Growth Analysis Formulae ‐ Their Use and Abuse¹

Abstract

The ‘Growth Analysis’ formulae in most common use are derived and all the necessary assumptions involved in their derivation are explained. The dangers of the indiscriminate use of these formulae are highlighted and recommendations are given on the selection of appropriate ones in a given situation. A distinction is made between the traditional technique which involves the calculation of mean growth rates etc. over time periods and an alternative approach which enables a continuous trace of changes with time to be made. The relative merits of both methods are discussed.