Consider the following statements : 1. The rate of population growth is increasing in the country 2. The death rate is declining faster in the country compared to birth rate 3. The birth rate is declining faster in the country compared to death rate 4. Rural-urban migration is taking place regularly in the country Which one of the following conclusions may be true in the light of the above facts ?
- (a) The rate of population growth is increasing due to rural-urban migration
- (b) The rate of population growth is increasing due to decline in death rate only
- (c) The rate of population growth is increasing due to increase in birth rate only
- (d) The rate of population growth is increasing due to faster decline in death rate than in birth rate ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Statement 1 confirms that the rate of population growth is increasing.
• Statement 2 explicitly states that the death rate is declining faster than the birth rate.
• When the death rate falls more rapidly than the birth rate, the natural increase (births minus deaths) widens, directly causing the population growth rate to rise.
• Statement 4 mentions rural-urban migration, which is internal movement and does not change the total national population count, so it cannot be the cause of increased national population growth.
• Therefore, the increase in population growth is logically attributed to the differential decline in mortality rates as described in Statement 2, making option (d) the correct conclusion.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) The rate of population growth is increasing due to rural-urban migration
- Rural-urban migration is internal movement that does not alter the total national population, so it cannot cause an increase in the national population growth rate.
- (b) The rate of population growth is increasing due to decline in death rate only
- The option claims the growth is due to the death rate decline 'only,' ignoring that the birth rate is also declining (albeit slower), and it fails to capture the comparative aspect of the faster decline in death rates.
- (c) The rate of population growth is increasing due to increase in birth rate only
- Statement 2 indicates the birth rate is declining, not increasing, so an increase in the birth rate is factually incorrect based on the provided premises.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.