Q.Which one of the following is not a fact ?
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Population Growth Rate
Let’s start with something you already know. Imagine a small town where every year, more babies are born than people who pass away, and a few families move in from outside. Over time, you notice new houses being built, a new school opening, and the market getting busier. That feeling of “this place is filling up” is the everyday intuition behind population growth rate.
It is not just about whether the population is rising or falling — it is about how fast that change is happening. A slow, steady increase feels very different from a sudden explosion, even if both end up adding the same number of people over a long period.
The precise meaning
In your NCERT textbook (Class XII, Geography – India People and Economy, Chapter 1), the population growth rate is defined as the change in the number of people in a given area over a specific period of time, expressed as a percentage of the original population. It tells you the speed at which the population is increasing or decreasing.
Think of it like the speedometer of a car. The car’s position (total population) tells you where you are. The speedometer (growth rate) tells you how quickly you are moving — whether you are crawling in traffic or racing down a highway.
The growth rate can be positive (population increasing), negative (population decreasing), or zero (population stable). A positive rate does not mean the country is “doing well” — it is just a factual measure of change.
Why does it matter for a commerce/humanities student?
Population growth rate is not a dry statistic. It shapes the world you will work in:
- For economics: A high growth rate means more young people entering the workforce — a potential “demographic dividend” if jobs exist, or a burden if they do not. A low or negative rate (like in Japan or many European countries) means an aging population, fewer workers, and pressure on pensions and healthcare.
- For business: Companies use growth rates to decide where to open new stores, build factories, or launch products. A fast-growing region means more customers — but also more competition for housing, water, and transport.
- For public policy: Governments plan schools, hospitals, roads, and electricity grids based on how fast the population is growing. A sudden slowdown can leave infrastructure underused; a sudden surge can overwhelm it.
- For geography and sociology: Growth rates reveal migration patterns, urbanization trends, and even the impact of events like famines, wars, or epidemics.
The two components that drive it
Population growth rate is not magic. It comes from just two things:
- Natural increase – the difference between births and deaths. If more babies are born than people die, the population grows naturally.
- Net migration – the difference between people moving in and people moving out. If more people arrive than leave, that also adds to growth.
A country can have a high birth rate but still see slow growth if many people emigrate. Or it can have a low birth rate but still grow because of immigration. The growth rate is the net result of both forces. …
The question asks you to identify which statement is not a fact. Let's examine each one.
Statement (a) is a factual observation about historical population data. Over the last 500 years, the human population did indeed grow dramatically, increasing by more than tenfold. This is a well-documented historical trend.
Statement (b) describes a characteristic of the first stage of the demographic transition model. In that first stage, both birth rates and death rates are high, and the population remains relatively stable or grows very slowly. Population growth is low, not high, in this stage. High growth typically occurs in the second stage, when death rates fall but birth rates remain high. …
The statement that population growth is high in the first stage of demographic transition is not a fact — it is a misunderstanding of the model.
The demographic transition model is a theory that describes how a country’s population changes over time as it industrialises. It divides this long-term process into several stages, each with a distinct pattern of birth rates and death rates. To understand which of the two statements is not a fact, you need to grasp what actually happens in the first stage.
In the first stage — often called the pre-industrial stage — both birth rates and death rates are very high. Death rates are high because of famine, disease, and poor medical knowledge. Birth rates are high because families need many children to survive high infant mortality and to help with farming. The result is that the population remains fairly stable, growing very slowly if at all. There is no rapid increase.
The first stage is sometimes called the "high stationary" stage — stationary because the population does not change much, not because it is growing fast.
