World Population & Urbanization (Part

31. Which of the following countries of Asia is witnessing a higher number of deaths than births per year? [U.P. P.S.C. (GIC) 2008]

(a) Bahrain
(b) Israel
(c) Japan
(d) Singapore

Correct Answer: (c) Japan

Solution:As per the question period and also at present, option (c) is the correct answer. The average annual population growth rate of Japan was -0.1 percent between 2005-10. According to UNFPA's "State of World Population 2022" report, the average annual growth rate of population during 2020-2025 in the given countries is as follows:

Country	Average Annual Population Change (2020-2025) (%)
Bahrain	1.8
Israel	1.5
Japan	-0.4
Singapore	0.8

32. The maternal mortality rate in Asia is highest in: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2001]

(a) Bangladesh
(b) India
(c) Indonesia
(d) Nepal

Correct Answer: (d) Nepal

Solution:As per the question period and also at present, option (d) is the correct answer. According to the Human Development Report 2023/2024 and UNFPA's State of World Population 2024 report, the maternal mortality ratios (MMR: Maternal deaths per one lakh live births) of the given countries are as follows:

Country	MMR (2020)
Nepal	174
India	103
Bangladesh	123
Indonesia	173

33. In South Asia, the country with the largest percentage of aged population is: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Bhutan
(b) India
(c) Nepal
(d) Sri Lanka

Correct Answer: (d) Sri Lanka

Solution:As per the question period and also at present, option (d) is the correct answer. According to UNFPA's State of World Population 2024 report, the percentage of 65 and older population in the given countries as per 2024 estimates are as follows:

Country	65 + Age Population in 2024 (%)
Bhutan	7
India	7
Nepal	6
Sri Lanka	12

34. About eighty percent of the world’s population is not protected by: [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010]

(a) Economic security
(b) Food security
(c) Child security
(d) Social security

Correct Answer: (d) Social security

Solution:About 80% of the world's population is not protected by social security.

This means a significant portion of people globally do not have access to basic welfare systems, including health insurance, pensions, and other forms of social protection. Only about 47% of the global population is effectively covered by at least one social protection benefit, leaving a large portion without any income security from their national systems. Social security coverage varies significantly across regions, with Europe and Central Asia having the highest rates (84%) and Africa having the lowest (17.4%). Children, women, and people with disabilities often face even greater gaps in social security coverage. Reports from the International Labour Organization (ILO) consistently highlight the significant gap in social security coverage worldwide, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and robust systems.

35. According to the World Development Report 2006, the poorest country of South Asia is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

(a) Bangladesh
(b) India
(c) Pakistan
(d) Sri Lanka

Correct Answer: (a) Bangladesh

Solution:As per World Development Report 2006, Bangladesh was the poorest country in South Asia. While as per the latest estimates, Afghanistan is the poorest country in South Asia.

The World Development Report is an annual publication by the World Bank, providing a comprehensive analysis of global development trends, challenges, and opportunities. It's a key resource for understanding the economic, social, and environmental landscape of the world.
The report covers a wide range of development topics, including economic growth, poverty reduction, inequality, human development, and environmental sustainability, making it a valuable resource for understanding the broader context of development issues. Focus on Specific Themes: Each year, the report focuses on a particular theme related to development, providing in-depth analysis and policy recommendations. For example, the 2024 report focused on the "Middle-Income Trap".

36. Which one of the following countries was the first to adopt a family planning programme officially? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

(a) Brazil
(b) USA
(c) India
(d) China

Correct Answer: (c) India

Solution:India was the first country in the world to launch the National Programme for Family Planning in 1952. The objectives of the programme were to lower the fertility rate and slow the population growth at a level consistent with the national economy.

Over the decades, the programme has undergone transformation in terms of policy and actual programme implementation and currently being repositioned to not only achieve population stabilization goals but also promote reproductive health and reduce maternal, infant & child mortality and morbidity.
The objectives, strategies and activities of the Family Planning division are designed and operated towards achieving the family welfare goals and objectives stated in various policy documents (NPP: National Population Policy 2000, NHP: National Health Policy 2017, and NHM: National Rural Health Mission) and to honour the commitments of the Government of India (including ICPD: International Conference on Population and Development, MDG: Millennium Development Goals, SDG: Sustainable Development Goals, and others).

37. In which year was the Family Planning Programme started in India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

(a) 1950
(b) 1951
(c) 1952
(d) 1955

Solution:India was the first country in the world to launch the National Programme for Family Planning in 1952. The objectives of the programme were to lower the fertility rate and slow the population growth at a level consistent with the national economy.

Over the decades, the programme has undergone transformation in terms of policy and actual programme implementation and currently being repositioned to not only achieve population stabilization goals but also promote reproductive health and reduce maternal, infant & child mortality and morbidity.
The objectives, strategies and activities of the Family Planning division are designed and operated towards achieving the family welfare goals and objectives stated in various policy documents (NPP: National Population Policy 2000, NHP: National Health Policy 2017, and NHM: National Rural Health Mission) and to honour the commitments of the Government of India (including ICPD: International Conference on Population and Development, MDG: Millennium Development Goals, SDG: Sustainable Development Goals, and others).

38. Which one of the following provides the best estimate of the World's biological diversity? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

(a) Of about 10 million species probably alive today, some 20 species are lost every day, most of them unknown, because no more than half a million have yet been actually identified by scientists.
(b) Of about thirty million living species, some 50 are lost every day and most of them unknown, because no more than one million have been actually identified.
(c) Of about forty-five million living species, some 100 are lost every day, most of them unknown, because no more than 1.5 million have been actually identified.
(d) Of about seventy-five million living species, some 500 are lost every day, most of them unknown because no more than 3 million have been actually identified.

Correct Answer: (c) Of about forty-five million living species, some 100 are lost every day, most of them unknown, because no more than 1.5 million have been actually identified.

Solution:According to the IUCN, currently, 1.5 to 1.8 million species have been named, but the estimated number of species may be 5 to 10 million. In other estimates, according to the estimates of the highly renowned scientist Irwin, the estimated number of species is about 50 million, and about 30,000 are going extinct every year. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

World Population & Urbanization (Part – II)