#1

What is the approximate current population of the world (as of late 2023/early 2024)?

(a) 7.5 Billion

(b) 8.1 Billion

(c) 9.0 Billion

(d) 7.9 Billion

Explanation: The world population reached $8$ billion in late 2022, and is estimated to be approximately $8.1$ billion as of early 2024.

#2

Approximately what is the current world population (as of 2024)?

(a) 7.5 billion

(b) 8.2 billion

(c) 9.0 billion

(d) 7.0 billion

Explanation: The global population reached approximately **8.2 billion** people in 2024, continuing its growth trajectory, although the annual growth rate has slowed down over the past decades. The 7 billion mark was crossed around 2011.

#3

As of recent estimates (2024), which country has the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by nominal value?

(a) China

(b) Germany

(c) United States

(d) Japan

Explanation: The **United States** maintains its position as the world's largest economy by nominal GDP (approximately $25.43 trillion as of 2024 estimates), followed by China in second place. GDP is the total monetary value of all finished goods and services made within a country during a specific period.

#4

The global average life expectancy at birth is approximately what number (as of 2024)?

(a) 68 years

(b) 73 years

(c) 78 years

(d) 81 years

Explanation: The worldwide average life expectancy at birth for the total population stands at approximately **73 years** (with some variations by source and exact year, often quoted as 73.3 years in 2024). This figure is significantly higher than a century ago, reflecting advances in global health.

#5

Which country transitioned from being the world's most populous to the second most populous nation in 2023-2024?

(a) Indonesia

(b) China

(c) United States

(d) Brazil

Explanation: **China** was surpassed by India in 2023/2024 to become the world's second most populous nation. This shift is primarily due to China's decades of low fertility rates and India's continued population growth.

#6

According to the IMF’s 2024 forecast, what is the approximate global headline inflation rate expected to be for the year?

(a) 2.5%

(b) 5.9%

(c) 8.1%

(d) 3.2%

Explanation: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected in its late-2024 outlook that global headline inflation is forecast to decline steadily to approximately $5.9\%$ in 2024, down from higher rates in 2023, reflecting global monetary policy tightening.

#7

Approximately what percentage of the world's population is estimated to be using the Internet in 2024?

(a) 55%

(b) 68%

(c) 75%

(d) 85%

Explanation: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimated that approximately $5.5$ billion people, or about $68\%$ of the world's population, are using the Internet in 2024. This highlights the growing, though still uneven, global connectivity.

#8

Which country is the world's largest total consumer of electricity (in Terawatt-hours, TWh) as of recent 2024 data?

(a) United States

(b) India

(c) China

(d) Germany

Explanation: China is the largest consumer of electricity globally by a wide margin, with its consumption (over $10,000$ TWh in 2024 forecasts) driven by its massive manufacturing sector and large population. It accounts for roughly one-third of global electricity use.

#9

Which country, already the largest consumer, has the largest operational solar power capacity (MWac) globally, leading by a massive margin in 2024?

(a) India

(b) United States

(c) Germany

(d) China

Explanation: China dominates the solar sector, holding both the largest operational solar capacity (over $440,000$ MWac) and the largest prospective pipeline, far exceeding the combined capacity of the next few largest markets.

#10

What is the global statistic for the average number of women in national parliaments (as of 2024)?

(a) Around $15\%$

(b) Around $27\%$

(c) Around $35\%$

(d) Around $50\%$

Explanation: The global average percentage of women in single or lower houses of national parliament reached approximately $27\%$ in 2024. While progress is steady, it is slow, and significant disparities remain.

#11

Which island in the Maldives faced flooding risks in 2024?

(a) Fuvahmulah

(b) Addu

(c) Gan

(d) Malé

Explanation: Malé, the capital island of the Maldives, faced increased flooding risks in 2024 due to rising sea levels, threatening its low-lying coral atoll structure and dense population.

#12

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed in 2024 after being struck by which container ship?

(a) Ever Given

(b) Dali

(c) Cosco Busan

(d) Maersk Alabama

Explanation: The container ship 'Dali' lost power and struck a support pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, causing a total collapse of the main spans.

#13

Which 2024 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day?

(a) Japan

(b) Indonesia

(c) Taiwan

(d) Chile

Explanation: A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Japan on January 1, 2024, causing significant damage and a tsunami.

#14

Which desert experienced significant flooding due to rare rainfall in 2024?

(a) Sahara Desert

(b) Atacama Desert

(c) Arabian Desert

(d) Thar Desert

Explanation: In 2024, parts of the Sahara Desert, particularly in Morocco and Algeria, experienced rare heavy rainfall, causing unprecedented flooding in typically arid regions, highlighting climate variability.

#15

Which strait in Malaysia faced armed robbery incidents in 2024?

(a) Singapore Strait

(b) Johor Strait

(c) Malacca Strait

(d) Tebrau Strait

Explanation: The Malacca Strait reported four armed robbery incidents in 2024, targeting bulk carriers’ engine spares, underscoring ongoing security challenges despite reduced piracy.

#16

Which strait in the Red Sea was a focus of Houthi attacks in 2024?

(a) Perim Strait

(b) Strait of Tiran

(c) Gubal Strait

(d) Bab-el-Mandeb

Explanation: Bab-el-Mandeb, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, faced Houthi attacks on shipping in 2024, disrupting trade routes and raising global security concerns.

#17

The expansion of BRICS in 2024 included invitations to which countries?

(a) Canada, Mexico, Australia

(b) Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia

(c) Japan, South Korea, Philippines

(d) Germany, France, Italy

Explanation: The summit in Johannesburg invited these nations (plus Argentina, who declined) to join, significantly expanding the bloc's influence in the Middle East and Africa.

#18

Which country left the European Union on January 31, 2020?

(a) Greece

(b) Poland

(c) United Kingdom

(d) Hungary

Explanation: Following the 2016 referendum, the UK formally exited the EU (Brexit).

#19

Who is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations (as of 2024)?

(a) Ban Ki-moon

(b) Kofi Annan

(c) António Guterres

(d) Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Explanation: António Guterres of Portugal is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations. He assumed office on January 1, 2017.

#20

Who is the Secretary-General of SAARC as of 2024?

(a) Esala Weerakoon

(b) Amjad Hussain B. Sial

(c) Golam Sarwar

(d) Arjun Bahadur Thapa

Explanation: Md. Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh is the current Secretary-General of SAARC (assumed office in late 2023).

January 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions