UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies
Question 65: Economy and Social Development
For India, China, the UK and the USA, which one of the following is the correct sequence of the median age of their populations?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Median age is the age that divides a population into two equal halves. Around 2008 India's was lowest, about 24 to 25 years, followed by China at about 33, the USA at about 37 and the UK at about 39 to 40. So India < China < USA < UK. India has a young population, the UK and USA older ones, and China had aged fast after decades of low fertility.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Puts China below India and the UK below the USA; both are reversed.
- (b) India, then China, then the USA, then the UK is the right order.
- (c) Puts China below India, which is wrong.
- (d) Puts the UK below the USA; the UK population is older.
Worth knowing: China's median age has since risen to about the level of the USA's or past it, so the order today differs.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.