Demographic Cycle & Population Pyramid MCQ Quiz

Demography & Vital Statistics

Quiz Introduction

Welcome to the specialized MCQ quiz on the Demographic Cycle and Population Pyramids, a cornerstone of Demography and Vital Statistics for MBBS students. This quiz is meticulously designed to test your understanding of population dynamics, from the stages of demographic transition to interpreting age-sex structures through population pyramids. Each of the 25 questions will challenge your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical public health scenarios. After completing the quiz, you can submit your answers to receive your score instantly, with detailed feedback showing the correct and incorrect responses. For your future reference and revision, a comprehensive list of all questions with their correct answers is available for download as a PDF. Good luck!

1. In which stage of the demographic cycle are both the birth rate and death rate high, leading to a stable or slowly growing population?

Stage 1 (High Stationary) Stage 2 (Early Expanding) Stage 3 (Late Expanding) Stage 4 (Low Stationary)

2. A population pyramid with a very wide base and a narrow top is characteristic of a country with:

Low birth rate and low death rate High birth rate and high death rate High birth rate and low death rate Low birth rate and high death rate

3. The transition from Stage 2 to Stage 3 of the demographic cycle is primarily characterized by a decline in:

Death rate Birth rate Life expectancy Migration rate

4. A “constrictive” or “beehive-shaped” population pyramid indicates:

An aging population with low birth rates A young population with rapid growth A stable population with equal birth and death rates High levels of emigration in the young adult population

5. What is the main driver of the population explosion seen in Stage 2 of the demographic cycle?

A sharp increase in the birth rate A dramatic fall in the death rate while the birth rate remains high Massive immigration A sharp decrease in emigration

6. The “Demographic Dividend” refers to the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when the share of the:

Elderly population (65+) is larger than the working-age population Working-age population (15-64) is larger than the non-working-age share Child population (0-14) is at its peak Population is evenly distributed across all age groups

7. In a population pyramid, a significant indentation or “scar” in a specific age cohort (e.g., males aged 60-64) is most likely caused by:

A past baby boom A major war or famine that occurred when this cohort was young A successful public health campaign targeting child mortality A sudden increase in the birth rate

8. Which country is often cited as an example of being in Stage 5 of the demographic cycle, characterized by a death rate exceeding the birth rate?

India Nigeria Japan Brazil

9. The total dependency ratio is calculated as:

(Population 0-14) / (Population 15-64) x 100 (Population 65+) / (Population 15-64) x 100 ((Population 0-14) + (Population 65+)) / (Population 15-64) x 100 (Population 15-64) / (Total Population) x 100

10. A “stationary” population pyramid, which is almost rectangular in shape, is typically found in countries in which demographic stage?

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

11. A high child dependency ratio places the greatest strain on which public service sector?

Geriatric healthcare and pensions Education and pediatric healthcare Higher education and job creation Urban infrastructure and housing

12. Which of the following best describes the sex ratio at birth globally?

Exactly 100 males per 100 females Approximately 105 males per 100 females Approximately 95 males per 100 females It varies significantly and shows no consistent pattern

13. The main difference between Stage 1 and Stage 4 of the demographic cycle is that in Stage 4:

Both birth and death rates are high Both birth and death rates are low Birth rate is high and death rate is low Birth rate is low and death rate is high

14. A bulge in a population pyramid for the 20-29 age group, especially among males, in a city might suggest:

High infant mortality 20 years ago A local baby boom In-migration of young workers for economic opportunities An effective vaccination program for that cohort

15. What is meant by the term “population momentum”?

The tendency for a population to continue growing even after fertility rates have fallen to replacement level The speed at which a country moves through the demographic cycle The rate of natural increase of a population The migration rate required to maintain a stable population size

16. India is currently considered to be in which stage of the demographic transition?

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 (Late Expanding) Stage 4

17. A population pyramid provides a snapshot of a population’s:

Income distribution Geographic distribution Age and sex structure Educational attainment levels

18. The “demographic trap” describes a situation where a country:

Moves quickly from Stage 2 to Stage 4 Has low birth rates and high death rates Is stuck in Stage 2 with high birth rates and declining death rates, leading to unsustainable population growth Has an aging population with no younger generation to support it

19. A high old-age dependency ratio is a major concern for public health because it implies:

A higher burden of communicable diseases Increased demand for maternal and child health services A greater prevalence of chronic, non-communicable diseases and increased healthcare costs A shortage of primary school teachers

20. What major historical event triggered the start of the demographic transition (entry into Stage 2) in many Western European countries?

The Renaissance The Industrial Revolution World War I The invention of the internet

21. The vertical axis of a population pyramid represents:

Population percentage or number Sex (male/female) Year Age cohorts

22. A key factor in the decline of birth rates during Stage 3 is:

Increased food production Increased female education and access to contraception Development of new vaccines A sharp rise in infant mortality

23. Population pyramids are LEAST useful for predicting future needs for:

Healthcare services Educational facilities Social security and pension systems Specific political voting patterns

24. Zero population growth is achieved when:

The birth rate equals the death rate, and net migration is zero The total fertility rate is 2.1 The population enters Stage 4 The crude birth rate is zero

25. What does the term “Greying of Population” signify?

A rapid increase in the number of young people An increasing proportion of the population in the older age groups (60 or 65+) A decrease in the median age of the population A balance between the number of births and deaths

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com

Demographic Cycle & Population Pyramid MCQ Quiz

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