Cambridge IGCSE Economics: Population and differences in development between countries (0455) – Practice Questions

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs – examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers from your board or school.

This set tests sections 5.3 and 5.4 of the Cambridge IGCSE Economics 0455 syllabus for examination in 2026. All countries and figures are invented. Teaching is in the study guide and the revision notes. Other links: the Cambridge IGCSE Economics hub, the printable checklist and the free diagnostics.

Questions

1. State two factors that could reduce a country’s birth rate. [2]

2. Country S has a population of 8,000,000. In one year there are 152,000 births and 64,000 deaths.

(a) Calculate the birth rate. [1] (b) Calculate the death rate. [1] (c) Calculate the natural increase as a percentage of the population. [1]

3. Country T has a population of 15,000,000. Natural increase is 45,000. Immigration is 90,000 and emigration is 25,000.

(a) Calculate net migration. [1] (b) Calculate the total change in population. [1] (c) Calculate the total change as a percentage of the population, to 2 decimal places. [1] (d) Calculate the closing population. [1]

4. Explain why a country with good healthcare may have a higher death rate than a country with weaker healthcare. [4]

5. The table shows the age and gender distribution of Country J (percentage of total population).

Age group	Males	Females
0-14	12	10
15-64	35	27
65+	7	9

(a) State the percentage of the population aged 65 or over. [1] (b) Calculate the dependency ratio, (aged 0-14 + aged 65+) ÷ aged 15-64 × 100, to 1 decimal place. [2] (c) Describe one feature of the gender distribution of the working-age group and suggest one reason for it. [2] (d) Explain one effect of this age structure on government spending. [3]

6. The table shows total output at different populations in Country K.

Population (millions)	3	6	9	12
Total output (units, billions)	12	30	54	60

(a) Calculate output per head at each population. [2] (b) State the optimum population and give a reason. [2] (c) Explain how new technology could change the optimum population. [2]

7. Discuss whether an ageing population is a problem for an economy. [8]

8. In Country U, GDP grows by 2.6% and population by 1.8%.

(a) Calculate the growth in GDP per head, to 2 decimal places. [2] (b) Explain why most people’s living standards might not improve even if GDP per head rises. [2]

9. Country M has 4 million workers and GDP of 20 billion units. Country N has 9 million workers and GDP of 270 billion units.

(a) Calculate output per worker in each country. [2] (b) Explain two reasons why productivity might differ. [4]

10. Country P has income of 600 million units and saves 4% of it. Country Q has income of 1,000 million units and saves 20% of it.

(a) Calculate saving in each country. [2] (b) Explain how the difference in saving could widen the income gap. [4]

11. In Country R the shares of workers in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors change from 55%, 15% and 30% to 40%, 20% and 40%.

(a) Identify the sector whose share grew most. [1] (b) Explain how this shift could raise average income. [3]

12. Evaluate whether improving education is the best way for a low-income country to narrow its income gap with a higher-income country. [8]

Answers

1. Any two from: higher incomes; more women in education or paid work; wider access to contraception; higher costs of raising children; reliable pensions. First factor [1]; second factor [1]. [2] Examiner insight: Give two separate factors. A repeated idea in different words is likely to earn one mark at most.

2. (a) 152,000 ÷ 8,000,000 × 1,000 = 19 per 1,000 [1] (b) 64,000 ÷ 8,000,000 × 1,000 = 8 per 1,000 [1] (c) (152,000 − 64,000) ÷ 8,000,000 × 100 = 1.1% [1] Examiner insight: State the unit. Rates are per 1,000, while natural increase here is a percentage.

3. (a) 90,000 − 25,000 = +65,000 [1] (b) 45,000 + 65,000 = 110,000 [1] (c) 110,000 ÷ 15,000,000 × 100 = 0.73% [1] (d) 15,000,000 + 110,000 = 15,110,000 [1] Examiner insight: Show each step. A final figure alone gives no way to credit a correct method.

4. Death rate depends on age structure as well as healthcare [1]. A country with good healthcare often has long life expectancy and many elderly people [1]. The elderly are more likely to die in any year [1]. A younger population in a weaker-healthcare country has fewer deaths per 1,000, so its rate can be lower [1]. [4] Examiner insight: A chain that reaches “so the crude rate can be higher” shows the full link. Saying only “old people die” stops short.

