IB Economics SL 4.8.2 Single development indicators Question Bank

Study the extract and data below and answer the questions that follow.
Cambodia encouraged to review international partnerships

(1) The United States (US) Secretary of State has urged Cambodians to pursue a variety of economic partnerships throughout Asia-Pacific and not become over-reliant on China. She said that Cambodia should look for partnerships that cut across regional geographic lines.

(2) Both China and the US are working to extend their influence in Cambodia. Nearly 400 Chinese companies have invested billions of dollars in Cambodia, including key infrastructure projects such as hydropower dams and coal-power plants. While acknowledging the attraction of Chinese investment, the Secretary of State said: "One of the challenges for Cambodia is the construction of dams on the Upper Mekong river". China has been criticised by environmental groups over the building of a series of hydropower projects on the Mekong river. Concerns over the project include a possible loss of water quality and a loss of biodiversity.

(3) The Secretary of State also indicated that the US was willing to cooperate with Cambodia to resolve an outstanding debt of about US $\$ 445$ million that the country owes to the US.

(4) The Cambodian Foreign Minister had asked the Secretary of State at a meeting to help his country convert the debt into development aid. She said she was ready to explore creative ways Cambodia could be relieved of the debt, possibly by agreeing to preserve key environmental areas or investing in education. In this way, the debt repayment would be treated as development aid.

2011 Human Development Report, United Nations Development Programme.]

Explain why life expectancy at birth (see Table) is one of the indicators used to measure economic development.