HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

World population composition

 Pattern of Population Distribution in the World
• The term population distribution refers to the way people are spaced over the surface of the earth. Broadly, 90% of the
world's population lives in about 10% of the earth’s land area. The 10 most populous countries of the world contribute
about 60% of the world’s population (the six countries out of the ten are located in Asia).
• Population distribution patterns in the world are governed by different factors. These are classified into high
population density regions, moderate population density regions, and low population density regions.
• High Population Density Regions: These regions are portions of East Asia, South Asia, Europe, and areas of North
America. China, India, and Bangladesh are nations with some of the world's highest population densities because they
have good agricultural land, a relatively moderate climate, and a long history of trade and urbanization.
• Moderate Population Density Regions: The United States of America, Canada, Russia, and Brazil are nations with
moderate population densities. These nations have enormous areas, but their populations are found in such a way that
cities and urban centers have the highest population densities.
• Low Population Density Regions: Deserts (such as the Sahara), tundras, and areas of Oceania are some of the regions
with low population densities because of their unsuitable climates and scarce resources. The arctic and sub-arctic areas,
for example, have very low population densities because the climate is not favorable for human life.
 Factors Influencing the World Population Distribution
There are several factors that are appealing or unappealing for the settlement of human beings, which influence the
population distribution of the world. These factors are as follows:
1. Climate and Weather: The climate of an area decides where human beings reside. Moderate and temperate climates,
such as in Western Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, are densely populated. But areas with extreme climates,
such as deserts (Sahara, Arabian Peninsula), polar areas (Antarctica), and mountainous areas (Himalayas), are less
populated due to adverse weather and less availability of resources for survival.
2. Availability of Resources: Availability of resources such as fresh water, fertile land, forests, and minerals decides
population distribution. Areas with vast areas of fertile land and natural resources will have high populations. For
instance, the Indo-Gangetic plains of India and Bangladesh are fertile and have plenty of water, which supports high
agricultural economies and high population density. But arid regions such as the Middle East or northern Africa have
fewer people due to water and fertile land scarcity.
3. Geographical Features: Geographical features such as mountains, rivers, and plains decide the habitats of human
beings. River Nile, Ganges, Amazon, and similar rivers have saved civilizations by providing water for irrigation
purposes, transportation and trading activities. Coastal regions are also highly populated because sea access is of extreme
importance for their trade and nutrition. Mountainous areas and large thick forests are generally avoided by human
beings because the hilly terrain and low agricultural value limit human settlement.
4. Economic Factors
Areas with powerful economies, cities, and industries have a large number of people. Cities provide better employment
opportunities, education, and medical centers for people to enhance their living standards. Urbanization has been occurring with
the population getting concentrated in large cities such as Tokyo, New York, and Mumbai. Infrastructure development, which is
conducive to high population density, is enabled by economic development.
5. Political and Social Factors
Political stability, administration, and social infrastructure would decide the population distribution. People appear to thrive in
areas with stable governments and healthy institutions of health care due to better living standards. Areas with unstable politics,
war, or high crime rates have low population density or people migrate to stable areas.
6. Historical Factors
• Historical factors such as the formation of trade routes, colonialism, and the rise and fall of empires have contributed
significantly to population distribution. For instance, colonial powers such as the British Empire and the Spanish Empire
brought new settlement patterns that influenced population distribution, particularly in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Geographical Factors influencing distribution of Population

