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UPSC Prelims 2008 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
Which two countries follow China and India in the decreasing order of their populations?
- (a) Brazil and USA
- (b) USA and Indonesia
- (c) Canada and Malaysia
- (d) Russia and Nigeria
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) USA and Indonesia
After China and India came the USA and Indonesia.
The idea
Population rank compares the total number of residents in each country. It does not compare density or land area. Read the order at the 2008 exam date, because births, deaths and migration can change ranks.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Brazil is fifth/sixth.
(d) Russia and Nigeria are lower.
Also know
Population change equals births minus deaths plus net migration. Density divides the population by area, so a less populous country can be much denser. A census is an enumeration at a reference date; a population estimate updates that baseline using demographic information.
🔒 Now: India > China > USA > Indonesia > Pakistan > Nigeria.
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