POPULATION DISTRIBUTION AND

DENSITY

Population is defined as the

number of people living in
an area at a particular time.

Population Concepts
(i) Over-population: is a situation whereby the population is
considered too large for the available resources
(ii) Under-population: is a situation where the population is
less than the available resources of a country.
(iii) Optimum Population: is a situation where the number
of people that can be supported is the same as the available
resources.
(iv) Population Density: is defined as the number of persons
per unit area of land or per square kilometer of land.
Population density= Total population
Land Area

Population Concepts
(v) Birth rate: this is the number of live
babies born per thousand of the population
per year, also called natality rate.
(vi) Death rate: this is the number of death
per thousand of the population per year, also
called mortality rate.
(vii) Natural increase: The difference
between the birth rate and the death rate.
(viii) Migration: the number of people
moving in or out of a region.

Population Concepts
(ix)Total Fertility Rate - the average number of
children a women will have in her childbearing years.
(x) Infant Mortality Rate the number of deaths of
children under the age of one per thousand live births.
The rate ranges from as low as 3 (Singapore, Iceland) to
as much as 150 (Sierra Leone, Afghanistan).
(xi) Life Expectancy- the average number of years a
person is expected to live

Population Distribution
The way in which people are spread across a given area is
known as population distribution. Geographers study
population distribution patterns at different scales: local,
regional, national, and global.
Patterns of population
distribution tend to be
uneven. For example, in
the UK there are more
people living in the southeast of England and
London than in Wales. It
follows that populations
are more or less sparse or
dense in different
locations, regions and
countries.

Population density
Population density
Population density is the average number of people per square
kilometre. It is a way of measuring population distribution. It shows
whether an area is sparsely or densely populated.

Like population distribution, population density can be calculated at a

local, regional, national or global scale. The graphic shows patterns of
areas of high and low
population density on a global scale. Note that:
population density are
unevenly spread across
the world, but that
the majority of places
with high population
densities are found in
the northern
hemisphere - that is,
north of Equator.

Factors Affecting Distribution and Density

of Population
Physical
(i)Relief-Areas with flat plains encourage a dense
population and areas with high or rugged mountain
have a sparse population.e.g Bangladesh, Andes
(ii)Climate- Areas with moderate rainfall encourage
a dense population (Northwest Europe )while those
with little or too much rainfall discourage population
Sahara desert.
(iii) Vegetation- Areas in the world having a good
grassland encourage population.
(iv) Soil- Fertile soils encourage a large population
while a barren soil dis courage population location.
E.g Nile valley & Delta , Northern Scandinavia.

Factors Affecting Distribution and Density

of Population
(v) Water resources- The existence of water in
an area leads to a large population living there
while regions in the world that have little or no
availability of water discourage population. E.g
Northwest Europe and Afghanistan.
(vi) Natural routes- Regions in the world that
have accessible routes encourage a large
population

Human
(i)Economic- Existence of good roads,
railways, Industries and tourism
(ii)Political- government Investment, New
town, Reclamation of land
(iii) Social- Better housing opportunities,
Education, health facilities, Retirement areas

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human

Physical factors

Relief (shape of the land)

High density
Flat areas are easier to build homes, industry for jobs and
communications on (roads and railways). The soil is
usually deeper and more fertile so more food can be
grown for the people living there. Eg Ganges valley, India.
Low density
Areas that are high and steep experience a colder,
wetter climate, making it more difficult to grow crops.
The steepness makes it hard to build on or grow crops
because the soil is easily washed to the bottom of the
slope. These areas are also remote. Eg the Himalayas.

Physical factors
High density
Ganges valley, India.

Low density
the Himalayas.

Relief (shape of the land)

Physical factors

Climate

High density
These areas have a climate which is not too wet or dry,
not too cold or too hot. The climate is moderate enough
to allow food to be grown and and pleasant to live in. Eg
the UK.
Low density
Some areas are too dry for soils to exist, so no food can
be grown (deserts), or too wet so that a soils nutrients
are washed out of it (rainforest). Extreme cold can also
mean a permafrost layer limits what can be grown there,
and also make transport and building difficult (tundra).
Eg the Sahara or Alaska.

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human

Physical factors
High density
UK.

Low density
Sahara or Alaska.

Climate

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human

Physical factors

Soil fertility

High density
Areas that have soils with plenty of nutrients will be able
to grow plenty of food and be able to support a high
population. Eg the Netherlands.
Low density
Areas with poorer soils either because there is too
much rain, or too little or it is too cold will have
problems growing food and so much fewer people will
be able to live there. Eg Amazonia.

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human

Physical factors
High density
Netherlands.

Low density
Amazonia.

Soil fertility

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human
Physical factors

Water supply

High density
Places with a moderate climate which receives good
amounts of rainfall will have enough water for all the
needs of humans drinking, cleaning, cooking,
transport. Eg East coast of China.
Low density
Much drier areas will have problems since soils are more
easily blown away, and are left useless. Similarly, areas
that have too much rain also have poor soils because the
nutrients are washed out of them (leaching). Eg
Arabian peninsula.

