Development vs. Growth — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
Development refers to the process of improving or advancing, while growth signifies an increase in size, quantity, or maturity.
Difference Between Development and Growth
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Development and growth are terms that are often used interchangeably, yet they possess distinct meanings. Development primarily encompasses the processes, changes, and progress that lead to improvement or advancement in various aspects.
Growth, on the other hand, specifically alludes to an increase, whether that's in size, quantity, or maturity. When referring to a living organism, it denotes the process by which it expands and matures.
In the context of economies, development is the advancement of economic and social conditions, entailing complex changes including increased income and education. Growth in this setting, usually refers to an increase in value, such as GDP.
For personal contexts, development touches upon the acquisition of skills, experiences, and maturity, while growth might relate to aspects like emotional or physical changes.
In essence, while development is a broader term denoting improvement and advancement, growth is more specific, highlighting expansion and increase.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Process of improving or advancing
Increase in size, quantity, or maturity
Context
Can be economic, personal, technological, etc.
Often biological, economic, or personal
Measure
Qualitative and quantitative
Primarily quantitative
Implication
Progression and evolution
Expansion
Time Perspective
Can be short-term or long-term
Often denotes a natural and continual process
Compare with Definitions
Development
The act of progressing or evolving towards a better state.
The development of new technology has made life easier.
Growth
The process of increasing in size or amount.
The growth of the plant was rapid in the summer.
Development
The process of constructing or creating something.
The new shopping mall is still under development.
Growth
The act of cultivating or nurturing something.
With proper care, you'll see growth in your investments.
Development
An event or incident that changes a situation.
There's been a new development in the case.
Growth
Expansion or accumulation over a period.
The city has seen considerable growth over the past decade.
Development
The process of developing or being developed
The paintings provide evidence of his artistic development
She traces the development of the novel
Growth
A stage of development or maturity.
He's shown significant growth in his writing skills.
Development
An event constituting a new stage in a changing situation
I don't think there have been any new developments since yesterday
Growth
An increase in economic value or activity.
The company reported a 5% growth in revenue.
Development
The process of converting land to a new purpose by constructing buildings or making use of its resources
Land suitable for development
Growth
The process of growing.
Development
The process of starting to be affected by an ailment or feeling
The development of brittle bones
Growth
Full development; maturity.
Development
The process of treating photographic film with chemicals to make a visible image
Agitation is carried out while a film is processed to ensure even development
Growth
Development from a lower or simpler to a higher or more complex form; evolution.
Development
The process of bringing one's pieces into play in the opening phase of a game
I sought to take advantage of Black's defective development
Growth
An increase, as in size, number, value, or strength; extension or expansion
Population growth.
Development
The application of techniques or technology to the production of new goods or services.
Growth
Something that grows or has grown
A new growth of grass.
Development
The business of constructing buildings or otherwise altering land for new uses.
Growth
An abnormal mass of tissue, such as a tumor, growing in or on a living organism.
Development
A significant event, occurrence, or change
A news story covering the latest developments in the scandal.
Growth
A result of growth; a product
Concerns that are a growth of the new responsibilities.
Development
A group of dwellings built by the same contractor
Bought a condo in a new development built by the river.
Growth
Expected to have or investing in businesses expected to have higher-than-average increases in revenues and returns
A growth stock.
A growth fund.
Development
The organized activity of soliciting donations or grants; fundraising.
Growth
An increase in size, number, value, or strength.
Development
Elaboration of a theme with rhythmic and harmonic variations.
Growth
(economics) economic growth
Growth was dampened by a softening of the global economy in 2001, but picked up in the subsequent years due to strong growth in China.
Development
The central section of a movement in sonata form, in which the theme is elaborated and explored.
Growth
An increase in psychological strength or resilience; an increased ability to overcome adversity.
Struggle, disappointment, and criticism all contribute to a person's growth.
Development
(uncountable) The process of developing; growth, directed change.
The development of this story has been slow.
Growth
(biology) The act of growing, getting bigger or higher.
Development
The process by which a mature multicellular organism or part of an organism is produced by the addition of new cells.
The organism has reached a crucial stage in its development.
Growth
(biology) Something that grows or has grown.
Development
(countable) Something which has developed.
Our news team brings you the latest developments.
Growth
(pathology) An abnormal mass such as a tumor.
Development
A project consisting of one or more commercial or residential buildings.
