6. Population

NCERT Questions:

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) Migrations change the number, distribution and composition of the population in:

a) The area of departure

b) The area of arrival

c) Both the area of departure and arrival

d) None of the above

Ans. c) Both the area of departure and arrival

(ii)  A large proportion of children in a population are a result of:

a) High birth rates

b) High life expectancies

c) High death rates

d) More married couples

Ans. b) High life expectancies

 (iii) The magnitude of population growth refers to:

a) The total population of an area

b) The number of persons added each year

c) The weight of which the population increases

d) The number of females per 1000 males

Ans. b) The number of persons added each year

(iv) According to the Census 2001 a ‘literate’ person is one who:

a) Can read and write his or her name.

b) Can read and write any language.

c) Is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding.

d) Knows the 3 Rs (Reading, Writing, arithmetic).

Ans. Is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding.

2. Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981?

Ans. Since 1981, however, the rate of growth started declining gradually. During this period birth rates declined rapidly. Still, 182 million people were added to the total population in the 1990s alone.

(ii)  Discuss the major components of population growth.

Ans. There are three major components of population growth birth rate, death rate and migration.

(iv) Define age structure death rate and birth rate.

Ans.

a) The birth rate is a number of live births per 1000 persons in a year. It is a major component of growth because in India birth rates have always been higher than death rates.

b) The death rate is the number of deaths per 1000 persons in a year.

c) The age composition of a population refers to the number of people in different age groups in a country.

(iv) How is migration a determinant factor of population change?

Ans.

a) Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories.

b) Migration can be internal within the country or international between the countries.

c) International migration does not change the size of the population, but influences the distribution of population within the nation.

d) Migration plays a very significant role in changing the composition and distribution of population.

3. Distinguish between population growth and population change.

4. What is the relation between occupational structure and development?

Ans.

a) The percentage of the population that is economically active is an important index of development.

b) The distribution of the population according to different types of occupation is referred to as the occupational structure.

c) An enormous variety of occupations are found in any country. The proportion of people working in different activities varies in developed and developing countries.

d) Developed nations have a high proportion of people in secondary and tertiary activities. Developing countries tend to have a higher proportion of their workforce engaged in primary activities. In India, about 64% of the population is engaged only in agriculture.

e) The proportion of the population dependent on secondary and tertiary sectors is about 13% and 20% respectively. There has been an occupational shift In favour of secondary and tertiary sectors because of growing industrialization and urbanization in recent times.

5. What are the advantages of having a healthy population?

Ans.

a) Health is an important component of population composition, which affects the process of development.

b) Sustained efforts of government programmes have registered significant improvements in the health conditions of the Indian population.

c) Death rates have declined from 25/1000 population in 1951 to 2.1/1000 in 2024, and life expectancy at birth has increased from 36.7 years in 1951 to 67.24 years in 2021.

d) The substantial improvement is the result of many factors, including improvement in public health, prevention of infectious diseases and application of modern medical practices in the diagnosis and treatment of ailments.

e) Despite considerable achievements, the health situation is a matter of major concern for India.

f) The per capita calorie consumption is much below the recommended levels and malnutrition afflicts a large percentage of our population.

g) Safe drinking water and basic sanitation amenities are available to only 1/3 of the rural population.

These problems need to be tackled through an appropriate population policy.

6. What are the significant features of the National Population Policy 2000?

Ans. The significant features of the National Population Policy 2000 are:

a) NPP 2000 Identified adolescents as one of the major sections of the population that need greater attention.

b) Beside nutritional requirements, the policy puts greater emphasis on other important needs of adolescents, including protection from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

c) It called for programs that aim towards encouraging delayed marriage and child bearing.

d) Education of adolescents.

e) Spreading awareness about the risk of unprotected sex.

f) Making contraceptive services accessible and affordable, providing food, supplements and nutritional services. Strengthening legal measures to prevent child marriage.

Extra Questions:

1. What do you mean by census

Ans. A census is an official request of population done. In India census are held regularly every tenth year.

2. What is the push and pull factors of internal migration in India?

Ans. The adverse conditions of poverty and unemployment in rural areas act as push factors whereas the increased employment opportunities and better living conditions better education and health care act as pull factors in cities of India.

3. What are the reasons for the steep rise in the population of India since 1921?

Ans. The steep rise in the population of India since 1921 is because of:

a) Lack of literacy particularly among the females

b) High birth rate and low death rate

c) Better medical facilities

d) Lack of family planning

4. Why do most of the peninsular states have moderate population?

Ans. Most of the peninsular states have moderate population because of hilly, dissected and rocky terrain, moderate to low rainfall shallow and less fertile soil.

5. In which category are children below 15 years counted?

Ans. Children are economically unproductive and need to be provided with food clothing education and medical care so they are counted as dependent population.

6. Who is considered a literate in India?

Ans. According to census 2001 a person aged seven years and above can read and write with understanding in any language is treated as literate.

7. What is referred as occupational structure?

Ans. The distribution of population according to different types of occupation is referred as occupational structure.

8. What is NPP?

Ans. NPP is (National Population Policy 2000) a comprehensive family planning program initiated by government of India.

9. Which states of India have the highest and lowest sex ratio?

Ans. Kerala has the highest sex ratio 1087/ 1000 and Haryana has the lowest sex ratio 877/1000 as per the 2011 senses.

10. What age is considered as the age of the working population in India.

Ans. In India the age of working population is between 15 to 60 years.

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