1. During 10000 BC, the population of the world was :
(a) 2 million
(b) 3 million
(c) 4 million
(d) 5 million
(e) None of the above / More than one of the above
[63rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (*)
- It is estimated that the population of the world when farming started around 10,000 BC was between 1 to 10 million people.
- Therefore, option (e) is the right answer.
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2. Which one of the following countries of the world has the largest Indian population as on December 2018?
(a) United Arab Emirates
(b) Malaysia
(c) United Kingdom
(d) United States of America
(e) None of the above / More than one of the above
[66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020]
Ans. (a) United Arab Emirates
- According to the information on the website of India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Arab Emirates had the most Indian people living there as of December 2018, and Saudi Arabia had the second-largest Indian population.
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3. Which of the following subjects deals with the studies in population and vital statistics of Human communities?
(a) Ecology
(b) Genetics
(c) Demography
(d) Virology
[U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2017]
Ans. (c) Demography
- Demography is the analysis of people’s populations, including their numbers, locations, and vital statistics (births, marriages, and deaths).
- It can look at entire societies or at specific groups, such as those based on education, nationality, religion, and ethnicity.
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4. The idea of ‘Folk-Urban Continuum’ was developed on the basis of studies conducted in :
(a) Mexico
(b) Brazil
(c) Indonesia
(d) India
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]
Ans. (a) Mexico
- American Cultural Anthropologist Robert Redfield studied the Merida, Yucatan and rural Maya Communities of Mexico to create the concept of the “Folk-Urban Continuum”.
- He determined that the more urban a population is, the more secular, individualistic and divided its labour will be.
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5. In the view of Redfield and Singer, the process of primary urbanization is characterized by the development of a:
(a) Folk tradition
(b) Elite tradition
(c) Great tradition
(d) Little tradition
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]
Ans. (c) Great tradition
- Robert Redfield and Milton Singer discuss the effects of cities on cultures.
- They see cities as places of creativity, where ideas spread and progress happens.
- They have broken down the process of cities becoming more populated into two sections: primary urbanization and secondary urbanization.
- Primary urbanization is when activities such as politics, economy, education, intellect and art follow the same rules as the Great Tradition.
- Secondary urbanization occurs in the industrial part of a city and is known for its diverse development.
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6. Which among the following organizations released the World Population Report, 2021?
(a) International Monetary Fund
(b) United Nations Population Fund
(c) World Health Organization
(d) United Nations Development Programme
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (b) United Nations Population Fund
- On April 14, 2021, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) published the 2021 State of World Population Report, called ‘My Body is My Own.’
- This is the first time a United Nations report has looked at the idea of having control over your body without the threat of violence or someone else making decisions for you.
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7. As per the ‘U.N. Population Fund’, the seven-billionth baby was born on October 31, 2011 in :
(a) India
(b) Indonesia
(c) Philippines
(d) Russia
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009]
Ans. (*)
- On October 31, 2011, organizations chose Nargis (from India), Danika May Camacho (from the Philippines), Wattalage Muthumai (from Sri Lanka), and Piotr Nikolayeva (from Russia) to represent the seven billionth person in the world.
- However, the United States did not officially recognize any of these people as the seven billionth.
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8. World Population Day commemorates the day on which the estimated world population become five billion. That day was :
(a) 11 July 1987
(b) 11 Sept. 1994
(c) 11 Nov. 1995
(d) 11 July 1997
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
Ans. (a) 11 July 1987
- World Population Day is celebrated on July 11 each year.
- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) created this event in 1989, which was inspired by the date in 1987 when the world population reached 5 billion people.
- The population reached 4 billion in 1974, 6 billion in 1999 and 7 billion in 2011.
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9. World Population Day is celebrated on :
(a) October 4
(b) May 3
(c) July 11
(d) December 10
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015, Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007, Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2002, 2003, Uttarakhand Lower (Sub.) (Pre) 2010, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (c) July 11
- World Population Day is celebrated annually on July 11th.
- It was created by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989. It was inspired by the public’s interest in the date when the world population reached five billion people in 1987.
- It’s important to note that the world population reached 4 billion in 1974, 6 billion in 1999, and 7 billion in 2011 (October).
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10. What has been the theme of the 2017 World Population Day?
(a) Be counted : Say what you need
(b) Investing in teenage girls
(c) Vulnerable population in emergency
(d) Family planning : Empowering People, Developing Nations
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (d) Family planning : Empowering People, Developing Nations
- Every year, World Population Day (July 11th) is celebrated, focusing on different themes.
- In 2017, the theme was ‘Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations’.
- In 2020, the theme was ‘Putting the Brakes on COVID-19: How to Safeguard the Health and Rights of Women and Girls Now’.
