WAEC 2018 Economics · Question 4
The largest component of national income in developing countries consist of?
Options
- A.profits
- B.profit and rent
- C.rent
- D.wages and salaries
Answer: D. wages and salaries
Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which factor income makes up the biggest share of national income in developing countries. National income is the sum of income paid to the factors of production: rent (land), wages and salaries (labour), interest (capital), and profit (entrepreneur).
Step 2: Explain the concept When national income is calculated by the income approach, the shares are:
- Wages and salaries (compensation of employees)
- Rent
- Interest
- Profits
In most economies, including developing ones like Nigeria and Ghana, labour is the most widely used factor. Many people earn their living through wages, salaries, and other labour income. Profits and rent go to a smaller number of owners of businesses and land, so they make up a smaller share in total.
Step 3: Eliminate options
- A. Profits: These go to a relatively small group of entrepreneurs, so they are not the largest share.
- B. Profit and rent: Together they are still usually smaller than the total paid to labour.
- C. Rent: This is usually a small part of national income.
- D. Wages and salaries: Labour income is the largest component of national income.
Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. wages and salaries.
Tip: In the income approach to national income, remember that "labour is the biggest earner." Wages and salaries usually take the largest share, so if a question asks about the largest component, check wages first.
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