Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Financial Highlights — continued

	Class R
	Year Ended August 31,
	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Net asset value — Beginning of year	$ 13.520	$ 16.450	$ 14.350	$ 12.400	$ 12.460
Income (Loss) From Operations
Net investment income (loss)(1)	$ 0.004	$ (0.004)	$ 0.008	$ 0.033	$ 0.042
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	1.321	(1.761)	3.008	2.547	0.440
Total income (loss) from operations	$ 1.325	$ (1.765)	$ 3.016	$ 2.580	$ 0.482
Less Distributions
From net investment income	$ —	$ —	$ (0.027)	$ (0.034)	$ (0.005)
From net realized gain	(0.535)	(1.165)	(0.889)	(0.596)	(0.537)
Total distributions	$ (0.535)	$ (1.165)	$ (0.916)	$ (0.630)	$ (0.542)
Net asset value — End of year	$14.310	$13.520	$16.450	$14.350	$12.400
Total Return(2)(3)	9.86%	(11.46)%	22.24%	21.46%	4.07%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)	$ 62,885	$ 59,042	$ 70,502	$ 60,480	$ 57,674
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(4)
Expenses (3)	1.38% (5)	1.45% (5)	1.41%	1.47%	1.34%
Net investment income (loss)	0.03%	(0.02)%	0.05%	0.25%	0.35%
Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(6)	—	—	—	—	32%
Portfolio Turnover of the Fund	21%	27%	32%	38%	3% (7)

(1)	Computed using average shares outstanding.
(2)	Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.
(3)	The investment adviser, sub-adviser(s) and administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.04%, 0.01%, 0.01%, 0.04% and 0.07% of average daily net assets for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.
(4)	Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.
(5)	Includes a reduction by the investment adviser of a portion of its adviser fee due to the Fund’s investment in the Liquidity Fund (equal to less than 0.005% of average daily net assets for the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022).
(6)	Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.
(7)	For the period from August 12, 2019 through August 31, 2019 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.
References to Portfolio herein are to Worldwide Health Sciences Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on August 9, 2019 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

17

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth by investing in a worldwide and diversified portfolio of health sciences companies. The Fund offers four classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class C shares are sold at net asset value and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see Note 5). Effective November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. Class I and Class R shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation—The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities (common stocks and exchange-traded funds) listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Foreign Securities and Currencies. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Fund's Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities.

Other. Investments in management investment companies (including money market funds) that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the net asset value as of the close of each business day.

Fair Valuation. In connection with Rule 2a-5 of the 1940 Act, the Trustees have designated the Fund’s investment adviser as its valuation designee. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued by the investment adviser, as valuation designee, at fair value using methods that most fairly reflect the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions—Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income—Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Fund's understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. In consideration of recent decisions rendered by European courts, the Fund has filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in certain European Union countries. These filings are subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings within these countries. Due to the uncertainty as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these reclaims, and the potential timing of payment, no amounts are reflected in the financial statements for such outstanding reclaims. Distributions from investment companies are recorded as dividend income, capital gains or return of capital based on the nature of the distribution.

18

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements  — continued

D  Federal Taxes—The Fund's policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of August 31, 2023, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Expenses—The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

F  Foreign Currency Translation—Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

G  Use of Estimates—The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

H  Indemnifications—Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make at least one distribution annually (normally in December) of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended August 31, 2023 and August 31, 2022 was as follows:

	Year Ended August 31,
	2023	2022
Ordinary income	$ 2,485,613	$20,383,320
Long-term capital gains	$42,169,124	$71,915,435

During the year ended August 31, 2023, distributable earnings was decreased by $1,311,591 and paid-in capital was increased by $1,311,591 due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

19

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements  — continued

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended August 31, 2023, EVM earned $178,083 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $10,136 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended August 31, 2023. The Fund was informed that Morgan Stanley affiliated broker-dealers, which may be deemed to be affiliates of EVM and EVD, also received a portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended August 31, 2023 in the amount of $1,074. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A, Class C and Class R shares (see Note 4) and contingent deferred sales charges (see Note 5).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s organization receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended August 31, 2023, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of EVM.

4  Distribution Plans

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended August 31, 2023 amounted to $1,784,008 for Class A shares.

The Fund also has in effect distribution plans for Class C shares (Class C Plan) and Class R shares (Class R Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class C Plan, the Fund pays EVD amounts equal to 0.75% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $262,910 for Class C shares. The Class R Plan requires the Fund to pay EVD an amount up to 0.50% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. The Trustees of the Trust have currently limited Class R distribution payments to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $155,987 for Class R shares.

