econ567 spring 2013, project i - duke university
TRANSCRIPT
DUKE UNIVERSITY ECONOMICS MA
SolowModel&SustainableGrowth Econ567 Spring 2013, Project I
Xiaolu Wang & Ying Guo
March 17, 2013
Computer modeling of Solow Growth Model and the effects of saving rate, population growth rate, and technology level on economic growth.
Abstract
Starting from a static economy where capital, labour and output are fixed, we move on to explore a dynamic economy with capital accumulation. The theoretical framework for this project is Solow’s economic growth model. The major assumptions of the model include 1) a Cobb‐Douglas production function in the form of Y=AKalphaL1‐alpha, 2) fixed technology level A over time, 3) diminishing returns to factor, 4) certain degree of capital depreciation and 5) a constant population growth rate. First, we consider a model without population growth for simplification and discuss the impact of initial capital per person and saving rate on the rate of convergence and steady state level of output. In the subsequent part, population growth is added into the model. Moreover, we explore technology level’s influence on the economy’s steady state level of output and consider possible outcome if technology progresses at a fixed rate. Keywords
Solow Growth Model Saving Rate Population Growth Rate Technology Level Technology Progress
Solow Growth Model1, also known as the neoclassical growth model, brought Solow the 1987 Nobel Prize in Economics. His work was an extension to the 1946 Harrod‐Domar model which introduced a new term, productivity growth. Solow’s model added labour as a factor of production and allowed capital‐labour ratio to change. These refinements allow increasing capital intensity to be distinguished from technological progress. Today, economists still use Solow's sources‐of‐growth accounting to estimate the separate effects on economic growth of technological change, capital, and labor.
I.Objective:
(1) Figure out the mechanism of economic growth via Solow Model; (2) Approaching the equilibrium steady‐state via both simulation and algebra; (3) Optimize a sustainable growth by adjusting economic policy.
II.ModelDevelopment:
1.StaticModel:
(1) Assumption:
Production: Y=Af(K,L), where Capital (K), Labor (L), technology (A) are fixed at a static time point t, so the Level output is fixed as well; Allocation: Y=C+I+G, where Consumption (C) and Investment (I) are the main parts, and Government Expenditure (G) can be ignore sometimes (for simplification). (2) Determination of Output Allocation:
Determined by real interest rate (r) where S=I(r), thus it's the point where real interest rate can make the saving and investment equal each other. Plug in above equations: now we have Y=C+I(r)+G. 2.DynamicModel‐SolowModel:
(1) Assumption:
Production: Y, K, L, A are flexible over time. Production function: Constant Return to Scale (CRS)
So, some properties are implied:
○1 Homogenous of Degree 1(HD1): AF(tK, tL)=tAKalphaL1‐alpha=tY
○2 can be rewritten as: Y/L=AF(K/L, 1)=Af(K/L)
○3 y=Y/L=AF(K/L, 1)=Af(K/L)=Af(k) Excel check:
1 Related resource: Robert Solow won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1987 "for his contribution to theory of economic growth"http://almaz.com/nobel/economics/economics.html
Cobb Douglas production function.
Y=AF(K, L)= AKalpha
L1‐alpha where 0<alpha<1, and alpha is exogeno
Conclusions:
○1 A proportional increase in all the factors will push up the output by the same proportion.
○2 Output per labor can be defined as a function that only depends on capital per labor.
○3 Output per labor as a function of capital per labor faces diminishing returns, as MPPK falls.
2 As the capital‐labor ratio K/L increases, we're adding more machines to each worker. Output per worker Y/L increases at a decreasing rate as capital per worker increases. Since the marginal physical productivity of capital (MPPK) is diminishing. Tell the difference: CRS is "Constant Returns to Scale" and it means when BOTH (or ALL) factors are changed by the same proportion, the change of output is also by the same proportion. "Diminishing Returns" is short for "Diminishing returns to a factor" and it means when a SINGLE factor is changed and holding all others fixed, the output is increasing at decreasing rate. (2) Determination of Output Allocation:
2 The corresponding simulated data is attached in Appendix Table.1
Set initial values Test
A 1.1 1 Y/Y0 2.50 exactly equal to t!!!
alpha 0.6 2 Y/L 4.37917888
t 2.5 K/L 10
K0 100 (Y/L)/((K/L)^alpha) 1.1 exactly equal to A!!!
