JAMB UTME - Economics - 2023

Akọwa Nkọwa

- Monetary policy is implemented by reducing the interest rates in the economy in order to increase the supply of money to enhance growth.

- The fiscal policy is implemented by the reduction of taxes and increasing government spending in order to boost demand.

- Policymakers may choose to implement a stabilization policy to close the recessionary gap and increase real GDP.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Labour is by far the most common of the factors used in measuring productivity. One reason for this is, of course, the relatively large share of labour costs in the value of most products.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Private goods are referred to as rivalrous and excludable by economists. Let me explain what this means in a simple and comprehensive way.
When a good is rivalrous, it means that one person's use or consumption of the good diminishes its availability for others. For example, if you eat an orange, there is now one less orange for someone else to consume. The consumption of the orange by one person reduces the availability of the orange for others.
On the other hand, when a good is excludable, it means that it is possible to prevent someone from using or consuming that good if they do not pay for it. For instance, if you go to a movie theater and buy a ticket, you are allowed entry to watch the movie. However, if you do not buy a ticket, you will be excluded from watching the movie.
Private goods possess both of these characteristics. They are rivalrous because one person's use or consumption of the good reduces its availability for others. For example, if you buy a car, only you can use it at any given time, and someone else cannot simultaneously use it. Private goods are also excludable because it is possible to prevent others from using or consuming the good if they do not pay for it. For instance, if you purchase a book, you have exclusive access to read it unless you choose to share it with someone.
In summary, private goods are referred to as rivalrous and excludable because their consumption diminishes their availability for others, and it is possible to exclude others from using or consuming them if they do not pay for them.

Akọwa Nkọwa

A persistence rise in the prices of inputs, such as raw materials or labor, can lead to **cost push inflation**. Cost push inflation occurs when the increased costs of production for firms are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for goods and services. This can happen when the prices of inputs used in production rise over a sustained period. When input costs increase, businesses often have two options: absorb the increased costs and accept lower profit margins, or pass on the higher costs to consumers by raising prices. If firms choose to raise prices, it can lead to a general increase in the overall price level in the economy. Here's a simple example to help illustrate this concept: Let's say there is a town where the main industry is manufacturing shoes. The cost of leather, which is a key input in shoe production, starts to rise due to factors like high demand or scarcity. In response, shoe manufacturers have to pay more for leather, and this increases their production costs. To maintain their profit margins, the manufacturers decide to increase the prices of shoes they sell to retailers. Now, if the retailers decide to pass on the higher costs to the consumers, the prices of shoes will increase. This can create a ripple effect throughout the economy because consumers will have to spend more money on shoes, reducing their purchasing power for other goods and services. As a result, the overall price level in the economy increases, and this is what we call cost push inflation. It is important to note that cost push inflation is different from demand pull inflation. Demand pull inflation occurs when there is an increase in aggregate demand, leading to an excess of demand over supply. In contrast, cost push inflation is driven by increased production costs. Hyperinflation, on the other hand, is an extreme form of inflation characterized by an uncontrollable increase in prices. It is typically caused by factors like rapid money supply growth or loss of confidence in the currency. Stagflation refers to a situation where there is a combination of high inflation and high unemployment, typically accompanied by low economic growth. This can occur when an economy experiences a supply-side shock, such as a significant increase in the prices of key inputs. In summary, a persistence rise in the prices of inputs can lead to cost push inflation, as firms pass on the increased costs to consumers by raising prices.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The decision to consume more of one product under normal circumstances will **result in less consumption of another product**. When we have a limited amount of resources, we can only allocate them in certain ways. This is true for both individuals and businesses. If we choose to consume more of one product, it means we are using some of our resources to produce more of that product. As a result, we have less resources available to produce or consume other products. Let's take an example to understand this concept better. Suppose you have $10 to spend on food, and you can either choose to buy more fruits or more vegetables. If you decide to buy more fruits, it means you are allocating more of your budget towards fruits. As a result, you will have less money left to buy vegetables. On the other hand, if you decide to buy more vegetables, it means you are allocating more of your budget towards vegetables, and you will have less money left to buy fruits. Similarly, in a market economy, if consumers decide to buy more of one product (like smartphones), the demand for that product increases. This leads to an increase in production and consumption of smartphones. However, the resources used to produce smartphones are limited. Therefore, the production of other products (like laptops or tablets) may decrease because fewer resources are available to produce them. In conclusion, when the decision is made to consume more of one product, it generally means that less of another product will be consumed. This is because resources are limited and need to be allocated among different options.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Part-time workers who desire full-time employment are classified as underemployed and contribute to the unemployment statistic.
Underemployment refers to a situation where individuals are working fewer hours than they would like or in jobs that do not utilize their skills and qualifications fully. In this case, part-time workers who desire full-time employment are considered underemployed because they are not able to secure the desired amount of work hours.
These underemployed workers contribute to the unemployment statistic because they are actively seeking additional work hours to meet their employment needs. They are considered part of the labor force because they are willing and available to work more hours, but they have not been able to find full-time employment.
It is important to note that not all underemployed workers contribute to the unemployment statistic. Some may choose to work part-time for personal reasons, such as family responsibilities or pursuing education. These individuals, although underemployed, are not actively seeking additional work hours and therefore do not contribute to the unemployment statistic.
However, in the case of individuals who are part-time workers and desire full-time employment, their underemployment status reflects the inadequacy of available job opportunities. They increase the count of unemployed individuals because they are willing and actively searching for additional work.
It is worth mentioning that cyclical unemployment is a different type of unemployment. It occurs when there is a downturn in the economy, causing a decrease in overall demand for goods and services, and subsequently, a decrease in the demand for labor. Cyclical unemployment is not directly related to the part-time workers' desire for full-time employment.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Agriculture accounts for about 60% of the active labour force in West Africa. This is because a large portion of the population in West Africa is engaged in farming and other agricultural activities for their livelihood. The other options are incorrect as agriculture does not account for 60% of the arable land, service sector activities, or the commodity market in West Africa.