Population growth becomes high only in the second stage of the demographic transition. In that stage, death rates fall sharply due to better healthcare, sanitation, and food supply, while birth rates remain high for a while. This creates a large gap between births and deaths, leading to rapid population increase. That is the phase often associated with a "population explosion." …
Showing the 12 most recent of 13 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set 64/1/11 markMCQQ.During which one of the following phase of population growth in India, negative growth was recorded in a decade ? (A) Phase I (B) Phase II (C) Phase III (D) Phase IV
›Reveal solutionSolution
India's population growth turned negative during Phase I (1901–1921), specifically in the decade 1911–1921, when epidemics and famines caused deaths to exceed births.
The question asks us to identify when India experienced a decline in absolute population numbers over a ten-year period. This is distinct from slow growth or stagnation—negative growth means the population at the end of the decade was smaller than at the start.
India's demographic history is typically divided into four phases based on growth patterns:
Phase I (1901–1921): Stagnant growth
The population hovered around 238–251 million with very slow or negative growth. High birth rates were offset by equally high death rates due to poor healthcare, recurrent famines, and epidemics.
Phase II (1921–1951): Steady growth
Population began rising steadily as mortality rates started declining, though birth rates remained high. This phase is often called the period of "population explosion" beginning.
Phase III (1951–1981): Rapid growth
The population doubled from about 361 million to 683 million. Improved healthcare and declining death rates, while birth rates stayed high, led to explosive growth.
Phase IV (1981–present): High growth with signs of decline
Growth rates peaked and then began declining due to family planning, education, and urbanization, though absolute numbers continued rising. …
- CBSE 2026Set 64/1/11 markMCQQ.Study the following table carefully and answer Question Nos. 15 to 17. Most populous countriesHow many of the listed countries fall under Asian continent ? (A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 6
Sr. No. Country Population % of world 1 India 1,425,775,850 17.4 2 China 1,409,670,000 17.2 3 United States of America 337,975,234 4.13 4 Indonesia 278,696,200 3.41 5 Pakistan 229,488,994 2.80 6 Nigeria 216,746,934 2.65 7 Brazil 219,277,799 2.68 8 Bangladesh 168,220,000 2.06 9 Mexico 128,271,248 1.57 ›Reveal solutionSolution
Five of the listed countries — India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh — are located on the Asian continent.
Understanding the geographical distribution of the world's most populous countries provides insight into global demographic trends and regional concentrations of human population. The question asks us to identify how many of the countries listed in the provided table are situated in Asia. This requires a basic knowledge of world geography.
Let's examine each country from the table to determine its continent:
- India: Located in South Asia, India is unequivocally an Asian country.
- China: Situated in East Asia, China is also an Asian country.
- United States of America: This country is located in North America.
- Indonesia: An archipelago nation, Indonesia is primarily located in Southeast Asia.
- Pakistan: Located in South Asia, Pakistan is an Asian country.
- Nigeria: This country is located in West Africa.
- Brazil: The largest country in South America, Brazil is a South American nation.
- Bangladesh: Located in South Asia, Bangladesh is an Asian country.
- Mexico: This country is located in North America. …
- CBSE 2026Set 64/1/11 markMCQQ.Study the following table carefully and answer Question Nos. 15 to 17. Most populous countries(Based on the table ‘Most populous countries’ in Question No. 15.) Which of the following set of continents is not represented in the table ? Choose the most appropriate option. (A) Australia and Africa (B) Africa and South America (C) Europe and South America (D) Australia and Europe
Sr. No. Country Population % of world 1 India 1,425,775,850 17.4 2 China 1,409,670,000 17.2 3 United States of America 337,975,234 4.13 4 Indonesia 278,696,200 3.41 5 Pakistan 229,488,994 2.80 6 Nigeria 216,746,934 2.65 7 Brazil 219,277,799 2.68 8 Bangladesh 168,220,000 2.06 9 Mexico 128,271,248 1.57 ›Reveal solutionSolution
The table lists the nine most populous countries; by identifying which continents they belong to, we can determine that Australia and Europe have no representation.
Population data like this table reveals not just numbers but the geographic distribution of humanity. When we look at where the world's people actually live, certain continents dominate while others remain sparsely populated. The question asks us to identify which pair of continents is entirely absent from the list of the nine most populous countries.
