GRADE 11 ECONOMICS

Chapter 9 : Economic Development Growth and Capital Formation

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Meaning of Economic Development

Economic Development is defined as the increase in per capita income over a long period of time. In other words, economic development is the reduction in unemployment, poverty and income inequality.

Modern Concept: Recently, the concept of economic development has been widened to include not only reduction in poverty, inequality and unemployment but also requires improvement in quality of life which includes cleaner environment, better education, good health and nutrition.

Economic Growth

Economic Growth is defined as the increase in productive capacity of an economy over time. It is a quantitative term as it represents quantitative increase in production of goods and services in an economy over time.

Comparison: Economic Growth vs Economic Development

Economic Growth
  • Quantitative concept
  • Increase in output and income
  • Narrow concept
  • Short-term process
  • Measured by GDP/GNP growth
Economic Development
  • Qualitative and quantitative
  • Improvement in living standards
  • Broader concept
  • Long-term process
  • Measured by HDI, PQLI

Indicators of Economic Development

The indicators of economic development are the changes, which occur in the process of development. The major indicators of economic development are as follows:

1
Real gross national product

Total value of goods and services produced

2
Per capita income

Average income per person in a year

3
Basic human needs

Access to food, shelter, healthcare, education

4
Physical quality of life index

Measures basic literacy, infant mortality, life expectancy

5
Human development index
i Long and healthy life
ii Knowledge
iii Standard of living

Developing Countries

Developing Countries are those countries which have low per capita income compared to developed countries like USA, UK, Japan, etc. In these types of countries, the process of developing is going on but not completed.

Characteristics of Developing Countries

1
Low per capita income

Income below world average levels

2
Mass poverty

Large population living below poverty line

3
High population growth

Rapid population increase straining resources

4
Excessive dependence on agriculture

Large portion of workforce in agriculture

5
Underutilization of natural resources

Resources not fully exploited or managed

6
Unemployment and underemployment

High rates of joblessness and low productivity work

7
Technological backwardness

Limited adoption of modern technology

8
Dualistic economy

Modern and traditional sectors coexist

9
Dependence on primary exports

Reliance on raw material exports

10
Inadequate social services

Poor healthcare, education, and infrastructure

Capital Formation Process

Capital Formation involves making more and more capital goods. It is defined in both narrow and wider sense.

Narrow Sense: Refers to the expenditure on fixed capitals such as machines, tools, etc. over a period of time.
Wider Sense: Includes investment in human capital along with material capital.

Process of Capital Formation

1
Creation of Saving

Generation of surplus income after consumption. Savings come from:

  • Household savings
  • Business profits
  • Government surplus
2
Mobilization of Saving

Channeling savings into financial institutions. Methods include:

  • Banking system
  • Capital markets
  • Financial intermediaries
3
Investment of Saving

Using mobilized savings for productive purposes. Investments in:

  • Machinery and equipment
  • Infrastructure development
  • Human capital formation

Capital Formation Cycle

💰
Savings Creation
🏦
Savings Mobilization
🏭
Investment
📈
Capital Formation

Importance of Capital Formation

Economic Growth

Increases productive capacity of the economy

Employment Generation

Creates jobs through new investments

Technological Progress

Enables adoption of modern technology

Infrastructure Development

Builds essential economic infrastructure

Poverty Reduction

Raises income levels and living standards