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Population Urbanization

Asked 25 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2024

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The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as:

2024Geography
Athe number of children born per 1000 people in the population in a year.
Bthe number of children born to a couple in their lifetime in a given population.
Cthe birth rate minus death rate.
Dthe average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.

Explanation

The total fertility rate is a measure that estimates the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age. It is an important indicator of population growth and demographic trends in an economy. This rate helps in understanding the reproductive behavior of women within a population.

Consider the following countries: 1. Italy 2. Japan 3. Nigeria 4. South Korea 5. South Africa. Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population or declining population?

2024Geography
A1, 2 and 4
B1, 3 and 5
C2 and 4 only
D3 and 5 only

Explanation

Italy, Japan, and South Korea are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, ageing populations, or declining populations. These countries are facing demographic challenges such as a decreasing fertility rate, longer life expectancy, and a shrinking workforce due to these trends.

Consider the following statements: Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

2021Geography
ABoth Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
BBoth Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
CStatement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
DStatement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

Explanation

Hyderabad has not been recognized as the 2020 Tree City of the World by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation. However, the city was selected for the recognition for a year due to its commitment to grow and maintain urban forests. This distinction highlights the importance of urban forestry in enhancing the environment and quality of life in cities.

Consider the following statements about particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: 1. PVTGs reside in 18 states and one union Territory. 2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. 3. There are 92 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. Which of the statements given above are correct?

2019Geography
A1, 2 and 3
B2, 3 and 4
C1, 2 and 4
D1, 3 and 4

Explanation

The Ministry of Home Affairs has identified 75 tribal groups as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). PVTGs are located in 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Therefore, statement 1 is accurate, but statement 3 is incorrect.

To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?

2013Geography
APromoting skill development
BIntroducing more social security schemes
CReducing infant mortality rate
DPrivatization of higher education

Explanation

In order to fully utilize the demographic dividend, India needs to focus on promoting skill development. This is important because a significant portion of the population is part of the productive workforce.

Consider the following specific stages of demographic transition associated with economic development: 1. Low birthrate with low death rate 2. High birthrate with high death rate 3. High birthrate with low death rate. Select the correct order of the above stages using the codes given below:

2012Geography
A1, 2, 3
B2, 1, 3
C2, 3, 1
D3, 2, 1

Explanation

In the process of demographic transition linked to economic progress, the specific stages are: 1. Low birth rate and low death rate, 2. High birth rate and high death rate, 3. High birth rate and low death rate. The correct order of these stages is (c) 2, 3, 1. Demographic transition refers to the shift from high birth and death rates to lower rates as a nation moves from a pre-industrial to an industrialized economic system.

India is regarded as a country with 'Demographic Dividend'. This is due to

2011Geography
AIts high population in the age group below 15 years.
BIts high population in the age group of 15-64 years.
CIts high population in the age group above 65 years.
DIts high total population.

Explanation

India is considered to have a 'Demographic Dividend' because of its large population in the age group of 15-64 years. This age group is often referred to as the working-age population. The demographic dividend leads to an increase in the rate of economic growth as there is a higher proportion of people who are able to contribute to the workforce and drive productivity.

As per the UN-Habitat's Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, which one among the following regions has shown the fastest growth rate of urbanization in the last three decades?

2010Geography
AAsia
BEurope
CLatin America and Caribbean
DNorth America

Explanation

According to the UN-Habitat's Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, Asia has demonstrated the most rapid urbanization growth over the past thirty years among the regions listed.

Which one among the following South Asian countries has the highest population density?

2009Geography
AIndia
BNepal
CPakistan
DSri Lanka

Explanation

India has the highest population density among the South Asian countries listed, with 324 people per square kilometer. Nepal has a density of 102, Pakistan has 146, and Sri Lanka has 280 individuals per square kilometer.

For India, China, UK and USA, which one of the following is the correct sequence of the median age of their population?

2008Geography
AChina < India < UK < USA
BIndia < China < USA < UK
CChina < India < USA < UK
DIndia < China < UK < USA

Explanation

The median age sequence for the populations of India, China, UK, and USA is as follows: India has the lowest median age, followed by China, then USA, and finally UK.

Which two countries follow China and India in the decreasing order of their population?

2008Geography
ABrazil and USA
BUSA and Indonesia
CCanada and Malaysia
DRussia and Nigeria

Explanation

According to population statistics, after China and India, the next two countries with the highest populations in decreasing order are the USA and Indonesia. The top ten countries with the largest populations, in order, are: China, India, USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, and Japan.

Consider the following statements: 1. According to the census 2001, Kerala has the smallest gap in male and female literacy rates among the 28 states of India. 2. According to the Census 2001, Rajasthan has literacy rate above the national average literacy rate. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

2006Geography
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

In the 2001 census, it was found that Kerala had the smallest difference in male and female literacy rates among all 28 states in India. Rajasthan, on the other hand, had a literacy rate higher than the national average according to the same census. Mizoram had a male literacy rate of 90.7% and a female literacy rate of 86.7%, making it the state with the smallest gap in male and female literacy rates. Rajasthan's literacy rate was recorded at 60.4%, which was below the national average of 64.8%.

As per 1991 Census, which one of the following groups of Union Territories had the highest literacy rate?

2004Geography
AChandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
BDelhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
CAndaman & Nicobar Islands and Pondichery
DPondicherry and Delhi

Explanation

According to the 1991 Census, Pondicherry and Delhi had the highest literacy rates among the Union Territories. Pondicherry had a literacy rate of 75.3%, while Delhi had a literacy rate of 74.7%.

