Population Distribution and Dynamics

Posted on May 8, 2024 in Geography

The Population of the Planet

1. Population Distribution

Population refers to all the people who live in a certain geographic territory.

There are at least 7.7 billion inhabitants on Earth, distributed unevenly around the world.

Population Density

Population density measures how many inhabitants live in one square kilometer (km2), expressed as inhabitants/km2.

1.2 Principal Factors Affecting Population Distribution

The main factors that favor human settlement in some areas and not others are:

  • Physical: People tend to live in temperate climates, areas of low altitude, and places near water.
  • Socioeconomic: People concentrate in areas with fertile soils and energy resources.
  • Historical: Areas inhabited since ancient times continue to be lived in.

Population Censuses

We know population numbers because of censuses, which measure populations by counting the number of people in a country. In most countries, a census happens every 10 years.

2. The Evolution of the Global Population

In general, the world population grew slowly until the middle of the 17th century. After that, it began to grow quickly, especially from the 20th century onwards.

2.1 Evolution of Population in More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs)

There are three main phases in the evolution of the population in MEDCs:

  1. Demographic Stability: Until the 17th century, the world’s population increased very little due to a high infant death rate, disease, and war.
  2. Population Increase: In the middle of the 18th century, the death rate decreased, and the population began to grow. Improvements in hygiene, such as the use of soap, also reduced death rates.
  3. Decrease in Birth Rates: In the 20th century, the death rate continued to fall as a result of improved healthcare and advances in medicine, such as vaccinations.

2.2 Evolution of Population in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs)

There are two main phases in the evolution of the population in LEDCs:

  1. Demographic Stability: This phase continued into the 20th century and was characterized by high birth rates and high death rates.
  2. Decrease in Death Rates: At the end of the 20th century, the death rate began to fall as resources to combat illnesses became available (medical equipment and medicines).

3.1 Population Dynamics

The main factors that cause populations to change are the following:

  • Birth rate: The number of births in a population in a year.
  • Death rate: The number of deaths in a population in a year.
  • Rate of natural increase: The difference between the number of births and the number of deaths.
  • Total fertility rate: Measures the number of births in relation to the female population.
  • Migration: The movement of people from one place to another.

4.3 Unemployment

  • When countries become developed, more jobs become automated, and companies move their production to developing countries where production costs are lower. As a result, people lose their jobs.
  • The incorporation of women into the workplace has increased the active population.

5. The Population of Spain

5.1 Spain’s Demographic Model

Spain’s population has followed the same model as other Western European countries.

  • From 1975, Spain’s population began to age as life expectancy increased, and people began to live longer.
  • Recent immigration has helped to compensate for the aging population by causing a rise in the birth rate.

Spain has a population of almost 46.7 million.

5.2 Characteristics of the Population

  • Life Expectancy: At about 83 years, the life expectancy of Spain’s population is among the highest in the world.
  • Birth Rate and Fertility Rate: The birth rate has decreased in recent years.
  • Death Rate: Infant death rates have decreased a lot, but a large elderly population keeps the death rate high.

7.2 Women in the Workplace

  • The incorporation of women into the labor force is a recent development in Spain and has radically changed family life.
  • The greatest increase of women workers is in the service sector. However, unemployment continues to affect women more than men.
  • For years, women have fought for equal rights at work, in society, and in politics.

Population Distribution in Spain

Spain has a high population density, with 92.2 inhabitants/km2. The Spanish population is distributed unevenly throughout the territory:

  • The most densely populated areas include Madrid, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.
  • The least densely populated areas include the interior regions, such as Castilla La Mancha and Extremadura.

6.2 Rural and Urban Populations

  • In rural populations, agriculture and livestock are the main activities. In urban populations, people tend to work in industry or the service sector.
  • Rural population: Towns with less than 2,000 inhabitants. Almost 6% of the population lives in rural areas.
  • Semi-urban population: Towns and cities with between 2,000 and 9,999 inhabitants.
  • Urban population: Metropolises and cities with more than 10,000 inhabitants.

The Active Population

  • To analyze the development of a country, we need to know the percentage of the population that works.
  • In Spain, the active population represents 58.7% of the total population.
  • Employed active population: Today, the primary sector represents a small population. Most of the active population works in the tertiary sector.
  • Unemployed active population: Historically, the unemployment rate in Spain has been very high.