WAEC SSCE - Economics - 2022 (Essay)

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(a) Labour force and efficiency of labour are two related but distinct concepts. The labour force refers to the total number of people who are employed or actively seeking employment in a particular country or region. This includes both employed and unemployed individuals who are able and willing to work. Efficiency of labour, on the other hand, refers to the productivity or output of a given unit of labour in a given period of time. It is a measure of how much output can be produced with a given amount of labour input.

(b) There are several factors that can determine the size of the labour force in a country. These include:

1. Population growth: The size of the labour force is directly related to the size of the population. If the population is growing, then the potential size of the labour force will also increase.
2. Age distribution: The age distribution of the population can also affect the size of the labour force. For example, if a large portion of the population is elderly or too young to work, then the labour force may be smaller.
3. Education and training: The level of education and training in a country can impact the size of the labour force. Higher levels of education and training can lead to a more skilled and productive workforce, which can increase the size of the labour force.
4. Immigration and emigration: The flow of people into and out of a country can also affect the size of the labour force. Immigration can increase the labour force, while emigration can decrease it.
5. Labour force participation rate: The labour force participation rate is the percentage of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment. A high labour force participation rate can result in a larger labour force.

Therefore, the five factors that determine the size of the labour force in a country are population growth, age distribution, education and training, immigration and emigration, and labour force participation rate.

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(a) A demand schedule is a table or chart that shows the quantity of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at different price levels, while other factors remain constant. It represents the relationship between price and quantity demanded, demonstrating the amount of a product consumers are willing to buy at various price points.

(b) Here are explanations for each of the terms mentioned:

• Effective demand: Effective demand refers to the desire and ability of consumers to purchase a product or service at a given price level. It takes into account both the willingness and the financial capability of individuals to buy goods or services. Effective demand considers the affordability aspect in addition to the desire to purchase.
• Composite demand: Composite demand occurs when a good or resource has multiple uses or serves different purposes. In other words, a product or resource is in demand for various reasons or by different industries or consumers. The demand for the good or resource is influenced by multiple factors and markets, making it a composite demand.
• Derived demand: Derived demand refers to the demand for a good or service that arises as a result of the demand for another related good or service. It occurs when the demand for one product is dependent on the demand for another product that it is used to produce or complement. The demand for derived goods is derived from the demand for the final product or the primary goods it supports.

(ci) A change in the price of a commodity can influence the demand for its substitute. Let's consider the scenario of coffee and tea as substitutes. If the price of coffee increases, it becomes relatively more expensive compared to tea. As a result, consumers may switch their preference from coffee to tea due to the lower price. This change in price creates an incentive for consumers to substitute one product (coffee) with its alternative (tea), leading to an increase in the demand for tea.

To illustrate this on a demand diagram, we would see a shift in the demand curve for tea to the right. The new equilibrium quantity of tea would increase, indicating higher demand, while the equilibrium quantity of coffee would decrease.

(ii) A change in the price of a commodity can influence the demand for its complement. Let's take the example of cars and gasoline as complements. If the price of cars decreases, it becomes more affordable for consumers, leading to an increase in car purchases. As a result, the demand for gasoline, which is necessary to fuel and operate the cars, would also increase.

On a demand diagram, we would observe a rightward shift in the demand curve for gasoline, indicating an increase in demand. The equilibrium quantity of gasoline would rise as consumers require more fuel to meet the increased demand for cars.

In both cases, the change in the price of a commodity influences the demand for its substitute or complement due to the relationship and interdependence between the products.

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(a) Limited liability is a legal concept that protects the personal assets of business owners from being used to pay off business debts or legal claims. It means that the owners of a business, such as shareholders in a company, are only liable for the debts of the business up to the amount of their investment or shareholding. They are not personally responsible for any debts or liabilities that exceed their investment.

(b) Public joint-stock companies and private joint-stock companies have several differences, including:

1. Ownership: A public joint-stock company can have an unlimited number of shareholders, while a private joint-stock company has a limited number of shareholders.
2. Share transferability: Shares in a public joint-stock company can be freely traded on a stock exchange, while shares in a private joint-stock company cannot be traded on a stock exchange.
3. Disclosure requirements: Public joint-stock companies are required to disclose more information to the public than private joint-stock companies, such as financial statements and ownership details.
4. Access to capital: Public joint-stock companies can raise capital more easily through issuing shares to the public, while private joint-stock companies have limited options for raising capital.

(c) Sole proprietorships can access several sources of finance, including:

1. Personal savings: The owner of a sole proprietorship can use their own savings to finance the business.
2. Loans: Sole proprietors can apply for loans from banks or other financial institutions to finance their business operations.
3. Credit cards: Some sole proprietors may use credit cards to cover business expenses, although this can be risky due to high interest rates.

In summary, limited liability protects business owners from personal liability for business debts, public and private joint-stock companies differ in terms of ownership, share transferability, disclosure requirements, and access to capital, and sole proprietors can access finance from personal savings, loans, and credit cards.

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(ai) - The curve X represents the demand curve
     - The curve Y represents the old supply curve
     - The curve Z represents the new supply curve

(aii) Subsidy will shift the supply curve to the right causing price to fall and the quantity demanded to increase

(bi) Total revenue = Price x Quantity
      Before subsidy, TR = 20 x 15
      = $300

(bii) After subsidy, TR = 10 x 40
     = $400

(c) % increase in revenue = 400 - 300/300 x 100
     = 33.33%

(d) e = ∆Qd/∆P x P/Qd
     e = 40 - 20/10 - 15 x 15/20
     e = 20/-5 x 15/20
     e = - 3 since elasticity is always positive. Therefore, e = 3

(e) It is an elastic demand because an increase in quantity demanded leads to a fall in the price of maize.

