FY BBA SEMESTER I (CBSC)PATTERN

BUSINESS DEMOGRAPHY (106)

UNIT : 2
Distribution of population and population growth

:
 Population Population typically refers to the number of people in a single area, whether
it be a city or town, region, country, continent, or the world. Governments typically quantify
the size of the resident population within their jurisdiction using a census, a process of
collecting, analyzing, compiling, and publishing data regarding a population.

DEF: “Population is a group of individuals of the same species that live together in an area of
sufficient size to permit normal dispersal and migration behavior and in which population
changes are largely determined by birth and death processes.”
-by according to Turchin

1) Concept of over Population: Overpopulation is the state whereby the human

population rises to an extent exceeding the carrying capacity of the ecological setting. In
an overpopulated environment, the numbers of people might be more than the
available essential materials for survival such as transport, water, shelter, food or social
amenities.
It is estimated that about 81 million people add to the world’s population annually. Regions
with the highest number of population density (the number of people living in a given region)
feel the dire effects and problems of overpopulation. Due to immigration, the decline in
mortality rates, medical breakthroughs, and increased birth rates, populations will always
increase and eventually gives rise to overpopulation.
Causes of Overpopulation

• The decline in the death rate: If the number of births each year becomes equal to the number
of deaths, then the population will stabilize. The discovery of agriculture created an imbalance
between birth and death rates as people could sustain their nutrition without hunting.

• Better medical facilities: With the advancement of technology, better medical facilities could
be provided and a large number of diseases could be cured. Better methods of producing food
helped in the survival of more people creating the imbalance and initiating overpopulation.

• More Hands to Overcome Poverty: In earlier times, there were few people with enough
money. Families facing poverty require more hands to work and earn their living which causes
overpopulation.

• Advancement in Fertility Treatment: With the advancement in technology, couples can

undergo fertility treatments to conceive and have their own babies. This is another cause of
overpopulation.

• Lack of family planning: Uneducated people or people living below the poverty line do not
have much idea about family planning. They do not understand the effects of overpopulation
and thus avoid taking steps to control the population.

Effects of Overpopulation:

• Pressure on existing resources: With the increase in the human population, there is pressure
on the available natural resources. With the passage of time, the limited amount of resources
falls short of the current needs which will result in a decline in the quality of life.
• Shortage of basic necessities: The basic amenities like food, water, shelter, health care, and
educational facilities fall short for the overpopulated countries. The standard of living declines
as the poor people adopt poor living conditions for survival.

• Rise in unemployment: Increased population requires more job opportunities which cannot
be created with a limited amount of resources. The competition in the market to grab these
jobs increases and thus unemployment increases. The rise in unemployment causes more
crime, conflicts, and violence.

• Destruction of natural habitats of animals: Increase in population requires more land for
cultivation and houses. It leads to the destruction of natural habitats of animals and plants
leading to their extinction.

• Increased use of energy resources: With the increase in population, more goods are produced
by industries that require more vehicles. The use of more vehicles means increased use of
energy resources like coal, petroleum, and natural gas. This causes an increase in greenhouse
gas emissions and thus results in global warming.

• Increase in human diseases: Along with overpopulation comes a greater number of diseases.
As the living style of people declines, it causes more infectious diseases.

• Increase in cost of living: Increased demand for resources raises the price of commodities.
Thus, it increases the cost of living.

2) Concept of under population: The condition of underpopulation states that the

size of the population is very small to fully utilize the available resources.

It is generally believed that the size of a country is inversely related to its population.
But it is not always correct as underpopulation and overpopulation are not related to
the size of the population. The least densely populated areas are the Pitcairn Islands,
Mongolia, Namibia, French Guiana, Australia, Iceland, and Mauritania.
 Causes of Underpopulation:

• Fertility rate: The birth rate has decreased in developed and developing countries due
to literacy, urbanization, etc.
• Emigration: It is the movement of individuals from one place to another to
permanently settle at the destination. The factors of emigration could be either pull or
push. Push factors include lack of employment, poor economy, etc. Pull factors include
economic stability, better employment opportunities, political freedom, etc.
• Disease: Population decreases due to the spread of various diseases like HIV/AIDS. It
has caused a decrease in population globally.
• Famine: Scarcity of food is caused due to crop failure and other similar factors. It also
affects the population.

Problems of Underpopulation:

• Uneven distribution of population: Population is not evenly distributed. Some of the

areas have less population or no people at all. It is difficult to increase settlement in such
areas.

