Chapter 7 – Population
Q 1. Complete the following sentences.
(A) If the birth rate is greater than the death rate then the population………..
(i) decreases
(ii) increases
(iii) remains constant
(iv) becomes surplus
Ans: Option (ii) – increases
(B) People of …………… age group are included in the productive population.
(i) 0 to 14
(ii) 14 to 60
(iii) 15 to 60
(iv) 16 to 59
Ans: Option (iv) – 16 to 59
(C) The spread of modern technology in society is mostly dependent on ……
(i) Sex Ratio
(ii) Birth Rate
(iii) Literacy
(iv) Migration
Ans: Option (iii) – Literacy
Q 2. Examine the following statements and correct the incorrect ones.
(a) The population density of a region can be understood from its area.
Ans: Incorrect.
Correct statement: The population density of a region can be understood from its area and the total volume of population living in it.
(b) The quality of population is determined on the basis of literacy.
Ans: Correct
(c) There is an adverse impact on manpower in the regions of out migration.
Ans: Correct
(d) Greater economic prosperity indicates the development of a region.
Ans: Incorrect.
Correct statement: Greater economic prosperity as well as higher standards of living, a higher quality of life, the availability of opportunities, freedom, etc., indicate the development of a region.
(e) Developing countries have an HDI of 1.
Ans: Incorrect.
Correct statement: Developing countries have an HDI of 0.50 to 0.60.
Q 3. Answer in brief.
(a) What are the aspects considered in the structure of population?
Ans: The following are the aspects considered in the structure of the population:
(i) Sex ratio/structure:
The sex ratio or sex structure is a structure that considers the subdivision of the population on the basis of gender.
(ii) Age structure:
Age structure is a structure that considers the subdivision of the population into age groups.
(iii) Occupational structure:
Occupational structure is a structure that considers subdividing the population on the basis of dependency and workability.
(iv) Rural-urban structure:
A rural-urban structure is one that considers the subdivision of population on the basis of area of residence.
(v) Literacy structure:
The literacy structure is a structure that considers the subdivision of the population on the basis of their capability of reading and writing.
(b) Prepare a list of advantageous and disadvantageous factors, affecting population distribution.
Ans:
(i) Advantageous factors affecting population distribution:
(a) favourable climate
(b) flat plains
(c) abundant natural resources
(d) political stability
(e) industrialisation
(f) urbanisation
(g) fertile soil, etc.
(ii) Disadvantageous factors affecting population distribution:
(a) undulating terrain
(b) unfavourable climate
(c) scarce resources
(d) political instability
(e) lack of transport means
(f) wars, etc.
(c) What are the problems in areas of high population densities?
Ans: The following are the problems in areas of high population densities:
(i) Due to high population density, large-scale residential apartments are built. This invariably leads to the cutting down of trees and forests, leading to ecological imbalance.
(ii) There is a shortage of clean water.
(iii) With high population densities, there will be a shortage of amenities provided by the government like transportation, housing, electricity, etc.
(iv) Due to excess manpower (labor), rising unemployment is another problem seen in high-density areas.
(v) This may lead to an increase in thefts, burglaries, scuffles, etc., which may disturb the social harmony of the region.
(d) What are the problems in area of low population densities?
Ans: The following are the problems in areas of population density:
(i) Regions with high population densities face a shortage of skilled labour.
(ii) There is underutilization of natural resources, which hampers the development of the region.
(iii) Due to low population density, industrialization and urbanisation rates are hampered.
(iv) A low population means fewer workers and consumers, leading to lower investment and manufacturing of goods and services.
Q 4. Give Geographical Reasons.
(a) Population is an important resource.
Ans:
(i) The qualitative aspects of a population are important for a nation’s economic and social progress.
(ii) A country is socially and economically developed when the agriculture, industries, and services sectors in it develop.
(iii) The growth of industry, agriculture, and other facilities is possible only through human activities.
(iv) The available natural resources and raw materials can be put to good use only by skilled people.
(v) Hence, population is an important resource for any country.
(b) Productive population is an important group.
Ans:
(i) People belonging to the age group of 16 to 59 are considered productive. Therefore, this population is called a productive population.
(ii) People below 16 years of age and above 60 years of age are considered part of the dependent or non-working population.
(iii) A productive population or people are involved in services or businesses. Therefore, they play a very important role in the economic growth and development of a country.
(c) The study of age structures is important.
Ans:
(i) The study of age structure helps determine the percentage of children, adolescents, youth, middle-aged, and old-aged individuals in the population.
(ii) The study of age structure helps to know the proportion of productive people (working people between 16 and 59 years of age) and unproductive people (non working people below 16 years of age and above 60 years of age).
(iii) The study of age structure helps the government plan various economic, social, educational, medical, etc. schemes for the overall development of the country.
(iv) The study of age structure helps determine the speed of economic growth.
(v) Thus, the study of age structure is important.
(d) Literacy is directly related to development.
Ans:
(i) A country with a high literacy rate develops rapidly in economic, social, and cultural aspects.
(ii) A country with a low literacy rate faces many obstacles to its economic, social, and cultural growth and development.
(iii) The literacy rate is related to quality of life, the opportunities available, and freedom.
(iv) Thus, literacy is directly related to development.
(e) The real progress of a country is understood with the help of the Human Development Index.
Ans:
(i) The level of human development is ranked through scores on the Human Development Index (HDI), which varies between 0 and 1.
(ii) In the HDI score, 0 indicates the least developed state and 1 indicates the most developed state.
(iii) It shows the real progress of the country because the indicators used to calculate the index are income, health, and education, which are the most relevant factors in the country.
(iv) When the HDI value is higher, then the standard of living will also be higher, which will make real progress in the country.
Q 5. Write notes.
(A) Sex ratio
Ans:
(i) The sex ratio is defined as the number of females per thousand males in the population.
(ii) This is a social indicator that measures the extent of equality between men and women in society.
(iii) The sex ratio in India is unfavorable, with 948 females per 1000 males.
(iv) The state of Kerala has a sex ratio of 1058 females per 1000 males; Pondicherry has 1001 females per 1000 males, while Delhi has only 821 females per 1000 males.
(B) Age Structure
Ans:
(i) The age structure of a population is the distribution of people among various ages.
(ii) It is a useful tool for social scientists, public health and health care experts, policy analysts, and policymakers because it illustrates population trends like rates of births and deaths.
(iii) These are important to understand because they have a host of social and economic implications in society, like understanding the resources that must be allocated for childcare, schooling, and healthcare, and the familial and greater social implications of whether there are more children or elderly in society.
(C) Literacy
Ans:
(i) Literacy is a very important quality of the population.
(ii) Labor becomes skilled labour when they become literate or have some skills.
(iij) Educated people indulge in many intelligent choices and undertake research and development activities.
(iv) According to the Census, a person who can read and write with understanding in any language is treated as literate. India has a literacy rate of 74.04%.
(v) In India, the state of Kerala has the highest literacy rate with 93.91% as of 2018.