Chapter 2: The World Population – Distribution, Density and Growth
1. Importance of Population in Geography
The population of a country is its most valuable asset, as it is the people who utilize natural resources and shape the
destiny of nations. The demographic structure—how many men and women live in a country, their literacy levels,
occupations, and birth-death rates—forms the basis of understanding societal dynamics. A country is known not just
by its land or economy, but by its people and how they interact with their environment. Thus, studying population
helps us understand economic development, social change, and resource utilization.
2. Distribution of World Population
Population distribution refers to the spatial spread of people across the earth’s surface. Globally, the population is
unevenly distributed, with 90% of the people occupying just 10% of the land. This unevenness is starkly evident in
Asia, where a few regions hold a large proportion of people, while vast areas remain sparsely populated. Ten
countries account for nearly 60% of the global population, and six of them are in Asia, indicating the continent’s
dominant demographic weight. High population concentrations are typically found in regions with favorable physical,
economic, and social conditions.
3. Density of Population
Population density is defined as the number of persons living per square kilometer. It is an important indicator that
reflects how crowded or spacious a region is in relation to its land area. High population density implies more people
per unit area, which may strain resources and infrastructure. For example, a region with 1,50,000 people living in 100
square kilometers has a density of 1,500 persons/sq km. The concept helps evaluate the carrying capacity of land and
informs resource management and planning.
4. Factors Influencing Population Distribution
Population distribution is shaped by a complex interplay of geographical, economic, social, and political factors:
Geographical Factors:
o Availability of Water: Settlements flourish near water bodies due to ease of access for drinking,
agriculture, and industry. Hence, river valleys like those of the Ganga and Nile are densely populated.
o Landforms: People prefer plains and gentle slopes that support agriculture, housing, and
infrastructure. Hilly or mountainous areas tend to have sparse populations.
o Climate: Mild climates with moderate temperatures and rainfall attract more people. Extremely hot,
cold, or rainy areas are generally avoided.
o Soil Fertility: Fertile loamy soils support intensive agriculture and thus attract dense populations.
Poor soil conditions discourage habitation.
Economic Factors:
o Mineral Resources: Mining and industry attract skilled and unskilled labor, leading to denser
settlements in resource-rich regions.
o Urbanization: Cities offer better amenities, jobs, healthcare, and education, drawing people from
rural areas.
o Industrial Development: Industrial belts generate employment across sectors, promoting population
growth in those areas (e.g., Kobe-Osaka in Japan).
Social and Political Factors:
o Religious or cultural significance of places also attracts people (e.g., pilgrimage sites). Conversely,
regions facing conflict or instability witness depopulation.
o Government incentives and policies also play a role in redistributing population, as seen in
settlement programs.
5. Population Growth and Change
Population growth refers to the increase or decrease in the number of people in a region over time. It can be
expressed in absolute numbers or as a percentage. Growth can be natural (births minus deaths) or actual (births
minus deaths plus net migration). Positive growth happens when births exceed deaths or immigration increases.
Negative growth occurs when death rates are higher or emigration dominates. Population growth is influenced by
health services, sanitation, education, economic development, and social customs.
6. Components of Population Change
Three major components of population change are:
Birth Rate (CBR): The number of live births per thousand people per year. A high birth rate adds to the
population significantly.
Death Rate (CDR): The number of deaths per thousand people per year. Improved health care and sanitation
reduce death rates, contributing to growth.
Migration: Movement of people across regions. Immigration refers to people moving into an area, while
emigration means people leaving. Migration is influenced by:
o Push factors (e.g., unemployment, conflict, poverty)
o Pull factors (e.g., better job prospects, security, better quality of life)
7. Demographic Transition Theory
This theory explains how population growth changes as a society progresses:
Stage I – High Stationary: Both birth and death rates are high, leading to slow population growth. Found in
primitive, rural societies.
Stage II – Expanding: Death rates fall due to improvements in health, but birth rates remain high, leading to
rapid population growth.
Stage III – Low Stationary: Both birth and death rates decline, stabilizing the population. This stage
characterizes urban, literate societies with higher standards of living. Different countries are currently at
different stages of this transition, depending on their level of development.
8. Population Control Measures
To curb the issues arising from overpopulation, several measures are adopted:
Family Planning: Promotes the use of contraceptives and awareness campaigns to control birth rates.
Government Policies: Tax incentives, health services, and education to promote smaller families.
Malthusian Theory: Proposed by Thomas Malthus in 1798, it warns that population growth tends to outpace
food production, leading to crises like famine and war. Preventive checks (like birth control) are deemed
better than natural checks (like disease or conflict). Sustainable population growth is critical for equitable
development and ecological balance.