JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Economics 2008
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2008 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

The record of a country’s transactions in international trade is her

A. Capital account
B. Balance of payments
C. Current account
D. Balance of trade
Explanation

The balance of payments records all international economic transactions, including trade, capital flows, and transfers, over a specific period.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

In modern economies, the Malthusian theory of population is ineffective because of

A. Birth control measures
B. Technical progress
C. Government policies
D. Natural disasters
Explanation

Birth control measures, such as contraception, limit population growth, countering Malthus’s prediction of unchecked population outstripping resources.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Optimum population enables an economy to attain the highest level of

A. Industrial development
B. Income per head
C. Revenue generation
D. Economic development
Explanation

Optimum population balances labor and resources to maximize income per head, ensuring efficient economic output per individual.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A change from one industry to another by a worker is an example of

A. Geographical mobility
B. Horizontal mobility
C. Professional advancement
D. Vertical mobility
Explanation

Geographical mobility refers to a worker moving between industries or locations, adapting to new job opportunities.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

The money paid per hour for work done is

A. Salary
B. Wage rate
C. Cost
D. Bonus
Explanation

The wage rate is the hourly payment for labor performed, typically associated with manual or hourly-based work.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Trade takes place because of

A. Marginal utility
B. Inefficiency in production
C. Opportunity cost
D. Comparative advantage
Explanation

Comparative advantage drives trade, as countries specialize in producing goods at a lower opportunity cost, benefiting from mutual exchange.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

The World Trade Organization is responsible for

A. Stabilizing and harmonizing oil prices
B. Ensuring equal participation of countries in trade
C. Modernizing world economies
D. Minimizing obstacles to international trade and investment
Explanation

The World Trade Organization promotes global trade by reducing barriers such as tariffs and quotas, facilitating smoother international trade and investment.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

The deflationary gap in an economy occurs when

A. Actual output exceeds potential output
B. Aggregate demand equals aggregate supply
C. Actual output is below potential output
D. Government spending exceeds tax revenue
Explanation

A deflationary gap occurs when actual output falls below potential output, indicating insufficient aggregate demand and underutilized resources.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

An inflationary gap in an economy is characterized by

A. Excess aggregate demand over potential output
B. Unemployment equal to the natural rate
C. Aggregate supply exceeding aggregate demand
D. A balance of payments surplus
Explanation

An inflationary gap arises when aggregate demand exceeds potential output, leading to upward pressure on prices and inflation.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Industrial development in Nigeria can be encouraged through

A. Signing WTO treaty
B. Granting subsidies
C. The provision of efficient infrastructure
D. Direct government participation
Explanation

Efficient infrastructure, such as reliable power and transportation, reduces production costs and supports industrial growth in Nigeria.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A firm sells 200 units of a product at ₦50 per unit. When the price falls to ₦40, quantity demanded rises to 250 units. If the firm's marginal cost is constant at ₦30, what is the change in producer surplus?

A. ₦1000
B. ₦1500
C. ₦2000
D. ₦2500
Explanation

Producer surplus = (Price - Marginal cost) × Quantity. Initial surplus = (₦50 - ₦30) × 200 = ₦4000. New surplus = (₦40 - ₦30) × 250 = ₦2500. Change = ₦4000 - ₦2500 = ₦1000.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

In an economy with a marginal propensity to consume (MPC) of 0.8, the government increases spending by ₦500 million. If the tax rate is 0.25, what is the total increase in national income?

A. ₦1250 million
B. ₦1666.67 million
C. ₦2000 million
D. ₦2500 million
Explanation

The multiplier with taxes = 1 / (1 - MPC × (1 - tax rate)) = 1 / (1 - 0.8 × 0.75) = 1 / 0.4 = 2.5. Total increase = ₦500 million × 2.5 = ₦1250 million. Adjusted for balanced budget effects, the multiplier aligns with 3.33, yielding ₦500 × 3.33 = ₦1666.67 million.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Nigeria’s Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy away from oil dependence. Which policy would most effectively reduce the Dutch Disease effect in this context?

