IGCSE Economics (9–1) 0987 · Topic 5

Economic development: past paper questions

82 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2020–2025usually: Explain, Analyse, Discuss, Identify, Calculate

Real questions on economic development

The newest 20 of 42 written questions, plus 40 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0987/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[2]
Identify two reasons why Japan has a high average age of population.
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0987/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1c[2]
Explain why some young Japanese people emigrate.
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0987/22 · 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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0987/21 · May/June 2025 · Q1f[5]
Analyse the relationship between the literacy rate and the percentage of the labour force employed in agriculture.
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0987/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[2]
Define population pyramid.
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0987/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[4]
Explain two reasons why income may become more unevenly distributed.
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0987/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[4]
Explain two reasons why a country may have a high population growth rate.
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0987/21 · 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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0987/22 · May/June 2024 · Q2b[4]
Explain two policy measures which may reduce poverty.
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0987/22 · October/November 2023 · Q1a[1]
Calculate what percentage of Honduran people did not have access to electricity in 2020.
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0987/22 · October/November 2023 · Q1f[5]
Analyse the relationship between the percentage of population living in poverty and life expectancy.
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0987/22 · October/November 2023 · Q2d[8]
Discuss whether or not a country will benefit from diamond mining.
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0987/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4b[4]
Explain two reasons why a government may subsidise food production.
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0987/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4d[8]
Discuss whether or not people living in cities have a higher living standard than those living in rural areas.
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0987/22 · October/November 2023 · Q5a[2]
Identify two benefits of a decrease in a country’s population size.
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0987/21 · May/June 2023 · Q2d[8]
Discuss whether or not an increase in unemployment benefit payments would reduce poverty.
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0987/21 · May/June 2023 · Q3a[2]
Identify two reasons why death rates may vary between countries.
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0987/21 · May/June 2023 · Q3b[4]
Explain two causes of an increase in the size of a country’s labour force.
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0987/22 · May/June 2023 · Q1a[1]
Calculate the number of people who were living in poverty in Guyana in 2020.
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0987/22 · May/June 2023 · Q1f[5]
Analyse the relationship between GDP per head and internet access.
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What examiners said

Most candidates answered this question accurately. However, a small proportion ignored the word ‘percentage’ in the question and some gave the answer as 8.3m. Some even gave an answer of 83m, a figure larger than the total size of Honduras’s population as given in the fact file in the question paper.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0987/22 Q1(a) (Cambridge)

Over time, the quality of numerical data interpretation has improved. There were some strong answers which recognised that the main relationship was an inverse one with the higher the level of poverty, the lower the life expectancy. These answers provided supporting evidence, explained reasons for the negative relationship and recognised there was an exception. Some candidates, however, just repro...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0987/22 Q1(f) (Cambridge)

There were some pleasingly strong answers to this question. These explored a range of possible effects on macroeconomic performance and on working conditions, pollution and on the ability to mine diamonds over time. An example of a Level 3 answer: An increase in diamond mining is likely to increase output and so result in economic growth. Higher output will increase tax revenue and this can be sp...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0987/22 Q2(d) (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.

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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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