L0 10
Y0 43.791789 3 K=K 250
Multiply by t L=L0 10
K 250 K/L0 25
L 25 Y/L0 10.9479472
Y 109.47947 diminishing return to factors! (see figure 1)
0
1
2
3
4
5
0 2 4 6 8 10 12Output per worker (Y/L = y)
Capital per worker (K/L = k)
Figure.1theProductionFunction
SimpleModel
C=a1+b1*(Y‐T) a1, a2, b1, b2 are the intercepts and slopes of consumption and investment I=a2+b2*r C is the Consumption function and I is the Investmnent function. i=sy income is partly saved and partly consumed each year. c=(1‐s)y the saving rate (s) is a very important variable in Solow growth model,
since it is the fraction of money saved; i+c=sy+(1‐s)y=y and investment rate (1‐s) can be easily calculated using saving rate (s). Examine? Assume alpha=1/2, we start with equal capital and labor and divide output into consumption and investment equally.
Simple Interpretation:
○1 Economy is growing over time. BasicSolowModel Economy growing by accumulating capital. Capital is accumulated by investment.
○2 Growth rate is falling over time. Capital accumulation alone cannot lead to persistent growth. Other factors should be included to explore a sustainable growth.
(3) Positive resource of growth? Investment and capital accumulation!
○1 Mechanism
i.e., 0 0
0 0 0 0 10 0
...determine distribute affect affecti
K Yk y c i k k
L L
Symbol system
Symbol definition meaning
y y=Y/L output per worker
k k=K/L capital per worker
c c=C/L consumption per worker
i i=I/L investment per worker
*ignore G for simplification
year 1 Year2 Year3 Year4
(unit) (unit) (unit) (unit)
imput Capital(K) 100 150 211.23724 283.90726
Labor(L) 100 100 100 100
Output(Y) 100 122.474487 145.34003 168.49548
Rate of Growth (%) 22.47% 18.67% 15.93%
allocation Consumption (C) 50 61.2372436 72.670015 84.247739
investment (I) 50 61.2372436 72.670015 84.247739
0 0 01 1
( ),
( , )determine distribute
affect affect
Consumption CK L initial Y
Investment money saved sy K Y
○2 Second look at production function y=f(k) CRS production function i=sy Investment function
( ) (( ), . ., ( )
(
y f k s saving ratei sf k i e i investment per worker
i sy k capital labor ratio
)
)
here, k is the existing Stock if capital sf(k)=delta k is the Flow of new capital accumulation in the year (4) Negative resource of growth? Depreciation of Capital!
This is a very reliable assumption, since machine cannot last forever, so it's ture that they will be throw away when they worn out. So even in the most simplified version of Solow growth model, depreciation should be included. Additional assumption:
Depreciation is exogenous, and is set at a constant rate (δ), i.e., a fraction of capital, (δk). Here ‐δk is also a Flow of capital, which should be considered with investment to calculate the total change of capital. (Decreasing of capital per worker caused by worn out of machines. ) (5) Total Changes of capital
( )k sf k k Equilibrium Condition in Solow Model
○1 When sf(k) =δk, additional machinery > depreciating machinery => capital per worker is increasing.
○2 k increases in a decreasing rate => finally, we have sf(k) equals δk.
○3 the level output y is thus determined by the steady‐state equilibrium k.
