POPULATION

DEFINITIONS
Population- refers to people who live in a place or settlement.
The study of population is known as demography.
Population data of a given area is collected through various ways. The most efficient method of
collecting population information is through a population census.

Census- This is the door to door counting of people, recording of economic activities, age, sex,
education, information flow (e.g. radio) and occupation.
Enumerators - are people who do the counting of people.

Advantages of a census
Information is collected from almost every corner of a country.
Information is reliable and fairly detailed hence reasonable planning can be based on such
information i.e. it helps the government to plan for the future
Keeps the government more organised.
Keeps detail of all the people within the country.
Shows the government the population status of the country.

Disadvantages of a Census
Very expensive to conduct.
People may feel uncomfortable revealing their personal details.
It is time consuming
Some areas are not reached or inaccessible and information may not be collected.
There may be language barriers when asking for information.
Some people can run away from enumerators due to ignorance and low level of education.

Other ways of collecting population data include

Sample surveys
School registers
Vital registration of events (office of the registrar general)
Maternity clinics and child welfare services.
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
Population distribution refers to how people are spread in an area or country
Population density is the average number of people (per square kilometre) per unit area.
Population density = number of people in an area/country
______________________________
Unit area/area of the country

FACTORS INFLUENCING POPULATION DISTRIUTION AND DENSITY

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Why some areas are densely populated yet other areas are not?

Climate
The elements of rainfall and temperature influence the distribution of population.
Areas receiving moderate rainfall and temperature attract populations i.e. not too hot or cold, wet
or dry.
Both extremes of temperature and aridity (dryness) deter populations.

Relief - (general shape of the landscape)

Areas of steep gradients (slopes) and rugged terrain are difficult to cultivate and restrict movement
hence such areas are sparsely populated.
Lowland with gentle or flat relief attracts settlement hence densily populated.

Soils
Rich, fertile, alluvial soil encourage farming hence areas with such soils are more densely populated
Thin and infertile soils limit farming.

Pests and diseases

Swampy and lowland areas have many insects and parasites causing diseases and hence discourage
large population e.g. in Zimbabwe, the Zambezi valley which has tsetse flies and malaria

Altitude (height above sea level)

Areas between 260m to soon above sea level attract people, few people settle in areas above 500m,
thinner atmosphere and low temperature restrict comfortable habitation.

Water supply /rivers

Water is used for various purpose, as a result people tend to settle in areas near rivers, lakes to
access water
In and along river valley, water, fish and rich alluvial soils are found

Natural resources
Areas with few or inaccessible mineral and energy resources limit development and hence do not
attract large population.
Readily available resources encourage exploitation followed by urban and industrial development.
Mining, agriculture, industries provide employment and they attract large populations.

Political influence
The government may move people to settle in a given area through its policies e.g. the resettlement
programme in Zimbabwe, the formation of Tribal lands during colonial period.

Defence
Some areas are densely populated for self-defence i.e. there is security in large numbers.
Rapid population growth

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POPULATION DISTRIBUTION IN AFRICA
Population density on average is 11 people per [Link] and it is less in the Sahara and Kalahari Desert
and high in some areas as the Nile valley (900 per [Link]).
People are concentrated in the (allowing area)
S.W Nigeria and the neighbouring parts of the West Africa coast land.
Nile valley
The coastal zone of the Magrib (North Africa)
The shores of the Lake Victoria
The Rand area (South Africa)
The Copper belt (Zambia)
The Ethiopian highlands
POPULATION GROWTH
Population growth is the result of excess births over deaths and excess of immigrants over
emigrants.
Population growth rate for Africa is 2.6 and for Zimbabwe is around 3.
Generally developed countries have a low population growth rate as compared to developing
countries.
Definition of terms
Birth rate- is the number of live births per thousand of the population or the proportion between the
number of live births in a given year and the total population of that country.
Birth rate= No of live in an area x 1000
Total population in that area 1
Death rate – Refers to the number of deaths per thousand of the population during a given year.
Death rate = No of total in a year x 1000
Total population in country

Infant Mortality rate = No of death of infants below 1 year x 1000

Total no. Of live birth in that year
Natural population increase- refers to the growth of a population resulting from an excess of births
over deaths. It is obtained by subtracting the number of deaths from total No. of births in that year
Life expectancy – the average number of years a person might be expected to live.

