Growth and Distribution of World Population | Geography Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Population refers to a group of individuals belonging to the same species, living and interbreeding within a specific area. These individuals often depend on the same resources, face similar environmental challenges, and rely on the presence of other members for their continued existence.

• Population geography is a subfield of human geography that focuses on the scientific study of human populations, their spatial distribution, and density. To investigate these factors, population geographers analyze population growth and decline, migration patterns, settlement trends, and other topics such as employment and how people influence the geographical characteristics of a place. This field is closely related to demography, which deals with the study of population statistics and trends.
• Population growth refers to the change in the number of individuals in a population within a certain area over time. To calculate the growth rate of a population, we consider the number of individuals entering and leaving the area. This involves adding the birth rate and immigration rate, and subtracting the death rate and emigration rate from the total.

Growth and distribution of World Population

The history of human population growth can be traced back to around 10,000 years ago, marking the end of the Homo sapiens evolution and the beginning of the Paleolithic culture. Over the past 10,000 years, there have been two significant periods during which the world's population experienced accelerated growth:

1. Agricultural Revolution (circa 8000 BC): This period saw the domestication of plants and animals, which led to a more stable food supply. As a result, humans were better nourished and became more resistant to adverse weather and climate conditions.
2. Industrial Revolution (1779): During this time, humans harnessed fossil fuels and developed steam engines, enabling the use of machines for various tasks. This allowed for increased adaptability, mass production of goods such as textiles and food, and facilitated global travel.

These two revolutions not only changed the population patterns but also the demographic attributes of the world.

For the majority of human history, from 10,000 years ago up until the 1750s, the global population remained relatively constant, reflecting the first stage of the Demographic Revolution. From the 1750s to the 1950s, there was a slight increase in population, marking the beginning of the second stage of the demographic transition. However, it was only since the 1950s that the global population experienced exponential growth, resulting in a J-curve pattern in population trends.

J Curve

Analysis of population growth combined with growth in technological capacities makes the temporal analysis representing S-Curve.
S Curve

• The S-Curve denotes that every level of exponential population increase is both the cause and effect of technological innovations.
• This is also recognized as the homeostatic plateau or Neo-Malthusian Approach with at least three well-demarcated ‘S’ curves since the 1950s, representing the Green revolution, Medical revolution, and IT revolution.

The analysis of population growth can be classified in the following parts:

10,000 BC till 20th Century

• On the basis of circumstantial evidence, it can be estimated that the total population in 8000 BC was 5 million people.
• Men were primarily hunters and women were providing food through plant gatherings.
• The population density was 4 persons per square km.
• It was a period of high birth and death rate.
• It is probable that size deliberately controlled to not exceed the carrying capacity of territory used for hunting and gathering.

Agriculture revolution:

• The agricultural revolution, which began around 8000 BC, led to a significant decrease in the death rate due to factors such as an increased food supply, improved nutrition, and enhanced longevity. As a result, the need for child spacing diminished, as mothers in earlier times could only carry one child while on the move.
• With the growth of agriculture, high birth rates became more prevalent. This was because farming families saw the economic value in having more children, as they could provide additional help with agricultural work and support their aging parents in the future.
• During the time of Christ, the global population was estimated to be between 200 and 300 million. This number grew to approximately 500 million by 1650 AD.

Medieval period

• Throughout the medieval era, a greater focus was placed on trade and commercial activities, leading to the growth and expansion of cities and towns. This, in turn, resulted in an increased demand for various consumer goods.
• As landowners recognized the potential for profit in agriculture, they began to dedicate more of their land to farming, effectively transforming agriculture into a large-scale business endeavor.

Industrial revolution

• The Industrial Revolution resulted in a significant increase in population due to the implementation of power-driven machines, which allowed for greater production efficiency and higher output per person. This, in turn, led to the accumulation of wealth and the expansion of secondary and tertiary industries.
• As a result, many people were drawn from rural areas to urban centers, causing a rapid increase in urban populations. However, this mass migration led to poor living conditions in cities and a high mortality rate due to widespread epidemics, such as cholera.
• The influx of uneducated rural workers into urban areas also gave rise to various socioeconomic and cultural challenges.

Last century: Factors that led to unprecedented growth in the last century are:

1. Due to the development of medical services, the death rate has been controlled and there have been better food for people leading to better health.
   For example, life expectancy in India in 1901 was 23 years whereas it stood to 65 years in 2001.
2. Due to general technological advancement, there was an increase in the food supply which fulfilled the needs of the population.
   E.g. Green revolution and Biotechnology.
3. Educational failure to change the social temperament and birth continues to be related to social factors. Although it is a biological phenomenon but is has a bearing of social conditions such as religion, belief, and traditions.
4. Information and computer technology revolution
   The development of ICT has made life much easier and information much accessible, which has also contributed to the controlled increase in the human population in today’s era.