Consider the following statements: As per 2001 Census 1. the two States with the lowest sex ratio are Haryana and Punjab 2. the two States with the lowest population per sq. km. of area are Meghalaya and Mizoram 3. Kerala has both the highest literacy rate and sex ratio. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2004Geography
A3 only
B2 and 3
C1 and 2
D1 and 3

Explanation

According to the 2001 Census data, Haryana and Punjab had the lowest sex ratios among Indian states, while Meghalaya and Mizoram had the lowest population densities per square kilometer. Kerala stood out for having the highest literacy rate and sex ratio. This means that the correct statements are 1 and 3.

Which one among the following States has the highest female literacy rate as per the Census 2001?

2003Geography
AChhattisgarh
BMadhya Pradesh
COrissa
DRajasthan

Explanation

According to the 2001 Census, Chhattisgarh has the highest female literacy rate at 51.85%, followed by Orissa at 50.51%, Madhya Pradesh at 50.29%, and Rajasthan at 43.85%.

Which among the following countries has the largest population?

2003Geography
AIndonesia
BJapan
CPakistan
DSudan

Explanation

Among the countries listed, Indonesia has the highest population.

Consider the following countries: 1. Brazil 2. Indonesia 3. Japan 4. Russia. What is the descending order of the size of the following countries population-wise?

2002Geography
A1, 2, 4, 3
B2, 3, 1, 4
C2, 1, 4, 3
D1, 2, 3, 4

Explanation

In terms of population size, the descending order of the countries listed is Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, and Japan. This is based on the 2000 population data, where Indonesia had 213,829,469 people, Brazil had 176,319,621, Russia had 146,709,971, and Japan had 126,729,223.

Consider the following countries of South Asia: 1. Bangladesh 2. India 3. Pakistan 4. Sri Lanka. The descending order of literacy status of these countries is:

2002Geography
A4, 2, 1, 3
B2, 4, 3, 1
C4, 2, 3, 1
D2, 4, 1, 3

Explanation

In the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the literacy rates in descending order are as follows: Sri Lanka has the highest literacy rate at 92.6%, followed by Bangladesh at 72.8%, India at 72.1%, and Pakistan with the lowest literacy rate at 56.4%. The correct order of literacy status for these countries is 4 (Sri Lanka), 2 (Bangladesh), 3 (India), and 1 (Pakistan).

Consider the following statements about the megacities of India: 1. Population of each megacity is more than 5 million 2. All the megacities are important sea ports 3. Megacities are either national or state capitals. Which of these statements are correct?

2000Geography
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2
C2 and 3
D1 and 3

Explanation

In India, megacities are defined as having a population exceeding 5 million residents. While some megacities serve as important sea ports, not all of them do. It's worth noting that megacities can be either national capitals or state capitals. For example, Delhi, the national capital of India, is not a sea port.

According to Meadows (1972), if the present trends in world population, industrialisation, pollution, food production and resource depletion continue unchanged, the "Limits to Growth" on our planet will be reached in the next:

1998Geography
A50 years
B100 years
C150 years
D200 years

Explanation

As per Meadows (1972), if the current patterns of world population growth, industrialization, pollution levels, food production, and resource depletion persist without change, the Earth's "Limits to Growth" will likely be reached within the next 100 years. This could lead to a sudden and uncontrollable decline in both population numbers and industrial capabilities.

What is the correct sequence of the descending order of the following States in respect of female literacy rates as per the 2001 census? 1. Mizoram 2. Kerala 3. Goa 4. Nagaland

1997Geography
A2, 1, 3, 4
B2, 3, 4, 1
C2, 4, 1, 3
D1, 2, 4, 3

Explanation

Based on the 2001 census data, the correct descending order of states in terms of female literacy rates is as follows: Kerala with 87.7%, Mizoram with 86.7%, Goa with 76.5%, and Nagaland with 61.5%. The correct sequence is Kerala, Mizoram, Goa, Nagaland.

About 50% of the world population is concentrated between the latitudes of:

1997Geography
A5°N and 20° N
B20°N and 40°N
C40ºN and 60ºN
D20ºS and 40ºS

Explanation

Approximately half of the global population is clustered between the latitudes of 20°N and 40°N. This is due to the presence of highly populated regions such as Asia, the U.S.A, Europe, and India within this latitude band.

What is the density in 1991 census in persons per square kilometre for the North-Eastern region (as a whole)?

1996Geography
A79
B103
C128
D147

Explanation

In the 1991 census, the density of population in the North-Eastern region as a whole was 79 persons per square kilometre. When ranked individually by density in the same year, Sikkim had 57 persons, Nagaland had 73 persons, Meghalaya had 79 persons, and Manipur had 82 persons per square kilometre.

As per the 1991 Census, the average size of households in terms of number of persons per household in respect of the given states follows the sequence (highest first, lowest last)

1996Economy
AHaryana, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
BUttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala
CGujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
DUttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

Explanation

According to the 1991 Census, the average household size in terms of the number of individuals per household for the specified states is arranged in the following order from highest to lowest: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala. The correct option is (b) Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala.

According to the 1991 Census, the highest percentage of population in India is to be found in the age group of:

1995Geography
A60 years and above
B35 to 55 years
C25 to 34 years
D5 to 14 years

Explanation

In the 1991 Census, the age group with the largest percentage of the population in India was 5 to 14 years old.