• Under-utilization of resources: Due to a smaller number of people it becomes difficult

to fully develop the resources. Agricultural resources are difficult to develop as they
require hard work for a good return.

• The slow growth of the industry: There is a shortage of skilled labor in underpopulated
countries so the growth of industries is not so fast. The problem can be resolved by
bringing labor from other countries but it would increase the cost.

• Climatic problems: Unfavorable climatic conditions are present in underpopulated

countries which makes it difficult for the immigrants to settle in. Immigrants can be
increased in cases when they can easily settle in less populated areas.

3) concept of optimum population: The optimum population is a concept where the

human population is able to balance maintaining a maximum population size with
optimal standards of living for all people.
 USA is not overpopulated despite being the third largest in terms of population but
Saharan countries are overpopulated due to lack of utilization of resources. The
population density of Singapore is high but it has been able to sustain its population
effectively due to efficient utilization of resources.

 Population density:
The number of individuals living within that specific location determines the population
density, or the number of individuals divided by the size of the area. Population density
can be used to describe the location, growth, and migration of many organisms.

Population density is the number of people per unit of area, usually quoted per square
kilometer or square mile, and which may include or exclude for example areas of water
or glaciers. Commonly this may be calculated for a county, city, country, another
territory or the entire world.

In the case of humans, population density is often discussed in relation to urbanization,

immigration, and population demographics.

Thus, Population Density = Number of People/Land Area.

MEASURES OF POPULATION DENSITY:

1) Crude density or Arithmetic density
2) Nutritional/Physiological density
3) Urban density residential density
4) Residential density
5) Agricultural density
6) Room density
FACTORS AFFECTING POPULATION DENSITY
a) immigration and Emigration
b) natality
c) mortality
d) economics
e) transportation
f) climate

cultural factors affecting population density

a) religious-cultural factors
b) age of marriage
c) wish for a boy

 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION:
The way in which people are spread across a given area is known as population
distribution. Geographers study population distribution patterns at different
scales: local, regional, national, and global. Patterns of population distribution
tend to be uneven.

REASONS FOR UNEVEN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION:

1) Fertile Land: Human settlements on large scale are at places which are more
fertile and where with less efforts the agricultural yield is more. On the other hand,
places which are less fertile have less density of population. As such, hilly and rocky
regions are less densely populated. In India, since ancient times, the fertile Indo-
Gangetic plain is one of the most densely populated regions in the world.

2) Availability of Mineral Wealth: Every nation possesses some type of mineral

wealth. As a matter of fact, we can gauge the inequality between nations on the
basis of their mineral wealth. The regions of mineral wealth become a major source
of industrialization and employment of a country.
3) Availability of Water Supply: Water is essential for life. The places which have
abundant water for daily consumption and for agricultural purposes are moderately
to densely populated. In the present era, even industries are established at places
which have sufficient supply of water.

4) Increased facility of Transportation and Communication: Since ancient times areas

with proper transportation and communication facilities have enjoyed large
population. Means of transportation and communication make the economy
dynamic and increase the exchange of commodities between peoples and regions.
Goods produced in one region can be made available to the whole country in a very
short period of time due to fast means of transportation.

5) availability of Electric Supply: Today, nearly all the countries are industrialized.
Agriculture-based economy has given way to industrial economy. Ready and
sufficient supply of electricity is an essential feature in industrial development. Thus,
places where industries are centralized develop into industrial regions with high
density of population, and the demand for electric power increases.

6) Favorable Climate: From the beginning of human civilization, favorable climate is

considered as an important factor responsible for human habitation. The density is
nearly zero in places which are extremely hot or extremely cold. The parts which
have moderate climate are inhabited on a large scale.

7) Social Factors: Social factors also affect the distribution and concentration of
population. Where social customs and taboos are extreme, people tend to migrate
to another place, so the density of population of that area changes. If the cultural
milieu is the same, people like to live permanently at that place. The African
population is increasing in America because Negroes were settled there since the
slavery era.

8) Migration of Population: Every time migration of population takes place, it has an

important effect on the distribution of population. The places with more
opportunities of employment or possibilities of high-income generation attract
people from different areas. In the past, people migrated in large numbers to
America, and the present-day migration to Middle Eastern countries are good
examples of migration due to better employment and income generation
opportunities.

