NCERT solutions for सोशल साइंस एक्सपलोरींग सोसाइटी इंडिया एण्ड बिऑन्ड पार्ट २ [अंग्रेजी] कक्षा ८ chapter 6 - Dynamics of Population [Latest edition]

What is demography?

What are some important concepts of demography?

How has the population of India changed over time?

How has the population of the world changed over time?

How do population trends shape societies and economies?

Ask your family members if they have observed any of the following changes around them over the years:

• farmland or green spaces being turned into new buildings for housing 
• more crowded streets; more cars and buses; and traffic congestion in public spaces 
• changing types of homes (e.g., smaller apartments, more single-family homes) 

What could be the possible reasons behind these changes?

Why is the replacement rate 2.1 and not 2 (parents get replaced by children)? What are the situations in which the replacement rate can be higher?

Observe fertility and literacy rates in select Indian states in Fig. Do you find a relationship between the two indicators? Prepare a report on your observations and possible reasons for the same.

If many young people migrate from villages or smaller towns to cities, what changes could take place in their native villages?

Census figures of 2001 as well as 2011 show the overall number of females per 1,000 males being much less than 1,000. Some states, however, had over 1,000 or near 1,000 (Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu). What might be the reasons for this?

While the term ‘population pyramid’ is used widely, the representation on paper looks more like a triangle, parts of which have been pulled outwards or shrunk, into different shapes a 3-dimensional concept represented in 2 dimensions.

If the replacement rate is less than 2, what will the population pyramid look like? Will there ever be a situation where the number of children is less than the number of aged people? What is likely to happen to the population of such a country over time?

Why is it important for a country to study its population through demography?

How can a low fertility rate affect a country’s future economy and workforce?

Do you think a high birth rate is always good for a country? Why or why not?

Do you think it’s better to have more people or fewer people in a country? 

What are the challenges countries face in the case of a fast-growing or shrinking population?

How does the age structure of a country affect the kind of jobs and services it needs? Explain with examples.

Why do you think families are generally getting smaller? Does having fewer children ensure better education and health for them? How does it affect families and society?

Observe the graph below showing changes in life expectancy across gender in India and answer the questions given below:

1. Has the life expectancy in India increased? If yes, what could be the reasons?
2. What was the life expectancy of males and females in 2010?

What is a demographic dividend?

How does a demographic dividend benefit a country?

What do you think India needs to do today to make the most of its demographic dividend before 2050?

Countries (for example: India and Japan). Find out their:

• Population size 
• Fertility rate 
• Life expectancy 
• Age distribution

How are they different? What might be the reasons behind these differences? For instance, find out how countries with ageing populations are managing this.

Countries (for example: Nigeria and Italy). Find out their:

• Population size 
• Fertility rate 
• Life expectancy 
• Age distribution

How are they different? What might be the reasons behind these differences? For instance, find out how countries with ageing populations are managing this.

Imagine you are a researcher who intends to study migration patterns in your locality. Make a questionnaire to collect data on the following questions.

• Name of the person
• Age of the person
• Occupation of the person
• Place of residence
• Number of years lived in the place
• List the factors contributing to migration, such as lack of facilities, poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities and so on

Draw a population pyramid on graph paper for India using the data given in the following table.

Observe the population pyramid for Japan in 2023 below. What can you infer from this? Write your observations and share in the class.