JAMB UTME - Economics - 2023

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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.

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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**.

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The diagram above represents the production possibility curve.
The production possibility curve shows the different combinations of goods and services that can be produced given the available resources and technology.
On the curve, each point represents a specific combination of goods and services that can be produced. Points on the curve are considered efficient because all available resources are fully utilized. Points inside the curve represent inefficient production because resources are not fully utilized. Points outside the curve represent combinations that are currently unattainable given the available resources and technology.
In summary, the production possibility curve helps us understand the trade-offs and limitations in production based on available resources and technology. It is a visual representation of the production possibilities in an economy.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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Financial intermediaries serve as links between surplus and deficit units in an economy. These intermediaries include banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. When there is surplus money in the economy, individuals and businesses deposit the excess funds with financial intermediaries. These intermediaries then pool these funds together and make them available to deficit units, such as individuals or businesses in need of loans or financing. Financial intermediaries play a crucial role in the economy by efficiently allocating funds from surplus units to deficit units. They match the needs of borrowers with the resources of savers, helping to facilitate economic growth and development. Tax officers and pension offices, on the other hand, do not serve as direct links between surplus and deficit units. Tax officers collect taxes for the government, while pension offices manage pension funds for retired individuals. Although these entities may indirectly impact the allocation of funds in the economy, their primary roles are different from that of financial intermediaries. Acceptance houses are also not direct links between surplus and deficit units. Acceptance houses provide short-term financing through the purchase of bills of exchange. While they play a role in facilitating trade between businesses, their function is more specific and limited compared to the broader role of financial intermediaries. In summary, financial intermediaries such as banks and credit unions serve as the primary links between surplus and deficit units in an economy. They gather surplus funds from savers and make them available to borrowers, thereby promoting the efficient allocation of resources.

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The correct answer is labour productivity.
Labour productivity refers to the rate at which output is produced by a worker or a group of workers in a given amount of time. It measures how efficiently and effectively workers are using their skills, time, and resources to produce goods or services.
To understand this concept, let's imagine a scenario where we have two workers producing bicycles. Worker A is able to produce 5 complete bicycles in one hour, while Worker B can only produce 3 complete bicycles in the same amount of time.
In this case, Worker A has a higher labour productivity because they are able to produce more output (bicycles) per unit of time (one hour) compared to Worker B.
Labour productivity is an essential measure for companies and economies because it directly impacts their profitability and competitiveness. Higher labour productivity means that more goods or services can be produced using the same amount of resources or in less time. This leads to lower costs per unit and can result in higher profits or the ability to lower prices for customers.
In summary, labour productivity is a measure of how efficiently workers are producing goods or services and is calculated by dividing the total output by the number of workers or the amount of time it took to produce that output.

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The causes of balance of payment deficit are: low level of agriculture, low level of technological development, inadequacies in export promotion strategy, political instability, poor social and economic infrastructure, servicing of huge external debts, existence of import dependent industries etc.

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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.

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A quota on imports is a restriction imposed by a government on the quantity of goods that can be imported into a country. It is typically done to protect domestic industries and promote economic growth.

Out of the given options, a government imposing a quota on imports would not be done to decrease tax revenue. In fact, the purpose of implementing import quotas is quite the opposite – to increase tax revenue by protecting domestic industries and promoting their growth.

Let's understand this further:

1. To support strategic industry: One of the main reasons governments impose import quotas is to protect and support domestic industries that are considered strategically important for the country's economy. By limiting imports, the government aims to give domestic industries an advantage by reducing competition from foreign firms.

2. To prevent dumping: Dumping refers to the practice of selling goods in another country at prices lower than their production costs or market value. This undermines domestic industries and poses a threat to their survival. By imposing import quotas, the government can control the influx of dumped products and protect domestic industries from unfair competition.

3. To decrease tax revenue: This option is incorrect because imposing import quotas does not aim to decrease tax revenue. When imports are restricted, domestic industries have less competition, which allows them to charge higher prices. As a result, the government can collect more tax revenue from these higher-priced goods, thus increasing its overall revenue.

4. Employment opportunity: Another reason governments may impose import quotas is to create employment opportunities. By limiting imports, domestic industries can expand their production and hire more workers to meet the local demand. This helps in reducing unemployment and improving the overall economic conditions of the country.

In conclusion, the correct answer is that a government would not impose a quota on imports to decrease tax revenue. Import quotas are intended to protect strategic industries, prevent dumping, and create employment opportunities, while also increasing tax revenue.

