POPULATION

CONTENT    

1. Meaning of Population
2. Population Concepts
3. Population Distribution Patterns
4. Determinants of World Population Size
5. Population Density
6. Population Structure
7. Factors Affecting Population Distribution

Meaning of Population

Population can be seen as the total number of people living in a given geographical area. Population can also be seen as the number of people living in an area at a particular time. Population is dynamic as a result of birth rate and death rate.

The population of the world is currently estimated at more than 4.5 billion people and has the average growth rate of 2.3%. Over the years the world has grown from a mere 1.5 billion in 1900 to 4.5 billion in 1980 and by the year 2000 it is expected to have raised up to 6.3 billion people.

In terms of continents, Asia is the most populous continent in the world, followed by Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Australia is the least. In terms of countries, China is the most populous country (1.3 billion), followed by India (1.0 billion), United States (276,261 million), Indonesia (219,267 million) etc.