UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Population ageing occurs when the proportion of people in older age groups increases over time. This results from sustained low fertility and improvements in survival that extend life expectancy. The stem highlights exactly these drivers and the growing share of older persons,so population ageing is the correct term. It has important implications for pensions,healthcare and labour markets.

Option A:
Demographic dividend refers to economic opportunities created when the working age population becomes relatively larger than dependants. It is generally associated with a younger age structure rather than an older one. Therefore it does not match the ageing focused description in the question.

Option B:
Youth bulge describes a situation where a large proportion of the population falls in the young adult age groups. It can raise concerns about employment and social stability,not old age issues. Hence it is not appropriate for the stem.

Option C:
Population explosion suggests very rapid increases in total population,often due to high fertility. While some societies with population explosion may later experience ageing,the term itself does not convey the idea of a rising share of older persons. Thus it is not correct here.

Option D:
Population ageing directly signals that older people constitute an increasing fraction of the population over time. It summarises the combined effects of fertility decline and longer life,precisely what the question stem describes.