Let's work through the table systematically by continent:
Asia is overwhelmingly represented. India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are all Asian nations, accounting for five of the nine spots. This makes sense—Asia has always been home to the majority of the world's population, driven by fertile river valleys, long agricultural histories, and vast land areas.
Africa appears twice: Nigeria is the continent's most populous country and sits at number six globally. The presence of Nigeria ensures Africa is represented.
North America contributes two countries. The United States ranks third, and Mexico ninth. Both are significant population centers in the Western Hemisphere.
South America is represented by Brazil at number seven, the continent's giant both in area and population.
NoteNotice that the top two countries—India and China—together account for more than a third of all humanity, each holding over 17% of the global population.
Now consider what's missing. Europe, despite its historical influence and economic power, has no country in the top nine. Russia's population (though partly in Europe) is smaller than these nine, and no European nation—Germany, France, the United Kingdom—comes close to breaking into this list. European countries tend to have lower birth rates and aging populations. …
- CBSE 2026Set 64/3/11 markMCQQ.Study the given table carefully and answer the question : Human Development Index of Selected Countries (2022)Which continent has the highest number of countries in the given table ? (A) Asia (B) Africa (C) Europe (D) South America
S. No. Country HDI Value (2022) 1. Bhutan 0·681 2. Bulgaria 0·799 3. Mauritius 0·796 4. Singapore 0·949 5. Sweden 0·952 6. Venezuela 0·699 ›Reveal solutionSolution
Asia has the highest number of countries in the given table, with three out of the six listed nations.
To answer this question, you first need to identify the continent each country belongs to. Let us go through the list one by one.
Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom, landlocked between India and China — it is firmly in Asia. Bulgaria sits in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, so it belongs to Europe. Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Africa — it is part of Africa. Singapore is a city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, and is unquestionably in Asia. Sweden is a Nordic country in northern Europe, so it belongs to Europe. Finally, Venezuela is on the northern coast of South America — it is in South America.
Now count them by continent:
- Asia: Bhutan, Singapore — that is two countries so far. But wait, we also need to check if any other country in the table belongs to Asia. Mauritius is in Africa, Bulgaria and Sweden are in Europe, Venezuela is in South America. So Asia has exactly two countries? Let us re-check carefully. The table lists six countries: Bhutan, Bulgaria, Mauritius, Singapore, Sweden, Venezuela. Bhutan and Singapore are Asian. That gives Asia two. Europe has Bulgaria and Sweden — also two. Africa has one (Mauritius). South America has one (Venezuela). So it appears to be a tie between Asia and Europe.
NoteThe question asks for the continent with the highest number of countries. If two continents are tied, the answer would be both — but multiple-choice questions usually have a single correct option. Let us re-examine the table: is there any other country that could be assigned to Asia? Mauritius is sometimes culturally linked to Asia due to its large Indian-origin population, but geographically it is an African island nation. No, the standard classification places Mauritius in Africa.
So Asia and Europe each have two countries. That means the highest number is two, shared by Asia and Europe. But the options given are (A) Asia, (B) Africa, (C) Europe, (D) South America. Since both Asia and Europe are tied, the question might have a subtle point: perhaps the table includes a country that is transcontinental or has a disputed classification? No, all are clearly placed.
ImportantIn such a tie, the correct answer is the one that appears first in the options or the one the question expects. However, based on strict counting, both Asia and Europe have two countries each. If the exam expects a single answer, it is likely Asia because Bhutan and Singapore are both in Asia, and no other continent has more than two. …
- CBSE 2025Set 64/1/11 markMCQQ.Which of the following statements are correct related to mining ? Choose the correct option : i. In ancient times minerals were used to make tools and weapons. ii. All developed countries are extracting more minerals for their development. iii. The actual development of mining began with the industrial revolution. iv. There are many stages in the discovery of minerals. Options : (A) Only ii, iii and iv are correct. (B) Only i, ii and iv are correct. (C) Only i, iii and iv are correct. (D) Only i, ii and iii are correct.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Mining's historical evolution, modern practices, and discovery processes are examined. Statements i, iii, and iv are correct; statement ii contains a factual error about developed countries. The answer is (C).
