Developed countries sometimes prevent investment in rural areas while developing countries often encourage rural development. Consider why this might be so.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Developed countries: explanation of why they prevent development, e.g. protection of environment, costs of development. Developing countries: explanation of encouragement of development of rural areas, e.g. to increase employment, raising GDP.
2. Level 4 (9-12 marks): for a sound explanation and a clear understanding of the different issues involved in both circumstances.
3. Discussion of the weakness of using GDP can be partly overcome by using real GDP per capita but it omits social issues – education, health, sanitation, working hours – doesn't include unpaid work, informal economy, quality of goods, types of goods, environmental issues, distribution of income, sustainability. These qualitative factors are considered with other indicators.
4. Level 4 (9-13 marks): for a sound explanation and discussion with good illustrations and a clear understanding of the relevance of both types of data and a relevant judgement.