Geography · Textbook solutions

Population: Part 2

Every textbook question in book order, plus the board's past questions. · 52 questions

Chapter activities

37 q

Try this / Give it a try / Can you tell?

Practice · 37

In fig. 2.1, A, B and C are three population pyramids. Study their shapes and answer the questions that follow.
Act p00 F2.1(1) $In which pyramid(s) the number of children will be the least?$
Act p00 F2.1(2) $In which pyramid(s) the number of old people will be the least?$
Act p00 F2.1(3) $Which pyramid(s) represent(s) a 'young country'?$
Act p00 F2.1(4) $Which pyramid(s) represent(s) a country with high medical expenditure?$
Act p00 F2.1(5) $Which pyramid(s) represent(s) a country with a large manpower?$
Act p00 F2.1(6) $Which pyramid(s) represent(s) developing and developed countries respectively?$
Population pyramid of India is given in fig. 2.2. Read the pyramid and answer the following questions :
Act p01 F2.2(1) $Which pyramid type does India belong to?$
Act p01 F2.2(2) $Comment upon the age-structure of its population.$
Read the following table and answer the questions that follow : Table 2.1 : India - Demographic Dividend
Decade Ratio of working/non-working population Percentage of working population
2001-10 1.33 : 1 57.1
2011-20 1.53 : 1 60.5
2021-30 (projected) 1.81 : 1 64.4
2031-40 (projected) 1.72 : 1 63.2
Source : Economic Survey, 2016-17, Pg. 33
Act p02 T2.1(1) $What does the table show?$
Act p02 T2.1(2) $What is the relationship between second and third column?$
Act p02 T2.1(3) $How will this relationship affect the economy of India?$
Act p02 T2.1(4) $What will happen if the ratio decreases over the years?$

Decade	Ratio of working/non-working population	Percentage of working population
2001-10	1.33 : 1	57.1
2011-20	1.53 : 1	60.5
2021-30 (projected)	1.81 : 1	64.4
2031-40 (projected)	1.72 : 1	63.2

Answer the questions after studying table 2.2 carefully : Table 2.2

Country	Retirement Age reforms being implemented or under consideration (in years)
Germany	Retirement age to increase gradually to 66 by 2023 and to 67 by 2029
United States of America	Retirement age to rise gradually to reach 67 for those born in 1960 or later
United Kingdom	Retirement age to increase for both men and women to 66 by October 2020 and further to 67 between 2026-28
Australia	Retirement age scheduled to increase gradually to 67 by 2023
China	By 2045, to increase retirement age for both men and women to 65
Japan	Under consideration to raise the retirement age to 70
India	On an average, 60 years. May vary from 55 years to 65 years according to services

Source: Economic Survey 2018-19 Vol 1, Pg 145

Act p03 T2.2(1)

What does the table show?

Act p03 T2.2(2) $Classify these countries into developed and developing.$
Act p03 T2.2(3) $What could be the reasons behind increasing the retirement age in these countries?$
Act p03 T2.2(4) $What will be the impact of increase in the retirement age on the economy of the respective countries?$
Act p03 T2.2(5) $Why is China considering increasing the age later in 2045?$
Act p03 T2.2(7) $Write a concluding statement about the relationship between age structure, life expectancy and economy of a country.$
Read the following graph in fig. 2.3 and answer the questions that follow :
Act p04 F2.3(1) $Which region has the highest literacy rate?$
Act p04 F2.3(2) $Which region has the lowest literacy rate?$
Act p04 F2.3(3) $In which region does women fare better than men in literacy rate?$
Act p04 F2.3(4) $Write a concluding paragraph about the graph.$

Study the table 2.3 carefully and answer the questions that follow : Table 2.3 : Occupational Structure of India (1901-2011), per cent

Category	1901	1951	1961	1971	1981	1991	2001	2011
A. Primary Sector (1+2+3+4)	71.9	72.7	72.3	72.6	69.4	67.4	57.4	48.96
1. Cultivator	50.6	50.0	52.8	43.4	41.6	38.5	29.6	26.4
2. Agricultural Labourers	16.9	19.7	16.7	26.3	24.9	26.4	25.4	20.3
3. Livestock, forestry, fishing etc.	4.3	2.4	2.3	2.4	2.3	1.9	1.7	1.5
4. Mining and quarrying	0.1	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.8
B. Secondary Sector (5+6)	12.5	10.0	11.7	10.7	12.9	12.1	16.8	23.52
5. Manufacturing	11.7	9.0	10.6	9.5	11.3	10.2	12.4	16.92
6. Construction	0.8	1.0	1.1	1.2	1.6	1.9	4.4	6.6
C. Tertiary Sector (7+8+9)	15.6	17.3	16.0	16.7	17.7	20.5	25.8	27.52
7. Trade and Commerce	6.0	5.3	4.0	5.6	6.2	7.5	11.1	12.1
8. Transport, Storage and Communications	1.1	1.5	1.6	2.4	2.7	2.8	4.1	4.8
9. Other Services	8.5	10.5	10.4	8.7	8.8	10.2	10.6	10.7
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0

Act p04 T2.3(1)

What does the table show?

Act p04 T2.3(2) $Which sector has the highest occupation? In which year?$
Act p04 T2.3(3) $Which sector has the lowest occupation? In which year?$
Act p04 T2.3(4) $In which sector is the working population increasing?$
Act p04 T2.3(5) $In which sector is the working population occupation decreasing?$
Act p04 T2.3(6) $Draw a suitable diagram for statistical information showing A, B and C columns from 1901-2011.$
Act p04 T2.3(7) $Compare the data. Write a concluding paragraph on the graph.$
Act p05 CYT $On the basis of which other characteristics can you explain the composition of population? Make a list.$
Read the following events and answer the questions that follow : 1) Ramprasad has grown up in a village in Northern India. His uncle who lives in Mumbai has called him to Mumbai and offered him a job. 2) Ritika has completed her post-graduation from a famous college in Pune. She landed a job in a big company in the USA. It's been 5 years and now she has settled there. 3) Sahmat's country is undergoing a war situation. For security reasons, the people had to leave their country and go somewhere else compulsorily. Sahmat and her family have taken refuge in the neighbouring country. 4) Babanrao is a small farmer from the Marathwada region. He faced losses in agriculture due to drought. Some other family problems also forced him to sell his land and he shifted to the nearby city. Now he is working and earning livelihood for himself and his family. 5) Ritesh from Pimpalwadi completed his school education in his village. He has gone to Nashik for further education. 6) Latika, daughter of Surekha and Sandeep from Satara, went to Solapur after marriage.
Act p05 Mig(1) $What similarities do you find in these events?$
Act p05 Mig(2) $Is there a change in the location in these events? Why?$
Act p05 Mig(3) $Arrange these 6 events according to the difference in the relative distance between the new and the old locations.$
Act p05 Mig(4) $Make a list of reasons for leaving the original location.$
Act p05 Mig(5) $Classify the reasons into willing and reluctant.$
Act p05 Mig(6) $Make a list of reasons behind migration besides the ones given here.$

Act p08 T2.4

Complete the table 2.4, which shows the impact of migration on the population. One is solved as an example. Table 2.4 Sr. No. Type of migration Positive effects Negative effects 1 International migration Employment is available to migrants. Improves their financial status. Resources are affected. Sometimes, they might be sent back to their original country. 2 Internal migration ......... ......... a Rural to urban migration ......... ......... b Urban to rural migration ......... ......... c Rural to rural migration ......... ......... d Urban to urban migration ......... ......... 3 Seasonal / temporary migration ......... .........