○4 Tell the difference between Level and Growth, and realize the importance of economic growth. Table comparison We might have an economy with a high level of y output per person, and low growth, i.e., little change in y. See Appendix Table 2. When comparing and deciding where to settle down: choosing the "best" economy It's vaculously true that we would prefer to live in a perfect economy with both a high level of y and a high rate of growth in y; However, there can be a dilemma choosing between a high level and low growth of y vs. a low level and high growth of y. We want the material wealth associated with high levels of y, but how should we treat the power of growth, which can bring us growing wealth. Suppose there are two economies: Economy A has high initial level, with low growth rate; Economy B low initial level, with high growth rate. (*Real GDP per capita measured in dollars.)
The simple little table above is a classical comparison between computer simulation and empirical calculating rules. Details are shown in appendix. My Choice in this case: I guess I will live in Economy A for the first 26 years, and move to Economy B afterwards! =) Since the GDP of A excels B in the first 26 years, but B growth faster and reaches higher level GDP after 27 years. Limitation: It's an unrealistic example. Since no economy in the world can keep growing at a constant rate for many years. For example, China and Japan are two fast‐growing countries. Even though China had some golden period with growth rate over 10%, the historical picture is full of ups and downs; Janpanese is even more aggressive as they did have GDP per capita growth greater than 10% per year in the 50s and 60s, yet fall to th interval of 2% to 10% in the 70s and 80s. All of these enable Japan to almost catch the USA in living standards. And the growth rates in 90s are nasty for both China and Japan, so as for most of the Asian countries.
The Rule Of 70 and The Rule Of 72 Compared
Calculate the years needed to double output
Approximation Rules used:
growth rate Role of 70 Rule of 72 TRUE
A: 1% 70 72 69.659601
B: 10% 7 7.2 7.2631624
Approx err better rule
A: 1% ‐0.340399 ‐2.340399 Rule of 70
B: 10% 0.2631624 0.0631624 Rule of 72
In Figure.3, it shows the proportion of world (countries with data) nominal GDP for the countries with the top 10 highest nominal GDP in 2010 from 1980 to 2010 with IMF projections until 2016. Countries marked with an asterisk are non‐G8 countries. Grey lines show actual US dollar value in trillions. Data is from IMF World Economic Outlook database. Conclusion: While we generally most care about the LEVEL of GDP (output y), the GROWTH (change) of GDP can have a tremendous difference on the level of y in over a period of time. So, pay attention to the percentage change in real GDP per capital! Further Questions… The Solow Model as currently constructed will enable us to explain the LEVEL of y, but not sustained growth in y. We'll have to extend the model to get sustained economic growth. For Sustainable growth, let's see the corresponding Excel sheet and a modified model. 3.SustainableGrowthModel‐solvetheequilibriumcapitalaccumulation
In Model 1 & 2, the models can explain the Level of output y, but not sustained growth in y. Now we extend it to model a sustainable economic growth. (1) How the Level output y is determined by k (equilibrium steady‐state Level of capital‐labor ratio); (2) How k* can be found (both via simulation and algebra). 3.1 Approach 1: Simulation
Y = AKaL1‐a and y = Aka where k = K/L and y = Y/L
Exogenous Variables (set parameters)A 2 technology parameter k capital per worker
alpha (a) 0.6 capital exponent y output per workers 0.4 c consumption per workerδ 0.6 depreciation rate per worker i investment per worker
initial k 6 initial capital-labor ratio δk depreciation per worker
savings rate per worke
Endogenous Variables
We start from a point with more capital per person than equilibrium. As we can see from Figure 4
and 5, capital depreciation exceeds capital accumulation, so that capital per person gradually
decreased to equilibrium point. Since the 32 year, the economy enters a steady growth state with an
equilibrium k* of 2.05309.
definition k=K/L c=(1-s)y i=sy=sf(k) δk=δ(K/L) Δk=i-δk
Year k y %Δy c i δk Δk1 6 5.860312 —— 3.5162 2.3441248 3.6 -1.255882 4.744125 5.090069 -13.14% 3.054 2.0360276 2.846475 -0.810453 3.933678 4.54893 -10.63% 2.7294 1.819572 2.360207 -0.540634 3.393043 4.162782 -8.49% 2.4977 1.6651126 2.035826 -0.370715 3.02233 3.883606 -6.71% 2.3302 1.5534422 1.813398 -0.25996
10 2.271315 3.271873 -1.87% 1.9631 1.3087492 1.362789 -0.0540415 2.106565 3.127338 -0.49% 1.8764 1.2509353 1.263939 -0.01320 2.066329 3.091361 -0.12% 1.8548 1.2365443 1.239798 -0.0032525 2.056224 3.082282 -0.03% 1.8494 1.2329126 1.233735 -0.0008230 2.053669 3.079982 -0.01% 1.848 1.2319929 1.232201 -0.0002131 2.05346 3.079795 -0.01% 1.8479 1.2319179 1.232076 -0.0001632 2.053302 3.079652 0.00% 1.8478 1.231861 1.231981 -0.0001233 2.053182 3.079544 0.00% 1.8477 1.2318177 1.231909 -9.14E-0534 2.05309 3.079462 0.00% 1.8477 1.2317848 1.231854 -6.95E-05
Equilibrium (Steady-state) Condition: Δk=0
y=Aka
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
Figure.4Incomedistributionovertimey c i
3.2 Approach2: Algebra
*
* * *
* *
( )
( )
:
:
. . 0, . ., 0
,
The total change in capital labor ratio is
k sf k k
Our CRS Cobb Douglas production function is
f k Ak
So we have k sAk k
Equilibrium Condition find the k
s t k i e sAk k
sAk k re
* 1
1
1*
:arrange ksA
k reduced form of the Solow ModelsA
In our case, using the same values of exogenous variables: δ=0.6 s=0.4 A=2 alpha=0.6 The calculated equilibrium capital accumulation k* is: k* = (δ/sA)^(1/(1‐alpha))=(0.6/(0.4*2))^(1/(0.6‐1)) =2.052800957 This result agrees with our result in 3.1 in the simulation approach. 3.3 Comparison and Conclusions:
1) Does the initial value of k affect the equilibrium (steady‐state) solution? And Why? The equilibrium solution is not affected by initial value of capital per person since k*= (δ/sA)^(1/alpha‐1). But it could influence the time to converge. Country with a higher initial capital per person takes longer to time to reach the equilibrium status. 2) Compare two economies with different saving rates.
‐2
‐1
0
1
2
3
4
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
Figure.5Capitalandsustainablecondition
i δk Δk
We can see that the country with a higher saving rate converges to a stable economy more quickly and reaches equilibrium with higher output and higher capital per person.
4.SustainableGrowthModel‐population&technologyprogressadded Now we extend it to model a sustainable economic growth with population growth and technology progress. (1) How the Level output y is determined by k (equilibrium steady‐state Level of capital‐labor ratio); (2) How k* can be found (both via simulation and algebra). 4.1 Approach 1: Simulation Equation System Y = AKaL1‐a and yt = Atkt
a where k = K/L and y = Y/L At+1=t*At yt=it+ct it=s*yt Δkt=it‐δkt‐nkt kt+1=kt+Δkt Lt+1=Lt*(1+n)
Economy A B
saving rate 0.3 0.4
Year k y %Δy Δk k y %Δy Δk
1 6 5.8603121 —— ‐1.841906 6 5.8603121 —— ‐1.255875
5 1.9789139 3.0122161 ‐11.08% ‐0.283683 3.0223298 3.8836055 ‐6.71% ‐0.259956
10 1.2006438 2.2319194 ‐3.32% ‐0.05081 2.2713151 3.271873 ‐1.87% ‐0.05404
15 1.0481639 2.0572521 ‐0.88% ‐0.011723 2.1065646 3.1273383 ‐0.49% ‐0.013003
20 1.0120433 2.0144173 ‐0.23% ‐0.002901 2.0663292 3.0913609 ‐0.12% ‐0.003253
25 1.0030428 2.0036492 ‐0.06% ‐0.000731 2.0562244 3.0822815 ‐0.03% ‐0.000822
30 1.0007708 2.0009249 ‐0.01% ‐0.000185 2.0536686 3.0799822 ‐0.01% ‐0.000208
31 1.0005858 2.0007029 ‐0.01% ‐0.000141 2.0534603 3.0797948 ‐0.01% ‐0.000158
32 1.0004452 2.0005342 ‐0.01% ‐0.000107 2.0533021 3.0796524 0.00% ‐0.00012
33 1.0003383 2.000406 ‐0.01% ‐8.12E‐05 2.0531818 3.0795442 0.00% ‐9.14E‐05
34 1.0002571 2.0003085 0.00% ‐6.17E‐05 2.0530904 3.0794619 0.00% ‐6.95E‐05
35 1.0001954 2.0002345 0.00% ‐4.69E‐05 2.0530209 3.0793994 0.00% ‐5.28E‐05
Exogenous Variables (set parameters)
alpha 0.6 capital exponents 0.4δ 0.6
initial A 2t 0n 0.01
initial k 6 initial capital-labor rat δk depreciation per worke
k
initial technology para i investment per workertechnology progress rapopulation growth rate A technology parameter
savings rate per worke y output per workerdepreciation rate per w c consumption per worke
Endogenous Variables
capital per worker
Assuming an annual population growth rate of 1%, the economy would enter a steady state since the 32 year.
We start from point B (Figure 6), where demand for capital, including capital for the newborn and refill for depreciated capital, exceeds savings. As we can see in Figure 7, the capital available for everyone gradually declined and reached the equilibrium point around the 32nd year, where capital accumulation equals the demand for capital injection and the growth of output per capita is nearly zero.
definition k=K/L c=(1-s)y i=sy=sf(k) δk=δ(K/L) Δk=i-δk-nkYear k A y %Δy c i δk nk Δk
1 6 2 5.8603121 —— 3.5161873 2.3441248 3.6 0.06 -1.3158755 2.9217931 2 3.8055696 -6.98% 2.2833418 1.5222278 1.7530758 0.0292179 -0.260066
10 2.1778488 2 3.190411 -1.90% 1.9142466 1.2761644 1.3067093 0.0217785 -0.05232315 2.0195701 2 3.0491961 -0.48% 1.8295176 1.2196784 1.211742 0.0201957 -0.01225920 1.9819245 2 3.0149649 -0.12% 1.808979 1.205986 1.1891547 0.0198192 -0.00298825 1.9727143 2 3.0065505 -0.03% 1.8039303 1.2026202 1.1836286 0.0197271 -0.00073530 1.970445 2 3.004475 -0.01% 1.802684988 1.20179 1.182267 0.0197045 -0.00018131 1.9702636 2 3.0043089 -0.01% 1.802585366 1.2017236 1.1821581 0.0197026 -0.00013732 1.9701264 2 3.0041834 0.00% 1.802510054 1.2016734 1.1820758 0.0197013 -0.00010433 1.9700227 2 3.0040885 0.00% 1.80245312 1.2016354 1.1820136 0.0197002 -7.84E-0534 1.9699442 2 3.0040168 0.00% 1.802410079 1.2016067 1.1819665 0.0196994 -5.93E-0535 1.969885 2 3.0039626 0.00% 1.80237754 1.201585 1.181931 0.0196988 -4.48E-05
Equilibrium (Steady-state) Condition: Δk=0y=Ak alpha
4.2 Approach2: Algebra
In our case, using the same values of exogenous variables: δ=0.6 n=0.01 s=0.4 A=2 alpha=0.6 The calculated equilibrium capital accumulation K* is: k*=((δ+n)/sA)^(1/(alpha‐1))=((0.6+0.01)/(0.4*2))^(1/(0.6‐1)) = 1.969701338 This result agrees with our result in 4.1 in the simulation approach. 4.3 Comparison and Conclusions: 1) Compare countries with population growth and countries without population growth, assuming no technological progress. The country with population growth reaches equilibrium at a similar speed, but with lower capital and output per person with population growth. Therefore, it is sensible for policy‐makers to control population growth as to increase the welfare for everyone.
