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HomeCIE IGCSE GeographyTheme 3: Economic Development
CIE · IGCSE · Geography · Revision Notes

Theme 3: Economic Development

124 words · Last updated July 2026

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What you'll learn

How and why levels of development differ, and the effects of economic activity.

Development

  • Indicators: GDP per capita, HDI, literacy, life expectancy.
  • The development gap between MEDCs and LEDCs.
  • Employment sectors: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary; the shift as countries develop.

Economic activity

  • Industry as a system (inputs–processes–outputs); factors affecting location.
  • Tourism: growth, benefits and problems; sustainable tourism.
  • Energy: sources, demand and management.

Impacts

  • Environmental impacts of development and the need for sustainable management.

Exam tips

  • Use a range of indicators, not just GDP.
  • Support with named case studies and figures.

Common mistakes

  • Judging development on wealth alone.
  • No named example in extended answers.
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