Akọwa Nkọwa

One of the major problem of West African state is the relation of West African states with the colonial masters.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The law of supply states that, other things being constant, as price increases, the quantity supplied also increases. Basically, when the price of a good or service goes up, suppliers have an incentive to produce and sell more of that item. This is because they can earn more profit by selling at the higher price. So, as the price rises, suppliers are motivated to increase their production and offer more of the product to the market. On the other hand, when the price of a good or service decreases, suppliers have less motivation to produce and sell it. This is because they can earn less profit or even incur losses at the lower price. As a result, they will reduce the quantity supplied. In summary, the law of supply tells us that there is a direct relationship between price and quantity supplied. When the price increases, suppliers respond by increasing the quantity they are willing to supply to the market. Conversely, when the price decreases, the quantity supplied decreases.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Money can be defined as a medium of exchange that is universally accepted for buying goods and services. It enables people to easily trade with one another, without the need for bartering or trading directly with goods. In simpler terms, money is like a common language that everyone understands and uses to exchange things they want or need.

Money also serves as a settlement of debt because it allows individuals, businesses, and even governments to repay what they owe. When someone borrows money or takes a loan, they can later use money to pay back the lender. Similarly, if someone owes money to another person, they can use money to settle that debt.

Additionally, money is a medium of payment. It is used to complete transactions and make payments for goods and services. Whether you are buying groceries, paying for a movie ticket, or purchasing a new gadget, money is the common method of payment.

To summarize, money is a medium of exchange, settlement of debt, and medium of payment. It simplifies trade, enables the repayment of debts, and facilitates transactions in our daily lives.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Velocity of money is the total amount of money in circulation in an economy. It is calculated as Velocity of money = GDP/Money Supply

Akọwa Nkọwa

The Marginal Utility is the additional satisfaction a consumer gains from consuming one more unit of a good or service. It can be calculated by subtracting the total utility of the previous consumption from the total utility of the current consumption. In this case, the total utility of consuming 2 oranges is 16 and the total utility of consuming 1 orange is 9. Therefore, the marginal utility (X) of the second orange is 16 - 9 = 7.

