The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
World population growth has not been uniform throughout history. While population numbers remained relatively low and stable for millennia, they accelerated rapidly during the modern era due to advancements in technology, medicine, and agriculture.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The human population has increased more than ten times in the past 500 years. Around the year 1650, the global population was approximately 500 million, whereas it exceeded 6 billion by the turn of the 21st century. The claim that it increased "only two times" contradicts historical demographic data.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The twentieth century witnessed an unprecedented surge in human numbers. During this period (1900-2000), the global population increased four times, rising from approximately 1.6 billion to 6.1 billion.
Key Takeaway: The most explosive phase of population growth occurred in the recent past, specifically the 20th century, where the population quadrupled within a span of 100 years.