Chapter 06 · Governance & regulationDevelopment, Impact & Global Frameworks
Inclusive growth
Definition
Inclusive growth is economic growth that expands opportunity and benefits across groups rather than concentrating gains narrowly.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Inclusive growth” is defined and used.
Overview
What it means in practice
Inclusive growth should be read as a development and impact term. Its meaning depends on the affected population, institutional context, geography, evidence base and power relationships involved.
In practice, users should state whose perspective is being considered, what outcome is intended and what limitations apply. That keeps inclusive growth from becoming a broad claim detached from lived context or evidence.
Why it matters
Inclusive growth matters because development language can influence funding, accountability, rights, participation and claims about impact. Clear wording helps readers distinguish aspiration, programme design, measured outcome and social context.
Common misconception
A common error is to use Inclusive growth as universally positive without examining who benefits, who carries risk and who has voice in the decision.
Review questions
Who is affected, who decides and who is accountable? What evidence supports the claimed outcome? What local context or limitation should shape interpretation?
How it is used
Standard setters, scheme owners, certification bodies, auditors and organisations seeking assurance use “Inclusive growth” in standards, certification, conformity assessment, audits, controls and assurance engagements.
In each case, the user should state the named standard or scheme, version, scope, criteria, assurance level and competent decision-maker; otherwise, the same term may be applied to materially different situations. In this context, it refers to economic growth that expands opportunity and benefits across groups rather than concentrating gains narrowly.