Pursuant to the Class C and Class R Plans, the Fund also makes payments of service fees to EVD, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts equal to 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to that class. Service fees paid or accrued are for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. They are separate and distinct from the sales commissions and distribution fees payable to EVD. Service fees paid or accrued for the year ended August 31, 2023 amounted to $87,636 and $155,987 for Class C and Class R shares, respectively.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% generally is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within 12 months of purchase. Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within 12 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Fund was informed that EVD received approximately $2,000 of CDSCs paid by Class C shareholders and no CDSCs paid by Class A shareholders.

6  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $217,064,518 and $321,171,861, respectively, for the year ended August 31, 2023.

21

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements  — continued

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares, including direct exchanges
pursuant to share class conversions for all periods presented, were as follows:

22

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements  — continued

8  Restricted Securities

At August 31, 2023, the Fund owned the following security (representing 0.1% of net assets) which was restricted as to public resale and not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (excluding Rule 144A securities). The Fund has limited registration rights with respect to this security. The value of restricted securities is determined based on valuations provided by brokers when available, or if not available, they are valued by the investment adviser as the Trustees' valuation designee.

9  Line of Credit

The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in a $725 million unsecured revolving line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 24, 2023. Borrowings are made by the Fund solely for temporary purposes related to redemptions and other short-term cash needs. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. In connection with the renewal of the agreement in October 2022, an arrangement fee totaling $150,000 was incurred that was allocated to the participating portfolios and funds. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Fund, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Fund did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended August 31, 2023.

10  Securities Lending Agreement

The Fund has established a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (SSBT) as securities lending agent in which the Fund lends portfolio securities to qualified borrowers in exchange for collateral consisting of either cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Cash collateral is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, a money market fund registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund earns interest on the amount invested but it must pay (and at times receive from) the broker a loan rebate fee computed as a varying percentage of the collateral received. For security loans secured by non-cash collateral, the Fund earns a negotiated lending fee from the borrower. A portion of the income earned by the Fund from its investment of cash collateral, net of rebate fees, and lending fees received is allocated to SSBT for its services as lending agent and the portion allocated to the Fund is presented as securities lending income, net on the Statement of Operations. Non-cash collateral is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund and cannot be sold or re-pledged by the Fund; accordingly, such collateral is not reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund is subject to possible delay in the recovery of loaned securities. Pursuant to the securities lending agreement, SSBT has provided indemnification to the Fund in the event of default by a borrower with respect to a loan. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of cash collateral.

At August 31, 2023, the value of the securities loaned and the value of the collateral received, which exceeded the value of the securities loaned, amounted to $14,620,478 and $15,044,121, respectively. Collateral received was comprised of cash of $13,477,613 and U.S. government and/or agencies securities of $1,566,508. The securities lending transactions have no contractual maturity date and each of the Fund and borrower has the option to terminate a loan at any time.

The following table provides a breakdown of securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the obligations by class of collateral pledged, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of August 31, 2023.

	Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Transactions
	Overnight and Continuous	<30 days	30 to 90 days	>90 days	Total
Exchange-Traded Funds	$13,477,613	$ —	$ —	$ —	$13,477,613

23

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements  — continued

The carrying amount of the liability for collateral for securities loaned at August 31, 2023 approximated its fair value. If measured at fair value, such liability would have been considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 12) at August 31, 2023.

Name	Value, beginning of period	Purchases	Sales proceeds	Net realized gain (loss)	Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	Value, end of period	Dividend income	Shares, end of period
Short-Term Investments
Liquidity Fund	$1,945,086	$87,607,803	$(84,662,436)	$ —	$ —	$4,890,453	$44,243	4,890,453

12  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

•	Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
•	Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
•	Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At August 31, 2023, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund's investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

24

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Growth Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Growth Trust), including the portfolio of investments, as of August 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 31, 2023, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
October 18, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

26

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

The Form 1099-DIV you receive in February 2024 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2023. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals, the dividends received deduction for corporations and capital gains dividends.

Qualified Dividend Income. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the Fund designates approximately $14,335,062, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.

Dividends Received Deduction. Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2023 ordinary income dividends, 45.83% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Capital Gains Dividends. The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended August 31, 2023, $26,894,669 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

27

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

Overview of the Contract Review Process

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), provides, in substance, that the investment advisory agreement between a fund and its investment adviser will continue in effect from year-to-year only if its continuation is approved on an annual basis by a vote of the fund’s board of trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the fund (“independent trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval.