- This year’s (2021) theme is ‘Rights and Choices Are the Answer: Whether Baby Boom or Bust, the Solution to Shifting Fertility Rates Lies in Prioritizing the reproductive health and rights of all people.
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11. Which one of the following is the theme of the World Population Day, 2015?
(a) Universal access to reproductive health services
(b) Vulnerable populations in emergencies
(c) A time to reflect on population trends and related issues
(d) Focus is on adolescent pregnancy
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2013]
Ans. (b) Vulnerable populations in emergencies
- Every year on July 11, people all around the world celebrate World Population Day.
- The focus for World Population Day in 2015 was on ‘Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies’.
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12. About 50% of the world population is concentrated between the latitudes of :
(a) 5o N and 20o N
(b) 20oN and 40oN
(c) 40oN and 60oN
(d) 20oS and 40oS
[IAS (Pre) 1997, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]
Ans. (b) 20oN and 40oN
- Looking at a world map, we can see that the most populated countries in the world, such as China, India, USA, and countries in Southern Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia, are located between 20 and 40 degrees north.
- Over 50% of the world’s population lives in this region.
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13. The ‘New Population Bomb’ refers to :
(a) an increase in the population of the aged in the Third World
(b) rapidly growing urban population in the Third World
(c) Large-scale distress migration in the Third World
(d) deluge of Soviet emigrants
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (b) rapidly growing urban population in the Third World
- In poorer countries, the rate of urbanization is rising as people develop.
- This has caused a sharp increase in the population of cities in these countries, which has been dubbed the ‘New Population Bomb’.
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14. What percentage of the total population of the world\resides in India as estimated in the years 2011?
(a) 15
(b) 17.5
(c) 20
(d) 22.5
[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2012, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (b) 17.5
- Census 2011 shows that India has 17.5% of the world’s population.
- The total population of the world in 2019 is estimated to be 7.7 billion, and is predicted to rise to 8.5 billion, 9.7 billion, and 10.9 billion by 2030, 2050, and 2100 respectively.
- India and China both have an estimated population of 1.37 billion and 1.43 billion in 2019.
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15. The percentage of India’s population in the total population of the world as per 2011 Census is :
(a) 17.31
(b) 18.50
(c) 18.90
(d) 19.05
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (a) 17.31
- According to the 2011 Census, India makes up 17.5% of the world’s population, so option (a) is the most likely correct answer.
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16. According to the World Bank, the world’s population is :
(a) 7 billion
(b) 6.5 billion
(c) 6 billion
(d) 5.5 billion
[R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2003]
Ans. (b) 6.5 billion
- According to the World Bank, the world’s population was around 6.5 billion people in 2005.
- The World Population Prospects 2019 estimates that the population will go up from 7.7 billion in 2019 to 9.7 billion by 2050.
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17. According to the United Nations, in 2050, the estimated population of the world will be :
(a) 9.00 billion (kharab)
(b) 9.25 billion (kharab)
(c) 8.92 billion (kharab)
(d) 10.00 billion (kharab)
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (b) 9.25 billion (kharab)
- Based on the calculations, option (b) is the most accurate answer.
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18. As per World Statistics 2008, what approximate percentage of world population lives in Asia ?
(a) 61%
(b) 63%
(c) 65%
(d) 66%
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) 61%
- According to World Statistics 2008, around 61% of the world’s people lived in Asia.
- In 2019, World Population Prospects reported that nearly 60% (59.65%) of the world’s population was living in Asia.
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19. Which of the following countries has the largest population?
(a) Brazil
(b) Bangladesh
(c) Indonesia
(d) Pakistan
[U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (c) Indonesia
- Currently, Indonesia is the most populated country out of the countries listed.
- According to World Population Prospects 2019, the five most populated countries in the world are China, India, USA, Indonesia, and Pakistan in that order.
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20. Arrange the following countries of the world in descending order of their population size.
1. Brazil
2. Indonesia
3. Nigeria
4. Pakistan
Select the correct answer from the codes given below :
Codes :
(a) 1, 2, 4, 3
(b) 2, 1, 3, 4
(c) 4, 1, 2, 3
(d) 2, 1, 4, 3
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (*)
- According to the latest data, Indonesia has the highest population with 267.7 million people, followed by Pakistan with 212.2 million, Brazil with 209.5 million, and Nigeria with 195.9 million.
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21. Among the world’s ten most populous countries, in Asia are :
(a) 3
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) 6
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (c) 5
- Six of the world’s ten most populated countries used to be from Asia, but now there are only five.
- According to World Population Prospects 2019, the ten most populated countries in order are China, India, US, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, and Mexico.
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22. Which two countries follow China and India in the decreasing order of their populations?
