IB Economics SL 3.4 Economics of Inequality and Poverty Question Bank

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
Text A — Bangladesh: the economic role of women

(1) Bangladesh is a densely populated country in Asia. Its currency is the Bangladeshi taka (BDT). The annual rate of growth of gross domestic product (GDP) has steadily increased from 5.6 % in 2010 to 8.1 % in 2019. Absolute poverty has declined, but inequality has risen, partly due to higher unemployment rates for women than men. Moreover, the labour force participation rate for women is much lower than the rate for men. Over 80 % of the women's jobs are in the informal economy, and these jobs are low paid and insecure. Women need regular paid work, which not only raises household income but also improves economic well-being in terms of education and health.

(2) The structure of the economy is changing. The growth of cities is due to the expansion of the manufacturing sector, which now contributes a larger share to GDP than the agricultural sector. These changes have increased the number of women in the labour force. In particular, the growth of the ready-made garments (RMG) industry (mass-produced clothing) has given women the opportunity to move into formal employment. The RMG industry provides jobs for almost 4 million low-skilled and semi-skilled workers, accounting for over 40 % of total manufacturing employment. The majority of these jobs are being filled by women, with the result that the gap between the wages of men and women is gradually being reduced.

(3) There are concerns about working and safety conditions in the RMG factories. After an accident in a factory in 2013, reforms are being implemented, partly in response to criticisms from overseas retailers and consumers who purchase the garments. The minimum wage has been increased, inspections are carried out, and there are fewer small, unsafe factories.

(4) While working conditions are improving, such reforms raise the costs of manufacturing garments. Furthermore, the international garment market is becoming more competitive, putting pressure on Bangladeshi factories to reduce costs.

(5) The overseas demand for Bangladeshi garments had been rising strongly until 2019. However, demand has recently fallen, reducing firms' revenue. The reduction in revenue and the need to lower costs have forced certain firms to reduce the size of their labour force by dismissing some of their female workers.

(6) The number of ethically and environmentally concerned consumers is increasing globally. Rather than trying to lower costs, firms can be more successful if they produce "green ready-made garments" by implementing sustainable practices. About 100 garment factories in Bangladesh have already been certified as producers that meet specified environmental standards. In addition, global retailers and fashion brands are supporting recycling initiatives through the Circular Fashion Partnership.
Text B - Trade prospects for exports of ready-made garments (RMG)

(1) Exports of RMG account for over 84 % of Bangladesh's total exports. At present, Bangladesh is the world's second largest garment exporter after China. Bangladeshi exports could further increase as Chinese garments become more expensive due to rising wages in China.

(2) Bangladesh is designated as an Economically Least Developed Country (ELDC) and is therefore able to sell goods in Europe and China without any quotas or tariffs being imposed. However, Bangladesh will graduate from ELDC status by 2026 and will then no longer be eligible for preferential trade agreements. Moreover, the USA, which is the largest export market for Bangladeshi garments, has applied a 15 % tariff on imports from Bangladesh since 2013, citing concerns about working conditions in factories.
Text C - Role of foreign direct investment in the RMG sector

(1) Vietnam and Myanmar have significantly increased their garment exports to China due to foreign direct investment (FDI) from China. Chinese investors have set up factories that import raw materials from China and re-export the finished goods back to China.

(2) Consequently, to compete successfully in the huge Chinese market, Bangladesh needs to attract more FDI from China. Bangladesh is developing the required infrastructure, such as transport links. It is also necessary to diversify into expensive high-end fashion, market more aggressively, and use branding strategies.

(3) The funds from additional FDI would be helpful, because the relative contribution of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Bangladesh's budget is declining. Furthermore, the foreign exchange obtained from foreign investors assists in financing the current account deficit.

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Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
Text D - Overview of Cameroon

(1) Cameroon is a country in Central Africa with a population of 25 million. It is rich in natural resources, including oil and mineral ores, and produces a wide range of agricultural products, such as cotton and cocoa. Its economic growth is usually driven by the export of oil. The gross domestic product (GDP) of Cameroon grew by an average of 5.6 % per year between 2013 and 2014 when oil prices were high.

(2) Economic growth slowed and the budget deficit increased sharply between 2014 and 2016, when oil prices fell by 45 %. Oil production is a major part of the formal economy and is an important source of tax revenue for the government of Cameroon. Up to 90 % of the workers in other sectors are employed in the informal economy and hence contribute significantly less to tax revenue. Increased military spending in response to recent conflicts in the western regions of Cameroon further widened the budget deficit.

(3) Since the collapse of oil prices, economic growth has been supported by expansionary fiscal policy, which has become increasingly difficult to sustain. The budget deficit has increased to around 5 % of GDP and caused government (national) debt to rise to 30 % of GDP.

(4) Although there has been some reduction in absolute poverty in Cameroon, the number of people living in relative poverty increased by 12 % to 8.1 million between 2007 and 2014. The funds allocated for poverty reduction often go to subsidies for electricity, food and fuel. This reduces available funding for education and healthcare, which is insufficient in rural areas where poverty is most extreme.

(5) With an abundance of natural resources, Cameroon has the potential to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). However, weak governance and the poor business environment have deterred foreign investors. Local entrepreneurs are also discouraged by the long wait times for obtaining licenses to operate and the difficulties in securing business loans.

(6) Cameroon maintains a fixed exchange rate to the euro, at 1 franc =0.0015 euro. Because of the persistent trade deficit, the franc (Cameroon's currency) is overvalued at this level. Interest rates are kept high to prevent capital flight, which could increase the currency's overvaluation.
Text E - The Growth and Employment Strategy

(1) The Growth and Employment Strategy is a set of policies adopted by the government of Cameroon to encourage diversification and promote efficiency in production. The policies have three broad objectives:
- Create jobs and reduce the size of the informal economy through investment in human capital.
- Increase productivity in agriculture, mining, and selected industries with potential for growth (timber, tourism, and information and communication technologies).
- Encourage private investment and trade through the provision of infrastructure (including roads, ports and clean water supply).

(2) Productivity is low, especially in the primary sector. Cameroon has one million small farms engaged in traditional agriculture, but has a limited number of workers trained in good farming practices and management skills. Unskilled workers often work in the informal economy.

(3) Access to imported fertilizer and lower transportation costs could reduce costs of production significantly. Farms also need to increase productivity to reduce labour costs. The monthly agricultural wage averages 20000 francs but the government has recently increased the minimum wage to 36270 francs. This could lead to an improvement in the economic well-being of workers in the formal economy but could increase unemployment and force some workers to enter the informal economy.

(4) The government remains committed to keeping food prices low in the short term through subsidies. Due to improved farming methods, farmers produced better quality cocoa beans in 2019, allowing them to charge higher prices on the international market. Over time, the increase in productivity should lead to higher incomes, lower prices and higher-quality products.
Text F - Free trade agreements with the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK)
Cameroon has signed free trade agreements with the EU and the UK, which allow tariff-free access to the EU and the UK markets for products such as bananas, aluminium and processed cocoa products. Tariffs on imports into Cameroon of machinery and equipment, vehicles and fertilizers were also removed. However, tariffs on textiles and strategic agricultural products such as meat products, milk and selected vegetables were maintained.

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Define the term relative poverty indicated in bold in the text (Text D, paragraph 4).