UNIT 3: THE GLOBAL POPULATION

1. POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
The population refers Io the living in a particular area.
1.1. Distribution of the global population
In Worlds reached million The distribution Of the population the is in terrns
Of population density, Which is counting people there are living in e-ach square
kilometre (people per km2).
The distribution of the worlds population is very uneven as the population
density varies greatly in regions.

Regions in the with high population densities Southeast Asia.

Western Central Europe, the east Coast of the USA. Other areas are located along
some river valleys, such as the river Nile, the coasts of Brazil, Mexico and Maghreb
and also areas rich in mineral or energy resources.

Areas in World with low population densities, or are, include the

Polar Regions, high altitude Mountain deserts, large equatorial forests.

1.2 Distribution factors
Both human and physical factors affect the distribution of the worlds
population.
The main physical factors that have influenced the settlement of human
populations in specific areas are the land relief, the climate and the soil.
The main human factors that influence population density in a specific area
are: the historical age of the settlement and the local economy. Asia and Europe arc
highly populated continents because been inhabited Since the Neolithic era.
The economy is also important factor. In developed countries population
densities are highest around industrial areas because they offer better employment
opportunities and services, whereas in developing countries, areas of agricultural
prosperity with fertile soils are more densely populated
2. NATURAL POPULATION MOVEMENTS
2.1 Population movement

UNIT 3

The population of an area changes due to the combination of two main factors:
natural increase and migration.

The natural increase refers to the growth or the decline. of a

population a of natural causes. It is by the in birth (which adds population) death

rate (which reduces population).

Migratory movements are the changes in a population due to the

physical movement of people to and from that population. Immigration is arrival of

people to a particular place, which increases population. Emigration is departure of
people from a particular place, Which reduces the population. These movements
are usually calculated as rates and expressed as the number of people migrating in
every thousand.
2.2. Birth rates and related factors
The birth rate refers to the number of live births in a population over the
course of one year. It is expressed as the number of births per thousand people. The
fertility rate is the average number of children born per woman.
The factors behind these variations are: biological,

demographic and

socioeconomic
2.3. Death rate and related factors
Death rate is the number of in a population over one year, expressed the of
deaths per 1.000 people. Life expectancy, or average lifespan, is the age Of in a
population they die
The factors behind Variations are: biological, demographic and socioeconomic
3. NATURAL INCREASE
3.1. Natural increase and its characteristics
The natural increase is difference the between the birth rate and death rate of a
population. According to demographic transition theory a typical population goes
through three stages of growth. Initially growth is slow due to high birth and death
rates; the population then goes through a period of transition characterised by rapid
growth caused by high birth rates and low death rates; finally growth slows down the
birth rate decrease.
In develop countries this three-stage process began a long time ago and
population are in the third Stage. Most developing counties however began this process
later, and have not yet experienced the third and final stage of demographic transition.

UNIT 3

3.2. The stages of natural increase

The first stage of growth occurred in all countries in World and it lasted from
prehistory up until 1750. During this Stage birth rates were high. Contraceptive methods
were not effective and large families were profitable, as children could work and take
care of the elderly. Growth was slow because death rates were also high (many people
died of disease or famine and the standards of health care and hygiene were poor).
There are cases of mortality a consequence of Wars, epidemics and failed harvest.
The rapid growth stage began around 1750 and still continues today. It is divided into
several phases:

Between 1750 and 1950

Between 1950 1975

From 1975 onwards

4. DISPARITIES IN DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE

4.1. Age and gender structures of populations
The gender structure of the population is the relationship between the number
of men and the number of Women, or males and females.
The age Structure is the percentage of people (0-14 years), adults (15,64
years), and elderly people (65 years and older) in a society.
There is high percentage of young people in the developing countries of
Africa, Asia and Latin America, as these countries have not begun, or are just beginning
to experience demographic transition. This Stage Of natural increase typically results in
he rapid acceleration of population growth, which is often accompanied by serious
social problems, include malnutrition, illiteracy and high unemployment levels, which
can frequently lead to social unrest and emigration.
Ageing populations are characteristic of developed nations that

have

completed the three stages of demographic transition, such as the Usa, Canada, Japan,
and the countries of Europe. An ageing population with slow population growth has
different problems, such as labour Shortages and high costs for State, due pensions and
medical and Social care needed by the elderly.
4.2. Economic structure
The economic activity Of a Country be classified into three different sectors:
primary (agriculture), secondary (industrial), and tertiary (services). The proportion of

UNIT 3

workers in each category can be used as an

indicator of the country's level of

development.
Primary sector is very low in developed countries and high in developing countries.
Secondary sector fluctuates. In developed countries whilst in some
underdeveloped countries it often doesnt exist.
In developed countries more than 60% of the workforce' is employed in the
tertiary sector.
5. THE POPULATION OF SPAIN
5.1. The size and distribution of the population
In 2010, the total Spanish population was 46.9 million people The autonomous
community With the highest populations is Andaluca followed by Catalonia, Madrid
and Valencian Community. The least populated autonomous community is Rioja . The
average population density is 92,9 people per km2. However, the distribution of the
population varies a great deal between communities.

