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	India’s population growth rate was extremely slow during this time, even having a negative growth rate between the years 1911 to 1921. The years 1901 to 1921 are referred to as a period of motionless or stalled population growth. Because of the high birth and mortality rates, the rate of increase was kept low. High birth and mortality rates in this time period were mostly caused by poor health and medical care, widespread illiteracy, and an ineffective distribution system for food and other essentials.
Phase II	People often refer to the years 1921–1951 as the time of steady population expansion. The mortality rate decreased as a result of national improvements in sanitation and health. Additionally, a stronger communication and transportation infrastructure enhanced the distribution system. This phase saw higher growth than the preceding one because the crude birth rate remained high. In light of the Great Depression, the 1920s, and World War II, this is astounding.
Phase III	India saw a population boom during the years 1951–1981, which was attributed to a sharp decline in mortality rates coupled with high fertility rates. The annual growth rate was, on average, up to 2.2%. The introduction of developmental activities through a centralized planning process and the emergence of the economy during this post-independence period ensured an improvement in the general public’s living conditions. As a result, there was a substantial natural increase and rapid growth. In addition, the rapid growth rate was influenced by rising foreign migration, which brought in Tibetans, Bangladeshis, Nepalis, and even people from Pakistan.
Phase IV	Although the country’s population growth rate remained strong from 1981 to the present, it has started to slow. A decline in the crude birth rate is believed to be the cause of this population growth. An increase in the average marriage age and better living conditions, particularly for women in the nation, had an impact on this.

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.

Related Links

1. Factors Affecting Distribution of Population
2. Population Distribution: Overview, Density and Growth

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).