Aim for FiveHuman Geography

One-stimulus question

Remittances and brain drain

  • Units 2 and 7
  • 7 points
  • About 25 minutes

Seven short parts (A–G) built around one source, such as a data table, graph, map or image, drawing on ideas from at least two units. Some parts ask you to read the source, others to connect it to course ideas. On the exam: Question 2 of 3 in the 1-hour-15-minute free-response section (Section II). The three questions together are 50% of your exam score, so each is worth about 16.7%; 7 points, one for each part A–G. College Board suggests about 25 minutes per question, including up to 5 minutes to plan. No calculator.

The question and its sources

Country M is a lower-middle-income country. Most of its emigrants live and work in two higher-income countries in the same world region. Use the source below to answer all seven parts, (a) through (g). Write in complete sentences.

Emigration and remittances, Country M, 2005–2025

YearCitizens of M living abroad (millions)Remittances received by M (billion US$)Remittances as a share of M's GDP (%)Emigrants aged 20–39 (%)Emigrants with a university degree (%)
20051.22.14.06118
20152.05.88.56426
20252.911.412.16631

Source: Hypothetical data

Suggested time: 25 minutes

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Part (a)

1 point

Using the data in the table, describe the change in remittances received by Country M between 2005 and 2025.

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Part (b)

1 point

Define remittances and explain ONE way they can benefit households in Country M.

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Part (c)

1 point

Using the data in the table, explain how emigration may be causing brain drain in Country M.

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Part (d)

1 point

Explain ONE economic pull factor that is likely drawing emigrants from Country M to the higher-income destination countries.

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Part (e)

1 point

Explain how chain migration could help account for the growth in the number of Country M's citizens living abroad.

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Part (f)

1 point

Using the data in the table, explain how emigration is likely to affect the population composition of Country M.

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Part (g)

1 point

Explain ONE way that heavy reliance on remittances can make Country M's economy vulnerable.

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