(a) Brazil and USA
(b) USA and Indonesia
(c) Canada and Malayasia
(d) Russia and Nigeria
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (b) USA and Indonesia
- Six of the top ten most populated countries in the world were Asian countries at one point, but now there are only five.
- According to the World Population Prospects 2019, the ten most populated countries in the world, in order, are: China, India, USA, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, and Mexico.
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23. Which among the following countries has the largest population?
(a) Indonesia
(b) Japan
(c) Pakistan
(d) Sudan
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (a) Indonesia
- Previously, 6 out of the 10 most populated countries in the world were in Asia, but now there are only 5.
- The World Population Prospects 2019 list the 10 most populated countries in the world, in order from the most populated to the least: China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, and Mexico.
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24. Which one of the following countries has the largest population?
(a) Bangladesh
(b) Brazil
(c) Indonesia
(d) Japan
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]
Ans. (c) Indonesia
- Indonesia has the highest population out of the countries listed.
- The World Bank’s data from February 2021 shows that Indonesia had the most people in 2019 with 270,626 thousand, followed by Brazil with 211,050 thousand, Bangladesh with 163,046 thousand, and finally Japan with 126,265 thousand.
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25. Consider the following countries :
1. Brazil
2. Indonesia
3. Japan
4 Russia
What is the decreasing order of the size of the following countries population-wise?
(a) 1, 2, 4, 3
(b) 2, 3, 1, 4
(c) 2, 1, 4, 3
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (c) 2, 1, 4, 3
- Currently, option (c) is the correct answer.
- According to the World Bank’s statistics released in February 2021, the population of Indonesia, Brazil, Russia and Japan in 2019 were 270.6 million, 211.1 million, 144.4 million and 126.3 million respectively.
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26. Africa’s most populous country is:
(a) Egypt
(b) Ethiopia
(c) Nigeria
(d) South Africa
[U.P.P.C.S (Mains) 2011]
Ans. (c) Nigeria
- Nigeria is the most populated nation in Africa and the 7th most populated in the whole world.
- According to ‘World Population Prospects 2019’, by 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populated country globally, behind India and China.
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27. According to United Nations Statistics 2012, which one of the following has the largest population?
(a) Marshall Islands
(b) Dominica
(c) St. Kitts
(d) Monaco
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]
Ans. (b) Dominica
- In 2012 and today, Dominica has the largest population of all the countries listed.
- According to the World Bank’s data from February 2021, the populations of these countries in 2019 were: Dominica (72000), St. Kitts (53000), Marshall Islands (59000), Monaco (39000), and Nevis (included in St. Kitts).
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28. Which of the following is the most populous Islamic country?
(a) Pakistan
(b) Bangladesh
(c) Indonesia
(d) Egypt
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (c) Indonesia
- Indonesia is the country with the largest population of Muslims.
- According to the World Population Prospects 2019, the number of people in these countries, from highest to lowest, is Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt.
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29. What is the approximate population of Pakistan as per Census of 1998?
(a) 5 crore
(b) 11 crore
(c) 21 crore
(d) 22 crore
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (*)
- According to Pakistan’s 1998 Census, the population of Pakistan was 134.7 million (including Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan).
- This number increased to 213.2 million in 2017 according to the 2017 Pakistan Census.
- The World Bank’s data released in February 2021 shows that the population of Pakistan was 216.6 million in 2019
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30. Highest percentage of population growth has been noticed in the countries of the continent of :
(a) Africa
(b) Asia
(c) Latin America
(d) Oceania
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) Africa
- According to the question and the current situation, option (a) is the correct answer.
- The World Population Prospects 2019 report shows that the average population growth rate between 2015-2020 for Africa, Oceania, Latin America and Asia are 2.51%, 1.37%, 0.94% and 0.92% respectively
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31. In which of the following, population growth was minimum during the year 1990-2000?
(a) Australia
(b) Europe
(c) North America
(d) South America
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl.) (Pre) 2002, 2003]
Ans. (b) Europe
- Between 1990-2000, Europe had the lowest population growth compared to other continents.
- Now, according to World Population Prospects 2019, the average annual population growth rates for the decade 2011-20 are Africa 2.51%, Asia 0.92%, Australia 1.27%, North America 0.65%, South America 0.87%, and Europe 0.12%.
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32. Which one of the following regions of Asia is experiencing the highest annual growth rate of population?
(a) South Asia
(b) South-East Asia
(c) Central Asia
(d) West Asia
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (c) Central Asia
- Option (c) was the right answer according to the question.
- According to the World Population Prospects 2019 report, the average annual population growth rate for Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia, and South-East Asia is 1.64%, 1.64%, 1.2%, and 1.05%, respectively.
