Economic Growth, Air Pollution Standards Enforcement and Employment Generation Nexus in the Nigerian Context (original) (raw)

performance could be classified as a growth miracle. This impressive performance resulted in more than eight-fold increase in the country's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita ($377 in 2000 to $3184 in 2014). In spite of this performance unemployment rate in the country has continued to soar. Overall unemployment rate increased persistently from 12.3 percent in 2006 to 23.9 percent in 2011. Youth unemployment has remained consistently high at over 13 percent since 2000. This is an indication of non-inclusive growth. Economic growth is expected to result in several social and economic benefits: these include reduction in poverty, inequality and environmental degradation, as well as increase in education, health, welfare, employment and income. On the other hand, both economic activities and consumption pattern result in costs that could affect inclusive growth and sustainable development. For instance, increased output in Nigeria will result in an increase in carbon monoxide emission. The health effect of carbon monoxide (CO) has two adverse economic implications: first, the health effect of CO could lead to loss of productivity and death; secondly, it leads to higher expenditure on health, lower savings and eventually lower investment which could affect future economic growth. An effective enforcement of existing environmental and air pollution rules could serve the dual purpose of engendering both inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Thus, this study examines the dynamic relationship between economic growth, air pollution standards enforcement and employment generation in Nigeria. The overall objective of this study is to outline the critical relationship between economic growth and the environment and to use the knowledge to make better and wiser decisions that will engender inclusive economic growth. Specifically, this study will address the following objectives: To ascertain the correlation between economic growth and air pollution in Nigeria.