The most significant population increase can be seen in developing countries where 75% of the total population is concentrated. (West Europe faced population explosion in the 1750s, whereas developing countries faced the same in the 1950s.)

Present trend of population growth

• At present, the trend in population growth varies significantly across the globe. Numerous developing countries, particularly in Africa, are witnessing population growth rates exceeding 3% per year. Conversely, some countries are experiencing negative growth rates, such as Romania, Russia, Hungary, and Latvia.
• According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the distribution of the world's population by continent is diverse. This highlights the varying patterns of population growth worldwide, as some nations experience rapid increases while others face declines in their populations.

• Population growth can also be depicted by the time taken to double the population as under:

• The present trend can be studied under:
  (i) Regional pattern of population growth in developed countries
  (ii) Regional pattern of population growth in developing countries

Regional pattern of population growth in developed countries

1. General trend of population growth in developed countries
   • Very slow population growth
   • Growth less than 1 %
   • Growth rate sharply declining (for population 1.2 % growth rate needed for replacement)
   • The main factor for population growth is migration
   • The population growth is not producing a young population
   • Clark said “ It is race suicide stage”
2. Specific trends of population growth in developed countries
   • Within developed countries, there are three patterns of growth viz. Positive Growth, Stagnation, and Negative Growth.
3. Factors of low population growth in developed countries
   • The main reason for low population growth in developed countries is the significant socio-economic changes they have undergone. People in these countries tend to prioritize their careers and professional aspirations, leading to a fast-paced and demanding lifestyle. This shift in priorities has greatly impacted traditional social structures, causing the disintegration of joint family systems and giving rise to a more individualistic society.
   • As a result, the institution of marriage and family has been weakened, with an increasing number of marital breakdowns and a higher average age for getting married. For example, in Switzerland, the average age of marriage is 29 years. These factors contribute to the low population growth observed in developed nations.
4. These societies are characterized by
   • High level of literacy
   • High level of female literacy.
   • High job opportunities.
   • Scientific approach towards religion
   • Urbanization
   • Industrialization
   • No poverty
5. Problems of low population growth
   • Demographic problems:
     (i) Demographic problems have long-term effects. It leads to the inversion of age pyramids.
     (ii) Old age people (>65 years) in developed countries are outnumbering the younger (<25 years) population. E.g. in Japan younger population is 13 % whereas the older population is more than 23 %.
   • Shortage of labour: More jobs are available than manpower.
   • Schools being closed since institutions are becoming uneconomic.
   • Government investment is more on social services.
   • Liberalization of migration laws by many countries.
   • Pluralistic societies are emerging in many countries which are creating their own set of problems.

Population pyramid in developed counteries

Steps taken by developed countries to address the problem of low population growth

• Legal recognition to pre-marriage babies in some countries.
• Adoption of babies in encouraged. E.g. Thailand is the biggest child market for developed countries. Norway and Sweden adapt maximum babies.
• Relaxation in marriage age in some countries. E.g. in Scotland, the marriage age system has completely been abolished.
• Development of baby care centres.
• Government incentives in form of promotion, increments and housing facilities
• Limited in-migration, which we call as the second wave of migration. E.g. white Australian policy has been modified to encourage the migration of black and coloured people as well.

Regional pattern of population growth in developing countries

1. Developing countries are characterized by rapid population growth.
2. Within the developing countries, there are four patterns of growth:
   • Explosive Growth (GR> 3%) -> African countries- Nigeria, Uganda
   • Rapid Growth (GR is 2- 3%) -> Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal
   • Moderate Growth (GR is 1-2%) -> India, Egypt
   • Slow Growth (GR is 0-1%) -> Argentina, China
3. Although large-sized countries like India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Brazil have significantly scaled down their growth rate but they have a maximum absolute increase in population.
4. The population pyramid in developing countries are characterized by a Demographic bulge. The bottom and mid-blocks are large.
5. Developing countries are the real cause of the world population explosion. According to Ashok Mitra, “these are the countries whose real problem is increased fertile group of the population”.

