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Debate #89 of 447

Should development be judged by human welfare rather than GDP growth?

Asked in 4 years · 2017–2023Appears in:English EssayGovernance & Public PoliciesEconomics
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This debate All debatesIn shortPositionsNewsEvidence (15)Past questions (4)Same themeIs IMF lending a debt trap or a path to recovery for Pakistan?Can Pakistan's industrial sector drive growth and absorb its labour force?Should Pakistan shift its tax burden from indirect to direct taxes?

In short

Examiners want
growth versus development distinction, human development indicators, effects of erratic growth on poor and middle class, sustainability, reforms
Last asked
2023 · CSS Governance & Public Policies · RecommendThere has been fluctuating (declining mostly) economic growth of Pakistan especially since 1990s, adversely impacting governance and social development. In this context, answer… Outline it
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Older UNDP study estimated elite-group privileges at Rs2.66tn, about 8% of GDP at the time. (2020-21)UNDPUNDP frames inequality through the '3 Ps': Power, People and Policy. (2020-21)UNDPPoverty ranged from ~3.5% in Islamabad to 76.9% in Tharparkar in World Bank spatial analysis. (2025)World BankPer-capita income: US$1,901 (FY2025-26)Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
+11 more
Poverty at $3/day: 23.0% (2024)World BankNational poverty estimate: 28.9% (2024-25 HIES)Pakistan Economic SurveyRural poverty: 36.2% (2024-25)Pakistan Economic SurveyPoverty at $3/day vs LMIC: Pakistan 23.0%; LMIC 13.1%. (2024)World Bank WDIGini index of income inequality, Pakistan: 33.5 (29.6 in 2018) (2024)World Bank, World Development Indicators (SI.POV.GINI)Socio-economic determinants of crime in Pakistan, 1973-2014 (ARDL study): Poverty had a positive and significant long-run effect on property crime; income inequality was not significant; police strength had a negative and significant effect on aggregate crime (2017 (data 1973-2014))Anwar, Arshed and Anwar, International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues 7(1), 312-322Income inequality, poverty and crime nexus in Pakistan, 1984-2012: In the long run, poverty, income inequality and inflation have a positive and significant impact on crime (2016 (data 1984-2012))Muhammad Ahad, International Journal of Economics and Empirical Research 4(3), 133-145Pakistan poverty rate HIES: Poverty rate was estimated at 28.9% in FY2024-25 under the national HIES-based measure. (FY2024-25)Pakistan Economic SurveyRural-urban poverty gap: HIES-based poverty was reported at 36.2% in rural areas versus 17.4% in urban areas. (FY2024-25)Pakistan Economic SurveyGini coefficient change: Gini coefficient increased from 28.4 in 2018-19 to 32.7 in 2024-25 in the cited Pakistan survey series. (2018-19 to 2024-25)Pakistan Economic Survey2022 flood poverty effect: World Bank estimated the floods could increase poverty by 3.7–4.0 percentage points, adding 8.4–9.1 million people to poverty. (2022 estimate)World Bank

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2023
CSS · Governance & Public Policies · Recommend

There has been fluctuating (declining mostly) economic growth of Pakistan especially since 1990s, adversely impacting governance and social development. In this context, answer the following:

(a) How Incompatible Economic Growth has impacted the middle and poor segment of the society? Relate it with governance issues.

(b) What kind of Financial Discipline do you suggest for Pakistan including accountability and safeguards against malpractices?

asks for: Pakistan link · a way forward
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(20)
2018
CSS · English Essay · Essay title

Real development should transform people's lives, not just economic statistics.

asks for: give evidence
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2017
PMS · Economics · Take a position

Define Economic Growth and Economic Development. Do you think that Economic Growth is a fundamental ingredient of Economic Development? If yes, substantiate this statement. What are the most common characteristics of Developing Economies like Pakistan?

asks for: define · give evidence · your position · Pakistan link
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(20)