Chart 2. Growth of GNP, Population, and
GNP per capita, 1980-1995

1. Read the definition of growth rates then use the data from Chart 2, complete the following table:

2. When calculating data trends by country income groups, the low-income country group data are frequently calculated both with and without China and India. This is because China and India are so large that trends in their individual populations, economies, and environments can overshadow trends throughout the remaining countries in the group.

1. Looking at Chart 2, how do the low-income country growth rates with and without China and India compare?
2. What do these comparisons tell you about growth rates of GNP, population, and GNP per capita in China and India?

3. Study the growth rate data from the table you created for question 1. Imagine you are the leader of a country and have pledged to improve the standard of living for your average citizens. Which income group’s GNP growth rate would you try to match? Explain. Which income group’s population growth rate would you try to imitate? Explain. Why would this be a good combination?

4. Looking back at the text and at the growth rate data from the table you created for question 1, argue for or against the following statement:

Raising standards of living in low-income countries depends on one thing only: reducing population growth.