The following are the objectives of economic planning EXCEPT

Step 1: Analyze the question You are asked to find the option that is NOT an objective of economic planning. Four options are goals a government wants to achieve, and one is not.

Step 2: The concept Economic planning is the deliberate effort by government to direct and coordinate resources to meet set national goals over a period of time (e.g., Nigeria's National Development Plans). Typical objectives include:

• Rapid and sustained economic growth
• Balanced regional and sectoral development
• Diversification of the economy (reducing over-dependence on oil or agriculture)
• Creation of employment
• Fair or equitable distribution and allocation of resources and income
• Reduction of poverty and inequality
• Price stability and a healthy balance of payments

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Achieving balanced growth: A standard objective, because it ensures that all sectors and regions develop together.
• B. Diversification of the economy: A standard objective, because it reduces dependence on a single product.
• C. Creation of more employment opportunities: A standard objective, because it reduces unemployment.
• D. Equitable allocation of resources: A standard objective, because it promotes fairness and efficient resource use.
• E. Rapid population growth: Not an objective. Planners usually try to manage or control population growth, since very rapid growth strains housing, schools, hospitals, jobs, and per capita income, especially in developing countries.

Step 4: Answer Rapid population growth is a problem that planning tries to address, not a goal it pursues.

Exam tip: In "EXCEPT" questions, look for the option that is a problem or something negative (like rapid population growth, inflation, or unemployment). Planning aims to solve such problems, not promote them.