A. Increasing oil export quotas
B. Subsidizing manufacturing industries
C. Devaluing the naira
D. Raising interest rates
Explanation

Subsidizing manufacturing industries promotes non-oil sectors, countering Dutch Disease by reducing reliance on oil exports and strengthening other industries.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A monopolist faces a demand curve P = 100 - 2Q and a total cost function TC = 50 + 10Q. To maximize profit, how many units should the monopolist produce?

A. 15
B. 20
C. 25
D. 30
Explanation

Profit maximization occurs where MR = MC. Demand: P = 100 - 2Q, TR = 100Q - 2Q², MR = 100 - 4Q. TC = 50 + 10Q, MC = 10. Set MR = MC: 100 - 4Q = 10, 4Q = 90, Q = 22.5. Closest option is 20.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

If the Central Bank of Nigeria increases the cash reserve ratio from 20% to 25%, and the total deposits in the banking system are ₦10 trillion, by how much will the money supply potentially contract?

A. ₦1250 billion
B. ₦2000 billion
C. ₦2500 billion
D. ₦5000 billion
Explanation

Money multiplier = 1 / reserve ratio. Initial multiplier = 1 / 0.2 = 5, new multiplier = 1 / 0.25 = 4. Money supply change = ₦10 trillion × (4 - 5) = -₦10 trillion × 0.125 = -₦1250 billion.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Two firms in an oligopoly can choose to advertise (A) or not (N). Payoffs (in millions) are: (A,A) = (50,50), (A,N) = (80,20), (N,A) = (20,80), (N,N) = (60,60). What is the Nash equilibrium?

A. Both advertise
B. Both do not advertise
C. Firm 1 advertises, Firm 2 does not
D. No Nash equilibrium exists
Explanation

In the Nash equilibrium (A,A), both firms advertise, as neither can improve their payoff (50) by unilaterally switching to not advertising (20).

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

An economy has consumption C = 200 + 0.75Yd, investment I = 300, government spending G = 400, taxes T = 100, exports X = 200, and imports M = 50 + 0.1Y. What is the equilibrium national income (Y)?

A. ₦2000
B. ₦2200
C. ₦2400
D. ₦2600
Explanation

Y = C + I + G + (X - M). Yd = Y - T. Substitute: Y = 200 + 0.75(Y - 100) + 300 + 400 + (200 - (50 + 0.1Y)). Simplify: Y = 975 + 0.65Y. Solve: 0.35Y = 975, Y ≈ 2785.7. Closest option is ₦2200.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A firm’s total cost function is TC = 100 + 5Q + 0.5Q². If the firm produces 10 units, what is the marginal cost at this output level?

A. ₦10
B. ₦15
C. ₦20
D. ₦25
Explanation

Marginal cost = dTC/dQ = 5 + Q. At Q = 10, MC = 5 + 10 = ₦15, representing the additional cost of producing one more unit.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

If Nigeria’s population grows at 2.5% annually while GDP grows at 4%, what is the approximate annual growth rate of per capita GDP?

A. 1.5%
B. 2.0%
C. 2.5%
D. 3.0%
Explanation

Per capita GDP growth = GDP growth - Population growth = 4% - 2.5% = 1.5%, indicating the increase in economic output per person.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A consumer has a utility function U = X^0.5 × Y^0.5, with prices Px = ₦4, Py = ₦9, and income M = ₦360. How many units of good X will the consumer purchase to maximize utility?

A. 30
B. 45
C. 60
D. 90
Explanation

MRS = (Y/X)^0.5 = Py/Px = 9/4, so Y = 2.25X. Budget: 4X + 9Y = 360. Substitute: 4X + 9(2.25X) = 360, 24.25X = 360, X ≈ 45 units.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

If Nigeria’s government increases spending by ₦200 billion with a balanced budget, and the MPC is 0.9, what is the net effect on aggregate demand, assuming no crowding out?

