Community Medicine (PSM) · Demography and Health Indicators

India's Total Fertility Rate has fallen below replacement level, yet projections show the population will continue to grow for several decades. The demographic phenomenon responsible for this continued growth is:

  • A Rising immigration exceeding emigration across national borders
  • B Population momentum due to a large cohort of people entering reproductive age
  • C An increase in the crude death rate outpacing the crude birth rate
  • D Rising fecundity caused by improved nutrition of women
Correct answer: B. Population momentum due to a large cohort of people entering reproductive age

Explanation

Population momentum arises because past high fertility created a large base of young people who are now entering their reproductive years. Even if each woman bears fewer than replacement-level children, the sheer number of couples reproducing keeps births above deaths for decades. International migration contributes little to India's growth, and rising fecundity is not a recognized driver of post-transition growth.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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