University of Goroka

School of humanities
Division of Indigenous, Environment & Development studies

HIG 413 - Advanced Social Geography

Lecture 3

Topic: Population Geography

By Mrs Keake,2020
What is Population Geography?
• Types ,volumes & direction of population
• Population Geography focuses on the
movement such as rural-urban migration, labour
number ,composition and distribution
migration and refugee migration.
of human beings on the earth’s
• Issues rising from changing size and distribution
surface.
• Population Geographers are interested of population including economic, environmental
and social impacts
in population changes – both growth &
movement especially as they relate to
.Definition of Population Geography
the earth’s environment and natural
resources.
• Population Geography is concerned According to Wlilbur Zelinsky” the sciences that
deals with the way in which geographic character,
with study of demographic processes
its distribution and the changes taking place over a
and their consequences in an
period of time. Places are formed by and in turn
environment context.
reacts with population phenomena that vary with
Population Geography is concern with;
• Changing nature ,rate & distribution of it through both time & space interacting with one
another and with numerous non demographic
population.
• Spatial patterns of fertility & mortality phenomena.
– Demographic transition theory
Difference between Population & Demography
Population Geography emphasizes spatial
variation in the growth ,movement and
composition of population and its’ concern with
social, economic and social impacts of their
variations.
Demography is the study of population
specially with reference to size & density
,fertility, mortality, age distribution, migration
,vital statistics and the interaction all these with
economic & social conditions.

1.Sources of Population Data
Problem with data as data available
varies with countries.
Two main sources of data
i. Registers
Refers to legal population registration of
births ,deaths, marriages , divorces etc.
II. Census
“total process of collecting,
compling,evaluating, analysing &
publishing demographic, social,
economic data at a specific time of all
persons in a country or well define
country.”
Problems with data
1. Census statistics subjected to many
errors & limitations.
2. Inconsistent data or lack of regular
sequence in census.
3. Lack of uniformity in categories of
data collected & systems of
classification employed in published
statistics.
4. Census data are based on
administrative boundaries with little
or no geographical significance.
2.POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
More concentrated areas are divided into;
• Primary concentration ( over 100 persons
per km2 of an area)
S.E.A, Europe, North eastern America
• Secondary concentration- California,
North & south Africa and South eastern
Australia
• Tertiary concentration- forms knots or
population cluster in Mexico
Less concentrated areas are divided into;
1.Ecumene- unhabited portion of land
2.Noncumene –unhabitated land very
intermittently unhabitated or sparsely
inhabited area of the earths’ surface.
Factors affecting distribution of population
Physical & human factors affect
(influence)distribution of human population
1.Physical factors
• Climate – affect population distribution & its
effect on human activity. Extreme heat, cold,
humidity result in less settlement
• Altitude – Population decrease in number &
density. Increasing difficulties involved in the
settlement of high level environment. High
altitude imposes physiological limits to
settlement
• Relief – steep gradient & rugged all tend to
deter settlement by restricting movement.
• Vegetation – world pattern of climate & soils
influence distribution of major vegetation types
which affect variety of agricultural activities.
2.Human factors affecting distribution of
population
• Types & scale of economic activities
Technological & economic advances are usually
associated with changes in population density &
distribution. More advance economic and
technological advances attract more people to settle
in a place.
• Political influences( Government control)
Govt control can affect population distribution.
Political events ( wars) are responsible for mass
migrations that affect number of people in one in
place to another.
• Historical influences
Early settlements in influence areas of dense
population
High density in long -settled region. Example India.
 Consequences of population density
1.1 More population in the following region due to the
factors
• East Asia – water & history
• India- Climate, water & history
• Europe – water, climate
• Middle east – culture & water
• North, central & south America –climate & economics
• Africa – climate
• Japan – history
1.2 Less people live in are in regions that are too;
• Dry Areas - too dry farming & desert with lack of
water
• Cold – North & South Poles & high elevated areas that
are too cold or covered in ice,
• Wet – Area that receive more rainfall, near the
equator
3. POPULATION DENSITY
• Population density is defined as number
persons per sq. km.
• It is a crude measure from population size &
land area for assessing the pressure of
population on resources
• Types of Density
To accurately understand with population
pressure on resources with other utility.
(i) Arithmetric Density – number of persons
per unit geographic area.For example
number for example number of people
per km, per hectare etc.It is man land
ratio.
It measured as the no of people per unit of
geographic area divided by the total geographic
area.
More population living in an area put more
pressure on land compared to less number of
people living in an area.
(ii)Physiological ( nutritional ) Density –
number of people per unit of arable land.
Population compared to the productivity of land
It measured as number of people divided by per
unit of arable land.

