Page 27 - Understanding Economics for Class 10

(i) The criterion of per capita income takes into account only the economic aspect of life.
It has nothing to do with the social aspect of life.
(ii) Per capita income criterion is not concerned with non-material things such as pollution
free environment, education, healthcare, sanitation, etc.
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
5. Apart from income, which other six things people look for as important aspects of our
lives?
Ans. (i) Freedom (ii) Sense of security
(iii) Equal treatment (iv) Respect of others
(v) Good working atmosphere (vi) Protection from infectious diseases.
If one gets a job in a far-off place, before accepting it one would try to consider many factors,
apart from income such as facilities for one’s family, working atmosphere or opportunity
to learn, etc.
6. Describe any three features of developed countries.
Ans. Countries which have a wide industrial sector based on modern technology are developed
countries. People in their countries earn higher income which ensures them high standard
of living and better-quality life. Most of these people are engaged in non-agricultural sector.

7. Explain common, different and conflicting developmental goals by giving appropriate
examples.
Ans. Developmental goals may be common, different or conflicting.
(i) Common goals: People’s common goals are regular work, better wages, equal treatment,
freedom, security, friendship, respect of others, etc. These are the things which are
aspired by everyone.
(ii) Different goals: Development does not mean the same thing for every individual. It
varies from person to person. For example, developmental goals of landless rural farmers
may be more days of work and better wages, local school for their children, etc. while
an unemployed youth may aspire for better employment opportunities etc.
(iii) Conflicting goals: Different people could have different as well as conflicting notions
of a country’s development.

8. What is the significance of Human Development Index?
Ans. Human Development Index or HDI is used to measure the level of development of a country.
It is published by UNDP to compare countries on the bases of education levels of the
people, their health status and per capita income.
It is a comprehensive approach and covers all the major aspects of life that are essential
for the development of human beings.

9. Why are the countries of the Middle East not called developed countries inspite of higher
per capita income?
Ans. The countries of the Middle East are small and there is a wide gap between the rich and
the poor. Since these are oil producing countries, they have higher per capita income. But
the wealth available in these countries is not equally distributed among people. As a result,
some are very rich while others are very poor.
10. What is Infant Mortality Rate? Suggest two measures to keep the infant mortality rate low.
Ans. The number of children that die before the age of one year per 1,000 children born live
in a particular year is called Infant Mortality Rate. Kerala has low infant mortality rate
because.

E-18 Economics Class X