1. Geographical Factors
a) Water availability - Water is the most essential factor for the existence of life. It is used for multiple
purposes like cooking, drinking, agriculture, etc. People prefer to inhibit areas which have water in
abundance, that is why river valleys are among the most densely populated areas of the world.
b) Landforms - The Ganga Plains are among the most densely populated areas of the world while
mountainous regions of the Himalayas are thinly populated. People prefer flat plains and gentler
slopes which are favourable for agricultural purposes, to build better road connectivity and for
industries.
c) Climate - A climate which is neither too hot nor too cold attracts more people. Areas with very
heavy rainfall or extreme and harsh climate have low population density.
d) Soil - Areas with fertile, loamy soils are preferred by people as this type of soil supports intensive
agriculture.
2. Economic Factors
a) Minerals -The regions with rich mineral deposits attract industries which in turn generate
employment opportunities. People move to such places and make them thickly populated. For
example, Katanga Zambia copper belt in Africa.
b) Urbanisation - Urban centres offer better employment opportunities, educational and medical
facilities, have better means of transport and communication. This results in rural to urban migration
and cities become densely populated.
c) Industrialisation - Industrial areas provide job opportunities thereby attracting a huge number of
people. For example, the Kobe-Osaka region of Japan is densely populated due to the presence of a
large number of industries.
3. Social and Cultural Factors:
Religious or cultural importance also affects the population density of a place. Such places attract more people and if
there is social and political unrest in a region, people tend to move away from such places. Sometimes the government
offers incentives to people to move to thinly populated areas or move away from overcrowded places.
 What is Population Density?
• Population density is the ratio between the number of people to the area of the land. It is measured in
persons per square kilometre or km².
• The densely populated parts of the world are the north-eastern part of the U.S.A, north-western part of
Europe, south, south-east and east Asia. The thinly populated regions of the world are near the north and
south poles, the hot and the cold deserts and high rainfall zones near the equator. The population density of
India in 2011 was 382 per sq. km.
• Density of population = Total Population / Total Area Patterns of population distribution and density give
the demographic characteristics of any area.

What is Population Growth or Change?

Population Growth/Population Change It refers to the change in the number of inhabitants of a territory over
a specific period of time. Population growth is expressed either in terms of percentage or absolute numbers. It
can be positive as well as negative.
Population change indicates the economic development, social upliftment and historical and cultural
background of the area.
 Some Basic Concepts of Population Geography
1. Growth of population - It is the change of population in a particular area between two points of time.
2. Growth rate of population - When the change in population is expressed in terms of percentage, it is the
growth rate of population.
3. Natural growth of population/Natural Growth = Births - Deaths (It is the population increase by the
difference between births and deaths in a particular region between two points of time).
4. Actual growth of population/ Actual Growth = Births - Deaths + In Migration - Out Migration.
5. Positive growth of population - This happens when the birth rate is more than the death rate between
two points of time or when people from other countries migrate permanently to a region.
6. Negative growth of population - This happens when the population decreases between two points of
time, either when the birth rate falls below the death rate or people migrate to other regions.
 Components of Population Change
There are three components of population change - births, deaths and migration.
• Crude Birth Rate (CBR) - It is expressed as the number of live births in a year per thousand of the population.

