Final answer:
Economic growth in low-income countries is often lower than in more developed nations due to higher population growth rates. Despite potential advantages, low-income countries face challenges in improving per capita economic output against rapid population increases. No systematic relationship between population growth and income growth rates has been identified.
Step-by-step explanation:
Economic growth in low-income countries is typically lower than that in developing and industrial nations, mainly due to higher population growth rates. These high growth rates are predominantly found in less economically developed countries in Africa and Asia. While some low-income countries may have potential advantages for future economic growth and worker productivity, the current trend is that their economic output struggles to keep pace with rapidly expanding populations.
The demographic transition model suggests that as countries develop economically, they experience a decline in population growth rates. However, low-income countries are often in the early stages of this transition, with high fertility rates contributing to rapid population growth. This pattern can hamper economic growth per capita because resources and gains need to be spread over a larger population base, potentially slowing improvements in the average standard of living.
A report by the United Nations Development Program points out that there is no systematic relationship between population growth and income growth rates across various developing countries. Nonetheless, economic growth in high-income countries tends to outpace that in low-income countries, where rapid population increases present significant challenges.