‐2
0
2
4
6
8
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
Figure.7Capitalandsustainableconditionwithpopulationgrowth
k y Δk
*
* * * *
( )
( )
:
:
. . 0, . ., 0
The total change in capital labor ratio is
k sf k k nk
Our CRS Cobb Douglas production function is
f k Ak
So we have k sAk k nk
Equilibrium Condition find the k
s t k i e sAk k nk
sA
* * * 1
1
1*
( ) , :n
k n k rearrange ksA
nk reduced form of the Solow Model
sA
2) Compare countries with different technological level
We can see that country with higher technology level converges to an equilibrium with higher capital and output per person. It also converges more quickly than the country with lower technology level. Meanwhile, initial capital per person does not affect the final equilibrium status, although the country may converge slower than a country with higher initial capital per person, holding everything else constant. Therefore, it is advisable that a developing country allocates some resources for technology development, even though at the cost of reduction of initial capital per person.
3) A country could not reach a stable growth status if there is also technological progress because the assumption of diminishing returns to capital may not hold. However, the country will enter a situation with constant growth rate of output per capita around the 33rd year.
Economy A B
n 0 0.01
Year k y %Δy k y %Δy
1 6 5.8603121 —— 6 5.86 ——
30 2.0536686 3.0799822 ‐0.01% 1.970445 3 ‐0.01%
31 2.0534603 3.0797948 ‐0.01% 1.9702636 3 ‐0.01%
32 2.0533021 3.0796524 0.00% 1.9701264 3 0.00%
Economy A B C
A 2 4 4
Year k y %Δy k y %Δy k y %Δy
1 6 5.86 —— 6 11.72 —— 4 9.1895868 ——
5 2.9217931 3.81 ‐6.98% 9.178498862 15.13 3.93% 8.1514315 14.08641 6.52%
10 2.1778488 3.19 ‐1.90% 10.62893243 16.52 0.92% 10.333508 16.240846 1.49%
15 2.0195701 3.05 ‐0.48% 11.01374179 16.87 0.23% 10.938061 16.804445 0.36%
20 1.9819245 3.01 ‐0.12% 11.11045244 16.96 0.06% 11.091594 16.945577 0.09%
25 1.9727143 3.01 ‐0.03% 11.13443859 16.98 0.01% 11.129771 16.980549 0.02%
29 1.9706851 3.00 ‐0.01% 11.13974057 16.99 0.00% 11.138215 16.988278 0.01%
30 1.970445 3.00 ‐0.01% 11.14036829 16.99 0.00% 11.139215 16.989193 0.01%
31 1.9702636 3.00 ‐0.01% 11.14084287 16.99 0.00% 11.139971 16.989885 0.00%
32 1.9701264 3.00 0.00% 11.14120166 16.99 0.00% 11.140542 16.990407 0.00%
33 1.9700227 3.00 0.00% 11.14147291 16.99 0.00% 11.140975 16.990803 0.00%
34 1.9699442 3.00 0.00% 11.14167798 16.99 0.00% 11.141301 16.991102 0.00%
Economy A B
t 0.01 0
Year k A y %Δy Δk k A y %Δy Δk
1 6 2 5.86 —— ‐1.31587516 6 2 5.86 —— ‐1.315875
2 4.6841248 2.02 5.10 ‐12.94% ‐0.81657258 4.6841248 2 5.05 ‐13.80% ‐0.836778
5 3.0059918 2.081208 4.03 ‐5.28% ‐0.2223856 2.9217931 2 3.81 ‐6.98% ‐0.260066
10 2.4749671 2.1873705 3.77 0.43% ‐0.00269261 2.1778488 2 3.19 ‐1.90% ‐0.052323
15 2.5873257 2.2989484 4.07 2.00% 0.048402909 2.0195701 2 3.05 ‐0.48% ‐0.012259
20 2.8735617 2.4162179 4.55 2.39% 0.067869331 1.9819245 2 3.01 ‐0.12% ‐0.002988
25 3.2389102 2.5394693 5.14 2.49% 0.080355645 1.9727143 2 3.01 ‐0.03% ‐0.000735
30 3.6637425 2.6690078 5.82 2.51% 0.091947823 1.970445 2 3.00 ‐0.01% ‐0.000181
31 3.7556903 2.6956978 5.96 2.51% 0.094340214 1.9702636 2 3.00 ‐0.01% ‐0.000137
