A country with rising GDP but stagnant HDI would be described as experiencing which phenomenon?

• A. Economic development
• B. Economic growth
• C. Growth without development
• D. Sustainable development

Answer: (C)

The main idea is the difference between economic growth and human development. GDP rising shows the economy is growing, but development looks at improvements in people’s well-being—health, education, and living standards—captured by the HDI. When GDP climbs while HDI stays the same, the gains from growth aren’t translating into better living conditions for the population. That situation is best described as growth without development.

HDI includes life expectancy, educational attainment, and income per person. If GDP grows but these indicators don’t improve, perhaps because growth is concentrated among a few or channeled into activities that don’t raise well-being, development hasn’t occurred even though the economy is larger.

Economic growth alone isn’t enough to ensure development. Economic development would mean HDI and similar measures rise. Sustainable development would imply meeting present needs while preserving opportunities for the future, which isn’t indicated here.