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The part of income after tax that is not consumed is defined as saving. Saving refers to the portion of income that is not spent on immediate consumption and is instead put aside for future use.
When we receive our income, we typically have various expenses to cover, such as bills, groceries, and entertainment. After deducting these expenses and taxes, we are left with a certain amount of money. If we choose not to spend this remaining amount and instead keep it for later, we are saving that money.
Saving is important because it allows us to build up financial security and prepare for unexpected expenses or future goals. It can also be used for long-term investments, such as buying a house or planning for retirement.
In summary, saving is the part of our income that we choose to set aside rather than using it immediately for consumption.

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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.

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When a generalization is made based on observed facts, it is called inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning involves drawing conclusions from specific instances or examples to come up with a general statement or theory. This means that we observe a pattern or trend from the evidence we have and then make a generalization or inference based on that pattern. Inductive reasoning is different from deductive reasoning, which involves starting with a general statement or theory and then using it to predict or explain specific instances. In inductive reasoning, we start with specific observations and use them to make a broader generalization. It is important to note that while inductive reasoning can often lead to accurate conclusions, it is not always guaranteed to be correct. However, it is a common and useful method used in many fields such as science, sociology, and psychology.

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Economic agents are entities that make economic decisions. They include households, firms, and the government. The Central Bank, while an important institution, is not considered an economic agent as it does not make decisions about what, how, and for whom to produce. It is responsible for monetary policy and regulating the financial system.

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The Gross Domestic Product is the total monetary or market value of all the goods and services produced within a country. It is used to measure the rate of growth in an economy.

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The diagram above represent a monopolist diagram.

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

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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.

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If GDP falls, then people demand less money for transactions. As interest rate rise (fall), the demand for money will fall(rise).

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If commodities X and Y are substitutes, the cross elasticity of demand between them will be positive.
Cross elasticity of demand measures how the quantity demanded of one commodity changes in response to a change in the price of another commodity. When two commodities are substitutes, they serve similar purposes and are considered as alternatives to each other. For example, if the price of commodity X increases, some consumers may switch to commodity Y as a substitute, causing an increase in the quantity demanded of commodity Y.
The positive cross elasticity of demand reflects this relationship. It means that an increase in the price of commodity X will lead to an increase in the demand for commodity Y, and vice versa. On the other hand, if the cross elasticity of demand were negative, it would indicate that the two commodities are complements, meaning that they are used together and a change in the price of one would result in an opposite change in the demand for the other.
Therefore, in the case of substitute commodities, the cross elasticity of demand will be positive.

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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.

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Economics is often described as a science because it uses scientific methods to explain observed phenomena. Just like other scientific fields, economics relies on gathering data, formulating hypotheses, and conducting experiments to test these hypotheses. However, unlike fields such as physics or chemistry, economics does not rely on laboratory experiments or controlled experiments. Instead, economists analyze real-world data to understand how individuals, businesses, and governments make choices and interact with each other. They use statistical methods to analyze this data and make predictions about how changes in various factors will affect economic outcomes. While it is difficult to accurately predict the behavior of individual human beings, economics aims to make accurate predictions on aggregate behavior, or how groups of people will respond to changes in factors such as prices, taxes, or policies. These predictions are based on the analysis of historical data and the use of economic models, which simplify complex economic interactions. In summary, economics is considered a science because it employs scientific methods to explain observed phenomena, although it does not rely on laboratory experiments or controlled experiments. It uses data analysis, hypothesis testing, and economic models to understand and predict how individuals and groups make economic decisions and interact with each other.

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

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Normative economics is a perspective on economics that reflects normative, or ideologically prescriptive judgments toward economic development, investment projects, statements, and scenarios. It expresses ideological judgments about what may results in economic activity if public policy changes are made.

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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.

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The government uses various methods to redistribute income in society. Three of these ways are market intervention, transfer earnings, and taxation. Market intervention involves the government stepping in and regulating certain aspects of the economy to ensure fairness and reduce income inequality. For example, the government may set a minimum wage so that workers are guaranteed a certain level of income. Transfer earnings refer to government programs that provide financial assistance to individuals or families who are in need. These programs include welfare, unemployment benefits, and social security. The goal is to provide support to those who may have lower incomes or are facing financial difficulties. Taxation is another method used by the government to redistribute income. Through taxes, the government collects money from individuals and businesses based on their income or profits. This revenue is then used to fund public services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social programs. However, the answer to the question is that the government does not use limited liability as a way to redistribute income. Limited liability is a legal concept that protects individuals from being personally liable for the debts and liabilities of a company. It is not directly related to income redistribution. In summary, the government redistributes income through market intervention, transfer earnings, and taxation. These methods aim to promote fairness and provide support to those in need. However, limited liability is not a method used for income redistribution.