• Crude Death Rate (CDR)- It is expressed in terms of the number of deaths in a particular year per thousand
of population in a particular region. It is a simple method to measure the mortality of any area. The region's
demographic structure, social advancement and economic development largely affect the mortality rates of
that particular region.
3. Migration - The population size also changes by way of migration. Migration refers to the movement of
people from one place to the other, the place they move from is called the place of origin and the place they
move to is called the place of destination. Migration may be permanent, temporary or even seasonal. The people
who move are called migrants. Migrants who move into a new place are called immigrants and migrants who
move out of a place are called emigrants. The main purpose of migration is to attain better economic and social
life.
Factors that influence migration-
a. Push factors - The factors like poor living conditions, unemployment, unpleasant climate, political turmoil,
epidemics, natural disasters and social-economic backwardness make the place of origin seem less
attractive. b.
b. Pull factors - The factors like better living conditions, job opportunities, peace and stability, security of life
and property, and pleasant climate make the place of destination more attractive
What is Human Migration?
Human migration is the movement of people from one place to another. Migration also causes changes in the
population structure of a city, region, or country. The United Nations Migrant Agency officially referred to as
International Organisation for Migrants specifies a migrant as a person who has moved or is moving across
geographical borders or within the state away from the original place of residence.
History of Migration
• Humans have been migrating throughout history, starting from ancient times.
• Many early human societies were nomadic or hunter-gatherer communities. These groups moved from place
to place in search of resources like food, water, and shelter.
• Migration also occurred due to trade and exploration. Ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians, Greeks, and
Romans established trade routes and colonies. This led to the movement of people across regions and
continents.
• The period of European colonization from the 15th to the 20th century resulted in large-scale migrations.
European powers established colonies in various parts of the world. This led to the forced migration of
enslaved Africans, indentured laborers, and settlers.
• The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries brought significant changes to migration patterns.
People moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment in industries.
• In the 20th and 21st centuries, migration has been influenced by various factors. This includes globalization,
political conflicts, economic disparities, and advancements in transportation and communication.
Types of Migration : Here are the different types of migration that occur in India:
Internal Migration
• It means the movement of people from one place to another within a country’s geographical boundaries.
• It has two key facets namely short-term and long-term migration. A short-term migration means a recurring back and forth
between the source and destination points. On the other hand, long-term migration means the complete relocation of an
individual along with his family.
• Some of the most significant source states from where migration happens are Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The destination states where migrants are headed consist of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• As per the 2011 Census, out of 45 crore migrants in India, 99% constitute internal migration.
• Out of the total internal migrants, around 70 percent constitute women. The primary reason for the internal migration of
women is on account of marriage. The total number of women facing migration due to marriage is estimated at 21 crores.
• Coming to the migration of males, the primary reason for their movement to a different place is employment issues for both
the urban and rural areas.
• Domestic work, mining, quarrying, brick kilns, transportation, agriculture, and construction are some subsectors in which
the internal migrants employ themselves.
• Due to rapid urbanization and the difference between urban and rural wage rates, internal migration far outweighs external
migration in the context of India.
External Migration
• It means the movement of people from their place of birth or residence to a different country.
• It has three working components: emigration, immigration, and refugee migration.
• Emigration means people moving out of India to different parts of the world. Immigration means persons
of foreign origin moving into India.
• Refugee immigration means the forced entry of some people into India in the form of refugees.
• The United Arab Emirates holds the record for the highest emigration from India. The number of resident
Indian nationals in the UAE stands at 3.5 million as of 2021. It is followed by the USA where this figure is
2 million.
• The major reason for external migration is better employment and educational opportunities.
Causes of Migration in India
Here are some of the major causes of migration in India:
• Employment: Better employment opportunities is one of the primary reasons for internal as well as external
migration. People move out to different cities and countries in search of an improved livelihood outlook.
Cities offer better wages and more opportunities in trade, transport, logistics, and hospitality sectors.
• Education: Lack of proper educational facilities in rural and small towns forces the young generation to
move to big cities for educational activities. Individuals living in cities migrate to other countries for better
academic prospects.
• Lack of security: Poor law and order conditions, social strife, and regular conflicts based on caste and
religion force people to move to safer places. Areas witnessing political instability, and high crime rate
witnesses a huge outflow of people.
• Marriage: It is the biggest reason for the migration of women. According to the 2011 Census, there have
been 21 crore marriage-related migrants and an overwhelming majority of these are women. All four types of
migration i.e., rural to rural, urban to urban, rural to urban, and urban to rural are possible due to marriage.
• Disaster: Natural disasters and deteriorating environmental conditions also force individuals to migrate from
one place to another. Floods, landslides, mudslides, and forest fires compel people to move to safer places
away from the dangers.
Positive Effects of Migration
Some of the positive consequences of migration are as follows:
• Labour supply: Migration of people from rural and semi-rural areas to urban metropolia in search of jobs provides companies
and industries with the much-needed supply of labor. These people provide their human resources and play an important role in
the economic growth of the country.
• Economic remittances: Emigrants who have moved to other countries for better job opportunities earn handsome wages and
salaries. They send remittances back home and the economic prosperity of migrants also leads to a better quality of life for their
households in India.
• Skill development: Migration also enhances the skills and knowledge of the workers via exposure and interaction with the
outside world.
• Quality of life: Migration to big cities will improve the quality of life of migrants. They will be able to access better healthcare,
provide good schooling to their children, and have better social relations.
• Social remittances: Another positive impact of migration is that individuals shall be learning the customs, traditions, and cultures
of the palace to which they are migrating. All these things will make people more tolerant and improve harmony in society.
• Demographics: Outmigration of people will reduce the population density of that area and consequently efficient allocation of
resources. Population density is quite high in north and east India and relocation of people to different places is a welcome
change.
Negative Effects of Migration
Some of the negative consequences of migration in India are given below:
• Demographic profile: The large-scale out migration of young people to urban areas presents a demographic
disadvantage in rural areas. As most young men and women move out due to a number of factors, the elderly
and women are left behind alone to take care of land and agriculture.
• Brain drain: One of the biggest disadvantages of emigration from India is brain drain or loss of invaluable
human capital. Talented and knowledgeable individuals move to other countries for better livelihoods and
social life, and it leads to a significant loss of human capital for India.
• Political exclusion: A harsh reality for migrants is the exclusion from the political process. They lack voting
rights and as a result, do not have the bargaining power to press for their issues.
• Slum: Very expensive residential areas in big cities and the corresponding low income of migrants have led
to the development of unhygienic slum dwellings. These are small, cramped dwelling units that make the
city look untidy and create socio-economic problems.
Challenges Related to Migration in India
The challenges related to large-scale migration in India are as follows:
• Informal Economy: The overwhelming majority of migrants who move to cities for better employment
opportunities end up in the informal economy. The unorganised sector is marked by no social security, unsafe
working conditions, low wages, and physical abuse.
• Housing: Lack of proper affordable housing options forces the migrant workers to live in unhygienic slums.
The situation is so terrible that many migrants are forced to sleep at their workplaces, open areas, and
pavements.
• Access to Education: According to UNESCO’s 2019 Report on Global Education Monitoring, children left
behind by migrant parents suffer from a lack of access to educational institutions. The report states that almost
80% of migrant children in India’s top seven cities do not have any educational institution near the worksite.
• Integration of Migrants: The administration also faces challenges in the integration and inclusion of migrants.
The native residents of a place may be skeptical of new persons and hence the migrants also face
discrimination.
• Lack of Information: People moving out of India in search of job opportunities suffer from a lack of access to
information regarding jobs. Hence, many instances of abuse, confiscation of passports, and unhealthy working
conditions for the migrants. Lack of tendency to seek help results in challenging situations for diplomatic
missions to reach out and provide justice to them.
Way Forward
• Migration can help achieve development goals, so preventing it may not be helpful.
• Policies and programs should make it easier for migrants to settle in their new communities.
• Government Action
• Basic Amenities: Provide decent housing, fair wages, and safety for migrant workers.
• Social Security: Support programs like health insurance and childcare can be helpful.
• State-Level Examples
• Kerala's Aawaz: Health insurance scheme for migrants.
• Apna Ghar: Affordable housing for migrant workers.
• Portable Rights: Ensures basic rights even when working in another state.
 The Lee Migration Theory
The Lee Migration Theory, developed by Everett S. Lee, is a widely recognized theoretical framework used
to explain the patterns and processes of migration within and between societies. Lee’s theory, which was
proposed in the mid-1960s, seeks to understand the factors influencing migration decisions and the
consequences of migration for both the sending and receiving areas. The theory comprises three main
components: push factors, pull factors, and intervening obstacles.