(iii)Agricultural Density -Number of farmers per

unit of geographic area;
It is calculated as population based on
agriculture divided by total cultivatable land.
3.POPULATION COMPOSITION
Population composition refer to the physical, socio-
culture, economic attributes of a population.
Attributes such as age,sex,religion , economic
status..etc
They are measurable characteristics of population
&helps distinguish the people from one group to
another.
Age Pyramids
It is graphical representation of age structure of a
population at particular time. It is constructed by a
horizontal axis which represents the total population in
% and vertical axis as year. Horizontal axis represents
male & female separately. It is result of past trends of
fertility & mortality. Males on the left & females on the
right.
Age sex is the most common in the form population Constructive
pyramids or age pyramids of age structure of a Expansive Stationary
pyramid
population at given time. pyramid pyramid
Determinant of age sex structure
There are factors that determine age-sex structure or
the shape of the pyramid.
1. Fertility-state of condition of being fertile or the
occurrence of birth. It is used to indicate actual
reproductive performance of a woman or groups
of women.
2. Mortality- permanent disappearance of all
evidence of life at any after birth.
3. Migration – movement of people from one place
to another. or semi or permanent change of
residence of a group of people. It determines
population growth & structure of an area. It
causes redistribution of people & understanding
man –environment relationship. There 4 type of
migration – internal migration, international,
emigration or immigration.
Classification of Age-sex structure
1. Expansive pyramid- expanded base & narrow top.
• Very high mortality by narrow top & high fertility
and expanded base due to high death rate & birth
rate.
• Represents 1st stage of demographic transition
model.
• Typical of wars & famines
• Slow stable population growth
2.Stationary Pyramid- stable population growth
where birth rate is almost equal to deathrate.
• Population stabilise at a particular age group.
• Represents initial stage or later stage of
development.
• A recently stabilised population.
3.Constructive pyramid – small share of younger age
& large group of old age and shows long life
expectancy and dependency ratio is high.
Developed
• Narrow base & decreasing population( country
Developing
country
• Negative population growth
• Low birth rate & low death rate.
• High life expectancy
• Number of older population is higher than younger
population.
Difference between age pyramid of developing &
developed countries
• Developed countries have high income per capita
& GDP compared to developing countries.
• Developing countries have high birth & death rate
compared to low birth rate & death rate of
developed countries.
Importance of Age- sex pyramid
• Indicated stage of demographic transition
• Depicts trends on fertility & mortality.
• Age & sex of composition have effect on the socio-
economic & political policies of a country.
• Influences current birth rates & deathrates.
• Dynamic quantity that changes on daily basis.
• Shows dependency ratios.
4. POPULATION GROWTH
• Definition - Population growth is used to connote change
in the number of people of a territory over a specific
time.
Types of population Growth
(i) Natural growth rate
BIRTH RATE – DEATH RATE X 100
(ii) Actual growth rate
(BIRTH RATE – DEATH RATE)+ ( OUT MIGRATION- IN
MIGRATION) X 100
• Any change in a population of area over time is expressed
in form of rate of population growth per annum.
• Arith metric rate of natural increase
Pt = Po(1+ rt)
Where Po=population at base year, r= rate of growth,t =
interval between base year & terminal year.
Determinants of Population growth rate
Basic determinants of growth rate
• FERTILITY- high fertility rate responsible positive growth
rate and low fertility rate responsible for negative growth
rate.
• MORTALITY- high death rate decreases population if it is
more than birth rate where low death rate increases
population.In migration increase population & out
migration decreases population.
• LIFE EXPECTANCY- high life expectancy decreases death
rate increasing population and vice versa.
• OTHERS
i. Population structure ;population structure depend on
Population structure ( age structure, sex ratio).Where the age
composition is 18 – 35 years, the population is likely to grow.
ii.Economy ; labour demands are more in agricultural areas,
population is likely to grow,
iii.Education ; high education lowers population growth.High
population is influence by poverty,malnutrition, social rituals
are reasons .
World Population growth rate
Growth rate is defined as change in the number of
people of a country over a specific time.
The worlds population is now 7.7 billion people and
projected to rise to 27.2 billion by 2080. The human
population has been growing exponentially through
time.
History of world population growth pattern
• Phase 1800- 1920- very slow population
growth due to political unrest ( WW1) , high
mortality due to famine, starvation, & colonial
rule,
• Phase 1920 – 1960 – gradual increase in
population growth after 2nd world war.
• Phase 1960 – 1990- high population growth
due to high fertility rate & low mortality rate
due to improvement in socio-economic
growth, implication in planning & development
in health education , economic etc… The rate
was 2.7 % since 1970 which is the highest.
• Phase after 1990 - Decline in growth rate
reachin g a low of 1.56 % in 1990 due to socio
economic growth in developed & developing
countries,
Population growth patterns
Two pattern of human population
growth
(i) Exponential growth- occurs when
individuals in a population reproduce
at a constant rate.
(ii) Logistic growth – occurs when there
is a period of slow growth after by
period of slow
growth.Environmental pressures
slow the growth of population.
Population growth in Global North ( developed ) &
Global South ( developing)