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human

Physical factors
High density
East coast of China.

Low density
Arabian peninsula.

Water supply

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population
can be divided into two categories:- Physical and
Human
Resources
Human factors
High density
If an area has plenty of natural resources eg coal or iron
ore, then this will attract people to go to that place for
work in industry.
Low density
Areas that dont have resources will not attract so many
people as there is less chance of making a living there,
and consequently population density will remain low.

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human

Human factors
High density
Europe

Low density
Sahara

Resources

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human

Human factors

Political

High density
Countries with stable governments tend to have a high
population density and this encourages further growth
e.g. Singapore
Low density
Unstable countries tend to have lower population
densities as people migrate, and this hinders further
growth e.g. Afghanistan.

Reasons for distribution

The reasons for the uneven distribution of population can be
divided into two categories:- Physical and Human

Human factors
High density
Singapore

Low density
Afghanistan

Political

Factors affecting population density

There are a number of different environmental and human factors which
affect why people are not spread evenly across the world.
The world is made up of a vast number of contrasting environments: Some
areas have a temperate or mild climate, others are covered in ice. Some
areas are fertile, others are desert. Some of these environments attract
settlers while other environments repel settlers - as shown in the diagram
below.

Physical Factors

High Density

Low Density

Relief
(shape and height of land)

Low land which is flat e.g. Ganges Valley in India

High land that is mountainous e.g. Himalayas

Resources

Areas rich in resources (e.g. coal, oil, wood, fishing

etc.) tend to densely populated e.g. Western Europe

Areas with few resources tend to be sparsely

populated e.g. The Sahel

Climate

Areas with temperate climates tend to be densely

populated as there is enough rain and heat to grow
crops e.g. UK

Areas with extreme climates of hot and cold

tend to be sparsely populated e.g. the Sahara
Desert

Human Factors

High Density

Low Density

Political

Countries with stable governments tend to have a high

population density e.g. Singapore

Unstable countries tend to have lower

population densities as people migrate e.g.
Afghanistan.

Social

Groups of people want to live close to each other for

security e.g. USA

Other groups of people prefer to be isolated

e.g. Scandinavians

Economic

Good job opportunities encourage high population

densities, particularly in large cities in MEDCs and
LEDCs around the world.

Limited job opportunities cause some areas to

be sparsely populated e.g. Amazon Rainforest

Population Growth
Population change depends mainly on the balance
between the birth and death rate. It is slightly affected
by migration.
The difference between the birth rate and the death
rate is either the natural increase (where the birth rate
is higher) or the natural decrease(where the death rate
is higher)Throughout history, the worlds population
has shown a natural increase except incases where the
following occurred:
(i)during times of diseases: plaques, HIV/AIDS
(ii)As a result of war: World Wars I, II
(iii) due to recent improvements in family planning,
female education.

Demographic Transition
Model
The demographic transition model shows the
relationship between birth and death rates.
It describes how, over a period of time , a
sequence of change in population growth rates
takes place.
The model, which was based on population
changes in several industrialized countries in
western Europe and North America, suggest
that there are four stages through which all
countries will eventually pass.

Demographic Transition Model

Stage one (High fluctuating)

Crude birth/death rate high
Fragile, but stable, population
Stage two (Early Expanding)
Lower death rates
Infant mortality rate falls
Natural increase very high
Stage three (Late Expanding)
Indicative of richer developed countries
Higher standards of living/education
Crude birth rate finally falls
Stage four (Low fluatuating)
Crude birth and death rates low
Population stable
Populations aging
Stage five (Declining/ Low fluatuating)
Crude birth rates exceptionally low
death rates low
Population decreasing
Populations aging rapidly

Problems with the Demographic Transition

Model
(i) It is based on European experience, assumes all
countries will progress to complete
industrialization and that this is key issue
(ii) Many countries reducing growth rate
dramatically without increase in wealth or
industrial economies TV and family planning
seem to be at work
(iii) On the other hand, some countries stuck in
stage 2 or stage 3, particularly in Sub-Saharan
Africa and Middle East

Population Structures
The rate of natural increase, the birth rate, the
death rate and life expectancy(life expectancy
is the number of year that the average person
in a country can expect to live) all affect the
population structure of a country.
The population structure is shown by a
population pyramid or age-gender pyramid.
A population pyramid shows:
(i) the total population divided into five- year
age groups,e.g 5 to 9 years, 10 to 14 years.
(ii) The percentage of the total population
subdivided into males and females, in each of
those groups

Population Pyramids
Population Pyramids quickly show
age distributions
demographic booms and busts
sex ratios
dependency ratios
Wide base depicts young population; narrow base
suggests declining birth rates or growing elderly
population.