The theory comprises three main components :

(i) Factors associated with the place of origin,

(ii) Factors associated with the place of

destination,

(iii) Intervening obstacles, and

(iv) Personal factors.

1. Push Factors: Push factors refer to the conditions and circumstances in the migrants’ home or sending area
that compel or “push” them to leave. These factors often include economic hardships, lack of employment
opportunities, poverty, environmental disasters, political instability, conflict, discrimination, and social or
religious persecution. Push factors are the reasons why individuals or groups feel compelled to seek better
opportunities or safety in other locations.
2. Pull Factors: Pull factors are the conditions and opportunities in the destination or receiving area that attract
or “pull” migrants to move there. These factors may include better job prospects, higher wages, improved
living conditions, educational opportunities, political stability, social networks (e.g., presence of family or
friends), and perceived quality of life. Pull factors are what entice individuals or groups to choose a
particular destination for their migration.
3. Intervening Obstacles: Intervening obstacles are the barriers or challenges that migrants may encounter
during their journey from the sending area to the receiving area. These obstacles could be physical (e.g.,
natural barriers like mountains or bodies of water), legal (e.g., immigration policies and restrictions),
economic (e.g., cost of migration), cultural (e.g., language barriers), or social (e.g., discrimination against
migrants in the receiving area). Intervening obstacles can influence the decision-making process of migrants
and may alter the final destination of their migration.
The Lee migration theory highlights the interplay between push factors, pull factors, and intervening obstacles
in shaping migration patterns. It suggests that migration is a complex process influenced by a combination
of factors at the individual, household, and societal levels. Moreover, the theory underscores the dynamic
nature of migration, as changes in push and pull factors or the removal of intervening obstacles can alter
migration patterns over time.
• Researchers, policymakers, and sociologists often use Lee’s migration theory to analyze and understand
migration trends, patterns, and consequences. By identifying the underlying factors and obstacles driving
migration, policymakers can develop more effective and appropriate strategies to address the challenges and
opportunities associated with migration for both migrants and the societies involved