- This means that the population growth rate in Central Asia and West Asia is currently the same.
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33. Which one of the following countries has the highest population growth rate?
(a) Indonesia
(b) Japan
(c) Philippines
(d) Singapore
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (c) Philippines
- Currently, the answer to the question is option (c).
- The World Population Prospects 2019 shows that the average annual growth rates of population of the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan from 2015 to 2020 are 1.41%, 1.14%, 0.90%, and 0.24% respectively.
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34. Assertion (A): The areas of low density of population are often over populated.
Reason (R): Their carrying capacity is less.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below :
Codes :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not a correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
- A is wrong, but R is right. Places with many people usually have too many people.
- Therefore, the correct answer is option (d).
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35. Which Continent has the highest population density?
(a) Asia
(b) Europe
(c) Africa
(d) North America
[Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]
Ans. (a) Asia
- Asia has the most people living in it of all the continents.
- According to the World Population Prospects 2019 report, the population density of Asia (people per square kilometer) is 149.6, higher than Africa (45.2), Europe (33.8), South America (24.7) and North America (19.8).
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36. Which of the following continents had the lowest population density in the year 2011?
(a) South America
(b) Australia
(c) Europe
(d) Africa
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2014]
Ans. (*)
- Based on the information and right now, option (b) is the right answer. The highest total population and highest population density are found in Asia. The lowest population and population density found in Oceania (Australia) is only 0.5% of the total population of the world.
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37. Which one of the following countries has the lowest density of population ?
(a) Canada
(b) Finland
(c) Norway
(d) Russia
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (a) Canada
- Canada currently has the lowest population density out of the countries mentioned.
- According to the World Population Prospects (WPP) 2019, the population densities of Canada, Russia, Norway, and Finland are 4.2, 8.9, 14.8, and 18.2 respectively.
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38. Which country has the lowest density of population?
(a) Mongolia
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Iraq
(d) Afghanistan
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (a) Mongolia
- According to the World Population Prospects 2019, the population density of Mongolia in 2018 was 2.0 people per square kilometer, Saudi Arabia was 15.7, Iraq was 88.5, and Afghanistan was 56.9.
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39. The most densely populated country among the SAARC countries is :
(a) Bangladesh
(b) India
(c) Maldives
(d) Sri Lanka
[U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2009, 2008, 2003, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002, Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (c) Maldives
- Maldives is the country in South Asia with the most people per square kilometer.
- According to the World Population Prospects 2019, the population densities of South Asian countries are listed from highest to lowest – Maldives, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan and Bhutan.
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40. Which one among the following South Asian countries has the highest population density?
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) India
(c) Nepal
(d) Pakistan
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007, I.A.S. (Pre) 2009, Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (b) India
- India has the most people living in it compared to the other choices.
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41. The most densely populated country in East Asia is :
(a) China
(b) Japan
(c) North Korea
(d) South Korea
[U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]
Ans. (d) South Korea
- The population density of China in 2013 was 148.3 and in 2020 it was 153.3.
- The population density of Japan in 2013 was 352 and in 2020 it was 346.9.
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42. The most densely populated country of South America is:
(a) Bolivia
(b) Colombia
(c) Ecuador
(d) Venezuela
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (c) Ecuador
- Ecuador is the most crowded country in South America.
- The World Population Prospects 2019 report said that Bolivia has 10.8 people per square kilometer, Colombia has 45.9, Ecuador has 71, and Venezuela has 32.2.
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43. The high density of population in Nile Valley and Island of Jawa is primarily due to :
(a) intensive agriculture
(b) industrialization
(c) urbanization
(d) topographic constraints
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]
Ans. (a) intensive agriculture
- The Nile valley and the Island of Java have a lot of people living there because of their intensive farming.
- The Nile river is known as a blessing to Egypt because of the water it provides, allowing for intensive farming along its banks.
- Java has particularly rich soil, and because of this and the farming practices, the population density in these areas is high.
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44. Which of the following countries has the most favourable sex ratio?
(a) Sweden
(b) Switzerland
(c) The Netherlands
(d) Finland
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
Ans. (d) Finland
- According to World Population Prospects 2019, Sweden has the best balance of males and females compared to Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Finland.
- The sex-ratio is given as the number of males for each 100 females. Sweden has 97.7, Switzerland has 98.0, The Netherlands has 99.3, and Finland has 97.3.
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45. Which of the following gives the correct sequence of the sex-ratio (2011) in decreasing order ?
(a) India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh
(b) Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China
(c) China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India
(d) Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, China
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
Ans. (d) Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, China
- Right now, option (d) is the correct answer.
