I think the reason 2% is viewed as low compared to expectations is not understanding how it compounds. 2% means a doubling of the economy in 35 years. 2% mean

I think the reason 2% is viewed as low compared to expectations is not understanding how it compounds. 2% means a doubling of the economy in 35 years. 2% means that in the space of an average lifespan the economy will be almost 5 times larger in real terms. Now granted it won't be distributed evenly but if you told someone that the country will be 5 times more productive by the time their baby is 80 they'll be impressed. That's before you consider the fact many countries have not yet experienced the productivity growth of electricity and computers to their full meaning they can achieve much higher than 2% growth.