Chapter 6 Population

Question 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 abov

Answer(c)

(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

Answer(a)

(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 number of females per thousand males
(d) the rate at which the population increases

Answer(b)

(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)

Answer(c)

Question 2. Answer the following questions briefly.

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

Answer

Since 1981, the rate of growth started declining gradually, because of popularised.

(a) Family planning measures were adopted, leading to decline in the birth rate.

(b) Awareness about advantages of small family came to be recognised.
(c) There was a growth of nuclear families occured which adopted the small family norm.
(d) Promotion of family planning programme by the government.

(ii) Discuss the major components of population growth.

Answer :The major components of population growth are birth rates, death rates and migration.

The natural increase of population is the difference between birth rates and death rates.

Birth RateBirth rate is the number of live births per thousand person in a year. It is a major component of growth, because in India birth rates have always been higher than death rates.

Death RateDeath rate 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 death rates.

Migration Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. Migration can be internal (within the country) or international (between the countries).

Internal migration does not change the size of the population, but influences the distribution of population within the nation.

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

Answer: Age Structure Agestructure means the number of people in different age groups in a given population.

Death RateDeath rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons In a year.
Birth RateBirth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year.

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

Answer: Migration a Determinant Factor

• Migration is the movement’ of people across regions and territories.
• Migration can be internal (within the country) or international (between the countries).
• Migration is a determinant factor of population change as it changes its size and composition.
• Internal migration does not change the size of the population but influences the distribution of population within the nation.
• In India, most migrations have been from rural to urban areas because of the ‘push’ factors in rural areas. These push factors are adverse conditions of poverty and unemployment in the rural areas. The ‘pull’ factors of the city are In terms of increased employment opportunities and better living conditions.
• These ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors have led to increased migration from rural to urban areas and rapid rise in the urban population.
• There has been a significant increase in the number of ‘million plus cities’ from 25 to 35 in just one decade i.e., 1991-2001.

Question 3. Distinguish between population growth and population change.

AnswerThe differences between population growth and population change are given in the table below

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

AnswerThe distribution of the population according to the different types of occupations is referred to as the occupational structure.

• Occupations are generally classified as primary, secondary and tertiary.
• Primary activities include agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, fishing, mining and quarrying, etc.
• Secondary activities include manufacturing industry, building and construction work, etc.
• Tertiary activities Include transport. communications, etc.
• The proportion of people working in different activities varies in developed and developing countries.
• Developed nations have a high proportion of people in secondary and tertiary activities.
• In India about 64% of the population Is engaged only in agriculture.
• 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 industrialisation and urbanisation in recent times.

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

Answer:Health is an important component of population composition

which affects the process of development. So we need a healthy population.

(a) The health of a person helps him/her to realise his/her potential and gives the ability to fight illness.
(b) A healthy person is an asset to the country, is more productive and helps in the progress of the country.
(c) A healthy person is able to earn more and Improve his standard of living.
(d) A healthy population makes a healthy and strong nation economically and socially.

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

Answer:  Aims/Objectives of National Population Policy 2000

• Imparting free and compulsory school education upto 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 for girls.
• Making family welfare a people centered programme.
• Protection of adolescent girls from unwanted pregnancies.
• Protection of adolescents from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and educating them about the risks of unprotected sex.
• Making contraceptive services ‘accessible and affordable.
• Providing food supplement and nutritional services.
• Strengthening legal measures to prevent child marriage