Neo-Classical Growth Theory
Neo-Classical Growth Theory is a popular theory in economics that correlates economic growth with per-worker investing in physical capital, population size, and productivity. The theory is related to classical growth theory, which states that population and physical capital are the sole determinants of growth. Neo-Classical Growth Theory, on the other hand, suggests that the impact of population on growth depends on the underlying savings rate.
The Neo-Classical Growth Theory suggests that the economy will grow at a steady rate if the long-term average rate of investment is equal to the per-worker growth rate of population size multiplied by the average productivity of capital divided by the labour-force growth rate. This theory explains why some countries experience economic growth while others dont. It is used to explain why a countrys income level and growth rate can differ.
For instance, some countries may invest a higher percentage of their GDP in physical capital than others. This higher rate of investment will lead to these countries experiencing higher economic growth than others that do not invest similarly. This is referred to as “capital deepening”.
Additionally, higher levels of physical capital investment can also increase the average productivity of capital in the economy. A country that has a higher average productivity of capital than others can potentially see a higher growth rate than they would have without the investments.
Neo-Classical Growth Theory also takes into account changes in population size of a country over time. A country with a smaller population often will have a lower growth rate than a country with a large population, as there are fewer people available to produce goods and services. However, a larger population can still lead to higher growth if the productivity of the workforce is greater than that of the smaller population.
Finally, Neo-Classical Growth Theory takes into account the effect of population growth on the economic growth of a country. A higher rate of population growth can increase the demand for goods and services in the economy and thus create more output. On the other hand, a lower rate of population growth can lead to decreasing demand and declining production.
Finally, it is important to understand that the effects of Neo-Classical Growth Theory are not instantaneous. Rather, investments in physical capital take time to pay off and productivity increases may take a while to appear. This means that it is important to look at the long-term trends of the country or region when trying to understand the effects of Neo-Classical Growth Theory.
In conclusion, Neo-Classical Growth Theory is a popular theory among economists that states that economic growth is correlated with per-worker investment in physical capital, population size, and productivity. It is important to note that the effect of these variables on economic growth is not instantaneous, and it takes time for investments in physical capital and increases in productivity to manifest themselves in economic growth. It is also important to understand that applying the principles of Neo-Classical Growth Theory to the economic policies of countries can lead to greater economic growth in the long-term.