O Level Economics 2281 · Topic 5

Economic development: past paper questions

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

Real questions on economic development

The newest 20 of 91 written questions, plus 91 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

2281/21 · May/June 2026 · Q5d[8]
Discuss whether or not economic growth reduces poverty.
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2281/22 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[4]
Explain two reasons why living standards may be high in Kuwait.
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2281/22 · May/June 2026 · Q2d[8]
Discuss whether or not a larger tertiary sector will increase a country’s economic development.
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2281/22 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[2]
Define ‘birth rate’.
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2281/22 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[4]
Explain two possible benefits of an increase in a country’s birth rate.
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2281/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[2]
Identify two reasons why Japan has a high average age of population.
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2281/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1c[2]
Explain why some young Japanese people emigrate.
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2281/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[4]
Explain two influences on the shape of a country’s population pyramid.
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2281/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4c[6]
Analyse the causes of poverty.
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2281/23 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
Identify two causes of an increase in life expectancy.
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2281/21 · 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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2281/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[2]
Define population pyramid.
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2281/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[4]
Explain two reasons why income may become more unevenly distributed.
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2281/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[4]
Explain two reasons why a country may have a high population growth rate.
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2281/21 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[2]
Identify two benefits an MNC may provide for its home country.
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2281/21 · 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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2281/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1a[1]
Calculate the percentage of the Jordanian labour force employed in the secondary sector.
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2281/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1d[4]
Explain two advantages the Jordanian economy may gain from the mergers between its tourism firms.
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2281/22 · October/November 2024 · Q3d[8]
Discuss whether or not a high level of poverty is likely to exist in a market economic system.
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2281/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4c[6]
Analyse how growth in a country’s tertiary sector can increase its living standards.
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What examiners said

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, 2281/22 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, 2281/22 Q2(d) (Cambridge)

Most of those candidates who answered this question were able to identify several reasons why living standards may differ in cities and rural areas. Most were also able to provide some explanation of the points they made but the analysis tended to be rather limited and some answers were over descriptive. An example of an L2 answer: When looking at who has the better living standards between peop...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 2281/22 Q4(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.

Practise economic development

In the syllabus

5.1 Living standards

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.

5.2 Poverty

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 growth, income improved education, more generous state benefits, progressive taxation, and national minimum wage.

5.3 Population

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 structure The concept of an optimum population. The effects 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.

5.4 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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