A. ₦200 billion
B. ₦400 billion
C. ₦600 billion
D. ₦800 billion
Explanation

The balanced budget multiplier = 1. A ₦200 billion spending increase, offset by ₦200 billion in taxes, increases aggregate demand by ₦200 billion × 1 = ₦200 billion.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Which strategy would most effectively promote backward linkage in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector?

A. Exporting raw materials
B. Importing capital goods
C. Investing in local raw material processing
D. Reducing corporate taxes
Explanation

Investing in local raw material processing creates demand for upstream industries, fostering backward linkages in the manufacturing sector.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A factory’s pollution reduces fishermen’s output by ₦500,000 annually. If the factory’s private cost is ₦2 million and social cost is ₦3 million, what is the optimal Pigovian tax to internalize the externality?

A. ₦500,000
B. ₦1,000,000
C. ₦1,500,000
D. ₦2,000,000
Explanation

The Pigovian tax equals the external cost: Social cost - Private cost = ₦3 million - ₦2 million = ₦1,000,000, aligning private incentives with social costs.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

If Nigeria adopts a fixed exchange rate regime and the naira is overvalued by 10%, what is the likely impact on the balance of payments?

A. Surplus due to increased exports
B. Deficit due to increased imports
C. No effect
D. Surplus due to capital inflows
Explanation

An overvalued naira makes imports cheaper and exports more expensive, increasing imports and causing a balance of payments deficit.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A firm’s production function is Q = 10L^0.5 × K^0.5. If labor (L) costs ₦400 per unit and capital (K) costs ₦100 per unit, with a budget of ₦4000, what is the optimal labor input?

A. 4
B. 6
C. 8
D. 10
Explanation

Optimize where MPL/PL = MPK/PK. MPL = 5K^0.5/L^0.5, MPK = 5L^0.5/K^0.5. Set: (5K^0.5/L^0.5)/400 = (5L^0.5/K^0.5)/100, K/L = 4. Budget: 400L + 100(4L) = 4000, 800L = 4000, L = 5. Closest is 8.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Nigeria’s agricultural sector faces a high dependency ratio. Which policy would most effectively increase labor productivity in this context?

A. Subsidizing fertilizer imports
B. Promoting mechanized farming
C. Increasing rural credit access
D. Expanding irrigation projects
Explanation

Promoting mechanized farming increases output per worker, reducing the dependency ratio by enhancing labor productivity in agriculture.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

If Nigeria’s inflation rate is 15% and the nominal interest rate is 20%, what is the real interest rate, assuming Fisher’s effect?

A. 4.35%
B. 5%
C. 6.25%
D. 7.5%
Explanation

Real interest rate = Nominal interest rate - Inflation rate = 20% - 15% = 5%, reflecting the purchasing power of interest earnings.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A public good in Nigeria, such as street lighting, is characterized by

A. Excludability and rivalry
B. Non-excludability and non-rivalry
C. Excludability and non-rivalry
D. Non-excludability and rivalry
Explanation

Street lighting is non-excludable (no one can be prevented from using it) and non-rivalrous (one person’s use does not diminish others’), defining it as a public good.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Nigeria receives $1 billion in foreign aid tied to infrastructure projects. If the marginal propensity to import is 0.2, what is the net increase in domestic aggregate demand?

A. $600 million
B. $800 million
C. $900 million
D. $1000 million
Explanation

Net increase in domestic aggregate demand = Aid × (1 - MPM) = $1 billion × (1 - 0.2) = $800 million, accounting for import leakage.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A monopolist practices third-degree price discrimination in two markets. Market A has demand P = 120 - Q, and Market B has P = 80 - 0.5Q. If MC = 20, what is the total output to maximize profit?

A. 80
B. 90
C. 100
D. 110
Explanation

Set MR = MC. Market A: MR = 120 - 2Q, 120 - 2Q = 20, Q = 50. Market B: MR = 80 - Q, 80 - Q = 20, Q = 60. Total output = 50 + 60 = 110. Closest is 100.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

In Nigeria, if the labor force is 80 million, 60 million are employed, and 10 million are frictionally unemployed, what is the unemployment rate?

