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Dynamics of Population – Class 8 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 8 Social Science, chapter 13. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Population is not only a number; its size, growth, distribution, density and composition shape a country's needs and opportunities. India is the world's most populous country. Birth rates, death rates and migration decide how population changes, and a large young population can be an asset if it is healthy, educated and skilled.

Size, distribution and density

India's population was about 121 crore in the 2011 Census; the United Nations estimated in 2023 that India had become the most populous country.
Population is unevenly distributed: the northern plains and coastal areas are dense, while mountains, deserts and forests are sparse.
Population density is the number of people per square kilometre; it was 382 for India in 2011.

Population change

Population growth depends on the birth rate, the death rate and migration.
Better health care has lowered death rates; education, especially of girls, and family planning lower birth rates.
Migration from villages to cities and from one state to another is common, mainly for jobs and education.

Composition

The sex ratio (number of females per 1,000 males) was 943 in 2011; literacy was about 74 per cent.
India has a large share of young people; this 'demographic dividend' can boost development if they get good education, health care and jobs.

Key terms

Population density: the number of people living per square kilometre of area
Sex ratio: the number of females per 1,000 males in a population
Migration: the movement of people from one place to another to live or work
Demographic dividend: the economic advantage that comes from having a large working-age population

Important questions with answers

What is population density? Why is it uneven in India?2 marks

Population density is the number of people living per square kilometre. It is uneven because people prefer areas with fertile soil, water, a moderate climate, jobs and transport, such as the northern plains and coasts, while mountains, deserts and dense forests have harsh conditions and fewer jobs.

What are the factors that change the size of a population?3 marks

Population size changes due to births, deaths and migration. When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, the population grows. People moving in (immigration) increase the population of an area, while people moving out (emigration) reduce it.

Explain the main features of India's population and how it can become an asset for development.5 marks

India is the world's most populous country, with about 121 crore people in the 2011 Census, and the United Nations estimated in 2023 that it had overtaken China. Its population is unevenly distributed: the fertile northern plains and coastal regions are densely populated, while mountains, deserts and forests are sparsely populated; the average density in 2011 was 382 persons per square kilometre. Population has grown because death rates fell faster than birth rates, thanks to better health care, while education and family planning are now reducing birth rates. Migration from villages to cities and between states is common, mainly for work and education. The sex ratio was 943 and literacy about 74 per cent in 2011, showing gaps that need attention. India has a large share of young people, called a demographic dividend. This can become a great asset if the government and society invest in quality education, skill training, health care and nutrition, and create enough jobs, so that young people become productive workers, innovators and responsible citizens.

Quick revision

India: most populous country (UN estimate, 2023).
Uneven distribution; density 382 in 2011.
Births, deaths, migration change population.
Young population = demographic dividend.

Exam tips

Remember the 2011 Census figures: about 121 crore people, density 382, sex ratio 943, literacy about 74 per cent.
Explain population change with the three factors: births, deaths and migration.

Practice MCQs

The number of people per square kilometre is called
1. sex ratio
2. population density
3. literacy rate
4. birth rate
Show answer
Answer: (b) population density. It shows how crowded an area is.
The sex ratio is the number of females per
1. 1,000 males
2. 100 males
3. 10,000 people
4. 1,000 people
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1,000 males. India's sex ratio was 943 in 2011.
Movement of people from one place to another to live or work is
1. density
2. mortality
3. migration
4. fertility
Show answer
Answer: (c) migration. Rural–urban migration is common.
According to the 2011 Census, India's population density was about
1. 100
2. 382
3. 943
4. 1,210
Show answer
Answer: (b) 382. People per square kilometre.
Which areas of India are the most densely populated
1. high mountains
2. dense forests
3. deserts
4. northern plains and coastal areas
Show answer
Answer: (d) northern plains and coastal areas. Fertile land and jobs attract people.
A fall in the death rate in India is mainly due to
1. more wars
2. better health care and medicines
3. fewer schools
4. lower rainfall
Show answer
Answer: (b) better health care and medicines. Vaccination and hospitals save lives.
The demographic dividend can benefit India only if
1. young people are not educated
2. population grows without limit
3. the young population gets education, health care and jobs
4. everyone migrates abroad
Show answer
Answer: (c) the young population gets education, health care and jobs. Skills turn numbers into an asset.
Which factor most effectively lowers the birth rate in the long run
1. increasing child labour
2. reducing hospitals
3. education of girls and women
4. lowering literacy
Show answer
Answer: (c) education of girls and women. Educated women tend to marry later and have fewer, healthier children.

All chapters of Class 8 Social Science

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.