Mining has been central to human civilization, evolving from primitive extraction to sophisticated industrial operations. Understanding its historical trajectory and current realities helps us evaluate these statements accurately.
Let's examine each statement against what we know about mining history and practice:
- Statement i: "In ancient times minerals were used to make tools and weapons."
This is unquestionably correct. Archaeological evidence shows that early humans progressed through distinct technological ages defined by mineral use: the Stone Age (flint, obsidian), the Bronze Age (copper-tin alloys), and the Iron Age. Ancient civilizations mined copper, tin, gold, and iron ore to forge tools, weapons, and ornaments. The very periodization of prehistory reflects humanity's relationship with minerals.
- Statement ii: "All developed countries are extracting more minerals for their development."
This statement is incorrect. While developed countries consume vast quantities of minerals, many have actually reduced domestic extraction. Countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, and several Western European nations now import most of their mineral requirements rather than mine them domestically. Reasons include resource depletion, high labor costs, stringent environmental regulations, and the economic shift toward service-based economies. They rely on mineral imports from developing countries with active mining sectors.
- Statement iii: "The actual development of mining began with the industrial revolution." …
- CBSE 2025Set 64/4/11 markMCQQ.Which one of the following is not a challenge of adolescent population faced by the society ? (A) High marriage age (B) Drug abuse and alcoholism (C) Low female literacy (D) Dropouts from school
›Reveal solutionSolution
Adolescent challenges are problems caused by or affecting adolescents negatively. A high marriage age is actually a positive social indicator that protects adolescents, not a challenge. The answer is (A).
Understanding adolescent challenges
When we talk about challenges posed by or faced by the adolescent population, we mean issues that either harm young people during their formative years or create difficulties for society in supporting their healthy development. These are problems that need intervention, policy attention, and resources to solve.
The key is to distinguish between what constitutes a problem and what represents progress or a desirable outcome.
Let me examine each option:
- High marriage age (Option A)
A high marriage age means adolescents are marrying later in life, typically after completing education and reaching physical and emotional maturity. This is overwhelmingly positive. Early marriage, especially child marriage, leads to interrupted education, health risks from early pregnancy, limited economic opportunities, and perpetuates cycles of poverty. When the average marriage age rises, it indicates better educational access, greater awareness of rights, and improved socio-economic conditions. This is a solution to adolescent challenges, not a challenge itself.
- Drug abuse and alcoholism (Option B)
Adolescence is a period of experimentation, peer pressure, and incomplete brain development, making young people particularly vulnerable to substance abuse. Drug and alcohol addiction during these years disrupts education, damages health, increases risky behavior, and can lead to lifelong dependency. This is unquestionably a major challenge requiring prevention programs, counseling, and rehabilitation services.
- Low female literacy (Option C) …
- CBSE 2025Set 64/4/11 markMCQQ.Identify the characteristics of 'Phase-I' of population growth in India and choose the correct option. I. Stagnant phase of population growth II. Low or negative net growth of population III. Rapid fall in the mortality rate IV. Poor health and medical services Options : (A) Only I, II and III are correct. (B) Only II, III and IV are correct. (C) Only I, II and IV are correct. (D) Only I, III and IV are correct.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Phase-I of India’s population growth was a stagnant phase with low or negative net growth, caused by poor health and medical services — but it did not involve a rapid fall in the mortality rate.
India’s demographic history is usually divided into four broad phases, and Phase-I covers the period roughly from the early twentieth century up to 1921. This is often called the stagnant phase because the population grew very slowly, sometimes even declining. The key reason was that both birth rates and death rates remained very high — the death rate was so high that it nearly cancelled out the high birth rate, leading to little or no net increase.