- Here are the sex-ratios of Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and China in 2020 according to the World Population Prospects 2019: Bangladesh – 102.2, Pakistan – 106.0, India – 108.2, China – 105.3.
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46. There is a fear of decreasing sex-ratio of the world in future due to increasing :
(a) Urbanization
(b) Expectations of life
(c) Sex determination tests
(d) Women’s status
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]
Ans. (c) Sex determination tests
- People are worried that the number of males and females in the world is not balanced, and this is mostly due to having too many tests to find out the sex of a baby.
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47. The Population of the world in descending order, on the basis of religion is :
(a) Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus
(b) Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists
(c) Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims
(d) Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Hindus
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]
Ans. (b) Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists
- When it comes to religion, the most populous groups in the world are Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, in that order.
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48. 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 :
(a) 4, 2, 1, 3
(b) 2, 4, 3, 1
(c) 4, 2, 3, 1
(d) 2, 4, 1, 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (*)
- Option (c) given in the question was correct at the time, but now none of the options are correct.
- According to the World Bank’s data, the adult literacy rates of the South Asian countries are: Sri Lanka at 92%, India at 74%, Pakistan at 59%, and Bangladesh at 75%.
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49. According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), what percentage of the world’s total population is currently living in urban areas?
(a) 25
(b) 45
(c) 35
(d) 55
[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2018]
Ans. (d) 55
- According to the UN-DESA’s ‘World Urbanization Prospects 2018’, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas.
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50. Which one of the following is known as acceleration stage in the urbanization curve?
(a) First stage
(b) Second stage
(c) Third stage
(d) Fourth stage
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (b) Second stage
- The popular explanation for why cities have a certain shape is based on the economic growth theory which divides economic activities into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
- When primary activities are dominant, cities don’t grow quickly.
- However, when industrialization happens, cities speed up their growth due to construction and manufacturing. Finally, when services become the main focus, the urbanization curve flattens.
- This pattern of growth is usually seen as an “S” shape, known as the urbanization curve.
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51. As per United Nations data, what percentage of the world’s population was estimated to live in urban settlements in 2016?
(a) 53.5
(b) 54.5
(c) 55.5
(d) 56.5
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (b) 54.5
- In 2016, the United Nations estimated that 54.5% of the world’s population was living in cities.
- This percentage increased to 55.3% in 2018.
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52. According to an estimate, seventy percent of the world’s population would be localized in urban areas by the year :
(a) 2040
(b) 2050
(c) 2060
(d) 2070
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (b) 2050
- In the first half of the 20th century, cities in developed countries grew quickly.
- In the second half, this process has sped up even more in developing countries because of a population boom and people moving from rural areas to cities.
- According to figures from the United Nations, over one-third of the yearly growth in the world’s cities is caused by people moving from rural areas.
- It was predicted that by 2030, 60 percent of the world’s population would live in cities and 70 percent by 2050.
- However, the World Urbanization Prospects 2018 estimates that 68 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050.
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53. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct?
1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.
2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.
3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the
United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1,2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (b) 1 and 3 only
- The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHabitat) was set up in 1978 with the goal of helping people have a better life in cities and towns.
- It works to reduce poverty and improve living conditions for people who live in slums and to make sure they have access to clean water and sanitation.
- UNHabitat works with governments, other UN organizations, civil society groups, and businesses to make sure that lasting progress is made.
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54. 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?
(a) Asia
(b) Europe
(c) Latin America and the Caribbean
(d) North America
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (a) Asia
- The UN-Habitat’s Global report on Human Settlements 2009 showed that Asia had the fastest growth rate of urbanization in the last 30 years.
- In 2018, the world’s urban population was 4.2 billion, with Asia accounting for 54%. Europe and Africa each had 13%.
- The World Cities Report 2020 showed that most of the population in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe live in urban areas, while Asia has an estimated 51.1% and Africa 43.5%.
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55. Which one of the following is not a criterion to determine prosperity of cities according to U.N. Habitat Report on the State of World’s Cities?
(a) Productivity
(b) Optimum population
(c) Quality of life
(d) Equality
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]
Ans. (b) Optimum population
- The UN-Habitat Report on the Status of World’s Cities looks at factors such as productivity, quality of life and equality to measure the success of a city.
- It does not take into account the concept of ‘Optimum Population’, which is about maintaining a balance between the largest population size possible with the highest quality of life for everyone.
- This idea was originally proposed by Henry Sidgwick at the end of the 19th century.
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56. The World’s population increased from its rural population in the year :
(a) 2001
(b) 2004
(c) 2009
(d) 2010
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
Ans. (*)
- In 2008, for the first time in history, over half of the world’s population was living in cities, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
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57. Which one of the following countries has the largest urban population in the world ?
