Ch 31: Growth & Productivity in Economics
About This Chapter
Growth & Productivity in Economics - Chapter Summary
Watch the fun videos in this chapter to get an overview of productivity, including how it can affect and be affected by growth in the economy. Discover how the standard of living can be impacted by real GDP and learn how technology and research and development play a role in productivity. Specific topics include:
- Economic growth
- Standard of living
- Productivity's role in the economy
- Physical capital
- Growth policy
- Economic causes of war
This chapter includes multiple video lessons that are taught by experienced instructors and include illustrations and real-world examples to present key points. Additional resources include transcripts that emphasize vocabulary terms, multiple-choice quizzes and a chapter exam.

1. Economic Growth: How to Raise a Nation's Potential Output
Learn the truth about long run economic growth, including how economists define and illustrate an increase in the potential output of a nation through change in real GDP.

2. How Real GDP per Capita Affects the Standard of Living
Have you ever wondered why some countries are better off than others? In this lesson, explore the concept of real GDP per capita, an economic measure of a nation's standard of living, and discover how population, productivity, and the savings rate effect the standard of living.

3. Productivity: The Economy's Long-Run Growth Engine
Using real-world examples, you'll learn more about what productivity is and four things that determine it within a nation - physical capital, technology, human capital, and natural resources.

4. Investment in Human Capital and Productivity
This lesson explores the education, knowledge and skills of the labor force - what economists call human capital - including how it affects productivity and economic output.

5. Physical Capital: Definition and Effects on Productivity
This lesson explains what physical capital is and why it's important to an economy. Using real-world examples, you'll see how it relates to the process of producing goods and services, which is a major foundation of economic growth.

6. How Technology, Research & Development Affect Productivity
Economists consider productivity to be a nation's long-run growth engine. This lesson explores the connection between technology, research & development, and productivity, using real-world examples.

7. Growth Policy and Economic Productivity
What do savings accounts and promoting education have to do with helping the economy to grow? In this lesson, we will explore government policies that help promote higher long-run economic growth.

8. Economic Causes & Impact of War
Ever wonder why people would even consider fighting a war? Sure, there are causes like liberty and religion, but it may frighten you to hear just how many wars have been fought over money, land, and economics.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Transferring credit to the school of your choice
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Middle School Life Science: Help and Review course
- Introduction to Life Science: Help and Review
- Characteristics & Chemicals of Life: Help and Review
- The Parts of Cells: Help and Review
- DNA Replication & Mutation: Help and Review
- Cell Division & the Cell Cycle: Help and Review
- How Living Organisms Get Energy: Help and Review
- Classification of Organisms: Help and Review
- The Origin & History of Life On Earth: Help and Review
- Genetics & Hereditary Traits: Help and Review
- Genetic Engineering Basics: Help and Review
- Natural Selection & Evolution in Life Science: Help and Review
- Microbiology & Types of Microbes: Help and Review
- Introduction to Ecosystems: Help and Review
- Types of Ecosystems: Help and Review
- Changing Ecosystems: Help and Review
- Invertebrates: Help and Review
- Animal Behavior & Communication: Help and Review
- Mammal Reproduction & Development: Help and Review
- The Cardiovascular System: Help and Review
- The Blood Vessels: Help and Review
- The Digestive System: Help and Review
- The Urinary & Endocrine Systems: Help and Review
- The Muscular System: Help and Review
- The Skeletal System & Connective Tissue: Help and Review
- Sight, Hearing & Other Senses: Help and Review
- Health Issues & Concerns: Help and Review
- Plant Biology & Structure: Help and Review
- How Plants Grow & Reproduce: Help and Review
- Environmental Concerns: Help and Review
- Natural Resources: Help and Review
- American Labor & Consumer Issues
- Bryophytes