Development economics is a branch of macroeconomics that deals with the facts of long term economic growth, using mathematical methods from dynamical systems like differential equations and inter-temporal optimization.

Development economics also includes topics such as third world debt, and the functions of such organisations as the IMF and World Bank. Many economists in this field are interested in ways of promoting stable and sustainable growth in poor countries and areas, by promoting self reliance and education in some of the lowest income countries in the world.

See also Important publications in development economics