Why does economic development vary within a country, and how can poorer regions be helped?
Key Idea 6.4: regional economic development, the changing economic structure of a country (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors), the causes of regional inequality within a country, the role of transnational companies, and the strategies used to reduce regional differences.
A focused answer on Key Idea 6.4 for WJEC GCSE Geography Unit 2: the changing economic structure of a country, the causes of regional inequality, the role of transnational companies, and the strategies used to reduce regional differences in development.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers Key Idea 6.4 of WJEC Unit 2: regional economic development. You need the changing economic structure of a country (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary sectors), the causes of regional inequality within a country, the role of transnational companies (TNCs), and the strategies used to reduce regional differences.
The changing economic structure
The causes of regional inequality
The role of transnational companies
Reducing regional differences
Try this
Q1. Name the four economic sectors. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Primary (extracting raw materials such as farming and mining), secondary (manufacturing), tertiary (services) and quaternary (research, information and high technology).
Q2. Explain one way a government can reduce regional inequality. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Offering grants and tax incentives to firms that locate in poorer regions encourages new jobs and investment there; combined with better transport and retraining, this can start a cycle of growth and help the region catch up with more developed areas.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Unit 2 (Theme 6)4 marksDescribe how the economic structure of a country changes as it develops.Show worked answer →
A short data-response describe question, often with a graph. Reward described changes between sectors.
Early stage. In a poorer country most people work in the primary sector (farming, fishing, mining).
As it develops. Employment shifts to the secondary sector (manufacturing) as industry grows, and then to the tertiary sector (services) and quaternary sector (research and information) in richer countries, while primary employment falls.
Top marks. A clear shift from primary to secondary to tertiary (and quaternary) as a country develops.
WJEC Unit 2 (Theme 6)6 marksExplain the advantages and disadvantages of transnational companies for a host country.Show worked answer →
A short explain question (levels marking). Reward developed points on both sides.
Advantages. TNCs bring investment, jobs, training and new skills and technology, and can boost exports and the wider economy through the multiplier effect.
Disadvantages. Wages and conditions can be poor, much of the profit leaves the country, jobs may be insecure, and there can be environmental damage.
Top band. Explain both advantages and disadvantages and, ideally, reach a balanced judgement.
Related dot points
- Key Idea 6.1: measuring global inequalities, what development means, the economic and social indicators used to measure it (GNI per head, the HDI, birth and death rates, literacy and life expectancy), the limitations of single indicators, and the global pattern of development (the development gap and the LIC, NIC, HIC classification).
A focused answer on Key Idea 6.1 for WJEC GCSE Geography Unit 2: what development means, the economic and social indicators used to measure it, the limitations of single indicators, and the global pattern of development including the development gap and the LIC, NIC and HIC classification.
- Key Idea 6.2: the causes and consequences of uneven development at the global scale and within one low-income country (LIC) and one newly industrialised country (NIC), the physical, economic, historical and political causes, the consequences of uneven development, and the strategies used to reduce the development gap.
A focused answer on Key Idea 6.2 for WJEC GCSE Geography Unit 2: the physical, economic, historical and political causes of uneven development, its consequences within a LIC and a NIC, and the strategies used to reduce the development gap.
- Key Idea 6.3: water resources and their management, the global pattern of water supply and demand, the causes of water surplus and water deficit (scarcity and stress), the impacts of an inadequate water supply, and the strategies used to manage water resources sustainably.
A focused answer on Key Idea 6.3 for WJEC GCSE Geography Unit 2: the global pattern of water supply and demand, the causes of water surplus and deficit, the impacts of an inadequate water supply, and the strategies used to manage water resources sustainably.
- Key Idea 2.2: population and urban change in Wales and the UK, the causes and patterns of population change, the changing provision of retailing and services (decline of high streets, growth of out-of-town and online retail), and the regeneration of urban areas.
A focused answer on Key Idea 2.2 for WJEC GCSE Geography Unit 1: the causes and patterns of population change in Wales and the UK, the changing provision of retailing and services, the decline of high streets and growth of out-of-town and online retail, and urban regeneration.
- Key Idea 7.1 (Theme 7): measuring social development, the difference between economic and social development, the indicators of social development (health, education, gender equality and access to services), and the reasons social development varies within and between countries.
A focused answer on Key Idea 7.1 for WJEC GCSE Geography Unit 2 (Theme 7): the difference between economic and social development, the indicators of social development (health, education, gender equality, access to services), and why social development varies within and between countries.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Geography (Wales) specification (3110) — WJEC (2019)