(a) China
(b) India
(c) Indonesia
(d) U.S.A.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]
Ans. (a) China
- China has more people living in cities than the combined population of Indonesia and the United States.
- Its level of urbanization is higher than India’s.
- According to the 2020 World Cities Report, China has 875 million urban dwellers, India has 483.1 million, the US has 273.98 million, and Indonesia has 154.2 million.
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58. The most urbanized continent is:
(a) Africa
(b) Australia
(c) North Amercia
(d) Europe
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (b) Australia
- The World Cities Report 2020 states that option (b) is the right answer.
- The report also states that Australia has the highest urbanization percentage of 86.2, followed by North America (82.6%), Europe (74.9%) and Africa (43.5%).
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59. Which of the following regions is most urbanized?
(a) East Asia
(b) South Asia
(c) Europe
(d) Oceania
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (c) Europe
- According to the World Cities Report 2020, 64.8% of people in East Asia, 36.6% in South Asia, 74.9% in Europe, and 68.2% in Oceania live in urban areas.
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60. The total population of which one of the following countries is more than the urban population of India?
(a) Indonesia
(b) Brazil
(c) Russia
(d) U.S.A.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002]
Ans. (*)
- Option (d) was the right answer to the question, but currently none of the countries listed have a population larger than India’s urban population.
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61. At present, the most urbanized country of the world is:
(a) Germany
(b) Japan
(c) Singapore
(d) U.S.A.
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2005, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (c) Singapore
- Singapore is the most urbanized country in the world, with 100% of its population living in cities.
- This is according to the World Cities Report 2020.
- Other countries that also have 100% urbanization levels include Hong Kong, Kuwait, Monaco, Macau, and Nauru.
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62. The most urbanized country of South America is:
(a) Argentina
(b) Brazil
(c) Uruguay
(d) Venezuela
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]
Ans. (c) Uruguay
- Venezuela used to be the most urbanized country of the group, but now Uruguay has taken its place.
- According to the World Cities Report 2020, the urbanization levels of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Venezuela are 92.1%, 87.1%, 95.5%, and 88.3% respectively.
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63. Which one of the following is the correct descending order of the percentage of urbanization of the following South Asian countries?
Select the correct answer from the codes given below :
1. Bangladesh 2. India
3. Pakistan 4. Sri Lanka
Codes :
(a) 2,3,1 and 4
(b) 3,2,1 and 4
(c) 2,1,4 and 3
(d) 4,2,3 and 1
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010, U.P. R.O./ A.R.O. (Mains) 2014]
Ans. (b) 3,2,1 and 4
- Option B was the right answer to the question.
- The World Cities Report 2020 showed that Bangladesh had the highest percentage of urbanization at 38.2%, followed by Pakistan (37.2%), India (34.9%) and Sri Lanka (18.7%).
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64. Which one of the following is the most urbanized country of South Asia ?
(a) India
(b) Bhutan
(c) Sri Lanka
(d) Pakistan
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (b) Bhutan
- Pakistan is the most urbanized country in South Asia, according to the World Cities Report 2020.
- India’s urbanization rate is 34.9%, Sri Lanka’s is 18.7%, Bhutan’s is 42.3%, and Pakistan’s is 37.2%. This makes option (b) the correct answer.
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65. Which one of the following is the most urbanized country of West Asia?
(a) Israel
(b) Kuwait
(c) Qatar
(d) Saudi Arabia
[U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (b) Kuwait
- Kuwait is the most urbanized nation in West Asia.
- According to the World Cities Report 2020, the urbanization rate in the different countries is as follows: Israel (92.6%), Qatar (99.2%), Kuwait (100%), and Saudi Saudi Arab(84.3%).
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66. The Largest urban agglomeration of the world is :
(a) Mexico city
(b) New York
(c) London
(d) Tokyo-Yokohama
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (d) Tokyo-Yokohama
- Right now, option (d) is the correct answer.
- According to the World Urbanization Prospects : Revision 2018, the five biggest cities in the world, based on population size (in millions) are: Tokyo (37.5 million), Delhi (28.5 million), Shanghai (25.6 million), Sao Paulo (21.7 million) and Mexico City (21.6 million).
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67. The largest city of Asia is :
(a) Shanghai
(b) Mumbai
(c) Osaka
(d) Tokyo
[Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2004]
Ans. (d) Tokyo
- Currently, option (d) is the right answer.
- Based on the World Urbanization Prospects: Revision 2018, the five biggest cities/urban agglomerations in the world in terms of population (in millions) are Tokyo (37.5 million), Delhi (28.5 million), Shanghai (25.6 million), Sao Paulo (21.7 million), and Mexico City (21.6 million).
