Differences in economic development between countries — practice question

Background information: Gabon’s industries and labour force Gabon fact file Gabon is a small West African nation. Its rainforests cut air pollution, supply wood for timber production, shield against floods and limit soil erosion. The Gabonese Government aims to protect the country’s rainforests. It has set up some national parks, and this has boosted tourism, which affects the current account of the balance of payments. The Gabonese Government also wants to lessen the country’s dependence on timber production, oil production and agriculture. The country is Africa’s fifth-largest oil producer, but its oil resources are being depleted. The oil industry leads to water pollution. The country has other natural resources, including gold. In 2022, new gold deposits were discovered in Gabon. Gabon’s agricultural industry accounts for a high share of the country’s labour force. Fig. 1.1 shows the literacy rate and the percentage of the labour force employed in agriculture in six selected countries in 2022. In recent years, Gabon has had a high unemployment rate among 15-24 year olds. High youth unemployment can mean that young people do not acquire the skills and experience required to reach high productivity. It can also damage their confidence. Some governments pay private sector firms to offer work experience to unemployed young people. The quality of this experience can differ.