Human Resources – Very Short Answer Type Questions
Class 8 • Social Science • NCERT (CBSE)
Geography — Chapter 5: Human Resources
Distribution of human resources, human capital, population growth and migration
50 Very Short Answer Type Questions
NCERT-aligned • Ideal for CBSE revision
- Use these 50 questions for quick recall and last-minute revision.
- Each answer is concise and NCERT-focused to match exam expectations.
- Practice by writing answers in 1–2 lines; add a short example when possible.
Topic 1: Definitions & Basics (1–8)
1. What are human resources?
People who form the workforce and contribute labour, skills and knowledge to production.
2. Define human capital.
The skills, knowledge, health and abilities that increase a person's productivity.
3. How does human resources differ from natural resources?
Human resources are people; natural resources are land, minerals and water—both are factors of production.
4. What is meant by the distribution of human resources?
The uneven spatial spread of population, skills and workforce across regions and places.
5. What is a demographic dividend?
Economic growth potential when the working-age population is larger relative to dependents.
6. Give one example of human capital investment.
Public spending on education, such as building schools or funding teacher training.
7. Name one indicator of human resource quality.
Literacy rate or average years of schooling in a population.
8. What is meant by workforce participation?
The percentage of people of working age who are employed or actively seeking work.
Topic 2: Factors Affecting Distribution (9–18)
9. How does the physical environment affect human distribution?
Harsh climates or difficult terrain reduce settlement and access to jobs and services.
10. Why do industries attract human resources?
They create jobs, higher wages and skill-demanding roles that draw workers to the area.
11. How do historical patterns shape population distribution?
Past trade centres, colonial investments or old capitals often remain dense in population and skills.
12. What role do government policies play?
Policies on education, health and infrastructure influence where people live and work.
13. Why are cities often centers of skilled labour?
Better schools, higher education institutions and varied job opportunities concentrate skilled workers.
14. Give one reason people stay in rural areas.
Dependence on agriculture or cultural ties and lower living costs.
15. How does connectivity affect distribution?
Good roads, transport and internet enable mobility and access to jobs, increasing population density.
16. Name a push factor for out-migration from a region.
Lack of employment opportunities or poor services like schools and hospitals.
17. Name a pull factor that attracts migrants to a city.
Availability of better jobs, higher wages and education facilities.
18. How does regional development reduce uneven distribution?
By encouraging investment and creating jobs outside major cities to balance opportunities.
Topic 3: Human Capital & Economic Growth (19–28)
19. Why does education increase productivity?
Education improves skills and knowledge, enabling workers to perform tasks more efficiently.
20. How does health contribute to human capital?
Healthy workers are more productive, miss fewer workdays and can learn better.
21. What is skill development?
Training and education programmes that provide specific vocational or technical abilities.
22. Give one effect of higher human capital on the economy.
It attracts investment and supports the growth of higher-value industries like IT and manufacturing.
23. How do private families contribute to human capital?
By spending on their children's education, health and vocational training.
24. Why is women’s education important for human capital?
Educated women boost family health, child education and workforce participation, raising overall productivity.
25. What is meant by quality of human resources?
The level of education, health and skills that determine productivity and employability.
26. How does technology affect human capital?
Technology demands new skills and can increase productivity when workers adopt technical knowledge.
27. Name one programme that develops skills (example).
A national skill development mission or vocational training centre (e.g., skill training courses).
28. How does investment in early childhood help human capital?
Early health and education improve cognitive development and future learning outcomes.
Topic 4: Population Growth (29–36)
29. What causes population growth?
Higher birth rates, declining mortality due to better healthcare and improved sanitation.
30. Give one negative effect of rapid population growth.
Overburdened schools and hospitals, leading to lower quality services.
31. What is dependency ratio?
The ratio of dependents (young and old) to the working-age population.
32. How can population growth be turned into a demographic dividend?
By investing in education, health and creating jobs for the growing working-age population.
33. Name one environmental challenge linked to population growth.
Increased pressure on water, land and forests leading to resource depletion.
34. How does urbanisation relate to population growth?
Population growth often leads to rapid urbanisation as people move to cities for jobs.
35. Give one policy to manage population growth.
Family planning programmes and awareness campaigns on reproductive health.
36. What is meant by population composition?
The structure of a population by age, sex, occupation and other characteristics.
Topic 5: Migration (37–44)
37. What is migration?
Movement of people from one place to another for short or long durations.
38. Name two types of migration.
Internal (rural–urban) and international migration.
39. What is seasonal migration?
Temporary movement for short-term work, often related to agriculture or construction.
40. How does migration affect origin areas?
Can cause labour shortages but may increase household income through remittances.
41. How does migration affect destination areas?
Provides labour for industries and services but may strain housing and public services.
42. Give one cause of international migration.
Search for better job opportunities or higher education abroad.
43. What are remittances?
Money sent by migrants to their families in their home regions or countries.
44. Name one social issue migrants may face.
Social exclusion, discrimination or lack of access to public services.
Topic 6: Policies & Measures (45–50)
45. Name one government policy to improve education.
Free and compulsory primary education or schemes to improve school infrastructure.
46. What is vocational training?
Practical training that teaches specific trades or technical skills for employment.
47. How do health programmes improve human resources?
By reducing illness and mortality, improving nutrition and enabling better learning and work capacity.
48. Suggest one regional policy to reduce urban migration.
Promote industries and services in smaller towns and rural areas to create local jobs.
49. How can gender equality improve human resources?
Increasing women's education and workforce participation raises overall productivity and wellbeing.
50. What should students remember from this chapter?
Focus on definitions, causes/effects of population and migration, and the role of education and health in building human capital.
Study Tip: Practice answering these VSAQs aloud or in writing. Add one India-specific example where possible to score better in CBSE exams.