Sr. No.	Type of migration	Positive effects	Negative effects
1	International migration	Employment is available to migrants. Improves their financial status.	Resources are affected. Sometimes, they might be sent back to their original country.
2	Internal migration	.........	.........
a	Rural to urban migration	.........	.........
b	Urban to rural migration	.........	.........
c	Rural to rural migration	.........	.........
d	Urban to urban migration	.........	.........
3	Seasonal / temporary migration	.........	.........

Exercise

15 q

Identify the correct co-relation : A : Assertion; R : Reasoning
Ex Q1(1) $A : Increase in dependency ratio will affect the economy. R : Medical costs are high when there are more elderly in the population.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Ex Q1(2) $A : In population pyramid, a broad base indicates high number of children in a country. R : Broad apex is an indicator of high number of elderly in a country.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Write short notes on :
Ex Q2(1) $Population growth and migration.$
Ex Q2(2) $Population pyramid and sex ratio.$
Ex Q2(3) $Occupational structure of a population.$
Ex Q2(4) $Literacy rate.$
Give geographical reasons :
Ex Q3(1) $In developed countries, percentage of population engaged in agriculture is low.$
Ex Q3(2) $Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its socio-economic development.$
Ex Q3(3) $Demographic dividend increases when proportion of working population increases.$
Ex Q3(4) $Migration is not always permanent.$
Differentiate between :
Ex Q4(1) $Donor region and Recipient region.$
Ex Q4(2) $Expansive pyramid and Constrictive pyramid.$
Answer in detail :
Ex Q5(1) $Outline the importance of population pyramids in the study of populations.$
Ex Q5(2) $Explain the rural and urban population structure.$
Ex Q5(3) $Examine the impact of migration on the population structure of a country.$

What the board has asked from this chapter

Questions per paper · 3 papers · 2024 to 2026

June 2026

6 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

S.No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Migration	(a) Meat Processing	(h) Cottage Industry
(2)	Urban problem	(b) Communication	(i) Milk processing
(3)	Pastoral based industries	(c) Pulp processing	(j) Transportation
(4)	Tertiary economic activity	(d) Increase in slums	(k) Climatology
(5)	Physical Geography	(e) Geomorphology	(l) Forced
		(f) Voluntary	(m) Crime

Q1(A)(1)

Migration

Migration: Types and Causes

Choose the correct option by identifying the correct co-relation between Assertion and Reason. A : Assertion R : Reason
Q1(B)(1) $A : Broad based population pyramid indicates more children in the population. R : Broad apex is an indicator of high number of elders in the population.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Do as directed :
Q1(C)(1) $Arrange the age groups in proper descending order : (a) Child (b) Adult (c) Old (d) Young$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
State whether the following statements are True or False :
Q1(D)(1) $Literacy rate is an indicator of a country's development.$
Literacy and Education
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(1) $In developed countries, percentage of population engaged in agriculture is low.$
Occupational Structure
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $Region to the South of Sahara desert having low literacy rate.$
Literacy and Education

March 2026

4 q

Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its social-economic development.$
Literacy and Education
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(1) $Donor region and Recipient region$
Impact of Migration on Population Structure
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $The country having highest sex-ratio in the world - Russia$
Sex Composition
Write notes on the following (Any THREE) :
Q5(1) $Reasons for migration$
Migration: Types and Causes

June 2025

10 q

True or False :
Q1(C)(1) $If the proportion of working population is high, then the possibility of economic development is high.$
Occupational Structure
Q1(C)(4) $Every country has its own definition of literacy.$
Literacy and Education
Do as directed :
Q1(D)(1) $Identify the correct correlation : A : Assertion R : Reasoning A : In population pyramid a broad base indicates high number of children. R : Broad apex of pyramid is an indicator of high number of elderly.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(2) $Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its socio-economic development.$
Literacy and Education
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $A city in India: attracts a large number of immigrants : Mumbai$
Migration: Types and Causes
Q4(A)(3) $A country having highest life expectancy : Japan$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : Age Composition There are three basic determinants of age composition of a population. These includes natality (fertility), mortality and mobility. According to Clarke (1972), these three determinants of age structure are inter-dependent and any change in one of these may influence the other two. Through these variables socio-economic conditions influence the age structure. It is fertility rate that determines the proportion of population in different age categories. That is why, the countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia which are characterized by high birth rates display large proportion in young age groups. In most of the countries of these continents, about two fifth of population is below 15 years of age. In India, 36% of its population is below 15 years, according to 2001 census. By contrast, the countries with low fertility rate and longer life expectancy, have about one fourth of their population in the younger age groups. But the proportion of population in the older age groups in these countries is relatively large. Most of the countries of Northwestern Europe and North America, CIS countries, Australia and Japan belong to this category. A continuous downward trend in fertility contributes to the increase in the proportion of population in older age.
Q6(A)(1) $What are basic determinants of age composition?$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Q6(A)(2) $Which continent has large proportion of young age group?$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Q6(A)(3) $According to 2001 census, what is the percentage of population aged below 15 years in India?$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Q6(A)(4) $Which factor is responsible for increase in old age group?$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids

March 2025

8 q

Complete the chain and rewrite in your answer paper :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Amazon River basin	(1) Manufacturing Activities	(1) Tata Iron and Steel Industries.
(2)	Constrictive Pyramid	(2) Commercial cattle rearing	(2) Low population density.
(3)	Industrial Region	(3) Individual	(3) Low birth rate and least death rate.
(4)	Pampas Grassland	(4) Dense equatorial Forest	(4) South America
(5)	Private	(5) More old age Population	(5) Availability of Employment

Q1(A)(2)

Constrictive Pyramid

Age Structure and Population Pyramids

Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(1) $Literacy rate is the indicator of economic and social development of the country.$
Literacy and Education
Read the following map/graphs and answer the questions given below : The bar graph is titled 'INDIA : Occupational Structure (Primary Service Sector)', drawn to a scale of 1 cm = 10%. Its index carries two bars, Cultivator and Agricultural Labours. Percentage runs up the Y-axis from 0 to 60 and the census years run along the X-axis.
Year Cultivator (%) Agricultural Labours (%)
1951 50 20
1961 53 17
1971 43 26
1981 42 25
1991 28 18
Q4(B)(1) $What is shown in the above graph?$
Occupational Structure
Q4(B)(2) $Which decade has maximum percentages of cultivators?$
Occupational Structure
Q4(B)(3) $Which decade has minimum percentages of agricultural labourers?$
Occupational Structure
Q4(B)(4) $In present graph, which factor have maximum percentages in every decade?$
Occupational Structure
Q4(B)(5) $In 1971 what is the percentage of cultivators and agricultural labour?$
Occupational Structure
Draw neat, labelled diagrams ( Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(1) $Stationary Pyramid$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids

