UPSC Prelims 2008 Q91: Geography – Population & Demography
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
Answer: (b) USA and Indonesia
Explanation
Countries ranking just after China and India in population
After the world's two most populous nations, two specific countries follow in the global population ranking.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Brazil and USA | Incorrect | Reverses the actual order; USA ranks ahead of Brazil |
| (b) USA and Indonesia | Correct | After China and India, the USA and Indonesia are the next most populous countries |
| (c) Canada and Malaysia | Incorrect | Far too small in population to rank this high |
| (d) Russia and Nigeria | Incorrect | Not the correct next-ranked pair at the time |
Global population ranking (at the time):
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | China |
| 2 | India |
| 3 | USA |
| 4 | Indonesia |
Answer: (b) USA and Indonesia.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Brazil and USA is wrong; USA ranks ahead of Brazil, and Indonesia (not Brazil) is actually 4th.
- (b) CORRECT. USA and Indonesia are the next two most populous countries after China and India.
- (c) Incorrect. Canada and Malaysia have far smaller populations, not ranking this high.
- (d) Incorrect. Russia and Nigeria are also not the correct next-ranked pair at the time.
Key point
After China and India, the USA and Indonesia are the next two most populous countries in the world.
Remember
After China and India, the USA and Indonesia follow in decreasing order of population.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Brazil's population rank with Indonesia's, which actually ranks higher.
- Underestimating Indonesia's large population size.
- Assuming smaller or less populous countries (Canada, Malaysia) could rank this high globally.
Exam tip
Global population order: China, India, USA, Indonesia — a frequently tested demographic ranking.
Sources
- United Nations Population Division — World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision (population by country)
- Central Intelligence Agency — The World Factbook (People and Society: population)