Question

Define or explain the concepts.

1. Birth rate

2. Death rate

3. Population explosion

4. Family planning

Answer 1

1. Birth rate refers to the ratio of total live births to total population in a specified community or area over a specified period of time. It is generally expressed as the number of live births per 1,000 of the population per year. According to the 2011 census, the birth rate in India was estimated at a rate of 20.97.

2. The ratio of total deaths to total population in a specified community or area over a specified period of time is known as death rate. It is generally expressed as the number of deaths per 1,000 of the population per year. In 2011, the death rate in India was estimated to be 7.48 deaths per 1000.

3. Population explosion refers to the sudden and high increase in the growth of human population wherein the growth rate of population is even higher than the growth and development of a country. The basic reason that results in the population explosion is an increase in the survival rate, i.e. the difference between the birth rate and the death rate. With slowly falling birth rate and a highly declining death rate, the survival rate increases rapidly which in turn results in an increase in the total population of a country. Hence, resulting in population explosion.

4. Family planning refers to the planning and practice that is followed by the people in order to control the size of their family by limiting the number of children they have. Family planning programmes wherein the people were made aware and educated regarding the benefits of small family and the measures one can take regarding the same was one of the important measures to control the rising population in the country.