In one of the three countries (India, China, Pakistan), agriculture contributes the smallest share of Gross Value Added and industry the largest share among the three countries (data for 2022). Which country is it, and which pattern of structural change does it follow?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → China; a gradual shift from agriculture to industry and then to services
In the 2022 data, agriculture’s share of GVA is lowest in China (8 per cent), and industry’s share is highest in China (38 per cent). So the country is China.
China follows the classical pattern: a gradual shift from agriculture to industry, and then to services. In India and Pakistan, the shift is going directly to the service sector, so options (1)-(3) do not fit.
NCERT (2026-27): “… In China, industries contribute to GDP at 38, and employ 32 per cent of workforce. In all the three countries, service sector contributes highest share of GDP. In the normal course of development, countries first shift their employment and output from agriculture to Industry and then to services. This is what is happening in China as can be seen from Table 8.3. The proportion of workforce engaged in industry in India and Pakistan was low at 26 per cent. The contribution of industries to GDP is at 28 per cent in India and 21 per cent in Pakistan. In these countries, the shift is taking place directly to the service sector.” |