32 3.8500305 2.7226548 6.11 2.51% 0.096775364 1.9701264 2 3.00 0.00% ‐0.000104
33 3.9468059 2.7498814 6.27 2.52% 0.099258359 1.9700227 2 3.00 0.00% ‐7.84E‐05
34 4.0460642 2.7773802 6.42 2.52% 0.101793493 1.9699442 2 3.00 0.00% ‐5.93E‐05
III.MainConclusionsandPolicyAdvice:
According to Solow, a country can enter a stable growth status where capital per person is constant. The main assumptions of Solow model includes Cobb‐Douglas production function, constant technology level, diminishing returns to factor, capital depreciation and population growth. 1. While we generally most care about the LEVEL of GDP (output y), the GROWTH (change) of GDP
can have a tremendous difference on the level of y in over a period of time. So, pay attention to the percentage change in real GDP per capital!
2. The equilibrium solution is not affected by initial value of capital per person since k*= (d/sA)^(1/alpha‐1). But it could influence the time to converge. Country with a higher initial capital per person takes longer to time to reach the equilibrium status.
3. Comparing two economies with different saving rates, we can see that the country with a higher saving rate converges to a stable economy more quickly and reaches equilibrium with higher output and higher capital per person.
4. Compare countries with population growth and countries without population growth, assuming no technological progress. The country with higher population growth reaches equilibrium faster, but with lower capital and output per person with population growth. Therefore, it is sensible for policy‐makers to control population growth as to increase the welfare for everyone.
5. We can see that country with higher technology level converges to equilibrium with higher capital and output per person. It also converges more quickly than the country with lower technology level. Meanwhile, initial capital per person does not affect the final equilibrium status, although the country may converge slower than a country with higher initial capital per person, holding everything else constant. Therefore, it is advisable that a developing country allocates some resources for technology development, even though at the cost of reduction of initial capital per person.
6. A country could not reach a stable growth status if there is also technological progress because the assumption of diminishing returns to capital may not hold. However, the country may enter a situation with constant growth rate of output per capita.
7. Golden rule growth: The idea that with depreciation and growth in the labor force, it is possible to get such a big capital stock that steady state consumption falls. In the golden rule growth equilibrium all of capital’s income is saved and that the interest rate is equal to the growth rate of labor. (the latter one cannot be examined in our model)
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
Figure.10OutputandTechnologicalProgress
output without technological progress
output with technological progress
Appendix
Table.1 Simulation for figure.1
Table.2 Approximation for the basic dynamic models
Table.3 Simulation table for the basic dynamic model
K/L Y/L
0 0
0.5 0.7257294
1 1.1
1.5 1.402967
2 1.6672882
2.5 1.9061483
3 2.1265002
