Which of the following statements describe a population that has reached the replacement level?
(A) The difference between its birth rate and death rate is zero or very small.
(B) Its new generations just replace the older ones that are dying out.
(C) Its fertility levels are below the replacement rate.
(D) It is said to have stabilised.
(E) Its death rate has fallen sharply while its birth rate has fallen slightly.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A, B and D only
(A) The difference between its birth rate and death rate is zero or very small. — Correct. The replacement level is reached when the gap between the birth rate and death rate is zero, or very small in practice.
(B) Its new generations just replace the older ones that are dying out. — Correct. At this rate of growth, new generations just replace the older ones that are dying out.
(C) Its fertility levels are below the replacement rate. — Incorrect. Fertility below the replacement rate gives a negative growth rate, so the population shrinks.
(D) It is said to have stabilised. — Correct. A population at the replacement level is also said to have stabilised.
(E) Its death rate has fallen sharply while its birth rate has fallen slightly. — Incorrect. A sharp fall in deaths with only a slight fall in births belongs to the transitional stage. That stage has very high growth of population.
NCERT (2026-27): “C C I … |