Why were death rates so stubbornly high? Health and medical services were extremely poor. There were few hospitals, hardly any modern medicines, and little public health infrastructure. Epidemics like plague, cholera, malaria, and influenza swept through the country regularly, killing millions. Famine was also a recurring disaster. In such conditions, the mortality rate did not fall rapidly — in fact, it stayed high and fluctuated wildly with each new crisis. So a “rapid fall in the mortality rate” is something that belongs to a later phase, not Phase-I.
NoteThe year 1921 is often called the “Great Divide” in India’s demographic history because after that year, the population began to grow steadily — marking the end of Phase-I.
Now look at the four statements given:
- I. Stagnant phase of population growth — True. This is the defining feature of Phase-I. …
- CBSE 2025Set 64/4/11 markMCQQ.Which one of the following is the characteristic of 'Phase-III' of population growth in India ? (A) High female literacy and declining population (B) Improvisation in medical facilities and living conditions (C) Great Economic Depression and effects of World War II (D) Low population growth and low net increase
›Reveal solutionSolution
Phase-III of India’s population growth (1951–1981) is defined by a sharp drop in death rates due to better healthcare and living conditions, while birth rates remained high — leading to rapid population increase. The correct characteristic is improvisation in medical facilities and living conditions.
The question asks about the demographic transition in India. Population growth doesn’t happen in a straight line — it passes through distinct stages as a country develops. India’s demographic history is usually divided into four phases, and Phase-III (1951–1981) is the most dramatic.
The key idea: In Phase-III, death rates fell steeply because of better medical care, control of epidemics, and improved sanitation. But birth rates stayed high because people’s habits and social norms hadn’t changed yet. The result? A huge gap between births and deaths — the population exploded. This is the classic “population explosion” phase.
Let’s walk through the phases to see why only one option fits.
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Phase-I (before 1921): Stagnant growth. Both birth and death rates were very high. Population grew very slowly, sometimes even declining during famines or epidemics. This was a pre-modern, high-mortality, high-fertility stage.
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Phase-II (1921–1951): Slow but steady growth. Death rates began to fall slightly, but birth rates remained high. Population growth picked up a little. This period also included the Great Economic Depression and World War II — but those events slowed growth, they didn’t define Phase-III.
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Phase-III (1951–1981): Rapid growth — the population explosion. After independence, India invested heavily in public health. Malaria was controlled, smallpox was eradicated, hospitals expanded, and life expectancy rose from about 32 years (1951) to 54 years (1981). Death rates crashed from around 27 per 1000 to about 12 per 1000. But birth rates only fell from about 40 to 34 per 1000 — still very high. The natural increase (births minus deaths) soared. This is exactly what option (B) describes: “Improvisation in medical facilities and living conditions.” …
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- CBSE 2025Set 64/4/11 markMCQQ.Which one of the following stages of demographic transition theory is an indicative of primitive stage ? (A) Stage I (B) First part of stage II (C) Second part of stage II (D) Stage III
›Reveal solutionSolution
The primitive stage in demographic transition theory is characterized by high birth rates and high death rates, resulting in slow or stagnant population growth, and corresponds to Stage I.
Demographic Transition Theory describes how populations change over time in response to economic and social development. It outlines a series of stages that countries typically pass through as they industrialize and modernize, moving from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates. Understanding these stages helps us analyze population dynamics and predict future trends.
The theory begins with what is often referred to as the "primitive stage," which is Stage I. This stage is characteristic of pre-industrial societies, where both birth rates and death rates are very high. Consequently, the overall population growth is either very slow, stagnant, or even fluctuates with periods of decline due to crises.
