World Population & Urbanization (Part – I)

Total Questions: 50

1. During 10000 BC, the population of the world was: [B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above / More than one of the above
Solution:Estimates of the population of the world at the time agriculture emerged around 10000 BC have ranged between 1 million and 10 million. Hence, option (e) is the correct answer.

The world population, its distribution, density and growth reflect the advancement and development of each geographical zone. The world population has a huge impact on the world economy and climate change.

The term population distribution refers to the way people are spaced over the surface of the earth. Broadly, 90% of the world's population lives in about 10% of the earth's land area. The 10 most populous countries of the world contribute about 60% of the world's population (the six countries out of the ten are located in Asia).

2. Which one of the following countries of the world has the largest Indian population as on December 2018? [B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (a) United Arab Emirates
Solution:As per the data available on the website of Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates is the country which has the largest Indian population, while Saudi Arabia has the second largest Indian population.
RankCountryNon-Resident Indians (NRIs)Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)Overseas Indian
1USA2,077,1583,331,9045,409,062 (5.4M)
2UAE3,554,27414,5743,568,848 (3.6M)
3Malaysia163,1272,751,0002,914,127 (2.9M)
4Canada1,016,2741,859,6802,875,954 (2.8M)
5Saudi Arabia2,460,6032,9062,463,509 (2.5M)
6Myanmar2,6602,000,0002,002,660 (2.0M)
7UK369,0001,495,3181,864,318 (1.9M)
8South Africa60,0001,640,0001,700,000 (1.7M)
9Sri Lanka7,5001,600,0001,607,500 (1.6M)
10Kuwait993,2842,244995,528 (996K)

3. Which of the following subjects deals with the studies in population and vital statistics of Human communities? [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2017]

Correct Answer: (c) Demography
Solution:Among the given options demography deals with the studies in population and vital statistics of human communities. Demography is the statistical study of human populations, especially with reference to size and density, distribution, and vital statistics (births, marriages, deaths etc.). Demographic analysis can cover whole societies or groups defined by criteria such as education, nationality, religion, and ethnicity.

4. The idea of 'Folk-Urban Continuum' was developed on the 7 basis of studies conducted in: [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (a) Mexico
Solution:The idea of "Folk-Urban Continuum' has been developed by American Cultural Anthropologist Robert Redfield. For this, he studied the Merida, Yucatan and rural Maya Communities of Mexico, Redfield had constructed a continuum from small rural villages to large cities. More urban means that population is more secular, more individualistic and with a greater division of labour.

5. In the view of Redfield and Singer, the process of primary urbanization is characterized by the development of a: [U.P. R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (c) Great tradition
Solution:Robert Redfield and Milton Singer elaborate the role of cities in the light of the impact of urban growth and urbanization on a culture. They describe the city as a centre of cultural innovation, diffusion and progress. They have classified the process of urbanization into two categories: (a) Primary urbanization, and (b) Secondary urbanization.

According to them, "the trend of primary urbanization is to coordinate political, economic, educational, intellectual and aesthetic activities to the norms provided by Great Tradition. The process of secondary urbanization works in the industrial phase of the city, and is characterized by heterogenic development."

6. Which among the following organizations released the World Population Report, 2021? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) United Nations Population Fund
Solution:On April 14, 2021, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released the 'State of World Population 2021' Report, titled, 'My Body is My Own'. This was the first time a United Nations report has focused on bodily autonomy, defined as the power and agency to make choices about your body without fear of violence or having someone else decide for you.

The title of the 'State of World Population 2023' Report was '8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities', while the title of the 'State of World Population 2024' Report (released in April, 2024) is "Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights."

7. As per the 'U.N. Population Fund', the seven-billionth baby was born on October 31, 2011 in: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above
Solution:Born on 31 October 2011, Indian girl 'Nargis', Philippines girl 'Danika May Camacho', Sri Lankan girl 'Wattalage Muthumai'. and child born in Kaliningrad (Russia), 'Piotr Nikolayeva' etc. were symbolized by various organizations as the sevene billionth person. However, officially the child of none of these countries was given the status of the seven-billionth person in the world by the United Nations.

Born on 15 November, 2022, a baby girl 'Vinice Mabansag' of Manila (Philippines) and a baby boy 'Damian' of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic etc. are being considered as the symbolic eighth billionth persons in the world.

8. The World Population Day commemorates the day on which the estimated world population become five billion. That day was: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

Correct Answer: (a) 11 July 1987
Solution:World Population Day is observed every year on 11th July. The event was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the year 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, the approximate date on which the world's population reached five billion people. It is noteworthy that the world population crossed the 4 billion mark in the year 1974 and 6 billion mark in 1999, while the world population crossed the 7 billion mark in the year 2011 (October). As per the UN data projection, the world's population has reached 8 billion mark on 15 November, 2022.

9. World Population Day is celebrated on: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015, Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007, Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2002, 2003, Uttarakhand Lower (Sub.) (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) July 11
Solution:World Population Day is observed every year on 11th July. The event was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the year 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, the approximate date on which the world's population reached five billion people.

It is noteworthy that the world population crossed the 4 billion mark in the year 1974 and 6 billion mark in 1999, while the world population crossed the 7 billion mark in the year 2011 (October). As per the UN data projection, the world's population has reached 8 billion mark on 15 November, 2022.

10. What has been the theme of the 2017 World Population Day? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (d) Family planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations
Solution:The World Population Day (11th July) 2017 was observed with the theme 'Family Planning: Empowering people, Developing Nations'. The theme of World Population Day 2023 was "Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world's infinite possibilities', while the theme for 2022 was 'A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all-Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all.