NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter 2 The World Population Distribution Density and Growth

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:

1. Which one of the following continents has the highest growth of population?

• (a) Africa
• (b) South America
• (c) Asia
• (d) North America

Answer: (a) Africa.

2. Which one of the following is not an area of sparse population?

• (a) The Atacama
• (b) South-east Asia
• (c) Equatorial region
• (d) Polar regions

Answer: (b) South-east Asia.

3. Which one of the following is not a push factor?

• (a) Water shortage
• (b) Medical/educational facilities
• (c) Unemployment
• (d) Epidemics

Answer: (b) Medical/educational facilities.

4. Which one of the following is not a fact?

• (a) Human population increased more than ten times during the past 500 years.
• (b) Population growth is high in the first stage of demographic transition?

Answer: (b) Population growth is high in the first stage of demographic transition?

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

1. Name three geographical factors that influence the distribution of population.

Answer: Three geographical factors that influence the distribution of population are availability of water (people prefer regions with access to fresh water), landforms (flat plains attract more population), and climate (regions with moderate climates are densely populated).

2. There are a number of areas with high population density in the world. Why does this happen?

Answer: High population density occurs in areas with favorable geographical conditions such as fertile plains, moderate climate, adequate water supply, and economic opportunities. Such regions support agriculture, industry, and urbanization, attracting large numbers of people.

3. What are the three components of population change?

Answer: The three components of population change are births, deaths, and migration. Births and deaths determine the natural growth, while migration indicates movement of people in or out of a region.

3. Distinguish between:

(i) Birth rate and death rate.

Answer:

• Birth Rate: It is the number of live births per thousand of population in a year for a region.
• Death Rate: It is the number of deaths per thousand of population in a year for a region.

(ii) Push factors and pull factors of migration.

Answer:

• Push Factors: These make a place less attractive, causing people to leave. Examples are unemployment, poor living conditions, or natural disasters.
• Pull Factors: These make a place attractive for settlement, such as job opportunities, better facilities, or stable environment.

4. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

1. Discuss the factors influencing the distribution and density of population in the world.

Answer: The distribution and density of world population are influenced by several factors grouped as geographical, economic, and social-cultural.

Geographical factors include the availability of water, landforms, climate, and fertile soils. Economic factors such as presence of minerals, development of industries, and urbanization attract people to certain areas due to better job prospects and amenities. Social and cultural aspects – religious centers, regions of historical significance, or areas with peace and stability – also play a crucial role in population distribution.

Additionally, government policies and incentives can affect settlement patterns. In densely populated regions, favorable conditions like river valleys, fertile plains, and developed infrastructure exist, while harsh environments like deserts or high mountains remain sparsely populated due to difficult living conditions and lack of resources.

2. Discuss the three stages of demographic transition.

Answer: The theory of demographic transition describes population change over time in three stages.

1. In the first stage (High Fluctuating), both birth and death rates are high, resulting in slow population growth. Most societies are agrarian with low technology and large families.

2. In the second stage (Early Expanding), death rates fall due to improved health and sanitation, but birth rates stay high, leading to rapid population growth. Urbanization begins here.

3. The third stage (Late Expanding) sees both birth and death rates decline significantly; the population becomes stable or increases slowly, with higher literacy and greater urbanization. Family planning is deliberate, and technological advancement is high.

Different countries are at different stages depending on their development.

5. Map Skill:

On the outline map of the world, show and name the following.
(i) Countries of Europe and Asia with negative growth rate of population.

Answer: Some countries of Europe and Asia with negative growth rates include Russia, Germany, Bulgaria, Latvia, Ukraine (Europe) and Japan, Armenia (Asia). These can be located and named on a world outline map as required in the activity.

6. Project/Activity:

(i) Has someone in your family migrated? Write about her/his place of destination. What made her/him migrate?

Answer: (Sample answer) Yes, my uncle migrated from our village in Uttar Pradesh to Delhi for better job opportunities and to access quality education for his children. The main reason for migration was to improve his family's standard of living and income.

(ii) Write a brief report on the distribution and density of population in your state.

Answer: (Sample answer) In Uttar Pradesh, the population density is very high, especially in the Gangetic plain region due to fertile soil and water availability. Major cities like Lucknow and Kanpur house significant populations due to better infrastructure, employment opportunities, and transport facilities, whereas regions with poor resources have lower density.

Understanding World Population Distribution, Density and Growth

Chapter 2 explores World Population Distribution, Density and Growth, providing key insights for exams. Whether it’s learning why some regions are heavily populated or understanding population control measures, mastering these concepts boosts your confidence and marks.

Practicing NCERT Solutions Class 12 Geography Chapter 2 helps build a strong foundation in population studies. Focus on the main factors affecting density, such as geographical and economic factors, to ace questions in the 2025-26 Geography paper.

Review population growth trends, demographic transition stages, and migration concepts regularly. With these student-friendly explanations, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle both short and long answer questions on distribution and growth in your board exams.