Previous Year Question
Natural growth of population is the outcome of which of the following?
A. Crude Birth Rate
B. Crude Death Rate
C. Migration
D. Marriages
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Only A
Only C
B and D
A and B
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Natural Population Increase represents the difference between the number of births and deaths occurring during a specified period. When the number of births exceeds the number of deaths, the population experiences Natural Increase. Conversely, when deaths exceed births, Natural Decrease occurs.
Statement A is correct. The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) is the number of live births occurring per 1,000 population in a given area during one year. It is a major Demographic Indicator affecting population growth. A higher birth rate may increase Natural Population Growth, other conditions remaining constant.
Statement B is correct. The Crude Death Rate (CDR) is the number of deaths occurring per 1,000 population in a given area during one year. The Natural Increase Rate is calculated as CBR − CDR. For example, if the Birth Rate is 20 and the Death Rate is 7 per 1,000 population, the Natural Increase Rate will be 13 per 1,000 persons or 1.3% annually.
Statements C and D are not direct components of Natural Increase. Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another. It affects Total Population Change but is not included in the calculation of Natural Increase. Marriage may indirectly influence reproductive behaviour, but it is not an independent computational component of Natural Increase. Thus, Total Population Change = Natural Change + Net Migration.