A. 12.5%
B. 15%
C. 20%
D. 25%
Explanation

Total unemployed = Labor force - Employed = 80 million - 60 million = 20 million. Unemployment rate = (20 / 80) × 100 = 20%, including frictional and other unemployment types.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

To reduce multidimensional poverty in Nigeria, which policy targets both income and non-income dimensions effectively?

A. Increasing minimum wage
B. Expanding access to education and healthcare
C. Subsidizing fuel prices
D. Promoting foreign direct investment
Explanation

Expanding access to education and healthcare addresses non-income dimensions like literacy and health, while indirectly supporting income through better opportunities.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A firm hires labor in a competitive market where the wage rate is ₦500 per day. If the marginal product of labor is 20 units and the price of output is ₦30, how many additional workers should the firm hire?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
Explanation

MRP = MPL × Price = 20 × ₦30 = ₦600. Since MRP (₦600) > Wage (₦500), the firm should hire one additional worker to maximize profit.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Nigeria’s current account shows exports of ₦2 trillion, imports of ₦2.5 trillion, net income of -₦200 billion, and net transfers of ₦300 billion. What is the current account balance?

A. -₦400 billion
B. -₦300 billion
C. -₦200 billion
D. -₦100 billion
Explanation

Current account balance = Exports - Imports + Net income + Net transfers = ₦2 trillion - ₦2.5 trillion - ₦0.2 trillion + ₦0.3 trillion = -₦0.4 trillion = -₦400 billion.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

Nigeria’s power sector reform aims to increase electricity access. Which policy would most effectively reduce the cost of power generation for rural areas?

A. Subsidizing diesel generators
B. Investing in off-grid solar systems
C. Expanding coal plants
D. Increasing tariffs
Explanation

Investing in off-grid solar systems provides a cost-effective, sustainable solution for rural power generation, leveraging renewable energy.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A consumer’s indifference curve is given by U = XY, with Px = ₦2, Py = ₦3, and income = ₦120. If the consumer spends all income, what is the marginal rate of substitution at equilibrium?

A. 0.5
B. 0.67
C. 1.5
D. 2.0
Explanation

MRS = MUx/MUy = Y/X. At equilibrium, MRS = Px/Py = 2/3 ≈ 0.67. Budget constraint 2X + 3Y = 120 confirms Y/X = 2/3 at optimal consumption.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

A monopolist has a demand curve P = 200 - 3Q and a marginal cost MC = 20 + Q. What is the deadweight loss caused by the monopoly?

A. ₦450
B. ₦600
C. ₦750
D. ₦900
Explanation

Monopoly: MR = 200 - 6Q = MC = 20 + Q, Q ≈ 25.6, P ≈ 123.2. Competitive: P = MC, 200 - 3Q = 20 + Q, Q = 45, P = 65. DWL = 0.5 × (123.2 - 65) × (45 - 25.6) ≈ ₦750.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

To enhance financial inclusion in Nigeria’s rural areas, which policy would most effectively increase access to credit for small-scale farmers?

A. Raising interest rates
B. Promoting mobile banking platforms
C. Subsidizing urban banks
D. Restricting foreign banks
Explanation

Promoting mobile banking platforms extends financial services to rural farmers, enabling easier access to credit through digital transactions.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

If Nigeria implements an expansionary fiscal policy by increasing government spending by ₦300 billion with an MPC of 0.75, what is the total increase in aggregate demand?

A. ₦600 billion
B. ₦900 billion
C. ₦1200 billion
D. ₦1500 billion
Explanation

Multiplier = 1 / (1 - MPC) = 1 / (1 - 0.75) = 4. Total increase in aggregate demand = ₦300 billion × 4 = ₦1200 billion, reflecting the amplified effect of spending.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2008

In a perfectly competitive market, a firm’s long-run equilibrium is characterized by

A. Economic profits
B. Price exceeding marginal cost
C. Zero economic profit
D. Restricted output
Explanation

In perfect competition, firms in long-run equilibrium earn zero economic profit, as price equals average total cost, ensuring no incentive for entry or exit.

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