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UPSC Prelims 1992 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
With 2.4 per cent of the world’s area, how much of the world’s population does India support?
- (a) 12%
- (b) 9%
- (c) 16%
- (d) 7%
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) 16%
India had about 16% of the world’s people on 2.4% of its land.
The idea
A country’s share of world population is its population divided by the world total. Its share of land area uses a different denominator. A much larger population share than land share indicates relatively high average density. The percentage asked here belongs to the 1992 exam period.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Too low.
(b) Too low.
(d) Too low.
Also know
If population share is several times land share, national density is similarly above the world average, provided both area measures use the same basis. This says nothing about uniform settlement within the country. Water supply, cultivable land and services depend strongly on regional distribution.
🔒 Today India has about 17.8% of the world population and is the most populous country (2023).
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