UPSC Prelims 2024 · GS Paper I
Question 67: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following countries :
- 1.Italy
- 2.Japan
- 3.Nigeria
- 4.South Korea
- 5.South Africa
Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population or declining population ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Italy, Japan and South Korea are frequently in the news for low birth rates, ageing populations and population decline; South Korea has among the world's lowest fertility rates. Nigeria still has high fertility and a young, fast-growing population, and South Africa's population is still growing with a comparatively young age profile. So the countries are 1, 2 and 4.
- 1. Italy has a low birth rate and an ageing population.
- 2. Japan has an ageing and shrinking population.
- 3. Nigeria has high fertility and a young, growing population.
- 4. South Korea has one of the world's lowest fertility rates.
- 5. South Africa's population is still growing and is comparatively young.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Italy has a low birth rate and an ageing population.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Japan has an ageing and shrinking population.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 3, 4 or 5.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: Italy, Japan and South Korea.
- (b) Wrong: Nigeria and South Africa have young, growing populations.
- (c) Wrong: it leaves out Italy, which has a low birth rate and ageing population.
- (d) Wrong: Nigeria and South Africa are not known for ageing or shrinking populations.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.