Demography: natural growth rate: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Demography: natural growth rate

Sample item

A state reports a crude birth rate of 24 and a crude death rate of 8 per 1,000 population. Ignoring migration, what is its annual natural growth rate?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. 1.6%

The natural increase is the crude birth rate minus the crude death rate: 24 - 8 = 16 per 1,000. Expressed as a percentage this is 16 / 1,000 x 100 = 1.6% per year. Migration would be added only for the total growth rate.

Option by option

  • A. 16%

    This reads 16 per 1,000 as 16 per 100.

  • B. 1.6% (correct)

    Correct. (24 - 8) / 1,000 = 1.6% per year.

  • C. 3.2%

    This adds the two rates instead of subtracting them.

  • D. 0.16%

    This divides by 10,000 instead of 1,000 when converting to a percentage.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, 1.6%. The natural increase is the crude birth rate minus the crude death rate: 24 - 8 = 16 per 1,000.

Why is "16%" not the answer?

This reads 16 per 1,000 as 16 per 100.

Why is "3.2%" not the answer?

This adds the two rates instead of subtracting them.

Why is "0.16%" not the answer?

This divides by 10,000 instead of 1,000 when converting to a percentage.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Demography: natural growth rate in PSM. Expressed as a percentage this is 16 / 1,000 x 100 = 1.6% per year. Migration would be added only for the total growth rate.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Demography: natural growth rate?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.