Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Per capita income only shows the average income of a country but ignores how income is distributed and the quality of life of citizens. Sustainable development reveals a further limitation — it questions whether rising income today can be maintained without damaging the environment for future generations.

Example: If a country increases income by over-exploiting forests or burning fossil fuels, its per capita income rises, but natural resources are depleted for future generations. This growth is not sustainable and does not reflect true development.

Thus, rising income must be seen alongside environmental sustainability, health, and education to judge a nation's real progress.

Source: Chapter 1 — Development, sections on Income and Other Criteria & Sustainable Development

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• The question links two concepts: limitations of per capita income and sustainable development — address both clearly.
• Examiners expect: (1) what per capita income misses, (2) how sustainable development adds the environmental/future-generation angle, (3) a concrete example.
• Key phrase to use: "needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."
• Don't confuse this with HDI limitations (that's a different question). Focus specifically on the sustainability angle here.