9) Educational Factors: In each part of the country, there remains a class which has
more curiosity to gain knowledge. This class moves from one country to another
according to its own economic conditions and circumstances. If the environment of
 the new country is adaptable to them, they tend to settle there permanently. At
present, lakhs of youths from Asia and Africa have migrated to America, Canada and
European countries for higher studies and after getting employment, they have
settled there permanently.

10) Political Factors: For changes in the world’s population distribution, political factors
are also responsible. In modern times, these factors have become more important. If
the people feel that their expectations are not fulfilled by the government, or if the
public is dissatisfied with the political system, then they leave that country and settle
in another. In the past, such people have migrated to USA from Cuba. Similarly, the
Tibetans with their head Dalai Lama migrated to India and settled here permanently.

11) Historical Factors: It is a well-known fact that humans never migrate easily to a new
place. Once a person settles well at a certain place, he will never leave that area to
settle in a new area. People like to settle at places where their ancestors have lived
in the past. Sons and grandsons from generation to generation live at a place which
they do not leave so easily.

12) Economic Factors: This has been considered an important factor affecting the
distribution and concentration of population at one place. The places which have
good opportunities for employment and possibilities of trade in industrial products
attract migrants from different areas.

FACTORS AFFECTING POPULATION DISTRIBUTION:

A) PHYSICAL FACTORS:
i) climate
ii) landforms
iii) drainage
iv) fertility
v) mineral and energy
vi) resources
vii) location
 B) CULTURAL FACTORS:
i) Religious-cultural factors
ii) Lack of education
iii) Government policies
iv) Age of marriage
v) Wish for a boy
vi) Decrease in death rate

C) SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
i) type of economic activity
ii) type of technology
iii) social policy

 POPULATION GROWTH:
Population growth is the increase in the number of people in a population or dispersed
group. Population growth is the change in a population over time, and can be quantified as
the change in the no of individuals of any species in a population using “per unit time” for
measurement. A “natural population increase” occurs when the birth rate is higher than the
death rate.

CAUSES OF POPULATION GROWTH:

1. The Decline in the Death Rate

At the root of overpopulation is the difference between the overall birth rate and death rate
in populations. If the number of children born each year equals the number of adults that
die, then the population will stabilize.

2. Agricultural Advancements
Technological revolutions and population explosions occur at the same time. There have
been three major technological revolutions. They are the tool-making revolution, the
agricultural revolution, and the industrial revolution. Agricultural advancements in the 20th
century have allowed humans to increase food production using fertilizers, herbicides, and
pesticides and yields further. This allowed humans with more access to food that leads to
subsequent population explosions.
3. Better Medical Facilities
Technological advancement was perhaps the biggest reason why the balance has been
permanently disturbed. Science was able to produce better means of producing food, which
allowed families to feed more mouths. Besides, medical science made many discoveries, thanks
to which they were able to defeat a whole range of diseases.

4. More Hands to Overcome Poverty

However, when talking about overpopulation, we should understand that there is a
psychological component as well. Poverty is considered as the leading cause of overpopulation.
In the absence of educational resources, coupled with high death rates, which resulted in
higher birth rates, that is why impoverished areas are seeing large booms in population.

5. Child Labor
It is no less than a tragedy that child labor is still in practice extensively in many parts of the
world. As per the UNICEF, approximately 150 million children are currently working in countries
having few child labor laws. The children being seen as a source of income by impoverished
families begin work too young and also lose the educational opportunities reflected,
particularly when it comes to birth control.

6. Technological Advancement in Fertility Treatment

With the latest technological advancement and more discoveries in medical science, it has
become possible for couples who are unable to conceive to undergo fertility treatment
methods and have their own babies. Today there are effective medicines that can increase the
chance of conception and lead to a rise in the birth rate. Moreover, due to modern techniques,
pregnancies today are far safer.

7. Immigration
Many people prefer to move to developed countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia,
where the best facilities are available in terms of medical, education, security, and
employment. The result is that those people settle over there, eventually making those places
overcrowded. If the number of people who are leaving the country is less than the number of
people who enter, it usually leads to more demand for food, clothes, energy, and homes.
8) Lack OF family planning:
Most developing nations have a large number of people who are illiterate, live below the
poverty line, and have little or no knowledge about family planning. Besides, getting their
children married at an early age increases the chances of producing more kids.Those people are
unable to understand the harmful effects of overpopulation, and lack of quality education
prompts them to avoid family planning measures.

