Topic 2: Geography of population

1. Introduction: What is Population Geography?

Population Geography is the branch of Human Geography that studies the characteristics (structure, dynamics) and distribution of the human population on the Earth's surface, as well as the processes that explain it (birth rate, death rate, migrations). Its goal is to understand where people live, why, and with what consequences.

2. Population distribution: Where do we live?

The population is not distributed evenly across the planet. We can distinguish:

• Highly populated areas (concentration hubs): These are regions with high population density (number of inhabitants per km²). The main hubs are:

  • East Asia (China, Japan, Korea).

  • South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh).

  • Central and Western Europe.

  • Northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.

  • The large megalopolises of Latin America and Africa.

• Sparsely populated areas (demographic voids): These are regions with very low population densities. The causes are usually:

  • Physical: Extreme climates (hot and cold deserts like the Sahara or Siberia), very rugged terrain (high mountains), dense jungles (Amazon).

  • Human/Economic: Lack of resources, low economic development, political conflicts.

3. Sources for Population study

To study the population, demographers and geographers rely on:

• Population Census: An individualized count of a country's population at a given time. It is conducted every 10 years (in Spain, in years ending in 1) and collects data on age, sex, place of residence, education level, profession, etc.

• Municipal Register (Padrón): A register of the inhabitants of a municipality. Its update is continuous and it is essential for local administrative management.

• Civil Registry: The recording of vital events of the population: births, deaths, and marriages.

4. Natural Population Dynamics

This is the change in the size of a population caused by births (natality) and deaths (mortality). The difference between the two is called natural or vegetative growth.

a) Natality (Birth Rate):

• Concept: Number of live births in a place during a year.

• Crude Birth Rate: It is calculated: (Number of births / Total population) x 1000

  • It gives the number of births per 1000 inhabitants in a year.

• Influencing Factors: Age and sex structure (the more young people, the higher the birth rate), level of development, access to contraception, family policies, women's roles in society, cultural and religious factors.

b) Mortality (Death Rate):

• Concept: Number of deaths in a place during a year.

• Crude Death Rate: It is calculated: (Number of deaths / Total population) x 1000

  • It gives the number of deaths per 1000 inhabitants in a year.

• Infant Mortality Rate: Measures the deaths of children under one year of age. It is a key indicator of the sanitary and social development of a country. It is calculated: (Number of deaths <1 year / Number of live births) x 1000

c) Natural or Vegetative Growth:

• Concept: Difference between the number of births and the number of deaths.

• Calculation: Birth Rate - Death Rate = Rate of Natural Increase (in %)

  • If the result is positive, the population grows.

  • If the result is negative, the population declines (negative growth).

5. Migratory movements

These are the movements of people from a place of origin to a destination with the intention of settling there temporarily or permanently. They alter the population distribution.

• Emigration: The departure of population from a place.

• Immigration: The arrival of population into a place.

Types of Migration:

• By destination:

  • Internal: Within a country's borders (rural exodus to cities).

  • External or International: Between different countries.

• By duration:

  • Temporary or seasonal (for harvests, tourism).

  • Permanent.

Consequences of Migration:

• For the country of origin (sender):

  • Advantages: Relieves unemployment, receives economic remittances.

  • Disadvantages: Loss of young population and working-age people ("brain drain").

• For the destination country (receiver):

  • Advantages: Provides labor, rejuvenates the population, brings cultural diversity.

  • Disadvantages: Can generate social tensions or integration problems.

6. Population structure or composition

To understand a population's needs, it is not enough to know how many there are, but also what they are like. This is analyzed through:

a) Sex structure:

• Represented by the Population Pyramid.

• The Masculinity Index is calculated: (Number of men / Number of women) x 100

  • If >100, there are more men. If <100, there are more women.

b) Age structure:

• The population is classified into three age groups:

  • Young (0-14 years)

  • Adult (15-64 years)

  • Elderly (65 and over)

• This structure determines if a population is:

  • Young: Predominance of the 0-14 age group. Typical of less developed countries.

  • Aged: Predominance of the 65 and over age group. Typical of developed countries.

c) The Population pyramid:

• It is a double bar graph that represents the sex and age structure of a population.

• Its shape tells the demographic history of a country (wars, baby booms, etc.) and allows us to predict its future.

• Basic types:

  1. Expansive Pyramid (Triangular): Wide base and narrow top. Indicates a young and growing population. Typical of developing countries.

  2. Stable Pyramid (Bell-shaped): Base narrower than the center. Indicates low or zero growth and an aging population. Typical of developed countries.

  3. Constrictive Pyramid (Urn-shaped): Base narrower than the center and top. Indicates negative growth and severe aging.

7. The Evolution of World Population: The Demographic Transition Theory

This theory explains the shift from very high birth and death rates to very low ones. Four phases are distinguished:

1. High Stationary Phase (Pre-Transition): High birth rate and high death rate. Very low or zero natural growth. (All societies before the Industrial Revolution).

