CHAPTER 6 Population

Q1. 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

Migrations affect both the area from which people leave (the area of departure) and the area where they move to (the area of arrival). In the area of departure, migration can lead to a decrease in population size and changes in the local demographic composition. In the area of arrival, migration can lead to an increase in population size and potentially alter the demographic makeup.

(ii) A large proportion of children in a population is a result of
(a) high birth rates
(b) high life expectancies
(c) high death rates
(d) more married couples
Ans: (a) high birth rates

A large proportion of children in a population typically results from high birth rates. High birth rates mean that more children are being born relative to the overall population, which increases the proportion of children.

(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 rate at which the population increases
(d) the number of females per thousand males
Ans: (b) the number of persons added each year

The magnitude of population growth refers to the rate at which the population increases, which measures how quickly the number of people is growing over a period of time.

(iv) According to the Census, a “literate” person is one who
(a) can read and write his/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 ‘R’s (reading, writing, arithmetic)
Ans: (c) is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding

According to the Census, a person is “literate” if they are at least 7 years old and can read and write in any language with understanding. This definition focuses on both the ability to read and write and the understand the written material.

Q2. Answer the following questions briefly.

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

Ans: 

• The rate of population growth in India has been declining since 1981.
• This decline is primarily due to a decrease in birth rates.
• The gradual decline can be attributed to various factors.
• Implementation of effective family planning and birth control measures.
• Increased awareness about the importance of smaller families.
• Improvements in healthcare have contributed to this trend.
• There is an overall shift in societal attitudes towards reproduction.
• These efforts have played a significant role in reducing the rate of population growth.

(ii) Discuss the major components of population growth.
Ans: The major components of population growth are:

• Birth rate: It is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. It is a major component of growth because in, India, birth rates have always been higher than the death rates.
• Death rate: It is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year. The main cause of the rate of growth of the Indian population has been the rapid decline in the death rate.
• Migration: Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. Migration can be internal (within the country) or international (between countries).
• The difference between birth rate and death rate accounts for a natural increase in population.
• Immigration refers to the inflow of people into a region from other regions.

(iii) Define age structure, death rate and birth rate.
Ans: 

• Age structure, or age distribution, shows how many people are in different age groups within a population. It helps us understand the number of children, working-age adults, and elderly people in that group.
• Birth rate is the number of live births in a population during a specific time, usually a year. It is measured per 1,000 people, making it easy to compare population growth or decline across regions or time periods.
• Death rate is the number of deaths in a population during a specific time, usually measured per 1,000 people. It helps track mortality trends, and when combined with the birth rate, shows how the population grows or shrinks, without considering migration.

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

• Migration refers to the process of people moving from one region or territory to another.
• This movement results in a shift in the population and demographics of both the departure and arrival areas.
• Migration plays a significant role in population change, affecting the size and composition of populations.
• Migration can be categorized into two primary types: internal and international.
• Internal migration occurs within a country’s borders.
• In contrast, international migration involves crossing national boundaries.

Q3. Distinguish between population growth and population change.
Ans: 

Q4. What is the relation between occupational structure and development?
Ans:

• The distribution of the population according to different types of occupations is referred to as the occupational structure.
• The occupational structure is classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.
• The primary activities include agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining.
• The secondary activities include building and construction work.
• The tertiary activities cover transport, communication, commerce, and administration.
• The proportion of people engaged in different activities varies between developed and developing countries.
• Developed nations have a high proportion of people in secondary and tertiary activities.
• Developing countries have a higher proportion of the workforce engaged in primary activities.
• In India, there has been a shift in favour of secondary and tertiary sectors due to growing industrialisation and urbanisation.

Q5. What are the advantages of having a healthy population?
Ans: The advantages of having a healthy population are:

• A healthy individual is much more efficient and productive than an unhealthy individual.
• He or she is able to realise his or her potential and plays an important role in social and national development.
• Absenteeism is low when the workers are healthy.

Q6. What are the significant features of the National Population Policy 2000?
Ans: The significant features of the National Population Policy 2000 are as follows:

• Imparting free and compulsory school education up to 14 years of age.
• Reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births.
• Achieving universal immunisation of children against all vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Promoting delayed marriage and childbearing.
• Making family welfare a people-centred programme.
• Providing nutritional services and food supplements to adolescents.
• Protecting adolescents from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, and educating them about the risks of unprotected sex.
• Making contraceptive services accessible and affordable.