Question

Arrange the following countries in descending order on the basis of rate of natural increase of population in 2024 :
A. Somalia
B. Nigeria
C. Bangladesh
D. China
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. D, C, B, A
• B. A, B, C, D
• C. B, D, A, C
• D. C, A, D, B

Hint:

Sub-Saharan African countries currently lead the world in Natural Increase, while East Asian and European countries are at the bottom of the list.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The Rate of Natural Increase (RNI) is the difference between the Crude Birth Rate and the Crude Death Rate of a population, expressed as a percentage. It does not account for migration. Typically, countries in the early stages of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) have the highest RNI.

Step 1: Analyzing the Demographic Profiles.
To arrange these in descending order (highest to lowest), we look at their respective development stages:
• A. Somalia: Located in Sub-Saharan Africa, it has one of the world's highest fertility rates and is in Stage 2 of the DTM. Its RNI is exceptionally high (approx. 3.0% or more).
• B. Nigeria: Also in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria has a very high growth rate but slightly lower than Somalia's extreme as it begins to see a very slow decline in birth rates (approx. 2.4-2.6%).
• C. Bangladesh: A classic example of successful population control in a developing nation. It has reached near-replacement level fertility, resulting in a moderate but declining RNI (approx. 1.0-1.1%).
• D. China: China has entered a stage of demographic transition where the birth rate is extremely low, and the death rate is rising due to an aging population. Its natural increase is currently near zero or even negative.

Step 2: Arranging the Order.
Descending Order (Highest $\rightarrow$ Lowest): Somalia (A) $>$ Nigeria (B) $>$ Bangladesh (C) $>$ China (D).

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct sequence is A, B, C, D.