Quantitative analysis
Income and inequality in the course countries
- Unit 1
- 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.
GDP per Capita and Gini Index in the Six Course Countries
| Country | GDP per capita, 2024 (current US$) | Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality) | Year of Gini estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 13,293 | 36.0 | 2022 |
| Iran | 5,190 | 35.9 | 2023 |
| Mexico | 13,988 | 42.6 | 2024 |
| Nigeria | 1,084 | 33.9 | 2022 |
| Russia | 14,962 | 33.0 | 2023 |
| United Kingdom | 53,341 | 32.4 | 2021 |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), indicators NY.GDP.PCAP.CD and SI.POV.GINI, data last updated 13 July 2026, retrieved October 2026. GDP rounded to the nearest dollar; each Gini value is the most recent year available.
Suggested time: 20 minutes
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Part (a)
1 pointUsing the data in the table, identify the course country with the highest level of income inequality.
0 / 2,500 characters
Part (b)
1 pointUsing the data in the table, describe the relationship between GDP per capita and the Gini index in the course countries.
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Part (c)
1 pointExplain why a political scientist might use the Gini index in addition to GDP per capita when comparing countries.
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Part (d)
1 pointUsing the data in the table, draw a conclusion about whether economic development alone can explain differences in income inequality among the course countries.
0 / 2,500 characters
Part (e)
1 pointExplain one limitation of using the data in the table to compare income inequality across the six course countries.
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