Year	Cultivator (%)	Agricultural Labours (%)
1951	50	20
1961	53	17
1971	43	26
1981	42	25
1991	28	18

June 2024

7 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Consumer goods	(a) Physical geography	(h) Commercial area
(2)	Geography	(b) International	(i) Climatology
(3)	Migration	(c) Industrial area	(j) Pharmaceuticals
(4)	Formal region	(d) Distinct boundaries	(k) India to Australia
(5)	Urban land use	(e) Ready for direct consumption	(l) State
		(f) Current fallow	(m) Automobiles

Q1(A)(3)

Migration

Migration: Types and Causes

Choose the correct option by identifying the correct co-relation between the assertion and reason : (A : Assertion R : Reason)
Q1(B)(1) $A : Increase in dependency ratio will affect the economy. R : Medical costs are high when there are more elderly in the population.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Identify and write the incorrect factor :
Q1(C)(1) $Population composition : (a) Age structure (b) Sex-ratio (c) Relief (d) Occupational structure$
Rural-Urban Composition
Identify whether the following statements are true or false :
Q1(D)(1) $Migration affects the distribution and density of population.$
Impact of Migration on Population Structure
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(2) $Rural to urban migration is increasing.$
Migration: Types and Causes
Distinguish between (Any THREE) :
Q3(2) $Expansive pyramid and Constrictive pyramid.$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(3) $Country having the highest life expectancy in Asia.$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids

March 2024

11 q

Complete the chain and rewrite in your answer paper :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Consumer goods	(e) Atlantic ocean	(m) Pharmaceutical product
(2)	Panama canal	(f) Fertile region	(n) Ecological balance
(3)	Plain	(g) Ready for direct consumption	(o) Development of Agriculture
(4)	Food chain	(h) Short term	(p) Pacific ocean
(5)	Migration	(i) Ecosystem	(r) Arabian sea
		(j) Indian ocean	(s) Long term

Q1(A)(5)

Migration

Migration: Types and Causes

Choose the correct option and complete the sentences :
Q1(C)(1) $Reasons of migration :$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Migration: Types and Causes
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(2) $Literacy rate of country is an indicator of its socio-economic development.$
Literacy and Education
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(1) $Donor region and Recipient region.$
Impact of Migration on Population Structure
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $A state having highest sex ratio in India.$
Sex Composition
Read the following map/graphs and answer the questions given below : The bar graph is titled 'ADULT LITERACY RATE 2016'. Each region has a pair of horizontal bars, M for male and F for female, read against a scale of 0 to 100%.
Region Male (%) Female (%)
N. Africa and W. Asia 85 74
S. Asia 80 63
Sub-Saharan Africa 72 57
Q4(B)(1) $Which region has very less adult female literacy rate?$
Literacy and Education
Q4(B)(2) $Why the percentage of adult male literacy rate is more in the given regions?$
Literacy and Education
Q4(B)(3) $Why the percentage of female-male literacy rate in 2016 is less in sub-Saharan Africa?$
Literacy and Education
Q4(B)(4) $Write your own opinion about the adult female literacy rate with reference to graph.$
Literacy and Education
Q4(B)(5) $With reference to graph which country would be advanced in social factors?$
Literacy and Education
Draw neat, labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(1) $Pyramids of underdeveloping countries.$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids

Region	Male (%)	Female (%)
N. Africa and W. Asia	85	74
S. Asia	80	63
Sub-Saharan Africa	72	57

The 10 board questions to practise first

The questions and kinds of question the board asked most often come first. Each one says how often and when.

Question 1
Asked 4 times: Mar 2024, Mar 2025, Jun 2025, Mar 2026 See all 4 times it was asked
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its social-economic development.$
Question 2
Asked 2 times: Jun 2025, Jun 2026 See all 2 times it was asked
Two statements are given, one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer from the options given below.
Q1(B)(1) $A : Broad based population pyramid indicates more children in the population. R : Broad apex is an indicator of high number of elders in the population.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Question 3
Asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Mar 2026 See all 2 times it was asked
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(1) $Donor region and Recipient region$
Question 4
Asked 2 times: Jun 2024, Jun 2025 See all 2 times it was asked
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(3) $A country having highest life expectancy : Japan$
Question 5
This type asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Mar 2026. This one: Mar 2026 See all 2 of this type
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $The country having highest sex-ratio in the world - Russia$
Question 6
This type asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Mar 2025. This one: Mar 2025 See all 2 of this type
Draw neat, labelled diagrams ( Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(1) $Stationary Pyramid$
Question 7
Asked once: Mar 2024 (same type asked 2 times) See all 2 of this type
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $A state having highest sex ratio in India.$
Question 8
Asked once: Mar 2024 (same type asked 2 times) See all 2 of this type
Draw neat, labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(1) $Pyramids of underdeveloping countries.$

Question 9 (case study, 5 parts)

Asked once: Jun 2026

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

S.No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Migration	(a) Meat Processing	(h) Cottage Industry
(2)	Urban problem	(b) Communication	(i) Milk processing
(3)	Pastoral based industries	(c) Pulp processing	(j) Transportation
(4)	Tertiary economic activity	(d) Increase in slums	(k) Climatology
(5)	Physical Geography	(e) Geomorphology	(l) Forced
		(f) Voluntary	(m) Crime

Q1(A)(1)

Migration

Q1(A)(2)

Urban problem

Q1(A)(3)

Pastoral based industries

Q1(A)(4)

Tertiary economic activity

Q1(A)(5)

Physical Geography

Question 10
Asked once: Jun 2026
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(1) $In developed countries, percentage of population engaged in agriculture is low.$

Quick revision

8 most-asked questions · 14 key points · 1 formula · 7 derivations · 4 diagrams

Checked against Balbharati Geography Std XII (Maharashtra State Board), Chapter 2.

