A country has an annual population growth rate of 1.4%. Using the Rule of 70, what is the approximate doubling time of this population?
- A 100 years
- B 70 years
- C 50 years ✓
- D 35 years
Correct answer: C. 50 years
Explanation
The Rule of 70 states that doubling time (in years) = 70 / annual growth rate (%). Here, doubling time = 70 / 1.4 = 50 years. This rule is widely used in demography to estimate how long it takes for a population to double at a given exponential growth rate.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
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