Steady state economy. A steady state economy is an economy of relatively stable size. It features stable population and stable consumption that remain at or below carrying capacity. The term typically refers to a national economy, but it can also be applied to the economic system of a city, a region, or the entire planet. Note that Robert Solow and Trevor Swan applied the term steady state a bit differently in their economic growth model. Their steady state occurs when investment equals depreciation, and the economy reaches equilibrium, which may occur during a period of growth. Physical features[edit] The steady state economy is an entirely physical concept. Economists use gross domestic product or GDP to measure the size of an economy in dollars or some other monetary unit. A steady state economy, therefore, aims for stable or mildly fluctuating levels in population and consumption of energy and materials.
Limits to economic growth[edit] History of the concept[edit] and Policies for the transition[edit] Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy. Global Institute for Tomorrow. Generation Investment Management LLP. The new economics foundation.