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Out of 1010 countries -- Country 11 through Country 1010-- Country 99 has the highest gross domestic product (GDP), and Country 1010 has the highest GDP per capita. GDP per capita is the GDP of a country divided by its population. The table below provides the following data about Country 11 through Country 88 for the year 20242024.

  • Column 11 gives the country's identity.
  • Column 22 gives the country's GDP as a fraction of the GDP of Country 9.
  • Column 33 gives the country's GDP per capita as a fraction of the GDP per capita of Country10.
  • Column 44 gives the country's annual GDP growth rate.
  • Column 55 gives the country's annual population growth rate.
Figure for CAT 2024 DILR question 10 (Data Interpretation)

Assume that the GDP growth rates and population growth rates of the countries will remain constant for the next three years.

Which one among the countries 1 through 8, has the smallest population in 2024?

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 1
Slide 1/2
CountryGDPGDP per capitaGDP growth ratePopulation growth rate
Country 1

0.150.15

0.410.41

0.2%0.2\%

−0.12%-0.12\%

Country 2

0.140.14

0.250.25

0.9%0.9\%

−0.41%-0.41\%

Country 3

0.130.13

0.020.02

6.5%6.5\%

0.70%0.70\%

Country 4

0.120.12

0.380.38

0.5%0.5\%

0.49%0.49\%

Country 5

0.100.10

0.360.36

0.7%0.7\%

0.31%0.31\%

Country 6

0.080.08

0.080.08

3.2%3.2\%

0.61%0.61\%

Country 7

0.080.08

0.300.30

0.7%0.7\%

−0.11%-0.11\%

Country 8

0.070.07

0.410.41

1.2%1.2\%

0.71%0.71\%

This table compares the GDP, GDP per capita, and population of eight countries, all of which are referenced using a consistent set of units.

Specifically, the GDP values are all given with the same country as the reference point (The reference point being Country 9)

i.e., if GDP of country 9 = 100 (let) then GDP of country 1 will be 0.15*100 = 15.

Similarly, the GDP per capita among the eight countries in the table is given using the same reference point (The reference point being Country 10)

i.e., if GDP per capita of country 10 = 100 then, GDP per capita of Country 1 will be 0.41 * 100 = 41.

As a result, when comparing two countries from the list in terms of GDP, GDP per capita, or population, we can directly use the values presented in the table, since they are all based on a uniform reference point.

Also, We can compare the population of two countries using the formula -

population = GDP/ GDP per capita.

We need to find which country has the smallest population in 2024. Since population isn't given directly, we use:

Population=GDPGDP per capita\text{Population} = \frac{\text{GDP}}{\text{GDP per capita}}


This works because if GDP per capita means dollars per person, then total GDP divided by dollars per person gives us the number of people.

Since all values are fractions relative to Countries 9 and 10, this relationship holds.


Calculating relative population for each country:

Country 1:

0.150.41=0.366\frac{0.15}{0.41} = 0.366

Country 2:

0.140.25=0.560\frac{0.14}{0.25} = 0.560

Country 3:

0.130.02=6.500\frac{0.13}{0.02} = 6.500

Country 4:

0.120.38=0.316\frac{0.12}{0.38} = 0.316

Country 5:

0.100.36=0.278\frac{0.10}{0.36} = 0.278

Country 6:

0.080.08=1.000\frac{0.08}{0.08} = 1.000

Country 7:

0.080.30=0.267\frac{0.08}{0.30} = 0.267

Country 8:

0.070.41=0.171\frac{0.07}{0.41} = 0.171


Comparing all populations:

Country 8: 0.1710.171 (smallest)

Country 7: 0.2670.267

Country 5: 0.2780.278

Country 4: 0.3160.316

Country 1: 0.3660.366

Country 2: 0.5600.560

Country 6: 1.0001.000

Country 3: 6.5006.500

Country 8 has the smallest population because it combines low GDP (0.07)(0.07) with high GDP per capita (0.41)(0.41), meaning few people with high income per person.

Country 8 has the smallest population in 2024.

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