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(a) To calculate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we need to sum up all the domestic income earned within the country. This includes wages and salaries, income from self-employment, rent, depreciation allowance, and profits and dividends. GDP = 250 + 120 + 25 + 3 + 35 = $433 million. (b) To calculate the Gross National Product (GNP), we need to add the income received from abroad and subtract the income paid abroad from GDP. This includes income received from abroad, which is $50 million, and income paid abroad, which is $75 million. GNP = GDP + Income Received from Abroad - Income Paid Abroad = $433 + $50 - $75 = $408 million. (c) To calculate the Net National Product (NNP), we need to subtract depreciation allowance from GNP. This is because depreciation is the decrease in the value of assets used in production and it needs to be accounted for to accurately measure the country's economic output. NNP = GNP - Depreciation Allowance = $408 - $3 = $405 million. In summary, the GDP is the total income earned within the country, the GNP is the total income earned by the country's residents (including income from abroad), and the NNP is the GNP minus the depreciation allowance.

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(a) Economic integration is the process of eliminating trade barriers and creating closer economic ties between countries. This can be achieved through various means, such as reducing tariffs, harmonizing regulations, and facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people across borders.

(b) The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has several shortcomings, including:

1. Limited integration: Despite efforts to create a common market and a monetary union, member states still have significant trade barriers and economic disparities.
2. Weak institutions: ECOWAS institutions, such as the court of justice and the parliament, lack sufficient power and resources to enforce regional policies and regulations.
3. Political instability: Some member states have experienced political instability, conflicts, and security challenges that have hindered regional integration and cooperation.

(c) The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has achieved several notable accomplishments, including:

1. Trade liberalization: ECOWAS has reduced trade barriers and tariffs between member states, leading to increased intra-regional trade and economic growth.
2. Peace and security: ECOWAS has played a critical role in promoting peace, stability, and conflict resolution in the region, including the successful mediation of several political crises.
3. Regional integration: ECOWAS has made significant progress in creating a regional common market and a single currency, which could enhance economic integration and facilitate trade and investment within the region.

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(a) → A mortgage bank is a financial institution that specializes in providing loans for the purchase of real estate, while a merchant bank is a financial institution that specializes in providing advisory services to businesses and governments, such as underwriting, corporate finance, and merger and acquisition activities. → A commercial bank is a financial institution that provides a wide range of banking services to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and corporations, such as accepting deposits, making loans, and providing investment and advisory services. On the other hand, a development bank is a financial institution that focuses on providing long-term financing and other support for economic development projects, particularly in developing countries.

(b) Four functions of commercial banks are:

1. Accepting deposits: Commercial banks accept deposits from individuals and businesses, which can be withdrawn at any time or kept for a fixed term, depending on the type of account. This allows individuals and businesses to earn interest on their savings and also provides a source of funding for the bank to make loans.
2. Making loans: Commercial banks lend money to individuals and businesses for various purposes, such as purchasing a home or car, starting a business, or financing operations. The bank earns interest on the loans and also helps to stimulate economic growth by providing access to capital.
3. Providing payment services: Commercial banks provide various payment services, such as issuing debit and credit cards, processing checks, and facilitating electronic transfers. This helps individuals and businesses to make transactions and payments more efficiently and securely.
4. Offering investment and advisory services: Commercial banks also offer investment and advisory services to individuals and businesses, such as managing investment portfolios, providing financial planning advice, and offering insurance products. This allows customers to diversify their assets and manage their finances more effectively.

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(a) Types of Taxes:

1. Specific Tax: A specific tax is a tax that is fixed and imposed on a particular commodity regardless of its price. It is usually imposed as a fixed amount per unit of the commodity. For example, a government may impose a specific tax of $2 per unit of cigarette sold.
2. Value-added Tax (VAT): A value-added tax is a tax that is imposed at each stage of production and distribution of a commodity. It is calculated as a percentage of the value added at each stage of production or distribution. For example, if a manufacturer produces a shirt and sells it to a retailer for $10, and the VAT rate is 10%, the manufacturer will pay $1 as VAT. When the retailer sells the same shirt to a customer for $20, the retailer will collect $2 as VAT ($20 x 10%).

(bi) Effects of Indirect Tax on Commodity when Demand is Perfectly Inelastic:

When demand is perfectly inelastic, a change in price does not affect the quantity demanded. Therefore, the imposition of an indirect tax on the commodity will not affect the quantity demanded. The entire burden of the tax will be borne by the consumer, and the price paid by the consumer will increase by the full amount of the tax. The diagram below illustrates the effects of an indirect tax on a commodity with perfectly inelastic demand.

the demand curve is perfectly vertical, and the supply curve shifts upward to represent the tax. The vertical distance between the old and new supply curves represents the tax, and the entire burden is paid by the consumer as the price paid increases by the full amount of the tax.

(ii) Effects of Indirect Tax on Commodity when Demand is Perfectly Elastic:

When demand is perfectly elastic, a small increase in price will cause the quantity demanded to fall to zero. Therefore, the imposition of an indirect tax on the commodity will result in the entire burden of the tax being borne by the supplier. The price paid by the consumer will remain the same, and the supplier will have to bear the full amount of the tax. The diagram below illustrates the effects of an indirect tax on a commodity with perfectly elastic demand.

the demand curve is perfectly horizontal, and the supply curve shifts upward to represent the tax. The vertical distance between the old and new supply curves represents the tax, and the entire burden is paid by the supplier as the price received remains the same.