Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter-3: “Population Composition,” updated for 2024-2025. Solution is designed to help students tackle difficult questions with ease. The content is written in simple, easy-to-understand language. Use this solution to prepare for board exams and achieve excellent results.
Exercise
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
(i) Which one of the following has caused the sex ratio of the United Arab Emirates to be low?
A) Selective migration of male working population
B) High birth rate of males
C) Low birth rate of females
D) High out migration of females
Answer: A) Selective migration of male working population
The sex ratio in the UAE is low because a large number of male workers migrate there for employment, which leads to a higher proportion of males compared to females.
(ii) Which one of the following figures represents the working age group of the population?
A) 15 to 65 years
B) 15 to 64 years
C) 15 to 66 years
D) 15 to 59 years
Answer: B) 15 to 64 years
This age group is generally considered as the working population across most nations.
(iii) Which one of the following countries has the highest sex ratio in the world?
A) Latvia
B) United Arab Emirates
C) Japan
D) France
Answer: A) Latvia
Latvia has one of the highest sex ratios, with a higher number of females compared to males.
Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) What do you understand about population composition?
Ans. Population composition refers to the structure of a population in terms of various characteristics such as age, sex, occupation, education, and residence (rural or urban).
(ii) What is the significance of age structure?
Ans. The age structure is important because it shows the distribution of people in different age groups. It helps to understand the workforce availability, dependent population, and the economic demands of a region.
(iii) How is sex ratio measured?
Ans. Sex ratio is measured by the number of females per 1,000 males in a population. In India, it is typically represented by the formula:
Sex Ratio = Female Population / Male Population * 1000
Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words:
(i) Describe the rural urban composition of the population.
Ans. The rural urban composition of a population is based on whether people live in rural or urban areas. Rural areas are characterized by people working in primary activities like agriculture, while urban areas are dominated by secondary and tertiary activities such as manufacturing, services, and commerce. In developed countries, more people live in urban areas, while in developing countries, a higher percentage of the population is rural. For example, in India and Nepal, the rural population engages mostly in agriculture, whereas in the U.S. and Canada, urbanization is more prominent due to industrialization.
(ii) Discuss the factors responsible for imbalances in the sex-age found in different parts of the world and occupational structure.
Ans. Imbalances in the sex-age structure arise due to several factors such as migration, cultural practices, and economic opportunities. In regions like the UAE, the sex ratio is skewed because of the migration of male workers, while in countries like Latvia, women outnumber men due to better health and longer life expectancy. Occupational structure also affects this balance, with rural areas in developing countries showing a higher number of women involved in agriculture, whereas in developed nations, men dominate industrial and technical sectors.
Other important short answer type questions
Based on Chapter 3 of the NCERT Class 12 book, titled “Population Composition,” here are some important short answer type questions (other than the exercises) that have been commonly asked in Class 12 examinations and UPSC.
1. What is the sex ratio and how is it calculated?
Ans. The sex ratio refers to the number of females per 1,000 males in a population. It is an important demographic characteristic that indicates the status of women in a country. In India, it is calculated as:
Sex Ratio = Female Population / Male Population * 1000
For example, if there are 950 females for every 1,000 males, the sex ratio would be 950.
2. Why is the sex ratio in some countries unfavorable to females?
Ans. The sex ratio can be unfavorable to females in regions where gender discrimination is prevalent. Practices such as female foeticide, infanticide, and domestic violence reduce the number of women in the population. Additionally, lower socioeconomic status of women, lack of healthcare, and education are contributing factors in some countries like India, China, and Pakistan.
3. What is the significance of age structure in population studies?
Ans. Age structure is important because it shows the distribution of different age groups in a population. It helps to understand the workforce availability and economic potential. A large population in the working age group (1559 years) suggests a strong workforce, while a large population of elderly (above 60 years) indicates higher healthcare costs. Similarly, a large young population means high birth rates and a growing population.
4. What is an age-sex pyramid, and what does it represent?
Ans. An age-sex pyramid is a graphical representation of the population divided by age groups and sex. The left side of the pyramid shows the male population, while the right side shows the female population. The shape of the pyramid can indicate whether a population is growing (wide base), stable (bell shaped), or declining (narrow base). It helps in analyzing the population structure and predicting future trends.
5. Why do some developed countries have a declining population pyramid?
Ans. In developed countries, the birth and death rates are both low due to better healthcare and family planning. As a result, the population is either stable or declining. This is reflected in a narrow base of the population pyramid, indicating fewer young people, and a wider top, indicating a larger elderly population. Countries like Japan are examples of this trend.
6. What is population ageing and why is it a concern?
Ans. Population ageing refers to the increasing proportion of elderly people (above 60 years) in a population. It occurs when birth rates decline and life expectancy increases. This is a concern because it leads to a higher dependency ratio, where fewer working age people support a larger elderly population, increasing healthcare and social security costs.
7. How does the rural urban composition affect the population?
Ans. Rural Urban composition refers to the distribution of the population based on their residence. Rural areas typically have people engaged in primary activities like agriculture, while urban areas have people engaged in secondary and tertiary activities like manufacturing, services, and trade. Urban areas generally offer better education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, leading to migration from rural to urban regions.
