RAMNIVAS RUIA JUNIOR COLLEGE, MATUNGA

F.Y.J.C. SUBJECT: ECONOMICS

CHAPTER 6. POPULATION IN INDIA (By- Ms. Asha)

Q1. Choose the correct alternative :

1) Stages of the theory of demographic transition.
a) High birth rate and high death rate
b) High birth rate and low death rate
c) Low birth rate and low death rate
d) Economic development
Options : 1) a and b 2) a and c 3) a, b and c 4) a, b, c and d
2) Incorrect reasons for population explosion in India.
a) Illiteracy
b) Univeralization of marriage
c) Joint family system
d) Upliftment in lifestyle
Options : 1) a and b 2) c and d 3) a, b and c 4) d
3) Remedies undertaken to check population explosion.
a) To provide employment
b) To improve women’s quality of life
c) National Population Policy
d) Disaster management
Options : 1) d 2) a and c 3) c and d 4) a, b and c
4) Choose the correct option
Group A Group B
1) Year of Great Divide a) Stable population till 2045
2) A.J.Coale and E.M.Hoover b) 1921
3) Social Reforms c) Demographic Transition
4) National Population Policy, 2000 d) Spread of education
Options : 1) 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b 2) 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a 3) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d 4) 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b

Q2. Give economic terms:

1. Increase in population is faster than economic growth and development.
Ans: Population explosion
2. Difference between birth rate and death rate.
Ans: Survival rate
3. Balance between natural resources and population growth.
Ans: Optimum population
4. Programme introduced to reduce the birth rate in 1952.
Ans: Family planning programme

Q3. Identify and explain the concepts from the given illustrations:
1. There were 40 births per 1000 in country ‘A’ during a year.
Ans: Concept : Birth rate
Explanation : Birth rate means the number of births occurring per thousand of the living population
during a year. It is also known as fertility rate.

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2. In Mumbai city, public transport services is largely affected due to the growing population.
Ans: Concept : Pressure on infrastructure
Explanation : Growing population adversely affects the infrastructure and basic amenities. This is known
as pressure on infrastructure.
3. In country ‘B’, there are 15 deaths taking place per 1000 during a year.
Ans: Concept : Death rate
Explanation : The number of deaths per thousand of the living population during a year is called death
rate. It is also called mortality rate.
4. For a certain period of time China had adopted the policy of ‘One child per family’.
Ans: Concept : Family planning
Explanation : Family planning policy/programme is a measure to control growing population in which
birth of child is determined by choice and not by chance.

Q4. Answer the following:

1) Explain the causes of high birth rate.
Ans: The causes of high birth rate in India are as follows:
i) Illiteracy : The percentage of illiterates in the country is reasonably high. The attitude of illiterate
people towards marriage and child birth has remained rigid. Low level of literacy among females is also
responsible for a high birth rate.
ii) Universalization of marriage : In India, marriage is considered as both religious and social obligation.
Even with the spread of education, the attitude of people towards marriage remains unchanged at large.
iii) Age of marriage : In India, the legal age of marriage is relatively lower compared to other countries.
It is 18 years for females and 21 years for males. Low age of marriage has also resulted in a high birth
rate.
iv) Preference for male child : Many Indian parents are opting to continue having children until they
have a son or a desired number of sons. This is known as son meta-preference.
v) Joint family system : There is no individual financial responsibility in a joint family. Hence, existence
of joint family is also responsible for high birth rate in India.
vi) Dependence on Agriculture : Indian agriculture is driven by manpower. In India, there is
overdependence on agriculture. More number of children in the family implies more labour force
available for field work.
vii) Widespread poverty : Poor people prefer large families because they feel that more children means
greater economic support.
viii) Lack of awareness about family welfare services : Most of the people are ignorant about the
availability of various means and techniques of family planning.

2) Explain the causes of low death rate.

Ans: The causes of low death rate in India are as follows:
i) Improvement in medical and health facilities : Due to widespread increase in medical and health
facilities, epidemics like plague, cholera, malaria, small pox, tuberculosis, etc. have almost been
eradicated.
ii) Decline in maternal mortality rate : Over a period of time, death rate of women dying during
maternity has declined due to improvement in medical facilities.
iii) Fall in infant mortality rate : Due to better medical facilities there has been a decline in infant
mortality rate. Improvement in literacy among women has also resulted in better care for infants and as
such there is a decline in infant mortality rate.

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iv) Increase in literacy : Better education will help the people to take care of their life and the needs of
their children in a better way. Education has helped the people to come out of their blind faith, beliefs
and ignorance.
v) Use of nutritious food : Education has created awareness about health and nutrition. Percentage of
children and women dying due to malnutrition and ill health was quite high. These deaths are now
brought under control by providing nutritious diet. E.g. Mid-day meal programme in schools.
vi) Disaster management : The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was constituted in
2005. This helps to mitigate all types of disasters thereby reducing the loss of lives.
vii) Other factors : Education, social reforms, rapid urbanization, improvement in standard of living,
publicity campaigns are also responsible for creating awareness among the people.

Q5. State with reasons whether you agree or disagree with the following statements:
1) India is experiencing population explosion.
Ans: I agree with the given statement.
Reasons:
i) In the post-1950 period, the birth rate has slowly declined from 41.7 in the period from 1951 to 1960
to 20.97 in the period from 2001 to 2010.
ii) During the same period, the death rate rapidly declined from 22.8 to 7.48.
iii) The population increased from 36.11 crores in 1951 to 121.02 crores in 2011.
iv) India’s population is not merely large but it is also increasing at an alarming rate and population
explosion has become a major problem in India’s economic development.
Thus, India is experiencing population explosion.