Most asked in board papers

1
Age structure, dependency, demographic dividend and life expectancy (Japan highest)
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
2
Migration: meaning, reasons, rural to urban, effect on distribution and density
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
3
Give reasons: literacy rate is an indicator of socio-economic development
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
4
Population pyramids: types, and the broad base and broad apex assertion
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
5
Occupational structure: developed countries and agriculture; reading India's occupation data
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2025
6
Read the adult literacy graph by region and sex (Sub-Saharan Africa lowest)
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2024
7
Population composition and sex ratio: highest in the world and in India
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2024
8
Differentiate between donor region and recipient region
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2024

Must-know points

Population as a human resource: Population is also considered as a human resource. Its physical and intellectual characteristics affect the development of a region; if human resources are not developed, the use of other resources suffers too.
Age structure: The number of people in different age groups: infants, children, teenagers, young, adults, old people. Each group's share varies from country to country.
Population pyramid: Used by demographers to show the age and genderwise distribution of a population. Y-axis in the centre: age groups; X-axis: population or percentage. Left side males, right side females. Base = children, apex = old people.
Working and dependent population: A large 15 to 59 age group means a larger independent working population (manpower). Many children (0 to 15) mean a high dependency ratio; a growing 60 plus group means more spending on medical and health facilities.
Sex ratio: The ratio between the number of women and men; in India, females per 1000 males. World average 990. Highest in Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine (1162); least in Saudi Arabia (667). Asia is generally low. In India, Kerala is highest (1084, Census 2011).
Demographic dividend: The growth in an economy that results from a change in the age structure of a country's population. As birth and death rates fall, young dependents become fewer relative to the working population. It is not automatic: it needs the right policies.
Life expectancy and retirement age: Ageing populations grow because life expectancy is increasing, which puts pressure on pensions and medical facilities. So many countries are raising the retirement age, e.g. Japan (life expectancy about 84) is considering 70.
Literacy rate: The proportion of literate population is an indicator of a country's socio-economic development. Economic development is both a cause and a consequence of literacy. Every country has its own definition of literacy.
Literacy in India: The percentage of population above 7 years of age which is able to read, write and do arithmetic calculations with understanding.
Occupational structure: The share of the working population (15 to 59) in primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary occupations: a good indicator of the level of economic development. An agrarian economy has a high share in primary activities.
Rural and urban composition: Based on residence. Rural areas: people mainly in primary activities. Urban areas: most of the working population in non-primary activities. The criteria differ from country to country.
Migration: The movement of an individual or group from one place to another, or across a political boundary, for a shorter or longer time or permanently. It may be planned or sudden, voluntary or involuntary.
Types of migration: By region: internal (within the country, e.g. to Mumbai from other states) and external (to another country). By duration: short-term or seasonal (sugarcane labour in Maharashtra), long-term and permanent.
Push and pull factors: Push factors make people leave their original place: fewer jobs, war, drought, pollution. Pull factors attract them to a region: education, employment opportunities.

Formulas

Sex ratio (India)

\text{Sex ratio} = \frac{\text{Total female population}}{\text{Total male population}} \times 1000

Derivations

Try each one first, then open its outline.

Three types of population pyramids (expansive, constrictive, stationary)

Expansive: broad base, narrowing apex: more people die at each higher band; high birth rate and high death rate (developing, young country).
Constrictive: narrower base, broader apex: fewer young and more elderly; low birth rate and lower death rate (developed country).
Stationary: almost all age groups have the same share; very low birth and death rates; population hardly grows.

Outline the importance of population pyramids in the study of populations

Show the age and sex distribution of a population at a glance, and the number of men and women in each age group.
The shape tells the birth and death rates and the stage of development (expansive, constrictive, stationary).
They show the working population (15 to 59) and the dependents, young and old, so the dependency burden.
So they help plan for the future: schools, jobs, medical care for the aged, pensions.

Reasons for migration

Physical: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, floods.
Economic: search for jobs and business, a better standard of living.
Social: discrimination, education, health and medical facilities, marriage.
Political: war or political problems make people seek refuge in another country.

Examine the impact of migration on the population (donor and recipient regions)

Migration changes the distribution and density of population in both regions.
Donor region: population falls and facilities go unused; sex ratio and age structure change, e.g. Kerala's men work abroad, so its sex ratio is high (1084) and children and the old outnumber the young.
Recipient region: pressure on housing, water and transport; farmland turned to housing, land prices rise, slums, inequality and crime grow; sex ratio low (Mumbai 832).
But the recipient region gains working population, new ideas, research and technology, so economic development.

Give reasons: literacy rate is an indicator of socio-economic development

It reveals the standard of living, the social status of females, educational facilities and government policies.
Economic development is both a cause and a consequence of literacy.
Literate, skilled people find better work, so developed regions (Europe, North America) have high literacy and Sub-Saharan Africa the lowest.

Give reasons: in developed countries the share of people in agriculture is low

The share of workers in each sector shows the level of economic development.
Only a developed economy with industries and infrastructure can absorb more workers in secondary, tertiary and quaternary activities.
If the economy is still agrarian, the share in primary activities is high; in India it fell from 71.9% (1901) to 48.96% (2011) as industry grew.

Demographic dividend: how it shows in a country

Fewer dependents and more workers: personal savings grow and stimulate the economy.
With fewer children, parents invest more in their education, building human capital.
More women join the labour force and add to economic growth.
Per capita GDP increases because the dependency ratio falls.

Diagrams to practise

Three types of population pyramids (Fig 2.1): label age groups on the central Y-axis · population on the X-axis · males left, females right · base: children; apex: old · expansive, constrictive, stationary shapes
Adult literacy rate by region and sex, 2016 (Fig 2.3): label highest: Central Asia, Europe and North America · lowest: Sub-Saharan Africa · female rate below male in most regions · equal only where literacy is full
Occupational structure of India, 1901 to 2011 (Table 2.3): label primary falls: 71.9% to 48.96% · secondary rises: 12.5% to 23.52% · tertiary rises: 15.6% to 27.52% · cultivators the largest group every decade · cultivators highest 52.8% (1961) · agricultural labourers lowest 16.7% (1961)
Push and pull factors between donor and recipient regions: label donor region · recipient region · push factors from the donor · pull factors towards the recipient

Mistakes that cost marks

Choosing the wrong option in the pyramid assertion

"Broad base means many children" and "broad apex means many elderly" are both correct, but the apex does not explain the base: both correct, R not the correct explanation of A.

Writing the sex ratio upside down

In India it is females per 1000 males. Kerala (1084) is the highest state; Mumbai (832) is low because men migrate in for work.

Mixing up constrictive and stationary

Constrictive: narrow base, broad apex (more elderly). Stationary: almost the same share in every age group, population hardly grows.

Wrong age for literacy in India

India counts people above 7 years who can read, write and do arithmetic with understanding. Every country has its own definition.

Putting relief in population composition

Composition is what can be measured about people: age structure, sex ratio, literacy, occupation, rural and urban residence. Relief is a physical factor of distribution.

Swapping donor and recipient

The donor region is the one people leave (push factors); the recipient region is the one they move to (pull factors).

Ebooks Tutor

Geography · Textbook solutions

Population: Part 2

Every textbook question in book order, plus the board's past questions. · 52 questions

Chapter activities

37 q

Try this / Give it a try / Can you tell?

