Some economists like to think that economics is an objective science, which can be studied in the abstract without reference to its effects on people. Economics is the study of the reasons behind, and the cumulative effects of, human behavior. It is impossible to separate such a study from impacts on real people. Unfortunately, this focus on mathematics can result in real world policy recommendations that cause upheaval and disaster. For example, economic growth is widely recommended as the best cure for poverty.
Economists define growth as an increase in a country's real GDP from year to year.
As such, economic growth is a mathematical abstraction - it is a number created by civil servants and taken largely from tax returns. That said, economic growth can help reduce poverty - provided that it is real growth in goods and services, it is properly managed and if it is not elevated over people as an objective of policy makers. Michael Pierce McKeever, Sr.