Growth vs. Progress — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 16, 2024
Growth refers to an increase in size, quantity, or value, while progress indicates advancement or improvement toward a goal.
Difference Between Growth and Progress
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Growth involves a quantitative increase, such as a company's revenue growth or a child's physical growth. It signifies expansion or accumulation over time. Progress, on the other hand, denotes qualitative improvement or development toward achieving objectives or enhancing conditions. It involves moving forward or making advancements.
Growth can be measured by tangible metrics, whereas progress is often assessed by achievements or improvements in processes, systems, or conditions. Growth might not always imply betterment, but progress inherently suggests positive change or advancement.
Growth focuses on quantity and size, whereas progress emphasizes quality and improvement. While growth can occur without significant progress, meaningful progress often leads to sustainable growth.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Increase in size, quantity, or value
Advancement or improvement
Focus
Quantitative expansion
Qualitative development
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Measurement
Tangible metrics (e.g., revenue, size)
Achievements, advancements
Implication
Expansion or accumulation
Positive change or forward movement
Example (Business)
Increase in market share
Improved operational efficiency
Example (Personal)
Physical growth of a child
Personal development and skills
Compare with Definitions
Growth
Expansion or accumulation over time.
The plant's growth was evident after a few weeks.
Progress
Advancement or development toward a goal.
The team made substantial progress on the project.
Growth
An increase in economic capacity.
Economic growth is a key goal for many governments.
Progress
Positive change or betterment.
Social progress has led to greater equality.
Growth
Improvement in metrics like sales or profits.
The startup achieved 20% growth in its customer base.
Progress
Movement forward or onward.
Progress in technology has revolutionized communication.
Growth
The process of growing.
Progress
Forward or onward movement, as toward a destination
We made little progress on our way home because of the traffic.
Growth
Full development; maturity.
Progress
Development, advancement, or improvement, as toward a goal
The math students have shown great progress.
Growth
Development from a lower or simpler to a higher or more complex form; evolution.
Progress
A ceremonial journey made by a sovereign through that sovereign's realm.
Growth
An increase, as in size, number, value, or strength; extension or expansion
Population growth.
Progress
To move forward or onward
The ship progressed toward the equator.
Growth
Something that grows or has grown
A new growth of grass.
Progress
To develop, advance, or improve
Research progressed on the new vaccine.
Growth
An abnormal mass of tissue, such as a tumor, growing in or on a living organism.
Progress
To increase in scope or severity, as a disease taking an unfavorable course.
Growth
A result of growth; a product
Concerns that are a growth of the new responsibilities.
Progress
Movement or advancement through a series of events, or points in time; development through time.
Testing for the new antidote is currently in progress.
Growth
Expected to have or investing in businesses expected to have higher-than-average increases in revenues and returns
A growth stock.
A growth fund.
Progress
Specifically, advancement to a higher or more developed state; development, growth.
Science has made extraordinary progress in the last fifty years.
Growth
An increase in size, number, value, or strength.
Progress
An official journey made by a monarch or other high personage; a state journey, a circuit.
Growth
(economics) economic growth
Growth was dampened by a softening of the global economy in 2001, but picked up in the subsequent years due to strong growth in China.
Progress
A journey forward; travel.
Growth
An increase in psychological strength or resilience; an increased ability to overcome adversity.
Struggle, disappointment, and criticism all contribute to a person's growth.
Progress
Movement onwards or forwards or towards a specific objective or direction; advance.
The thick branches overhanging the path made progress difficult.
Growth
(biology) The act of growing, getting bigger or higher.
Progress
(intransitive) To move, go, or proceed forward; to advance.
Visitors progress through the museum at their own pace.
Growth
(biology) Something that grows or has grown.
Progress
(intransitive) To develop.
Societies progress unevenly.
Growth
(pathology) An abnormal mass such as a tumor.
Progress
(by extension) To improve; to become better or more complete.
Growth
The process of growing; the gradual increase of an animal or a vegetable body; the development from a seed, germ, or root, to full size or maturity; increase in size, number, frequency, strength, etc.; augmentation; advancement; production; prevalence or influence; as, the growth of trade; the growth of power; the growth of intemperance. Idle weeds are fast in growth.
Progress
(transitive) To expedite.
Growth
That which has grown or is growing; anything produced; product; consequence; effect; result.
Nature multiplies her fertile growth.
Progress
A moving or going forward; a proceeding onward; an advance
Growth
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level;
He proposed an indicator of osseous development in children
Progress
A journey of state; a circuit; especially, one made by a sovereign through parts of his own dominions.
The king being returned from his progresse.
Growth
A progression from simpler to more complex forms;
The growth of culture
Progress
To make progress; to move forward in space; to continue onward in course; to proceed; to advance; to go on; as, railroads are progressing.
Let me wipe off this honorable dew,That silverly doth progress on thy checks.
They progress in that style in proportion as their pieces are treated with contempt.
The war had progressed for some time.
Growth
A process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important;
The increase in unemployment
The growth of population
Progress
To make improvement; to advance.
If man progresses, art must progress too.
Growth
Vegetation that has grown;
A growth of trees
The only growth was some salt grass
Progress
To make progress in; to pass through.
Growth
The gradual beginning or coming forth;
Figurines presage the emergence of sculpture in Greece
Progress
Gradual improvement or growth or development;
Advancement of knowledge
Great progress in the arts
Growth
(pathology) an abnormal proliferation of tissue (as in a tumor)
Progress
The act of moving forward toward a goal
Growth
Something grown or growing;
A growth of hair
Progress
A movement forward;
He listened for the progress of the troops
Growth
An increase in size, quantity, or value.
The company reported significant revenue growth this quarter.
Progress
Develop in a positive way;
He progressed well in school
My plants are coming along
Plans are shaping up
Growth
Physical or biological development.
The child's growth was monitored by the pediatrician.
Progress
Move forward, also in the metaphorical sense;
Time marches on
Progress
Form or accumulate steadily;
Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
Progress
Improvement in conditions or quality.
There has been notable progress in medical research.
Progress
Achievement of milestones or objectives.
The student’s academic progress was commendable.
Common Curiosities
Can growth occur without progress?
Yes, growth can occur without significant progress, such as when size increases but quality does not improve.
Can progress occur without growth?
Yes, progress can occur without growth, such as when processes improve but quantities remain the same.
What does growth refer to?
Growth refers to an increase in size, quantity, or value.
Is growth always positive?
Not necessarily; growth can sometimes lead to challenges or issues if not managed properly.
Is progress always positive?
Generally, yes, progress implies positive change or advancement.
What is an example of progress in business?
An example of progress in business is improved operational efficiency or innovation.
Is growth quantitative or qualitative?
Growth is primarily quantitative.
What does progress indicate?
Progress indicates advancement or improvement toward a goal.
How is growth measured?
Growth is measured using tangible metrics like revenue, size, or quantity.
Can growth lead to progress?
Yes, growth can lead to progress, especially if it is managed to improve quality and efficiency.
How is progress measured?
Progress is measured by achievements, advancements, and improvements.
Can progress lead to growth?
Yes, progress often leads to sustainable growth by enhancing capabilities and efficiencies.
Which is more focused on improvement, growth or progress?
Progress is more focused on improvement and development.
What is an example of growth in business?
An example of growth in business is an increase in market share or sales.
Is progress quantitative or qualitative?
Progress is primarily qualitative.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