Practice · 37

In fig. 2.1, A, B and C are three population pyramids. Study their shapes and answer the questions that follow.
Act p00 F2.1(1) $In which pyramid(s) the number of children will be the least?$
Act p00 F2.1(2) $In which pyramid(s) the number of old people will be the least?$
Act p00 F2.1(3) $Which pyramid(s) represent(s) a 'young country'?$
Act p00 F2.1(4) $Which pyramid(s) represent(s) a country with high medical expenditure?$
Act p00 F2.1(5) $Which pyramid(s) represent(s) a country with a large manpower?$
Act p00 F2.1(6) $Which pyramid(s) represent(s) developing and developed countries respectively?$
Population pyramid of India is given in fig. 2.2. Read the pyramid and answer the following questions :
Act p01 F2.2(1) $Which pyramid type does India belong to?$
Act p01 F2.2(2) $Comment upon the age-structure of its population.$
Read the following table and answer the questions that follow : Table 2.1 : India - Demographic Dividend
Decade Ratio of working/non-working population Percentage of working population
2001-10 1.33 : 1 57.1
2011-20 1.53 : 1 60.5
2021-30 (projected) 1.81 : 1 64.4
2031-40 (projected) 1.72 : 1 63.2
Source : Economic Survey, 2016-17, Pg. 33
Act p02 T2.1(1) $What does the table show?$
Act p02 T2.1(2) $What is the relationship between second and third column?$
Act p02 T2.1(3) $How will this relationship affect the economy of India?$
Act p02 T2.1(4) $What will happen if the ratio decreases over the years?$

Decade	Ratio of working/non-working population	Percentage of working population
2001-10	1.33 : 1	57.1
2011-20	1.53 : 1	60.5
2021-30 (projected)	1.81 : 1	64.4
2031-40 (projected)	1.72 : 1	63.2

Answer the questions after studying table 2.2 carefully : Table 2.2

Country	Retirement Age reforms being implemented or under consideration (in years)
Germany	Retirement age to increase gradually to 66 by 2023 and to 67 by 2029
United States of America	Retirement age to rise gradually to reach 67 for those born in 1960 or later
United Kingdom	Retirement age to increase for both men and women to 66 by October 2020 and further to 67 between 2026-28
Australia	Retirement age scheduled to increase gradually to 67 by 2023
China	By 2045, to increase retirement age for both men and women to 65
Japan	Under consideration to raise the retirement age to 70
India	On an average, 60 years. May vary from 55 years to 65 years according to services

Source: Economic Survey 2018-19 Vol 1, Pg 145

Act p03 T2.2(1)

What does the table show?

Act p03 T2.2(2) $Classify these countries into developed and developing.$
Act p03 T2.2(3) $What could be the reasons behind increasing the retirement age in these countries?$
Act p03 T2.2(4) $What will be the impact of increase in the retirement age on the economy of the respective countries?$
Act p03 T2.2(5) $Why is China considering increasing the age later in 2045?$
Act p03 T2.2(7) $Write a concluding statement about the relationship between age structure, life expectancy and economy of a country.$
Read the following graph in fig. 2.3 and answer the questions that follow :
Act p04 F2.3(1) $Which region has the highest literacy rate?$
Act p04 F2.3(2) $Which region has the lowest literacy rate?$
Act p04 F2.3(3) $In which region does women fare better than men in literacy rate?$
Act p04 F2.3(4) $Write a concluding paragraph about the graph.$

Study the table 2.3 carefully and answer the questions that follow : Table 2.3 : Occupational Structure of India (1901-2011), per cent

Category	1901	1951	1961	1971	1981	1991	2001	2011
A. Primary Sector (1+2+3+4)	71.9	72.7	72.3	72.6	69.4	67.4	57.4	48.96
1. Cultivator	50.6	50.0	52.8	43.4	41.6	38.5	29.6	26.4
2. Agricultural Labourers	16.9	19.7	16.7	26.3	24.9	26.4	25.4	20.3
3. Livestock, forestry, fishing etc.	4.3	2.4	2.3	2.4	2.3	1.9	1.7	1.5
4. Mining and quarrying	0.1	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.8
B. Secondary Sector (5+6)	12.5	10.0	11.7	10.7	12.9	12.1	16.8	23.52
5. Manufacturing	11.7	9.0	10.6	9.5	11.3	10.2	12.4	16.92
6. Construction	0.8	1.0	1.1	1.2	1.6	1.9	4.4	6.6
C. Tertiary Sector (7+8+9)	15.6	17.3	16.0	16.7	17.7	20.5	25.8	27.52
7. Trade and Commerce	6.0	5.3	4.0	5.6	6.2	7.5	11.1	12.1
8. Transport, Storage and Communications	1.1	1.5	1.6	2.4	2.7	2.8	4.1	4.8
9. Other Services	8.5	10.5	10.4	8.7	8.8	10.2	10.6	10.7
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0

Act p04 T2.3(1)

What does the table show?

Act p04 T2.3(2) $Which sector has the highest occupation? In which year?$
Act p04 T2.3(3) $Which sector has the lowest occupation? In which year?$
Act p04 T2.3(4) $In which sector is the working population increasing?$
Act p04 T2.3(5) $In which sector is the working population occupation decreasing?$
Act p04 T2.3(6) $Draw a suitable diagram for statistical information showing A, B and C columns from 1901-2011.$
Act p04 T2.3(7) $Compare the data. Write a concluding paragraph on the graph.$
Act p05 CYT $On the basis of which other characteristics can you explain the composition of population? Make a list.$
Read the following events and answer the questions that follow : 1) Ramprasad has grown up in a village in Northern India. His uncle who lives in Mumbai has called him to Mumbai and offered him a job. 2) Ritika has completed her post-graduation from a famous college in Pune. She landed a job in a big company in the USA. It's been 5 years and now she has settled there. 3) Sahmat's country is undergoing a war situation. For security reasons, the people had to leave their country and go somewhere else compulsorily. Sahmat and her family have taken refuge in the neighbouring country. 4) Babanrao is a small farmer from the Marathwada region. He faced losses in agriculture due to drought. Some other family problems also forced him to sell his land and he shifted to the nearby city. Now he is working and earning livelihood for himself and his family. 5) Ritesh from Pimpalwadi completed his school education in his village. He has gone to Nashik for further education. 6) Latika, daughter of Surekha and Sandeep from Satara, went to Solapur after marriage.
Act p05 Mig(1) $What similarities do you find in these events?$
Act p05 Mig(2) $Is there a change in the location in these events? Why?$
Act p05 Mig(3) $Arrange these 6 events according to the difference in the relative distance between the new and the old locations.$
Act p05 Mig(4) $Make a list of reasons for leaving the original location.$
Act p05 Mig(5) $Classify the reasons into willing and reluctant.$
Act p05 Mig(6) $Make a list of reasons behind migration besides the ones given here.$

Act p08 T2.4

Complete the table 2.4, which shows the impact of migration on the population. One is solved as an example. Table 2.4 Sr. No. Type of migration Positive effects Negative effects 1 International migration Employment is available to migrants. Improves their financial status. Resources are affected. Sometimes, they might be sent back to their original country. 2 Internal migration ......... ......... a Rural to urban migration ......... ......... b Urban to rural migration ......... ......... c Rural to rural migration ......... ......... d Urban to urban migration ......... ......... 3 Seasonal / temporary migration ......... .........