At a meeting held on June 8, 2023, the Boards of Trustees/Directors (collectively, the “Board”) that oversee the registered investment companies advised by Eaton Vance Management or its affiliate, Boston Management and Research (the “Eaton Vance Funds”), including a majority of the independent trustees (the “Independent Trustees”), voted to approve the continuation of existing investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements¹ for each of the Eaton Vance Funds for an additional one-year period. The Board relied upon the affirmative recommendation of its Contract Review Committee, which is a committee exclusively comprised of Independent Trustees. Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Review Committee reviewed information furnished by the adviser and sub-adviser to each of the Eaton Vance Funds (including information specifically requested by the Board) for a series of formal meetings held between April and June 2023, as well as certain additional information provided in response to specific requests from the Independent Trustees as members of the Contract Review Committee. Members of the Contract Review Committee also considered information received at prior meetings of the Board and its committees, to the extent such information was relevant to the Contract Review Committee’s annual evaluation of the investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements.

In connection with its evaluation of the investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements, the Board considered various information relating to the Eaton Vance Funds. This included information applicable to all or groups of Eaton Vance Funds, which is referenced immediately below, and information applicable to the particular Eaton Vance Fund covered by this report (each “Eaton Vance Fund” is referred to below as a “fund”). (For funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolios, references to “each fund” in this section may include information that was considered at the portfolio-level.)

Information about Fees, Performance and Expenses

• A report from an independent data provider comparing advisory and other fees paid by each fund to such fees paid by comparable funds, as identified by the independent data provider (“comparable funds”);

• A report from an independent data provider comparing each fund’s total expense ratio (and its components) to those of comparable funds;

• A report from an independent data provider comparing the investment performance of each fund (including, as relevant, total return data, income data, Sharpe ratios and information ratios) to the investment performance of comparable funds and, as applicable, benchmark indices, over various time periods;

• In certain instances, data regarding investment performance relative to customized groups of peer funds and blended indices identified by the adviser in consultation with the Portfolio Management Committee of the Board (a committee exclusively comprised of Independent Trustees);

•  Comparative information concerning the fees charged and services provided by the adviser and sub-adviser to each fund in managing other accounts (which may include other mutual funds, collective investment funds and institutional accounts) using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing such fund(s), if any;

•  Profitability analyses with respect to the adviser and sub-adviser to each of the funds;

Information about Portfolio Management and Trading

•  Descriptions of the investment management services provided to each fund, as well as each of the funds’ investment strategies and policies;

• The procedures and processes used to determine the value of fund assets, including, when necessary, the determination of “fair value” and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such procedures and processes;

•  Information about the policies and practices of each fund’s adviser and sub-adviser with respect to trading, including their processes for seeking best execution of portfolio transactions;

•  Information about the allocation of brokerage transactions and the benefits, if any, received by the adviser and sub-adviser to each fund as a result of brokerage allocation, including, as applicable, information concerning the acquisition of research through client commission arrangements and policies with respect to “soft dollars”;

•  Data relating to the portfolio turnover rate of each fund and related information regarding active management in the context of particular strategies;

Information about each Adviser and Sub-adviser

•  Reports detailing the financial results and condition of the adviser and sub-adviser to each fund;

28

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

•  Information regarding the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio management and investment research for the funds, and, for portfolio managers and certain other investment professionals, information relating to their responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts, as applicable;

•  Information regarding the adviser’s and its parent company’s (Morgan Stanley’s) efforts to retain and attract talented investment professionals, including in the context of a competitive marketplace for talent, as well as the ongoing unique environment presented by hybrid, remote and other alternative work arrangements;

•  Information regarding the adviser’s compensation methodology for its investment professionals and the incentives and accountability it creates, along with investment professionals’ investments in the fund(s) they manage;

• The Code of Ethics of the adviser and its affiliates and the sub-adviser of each fund, together with information relating to compliance with, and the administration of, such codes;

•  Policies and procedures relating to proxy voting, including regular reporting with respect to fund proxy voting activities;

•  Information regarding the handling of corporate actions and class actions, as well as information regarding litigation and other regulatory matters;

•  Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by the adviser and its affiliates and the sub-adviser of each fund, if any, including descriptions of their various compliance programs and their record of compliance;

•  Information concerning the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of the adviser and its affiliates and the sub-adviser of each fund, if any;

• A description of Eaton Vance Management’s and Boston Management and Research’s oversight of sub-advisers, including with respect to regulatory and compliance issues, investment management and other matters;

Other Relevant Information

•  Information regarding ongoing initiatives to further integrate and harmonize, where applicable, the investment management and other departments of the adviser and its affiliates with the overall investment management infrastructure of Morgan Stanley, in light of Morgan Stanley’s acquisition of Eaton Vance Corp. on March 1, 2021;

•  Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates;

•  Information concerning oversight of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians, fund accountants, and other third-party service providers by the adviser and/or administrator to each of the funds;

