Q1. [3] medium thorough-understanding
Two countries have the same per capita income. Country P has monthly citizen incomes of ₹9,500, ₹10,500, ₹9,800, ₹10,000, and ₹10,200. Country Q has monthly citizen incomes of ₹500, ₹500, ₹500, ₹500, and ₹48,000. Which country would most people prefer to live in, and why does average income alone fail to capture this preference?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:22 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Most people would prefer to live in Country P.
Although both countries have the same per capita income, Country P has nearly equal income distribution (₹9,500–₹10,200), while Country Q has extreme inequality — four citizens earn only ₹500 while one earns ₹48,000.
Average income fails to capture this because it hides the distribution of income. In Country Q, the high income of one person pulls up the average, masking the poverty of the majority. As the textbook notes, people also seek security, equal treatment, and freedom — not just higher income. A more equal distribution ensures a better quality of life for most citizens.
Source: Development, Income and Other Criteria / Income and Other Goals — Chapter 1
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Explanation
- Key concept tested: Limitation of per capita income / average income as a development indicator.
- Examiners expect you to: (1) name Country P as the preferred choice, (2) explain why using the idea of income distribution/inequality, and (3) link it to the textbook point that people seek security, equal treatment, etc., beyond just income.
- The example here mirrors the Kerala–Haryana example in the chapter: higher average does not mean better lives for most people.
- Avoid writing a general essay — state the preference, give the numerical reason, then add the conceptual limitation clearly.