Sr. No.	Type of migration	Positive effects	Negative effects
1	International migration	Employment is available to migrants. Improves their financial status.	Resources are affected. Sometimes, they might be sent back to their original country.
2	Internal migration	.........	.........
a	Rural to urban migration	.........	.........
b	Urban to rural migration	.........	.........
c	Rural to rural migration	.........	.........
d	Urban to urban migration	.........	.........
3	Seasonal / temporary migration	.........	.........

Exercise

15 q

Identify the correct co-relation : A : Assertion; R : Reasoning
Ex Q1(1) $A : Increase in dependency ratio will affect the economy. R : Medical costs are high when there are more elderly in the population.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Ex Q1(2) $A : In population pyramid, a broad base indicates high number of children in a country. R : Broad apex is an indicator of high number of elderly in a country.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Write short notes on :
Ex Q2(1) $Population growth and migration.$
Ex Q2(2) $Population pyramid and sex ratio.$
Ex Q2(3) $Occupational structure of a population.$
Ex Q2(4) $Literacy rate.$
Give geographical reasons :
Ex Q3(1) $In developed countries, percentage of population engaged in agriculture is low.$
Ex Q3(2) $Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its socio-economic development.$
Ex Q3(3) $Demographic dividend increases when proportion of working population increases.$
Ex Q3(4) $Migration is not always permanent.$
Differentiate between :
Ex Q4(1) $Donor region and Recipient region.$
Ex Q4(2) $Expansive pyramid and Constrictive pyramid.$
Answer in detail :
Ex Q5(1) $Outline the importance of population pyramids in the study of populations.$
Ex Q5(2) $Explain the rural and urban population structure.$
Ex Q5(3) $Examine the impact of migration on the population structure of a country.$

What the board has asked from this chapter

Questions per paper · 3 papers · 2024 to 2026

June 2026

6 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

S.No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Migration	(a) Meat Processing	(h) Cottage Industry
(2)	Urban problem	(b) Communication	(i) Milk processing
(3)	Pastoral based industries	(c) Pulp processing	(j) Transportation
(4)	Tertiary economic activity	(d) Increase in slums	(k) Climatology
(5)	Physical Geography	(e) Geomorphology	(l) Forced
		(f) Voluntary	(m) Crime

Q1(A)(1)

Migration

Migration: Types and Causes

Choose the correct option by identifying the correct co-relation between Assertion and Reason. A : Assertion R : Reason
Q1(B)(1) $A : Broad based population pyramid indicates more children in the population. R : Broad apex is an indicator of high number of elders in the population.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Do as directed :
Q1(C)(1) $Arrange the age groups in proper descending order : (a) Child (b) Adult (c) Old (d) Young$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
State whether the following statements are True or False :
Q1(D)(1) $Literacy rate is an indicator of a country's development.$
Literacy and Education
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(1) $In developed countries, percentage of population engaged in agriculture is low.$
Occupational Structure
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $Region to the South of Sahara desert having low literacy rate.$
Literacy and Education

March 2026

4 q

Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its social-economic development.$
Literacy and Education
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(1) $Donor region and Recipient region$
Impact of Migration on Population Structure
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $The country having highest sex-ratio in the world - Russia$
Sex Composition
Write notes on the following (Any THREE) :
Q5(1) $Reasons for migration$
Migration: Types and Causes

June 2025

10 q

True or False :
Q1(C)(1) $If the proportion of working population is high, then the possibility of economic development is high.$
Occupational Structure
Q1(C)(4) $Every country has its own definition of literacy.$
Literacy and Education
Do as directed :
Q1(D)(1) $Identify the correct correlation : A : Assertion R : Reasoning A : In population pyramid a broad base indicates high number of children. R : Broad apex of pyramid is an indicator of high number of elderly.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(2) $Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its socio-economic development.$
Literacy and Education
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $A city in India: attracts a large number of immigrants : Mumbai$
Migration: Types and Causes
Q4(A)(3) $A country having highest life expectancy : Japan$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : Age Composition There are three basic determinants of age composition of a population. These includes natality (fertility), mortality and mobility. According to Clarke (1972), these three determinants of age structure are inter-dependent and any change in one of these may influence the other two. Through these variables socio-economic conditions influence the age structure. It is fertility rate that determines the proportion of population in different age categories. That is why, the countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia which are characterized by high birth rates display large proportion in young age groups. In most of the countries of these continents, about two fifth of population is below 15 years of age. In India, 36% of its population is below 15 years, according to 2001 census. By contrast, the countries with low fertility rate and longer life expectancy, have about one fourth of their population in the younger age groups. But the proportion of population in the older age groups in these countries is relatively large. Most of the countries of Northwestern Europe and North America, CIS countries, Australia and Japan belong to this category. A continuous downward trend in fertility contributes to the increase in the proportion of population in older age.
Q6(A)(1) $What are basic determinants of age composition?$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Q6(A)(2) $Which continent has large proportion of young age group?$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Q6(A)(3) $According to 2001 census, what is the percentage of population aged below 15 years in India?$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Q6(A)(4) $Which factor is responsible for increase in old age group?$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids

March 2025

8 q

Complete the chain and rewrite in your answer paper :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Amazon River basin	(1) Manufacturing Activities	(1) Tata Iron and Steel Industries.
(2)	Constrictive Pyramid	(2) Commercial cattle rearing	(2) Low population density.
(3)	Industrial Region	(3) Individual	(3) Low birth rate and least death rate.
(4)	Pampas Grassland	(4) Dense equatorial Forest	(4) South America
(5)	Private	(5) More old age Population	(5) Availability of Employment

Q1(A)(2)

Constrictive Pyramid

Age Structure and Population Pyramids

Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(1) $Literacy rate is the indicator of economic and social development of the country.$
Literacy and Education
Read the following map/graphs and answer the questions given below : The bar graph is titled 'INDIA : Occupational Structure (Primary Service Sector)', drawn to a scale of 1 cm = 10%. Its index carries two bars, Cultivator and Agricultural Labours. Percentage runs up the Y-axis from 0 to 60 and the census years run along the X-axis.
Year Cultivator (%) Agricultural Labours (%)
1951 50 20
1961 53 17
1971 43 26
1981 42 25
1991 28 18
Q4(B)(1) $What is shown in the above graph?$
Occupational Structure
Q4(B)(2) $Which decade has maximum percentages of cultivators?$
Occupational Structure
Q4(B)(3) $Which decade has minimum percentages of agricultural labourers?$
Occupational Structure
Q4(B)(4) $In present graph, which factor have maximum percentages in every decade?$
Occupational Structure
Q4(B)(5) $In 1971 what is the percentage of cultivators and agricultural labour?$
Occupational Structure
Draw neat, labelled diagrams ( Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(1) $Stationary Pyramid$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids

