UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

In the late expanding stage, mortality has already fallen to low levels, but fertility is now also declining. Population continues to grow, yet at a slower pace than in the earlier explosive phase. The age structure gradually shifts, with a higher proportion of working-age adults. Therefore, the combination of declining birth rate and low death rate with slowing growth correctly represents this stage.

Option A:
Option A describes the high stationary stage, where both birth and death rates are high and growth is low, typical of pre-transition societies.

Option B:
Option B fits the early expanding stage, when death rates fall quickly but birth rates remain high, leading to rapid population growth.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it captures the key features of the late expanding phase: reduced fertility, low mortality and decelerating but positive growth.

Option D:
Option D corresponds to the low stationary stage, where both fertility and mortality are very low and population size becomes stable or even declines.

An expanding population pyramid has a broad base representing many children and a sharply narrowing top representing fewer elderly people. This pattern signals high fertility and a large youth cohort in the population. It is typical of societies in earlier stages of demographic transition where birth rates remain high and death rates have started to decline. Thus, a wide-based pyramid indicates a youthful, rapidly growing population, as described in option B.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because low birth and low death rates with an ageing population produce a more rectangular or top-heavy pyramid, not one with a very wide base. Such structures are characteristic of advanced demographic transition, not expansion.

Option B:
Option B is correct since high birth rates ensure many births each year, producing a large base, and improvements in health allow many children to survive into adulthood. The narrow top reflects fewer older persons in relative terms.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because zero population growth would show relatively similar proportions in successive age groups, giving a more column-shaped pyramid. A wide base contradicts the idea of stable numbers.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because a declining population with very low fertility would have a narrow base and a relatively larger proportion of older adults. This is the opposite shape of an expanding youthful population.

In the later stage of demographic transition, both fertility and mortality rates are low. As a result, population growth slows and may stabilise, with a more balanced age structure and higher life expectancy. This stage is often associated with developed economies and improved education, health and social security. Therefore, describing the low stationary stage as having low birth and low death rates with a stabilising population is accurate, as stated in Option C.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because high birth and high death rates typify the earliest, high stationary stage, not the later low stationary stage. At that early stage, population growth is slow due to high mortality.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since high birth and rapidly falling death rates correspond to the early expanding stage, where population grows quickly. This is not the stable later stage.

Option C:
Option C is correct as it summarises the demographic conditions in advanced stages of transition. Low fertility, combined with low mortality, brings population growth close to zero, leading to stabilisation.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because a combination of low birth and high death rates would produce population decline, which is more extreme than the typical low stationary stage.

Demographic dividend describes the economic opportunity that can arise when the share of working-age people becomes larger than the share of dependents. In such a phase, societies can grow faster if they create enough jobs and invest in skills. Growth comes from higher labour supply, savings and productivity. Thus, the option linking demographic dividend to a high working-age proportion and potential economic growth is correct.

Option A:
Option A correctly highlights the condition and the opportunity. It notes the favourable age structure and its link with growth, not a guaranteed outcome. It matches how UN and development agencies define demographic dividend.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because income does not rise automatically without sufficient employment and human capital. A young population can become a liability if jobs are absent. It ignores the conditional nature of the dividend.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since demographic dividend is not about permanent population decline. It concerns a temporary window created by changing age structure, not strict reduction policies alone.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because demographic dividend is driven by youth and working-age groups, not exclusive focus on the elderly. Elderly welfare is important but is related to ageing, not this growth opportunity.

Demographic dividend refers to the economic opportunity that arises when a country’s working-age population is large relative to the dependent population (children and elderly). If accompanied by investments in health, education and jobs, this age structure can boost productivity and growth.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because a rising share of elderly people usually increases dependency and fiscal pressure rather than creating a dividend.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since a sudden rise in births initially increases child dependency and delays any potential dividend.

Option C:
Option C is correct as it links the concept to economic growth potential created by a favourable age structure, provided appropriate policies are in place.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because child welfare alone is not enough; without employment and human capital for the growing youth cohort, the dividend may never materialise.

A youth bulge refers to a situation where a large share of the population is in younger age groups. This pattern appears as a very wide base in the population pyramid. The stem explicitly describes such a broad base of children and adolescents,so youth bulge is the correct term. It has important implications for employment and social stability.

Option A:
Demographic dividend is the potential economic benefit that can arise when the working age group is large relative to dependants. While a youth bulge can precede a dividend,it is not the same phenomenon described in the question.

Option B:
An ageing population is dominated by older persons,rather than children and youth. Its age pyramid tends to have a narrower base and wider top,which is different from the broad base depicted in the stem.

Option C:
A balanced structure would imply relatively even proportions across age groups,not a heavy concentration at the bottom. Therefore it does not match the situation where children and adolescents dominate the population.

Option D:
Youth bulges can create opportunities if education and jobs are available but also pose risks if large cohorts face unemployment. This dual potential is why the concept is frequently analysed in development and security studies.

A narrow base in a population pyramid means fewer children are being born, indicating low fertility. A relatively broader middle and top show higher proportions of adults and elderly. This pattern is typical of societies in later stages of demographic transition with ageing populations. Hence, the option describing declining fertility and ageing is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because high fertility would produce a wide base, not a narrow one. Many births each year create a strong young cohort.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it captures both key features: low fertility and an ageing structure. It matches the constrictive shape seen in many developed countries.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since rapid population growth with many children would again create a broad base. That shape is expanding, not constrictive.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because no real population has zero elderly; such a description ignores demographic reality. A broad top implies there are many older people, not none.

Statements A, B and C are correct as they reflect basic demographic concepts and policy responses to ageing populations. Statement D is incorrect because older persons often play key roles in community organisations, knowledge transmission and resilience-building. Thus, the combination that includes A, B and C and excludes D is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it leaves out C, which is a correct and important statement about planning age-friendly urban environments. Without C, the answer does not fully address policy implications.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since it includes only B and C and omits A, which provides the core definition of population ageing. This omission makes the explanation conceptually weak.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it brings together definition, consequences and planning responses to ageing populations while rejecting the ageist claim in D. It aligns with the holistic treatment of ageing in development discourse.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it accepts D along with the other statements and claims all are correct. Including D, which falsely denies older persons’ contributions, makes the combination unacceptable.