Difinition of Economic Growth and Development

2354 Words10 Pages
This essay seeks to define economic development and economic growth. It also seeks to discuss the reason why countries such as Zambia who registering high rates of growth still have alarming levels of poverty. This will be achieved by first defining the key terms in this essay, discuss the characteristics of poverty in Zambia and the reasons why it has remained high despite the country registering high economic growth. In conclusion I hope show that economic growth alone is not sufficient to end poverty. Economic development is any activity that brings about improved living standards. It is the creation of jobs, wealth and improvement in the qu. Economic development can also be described as a process that influences growth and restructuring of an economy to enhance the economic wellbeing of a community. Economic development is defined by Michael Todoro as an increase in the living standards, improvement in self-esteem, needs and freedom from oppression as well as a greater choice (cefims.ac.uk 2013). The most accurate method to measure economic development is the Human development index which takes into account literacy rates and life expectance which affect productivity and could lead to economic growth. Economic growth is the narrower concept than economic development. It is the measure of the increase in a country’s real level national output which can be caused by increase in the quality of resources, increase in the quantity of resources and improvement in technology. In other words it is the measure of increase in the value of goods and services produced by every sector of the economic. Economic growth can be measured by increase in a country’s gross domestic product (cefims.ac.uk 2013). Poverty is all forms of deprivation and hardships. It is lack of sustained access to basic needs of life that is food shelter and clothing. There are two forms of
Open Document