As economic development progresses, what shape of curve does income inequality tend to follow?
Correct answer D. Inverted U-shaped
Topic / 24 questions
Characteristics and Institutions of Developing Countries MCQs cover the economic features that distinguish low-income economies, such as dual economies, informal sectors, primary export dependence and low per capita income. They help development economics students and CSS, PMS and lecturer test candidates. Each question shows its correct answer instantly, so you can check concepts as you revise.
Correct answer D. Inverted U-shaped
Correct answer D. Rural cultivators
Correct answer C. Sum of previous gross investment minus depreciation
Correct answer A. Food, raw materials, minerals and organic oils and fats as a percentage of total merchandise exports
Correct answer C. Is the payment above the minimum essential to attract the resources to the market
Correct answer C. All of I, II, III and IV
Correct answer A. A temperate climate
Correct answer B. Ratio of four leading commodities to total merchandise exports
Correct answer D. The rate of growth in real GNP is greater than the rate of growth in the population
Correct answer D. Income earned within a country's boundaries
Correct answer B. Is positively related to development
Correct answer B. A per capita GNP of more than $900
Correct answer C. The rate of growth of real GNP is greater than the rate of growth of population
Correct answer D. Extended family
Correct answer D. The average agricultural family produces a surplus large enough only to supply a small non-agricultural population
Correct answer B. The modern sector increases its output share relative to the traditional sector
Correct answer B. Production is capital intensive
Correct answer B. I, II and III only
Correct answer C. Mexico
Correct answer B. $25
This topic comes from development economics. Questions explain when real GNP per capita rises, what makes a dual economy, with a modern sector alongside a traditional one, and the role of industrialisation in growth. You will also find items on the informal sector, which includes small unregistered businesses and self-employed workers, export commodity concentration ratios that show dependence on a few primary products, and the limited agricultural surplus of farming families in low-income countries. These ideas are central to development economics papers in civil service and lecturer exams.
Pakistan
India
Bangladesh
A dual economy has two distinct sectors side by side: a modern, often urban and industrial sector with higher productivity and wages, and a traditional, often rural and agricultural sector with low productivity. The idea is linked with W. Arthur Lewis's model of development through labour transfer.
The informal sector consists of economic activities that are not registered, regulated or taxed by the state, such as street vendors, small workshops and casual labourers. It provides many jobs in developing countries but usually offers low earnings, little security and limited access to credit.
MCQs360 has 24 MCQs on the characteristics and institutions of developing countries, free with no sign-up and with instant answers. They are useful for revising development economics before CSS, PMS or economics lecturer tests. Many items reward knowing the dual economy model well.
Last reviewed October 2026