Question

1. Assume a closed economy, perfectly elastic labor supply, and linear technol-ogy. Suppose the incremental capital-output ratio (ICOR) is 3, the depreciation rate is 3%, and the gross savings rate is 10%. Use the Harrod-Domar growth equation to determine the rate of growth. What would the gross savings rate have to be to achieve 5% growth? Assuming a perfectly elastic labor supply, state one criticism of this model from an exogenous growth theory viewpoint.

Answer 1

Using the Harrod-Domar growth equation

Growth rate = Saving rate / Capital output ratio

Growth rate = 0.01 / 3

Growth rate = 0.003

Growth rate = 0.3%

Thus, the value of growth rate is 0.3%

When the incremental capital-output ratio is 3, to achieve the 5% growth rate, the gross saving rate is 0.24 or 24%

Exogenous growth: When the labor supply is perfectly elastic, then the exogenous does not allow any factor to substitute

Endogenous growth: When the labor supply is perfectly elastic, theem the exogenous does not lead to address the savings decision or sources of productivity growth.