World Population, Density & Distribution

The world population, its distribution, density, and growth, are pivotal aspects that showcase the progress and development of each geographical region. These factors significantly influence the global economy and climate change.

Understanding the Distribution of Population Globally

People live in different parts of the world, and it’s interesting to see how they are spread out. Surprisingly, around 90% of the world’s population lives in just about 10% of the Earth’s land. When we look at the top ten most populated countries, they make up about 60% of the world’s total population. What’s even more fascinating is that six out of these ten countries are in Asia. It really shows how people are distributed across the globe!

Concept of Population Density

Population density is defined as the number of individuals per unit area. It is typically measured in persons per square kilometre or km². The most densely populated regions of the world include the northeastern part of the U.S.A, northwestern part of Europe, and the southern, southeastern and eastern parts of Asia. Conversely, areas near the poles, deserts, and high rainfall zones near the equator are sparsely populated. For instance, the population density of India in 2011 was 382 per sq. km. Population Density = Total Population / Total Area The patterns of population distribution and density provide an insight into the demographic characteristics of a region.

Factors Affecting Population Distribution

Population distribution is influenced by several factors, including:

Geographical factors
Economic factors
Social and cultural factors

Geographical Factors

Water availability – Water is vital for life. It is used for numerous purposes including cooking, drinking, and agriculture. Hence, areas with abundant water, such as river valleys, are often densely populated.

Landforms – People generally prefer to inhabit flat plains and gentle slopes that are suitable for agriculture, infrastructure development, and industry establishment. For example, the Ganga Plains are densely populated, whereas the mountainous regions of the Himalayas are sparsely populated.

Climate – Moderate climates that are neither too hot nor too cold tend to attract more people. In contrast, areas with extreme climates or heavy rainfall have lower population densities.

Soil – Areas with fertile, loamy soils are preferred as they support intensive agriculture.

Economic Factors

Factors Minerals – Regions rich in mineral deposits attract industries, which in turn generate job opportunities and attract people, making them densely populated. An example of this is the copper belt in Katanga Zambia, Africa.

Urbanisation – Urban centres offer better job opportunities, educational and medical facilities, and improved transport and communication. This often leads to migration from rural to urban areas, resulting in densely populated cities.

Industrialisation – Industrial areas provide job opportunities, attracting a large number of people. For instance, the Kobe-Osaka region of Japan is densely populated due to the large number of industries present.

Religious or cultural significance of a place also affects its population density. Such places often attract more people. Conversely, if a region is experiencing social and political unrest, people tend to migrate away from it. Sometimes, governments provide incentives to encourage people to move to sparsely populated areas or away from overcrowded ones.

Key Concepts in Population Geography

Population Growth: Population growth refers to how the number of people in a specific area changes over time.

Population Growth Rate: If we want to talk percentages, the growth rate of population is what we’re after.

Natural Population Growth: Natural growth is the population change caused by the balance between births and deaths in a certain region. You can think of it as Mother Nature doing her thing. The formula is simple: Natural Growth = Births – Deaths.

Actual Population Growth: Actual growth goes beyond births and deaths; it also considers migration. So, Actual Growth = Births – Deaths + In Migration – Out Migration. It’s like the full picture of how a population changes.

Positive Population Growth: Positive growth happens when more babies are born than people passing away, or when folks from other countries decide to make a place their new home.

Negative Population Growth: Negative growth is the opposite; it’s when the population shrinks over time. This could be because more people are leaving than arriving, or the number of deaths surpasses the number of births. It’s like the population is taking a step back.

Components of Population Change

Population change has three primary components – births, deaths, and migration.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR) – The CBR is the number of live births in a year per thousand people in the population.

Crude Death Rate (CDR) – The CDR is the number of deaths in a year per thousand people in the population. It is a straightforward measure of a region’s mortality rate. The demographic structure, social advancement, and economic development of a region significantly influence its mortality rates.

Migration – In addition to births and deaths, migration also alters the size of the population. Migration refers to the movement of people from one location (place of origin) to another (place of destination). Migration can be permanent, temporary, or seasonal. The individuals who move are referred to as migrants. Those who move into a new place are called immigrants, and those who leave a place are called emigrants. The primary purpose of migration is to improve economic and social conditions.

Read Also: Draft National Migrant Policy