UPSC Prelims 2010 Q44: Indian Economy – National Income & Economic Growth
With reference to BRIC countries, consider the following statements:
1. At present, China’s GDP is more than the combined GDP of all the three other countries.
2. China’s population is more than the combined population of any two other countries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Checking two claims about BRIC countries
BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) were frequently compared on size metrics around this period.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. China's GDP exceeds the combined GDP of the other three | Correct | At the time, China's GDP alone was larger than Brazil, Russia, and India's GDPs combined |
| 2. China's population exceeds the combined population of any two other countries | Incorrect | China's population, while the largest individually, was not larger than, for example, India and Brazil combined, which together exceeded China's population |
BRIC size comparison (approximate, period-specific):
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| China's GDP | Larger than Brazil + Russia + India combined |
| China's population | Largest individually, but not larger than some two-country combinations (e.g., India + Brazil) |
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. China's GDP did exceed the other three BRIC countries' combined GDP at the time; the population claim in statement 2 does not hold for all two-country combinations.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2's population claim fails for combinations like India + Brazil, which together exceed China's population.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is not accurate for all two-country combinations, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is accurate, so 'neither' is wrong.
Key point
China's GDP exceeded the combined GDP of Brazil, Russia, and India — but China's population, while individually the largest, was NOT larger than some two-country combinations like India plus Brazil.
Remember
China's GDP exceeded Brazil+Russia+India combined — but China's population did NOT exceed every two-country combination (e.g., India+Brazil).
Common mistakes
- Assuming China's individually largest population automatically beats any two-country combination.
- Not checking the specific arithmetic behind population comparisons rather than relying on general impressions.
- Conflating GDP size comparisons with population size comparisons, which behave differently here.
Exam tip
'Largest individually' doesn't mean 'larger than any two others combined.' Always check the specific combination being compared.
Sources
- World Bank — GDP and population data by country
- United Nations — World Population Prospects report