3.5 2.3325637
4 2.5271364
4.5 2.7121905
5 2.8891806
5.5 3.0592171
6 3.2231717
6.5 3.3817438
7 3.5355054
7.5 3.6849317
8 3.8304225
8.5 3.9723183
9 4.1109121
9.5 4.2464581
10 4.3791789
The Rule Of 70 and The Rule Of 72 Compared
Calculate the years needed to double output
Approximation Rules used:
growth rate Role of 70 Rule of 72 TRUE
A: 1% 70 72 69.659601
B: 10% 7 7.2 7.2631624
Approx err better rule
A: 1% ‐0.340399 ‐2.340399 Rule of 70
B: 10% 0.2631624 0.0631624 Rule of 72
Table.4 comparison between simulation results and traditional calculation methods
Economy A B A‐B 35 14166.028 28102.437 ‐13936.41
growth rate 1.00% 10.00% delta 36 14307.688 30912.681 ‐16604.99
Year 37 14450.765 34003.949 ‐19553.18
Current 10000 1000 9000 38 14595.272 37404.343 ‐22809.07
1 10100 1100 9000 39 14741.225 41144.778 ‐26403.55
2 10201 1210 8991 40 14888.637 45259.256 ‐30370.62
3 10303.01 1331 8972.01 41 15037.524 49785.181 ‐34747.66
4 10406.04 1464.1 8941.9401 42 15187.899 54763.699 ‐39575.8
5 10510.101 1610.51 8899.5905 43 15339.778 60240.069 ‐44900.29
6 10615.202 1771.561 8843.6405 44 15493.176 66264.076 ‐50770.9
7 10721.354 1948.7171 8772.6364 45 15648.107 72890.484 ‐57242.38
8 10828.567 2143.5888 8684.9782 46 15804.589 80179.532 ‐64374.94
9 10936.853 2357.9477 8578.905 47 15962.634 88197.485 ‐72234.85
10 11046.221 2593.7425 8452.4788 48 16122.261 97017.234 ‐80894.97
11 11156.683 2853.1167 8303.5668 49 16283.483 106718.96 ‐90435.47
12 11268.25 3138.4284 8129.8219 50 16446.318 117390.85 ‐100944.5
13 11380.933 3452.2712 7928.6616 51 16610.781 129129.94 ‐112519.2
14 11494.742 3797.4983 7697.2438 52 16776.889 142042.93 ‐125266
15 11609.69 4177.2482 7432.4414 53 16944.658 156247.23 ‐139302.6
16 11725.786 4594.973 7130.8135 54 17114.105 171871.95 ‐154757.8
17 11843.044 5054.4703 6788.574 55 17285.246 189059.14 ‐171773.9
18 11961.475 5559.9173 6401.5574 56 17458.098 207965.06 ‐190507
19 12081.09 6115.909 5965.1805 57 17632.679 228761.56 ‐211128.9
20 12201.9 6727.4999 5474.4005 58 17809.006 251637.72 ‐233828.7
21 12323.919 7400.2499 4923.6695 59 17987.096 276801.49 ‐258814.4
22 12447.159 8140.2749 4306.8837 60 18166.967 304481.64 ‐286314.7
23 12571.63 8954.3024 3617.3278 61 18348.637 334929.8 ‐316581.2
24 12697.346 9849.7327 2847.6138 62 18532.123 368422.78 ‐349890.7
25 12824.32 10834.706 1989.614 63 18717.444 405265.06 ‐386547.6
26 12952.563 11918.177 1034.3866 64 18904.619 445791.57 ‐426886.9
27 13082.089 13109.994 ‐27.90541 65 19093.665 490370.73 ‐471277.1
28 13212.91 14420.994 ‐1208.084 66 19284.602 539407.8 ‐520123.2
29 13345.039 15863.093 ‐2518.054 67 19477.448 593348.58 ‐573871.1
30 13478.489 17449.402 ‐3970.913 68 19672.222 652683.44 ‐633011.2
31 13613.274 19194.342 ‐5581.068 69 19868.944 717951.78 ‐698082.8
32 13749.407 21113.777 ‐7364.37 70 20067.634 789746.96 ‐769679.3
33 13886.901 23225.154 ‐9338.254 71 20268.31 868721.65 ‐848453.3
34 14025.77 25547.67 ‐11521.9 72 20470.993 955593.82 ‐935122.8
GDP($)
Calculate GDP doubling time T:
the true time for GDP doubleing in A and B
Linear Insert Method: t is the weight (0<t<1)
Yi*t+Y(i+1)*(1‐t)=2Y0 => Calculate t=(2*Y0‐Y(i+1))/(Yi‐Y(i+1))
T=Ti*t+T(i+1)*(1‐t) here "i" indicates year
Ta= 69.659601 ta= 0.340399
Tb= 7.2631624 tb= 0.7368376