2) Death rate is falling rapidly in India.

Ans: I agree with the given statement.
Reasons:
Death rate is falling rapidly in India due to the following reasons:
i) Improvement in medical and health facilities : Due to widespread increase in medical and health
facilities, epidemics like plague, cholera, malaria, small pox, tuberculosis, etc. have almost been
eradicated.
ii) Decline in maternal mortality rate : Over a period of time, death rate of women dying during
maternity has declined due to improvement in medical facilities.
iii) Fall in infant mortality rate : Due to better medical facilities there has been a decline in infant
mortality rate. Improvement in literacy among women has also resulted in better care for infants and as
such there is a decline in infant mortality rate.
iv) Increase in literacy : Better education will help the people to take care of their life and the needs of
their children in a better way. Education has helped the people to come out of their blind faith, beliefs
and ignorance.
v) Use of nutritious food : Education has created awareness about health and nutrition. Percentage of
children and women dying due to malnutrition and ill health was quite high. These deaths are now
brought under control by providing nutritious diet. E.g. Mid-day meal programme in schools.
vi) Disaster management : The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was constituted in
2005. This helps to mitigate all types of disasters thereby reducing the loss of lives.
vii) Other factors : Education, social reforms, rapid urbanization, improvement in standard of living,
publicity campaigns are also responsible for creating awareness among the people.

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3) Optimum population contributes to economic development of a country.
Ans: I agree with the given statement.
Reasons:
i) Optimum population means there is a balance between population growth and availability of natural
resources.
ii) If population grows faster then there will be shortage of food supply, low employment opportunities,
etc. and pressure will be there on economic growth of the country.
iii) It will create social and economic imbalances in the economy.
iv) Whereas optimum population will lead to balance in social and economic growth resulting in faster
growth of the country.
Thus, optimum population contributes to economic development of a country.

5) Birth rate is declining due to changes in the standard of living.

Ans: I agree with the given statement.
Reasons:
i) Increase in standard of living is helping in bringing change in attitude of people towards marriage and
child birth.
ii) It is also responsible for making people aware of family planning and the need of small family.
iii) Change in standard of living has helped people to come out of superstitions, blind faith, beliefs, etc.
iv) It has increased income level in the country, leading to decline in birth rate.
Thus, birth rate is declining due to changes in the standard of living.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Distinguish between :
1. Birth rate and Death rate
Birth rate
1. Birth rate means the number of births occurring
per thousand of the living population during a
year.
2. According to 2011 census, birth rate in India is
20.97.
3. It is also known as fertility rate.
4. Birth rate is falling gradually in India.
5. High birth rate is caused due to universalization
of marriage, illiteracy, preference for male child,
etc.
6. Birth rate can be controlled by late marriages,
family planning, increasing literacy rate, etc.
Death rate
1. The number of deaths per thousand of the
living population during a year is called death rate.
2. According to 2011 census, death rate in India is
7.48.
3. It is also known as mortality rate.
4. Death rate is falling rapidly in India.
5. High death rate is caused due to poverty, lack
of medical facilities, malnutrition, etc.
6. Death rate can be controlled by better medical
facilities, social welfare programmes, etc.

2. 1st stage of demographic transition and 3rd stage of demographic transition

1st stage of demographic transition
1. In the 1st stage of demographic transition, the
birth rate and death rate both are very high.
2. The 1st stage of demographic transition
indicates low level of economic development.
3rd stage of demographic transition
1. In the 3rd stage of demographic transition, the
birth rate and death rate both tend to decline.
2. The 3rd stage of demographic transition
indicates high level of economic development.

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3. Under-population and Overpopulation
Under-population
1. If the population in a country is less than what
is required to exploit the given resources in the
country, it is known as under-population.
2. With the increase in population, national
income and per capita income increases.
3. There will be abundance of resources, food and
surplus balance of payments.
4. The supply of labour force is scarce in relation
to the available natural resources. So, the natural
resources remain underutilized.
5. Generally birth rate remains low in under-
populated countries.
6. New Zealand, Canada, etc. are under-populated
countries.
4. Overpopulation and optimum population
Overpopulation
1. If the population in a country is more than what
is needed for the exploitation of the given
resources it is known as overpopulation.
2. Per capita income and national income is less in
an over-populated country.
3. Natural resources are over-burdened.
4. The standard of living is low.
5. It is undesirable because at this size, the rate of
economic growth is low.
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Overpopulation
1. If the population in a country is more than what
is needed for the exploitation of the given
resources it is known as overpopulation.
2. With further growth of population, the per
capita income decreases.
3. Overpopulation creates unemployment, food
shortage, natural calamities, deficit balance of
payment, diseases, etc.
4. The supply of labour force is more in relation to
the available natural resources. So, the natural
resources are over-burdened.
5. Generally birth rate remains high in
overpopulated countries.
6. India, China, Bangladesh, etc. are
overpopulated countries.
Optimum population
1. Optimum population refers to the size of
population where there is a balance between
population growth and availability of natural
resources.
2. Per capita income and national income is high
in an optimum populated country.
3. Natural resources are properly utilized.
4. The standard of living is high.
5. It is most desirable because at this size the rate
of economic growth is high.