Distribution of Population: Facts & Figures
Population distribution is referred to as the spatial arrangement of people on Earth’s surface. It is astonishing to note that 10% of the world’s land area is home to 90% of the world’s inhabitants. To be more precise, the majority of people on Earth—roughly 60% of all people alive today—live in or around the top 10 most populous countries in the globe. This concentration is a reflection of the unequal distribution of human populations worldwide, where a significant portion of the global population resides in some locations.
Definition of Population
Population refers to the total number of individuals of a species living in a particular area at a given time. It encompasses the aspects of size, density, distribution, and structure within that area, affecting and being affected by environmental and social factors. In human contexts, it deals with the demographic aspects of people in geographical locations, including factors like age, gender, occupation, and health status.
Types of Population
In demography, population types can be classified based on various criteria such as geographical location (urban vs. rural), demographics (age groups, gender), socio-economic status (income levels, employment status), and more. There are also distinctions between native vs. immigrant populations and temporary vs. permanent residents. Each type has unique characteristics and implications for resource allocation, policy-making, and social services.
Distribution of Population in India
India’s population distribution is uneven, influenced by geographical, economic, and social factors. Regions with favorable climate, fertile soil, and access to water, such as the Gangetic plains, have high population densities. Urban areas like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata also show high density due to industrialization and job opportunities. In contrast, challenging terrains such as deserts in Rajasthan, the hilly regions of the Northeast, and high-altitude areas like Ladakh have lower population densities.
Region | Characteristics of Population Distribution |
---|---|
Gangetic Plains | High density due to fertile land, favorable climate, and access to water. |
Urban Areas | Dense populations in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata due to job opportunities. |
Rajasthan Desert | Lower density because of harsh living conditions. |
Northeast Hills | Sparse population due to challenging terrain and limited accessibility. |
Coastal Regions | Higher density owing to trade, fishing, and tourism industries. |
Central India | Varied density, influenced by forest cover, mineral resources, and agriculture. |
Four Phases of Population Growth in India
This table summarizes the variation in population distribution across different regions in India.
Phases |
Characteristics |
Phase I |
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Phase II |
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Phase III |
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Phase IV |
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Factors Affecting the Distribution of Population
The factors that are affecting the distribution of the population are as follows:
Geographic Factors
Climate
Generally speaking, deserts and other areas with harsh weather—whether too hot or too cold—have fewer people living there because of the unfriendly environment. As observed historically in the Mediterranean regions, areas with pleasant conditions and minimal seasonal change tend to draw a larger population.
Soil
Rich soil is essential for farming, and areas with rich loamy soil encourage intensive farming, which raises population density in those areas. The success of agricultural and related practices is directly impacted by the condition of the soil.
Economic Factors
Minerals
Rich mineral reserves frequently support enterprises that create a large number of jobs. Higher population densities are a result of the existence of skilled and semi-skilled workers looking for jobs. Population concentration surrounding substantial mineral resources is seen in the copper belt in Africa known as Katanga, Zambia.
Industrialization
A varied workforce is drawn to industrial belts because they provide abundant job options. People get a variety of jobs in different industries, such as transportation, pharmaceuticals, recruitment and more, are included in this, in addition to industrial workers.
Social and Cultural Factors
Religious or Cultural Significance
Large populations are typically drawn to locations with religious or cultural significance because of pilgrimages, tourism, and cultural events. There is frequently a higher population density in these places.
Social and Political Unrest
Population density may be lower in places experiencing social or political disturbance because individuals are reluctant to settle in unstable or insecure locations.
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Conclusion
It follows that population density—measured in people per square mile or square kilometre—is frequently employed to characterise population distribution and density. There may be as few as 10 people per square mile in regions like parts of Africa and Russia, for example. There are between one hundred and two hundred fifty persons per square mile in some parts of Asia. Generally speaking, less than 50 persons per square mile inhabit the locations where the majority of people on Earth reside. There aren’t many deserted areas on Earth, except in places like the Arctic. Due to the great demand for demographic data in many different sectors, population dispersion has grown in importance as a subject of study.
Distribution of Population: FAQs
What are 3 types of population distributions?
The organisms in a population may be distributed in a uniform, random, or clumped pattern. Uniform means that the population is evenly spaced, random indicates random spacing, and clumped means that the population is distributed in clusters.
What is an example of population distribution?
An example of population distribution is the fact that China’s natural physical conditions resulted in uneven population distribution. There is a huge contrast in the number of people living in eastern China compared to the distribution in the western part of the country.
What is the distribution of population?
Many more people live north of the Equator than south of the Equator. Almost three-quarters of the world’s people live in two cntinents Asia and Africa. Sixty per cent of the world’s people stay in just 10 countries (Japan, Nigeria, Russia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil, Indonesia, USA, India and China).
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