According to the textbook, high-income countries are generally those countries that:

• A. have low levels of industrialization
• B. experience rapid population growth and low literacy rates
• C. rely primarily on subsistence agriculture
• D. have a high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of 'high-income countries' in microeconomics and development economics, which typically refers to nations with a high standard of living and economic prosperity.
2. Recall that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is a common measure used to assess the average economic output per person, indicating the wealth and income level of a country's population.
3. Recognize that low levels of industrialization, rapid population growth, low literacy rates, and reliance on subsistence agriculture are characteristics more commonly associated with low-income or developing countries, not high-income countries.
4. Identify that high-income countries usually have advanced industrial sectors, higher literacy rates, slower population growth, and diversified economies rather than subsistence agriculture.
5. Conclude that the defining feature of high-income countries is having a high GDP per capita, which reflects greater economic productivity and higher average income levels.