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68. Which of the following Urban Centres of India is one of the 10 largest cities of the world in terms of population?
(a) Kolkata
(b) Chennai
(c) Greater Mumbai
(d) New Delhi
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (c) & (d) Greater Mumbai, New Delhi
- Before, only Mumbai was in the 10 most populated cities/urban areas in the world.
- Now, both Mumbai and Delhi are in the top 10.
- According to the United Nations’ ‘World Urbanization Prospects 2018’, the 10 most populated cities/areas in the world, starting from the largest, are Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Cairo, Mumbai, Beijing, Dhaka, and Osaka.
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69. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as
Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Urbanization follows industrialization.
Reason (R): In developing countries, urbanization is a movement in itself.
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
Codes :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- Industrialization causes urbanization because it brings economic growth and job opportunities to cities.
- This is why (A) is true that urbanization follows industrialization.
- (R) is also true as cities are growing quickly in developing countries.
- Both (A) and (R) are true, however (R) is not the right explanation for (A).
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70. Assertion (A) : The Asian cities are over-urbanized.
Reason (R) : Their growth has outpaced their economic development.
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- Most cities in Asia are facing an issue of too much growth in their cities.
- This is because their growth rate is faster than their economic development.
- This is leading to an increase in the number of people living in slums.
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71. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Cities in western countries have more females as compared to male.
Reason (R): In western countries, agriculture work is done with new technology in which men have more participation.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below.
Code :
(a) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) (A) and (R) both are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]
Ans. (a) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- In western countries, there are more males in rural areas than females and more females in urban areas than males.
- This is because many females from rural areas come to cities to take advantage of the many job opportunities.
- Farming in these countries is done mostly by males because it is highly automated.
- Both statements (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A).
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72. The number of economically active women (excluding students and those doing domestic duties in their homes) as a percentage of all women of working age (generally those aged 15-64 years) was the highest in 1996 in :
(a) USA
(b) China
(c) Russia
(d) S. Korea
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]
Ans. (b) China
- Right now, option B is the right answer.
- The World Bank’s data shows that in 2019, the percentage of women aged 15 and above in the workforce for China, the USA, Russia and South Korea were 61%, 56%, 55% and 53% respectively.
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73. Assertion (A) : Two percent of people of the world live outside their country of birth.
Reason (R): Oceania has highest percentage of migrants.
Code :
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
- In 2005, there were 19 crore migrants around the world, which was 3% of the world’s population.
- In the same year, the number of migrants in Oceania was 5034000, which was 15.2% of Oceania’s population.
- This was the highest percentage of migrants in the world.
- Both the statement and reason are true, but the reason does not explain the statement well enough.
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74. At present, the migrant population as a percentage of total population is the highest in :
(a) Australia
(b) Guyana
(c) U.A.E.
(d) Saudi Arabia
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (c) U.A.E.
- Option (a) was the right answer to the question, but now option (c) is correct.
- According to the 2020 International Migration Report, 88.1% of the population in the United Arab Emirates are migrants, which makes it the country with the highest percentage of migrants in its population.
- Qatar is in second place, with 77.3% of its population being migrants.
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75. The largest migrant population is found in :
(a) Oceania
(b) Africa
(c) Europe
(d) USA and Canada
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (c) Europe
- Right now, option (c) is the right answer. The International Migration Report 2020 shows that the number of people who migrate (in thousands) to these places are: Oceania 9380.7, Europe 86706.1, Africa 25389.5, United States 50632.8, and Canada 8049.3.
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76. Assertion (A): China’s growth of population has dramatically slowed down.
Reason (R): Its fertility rate has declined due to one child per family policy.
Codes :
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]
Ans. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- China’s population growth has decreased significantly over the past few decades.
- In the 1970s, the average number of children per family (Total Fertility Rate) was 5.0, but it decreased to below the replacement level in the 1990s, due to China’s one-child policy in 1979.
- According to the World Population Prospects 2019, the TFR in China is currently 1.69 between 2015-2020.
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77. According to the U.N. Populations Division the lowest fertility rate is in :
(a) Australia
(b) France
(c) Italy
(d) Sweden
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]
Ans. (c) Italy
- Right now, the answer to the question is option (c).
- The World Population Prospects (WPP) report from 2019 shows the fertility rates of Sweden, Italy, Australia, and France from 2015 to 2020 are 1.85, 1.33, 1.83 and 1.85 respectively.
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78. The lowest fertility rate in the world is that of:
(a) China
(b) Italy
(c) Sweden
(d) USA
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (b) Italy
- Currently, option (b) is the correct answer to the question. According to the World Population Prospects 2019, these are the fertility rates (TFR) for China, Italy, Sweden and the US between 2015 and 2020: China 1.69, Italy 1.33, Sweden 1.85 USA 1.78.
