Consider the following countries :
- 1.Italy
- 2.Japan
- 3.Nigeria
- 4.South Korea
- 5.South Africa
Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population or declining population ?
Show answer
Answer: A. Italy, Japan and South Korea are often in the news for very low birth rates, ageing populations and shrinking numbers; South Korea has the world's lowest fertility rate, under 1. Nigeria and South Africa have young, growing populations. So 1, 2 and 4.
Watch for: Option C looks safe because it lists the two famous East Asian cases, but Italy is one of Europe's oldest and fastest-shrinking populations.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because Nigeria and South Africa have growing, young populations.
- C. Wrong because Italy also has a low birth rate and a shrinking population.
- D. Wrong because Nigeria and South Africa are not known for ageing or declining populations.
Source to check: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World Population Prospects 2022/2024 (population.un.org/wpp)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.