(i) Global north refers to the developed European
countries & North America who are established
democracy, political stability, technological
advancement , wealth, ageing population & zero
population growth, dominance of world trade &
politics. The population growth rate is low;
(ii) Global south –low & middle income countries of
Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Latin America have
history of colonialism, low quality democracies ,
newly industrialised. Centred of large population
concentrations, and high population growth rate
( high birth rates & low birth rates).
Difference in Population Growth rate between Developing & Developed
countries
Factors affecting growth rate • Health- improvement in health facilities & family
planning can reduce population growth.
• The main factors affecting population is natural increase.
Other factors also determines population growth rate. • Social & cultural factors- large families are more
• How fast a population changes in size in time. It is mainly favourable in countries that have cultures favouring
determined by; large families.. Some religions do not allow the use
of family planning.
(i)Birth rate ( fertility rate) – number of births per 1000 of
population per unit of time , per year.
(ii) Mortality rate –number of deaths per 1000 population
per unit of time
(iii)Immigration rate - the number of permanent
immigrants arriving in a country
Other determinant of population growth
• Education- affect thought process of people. More
educated women delay child birth in their later years.
• Economic factors –negative relationship between
economic growth & population growth. High populated
countries in developing world where less economic
growth is experienced have fast growth in population
compared to developed countries.
5.POPULATION RESOURCE RELATIONSHIP
There are three type of population resources
relationship. The relationship is govern by nature of
social structure, characteristics of distribution &
public policies. The state of development is
influenced by population resource relationship.
• Optimum population
Optimum population definition
• The population at which the standard of life is at its
maximum is called optimum population ( boulding)
• The optimum population is that population which
produces maximum social welfare ( Cat Saunders)
• It when the amount of resources used by a
population to achieve maximum quality of life.
This is achieved if the quality of life is when there is
adequate food , energy, high quality air, water and
adequate raw materials which one use to make
devices to use etc..
• Population is not static .
• Over population
• When resources become static & population
increases drastically.
• Further increase reduces resources available to
population which is overexploitation of resources.
• Under population
• When there are more resources & less number of
people with available technology.
• Results in under development of resources.
Demographic transition Model (DTM) & Stage 4-Fertility rates drop below mortality rates and
Population growth population growth is negative.
DTM seeks to connect population growth with
fertility ( birth rate ) and mortality ( death
rate)variables with social & economic change
It does by showing demographic evolutionary stages.
Stage 1- Low growth in preindustrial stages where
high birth & death rates even with high fertility rates
which lower population growth.
Stage 2-High growth dues to declining mortality
where fertility rate is high due to industrial
revolution.
Stage 3-Decreasing rate as fertility rates start to
decline although birth rates still exceed birth rate
and mortality rates decline. Good living conditions &
families having fewer children.
6.POPULATION EXPLOSION • High level of illiteracy- among women lead to lack
• It is sudden increase in the size & number of knowledge of family planning.
population or drastic growth in the normal • Increases immigration & decrease in emigration.-
population in an area. Good economic environment attract a lot people to
• Or increase in birth rate and decrease in death rate. move from one place to another causing
population to increase drastically.
• situation where economy is not capable of coping
well with the increase demand of its population. Effects of population explosion
• Population explosion can cause huge pressure on • Unemployment- more unemployment due to lack
the earth. of resources with increases population.
Causes of population explosion • Poverty – more people living below poverty line as
resources become less.
• Increase of birth rate- the number of children born
per 1000 of population has increased with better
health facilities , economic prosperity etc..
• Decrease in infant mortality rate- the mortality rate
of number of deaths of infants below six months.
• Life expectancy growth- longer life expectancy 55-
60 years to 70 – 75 years.
7. MIGRATION
Migration causes change in population by
redistribution of population
Definitions
• Permanent or semi permanent change of residence
of an individual of group of people ( Johnson)
• Geographical mobility between a geographic unit to
another generally involving a change of residence
( Unite d Nations)
• It is permanent change of residence with no
restrictions on the distance involved in the
movement. ( Lee)
Function of migration
Migration is a function o the following;
• Movement of the physical distance- moving from
place to place covers distance.
• Change of residence- For a different purpose
• Change of administrative boundary – encourage
migration
Classification of migration
• International migration- moving with international
boundaries can be immigration or emigration.
• National migration- movement within national
boundaries
(i)Rural – urban migration- movement rom village to
towns because economic activities
(ii) Urban –rural migration – movement from towns
to villages
(iii) Rural – rural migration- movement from village to
village
(iv) Urban – urban migration movement from town
to towns
Cause of migration Consequences of migration