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79. Which one of the following countries has the highest birth rate?
(a) Afghanistan
(b) Bangladesh
(c) India
(d) Pakistan
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]
Ans. (a) Afghanistan
- Currently, Afghanistan has the highest birth rate of all the countries in South Asia, according to the World Bank’s ‘World Development Indicators’.
- The birth rate (per thousand population) and total fertility rate (births per woman) are as follows: Afghanistan at 32 and 4.3, Bangladesh at 18 and 2.0, India at 18 and 2.2, and Pakistan at 28 and 3.5.
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80. Life expectancy is highest in the world in :
(a) Canada
(b) Germany
(c) Japan
(d) Norway
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (c) Japan
- Right now, option (c) is the right answer. The Human Development Report 2020 states that the life expectancy for people born in 2019 in Japan, Canada, Norway, and Germany are 84.6, 82.4, 82.4, and 81.3 years respectively.
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81. Which of the following countries has the highest life expectancy (in years) at birth?
(a) Japan
(b) Denmark
(c) United States of America
(d) Switzerland
[U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (a) Japan
- During the time period in question, Japan had the highest life expectancy at birth of any country.
- However, currently Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy at birth (84.9 years in 2019).
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82. Which of the following countries of Asia, is witnessing higher number of deaths than births per year?
(a) Bahrain
(b) Israel
(c) Japan
(d) Singapore
[U.P. P.S.C. (GIC) 2008]
Ans. (c) Japan
- Currently, option (c) is the right answer. Between 2005-10, Japan’s average population growth rate was -0.1%. As of 2019, the population change percentages for Bahrain, Israel, Japan, and Singapore are -4.31%, -1.63%, -0.24%, and 0.90% respectively.
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83. The maternal mortality rate in Asia is highest in:
(a) Bangladesh
(b) India
(c) Indonesia
(d) Nepal
[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2001]
Ans. (d) Nepal
- Based on the question and right now, option (d) is the right answer.
- The Human Development Report 2020 states the number of maternal deaths per one lakh live births in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia as 186, 145, 173, and 177 respectively.
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84. In South Asia, the country with the largest percentage of aged population is :
(a) Bhutan
(b) India
(c) Nepal
(d) Sri Lanka
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (d) Sri Lanka
- Right now, option (d) is the right answer.
- According to the World Population Prospects 2019 report, the percentage of people aged 60 and above, and 80 and above in Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in 2020 are: Bhutan – 9.0%, India – 10.1%, Nepal – 8.7%, and Sri Lanka 16.4 1.7
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85. About eighty per cent of the world’s population is not protected by :
(a) Economic security
(b) Food security
(c) Child security
(d) Social security
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (d) Social security
- Four out of five people worldwide do not have social security.
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86. According to the World Development Report 2006, the poorest country of South Asia is :
(a) Bangladesh
(b) India
(c) Pakistan
(d) Sri Lanka
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]
Ans. (a) Bangladesh
- According to the World Development Report 2006, Bangladesh was the most impoverished nation in South Asia.
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87. Which one of the following countries was the first to adopt a family planning programme officially?
(a) Brazil
(b) USA
(c) India
(d) China
[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2012]
Ans. (c) India
- India was the first nation to start a program to help families plan in 1952.
- The goals of this program were to reduce the number of babies being born and to keep the population from growing too much for the country to handle.
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88. In which year Family Planning Programme was started in India?
(a) 1950
(b) 1951
(c) 1952
(d) 1955
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
Ans. (c) 1952
- In 1952, India was the first country in the world to start a plan to help families manage their numbers.
- The goal of the program was to reduce the number of children in a family and slow the growth of the population in a way that works with the country’s economy.
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89. Which one of the following provides the best estimate of the World’s biological diversity?
(a) Of about 10 million species probably alive today, some 20 species are lost every day, most of them unknown, because no more than half a million have yet been actually identified by scientists.
(b) Of about thirty million living species, some 50 are lost every day and most of them are unknown, because no more than one million have been actually identified.
(c) Of about forty-five million living species, some 100 are lost every day, most of them unknown, because no more than 1.5 million have been actually identified.
(d) Of about seventy-five million living species, some 500 are lost every day, most of them unknown because no more than 3 million have been actually identified.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (c) Of about forty-five million living species, some 100 are lost every day, most of them unknown, because no more than 1.5 million have been actually identified.
- The IUCN states that the number of identified species is between 1.5 and 1.8 million, but there could be as many as 5 to 10 million total species.
- Scientist Irwin believes the total number of species is closer to 50 million, and that 30,000 species are disappearing annually. Therefore, option (c) is the most accurate answer.
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