Akọwa Nkọwa

An increase in nominal income without an increase in prices will result in an **increased real income**. Nominal income refers to the amount of money a person earns or receives in a given period, without taking into account changes in prices. On the other hand, real income takes into consideration the effects of inflation by adjusting for changes in prices. When nominal income increases but prices remain constant, it means that the purchasing power of an individual's income has increased. In other words, they can afford to buy more goods and services with the same amount of money. This increase in purchasing power leads to an increase in real income. For example, let's say a person's nominal income is $1,000 per month, and the prices of goods and services they consume also remain constant. If their nominal income increases to $1,200 per month, without any increase in prices, they now have an additional $200 to spend on other things. This additional purchasing power translates to an increase in their real income. It is important to note that an increase in nominal income without an increase in prices does not necessarily lead to an **increased GDP** or a **decreased GNP**. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) measures the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders, while GNP (Gross National Product) measures the total value of goods and services produced by a country's residents, including those produced abroad. The increase in real income of individuals does not automatically impact the overall production levels captured by GDP or GNP.

Akọwa Nkọwa

An industry is a group of firms producing similar products and under separate administration or management.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The type of unemployment that occurs when an individual cannot find a job as a result of obsolete skills is known as Structural unemployment.

Structural unemployment happens when there is a mismatch between the skills that job seekers possess and the skills required for available jobs in the market. In this case, individuals may no longer be qualified for the jobs that are available due to changes in technology, market conditions, or shifts in the economy.

For example, let's say there is a rapid advancement in technology that makes certain job skills obsolete. Workers who had those skills may struggle to find employment because companies are now looking for individuals with more up-to-date skills.

This type of unemployment is different from cyclical unemployment, which is caused by fluctuations in the business cycle, or seasonal unemployment, which occurs due to seasonal variations in demand for certain jobs. Frictional unemployment, on the other hand, refers to the temporary unemployment that occurs when individuals are transitioning between jobs or entering the workforce for the first time.

To sum up, structural unemployment is the type of unemployment that arises when an individual cannot find a job because their skills are no longer in demand.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Cost push inflation occurs when overall prices increase(inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials. It can also occur when higher costs of production decrease the aggregate supply in the economy.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The maximum price is **P4**. To explain why, we need to understand that the prices are listed in ascending order. This means that **P1** is the lowest price and **P4** is the highest price. When we say "maximum price," we are referring to the highest possible price among the given options. In this case, **P4** is the highest price listed. Therefore, the maximum price is **P4**.

Akọwa Nkọwa

A tariff is a tax that is imposed on imported goods. It is a financial charge that a government puts on goods that are being brought into the country. The purpose of a tariff is to protect domestic industries and businesses from competition from imported goods. By placing a tax on imported goods, it becomes more expensive for consumers to buy those goods, making them less appealing compared to domestic alternatives. This gives domestic industries a competitive advantage and helps support local businesses and jobs. So, the correct answer is imported goods.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The demand for a good is price inelastic if the price elasticity is less than one. Price elasticity measures how responsive the quantity demanded of a good is to a change in its price. If the price elasticity is less than one, it means that the quantity demanded is not very responsive to changes in price. In other words, a change in price will have a relatively small impact on the quantity demanded. Even if the price increases or decreases, people will still buy a similar amount of the good. This can happen when the good is a necessity or when there are limited substitutes available. For example, if the price of water increases, people will still need to buy a similar amount because water is essential for survival. Similarly, if the price of a specific medication increases, people with no alternative options will still purchase it regardless of the price. Therefore, when the price elasticity is less than one, we say that the demand for the good is price inelastic.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Public corporations are run by the government through the tax paid by the people. They are established by an act of parliament or decree and it is controlled by the board of directors, appointed by the government.

