Patterns of Population Distribution in the World

What is Population Distribution?

• Population distribution refers to how people are spread out across the Earth’s surface.
• The world population is not evenly distributed—some areas are densely populated (e.g., India, China), while others are sparsely populated (e.g., deserts, polar regions).

Major Population Clusters

Most of the world’s population is concentrated in a few regions. The major high-density population clusters are:

1. East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)

• Most populated region (over 1.5 billion people).
• China’s Yellow River and Yangtze River valleys support large populations due to fertile land.

2. South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh)

• India is the second most populous country after China.
• The Indo-Gangetic Plains and coastal areas have high population density.

3. Europe

• Densely populated regions include Western and Central Europe.
• Industrial development and urbanization led to higher population concentration.

4. Northeastern USA and Canada

• Cities like New York, Boston, Washington, and Toronto have high population densities.

5. Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam)

• Major cities like Jakarta, Manila, and Bangkok have dense populations.

Sparsely Populated Regions

Certain regions have very low population densities due to harsh climates or difficult living conditions:

• Deserts: Sahara, Arabian Desert, Kalahari
• Polar Regions: Antarctica, Greenland, Siberia
• Dense Forests: Amazon Rainforest, Congo Basin
• Mountainous Areas: Himalayas, Andes, Rockies

Thus, population distribution is influenced by environmental and economic factors that make certain areas more livable than others.

Density of Population

What is Population Density?

• Population density measures how crowded a place is by calculating the number of people per square kilometer.
• Population Density = (Total Population)/(Total Land Area (sq km))

Variations in Population Density

• High-Density Countries: Bangladesh (~1,265 people per sq km), India (~420 per sq km), Japan (~340 per sq km).
• Low-Density Countries: Canada (~4 per sq km), Australia (~3 per sq km), Mongolia (~2 per sq km).

Why Some Areas Have High or Low Density?

• High density: Urbanized areas with fertile land, economic opportunities (e.g., Japan, India).
• Low density: Harsh climates, deserts, mountains, or remote islands (e.g., Mongolia, Sahara).

Thus, population density gives a clearer picture of how people are distributed across different regions.

Factors Influencing the Distribution of Population

People do not settle randomly; their distribution is influenced by several physical, economic, and social factors.

Physical Factors

• Climate: Moderate climates (e.g., Europe, India) attract populations; extreme climates (e.g., Sahara, Antarctica) discourage settlements.
• Landforms: Plains (e.g., Ganga Plain, North China Plain) support large populations, while mountains (e.g., Himalayas, Rockies) have low populations.
• Water Availability: People prefer to live near rivers and lakes for drinking water, irrigation, and trade.

Economic Factors

• Job Opportunities: Industrial cities (e.g., Mumbai, Shanghai, New York) attract migrants.
• Agriculture: Fertile lands support farming and large populations (e.g., Punjab, Nile Valley).
• Trade and Transport: Coastal areas and river ports are densely populated due to business opportunities (e.g., Singapore, Rotterdam).

Social and Cultural Factors

• Historical Settlements: Old civilizations (e.g., Egypt, Mesopotamia) grew near rivers and remain densely populated.
• Religious Importance: Places of pilgrimage (e.g., Mecca, Varanasi, Vatican City) attract settlers.
• Political Stability: War-torn regions (e.g., Syria, Afghanistan) see migration outflows, while peaceful countries (e.g., Canada, Sweden) attract people.

Thus, a combination of natural and human factors determines where populations settle.

Trends in Population Growth

What is Population Growth?

• Population growth refers to the increase or decrease in the number of people over time.
• Growth Rate = (Births – Deaths + Net Migration) x 100 / Total Population

Phases of Global Population Growth

1. Early Human Era (Before 8000 BCE):
   • Slow growth due to high death rates and low life expectancy.
2. Agricultural Revolution (8000 BCE – 1750 CE):
   • Population increased as humans began farming and domesticating animals.
3. Industrial Revolution (1750 – 1950 CE):
   • Improved medicine, sanitation, and food production led to rapid population growth.
4. Modern Era (1950 – Present):
   • Population explosion due to medical advancements and higher birth rates in developing countries.

Demographic Transition Theory

This theory explains how populations evolve over time based on birth rates, death rates, and economic development.

Thus, as countries develop, population growth slows down due to improved living standards and family planning.

Impact of Population Change

1. Positive Effects of Population Growth

• More Workforce: Young populations drive economies (e.g., India’s demographic dividend).
• Technological Progress: Large populations encourage innovation.

2. Negative Effects of Population Growth

• Resource Shortages: Overpopulation strains water, food, and energy supplies.
• Unemployment and Poverty: Too many people for too few jobs.
• Environmental Degradation: Deforestation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity.

Population Decline Issues

• Aging Population: Countries like Japan and Germany struggle with worker shortages.
• Low Birth Rates: Shrinking populations lead to economic challenges.

Thus, balanced population growth is crucial for sustainable development.

Conclusion

• Population distribution is uneven due to geographical, economic, and social factors.
• Population density varies from highly crowded regions to sparsely populated areas.
• Factors influencing population include climate, resources, jobs, and history.
• Demographic transition theory explains how populations change over time.
• Managing population growth is necessary for sustainable development.