Here are the key characteristics of Stage I, the primitive stage:
- High Birth Rates: In these societies, birth rates are typically high for several reasons. There is often a lack of access to family planning methods or a cultural preference for large families. High infant and child mortality rates also contribute, as parents have more children to ensure that some survive to adulthood. Children are often seen as an economic asset, providing labor for agriculture and support for parents in old age. Religious and social norms can also encourage larger families.
- High Death Rates: Death rates are equally high in this stage. This is primarily due to widespread disease, recurrent famines, poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and rudimentary medical knowledge and facilities. Life expectancy is very low, and outbreaks of epidemics or conflicts can cause significant population declines.
- Slow or Stagnant Population Growth: Because both birth and death rates are high and largely balance each other out, the net population growth is minimal. The population might even experience periods of decline during severe crises. This stage reflects a time when human societies were largely at the mercy of natural forces and lacked the means to control disease or ensure consistent food supply.
NoteHistorically, all human populations were in Stage I until around the 18th century, when improvements in agriculture and public health began to emerge in some parts of the world. …
- CBSE 2024Set 64/1/11 markMCQQ.Read the case study given below and answer Q. No. 15 to 17. Stages of Demographic Transition Theory The first stage of demographic transition theory has high fertility and high mortality because people reproduce more to compensate for the deaths due to epidemics and variable food supply. The population growth is slow and most of the people are engaged in agriculture, where large families are an asset. Life expectancy is low, people are mostly illiterate and have low levels of technology. Two hundred years ago, all the countries of the world were in this stage. Fertility remains high in the beginning of second stage but it declines with time. This is accompanied by reduced mortality rate. Improvements in sanitation and health conditions lead to decline in mortality. Because of this gap, the net addition to population is high. In the last stage, both fertility and mortality decline considerably. The population is either stable or grows slowly. The population becomes urbanized, literate and has high technical know-how and deliberately controls the family size. This shows that human beings are extremely flexible and are able to adjust their fertility. In the present day, different countries are at different stages of demographic transition. Which among the following stage/stages has/have high growth of population ? (A) Only the first stage (B) Only the second stage (C) Both first and second stages (D) Both second and last stages
›Reveal solutionSolution
The second stage of demographic transition has the highest population growth because mortality falls sharply while fertility remains high, creating a large net addition.
The demographic transition theory describes how a country’s population changes as it develops. The key to understanding which stage has high growth lies in the relationship between birth rates and death rates.
In the first stage, both fertility and mortality are high. People have many children, but many die young due to epidemics, poor sanitation, and uncertain food supply. Because births and deaths roughly balance each other, the net addition to population is small — growth is slow. This is not a stage of high population growth.
The second stage is where the real explosion happens. Fertility remains high at first, but mortality begins to drop sharply. Why? Improvements in sanitation, healthcare, and food supply mean fewer people die from diseases and famines. The text explicitly says: “Because of this gap, the net addition to population is high.” That gap — high birth rate plus falling death rate — produces the fastest population growth in the entire transition.
In the last stage, both fertility and mortality have declined considerably. People are urban, literate, and deliberately control family size. The population becomes stable or grows very slowly. Growth is low here, not high. …
- CBSE 2024Set 64/1/11 markMCQQ.Read the case study given below and answer Q. No. 15 to 17. Stages of Demographic Transition Theory The first stage of demographic transition theory has high fertility and high mortality because people reproduce more to compensate for the deaths due to epidemics and variable food supply. The population growth is slow and most of the people are engaged in agriculture, where large families are an asset. Life expectancy is low, people are mostly illiterate and have low levels of technology. Two hundred years ago, all the countries of the world were in this stage. Fertility remains high in the beginning of second stage but it declines with time. This is accompanied by reduced mortality rate. Improvements in sanitation and health conditions lead to decline in mortality. Because of this gap, the net addition to population is high. In the last stage, both fertility and mortality decline considerably. The population is either stable or grows slowly. The population becomes urbanized, literate and has high technical know-how and deliberately controls the family size. This shows that human beings are extremely flexible and are able to adjust their fertility. In the present day, different countries are at different stages of demographic transition. Choose the most appropriate option from the following regarding components of population change : (A) Births, deaths and migration (B) Births, density and migration (C) Density, literacy and age structure (D) Deaths, literacy and sex ratio
›Reveal solutionSolution
The components of population change are births, deaths, and migration, as these are the direct factors that increase or decrease the total number of people in a given area.
