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The Demographic Structure of the Indian Society – Class 12 Sociology notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Sociology, chapter 2. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Demography is the systematic study of population, including its size, composition, distribution and changes through births, deaths and migration. India's population has grown rapidly since independence, though growth rates have declined since the 1980s. Important features include a young age structure, a declining child sex ratio, rising literacy and increasing urbanisation. Theories such as Malthus's population theory and the demographic transition theory help explain population change.

Theories and concepts

Thomas Malthus argued that population grows geometrically while food supply grows arithmetically, leading to famine and disease unless population is checked; later experience showed that technology increased food production.
The demographic transition theory explains a shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as societies develop.
Key measures include birth rate, death rate, fertility rate, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, life expectancy, sex ratio and age structure.

India's population

According to Census 2011, India's population was about 121 crore; the decadal growth rate in 2001–2011 was about 17.7%.
India has a young population, which can provide a demographic dividend if people are educated and employed; the dependency ratio measures dependents relative to the working-age population.
The sex ratio was 943 in 2011, and the child sex ratio (0–6 years) had declined to 919, reflecting son preference and sex-selective practices; literacy was about 74% with wide gender and regional gaps. Population policy shifted from family planning to a broader focus on reproductive health and voluntary approaches.

Key terms

Demography: the systematic study of population
Dependency ratio: the ratio of dependents (children and elderly) to the working-age population
Infant mortality rate: deaths of infants under one year per 1,000 live births
Child sex ratio: number of girls per 1,000 boys aged 0–6
Demographic dividend: benefit from a large working-age population

Important questions with answers

What is the dependency ratio?2 marks

The dependency ratio is the ratio of the dependent population, children below 15 and elderly above 64, to the working-age population of 15 to 64 years. A falling dependency ratio can create a demographic dividend.

Why has the child sex ratio declined in India?3 marks

The child sex ratio has declined mainly because of son preference rooted in patriarchy, dowry and inheritance practices, leading to sex-selective abortion despite legal bans, and neglect of girl children in nutrition and healthcare.

Explain the theory of Malthus and its criticism.5 marks

Thomas Robert Malthus, an English economist, presented his theory of population in 1798. He argued that human population tends to increase in a geometric progression (1, 2, 4, 8…), while the means of subsistence, especially food, increase only in an arithmetic progression (1, 2, 3, 4…). Therefore, population would eventually outgrow food supply, leading to poverty and misery. He believed population could be controlled in two ways: 'positive checks' such as famines, diseases and wars that increase deaths, and 'preventive checks' such as delaying marriage and practising sexual abstinence that reduce births. His theory was influential and shaped debates on population control. However, it has been criticised. Historical experience in Europe showed that agricultural and industrial revolutions greatly increased food production, so food supply grew faster than he expected. Birth rates declined in developed countries as living standards, education and urbanisation increased, which the demographic transition theory explains better. Critics, including Marxists, argued that poverty is caused by unequal distribution of wealth and resources rather than population growth alone. Liberal thinkers also pointed out that people can voluntarily limit family size. Still, Malthus drew attention to the relationship between population and resources.

Quick revision

Malthus and demographic transition.
Key measures: birth rate, death rate, IMR, life expectancy.
Young population; dependency ratio; demographic dividend.
Declining child sex ratio; literacy; population policy.

Exam tips

Remember Malthus: geometric population growth, arithmetic food growth.
Learn Census 2011 figures: sex ratio 943, child sex ratio 919, literacy about 74%.

Practice MCQs

The systematic study of population is called
1. ecology
2. geology
3. demography
4. anthropology
Show answer
Answer: (c) demography. It studies size and composition.
The number of girls per 1,000 boys aged 0–6 is the
1. child sex ratio
2. sex ratio
3. birth rate
4. literacy rate
Show answer
Answer: (a) child sex ratio. It was 919 in 2011.
According to Malthus, population grows
1. arithmetically
2. not at all
3. geometrically
4. in cycles only
Show answer
Answer: (c) geometrically. Food grows arithmetically.
Deaths of infants under one year per 1,000 live births is the
1. maternal mortality rate
2. infant mortality rate
3. death rate
4. fertility rate
Show answer
Answer: (b) infant mortality rate. It indicates health conditions.
The ratio of dependents to the working-age population is the
1. sex ratio
2. density
3. literacy rate
4. dependency ratio
Show answer
Answer: (d) dependency ratio. Children and the elderly are dependents.
India's sex ratio in Census 2011 was
1. 927
2. 933
3. 943
4. 1,000
Show answer
Answer: (c) 943. It improved slightly from 2001.
The decline in the child sex ratio mainly reflects
1. better healthcare for girls
2. higher female literacy
3. son preference and sex-selective practices
4. migration of boys
Show answer
Answer: (c) son preference and sex-selective practices. It is a serious social concern.
Malthus's prediction did not fully come true mainly because
1. technology greatly increased food production
2. population stopped growing
3. famines increased
4. birth rates rose
Show answer
Answer: (a) technology greatly increased food production. Agricultural productivity rose.

All chapters of Class 12 Sociology

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.