Quantitative analysis
Oil rents and rentier states
- Unit 5
- 5 points
- About 20 minutes
You read data in a table, graph, map or infographic, describe it and a pattern in it, draw a conclusion using a course concept, and explain what the data shows about politics. On the exam: Question 2 of 4 in the free-response section (1 hour 30 minutes for all four, 50% of your score; this question is 12.5%).
The question and its sources
Use the data to answer parts A, B, C, D, and E. Oil rents are the value of crude oil produced at world prices minus the cost of producing it. World oil prices were high in 2011, fell sharply between mid-2014 and 2016, and partly recovered by 2021.
Oil Rents as a Share of GDP (%)
| Country | 2011 | 2016 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Iran | 22.4 | 10.9 | 18.3 |
| Mexico | 5.7 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Nigeria | 15.5 | 2.7 | 6.2 |
| Russia | 10.7 | 5.0 | 9.7 |
| United Kingdom | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), indicator NY.GDP.PETR.RT.ZS, data last updated 13 July 2026, retrieved October 2026. Values rounded to one decimal place. 2021 is the most recent year in the series.
Suggested time: 20 minutes
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Part (a)
1 pointUsing the data in the table, identify the course country whose economy depended most on oil rents in 2021.
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Part (b)
1 pointUsing the data in the table, describe the change in oil rents from 2011 to 2016 in Iran, Nigeria, and Russia.
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Part (c)
1 pointDefine a rentier state.
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Part (d)
1 pointUsing the data in the table, draw a conclusion about the economic risk facing rentier states.
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Part (e)
1 pointExplain how a sharp fall in oil revenue could affect the political stability of a rentier state.
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