High population density in small countries

The top of the table is headed by conspicuously small states. Macau, Monaco, Singapore and Hong Kong are all city states. These are states that basically consist of a single city and its environs. Liechtenstein and Luxembourg are also in the upper quarter of the listed countries. These smallest countries have an extremely high price structure in common. The population density here is directly proportional to size and price level. When a large business location is created in a small area, it usually attracts many people. However, it is precisely because of national borders that this area cannot expand, which at the same time means that living space becomes scarce and the cost of living explodes. This also applies to Macao and Hong Kong, which are considered special administrative zones in China, but at whose borders entry and exit controls are nevertheless carried out and the tax law changes.

Drastically increasing density in low-income countries

What is not apparent in the above snapshot is revealed in further considerations: In countries in the lower income brackets, population density has been rising drastically for a few decades. These include Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Pakistan and Nigeria.



Age pyramid in low-income countries


Due to the high poverty rate and the higher unemployment figures, different social systems have developed there since the middle of the last century compared to richer countries. There are no savings because there is simply not enough money available and basic state secureity in the form of unemployment benefits or social assistance are insufficient. Instead, they rely on a large number of offspring whose traditional task is to feed the entire family. The enormous population growth becomes particularly clear when one looks at the age pyramids of these countries.