Consider the following data: Year Birth rate Death rate 1911–1921 48.1 35.5 1921–1931 46.4 36.3 1931–1941 45.2 31.2 1941–1951 39.9 27.4 1951–1961 41.7 22.8 1961–1971 41.1 18.9 1971–1981 37.1 14.8 For which period was the natural growth rate maximum?

Q 5 / 46

UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Consider the following data:

Year	Birth rate	Death rate
1911–1921	48.1	35.5
1921–1931	46.4	36.3
1931–1941	45.2	31.2
1941–1951	39.9	27.4
1951–1961	41.7	22.8
1961–1971	41.1	18.9
1971–1981	37.1	14.8

For which period was the natural growth rate maximum?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (D)

The natural growth rate is calculated as the difference between the birth rate and the death rate for a given period. For the period 1971–1981, the birth rate was 37.1 and the death rate was 14.8. Therefore, the natural growth rate for this period was 37.1 - 14.8 = 22.3. This value represents the maximum natural growth rate among the provided options.

Incorrect Options:

1911–1921: The natural growth rate for this period was 48.1 - 35.5 = 12.6. This is significantly lower than the rate observed in 1971–1981.
1941–1951: The natural growth rate for this period was 39.9 - 27.4 = 12.5. This is also lower than the rate observed in 1971–1981.
1961–1971: The natural growth rate for this period was 41.1 - 18.9 = 22.2. While high, this rate is marginally lower than the 22.3 recorded for the 1971–1981 period.