UPSC Prelims 2002 Q97: Geography – Population & Demography
Consider the following countries:
1. Brazil
2. Indonesia
3. Japan
4. Russia
What is the descending order of the size of the following countries population wise?
- (a) 1, 2, 4, 3
- (b) 2, 3, 1, 4
- (c) 2, 1, 4, 3
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4
Answer: (c) 2, 1, 4, 3
Explanation
Descending order of population: Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
| Country | Population around 2001 |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | About 207 million |
| Brazil | About 172 million |
| Russia | About 145 million |
| Japan | About 127 million |
In descending order of population the countries are Indonesia, Brazil, Russia and Japan, which is 2, 1, 4, 3.
Answer: (c) 2, 1, 4, 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. It puts Brazil above Indonesia.
- (b) Incorrect. It puts Japan above Brazil and Russia.
- (c) CORRECT. Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, Japan.
- (d) Incorrect. It is the order of the list, not of population.
Key point
Population around 2001: Indonesia > Brazil > Russia > Japan; Russia's population was falling.
Remember
Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, Japan in that order.
Common mistakes
- Placing Brazil first by land area.
- Putting Japan above Russia on economic size.
- Ignoring Indonesia's rank as the fourth most populous.
Exam tip
Indonesia is fourth in the world, ahead of Brazil.
Sources
- UN World Population Prospects 2000
- Census data of the countries