Factors responsible for present situation of population growth

Environmental factors

1. Climate
   • Equatorial and tropical climates are also called as “land of sickness” as these areas are prone to diseases
   • An area with a monsoon climate is called as ‘land of slackness’ due to the humid climate.
   • Sick and slack societies cannot develop and this causes an in-looking social system.
   • Couples in these areas live together for most of the time.
   • It leads to a subsistence economy and traditional society.
2. Disasters
   • It brings down development and thus leads to social factors for population growth.
3. Economic factors
   • Developed society has slower population growth. There is an inverse relationship between income and population.
   • Poverty:
   • Poverty is a major factor for population growth. As per Adam Smith, “Poverty creates an ideal atmosphere for high mortality rate for the poor. Kids for them are assets, not a liability”.
   • For over 1 billion people of the world, per day earning is below 1 $, out of this nearly half are in South Asia.
   • Subsistence economy:
   • All developing countries particularly monsoonal countries or paddy cultivating countries have labour intensive subsistence economies.
   • Paddy cultivation and plantation agriculture need more labour. Also, female worker is needed at the time of transplantation. This agriculture economy minimizes living apart of couple thus having more children and more hands for work.
4. Social factors
   1. Religion
      (i) Sociologists and anthropologists believe that religion is both promoting as well as the de-motivating factor for population growth.
      (ii) In most developing countries religion is a promoting factor.
      (iii) Clark said “all Islamic countries have very rapid growth and main factor is religion”, on the other hand in Thailand, religion acted as a de-motivating factor. In Thailand, contraceptives were distributed by the hands of monks.
      (iv) In Islamic, Hindu, and Anemist societies, there is a rapid growth of population.
   2. Traditional social values
      (i) Early marriage and child marriage leads to repeated and unwanted pregnancies.
      (ii) Attraction for the male child
      (iii) Joint family system
      (iv) Illiteracy especially female illiteracy.
      (v) Lack of job opportunities for females.
5. Demographic factors
   • High IMR: It is common in African countries where couples are not sure of kids survival, therefore, goes for more child.
   • Large-sized fertile group of population: It can be seen in large-sized countries with large populations like India and China.
6. Politico- administrative factor
   (i) Countries having politico-administrative determination have been able to bring down the population e.g. China, Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, and Bangladesh.
   (ii) In Thailand political will could promote religion as a de-motivating factor for population growth.
   (iii) China’s one-child policy is an example of an administrative factor.
   (iv) Partition and post-war outmigration of Jews are examples of a politico-administrative factor of population growth.
   (v) Lack of health facilities and HIV-related deaths in countries like Botswana affects the population growth of the country.
   (vi) Emigration of people from Spain and Portugal to South America.

Problems of rapid growth of population

• Rapid population growth presents numerous challenges, including providing adequate education, food, and housing for all individuals. This can potentially lead to a decline in the overall health and well-being of society, as well as contributing to child labor and child trafficking issues. Additionally, a larger workforce may result in increased unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, further exacerbating social issues such as crime and political instability.
• Another significant problem arising from rapid population growth is the increased number of dependents, leading to a higher proportion of income being spent on healthcare, housing, and education. Furthermore, while the world may have enough food resources to support basic survival, it does not have enough to ensure a healthy and nutritious diet for all, resulting in widespread hidden hunger issues.
• Other consequences of rapid population growth include economic stagnation, illiteracy, unemployment, and the accelerated expansion of urban areas and slums. Environmental degradation and over-exploitation of resources are also pressing concerns. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the global population has surpassed 7 billion and continues to grow at a rate of 26 thousand live births per day. Current projections estimate that the global population will stabilize by 2150. By 2020, India is expected to overtake China in terms of population size.

World Density of Population, 2001

Population Doubling Time

Conclusion

In conclusion, population growth and distribution are influenced by a variety of factors, including environmental, economic, social, and demographic aspects. The study of population geography helps us understand these factors and their impact on global population trends. Developed countries generally experience slow or negative population growth due to socio-economic changes and a focus on individualistic lifestyles, while developing countries face rapid population growth due to factors such as poverty, traditional social values, and high fertility rates. Addressing the challenges posed by population growth requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account these diverse factors and supports sustainable development for all.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Growth and Distribution of World Population

What is the difference between population geography and demography?

Population geography is a subfield of human geography that focuses on the spatial distribution, density, and growth of human populations. Demography, on the other hand, deals with the study of population statistics and trends, such as birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns.

What were the two significant periods of accelerated population growth in human history?

The two significant periods of accelerated population growth were the Agricultural Revolution (circa 8000 BC) and the Industrial Revolution (1779). Both periods brought technological advancements and changes in human societies, leading to increased food production, improved health, and longer life expectancy.

Why do developing countries generally have higher population growth rates than developed countries?

Developing countries often have higher population growth rates due to factors such as higher birth rates, lower levels of education and female literacy, traditional social values and practices, poverty, and subsistence economies. In contrast, developed countries usually have lower population growth rates due to higher levels of education, urbanization, industrialization, and a focus on career and professional aspirations.

What are some of the problems faced by developed countries with low population growth rates?

Developed countries with low population growth rates may face demographic problems such as an aging population, a shortage of labor, the closure of schools due to low enrollment, increased government spending on social services, and the emergence of pluralistic societies due to liberalized migration policies.

How have some developed countries tried to address the problem of low population growth?

Some developed countries have taken steps such as providing legal recognition to pre-marriage babies, encouraging adoption, relaxing marriage age restrictions, developing baby care centers, offering government incentives for having children, and allowing limited migration to address the issue of low population growth.