World Population & Urbanization (Part – I)

Total Questions: 50

41. The most densely populated country of South America is: [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) Ecuador
Solution:Ecuador is the most densely populated country in South America. According to the United Nations Population Division Data Portal (based on World Population Prospects 2022 data), in 2022 the population densities of the given countries are as follows:
  • Bolivia (11)
  • Colombia (46)
  • Ecuador (72)
  • Venezuela (31)

42. The high density of population in Nile Valley and Island of Java is primarily due to: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (a) intensive agriculture
Solution:The high density of population in the Nile Valley and Island of Java is primarily due to intensive agriculture. The Nile River is called the Boon of Egypt. Due to the availability of Nile water, intensive farming is done on the banks of the Nile River. The Island of Java also has exceptionally fertile soil. Due to the availability of fertile soil and intensive agricultural practices, a high density of population is found in these areas.

43. Which of the following countries has the most favorable sex ratio? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

Correct Answer: (d) Finland
Solution:As per the question period and also according to the United Nations Population Division Data Portal (based on World Population Prospects 2022 data), in 2022 Finland has the most favorable sex ratio among the given countries.
CountriesSex-Ratio (2022)
Sweden101.6
Switzerland98.6
The Netherlands98.8
Finland97.7

Note: In World Population Prospects, the sex-ratio is given as the number of males per 100 females. Here, a lower value means a better sex-ratio (i.e., more females than males).

44. Which of the following gives the correct sequence of the sex-ratio (2011) in decreasing order? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

Correct Answer: (d) Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, China
Solution:As per the question period, option (d) was the correct answer in terms of better sex-ratio. Sex-ratios of the given countries as per United Nations Population Division Data Portal (based on World Population Prospects 2022 data), in 2022 are as follows:
CountrySex-Ratio (Males per 100 females) (2022)
Bangladesh98.3
Pakistan101.8
China104.2
India106.6

45. There is a fear of decreasing sex-ratio of the world in future due to increasing: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]

Correct Answer: (c) Sex determination tests
Solution:The fear of decreasing sex-ratio in the world is mainly attributed to the increase in sex determination tests.

Sex determination tests, which involve identifying the sex of a fetus before birth, are illegal in India due to the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act of 1994. This act aims to prevent female feticide and address the declining sex ratio in the country.

Sex determination is the biological process by which the sex of an organism is decided. In many species, it is governed by specific chromosomes, such as the XY system in humans. Understanding sex determination helps in comprehending genetic inheritance, reproductive biology, and evolutionary patterns across different species

46. The Population of the world in descending order, on the basis of religion is: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

Correct Answer: (b) Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists
Solution:On the basis of religion, the descending order of the World's population is — Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists.

Recently, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) released the World Population Prospects Report which provides population trends for countries across the globe.
Key Findings of the Report
Global

  • Population peak: World's population is projected to peak around 10.3 billion people in mid-2080s, up from 8.2 billion in 2024.
  • Fertility rate: Currently, fertility rate stands at 2.25 live births per woman, down from 3.31 births in 1990.
  • Life expectancy: Life expectancy at birth reached 73.3 years in 2024, an increase of 8.4 years since 1995.
  • Early pregnancies: In 2024, 4.7 million babies, or about 3.5 per cent of the total worldwide, were born to mothers under age 18.
    India
  • India's population is expected to reach its peak in early 2060s and is expected to remain the world's largest throughout century.

47. Consider the following countries of South Asia: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]

  1. Bangladesh
  2. India
  3. Pakistan
  4. Sri Lanka

The descending order of literacy status of these countries is:

Correct Answer: (c) 4, 2, 3, 1
Solution:As per the question period, the descending order given in option (c) was correct. But at present, none of the given options are correct. As per the World Bank's data, the literacy rates of the given South Asian countries are as follows:
CountryYearAdult Literacy Rate
Sri Lanka202292%
India202276%
Pakistan201958%
Bangladesh202176%

48. According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), what percentage of the world's total population is currently living in urban areas? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (d) 55
Solution:According to the World Urbanization Prospects 2018 of UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), 55.3 percent of the world's total population was living in urban areas in 2018. This percentage is projected to reach 58.3 in 2025, 60.4 in 2030, 64.5 in 2040, and 68.4 in 2050.

According to UN-Habitat's World Cities Report 2022, 56.2 percent of the world's total population lives in urban areas in 2020. As per the World Bank data, 57 percent of the world's total population lives in urban areas in 2022.

49. Which one of the following is known as the acceleration stage in the urbanization curve? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) Second stage
Solution:The simplest and most popular explanation for the characteristic shape of the urbanization curve makes use of the traditional stage theory of economic growth. Here a region's economic activities are divided into three broad types: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

When primary activities dominate, the rate of urbanization is necessarily very slow .But, as industrialization occurs, urbanization speeds up with the rise of construction and manufacturing in cities. Finally, the transformation to an era dominated by personal and public services leads to a flattening of the urbanization curve. Typically, urban shares in a population first rise slowly, then rapidly, and then slowly again. The entire sequence forms an S-shaped figure called the urbanization curve.

50. As per United Nations data, what percentage of the world's population was estimated to live in urban settlements in 2016? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

Correct Answer: (b) 54.5
Solution:As per United Nations World Urbanization Prospects 2016, about 54.5 percent of the world’s population was estimated to live in urban settlements in 2016. While according to the 2018 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects, about 55.3 percent of the world's population was estimated to live in urban areas in 2018. As per the World Bank data, 57 percent of the world's total population lives in urban areas in 2022.