Year	Cultivator (%)	Agricultural Labours (%)
1951	50	20
1961	53	17
1971	43	26
1981	42	25
1991	28	18

June 2024

7 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Consumer goods	(a) Physical geography	(h) Commercial area
(2)	Geography	(b) International	(i) Climatology
(3)	Migration	(c) Industrial area	(j) Pharmaceuticals
(4)	Formal region	(d) Distinct boundaries	(k) India to Australia
(5)	Urban land use	(e) Ready for direct consumption	(l) State
		(f) Current fallow	(m) Automobiles

Q1(A)(3)

Migration

Migration: Types and Causes

Choose the correct option by identifying the correct co-relation between the assertion and reason : (A : Assertion R : Reason)
Q1(B)(1) $A : Increase in dependency ratio will affect the economy. R : Medical costs are high when there are more elderly in the population.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Identify and write the incorrect factor :
Q1(C)(1) $Population composition : (a) Age structure (b) Sex-ratio (c) Relief (d) Occupational structure$
Rural-Urban Composition
Identify whether the following statements are true or false :
Q1(D)(1) $Migration affects the distribution and density of population.$
Impact of Migration on Population Structure
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(2) $Rural to urban migration is increasing.$
Migration: Types and Causes
Distinguish between (Any THREE) :
Q3(2) $Expansive pyramid and Constrictive pyramid.$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(3) $Country having the highest life expectancy in Asia.$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids

March 2024

11 q

Complete the chain and rewrite in your answer paper :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Consumer goods	(e) Atlantic ocean	(m) Pharmaceutical product
(2)	Panama canal	(f) Fertile region	(n) Ecological balance
(3)	Plain	(g) Ready for direct consumption	(o) Development of Agriculture
(4)	Food chain	(h) Short term	(p) Pacific ocean
(5)	Migration	(i) Ecosystem	(r) Arabian sea
		(j) Indian ocean	(s) Long term

Q1(A)(5)

Migration

Migration: Types and Causes

Choose the correct option and complete the sentences :
Q1(C)(1) $Reasons of migration :$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Migration: Types and Causes
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(2) $Literacy rate of country is an indicator of its socio-economic development.$
Literacy and Education
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(1) $Donor region and Recipient region.$
Impact of Migration on Population Structure
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $A state having highest sex ratio in India.$
Sex Composition
Read the following map/graphs and answer the questions given below : The bar graph is titled 'ADULT LITERACY RATE 2016'. Each region has a pair of horizontal bars, M for male and F for female, read against a scale of 0 to 100%.
Region Male (%) Female (%)
N. Africa and W. Asia 85 74
S. Asia 80 63
Sub-Saharan Africa 72 57
Q4(B)(1) $Which region has very less adult female literacy rate?$
Literacy and Education
Q4(B)(2) $Why the percentage of adult male literacy rate is more in the given regions?$
Literacy and Education
Q4(B)(3) $Why the percentage of female-male literacy rate in 2016 is less in sub-Saharan Africa?$
Literacy and Education
Q4(B)(4) $Write your own opinion about the adult female literacy rate with reference to graph.$
Literacy and Education
Q4(B)(5) $With reference to graph which country would be advanced in social factors?$
Literacy and Education
Draw neat, labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(1) $Pyramids of underdeveloping countries.$
Age Structure and Population Pyramids

Region	Male (%)	Female (%)
N. Africa and W. Asia	85	74
S. Asia	80	63
Sub-Saharan Africa	72	57

The 10 board questions to practise first

The questions and kinds of question the board asked most often come first. Each one says how often and when.

Question 1
Asked 4 times: Mar 2024, Mar 2025, Jun 2025, Mar 2026 See all 4 times it was asked
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its social-economic development.$
Question 2
Asked 2 times: Jun 2025, Jun 2026 See all 2 times it was asked
Two statements are given, one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer from the options given below.
Q1(B)(1) $A : Broad based population pyramid indicates more children in the population. R : Broad apex is an indicator of high number of elders in the population.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Question 3
Asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Mar 2026 See all 2 times it was asked
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(1) $Donor region and Recipient region$
Question 4
Asked 2 times: Jun 2024, Jun 2025 See all 2 times it was asked
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(3) $A country having highest life expectancy : Japan$
Question 5
This type asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Mar 2026. This one: Mar 2026 See all 2 of this type
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $The country having highest sex-ratio in the world - Russia$
Question 6
This type asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Mar 2025. This one: Mar 2025 See all 2 of this type
Draw neat, labelled diagrams ( Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(1) $Stationary Pyramid$
Question 7
Asked once: Mar 2024 (same type asked 2 times) See all 2 of this type
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(2) $A state having highest sex ratio in India.$
Question 8
Asked once: Mar 2024 (same type asked 2 times) See all 2 of this type
Draw neat, labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(1) $Pyramids of underdeveloping countries.$

Question 9 (case study, 5 parts)

Asked once: Jun 2026

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

S.No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Migration	(a) Meat Processing	(h) Cottage Industry
(2)	Urban problem	(b) Communication	(i) Milk processing
(3)	Pastoral based industries	(c) Pulp processing	(j) Transportation
(4)	Tertiary economic activity	(d) Increase in slums	(k) Climatology
(5)	Physical Geography	(e) Geomorphology	(l) Forced
		(f) Voluntary	(m) Crime

Q1(A)(1)

Migration

Q1(A)(2)

Urban problem

Q1(A)(3)

Pastoral based industries

Q1(A)(4)

Tertiary economic activity

Q1(A)(5)

Physical Geography

Question 10
Asked once: Jun 2026
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(1) $In developed countries, percentage of population engaged in agriculture is low.$

Quick revision

8 most-asked questions · 14 key points · 1 formula · 7 derivations · 4 diagrams

Checked against Balbharati Geography Std XII (Maharashtra State Board), Chapter 2.