8. Why do urban areas in developed countries have a higher female population?
Ans. In developed countries, urban areas often have more females than males because women migrate from rural areas to cities for better job opportunities and education. Additionally, urban life in these countries is safer, and women are more likely to participate in the workforce. In rural areas, farming and other primary activities are often male dominated, leading to a higher male population in those regions.
9. What are the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors of employment?
Ans. Primary sector: This involves extraction of natural resources such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining.
Secondary sector: This involves manufacturing and industrial activities.
Tertiary sector: This includes services such as trade, transport, communication, banking, education, and healthcare.
The proportion of people engaged in these sectors is a key indicator of a country’s level of development. In developed economies, more people are engaged in the secondary and tertiary sectors.
10. What does literacy rate indicate about a country’s development?
Ans. The literacy rate shows the percentage of people who can read and write in a population. It is an important indicator of a country’s socio economic development, as higher literacy rates are often associated with better economic opportunities, higher living standards, and greater access to education, especially for women. In India, the literacy rate refers to the population aged 7 years and above who can read, write, and do arithmetic.
MCQs
Based on Chapter 3 from the NCERT Class 12 book titled “Population Composition,” here are 20 MCQs suitable for both Class 12 exams and UPSC preparation. Answers are provided at the end.
1. The sex ratio is calculated as the number of:
A) Females per thousand males
B) Males per thousand females
C) Females per thousand people
D) Males per thousand people
2. Which country has the highest sex ratio in the world?
A) India
B) United Arab Emirates
C) Latvia
D) Qatar
3. A sex ratio of fewer females compared to males is often an indicator of:
A) Gender equality
B) Migration patterns
C) Social discrimination against women
D) High birth rates
4. In which region of the world is the sex ratio typically lower for women?
A) Africa
B) Asia
C) Europe
D) North America
5. The age structure of a population is important because it indicates:
A) Birth and death rates
B) Educational levels
C) Population diversity
D) Working Age population and dependent population
6. A population pyramid with a wide base and narrow top indicates:
A) High birth and death rates
B) Low birth and high death rates
C) High birth rates and declining death rates
D) Declining birth and death rates
7. Which country’s age-sex pyramid shows a narrow base and tapered top, indicating a declining population?
A) Nigeria
B) Japan
C) Mexico
D) Australia
8. What does a bell shaped age-sex pyramid indicate about a country’s population?
A) Expanding population
B) Declining population
C) Constant population
D) Migrant population
9. Which demographic characteristic directly influences a country’s dependency ratio?
A) Age structure
B) Literacy rate
C) Gender composition
D) Migration patterns
10. Population ageing refers to:
A) An increase in the young population
B) An increase in the proportion of older people
C) Declining birth rates only
D) Higher migration rates among the youth
11. What type of activities are people in rural areas most likely engaged in?
A) Secondary activities
B) Primary activities
C) Tertiary activities
D) Quaternary activities
12. What is the key factor causing a high male population in urban areas in Asian countries?
A) Higher birth rates of males
B) Male migration for employment
C) Low female participation in workforce
D) Social inequality
13. In developed countries, rural areas are often characterized by:
A) More females than males
B) Equal distribution of males and females
C) More males than females
D) Lower population density
14. Which country has a sex ratio of 311 males per 100 females?
A) Latvia
B) India
C) Qatar
D) Saudi Arabia
15. Literacy rates are an important indicator of:
A) Economic growth
B) Gender equality
C) Socio Economic development
D) Migration trends
16. Which sector involves activities related to research and technology development?
A) Primary sector
B) Secondary sector
C) Tertiary sector
D) Quaternary sector
17. A high percentage of population in the age group of 014 years typically indicates:
A) A low birth rate
B) An ageing population
C) A youthful population
D) A stable population
18. Which factor has caused low sex ratios in countries like the United Arab Emirates?
A) Female infanticide
B) Migration of male working population
C) High death rates among females
D) High male birth rates
19. The proportion of working population engaged in secondary and tertiary sectors indicates:
A) Underdeveloped economy
B) Industrialized and developed economy
C) High agricultural output
D) High population density
20. The rural urban composition of a population helps to understand:
A) Literacy rates
B) Gender ratios
C) Economic activities and employment patterns
D) Migration trends
Answers:
1. A) Females per thousand males
2. C) Latvia
3. C) Social discrimination against women
4. B) Asia
5. D) Working Age population and dependent population
6. C) High birth rates and declining death rates
7. B) Japan
8. C) Constant population
9. A) Age structure
10. B) An increase in the proportion of older people
11. B) Primary activities
12. B) Male migration for employment
13. C) More males than females
14. C) Qatar
15. C) Socio Economic development
16. D) Quaternary sector
17. C) A youthful population
18. B) Migration of male working population
19. B) Industrialized and developed economy
20. C) Economic activities and employment patterns
Other Chapter
| Chapter 1:- Human Geography: Nature and Scope | Chapter 2:- The World Population: Distribution, Density and Growth |
| Chapter 4:- Human Development | Chapter 5:- Primary Activities |
| Chapter 6:- Secondary Activities | Chapter 7:- Tertiary and Quaternary Activities |
| Chapter 8:- Transport and Communication | Chapter 9:- International Trade |
| Chapter 10:- Human Settlements |
