Factors Affecting the Distribution of Population

Four Phases of Population Growth in India

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.

Related Links

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.