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 world’s 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 world’s

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

The population of an area changes due to the combination of two main factors:

natural increase and migration.

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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.

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

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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

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.

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Secondary sector fluctuates. In developed countries whilst in some

underdeveloped countries it often doesn’t 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 Andalucía 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 León.

The age and gender Structures of Spanish population are typical of a

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

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 low-

skilled workforce, and by the fact that Spun has an ageing population. Most of

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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 today’s developed nations. This internal migration was

driven by huge advances in agricultural technology; the industrialisation

of cities, and the facilities available there.

o 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

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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.

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

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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.

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