•  Information concerning efforts to implement policies and procedures with respect to various recently adopted regulations applicable to the funds, including Rule 12d1-4 (the Fund-of-Funds Rule), Rule 18f-4 (the Derivatives Rule) and Rule 2a-5 (the Fair Valuation Rule);

• For an Eaton Vance Fund structured as an exchange-listed closed-end fund, information concerning the benefits of the closed-end fund structure, as well as, where relevant, the closed-end fund’s market prices (including as compared to the closed-end fund’s net asset value (NAV)), trading volume data, continued use of auction preferred shares (where applicable), distribution rates and other relevant matters;

• The risks which the adviser and/or its affiliates incur in connection with the management and operation of the funds, including, among others, litigation, regulatory, entrepreneurial, and other business risks (and the associated costs of such risks); and

• The terms of each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement.

During the various meetings of the Board and its committees over the course of the year leading up to the June 8, 2023 meeting, the Board received information from portfolio managers and other investment professionals of the advisers and sub-advisers of the funds regarding investment and performance matters, and considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing the funds’ investment objectives. The Board also received information regarding risk management techniques employed in connection with the management of the funds. The Board and its committees evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance and other issues with respect to the funds, and received and participated in reports and presentations provided by Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and Research and fund sub-advisers, with respect to such matters. In addition to the formal meetings of the Board and its committees, the Independent Trustees held regular teleconferences to discuss, among other topics, matters relating to the continuation of investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements.

The Contract Review Committee was advised throughout the contract review process by Goodwin Procter LLP, independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee, with the advice of such counsel, exercised their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each member of the Contract Review Committee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement. In evaluating each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement, including the fee structures and other terms contained in such agreements, the members of the Contract Review Committee were also informed by multiple years of analysis and discussion with the adviser and sub-adviser to each of the Eaton Vance Funds.

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Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

Results of the Contract Review Process

Based on its consideration of the foregoing, and such other information it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described below, the Contract Review Committee concluded that the continuation of the investment advisory agreement between Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (the “Fund”) and Eaton Vance Management (the “Adviser”) and the sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (the “Sub-adviser”), an affiliate of the Adviser, with respect to the Fund, including their respective fee structures, are in the interests of shareholders and, therefore, recommended to the Board approval of each agreement. Based on the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of the investment advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement for the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In considering whether to approve the investment advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement for the Fund, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser.

The Board considered the Adviser’s and the Sub-adviser’s management capabilities and investment processes in light of the types of investments held by the Fund, including the education, experience and number of investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to the Fund. Regarding the Adviser, the Board considered the Adviser’s responsibilities with respect to oversight of the Sub-adviser.  With respect to the Sub-adviser, the Board considered the resources available to the Sub-adviser in fulfilling its duties under the sub-advisory agreement. In particular, the Board considered the abilities and experience of the Adviser’s and the Sub-adviser’s investment professionals in investing in equity securities, particularly in managing health sciences portfolios and in the health care sector more broadly. The Board also considered the international investment capabilities of the Sub-adviser, which is based in London, and the benefits to the Fund of having portfolio management services involving investments in international equities provided by investment professionals located abroad. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and other services, the compensation methods of the Adviser and other factors, including the reputation and resources of the Adviser to recruit and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory investment professionals. In addition, the Board considered the time and attention devoted to the Eaton Vance Funds, including the Fund, by senior management, as well as the infrastructure, operational capabilities and support staff in place to assist in the portfolio management and operations of the Fund, including the provision of administrative services. The Board also considered the business-related and other risks to which the Adviser or its affiliates may be subject in managing the Fund.

The Board considered the compliance programs of the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof, including the Sub-adviser. The Board considered compliance and reporting matters regarding, among other things, personal trading by investment professionals, disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also considered the responses of the Adviser and its affiliates to requests in recent years from regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The Board considered other administrative services provided or overseen by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates, including transfer agency and accounting services. The Board evaluated the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is a part of a large fund complex offering exposure to a variety of asset classes and investment disciplines, as well as the ability, in many cases, to exchange an investment among different funds without incurring additional sales charges.

After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser, taken as a whole, are appropriate and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement.

Fund Performance

The Board compared the Fund’s investment performance to that of comparable funds identified by an independent data provider (the peer group), as well as appropriate benchmark indices and a customized peer group of similarly managed funds. The Board’s review included comparative performance data with respect to the Fund for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2022. In this regard, the Board noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than the median performance of the Fund’s peer group and consistent with the median performance of the Fund’s custom peer group for the three-year period. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than its secondary benchmark index and lower than its primary benchmark index for the three-year period. The Board concluded that the performance of the Fund was satisfactory.

