Economic Development have different indicators for their measurement. Economic Growth can be measured through increased GDP, per capita income, etc. However, Economic Development can be measured through improved life expectancy, infant mortality, literacy, and poverty rates.
Economic Growth vs Economic Development Comparison Table
Below is the topmostComparison between Economic Growth vs Economic Development are as follows –
| The Basis of Comparison |
Economic Development |
Economic Growth |
| Concept | Economic development is a much broader concept than economic growth.
Economic development = Economic Growth + Standard of Living |
Economic Growth is a narrower concept than economic development. |
| Scope | Economic Development is considered a Multidimensional phenomenon because it focuses on the income of the people and the improvement of the living standards of the country’s people. | Economic Growth is considered single-dimensional as it only focuses on the income of the country’s people. |
| Term | Long-term process | Short term process |
| Measurement | Both Qualitative & Quantitative Terms:
HDI (Human Development Index), gender-related index, Human poverty index, infant mortality, literacy rate, etc. |
Quantitative Terms:
Increases in real GDP. |
| Related To | Economic Development is related to Underdeveloped and developing countries of the world. | Economic Growth is related to developed countries of the world. |
| Effect | Qualitative and Quantitative Impact on the Economy. Improve life expectancy, infant, literacy, poverty, and mortality rates. | It has a quantitative impact on the economy. Increase in the indicators like per capita income and GDP, etc. |
| Process Tenor | Continuous process | In a certain period |
Conclusion
However, After examining the above information, we can say that Economic Growth is a subset of Economic development. Economic Development is a bigger concept than economic growth. Economic Development uses various indicators to measure the progress of an economy as a whole. However, Economic growth uses only specific indicators like the gross domestic product, individual income, etc, for the calculation. Economic Growth is often contrasted with Economic Development, which can be defined as the increase in the economic wealth of an economy or nation for the welfare of its residents. Here, you should know that economic growth is essential but not the only condition for economic development.
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