FACTORS INFLUENCING/AFFECTING POPULATION GROWTH

Improvement in medical technology and knowledge
Improvement in nutrition due to advances in agriculture and industry leading to better food.
Lack of family planning techniques especially in developing countries.
Early marriages
Traditional beliefs e.g. polygamy (many wives) and prestige associated with large families.
Improvement in hygiene especially among women resulted in reduced infant mortality rate.
High rate of migration

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Lack of population policy
Access to better education facilities
World natural disaster e.g. droughts, floods, earthquakes e.t.c.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Birth Rate
Developing countries have high birth rates because
They want to ensure that some children will survive to adulthood since infant mortality rate is high.
Large families (children) for security at old age when parents become old and sick.
Children are a source of cheap labour to work in the farm/fields.
Shortage of family planning facilities and advice.
Traditional beliefs in polygamy, inheritance.
Religious groups e.g. the Apostolic church
Early marriages

Developed countries have low birth rate because

It is expensive to look after families
More women prefer to concentrate on their careers.
Increased sexual equality, women now have more control over their own fertility
Ready availability of contraception and family planning advice.
Emancipation of women due to education.

Death rate
Developing countries have high death rates because of:
Dirty, unreliable water supplies
Poor housing conditions
Poor access to medical services
Endemic disease in some countries
Poor diets i.e. short in protein/calories.
Poor hygiene and general sanitation.

Developed countries have low death rate because in many cases, there are:
Good housing conditions
Safe water supplies
More than enough food to eat
Advanced medical services which are easy to access.
Better knowledge on the importance of hygiene.

THE DEMOGRAPHICAL TRANSITION GRAPH/MODEL

This is a graph which shows population change in relation to births and deaths over time.

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It consists of 4 stages and each stage can be equated with the level or stage of development of a
country.
Developing countries are in the early stages while developed countries are in the late stages e.g.
Sweden.
The demographic graph

Stage 1
High birth rates and high death rates (why?)
Population remaining fairly steady at low level
Growth rate is low, highly stationary
* Explain the trends in stage 1

Stage 2
Birth rate remains high (why?)
Death rate starts to fall (why?)
The population starts to grow
This is the early expanding stage

Stage 3
Birth rate starts fall ( standard of living improves
Access to family planning techniques
Death continues to fall
Population continues to grow/expand, there are many young people
This is the late expanding stage

Stage 4
Birth rate and death rate are low- cancelling each other
Birth rate tends to fluctuate more than death rate.

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The population has reacted a large total but stationary
Some developed countries e.g. Sweden, Japan are in this stage.

*In which stage do we find Zimbabwe? Justify your answer.

POPULATION PYRAMID
It is a graphical representation of the age and sex of a population.
It shows the population structure of a country.
A wide base indicates a high birth rate and is typical of developing countries.
A pointed pyramid indicates high death rate.
A narrow base indicates a low birth rate and is typical of developed countries.

Example of population pyramid

POPULATION PYRAMID FOR ZIMBABWE (DEVELOPING COUNTRY)

It has a wide base indicating high birth rate.
Decreasing number of children serviving to adulthood.
It is pointed indicating high death rate and low life expectancy.
More people under 14 years, there is a young population
High dependency ratio because of many children under 14 years.
Dependency ratio= ∑(population below 14 and 65 yrs)
∑ (people between 15 and 65 yrs)
High dependency ratio means high inactive population than economic active population.
The active population are left with less disposable income therefore a low standard of living.