Akọwa Nkọwa

A perfect market is a theoretical concept that represents an idealized scenario where certain conditions are met. In this market, there is an equilibrium between supply and demand, and no single buyer or seller has the power to influence prices. In order for a perfect market to exist, there are several conditions that need to be met. These conditions include: - **Lack of homogeneity of goods**: In a perfect market, goods are assumed to be identical and indistinguishable from one another. This means that there are no variations in quality, features, or brand identity. Buyers are indifferent to which seller they purchase from since the goods are the same. - **Perfect knowledge**: Another crucial condition is that all buyers and sellers in the market have access to complete and accurate information. This means they know the current market prices, availability of goods, and all relevant factors influencing the buying and selling decisions. No hidden or asymmetric information exists that could give an advantage to any market participant. - **Large buyers and sellers**: A perfect market assumes that there are a significant number of buyers and sellers in the market. This ensures that no single buyer or seller has enough market power to influence prices or control the market conditions. Each participant is a price taker, meaning they accept the prevailing market price and cannot change it on their own. - **Portability of goods**: The final condition for a perfect market is the ease with which goods can be transported from one place to another. This means that there are no significant barriers to trade, such as transportation costs, tariffs, or restrictions. Goods can freely move between buyers and sellers, allowing for efficient market operations. Now, looking at the given options, we need to identify the one that does NOT describe a condition necessary for the existence of a perfect market. And that would be **"lack of homogeneity of goods"**. In a perfect market, goods are assumed to be identical and indistinguishable. This means that there are no variations in quality or features. Homogeneity is a vital characteristic of a perfect market, so the lack of it would hinder the existence of a perfect market. In summary, the conditions required for a perfect market are: perfect knowledge, large buyers and sellers, and portability of goods. While homogeneity of goods is a necessary condition for a perfect market, it is not described in the options as a condition necessary for the existence of a perfect market.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Based on the graph, the consumer is at equilibrium at point k.

Equilibrium is when the quantity demanded by the consumer is equal to the quantity supplied by the market. At equilibrium, there is no shortage or surplus of the goods or services.

Point k on the graph represents the intersection of the demand curve (D) and the supply curve (S). At this point, the quantity demanded (Qd) and the quantity supplied (Qs) are equal.

If the consumer is at any other point on the graph, either to the left or to the right of point k, there would be either a shortage or a surplus of the goods or services. This would mean that the demand and supply are not in balance and the market is not at equilibrium.

Therefore, point k is the correct answer as it represents the position where the consumer is at equilibrium.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The type of price elasticity of demand for a commodity whose quantity demanded remains unchanged despite changes in the price is **perfectly inelastic**. When the demand for a commodity is perfectly inelastic, it means that the quantity demanded does not respond at all to changes in price. This usually occurs when there are no close substitutes for the commodity, or when the commodity is a necessity that people cannot easily do without. To understand it in a simple way, imagine a situation where the price of a life-saving medication for a critical illness increases significantly. In such a case, even if the price increases, the quantity demanded for the medication will remain the same because the individuals who need it have no other option but to purchase it at any cost. Therefore, the demand for such a medication is perfectly inelastic, as it does not change with variations in price. In summary, when the demand for a commodity is perfectly inelastic, it means that consumers are willing to pay any price for it, and the quantity demanded does not change despite fluctuations in price.

Akọwa Nkọwa

In a two by two model of international trade, it is assumed that **both countries could gain from trade at the same time, but the volume of the gains depends on terms of trade**. This means that both countries can benefit from engaging in trade with each other. Trade allows both countries to specialize in producing and exporting the goods in which they have a comparative advantage, while importing goods that they are less efficient at producing. This leads to increased efficiency and overall economic gains for both countries. However, the volume of the gains from trade depends on the terms of trade between the two countries. The terms of trade refer to the ratio at which the countries exchange their goods. If one country has a higher bargaining power or can produce goods at a lower cost, they may negotiate more favorable terms of trade, leading to a larger volume of gains for that country. On the other hand, if the terms of trade are less favorable, the volume of gains for both countries may be smaller. In summary, while both countries can benefit from trade, the extent of the gains will vary depending on the terms of trade negotiated between them.

