Lesson Plan

• Describe how real GDP per capita is used to measure economic growth.
• Explain the relationship between growth rates and changes in living standards using comparative data.
• Analyse the impact of structural change and policy on living standards across different economies.
• Calculate average annual growth rates with the given formula.

• Projector and screen
• Printed data tables (1990‑2020 indicators)
• Calculators
• Student worksheets for graphing and analysis
• Whiteboard and markers
• Laptops or tablets (optional)

Begin with a quick poll: “Which country’s economy has surprised you most in the last 30 years?” Use the responses to highlight rapid growth stories. Review prior knowledge of GDP and living‑standard indicators, then state that today students will compare growth rates with improvements in health and education. Success will be measured by their ability to interpret data and explain why growth does not always translate directly into higher living standards.

1. Do‑now (5'): Calculate the growth rate for a given country using the formula g = ((GDP_t‑GDP_t‑1)/GDP_t‑1) × 100.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Review concepts of economic growth, living standards, and key indicators (GDP per capita, life expectancy, HDI).
3. Data‑analysis activity (15'): In groups, examine the provided country table, plot average annual GDP growth against change in life expectancy, and complete the worksheet.
4. Whole‑class discussion (10'): Groups share findings; discuss catch‑up effect, structural change, and policy implications.
5. Diagram sketch (5'): Students draw the suggested diagram (growth rate vs. Δ life expectancy) and label key trends.
6. Formative check (5'): Exit ticket – one sentence summarising why high growth may not immediately raise living standards.

Recap the main insights: growth rates differ by starting income, improvements in living standards can lag, and complementary policies are essential. Collect exit tickets as a quick retrieval check. For homework, ask students to select another country, gather its 1990‑2020 data, and write a brief analysis linking growth to changes in living standards.