Management Fees and Expenses

The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by the Fund for advisory and administrative services (referred to collectively as “management fees”).  As part of its review, the Board considered the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio for the one-year period ended December 31, 2022, as compared to those of comparable funds, before and after giving effect to any undertaking to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The Board also considered factors that had an impact on the Fund’s total expense ratio relative to comparable funds.

After considering the foregoing information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services are reasonable. 

30

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

Profitability and “Fall-Out” Benefits

The Board considered the level of profits realized by the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof, including the Sub-adviser, in providing investment advisory and administrative services to the Fund and to all Eaton Vance Funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized without regard to marketing support or other payments by the Adviser and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution or other services.

The Board concluded that, in light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates, including the Sub-adviser, are deemed not to be excessive.

The Board also considered direct or indirect fall-out benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates, including the Sub-adviser, in connection with their respective relationships with the Fund, including the benefits of research services that may be available to the Adviser or the Sub-adviser as a result of securities transactions effected for the Fund and other investment advisory clients.

Economies of Scale

In reviewing management fees and profitability, the Board also considered the extent to which the Adviser and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Fund, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Fund increase. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from economies of scale, if any, with respect to the management of any specific fund or group of funds. The Board reviewed data summarizing the increases and decreases in the assets of the Fund and of all Eaton Vance Funds as a group over various time periods, and evaluated the extent to which the total expense ratio of the Fund and the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates may have been affected by such increases or decreases. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the Fund currently shares in the benefits from economies of scale, if any, when they are realized by the Adviser. The Board also concluded that the structure of the advisory fee, which includes breakpoints at several asset levels, will allow the Fund to continue to benefit from any economies of scale in the future.

31

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Liquidity Risk Management Program

The Fund has implemented a written liquidity risk management program (Program) and related procedures to manage its liquidity in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (Liquidity Rule). The Liquidity Rule defines “liquidity risk” as the risk that a fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of the remaining investors’ interests in the fund. The Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors has designated the investment adviser to serve as the administrator of the Program and the related procedures. The administrator has established a Liquidity Risk Management Oversight Committee (Committee) to perform the functions necessary to administer the Program. As part of the Program, the administrator is responsible for identifying illiquid investments and categorizing the relative liquidity of the Fund’s investments in accordance with the Liquidity Rule. Under the Program, the administrator assesses, manages, and periodically reviews the Fund’s liquidity risk, and is responsible for making certain reports to the Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and to notify the Board of Trustees/Directors and the SEC of certain liquidity events specified in the Liquidity Rule. The liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio investments is determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations under the Program.

At a meeting of the Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors on June 7, 2023, the Committee provided a written report to the Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors pertaining to the operation, adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation of the Program, as well as the operation of the highly liquid investment minimum (if applicable) for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 (Review Period). The Program operated effectively during the Review Period, supporting the administrator’s ability to assess, manage and monitor Fund liquidity risk, including during periods of market volatility and net redemptions. During the Review Period, the Fund met redemption requests on a timely basis.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

32

Eaton Vance

Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

August 31, 2023

Management and Organization

Fund Management. The Trustees of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s affairs. The Board members and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Board members hold indefinite terms of office. Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, subject to a prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Under the terms of the Fund’s current Trustee retirement policy, an Independent Trustee must retire and resign as a Trustee on the earlier of: (i) the first day of July following his or her 74th birthday; or (ii), with limited exception, December 31st of the 20th year in which he or she has served as a Trustee. However, if such retirement and resignation would cause the Fund to be out of compliance with Section 16 of the 1940 Act or any other regulations or guidance of the SEC, then such retirement and resignation will not become effective until such time as action has been taken for the Fund to be in compliance therewith. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Board member and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research, “EV” refers to EV LLC, “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “MSIM” refers to Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EV is the trustee of each of EVM and BMR. Each of EVM, BMR, EVD and EV are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley. Each officer affiliated with EVM may hold a position with other EVM affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 126 funds in the Eaton Vance fund complex (including both funds and portfolios in a hub and spoke structure).

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Eaton Vance Funds

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Delivery of Shareholder Documents. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings. Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC. Certain information filed on Form N-PORT may be viewed on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting. From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

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Investment Adviser and Administrator

Eaton Vance Management
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110

Investment Sub-Adviser

Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd.
125 Old Broad Street
London, EC2N 1AR
United Kingdom

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Congress Street, Suite 1
Boston, MA 02114-2016

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
Attn: Eaton Vance Funds
P.O. Box 534439
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4439
(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110

* FINRA BrokerCheck. Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.