Question

During which decade did the population of India record a negative growth rate?
A. 1911-21
B. 1921-31
C. 1931-41
D. 1941-51

Answer 1

Hint:When the number of people inhabiting a particular area or in a country starts reducing it is referred to as the negative growth rate of the population. The population of a country starts to get smaller.

Complete Answer: India’s population has increased according to the recent census but the population of India recorded a negative growth rate in 1911-1921. The rate of life expectancy at birth was low before 1921 for both males as well as females. The major forces for the decline in the population were famines and epidemics. Death from famine, plague, influenza retarded the population growth of the country.
From 1901 through 1911 there was an increase in population. The population during this time increased by about 158 lakh due to the lack of famines and epidemics that the death rate of the country reduced considerably. However, the growth rate of the country declined between 1911 and 1921. Due to the occurrence of influenza in 1918, the mortality rate of the country increased and caused 140 lakh deaths in the country. In addition, the occurrence of famine, plague, malaria also resulted in the decline of the population. After 1951, there was a huge increase in population, because of this the year 1951 is often termed as the population explosion year.

Thus, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: The increase in population during 1961-1991 was 10 times more than the increase in population from 1901-1931. India, at present, is considered to be the second-largest country in terms of the population right after China. The population of India is increasing rapidly. However, the growth rate of the country has been disrupted again with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.