Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 20

Approximately what fraction of the world's population lives in India?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the current global population and India's population.

Correct Answer: B) One-sixth

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, CLAT

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Understanding the proportion of the world's population that lives in India is an important aspect of global demographics. As of recent estimates, the world's population is approximately 7.8 billion people. India, being one of the most populous countries, has a population of around 1.4 billion people. To determine the fraction of the world's population that lives in India, we can use the following calculation:

Population of India / World Population = 1.4 billion / 7.8 billion ≈ 0.1794 or approximately 1/6.

This calculation shows that India's population is roughly one-sixth of the world's total population. This fraction is significant because it highlights India's demographic importance on a global scale. It is important to note that population figures can change over time due to factors such as birth rates, death rates, and migration. However, the fraction of one-sixth remains a useful approximation for understanding India's population in relation to the world's total population.

It is also worth noting that while India's population is large, it is not the largest in the world. China, for example, has a slightly larger population, but the fraction of the world's population that lives in China is also close to one-sixth. Understanding these proportions helps in grasping the relative sizes of different countries' populations and their significance in global demographics.

When considering the options provided, it is clear that one-sixth (Option B) is the most accurate representation of India's population share of the world. The other options either overestimate or underestimate this fraction, making them incorrect choices. One-eighth (Option A) is too small, one-fourth (Option C) is too large, and one-third (Option D) is also too large. Therefore, the correct answer is that approximately one-sixth of the world's population lives in India.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. One-eighth is too small a fraction to represent India's population share of the world. India's population is significantly larger, closer to one-sixth of the world's total population.
  • Option B: This option is correct. India's population is approximately one-sixth of the world's total population, making this the most accurate fraction among the given choices.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. One-fourth is too large a fraction to represent India's population share of the world. India's population is closer to one-sixth of the world's total population.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. One-third is a much larger fraction than India's actual population share of the world. India's population is closer to one-sixth of the world's total population.

Mnemonic: Remember: India is home to about 1/6th of the world's people.

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