Growth
The process of growing; the gradual increase of an animal or a vegetable body; the development from a seed, germ, or root, to full size or maturity; increase in size, number, frequency, strength, etc.; augmentation; advancement; production; prevalence or influence; as, the growth of trade; the growth of power; the growth of intemperance. Idle weeds are fast in growth.
Development
The building of such a project.
Growth
That which has grown or is growing; anything produced; product; consequence; effect; result.
Nature multiplies her fertile growth.
Development
(uncountable) The application of new ideas to practical problems (cf. research).
Our development department has produced three new adhesives this year.
Growth
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level;
He proposed an indicator of osseous development in children
Development
The active placement of the pieces, or the process of achieving it.
White's development is good, but black's has been hampered by the pawn on e5.
Growth
A progression from simpler to more complex forms;
The growth of culture
Development
(music) The process by in which previous material is transformed and restated.
Growth
A process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important;
The increase in unemployment
The growth of population
Development
(music) The second section of a piece of music in sonata form, in which the original theme is revisited in altered and varying form.
Growth
Vegetation that has grown;
A growth of trees
The only growth was some salt grass
Development
(math) The expression of a function in the form of a series.
Growth
The gradual beginning or coming forth;
Figurines presage the emergence of sculpture in Greece
Development
The act of developing or disclosing that which is unknown; a gradual unfolding process by which anything is developed, as a plan or method, or an image upon a photographic plate; gradual advancement or growth through a series of progressive changes; also, the result of developing, or a developed state.
A new development of imagination, taste, and poetry.
Growth
(pathology) an abnormal proliferation of tissue (as in a tumor)
Development
The series of changes which animal and vegetable organisms undergo in their passage from the embryonic state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of organization.
Growth
Something grown or growing;
A growth of hair
Development
The act or process of changing or expanding an expression into another of equivalent value or meaning.
Development
The elaboration of a theme or subject; the unfolding of a musical idea; the evolution of a whole piece or movement from a leading theme or motive.
Development
A tract of land on which a number of buildings have been constructed; - especially used for tract on which from two to hundreds of houses have been constructed by a commercial developer{4} for sale to individuals.
Development
Act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining;
He congratulated them on their development of a plan to meet the emergency
They funded research and development
Development
A process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage);
The development of his ideas took many years
The evolution of Greek civilization
The slow development of her skill as a writer
Development
A recent event that has some relevance for the present situation;
Recent developments in Iraq
What a revolting development!
Development
The act of making some area of land or water more profitable or productive or useful;
The development of Alaskan resources
The exploitation of copper deposits
Development
A district that has been developed to serve some purpose;
Such land is practical for small park developments
Development
A state in which things are improving; the result of developing (as in the early part of a game of chess);
After he saw the latest development he changed his mind and became a supporter
In chess your should take care of your development before moving your queen
Development
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level;
He proposed an indicator of osseous development in children
Development
Processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible;
The development and printing of his pictures took only two hours
Development
A specified state of growth or advancement.
The project is still in the early stages of development.
Development
Enhancing and refining existing skills or acquiring new ones.
Professional development courses benefit many employees.
Common Curiosities
Is development always positive?
Not necessarily. Some developments, like in urban areas, can have negative impacts on the environment.
Are development and growth the same?
No, development refers to improvement or advancement, while growth signifies an increase in size or maturity.
Can personal growth lead to personal development?
Yes, personal growth, like gaining experiences, can lead to personal development.
Can a business experience growth without development?
Yes, a business can grow in size or revenue without necessarily improving or advancing its operations.
Is development a continuous process?
It can be. Development can be ongoing, such as in lifelong learning.
Does growth always indicate health in an organism?
Not always. Growth can sometimes be due to unhealthy conditions or diseases.
Is GDP a measure of development or growth?
GDP is primarily a measure of economic growth.
Are there tools to measure personal growth and development?
Yes, assessments, feedback, and self-reflection can gauge personal growth and development.
Can a country have economic growth without development?
Yes, a country might see an increase in GDP (growth) without overall development in living standards.
Can growth be reversed?
In some contexts, yes, like economic downturns. But in biology, certain growth stages, like aging, cannot be reversed.
Do all living things experience growth?
Most living organisms go through stages of growth during their lifespans.
Can growth be artificially induced?
Yes, growth can be stimulated in various ways, like using growth hormones in agriculture.
Is every development beneficial?
Not always. Some developments can have unforeseen negative consequences.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