5. (a) 7 + 9 = 16% [1] (b) 0-14 share = 12 + 10 = 22 and 15-64 share = 35 + 27 = 62 [1]. (22 + 16) ÷ 62 × 100 = 61.3 [1] (c) Males (35%) outnumber females (27%) in the working ages [1]. Possible reason: male workers migrating in for jobs, or women emigrating [1] (d) Large share aged 65+ (16%) [1]. This raises spending on pensions and healthcare [1]. With a smaller working-age share paying tax, the government may have to raise taxes or borrow [1]. [3] Examiner insight: “Describe” needs figures from the table; “suggest” needs a plausible reason. Each part needs its own point.

6. (a) 4 and 5 units per head [1]; 6 and 5 units per head [1] (b) The optimum is 9 million [1], because output per head is highest at 6 units [1] (c) Technology raises output per worker [1], so output per head is highest at a larger population and the optimum rises [1] Examiner insight: Compare output per head, not total output. Total output is highest at 12 million, but that is not the optimum.

7. Costs: more pension and healthcare spending [1]; fewer workers per pensioner, so higher taxes or borrowing [1]; possible labour shortages [1]. Benefits and offsets: older people spend, volunteer and pass on experience [1]; many can work longer, and care services create jobs [1]; immigration or a later retirement age can fill gaps [1]. Evaluation: the effect depends on whether the economy has high productivity and savings to fund pensions [1]. A judgement that it is a manageable challenge with sound policy, but a serious problem where the working population is shrinking and productivity is low [1]. [8] Examiner insight: Answers with only costs read as description. Evaluation gains credit when it gives conditions and a supported judgement.

8. (a) 1.026 ÷ 1.018 − 1 [1] = 0.79% [1] (b) Averages hide how income is shared, and gains may go to a small group [1]. Prices may also rise as fast as incomes, so real purchasing power does not grow [1]. [2] Examiner insight: A rise in GDP minus a rise in population is a rough shortcut. Dividing the growth factors is the safer method.

9. (a) M: 20 billion ÷ 4 million = 5,000 [1]; N: 270 billion ÷ 9 million = 30,000 [1] (b) Capital: N may have more machinery and technology [1], so each worker produces more [1]. Skills and health: better-educated, healthier workers use equipment well and lose fewer days [1], which raises output per worker [1]. [4] Examiner insight: Each reason needs a link to output per worker. “N is richer” is not a reason.

10. (a) P: 4% × 600 = 24 million [1]; Q: 20% × 1,000 = 200 million [1] (b) Saving funds investment [1]. Q can buy more capital and technology [1], so its productivity and output rise faster [1]. P has little to invest, so its income grows slowly and the gap widens [1]. [4] Examiner insight: Finish the chain from saving to investment to productivity to income. Stopping at “Q saves more” earns little.

11. (a) The tertiary sector (up 10 percentage points) [1] (b) Output per worker is often higher in secondary and tertiary work than in farming or extraction [1], so moving workers raises average output [1]. Wages tend to be higher and less affected by swings in raw-material prices [1]. [3] Examiner insight: Name the change in each sector with figures, then say why the new jobs raise income.

12. For education: raises skills and productivity [1]; helps workers use technology and attract investment [1]; higher incomes then raise saving and tax revenue [1]. Against: results take years, and the cost uses up money that could go to healthcare or capital [1]; skilled workers may emigrate [1]; if there are no jobs or machinery, extra skills raise little output [1]. Evaluation: education works best alongside investment and healthcare [1]. Judgement: it is one of the best long-run options but not the single best, because its value depends on jobs, capital and good health [1]. [8] Examiner insight: “Best way” asks for a comparison. Name at least one alternative and say why it might do better or worse.

Where marks are usually lost

• Leaving out “per 1,000” or the percentage sign.
• Treating immigration as net migration without subtracting emigration.
• Choosing the largest total output as the optimum, not the highest output per head.
• Describing a pyramid without numbers from the table.
• Stating a cause of the development gap without its impact.
• Writing “more people means more growth” with no mention of resources or capital.
• Evaluation that lists points but gives no judgement.

Next steps

• Re-read the revision notes and the study guide.
• Visit the Cambridge IGCSE Economics hub and tick off the printable checklist.
• Take the free 10-minute diagnostics for other topics.
• Book a free trial class: /trial/.

Official syllabus

Cambridge IGCSE Economics 0455 syllabus for examination in 2026, published by Cambridge International, sections 5.3 and 5.4.