Development:

The concept of 'development'  has wider connotation than  the concept of  'growth'. Economic development refers to the process of economic and social transformation that  takes place  in  a country or  in  some parts of the country. Factors  like  literacy, levels of income of the population, inequality, and healthcare facilities are taken  into consideration while talking about development. In  Block 5 of  this course we will analyze issues related to human resource development in detail. Economic growth signifies  the quantitative dimensions while economic development refers to qualitative aspects of progress being made. There are several factors which can  improve quality of life. The most important ones are: improvements  in  literacy and  skill formation, accessibility  to basic needs such as food, drinking water,health, and housing facilities, and availability of infrastructure such as roads, electricity and communication. Some economists have  emphasised both  the productive capacity and  the  distributional  aspects  prevalent in an economy. It  is,  often  argued that economic  growth might benefit some  groups  more  and  faster  thus leading to divisions in societies. Steep inequality in an economy may  stifle the development process of an economy.  

It is worth mentioninuh-at gmyth can take place without development. It has been observed that policies of economic growth  pursued in the  past have not led to equitable development across countries. Within countries also there have been pockets  of  prosperity surrounded  by poverty and  illiteracy.  Three-fourths of the world's population lives in developing countries. In most of these countries, growth is confined to small areas, particularly urban centers and some industrial areas. They most often have a wealthy minority with  vast  levels of  inequality amongst the poor majority. These inequalities are visible in terms of deprivations of various kinds and a very low quality of life. It can be  said that growth can take place in the absence of development due to faulty distributional policies.

It is accepted by policy makers  that development should be multi-dimensional. It should lead  to eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and  dismantling of oppressive social structures.