Akọwa Nkọwa

An increase in the real GDP will increase the demand for money and also the interest rate will also increase.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Investment multiplier (K) is a function of two factors; The MPS and MPC. If MPC is high, K will also be high but if MPC is low, K will also be low. on the other hand, If MPS is high, K will be low and if MPS is low, K will be high ( since there is an inverse relationship between MPS and K).

Akọwa Nkọwa

A fall in the profit margin of producers in an economy will likely result in an increase in unemployment.
When the profit margin of producers decreases, it means that they are earning less profit from their business activities. As a result, they may struggle to cover their costs, sustain their operations, or expand their businesses. To manage their financial situation, producers may need to cut costs, reduce production, or even close down their business altogether.
Reduced production and business closures lead to a decrease in job opportunities and an increase in unemployment. When businesses are not making enough profit, they may need to lay off workers or reduce their workforce in order to cut costs. This means that fewer people will have jobs, resulting in higher unemployment rates.
Additionally, a fall in profit margins can also deter new businesses from entering the market or existing businesses from expanding. This further limits job creation and can exacerbate the unemployment problem.
In summary, a fall in the profit margin of producers in an economy leads to reduced production, business closures, job cuts, and a decrease in job opportunities. Therefore, the most likely resultant effect of such a decline in profit margin is an increase in unemployment.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The fundamental problem of Economics is Scarcity. Scarcity explains the basic economic problem that the world has limited or scarce resources to meet seemingly unlimited wants, and this reality forces people to make decisions about how to allocate resources in the most efficient way.

Akọwa Nkọwa

To find the value of L when the supply (s) is equal to 20, we can use the given supply curve equation: S = 4L + 8.
The supply curve equation represents how much labor (L) will be supplied at a given wage rate (s). In this case, the equation tells us that the supply of labor is equal to 4 times the quantity of labor (L) plus 8.
To find L when s = 20, let's substitute s = 20 into the equation:
20 = 4L + 8
Next, let's isolate L by subtracting 8 from both sides of the equation:
20 - 8 = 4L
Simplifying further:
12 = 4L
Now, we need to solve for L. We can do this by dividing both sides of the equation by 4:
12/4 = 4L/4
Simplifying again:
3 = L
Therefore, when the supply (s) is equal to 20, the value of L is 3.
So the correct answer is 3.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Currency depreciation is a fall in the value of a currency in a floating exchange rate system. Therefore, a decrease in the price of the domestic currency in terms of a foreign currency is referred to as depreciation.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The dotted line in the graph above represent the upturn and downturn of the econonmy. Therefore, the diagram is cyclical unemployment.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The type of economy that exists in these countries is Mixed economy.

A mixed economy is an economic system that combines elements of both market and planned economies. It includes both private and public sectors, and the government plays a significant role in regulating and defining the structure of the economy.

In the given scenario, the fact that the countries have different levels of public expenditure as a percentage of GDP indicates that the government plays a role in the economy and is involved in spending a portion of the national income.

While the exact percentage of public expenditure varies between the countries, the presence of any public expenditure suggests government intervention and regulation in the economy. This means that these countries have a mixed economy, where both public and private sectors coexist and contribute to economic activities.

The government's involvement can take various forms, such as funding public goods and services, implementing social programs, and regulating industries. The level of government intervention may vary, but the presence of public expenditure indicates that the government has an active role in shaping the economy.

Therefore, based on the information provided, it can be concluded that the countries mentioned in the table have a mixed economy.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The causes of overpopulation are: falling mortality rate, underutilized contraception, lack of female education etc.

