The People of a Country: Real Wealth
Significance of People
People are considered the real wealth of a country.
They are the actual resources who utilize the country’s other resources.
They make critical decisions about the country's policies.
The identity of a country is largely defined by its people.
Key Population Metrics
Gender distribution (number of men and women).
Birth rates (number of children born each year).
Death rates (number of people who die and causes of death).
Urban vs. rural residency.
Literacy rates (ability to read and write).
Occupational distribution (types of work people do)
World Population at the Start of the 21st Century
Global Population
The global population exceeded 6 billion at the beginning of the 21st century.
This unit explores patterns in population distribution and density.
Examines reasons for regional preferences in habitation.
Patterns of Population Distribution
Definition:
Population distribution refers to how people are spread across the earth's surface.
Global Distribution:
90% of the world’s population lives in about 10% of its land area.
The 10 most populous countries contribute about 60% of the world’s population, with 6 of these countries located in Asia.
Density of Population
Definition:
The density of population is the ratio of the number of people to the size of the land.
It is expressed as persons per square kilometer.
Calculation Example:
Density of Population = Area
For example, area of Region X is 100 sq km and the population is 1,50,000 persons. The density of population is calculated as: 1,50,000
Density 100 = 1,500 person/sq km
This indicates a high concentration of people in Region X.
Factors Influencing Population Distribution
1.Geographical Factors
Availability of Water:
Essential for drinking, agriculture, industry, and navigation.
River valleys (e.g., Nile, Ganges) are densely populated due to abundant water supply.
Landforms:
Flat plains and gentle slopes are preferred for agriculture and infrastructure.
Mountainous and hilly areas are less populated due to difficult terrain and limited economic activities.
Example: Ganga plains vs. Himalayan mountains.
Climate:
Moderate climates attract more people (e.g., Mediterranean regions).
Extreme climates (hot deserts, cold tundras) are less hospitable and sparsely populated.
Soils:
Fertile soils support intensive agriculture, leading to higher population densities.
Example: Indo-Gangetic plains vs. Deccan Plateau.
2. Economic Factors
Minerals:
Areas rich in minerals attract industries and workers (e.g., Katanga copper belt in Africa).
Urbanization:
Cities offer employment, education, healthcare, and better living standards.
This leads to rural-to-urban migration and growth of mega cities (e.g., Tokyo, New York).
Industrialization:
Industrial regions provide diverse job opportunities, attracting large populations (e.g., Kobe-Osaka in Japan).
3. Social and Cultural Factors
Religious/Cultural Significance:
Places with historical or religious importance attract people (e.g., Varanasi, Mecca).
Political Unrest:
Areas with social and political stability are more attractive.
Unrest and conflicts lead to migration away from affected areas.
Government Incentives:
Policies to encourage settlement in sparsely populated areas or discourage overcrowding in cities.
Population Growth
Definition
Population growth or change refers to the increase or decrease in the number of people in a region over a specific period.
It can be positive (growth) or negative (decline).
Measurement
Absolute Numbers:
Difference in population between two points in time.
Example: India’s population grew from 1.027 billion in 2001 to 1.210 billion in 2011.
Percentage
Growth rate expressed as a percentage.
Example: If population grows from 1,000 to 1,100, the growth rate is 10%.
Types of Growth
Natural Growth:
Difference between birth rate and death rate.
Formula: Natural Growth = Births - Deaths.
Actual Growth:
Includes births, deaths, and migration.
Formula: Actual Growth = Births - Deaths + In-Migration - Out-Migration.
Positive Growth:
Birth rate exceeds death rate or net in-migration.
Negative Growth:
Death rate exceeds birth rate or net out-migration.
Components of Population Change
Birth Rate
The crude birth rate (CBR) is expressed as number of live births in a year per thousand of population. It is calculated as:
CBR = B/P *1000
Here, CBR = Crude Birth Rate; B = live births during the year; P= Estimated mid year population of the area.
Death Rate
Crude Death Rate (CDR):
Number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
Formula: CDR=(Deaths/Population)×1000
Migration
Definition:
Movement of people from one place to another.
Place of Origin: Location people move from.
Place of Destination: Location people move to.
Types:
Permanent, temporary, or seasonal.
Rural to rural, rural to urban, urban to urban, and urban to rural.
Factors Influencing Migration
Push Factors: Negative conditions driving people away (e.g., unemployment, political unrest).
Pull Factors: Positive conditions attracting people (e.g., job opportunities, better living conditions).
Demographic Transition Theory
Stages of Demographic Transition:
Stage I: High Fluctuating:
High birth and death rates.
Population growth is slow and fluctuating.
Example: Pre-industrial societies.
Stage II: Expanding:
High birth rates, declining death rates.
Rapid population growth.
Example: Early industrial societies.
Stage III: Low Fluctuating:
Declining birth rates and low death rates.
Population growth slows.
Example: Developed industrial societies.
Demographic Transition
Demographic Transition Theory describes the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops from a rural, agrarian society to an urban, industrial one. This theory helps predict future population trends and consists of several stages known as the demographic cycle.
Stages of Demographic Transition
Stage I: High Fluctuating
Characteristics:
High birth rates and high death rates.
Slow population growth.
High infant mortality rates.
People reproduce more to compensate for deaths due to epidemics and unstable food supply.
Majority of the population is engaged in agriculture.
Large families are considered beneficial for agricultural work.
Life expectancy is low.
High levels of illiteracy and low technological advancement.
Historical Context: Two hundred years ago, all countries were in this stage.
Stage II: Early Expanding
Characteristics:
Birth rates remain high initially but begin to decline over time.
Significant decline in death rates due to improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and food supply.
Population growth rate increases due to the gap between high birth rates and declining death rates.
Enhanced public health measures, such as vaccination and better medical care, reduce mortality.
Population Impact: Rapid population growth due to high net addition to the population.
Stage III: Late Expanding
Characteristics:
Further decline in birth rates, approaching the low death rates.
Population growth rate begins to slow down.
Increased urbanisation and industrialization.
Higher literacy rates and improved education.
Greater access to family planning and reproductive health services.
Change in societal values and economic incentives leading to smaller family sizes.
Population Impact: Population growth stabilizes or grows slowly.
Stage IV: Low Fluctuating
Characteristics:
Both birth rates and death rates are low.
Stable or slowly increasing population.
High levels of urbanisation and technological advancement.
High life expectancy and better quality of life.
Deliberate family planning and control over fertility.
Socio Economic Impact: Society becomes more literate, technologically advanced, and family-oriented.
Modern Context
Current Status:
Different countries are at various stages of the demographic transition.
Developed countries are generally in the later stages (Stage III or IV).
Many developing countries are in Stage II or early Stage III.
Examples:
Developed countries like Germany and Japan are in Stage IV.
Developing countries like India and Nigeria are in Stage II or early Stage III.
Population Control Measures
Family Planning:
Family planning involves spacing or preventing the birth of children.
Access to family planning services is crucial for limiting population growth and improving women's health.
Methods:
Propaganda and education about family planning.
Free availability of contraceptives.
Tax disincentives for large families.
Malthusian Theory:
Proposed by Thomas Malthus in 1798.
Stated that the population grows geometrically while food supply grows arithmetically.
Predicted that population growth would outpace food supply, leading to famine, disease, and war.
Suggested preventive checks (such as moral restraint) are better than physical checks (such as famine and disease).
Emphasized the need for population control to ensure resource sustainability.
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