Economic Growth
Overview
When an economy grows, more goods and services are produced, incomes rise and living standards usually improve. When it shrinks into recession, jobs vanish, firms close and confidence drains away. Economic growth, measured by real GDP, is the single most watched number in macroeconomics.
In this lesson you will define real GDP, learn what causes an economy to grow or fall into recession, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of growth, follow the consequences of recession for consumers, workers, firms and the government, and evaluate the policies a government can use to promote growth.
Objectives
- real Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- how economic growth may be caused by an increase in total demand, an increase in the quantity of resources or an increase in the quality of resources
- advantages and disadvantages of economic growth
- definition of recession
- how a recession may be caused by a decrease in total demand, a decrease in the quantity of resources or a decrease in the quality of resources
- consequences of recession for consumers, workers, producers/firms and the government
- the range of policies available to promote economic growth and their effectiveness
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Economic Growth. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Economic growth is best measured by the annual percentage change in: A. nominal GDP B. real GDP C. the population D. the price level Answer: B
- A recession is defined as a fall in real GDP for: A. one month B. two consecutive quarters C. one year D. five years Answer: B
- Which of the following would most directly increase the quality of an economy's resources? A. a higher birth rate B. improved education and training C. immigration of workers D. discovery of new oil reserves Answer: B
- Which is a likely disadvantage of rapid economic growth? A. lower unemployment B. higher tax revenue C. more pollution and resource depletion D. higher incomes Answer: C
- During a recession, the government's budget position usually: A. improves as tax revenue rises B. worsens as tax revenue falls and benefit spending rises C. is unaffected D. always moves into surplus Answer: B
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