Effects of population growth

1. Depletion of Natural Resources
The effects of overpopulation are quite severe. The first of these is the depletion of resources.
The Earth can only produce a limited amount of water and food, which is falling short of the
current needs. Most of the environmental damage seen in the last fifty-odd years is because of
the growing number of people on the planet. They include cutting down forests, hunting
wildlife in a reckless manner, causing pollution, and creating a host of other problems.

2. Degradation of environment:
With the overuse of coal, oil, and natural gas, it has started producing some serious effects on
our environment. Besides, the exponential rise in the number of vehicles and industries has
badly affected the quality of air. The rise in the amount of CO2 emissions leads to global
warming. Melting of polar ice caps, changing climate patterns, rise in sea levels are a few of the
consequences that we might have to face due to environmental pollution.

3. Conflicts and Wars

Overpopulation in developing countries puts a major strain on the resources it should be
utilizing for development. Conflicts over water are becoming a source of tension between
countries, which could result in wars. It causes more diseases to spread and makes them harder
to control.

4. Rise in Unemployment
When a country becomes overpopulated, it gives rise to unemployment as there are fewer jobs
to support a large number of people. The rise in unemployment gives rise to crime, such as
theft, as people want to feed their families and provide them basic amenities of life.
5. High Cost of Living
As the difference between demand and supply continues to expand due to overpopulation, it
raises the prices of various essential commodities, including food, shelter, and healthcare. This
means that people have to pay more to survive and feed their families.

6. Pandemics and Epidemics

Poverty is linked to many environmental and social reasons, including overcrowded and
unhygienic living conditions, malnutrition and inaccessible, inadequate, or non-existent health
care, for which the poor are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases. Further, high
densities of population increase the chance of the emergence of new pandemics and
epidemics.

7. Malnutrition, Starvation and Famine

When the availability of resources is scarce, starvation, malnutrition, along with ill health and
diseases caused by diet-deficiency such as rickets become more likely. Famine is typically
associated with less-developed regions, and there is a high correlation with poverty levels.

8. Water Shortage
Roughly 1% of the world’s water is fresh and accessible. Overpopulation is a major issue that
creates immense pressure on the world’s freshwater supplies. As per the study, the human
demand for freshwater would stand at approximately 70% of freshwater available on the planet
by 2025. Therefore, people living in impoverished areas that already have limited access to such
water will be at great risk.

9. Lower Life Expectancy

A large proportion of the world’s population growth occurs in less developed countries.
Therefore, lower life expectancy caused by the booms in population is experienced by less-
developed nations. This causes a shortage of resources in these countries resulting in less
access to medical care, freshwater, food and jobs, and ultimately in a sharp fall in life
expectancy.

10. Faster Climate Change

Overpopulation forces larger nations, like China and India, to continue to develop their
industrial capacities. They now rank as two of the three largest contributors to emissions in the
world, other than the United States. According to 97% of the scientific community, human
activities are changing global temperatures. If more is not done to reduce individual carbon
footprints on a wide scale, larger populations may speed these changes up.

Remedies to control global population growth:

1. Better Education
One of the first measures is to implement policies reflecting social change. Educating the
masses helps them understand the need to have one or two children at the most. Similarly,
education plays a vital role in understanding the latest technologies that are making huge
waves in the world of computing. Families that are facing a hard life and choose to have four or
five children should be discouraged.

2. Making People Aware of Family Planning

As the population of this world is growing at a rapid pace, raising awareness among people
regarding family planning and letting them know about serious after-effects of overpopulation
can help curb population growth. One of the best ways is to let them know about various safe
sex techniques and contraceptive methods available to avoid any unwanted pregnancy.

3. Tax Benefits or Concessions

The government of various countries might have to come up with various policies related to tax
exemptions to curb overpopulation. One of them might be to waive a certain part of income tax
or lowering rates of income tax for those married couples who have single or two children. As
we humans are more inclined towards money, this may produce some positive results.

4. Knowledge of Sex Education

Imparting sex education to young kids at the elementary level should be a must. Most parents
feel shy in discussing such things with their kids that results in their children going out and look
out for such information on the internet or discuss it with their peers. Mostly, the information is
incomplete, which results in sexually active teenagers unaware of contraceptives and
embarrassed to seek information about the same. It is, therefore, important for parents and
teachers to shed their old inhibitions and make their kids or students aware of solid sex
education.

Methods of assessment of population growth:

1) Natural growth rate
2) Actual growth rate
3) Crude birth rate
4) Total fertility rate
5) Crude death rate
6) Gross reproductive rate
7) Net reproductive rate