IGCSE Economics 0455 · Topic 5

Economic development: past paper questions

264 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, Analyse, Discuss, Identify, What

Real questions on economic development

The newest 20 of 142 written questions, plus 122 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0455/22 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[2]
Define ‘birth rate’.
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0455/22 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[4]
Explain two possible benefits of an increase in a country’s birth rate.
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0455/23 · May/June 2026 · Q1f[5]
Analyse the relationship between the percentage of energy generated from renewable sources and life expectancy. (f)
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0455/22 · February/March 2026 · Q5d[8]
Discuss whether or not people who emigrate will always enjoy a higher living standard.
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0455/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[2]
Identify two reasons why Japan has a high average age of population.
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0455/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4d[8]
Discuss whether or not an increase in a country’s economic growth rate will increase its HDI value.
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0455/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[2]
Define primary income.
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0455/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[4]
Explain two influences on the shape of a country’s population pyramid.
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0455/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4c[6]
Analyse the causes of poverty.
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0455/23 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
Identify two causes of an increase in life expectancy.
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0455/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[2]
Define population pyramid.
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0455/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[4]
Explain two reasons why income may become more unevenly distributed.
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0455/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[4]
Explain two reasons why a country may have a high population growth rate.
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0455/21 · May/June 2025 · Q5c[6]
Analyse how an increase in investment can result in a rise in a country’s HDI value.
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0455/22 · February/March 2025 · Q1a[1]
Calculate Romania’s current account deficit on its balance of payments in $s.
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0455/22 · February/March 2025 · Q1b[2]
Identify two reasons why Romania’s population fell between 1990 and 2022.
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0455/22 · February/March 2025 · Q5c[6]
Analyse how an ageing population may affect a country’s economic growth rate.
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0455/11 · October/November 2024 · Q23[1]
Which country has experienced the greatest increase in real income during the year?
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0455/12 · October/November 2024 · Q26[1]
Which combination best describes the characteristics of a high-income economy?
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0455/21 · October/November 2024 · Q1a[1]
Calculate the percentage of the population who were foreign nationals living in the UAE.
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What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Some candidates produced balanced assessments of whether emigrants will always enjoy higher living standards. • Many candidates explored a range of potential drawbacks, including weaker family support networks. Limited responses • Some candidates explored a limited range of benefits, such as improved employment opportunities and higher wages, while omitting the drawbacks...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0455/22 Q5(d) (Cambridge)

Most candidates correctly identified gender and age. Also accepted as meaning gender were sex, female and male, women and men, and boys and girls. However, a few answers could not identify any factors displayed in a population pyramid. Common misconceptions were that it measures birth rate and death rate, while some candidates stated that it measures income and wealth.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0455/21 Q2(a) (Cambridge)

This question required candidates to give reasons why income may become more unevenly distributed. Common reasons given were regressive taxes, fall in progressive taxes, unemployment, education provision, level of skills, economic growth and discrimination. The development of the explanation for most of the reasons was poor. Many answers provided factors causing uneven distribution of income rathe...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0455/21 Q2(b) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise economic development

In the syllabus

1 0455.5.1.1 — indicators of living standards Real GDP per head and the Human Development Index (HDI). The components of real GDP and HDI. The advantages a

indicators of living standards Real GDP per head and the Human Development Index (HDI). The components of real GDP and HDI. The advantages and disadvantages of real GDP and HDI.
comparing living standards and income Reasons for differences in living standards and distribution income distribution within and between countries.

2 0455.5.1.2 — comparing living standards and income Reasons for differences in living standards and distribution income distribution within and between co

comparing living standards and income Reasons for differences in living standards and distribution income distribution within and between countries.

3 0455.5.2.1 — definition of absolute and relative poverty The difference between the two terms.

definition of absolute and relative poverty The difference between the two terms.
the causes of poverty The causes of poverty including unemployment, low wages, illness and age.
policies to alleviate poverty and redistribute Policies including those promoting economic income growth, improved education, more generous state benefits, progressive taxation, and national minimum wage.

4 0455.5.2.2 — the causes of poverty The causes of poverty including unemployment, low wages, illness and age.

the causes of poverty The causes of poverty including unemployment, low wages, illness and age.

5 0455.5.2.3 — policies to alleviate poverty and redistribute Policies including those promoting economic income growth, improved education, more generous

policies to alleviate poverty and redistribute Policies including those promoting economic income growth, improved education, more generous state benefits, progressive taxation, and national minimum wage.

6 0455.5.3.1 — the factors that affect population growth Birth rate, death rate, net migration, immigration and emigration.

the factors that affect population growth Birth rate, death rate, net migration, immigration and emigration.
reasons for different rates of population How and why birth rates, death rates and net growth in different countries migration vary between countries.
the effects of changes in the size and The concept of an optimum population. The effects structure of population on different countries of increases and decreases in population size and changes in the age and gender distribution of population. Note: interpretation of a population pyramid is required, but drawing is not.

7 0455.5.3.2 — reasons for different rates of population How and why birth rates, death rates and net growth in different countries migration vary between

reasons for different rates of population How and why birth rates, death rates and net growth in different countries migration vary between countries.

8 0455.5.3.3 — the effects of changes in the size and The concept of an optimum population. The effects structure of population on different countries of i

the effects of changes in the size and The concept of an optimum population. The effects structure of population on different countries of increases and decreases in population size and changes in the age and gender distribution of population. Note: interpretation of a population pyramid is required, but drawing is not.

9 Differences in economic development between countries

differences in economic development Causes and impacts of differences in income; between countries productivity; population growth; size of primary, secondary and tertiary sectors; saving and investment; education; and healthcare.

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