• Pull factors- opportunities in places act as magnet • Demographic consequences – leads to

attracting population to move into an area. redistribution of population or changes the
characteristics ( age- sex )ratio population etc cam
• Natural cause of migration – natural cause range lead to migration.
from epidemics , climate change, flood s, earth
quakes cause people to out migration. • Social consequences- migration leads to
intermixing of culture ( cultural diversity) to to
• Economic causes – availability of employment composite of cultures. Migrants agents of change ,
opportunities attracts people to move into an
area. • Economic consequences-more economic
opportunities become less where more migration
• Socio- cultural causes- customs / tradition that occur.
forces people to move
• Environmental consequences- overcrowding lead
• Demographic causes - Demographic factors such to negative environment impacts as pressure is put
a on environment.
Age, sex, marital status, etc play a role in migration.
• Political causes – factors like colonisation, wars ,
government policies influence migration from time
to time.
Exercise 10. What is the importance of demographic transition
1. What is the difference between Population model to population growth?
geography & Demography?
2. What is the difference between ecumene &
nonecumene?
3. What are the three type of population density?
4. What is a population pyramid and what does it
show?
5. Identify the two types of population growth.
6. What is the difference between exponential &
logistic population growth pattern
7. What is the difference between optimum
population, overpopulation , under population
8. Define migration
9. What some consequence of migrations on
population?