In Spain, high population densities are found in Madrid, the coastal

areas of the peninsula, the Balearic Islands, and in the Islands. These areas have
attracted inhabitants as a result of their industrial and commercial activities. The
most densely populated provinces are Madrid, Barcelona and Bizkaia.

Low population densities, or areas that are under populated, include

mountainous regions and the Spanish interior, which is traditionally agricultural and
has therefore experienced substantial levels of emigration, The most populated
provinces are Soria and Teruel.
5.2. The structure of population growth
The natural increase of Spain population is. In Spain, the modern demographic
regime began in 1975, and was characterized by a low birth rate and a law death
rate.The fastest population growth has occurred in areas with high levels of
immigration. Population growth is Slowest in Galicia the Of Castilla y Len.
The age and gender Structures of Spanish population are typical of

developed Country, With a higher Of in the younger age group, and a larger proportion
of females in the older age groups. As a result, the population pyramid is typical of a
population at

n advanced or late stage of the demographic cycle, The economic

structure is characterized by a large tertiary sector, which employs more than of the

UNIT 3

population,.
5.3. Immigration
In recent years, Spain has become a host country for immigrants. This
change in policy was motivated by economic demands, which required a large lowskilled workforce, and by the fact that Spun has an ageing population. Most of
immigrants come from developing countries in North Africa, Latin America or Asia.
They are generally young and perform unskilled work, Another group of immigrants
consists 0f retired Europeans who come to Spain to enjoy the Warmer climate
6. MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS
6.1. Migration and its causes
Migration is the physical movement of people from one place to another.
Emigration is act of leaving a place, or country of origin, travel a destination.
Immigration on other hand, is the used describe the arrival Of people to a Country or
destination. The between the number of people immigrating and the number of people
emigrating, is known as the migratory balance, and it can be either positive or negative.
The causes of migration are diverse, and include:

Natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts,

hurricanes. and Other types Of natural hazards.

Political reasons: Wars, forced exile, and religious, political or racial

persecution.

Economic reasons: overpopulation, unemployment, inadequate

health care and poor educational opportunities.

6.2. Types of migration
Depending on the destination, migration is categorised as either internal or external (i.e.
national or international):

Internal migration takes place Within a country's borders'. The most

Important example of this type of migration is known as rural exodus, which is the
migration of people from rural to urban areas.
o

The countries that were most affected by rural exodus in

the past, are todays developed nations. This internal migration was
driven by huge advances in agricultural technology; the industrialisation
of cities, and the facilities available there.

UNIT 3

Nowadays, rural exodus mainly affects developing

countries, and is caused by high population growth and impoverished

living conditions

in countryside, The main

consequences

are

depopulation of the countryside and the enlargement Of cities.

External migration happens people travel from their country

of

rigging another country

o

In the past, large-scale external migrations place mainly in

Fur-opt At first people emigrated the New World later, they emigrates
within Europe itself - from poorer to richer countries such as France,
Germany and England.
o

Nowadays, external migration occurs an scale as a result Of

better and communication Today, external migration is very common for

people Living in poorer countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
They travel to North America and Europe in search of better Living and
working conditions.
7. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION
7.1. General characteristics and its causes

The

main

causes

of

international

migration

are:

Economic: People seeking' job opportunities and a higher of living, the globalization
of the cheaper and better transport.

Demographic: Richer countries provide demographic stability and

better living conditions. Poorer countries are Often overpopulated and have much
lower standards of living.

Political: people fleeing Civil conflicts and Wars,.

7.2. Migratory flows

There are three types of migration flow:

South-North migrations occur in four main areas: The Caribbean and

Andean countries; the Maghreb and Sub-Saharan Africa; Eastern Southern Asia; and
Eastern Europe. The main destinations are the United States, Canada, the European
Union and Japan.

Migration to developing countries is generally towards either; Oil

producing countries relatively industrialized countries or countries with dynamic

economies.

UNIT 3

Migration between developed countries usually involves highly

qualified people hoping to improve their working conditions.

7.3. The consequences of migration
The positive and negative effects of migration are different for countries of
origin than for destination countries.
Countries Of origin tend to positive than negative effects from emigration. The
advantages are: lower population and birth rate; less unemployment; money sent home
by migrants. All these positive effects promote the modernization of their society. The
disadvantages are: A decrease in the population will eventually result in an ageing.
Destination Countries Will benefit from a larger and younger population;
higher birth rates; availability of cheap Workforce that Will perform unskilled' jobs;
greater diversity (multiculturalism). The disadvantages are associated with cultural
issues such as integration difficulties, xenophobia and racism.

UNIT 3