Zimbabwe’s Problem created by its population structure

It exerts pressure on its financial resources in a bid for education of the youth population.
A lot of money is spend on clinics and hospitals on the required drugs for children and immunization
programmes.
Pressure to create employment for school leavers.
Population above 65 years need care by the government through social welfare.

POPULATION PYRAMID FOR SWEEDEN (DEVELOPED COUNTRY)

Narrow base indicating a drop in birth rate.
A drop in number of children being born.
Low dependency ratio because there are few people below 14 years and comparatively above 65
years.
Larger percentage of people within the working age group.
There is a longer life expectancy due to better medical facilities.

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Optimum population
There is a situation whereby resources in a country are adequate to support the people with a
reasonable standard of living. (There is a balance between resource and the population)
Resources = population
It is associated with highest standards of living.
There is no strain on the resources and the environment.
There is a state of equilibrium between available resources and the environment.

UNDERPOPULATION
This is a situation whereby there are few people than the available resources and developed
resources.
The resources are present but not fully utilised or developed.
The need result is lower standards of living ( people < resources)

OVERPOPULATION
The available resources are inadequate to support the number of people with a reasonable standard
of living.
Standards of living are very low and production levels are equally low.
There is strain on resources

INDICATORS OF OVERPOPULATION
Extensive soil erosion due to high densities of population.
Land degradation
Low agricultural yields
Starvation
Proneness to diseases
Unemployment

MIGRATION
Human migration is the movement of people from one area to another for semi-permanent or
permanent reasons.
Emigration – refers to the movement of people leaving a country to settle in another country or
area.
Immigration- movement of people into a country or place

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 Immigration Emigration
Country A
(immigrants ) (Emigrants)

Forced migrants – movement of people against their desire and decision e.g. slaves refugees.
Voluntary migration – decided/favoured movement of people from one place to another.
Internal migration- movement of people from one area to another within a country.
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION- movement of people from one country to another, involving crossing
of international boundaries.

Common types of migration

Rural- Urban migration i.e. people moving from rural areas to urban areas/cities.
Urban – rural migration- it is associated with retirement
Urban to urban migration- it is associated with change of employment or promotion.
Rural to rural migration- associated with resettlement or marriage.

Causes of Migration
Rush and pull factors
Push factors are negative- they force a person to move away from an area e.g. war, natural disasters,
draught.
Pull factors are mainly positive, attracting a person to a particular area.
Push factors
Unemployment/not enough jobs
Famine or draught
Political fear/persecution i.e. unfavourable political and religious conditions.
Poor medical care/poor health facilities.
Natural disaster
Poor housing/ living conditions.
Poor educational facilities and prospects.
Landlord/ tenant issue
War
Lack of political or religious freedom
Extreme population pressure on land i.e. overpopulation
Desertification.

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Push factors
Employment opportunities
Availability of better social services.
Better living conditions/better housing
Favourable and safe political climate/political and /or religious freedom.
Education
Better medical facilities and care
Security
Attractive/favourable climates
Family links/reunion
Enjoyment/spirit of adventure.
Industries
Better chances of marrying

EFFECTS OF MIGRATION ON SOURCE AREA (SENDING)

Reduces unemployment rates
Reduces pressure on resources e.g. food, land and houses.
Reduced birth rate.
Skilled personal leave.
The young and active population lave leading to low development
Disruptions of marriages since men migrate most.
Population –sex ratio affected.
The elderly and weak remain therefore development becomes stagnant.
Possible high death rates.
Effects of migration on the destination area
Gain on young and skilled labour.
Cultural exchange
Raising of professional standards
More development
Create pressure on the job market leading to low standards of living (overcrowding)
Pressure on resources.
High rate of urbanisation
Loss of family ties
Some migrants experience health problems
Sometimes migrants experience language difficulties
N.B Discuss the causes, effects, and solutions to the following diseases
AIDS Malaria Cholera Kwashiorkor bilharzia