Interpretation of Population Pyramids

When interpreting a population pyramid the following features are
looked at: The shape of the base, the percentage of the age groups ,the
dependency or economically active ratio and the life expectancy level
or ratio.
(i)A rectangular shape indicates the same number in each age group, a
low death rate and a steady population growth
(ii)A narrow base indicating a low and falling birth rate found in
MEDC
(iii)A broad base indication a high birth rate found in LEDC
(iv)In a population pyramid their exist the (a) economically active (1564)years- people that are working and active
(v)Dependents- Individuals that cannot work i.e Young dependents(014 years) and Old dependents(65- above years).

Changing population Structure

MEDCS
Population in most MEDC is low as a result of the following
(i)Family planning: Increased knowledge on contraception methods
and access to family planning methods
(ii)Improvement in healthcare: This leads to safer abortions
(iii)Women education and status: This leads to delay marriage
(iv)Perception on family size: In most MEDC, the family size is
normally small.
(v)improved knowledge about the importance of a balanced diet and
regular exercise
(vi)improved living standards and quality of life

Changing population Structure

LEDCS
Population in most LEDCS is high as a result of the
following
(i)Religious belief may forbid birth control
(ii)Customs of the region sometimes encourage a man
marrying more than one wife
(iii)Lack of education especially for women.
(iv)Lack of access to sufficient money for contraceptives
(v)Inadequate family planning
(vi)Perception on the family size: A large family can
enhance a familys reputation in the local community
(vii) The importance placed on male child in the family.
(viii) The importance of having many children to work and
support the family by working.

Case Study: China's one child policy.

As a result of a large population in China in 1979, the
government introduced a one child policy. The features were:
(i)Couples were encouraged to have one child
(ii)The marriageable age was placed at 22 for men and 20 for
women
(iii)Couples had to apply to be married and again before
having a child.
(iv)Couples who agreed were given free education and
family benefits
(v)Couples who agreed were giving priority in housing
(vi)Women who became pregnant a second time were forced
to have abortion
(vii) It was not observed that individuals in the rural areas
had more than one child.

Case study: pro-natalist policy in France

Many areas of Europe have a low fertility rate
because of the following reasons:
(i) education - people are more aware of the
availability of contraception and consequences an
unplanned pregnancy can have on their career
(ii) women in careers - Women may choose to
follow their career choice rather than start a family
while young
(iii) later marriages
(iv) state benefits - couples no longer need children
to help care for them when older

France was a country with concerns that professional women were

choosing not to have children. The government were worried that the
population was not going to replace itself over time.
The policies that were put in place to encourage three-children
families were:
(i) a cash incentive of 675 monthly (nearly the minimum wage) for a
mother to stay off work for one year following the birth of her third
child
(ii) the 'carte famille nombreuse' (large family card), giving large
reductions on train fares
(iii) income tax based on the more children the less tax to pay
(iv) three years paid parental leave, which can be used by mothers or
fathers
(v) government subsidised daycare for children under the age of three,
and full time school places for over threes paid for by the government
This has resulted that the fertility rate in France is one of Europe's
highest

Reasons why LEDC countries have a high birth

rate
(i) Need for children out to work to earn money
working in the towns (ii) Lack of contraception
which is not easily available in rural areas.
(iii) Men are considered of higher status if they
have more children etc.)
(iv) Improvement in medical facilities like hospitals
(v) Religious belief- where a man can marry more
than one wife, giving birth to many children
(vi) Lack of education especially for women.

Problems that would occur if a country has an

increased number of aged population .
(i) With over 20% of population elderly dependents causes strain on
working population;
(ii) Higher taxation as a result of increasing percentage of elderly
dependents; need for more
(iii) More money to be spent on care homes/health care etc instead to
develop the country.
(iv)Leads to lack of innovative in workforce which causes stagnation
in electronics industries;
(v)Not enough recruitment to arm forces to defend country;
(vi) lack of workers means large need to attract immigrants workers;
(vii) Reduction in the supply of workers leads to large MNCs like
Sony having to increase in rates of pay/may reduce likelihood of
future investment.
(viii)Under utilization of services for young leads to
inefficiency/closure of schools etc.)

Many areas in the world are now overpopulated.

Describe the problems faced by people in countries which are
overpopulated (Nigeria)
(i) people do not have enough natural resources/raw materials;
(ii) lack of fuel/power (or example such as electricity);
(iii) lack of work(unemployment);
(iv) poverty;
(v) inadequate food supplies;
(vi) starvation/famine;
(v) poor access to education;
(vi) poor access to health care/lack of hospitals;
(vii) high levels of disease/high death rates;
(viii) lack of/overcrowded housing/not enough space for housing;
(ix) people live in ghettos/squatter settlements;
(x) traffic congestion;
(xi)atmospheric/water pollution causing health problems (or example);
(xii) inadequate water supply;
(xiii) lack of sanitation,

For a named country you have studied, explain

why the distribution of its population is uneven.
Name of country: Nigeria or Brazil
Relief.
Accessibility.
Climate.
Water supply.
Employment.
Natural resources.
Impact of an extreme event.
Trade, etc.