Most asked in board papers

1
Age structure, dependency, demographic dividend and life expectancy (Japan highest)
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
2
Migration: meaning, reasons, rural to urban, effect on distribution and density
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
3
Give reasons: literacy rate is an indicator of socio-economic development
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
4
Population pyramids: types, and the broad base and broad apex assertion
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
5
Occupational structure: developed countries and agriculture; reading India's occupation data
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2025
6
Read the adult literacy graph by region and sex (Sub-Saharan Africa lowest)
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2024
7
Population composition and sex ratio: highest in the world and in India
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2024
8
Differentiate between donor region and recipient region
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2024

Must-know points

Population as a human resource: Population is also considered as a human resource. Its physical and intellectual characteristics affect the development of a region; if human resources are not developed, the use of other resources suffers too.
Age structure: The number of people in different age groups: infants, children, teenagers, young, adults, old people. Each group's share varies from country to country.
Population pyramid: Used by demographers to show the age and genderwise distribution of a population. Y-axis in the centre: age groups; X-axis: population or percentage. Left side males, right side females. Base = children, apex = old people.
Working and dependent population: A large 15 to 59 age group means a larger independent working population (manpower). Many children (0 to 15) mean a high dependency ratio; a growing 60 plus group means more spending on medical and health facilities.
Sex ratio: The ratio between the number of women and men; in India, females per 1000 males. World average 990. Highest in Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine (1162); least in Saudi Arabia (667). Asia is generally low. In India, Kerala is highest (1084, Census 2011).
Demographic dividend: The growth in an economy that results from a change in the age structure of a country's population. As birth and death rates fall, young dependents become fewer relative to the working population. It is not automatic: it needs the right policies.
Life expectancy and retirement age: Ageing populations grow because life expectancy is increasing, which puts pressure on pensions and medical facilities. So many countries are raising the retirement age, e.g. Japan (life expectancy about 84) is considering 70.
Literacy rate: The proportion of literate population is an indicator of a country's socio-economic development. Economic development is both a cause and a consequence of literacy. Every country has its own definition of literacy.
Literacy in India: The percentage of population above 7 years of age which is able to read, write and do arithmetic calculations with understanding.
Occupational structure: The share of the working population (15 to 59) in primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary occupations: a good indicator of the level of economic development. An agrarian economy has a high share in primary activities.
Rural and urban composition: Based on residence. Rural areas: people mainly in primary activities. Urban areas: most of the working population in non-primary activities. The criteria differ from country to country.
Migration: The movement of an individual or group from one place to another, or across a political boundary, for a shorter or longer time or permanently. It may be planned or sudden, voluntary or involuntary.
Types of migration: By region: internal (within the country, e.g. to Mumbai from other states) and external (to another country). By duration: short-term or seasonal (sugarcane labour in Maharashtra), long-term and permanent.
Push and pull factors: Push factors make people leave their original place: fewer jobs, war, drought, pollution. Pull factors attract them to a region: education, employment opportunities.

Formulas

Sex ratio (India)

\text{Sex ratio} = \frac{\text{Total female population}}{\text{Total male population}} \times 1000

Derivations

Try each one first, then open its outline.

Three types of population pyramids (expansive, constrictive, stationary)

Expansive: broad base, narrowing apex: more people die at each higher band; high birth rate and high death rate (developing, young country).
Constrictive: narrower base, broader apex: fewer young and more elderly; low birth rate and lower death rate (developed country).
Stationary: almost all age groups have the same share; very low birth and death rates; population hardly grows.

Outline the importance of population pyramids in the study of populations

Show the age and sex distribution of a population at a glance, and the number of men and women in each age group.
The shape tells the birth and death rates and the stage of development (expansive, constrictive, stationary).
They show the working population (15 to 59) and the dependents, young and old, so the dependency burden.
So they help plan for the future: schools, jobs, medical care for the aged, pensions.

Reasons for migration

Physical: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, floods.
Economic: search for jobs and business, a better standard of living.
Social: discrimination, education, health and medical facilities, marriage.
Political: war or political problems make people seek refuge in another country.

Examine the impact of migration on the population (donor and recipient regions)

Migration changes the distribution and density of population in both regions.
Donor region: population falls and facilities go unused; sex ratio and age structure change, e.g. Kerala's men work abroad, so its sex ratio is high (1084) and children and the old outnumber the young.
Recipient region: pressure on housing, water and transport; farmland turned to housing, land prices rise, slums, inequality and crime grow; sex ratio low (Mumbai 832).
But the recipient region gains working population, new ideas, research and technology, so economic development.

Give reasons: literacy rate is an indicator of socio-economic development

It reveals the standard of living, the social status of females, educational facilities and government policies.
Economic development is both a cause and a consequence of literacy.
Literate, skilled people find better work, so developed regions (Europe, North America) have high literacy and Sub-Saharan Africa the lowest.

Give reasons: in developed countries the share of people in agriculture is low

The share of workers in each sector shows the level of economic development.
Only a developed economy with industries and infrastructure can absorb more workers in secondary, tertiary and quaternary activities.
If the economy is still agrarian, the share in primary activities is high; in India it fell from 71.9% (1901) to 48.96% (2011) as industry grew.

Demographic dividend: how it shows in a country

Fewer dependents and more workers: personal savings grow and stimulate the economy.
With fewer children, parents invest more in their education, building human capital.
More women join the labour force and add to economic growth.
Per capita GDP increases because the dependency ratio falls.

Diagrams to practise

Three types of population pyramids (Fig 2.1): label age groups on the central Y-axis · population on the X-axis · males left, females right · base: children; apex: old · expansive, constrictive, stationary shapes
Adult literacy rate by region and sex, 2016 (Fig 2.3): label highest: Central Asia, Europe and North America · lowest: Sub-Saharan Africa · female rate below male in most regions · equal only where literacy is full
Occupational structure of India, 1901 to 2011 (Table 2.3): label primary falls: 71.9% to 48.96% · secondary rises: 12.5% to 23.52% · tertiary rises: 15.6% to 27.52% · cultivators the largest group every decade · cultivators highest 52.8% (1961) · agricultural labourers lowest 16.7% (1961)
Push and pull factors between donor and recipient regions: label donor region · recipient region · push factors from the donor · pull factors towards the recipient

Mistakes that cost marks

Choosing the wrong option in the pyramid assertion

"Broad base means many children" and "broad apex means many elderly" are both correct, but the apex does not explain the base: both correct, R not the correct explanation of A.

Writing the sex ratio upside down

In India it is females per 1000 males. Kerala (1084) is the highest state; Mumbai (832) is low because men migrate in for work.

Mixing up constrictive and stationary

Constrictive: narrow base, broad apex (more elderly). Stationary: almost the same share in every age group, population hardly grows.

Wrong age for literacy in India

India counts people above 7 years who can read, write and do arithmetic with understanding. Every country has its own definition.

Putting relief in population composition

Composition is what can be measured about people: age structure, sex ratio, literacy, occupation, rural and urban residence. Relief is a physical factor of distribution.

Swapping donor and recipient

The donor region is the one people leave (push factors); the recipient region is the one they move to (pull factors).

Chapter activities

Try this / Give it a try / Can you tell?

Exercise

What the board has asked from this chapter

June 2026

March 2026

June 2025

March 2025

June 2024

March 2024

The 10 board questions to practise first

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9 (case study, 5 parts)

Question 10

Most asked in board papers

Must-know points

Formulas

Derivations

Diagrams to practise

Mistakes that cost marks

Chapter activities

Try this / Give it a try / Can you tell?

Exercise

What the board has asked from this chapter

June 2026

March 2026

June 2025

March 2025

June 2024

March 2024

The 10 board questions to practise first

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9 (case study, 5 parts)

Question 10

Most asked in board papers

Must-know points

Formulas

Derivations

Diagrams to practise

Mistakes that cost marks