UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A and B correctly present the idea that a large working-age population can be an opportunity for growth only when accompanied by investments in human capital. Statement C is wrong because without conducive policies, institutions and jobs, a youth bulge can even increase unemployment and social tensions. Statement D is also false since labour market conditions and governance strongly influence whether demographic dividend is realised. Therefore, the combination that includes A and B only, and excludes C and D, is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it selects only A as correct and ignores statement B, which is also true. While A describes the age-structure change, B adds the crucial condition of investments in education, health and skills needed to convert potential into actual growth. By omitting B, the option presents an incomplete view of demographic dividend.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it identifies exactly the two true statements, A and B, and excludes C and D which misrepresent the automatic and institution-independent nature of demographic dividend. It recognises that both a favourable age structure and supportive policies are needed. Thus, it matches the conceptual understanding required for this topic.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it includes C along with A and B. Although A and B are true, C falsely claims that demographic dividend automatically raises growth without policy support and institutional quality. Including this wrong statement makes the whole combination unacceptable.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it groups B, C and D. Here B is true but C and D are false; one wrongly asserts automatic growth and the other denies the role of labour markets and governance. A valid combination cannot contain these incorrect statements.

Demographic dividend refers to the economic advantage that can arise when a country has a relatively large working age population and a smaller dependent population. Under favourable policy conditions,this age structure can boost productivity,savings and investment. The concept emphasises that population change can create a window of opportunity for faster growth. Therefore the term demographic dividend matches the description in the question.

Option A:
Demographic transition describes the shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates over time. While demographic dividend can occur during part of this transition,the two terms are not identical. Demographic transition is a broader process,not specifically the economic opportunity mentioned in the stem.

Option B:
Population explosion refers to a very rapid increase in population without reference to age structure or economic benefits. It usually has negative connotations related to resource pressure. Hence it does not capture the growth potential associated with a favourable age structure.

Option C:
Urbanisation means the increasing proportion of people living in urban areas. Though it influences economic development,it is not defined by the balance between working age and dependent populations. Therefore it is not the correct term here.

Option D:
Demographic dividend specifically highlights the economic potential when the working age group dominates. It is this favourable dependency ratio,combined with appropriate policies,that can accelerate growth. This makes it the precise concept referred to in the question.

The dependency ratio compares the size of the dependent population,typically children and older persons,to the working age population. A higher ratio indicates greater economic pressure on the working population to support dependants. The formula in the stem corresponds exactly to this concept. Therefore dependency ratio is the correct term.

Option A:
Sex ratio is the number of females per thousand males or vice versa in a population. It provides information on gender balance but does not relate directly to age structure or economic support burden. Hence it does not match the ratio described in the question.

Option B:
Child ratio considers only the proportion of children relative to the total population or working age group,ignoring elderly dependants. The stem clearly includes both children and older persons,so child ratio is incomplete and not correct here.

Option C:
Dependency ratio captures the combined economic burden of supporting both younger and older dependants on the working age group. It is widely used in development planning to assess social security and employment needs. This matches exactly what the question describes.

Option D:
Urban rural ratio compares populations living in urban and rural areas and is used to study spatial distribution. It has nothing to do with age groups or dependency relationships,so it is not the right answer.