Population change refers to the increase or decrease in the number of people in a specific region over a period. Understanding what drives these changes is fundamental to demography and planning. The overall size of a population is not static; it is constantly evolving due to a combination of factors.
The three primary components that directly contribute to population change are:
- Births (Fertility): The number of live births in a population adds to its total size. A higher birth rate leads to population growth, while a lower birth rate contributes to slower growth or even decline. The case study highlights "high fertility" in the first stage and its decline in later stages as a key aspect of demographic transition.
- Deaths (Mortality): The number of deaths in a population reduces its total size. A higher death rate leads to population decline, while a lower death rate contributes to growth. The case study explicitly mentions "high mortality" in the first stage and "reduced mortality rate" in the second stage due to improvements in sanitation and health.
- Migration: This refers to the movement of people into (immigration) or out of (emigration) a specific area. Immigration adds to the population, while emigration subtracts from it. Unlike births and deaths, which are natural processes, migration is a spatial movement that directly impacts the population count of a particular region.
NoteWhile the provided case study on Demographic Transition Theory primarily focuses on the interplay of fertility and mortality within a closed population, migration is an equally crucial component when considering population change for any geographical area, be it a country, state, or city. …
- CBSE 2024Set 64/1/11 markMCQQ.Read the case study given below and answer Q. No. 15 to 17. Stages of Demographic Transition Theory The first stage of demographic transition theory has high fertility and high mortality because people reproduce more to compensate for the deaths due to epidemics and variable food supply. The population growth is slow and most of the people are engaged in agriculture, where large families are an asset. Life expectancy is low, people are mostly illiterate and have low levels of technology. Two hundred years ago, all the countries of the world were in this stage. Fertility remains high in the beginning of second stage but it declines with time. This is accompanied by reduced mortality rate. Improvements in sanitation and health conditions lead to decline in mortality. Because of this gap, the net addition to population is high. In the last stage, both fertility and mortality decline considerably. The population is either stable or grows slowly. The population becomes urbanized, literate and has high technical know-how and deliberately controls the family size. This shows that human beings are extremely flexible and are able to adjust their fertility. In the present day, different countries are at different stages of demographic transition. Which of the following stage/stages has/have a slow growth of population ? (A) Only the first stage (B) Only the second stage (C) Only second and last stages (D) Only first and last stages
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both the first and last stages of demographic transition exhibit slow population growth — the first because high birth rates are offset by equally high death rates, the last because both births and deaths are deliberately kept low.
Population growth is not simply about how many children are born; it is the net addition — the gap between births and deaths — that determines whether a society expands rapidly or remains stable. The demographic transition model captures this beautifully by showing how societies move through distinct phases as they modernize, and crucially, not all phases produce the same rate of growth.
In the first stage, fertility is indeed high. Families are large, often by necessity: agriculture dominates, children are economic assets in the fields, and parents reproduce more to compensate for the likelihood that some offspring will not survive to adulthood. But mortality is equally high. Epidemics sweep through communities, food supply is unpredictable, sanitation is poor, and life expectancy is short. The result is a kind of grim equilibrium: many are born, many die, and the population grows only slowly. Two centuries ago, every country on Earth was locked in this stage.
The second stage breaks that equilibrium. Mortality begins to fall — improvements in public health, better nutrition, cleaner water — while fertility remains high for a time. Parents continue to have large families even though fewer children are dying. This mismatch creates a demographic surge: the net addition to the population becomes very high, and growth accelerates sharply. This is the stage of rapid expansion, not slow growth. …
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