Prelims 2018 · Economy · Question 48
Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if
Answer
poverty and unemployment increase.
- (a) Industrial output lagging behind agriculture does not by itself negate economic development; sectoral imbalance alone is not the decisive test. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (b) Agricultural output lagging behind industry may create imbalance, but rise in real GNP/per capita GNP can still coexist with development. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (c) If poverty and unemployment increase, growth is not translating into welfare; this is a classic case where higher real GNP does not mean higher economic development. Verdict: Correct.
- (d) Imports growing faster than exports indicates external sector stress, but it does not by itself prove absence of economic development. Verdict: Incorrect.