Akọwa Nkọwa

To calculate the equilibrium level of national income (Y), we start with the equation Y = C + I + G. In this equation, C represents consumption spending, I represents investment spending, and G represents government spending. Now, let's substitute the given values into the equation: C = 100 + 0.75Y I = 50 G = 200 Substituting these values, we get: Y = (100 + 0.75Y) + 50 + 200 To solve for Y, we need to simplify the equation: Y = 100 + 0.75Y + 50 + 200 Combining like terms, we have: Y = 350 + 0.75Y Next, we can solve for Y by isolating it on one side of the equation. To do this, we can subtract 0.75Y from both sides: Y - 0.75Y = 350 Simplifying further, we have: 0.25Y = 350 Finally, we can solve for Y by dividing both sides of the equation by 0.25: Y = 350 / 0.25 Calculating this, we find: Y = 1400 So, the equilibrium level of national income (Y) is 1400.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Point 'E" inside the graph indicates it is technologically inefficient" , Underemployed" or wide spread unemployent" or resources are not fully utilized or production inefficient"

Akọwa Nkọwa

The theory of absolute advantage was propounded by Adam Smith while the theory of comparative advantage was propounded by David Ricardo.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The measure that is presently used in Nigeria to measure inflation is the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is a commonly used indicator worldwide to track changes in the cost of living over time.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average price changes of a basket of goods and services typically purchased by households in a specific country or region. It reflects the price movements of essential items such as food, housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and many other goods and services that people consume regularly.
The CPI is calculated by collecting price data for various items in the basket and assigning them weights based on their relative importance in household spending. The prices are then compared to a base period, which is usually a specific year. The percentage change in the CPI from the base period indicates the rate of inflation or deflation.
In Nigeria, the CPI is used to monitor and analyze changes in the cost of goods and services, allowing policymakers and economists to assess the impact on consumers' purchasing power and make informed decisions. It helps in determining the effectiveness of government policies, evaluating the performance of the economy, and adjusting wages and prices.
By tracking the CPI, the government can identify if there is an increase in the general level of prices, indicating inflation, or a decrease, indicating deflation. This information helps in formulating monetary and fiscal policies to control inflation rates and maintain price stability.
Overall, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the measure currently used in Nigeria to gauge inflation and is crucial in understanding how the cost of living changes over time, impacting the economy and the daily lives of individuals and businesses.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The highest body in the ECOWAS organogram is the Authority of Head of State and Government. This body consists of the presidents and heads of government of the member states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Authority of Head of State and Government is responsible for making major decisions and policies for the entire ECOWAS community. They meet regularly to discuss and address regional issues, such as political stability, economic cooperation, and security.
This body holds the highest level of political power in ECOWAS and has the authority to make decisions that affect the entire organization. It plays a crucial role in promoting regional integration and cooperation among member states.
To sum up, the Authority of Head of State and Government is the most important body in the ECOWAS organogram as it consists of the leaders of the member states and is responsible for making key decisions and policies for the organization.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Business cycle are intervals of expansion followed by recession in economic activity. It is characterized by general upswings and downturns in a span of macroeconomics variable.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The measure that represents the natural growth rate of a population is the **Birth rate minus the Death rate**, which is the second option. The natural growth rate of a population refers to the rate at which the population increases or decreases due to births and deaths, without taking into account migration. It solely focuses on the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths occurring within a population during a specific period of time. When the birth rate exceeds the death rate, it results in a positive natural growth rate, meaning the population is increasing. On the other hand, if the death rate is higher than the birth rate, it leads to a negative natural growth rate, indicating a decrease in the population. The first option, "Natural increase - Birth rate + Net migration," takes into account both the birth rate and the net migration (the difference between the number of people migrating into and out of a population in a specific period). This measure considers factors beyond just births and deaths, so it does not accurately represent the natural growth rate. The third option, "Birth rate/Death rate," is a ratio of the birth rate to the death rate. It does not give a measure of the natural growth rate itself, but rather shows the relationship between the number of births and the number of deaths. The fourth option, "Birth + Net migration = Death," suggests an equality between the sum of births and net migration and the number of deaths. This equation does not accurately represent the natural growth rate since it assumes that the number of births and net migration should exactly match the number of deaths, which is unlikely in most populations. Therefore, the most appropriate measure for the natural growth rate of a population is the **Birth rate minus the Death rate**.