Population

Population Patterns

Population is the total number of people in a given area. Geographers study population patterns to learn about the world. Some places are crowded with people, while others are almost empty. Generally, places that are crowded are considered urban while non-crowded places are considered rural. Urban areas are heavily populated areas with cities. Rural areas are sparsely populated areas and are considered the countryside.

Population density is a measure of the number of people living in an area, usually expressed as persons per square mile or square kilometer. The population density is high in urban areas while it is low in rural areas.

Population Change

The number of people living in an area affects jobs, housing, schools, medical care, available food, and many other things. Geographers study population changes and world trends to understand how people live.

Three statistics are important to study a country's population over time. Birthrate is the annual number of births per 1,000 people. Death rate is the annual number of deaths per 1,000 people. The rate of natural increase is found by subtracting the death rate from the birthrate.

Some areas have low rates of natural increase, such as Europe and North America. Some countries in Africa and Asia have very high rates of natural increase. High rates make it hard for countries to develop economically because they need to provide jobs, education, and medical care for a growing population.

Migration is the process of moving from one place to live in another. The migration rate increases the population of a place. People may leave a place because of push factors. Push Factors are negative things such as war, famine, drought, and/or lack of jobs. Push factors may also include the pursuit of political freedom or economic opportunities in a new place because of its Pull Factors. Pull factors are circumstances in the destination country that make it a more attractive place to live than their home countries. Pull Factors include more economic and work opportunities, the possibility of being reunited with family members, and a better quality of life, including access to adequate education and health care.

The world's population has grown very rapidly in the last 200 years. Better health care and food supplies have helped more babies survive and eventually have children of their own. Many advanced countries have slow population growth while other countries have very fast growth. Fast growth puts a strain on resources, housing, and government aid.