2. Early Expanding Phase: The death rate drops sharply (improvements in medicine, hygiene, nutrition), but the birth rate remains high. Result: Population explosion (very high natural growth).

3. Late Expanding Phase: The birth rate also begins to decline (urbanization, women joining the workforce, access to contraception). Natural growth moderates.

4. Low Stationary Phase (Post-Transition): Both birth and death rates are very low. Natural growth is very low, or even negative. The population is aged.

Final Summary: Population Geography studies how people are distributed in space, what factors (physical and human) explain it, and how populations change through natural dynamics (births and deaths) and migratory movements. Analyzing its structure (age and sex) using tools like the population pyramid is essential to understanding the present and future challenges of any society. The Demographic Transition Theory is the key model for understanding the evolution of the global population.

Exercises – Topic 2: Geography of Population

Exercise 1. Multiple choice

Choose the correct answer:

a) Which of the following is NOT a highly populated area?

• East Asia
  
  

• South Asia
  
  

• Sahara Desert
  
  

• Western Europe
  
  

b) The Infant Mortality Rate measures:

• The number of elderly deaths per 1,000 inhabitants
  
  

• The number of deaths of children under 1 year old per 1,000 live births
  
  

• The total number of deaths in a country per year
  
  

• The difference between births and deaths
  
  

c) Which of these is a demographic source that registers births, deaths and marriages?

• Population Census
  
  

• Municipal Register (Padrón)
  
  

• Civil Registry
  
  

• Population Pyramid
  
  

Exercise 2. Classify

Classify the following statements into Physical causes or Human/Economic causes of low population density:

1. Extreme desert climate.
   
   

2. Armed conflicts in a region.
   
   

3. Very rugged relief and high mountains.
   
   

4. Lack of resources and underdevelopment.
   
   

5. Dense and humid tropical jungle.
   
   

Exercise 3. True or False – Explain

Mark as True (T) or False (F) and explain briefly:

1. The Crude Birth Rate is calculated as (Number of births / Total population) × 1000.
   
   

2. Emigration means the arrival of people into a country.
   
   

3. An expansive population pyramid indicates a young and growing population.
   
   

4. The High Stationary Phase of the Demographic Transition corresponds to the societies after the Industrial Revolution.
   
   

Exercise 4. Short Answer

Answer in a few sentences:

a) What are the advantages and disadvantages of migration for the country of origin?
b) Why is the Infant Mortality Rate considered a key social and sanitary indicator?
c) What are the three main age groups in the study of population structure?

Exercise 5. Applied Task – Population Pyramid

Look at a population pyramid (real or schematic) and answer:

a) Is the pyramid expansive, stable, or constrictive?
b) What does its shape indicate about the demographic situation of the country?
c) Predict two possible future challenges this country may face.

Exam Questions – Topic 2: Geography of Population

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is a demographic void?
   
   

   • Northeastern United States
     
     

   • Western Europe
     
     

   • Amazon rainforest
     
     

   • South Asia
     
     

2. The Masculinity Index is calculated as:
   
   

   • (Number of men ÷ Number of women) × 100
     
     

   • (Number of women ÷ Number of men) × 1000
     
     

   • (Birth rate ÷ Death rate) × 100
     
     

   • (Population ÷ Surface area)
     
     

3. Which phase of the Demographic Transition is characterized by a rapid decline in mortality but still high birth rates?
   
   

   • High Stationary
     
     

   • Early Expanding
     
     

   • Late Expanding
     
     

   • Low Stationary
     
     

True/False (Correct if false)

4. The Civil Registry collects data on births, deaths, and marriages.
   
   

5. Immigration refers to people leaving their place of origin.
   
   

6. A constrictive pyramid shows a population with strong growth and a wide base.
   
   

Short Answer

7. Define Natural or Vegetative Growth.
   
   

8. Explain two factors that influence the birth rate of a country.
   
   

9. What is the difference between internal and external migration?
   
   

Applied / Extended

10. Draw (or describe) the typical shape of an expansive, stable, and constrictive population pyramid. Explain what each shape tells us about the country’s demographic situation.
    
    

11. Imagine you are a demographer: you receive data showing high birth rates, declining death rates, and very fast population growth. In which phase of the Demographic Transition would you place this country? Justify your answer.
    
    

12. Analyze the consequences of immigration for a receiving country. Give at least one positive and one negative consequence.

13. Exercise: Demographic dynamics in a population of 30,000 inhabitants

In a city with 30,000 inhabitants, during one year the following demographic movements occurred:

Births: 234
Deaths: 567
Immigration: 290
Emigration: 230

Question:
What is the final population at the end of the year? Explain the calculation.

Types of pyramids

Pyramid population

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