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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.

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The short run can be defined as the period of time during which at least one of the firm's inputs is fixed. In other words, it is a time frame in which the firm cannot easily or quickly adjust all of its inputs. This means that some resources, such as the size of a factory or the number of employees, cannot be changed in the short run.
During the short run, firms can only adjust their production levels by varying the amount of variable inputs, such as raw materials or utilities. The fixed input, which remains constant in this period, imposes limitations on the firm's ability to increase or decrease its output. This constraint on adjusting all inputs is what distinguishes the short run from the long run, where all inputs can be varied.
It is important to note that the length of the short run can vary depending on the industry and the specific circumstances of the firm. For some businesses, the short run may be a few months, while for others it could be several years. However, what remains consistent is that during the short run, the firm is restricted in its ability to modify certain inputs, which can impact its production and overall performance.

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

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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.

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To calculate the elasticity of demand, we need to compare the changes in price and quantity demanded.
First, let's calculate the percentage change in price:
% change in price = ((new price - old price) / old price) x 100
% change in price = ((6 - 8) / 8) x 100
% change in price = (-2 / 8) x 100
% change in price = -25%
Next, let's calculate the percentage change in quantity demanded:
% change in quantity demanded = ((new quantity demanded - old quantity demanded) / old quantity demanded) x 100
% change in quantity demanded = ((30 - 20) / 20) x 100
% change in quantity demanded = (10 / 20) x 100
% change in quantity demanded = 50%
Now, let's calculate the elasticity of demand:
Elasticity of demand = % change in quantity demanded / % change in price
Elasticity of demand = 50% / -25%
Elasticity of demand = -2
The elasticity of demand is -2.
Explanation:
The negative sign in the elasticity of demand (-2) indicates that the demand for carrots is price elastic. This means that a decrease in price by 1% will lead to a more than proportionate increase in quantity demanded by 2%. In simpler terms, when the price of carrots decreased by 25%, the quantity demanded increased by 50%.
Therefore, the elasticity of demand is -2, which means that the demand for carrots is price elastic.

But since price elasticity is always represented with a positive number, the answer is 2

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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.

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The economic problem occurs when there is scarcity relative to demand. Scarcity means that resources are limited, while demand refers to people's desires and needs for goods and services. In simple terms, the economic problem arises when there are not enough resources to satisfy everyone's wants and needs. This is because resources, such as land, labor, and capital, are finite, while people's desires are infinite. For example, imagine a small community with a limited amount of food available. If everyone in the community wants to eat, but there is not enough food for everyone, it creates an economic problem. This scarcity can lead to competition, as individuals and businesses try to obtain the limited resources. The economic problem is not caused by raw materials being imported or people being out of work. These factors can contribute to a country's economic challenges, but they are not the direct cause of the economic problem. Similarly, the absence of buyers for goods is a symptom of the economic problem, rather than the cause. If people cannot afford or do not want to buy goods, it indicates a mismatch between supply and demand. However, this does not explain why the economic problem exists in the first place. In summary, the economic problem occurs when there is scarcity relative to demand, meaning there are not enough resources to fulfill everyone's wants and needs. This scarcity leads to competition and the need for individuals and businesses to make choices regarding resource allocation.

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Economic profit = Total revenue(Output) - Opportunity cost of input
= 1,000,000 - 750,000
= 250,000

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Real cost is the cost of producing a good or service, including the cost of all resources used and the cost of not employing those resources in alternative uses.

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The correct term for the number of people who are qualified to work and who offer themselves for employment is the working population.
The working population refers to the subset of the total population that is actively engaged or seeking employment. It includes individuals who are qualified, available, and willing to work. This encompasses both employed individuals and those who are actively looking for work, such as job seekers.
The working population is an important measure for understanding the labor market. It helps policymakers, businesses, and economists in assessing the job market's health and determining factors such as employment rates, labor force participation, and unemployment rates.
Options like "mobility of labor" and "migrant labor" focus on the movement of workers between different locations, which is a related concept but not the same as the total number of qualified individuals available for employment. "Labor turnover" refers to the rate at which workers leave and join a particular company or industry, which is also not synonymous with the working population as a whole.
Therefore, the working population is the term that correctly describes the number of qualified individuals who are available for employment.

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- 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.