unsustainable growthnoun [ U ]
ukusECONOMICS growth that cannot continue at the same rate without causing economic problems:
In contrast to her past concern about unsustainable growth in the economy, she forecast yesterday that economic growth would be a more sustainable 3%.
NATURAL RESOURCES growth that cannot continue at the same rate without causing environmental problems:
We will never stop degrading the ecosphere unless we tackle capitalism and the unsustainable growth that lies at its core.