An analysis of the world population

1. Almudena Corrales Marbán

2. 1. POPULATION DEVELOPMENT
Population refers to all people who live in a particular area.
Demography is the science that studies the development, distribution, births,
deaths and changing structure of human populations.
To obtain information
about the population we
use sources like:
• CENSUS
• MUNICIPAL
REGISTERS
Censo nacional de población, hogares
y viviendas, 2010

3. HOW POPULATION HAS CONTINUED TO GROW THROUGHOUT HISTORY?
Until the middle of 18th century: population growth was very slow . Both, birth
rate and death rate remained high.
From the middle of the 18th century: population began to grow rapidly in
industrialised countries, because advances in technology, health and medicine
,that helped to improve people’s diet and standard of living.
During the most of the 20th century: the world population grew very quickly
because the number of deaths fell in many parts (Latin America, Asia, Africa)
thanks to advances in sanitation and healthcare .
Since the 1980s, world population growth has fallen due to the slight fall in the
number of births

5. POPULATION NOWADAYS
Although we are 7000 million people,
population, growth is not the same all
over the world.
• In developed countries like
European countries, Northern African
countries and North America,
population growth is static or negative.
• In less-developed countries like
Sub-Saharian and part of Latin
America and Asia. Population growth
is higher..

6. 2. DISTRIBUTION OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION
The distribution of the world’s population is not equal. In order to
measure the distribution of a population we use the population density.
=…………….inhabitants/km
2

7. Population density varies from one place to another:
AREAS WITH HIGHER POPULATION
DENSITY
AREAS WITH LOWER POPULATION
DENSITY
Areas with better physical
conditions:
• Temperate climate
• Flatter land
(more appropriate from planting crops)
• Near to the sea or a river
Areas with beter human conditions.
• More job opportunities
• Stable political situation
Areas with harder physical
conditions:
• Very cold or hot climate
• Montainous (more investing for
planting crops)
Areas with worse social conditions:
• Lack of basic services: health,
educaction, security.
The least populated areas are called
demographic deserts

8. 3. NATURAL POPULATION CHANGE
The increase and decrease in the population is produced by biological
factors: BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
3.1. NATALITY (Natalidad)
Number of people born over a year in a particular area.
How do we calculate the birth rate?
BR= total number of births in a year/total population x 1000.
The result is expressed as …………o/oo
The birth rate varies from one country to another

10. In less developed countries (LEDCs).
Birth rate is high because families need
children to help with economic activities. So
this means that children countribute to
the family income. In other cases, high
birth rates are a result of tradition.
In developed countries (MEDCs). Birth
rate is lower. One of the reasons for this is
the incorporation of women into
employment, also, children are
considered an economic burden in
some regions.

11. 3.2. MORTALITY (Natalidad)
Number of people who die over a year in a particular area.
How do we calculate the death rate?
DR= total number of deaths/total populationx 1000
The result is expressed as …………o/oo
Improvements in diet, sanitation and health care have helped to reduce the
death rate throughout the world. As a result, life expectancy has increased.

12. In less developed countries (LEDCs).
Death rate is still high because of the lack
of food and health care. These countries
also suffer from more wars, epidemics and
natural disasters (floods, droughts,
earthquakes). As a result, life expectancy is
high.
In developed countries (MEDCs). Death
rate and life expectancy is high. However,
the death rate is increasing slightly, due to
the ageing of the population
(envejecimiento de la población).
Population pyramids clearly show this
aspect, like the population pyramids of
European countries (www.census.gov)
Sub-Saharan countries have
high infant mortality rate.
Spain enjoys one of the highest life
expectancies. However, it is one of the most
ageing countries in the world.

14. 3.3. NATURAL INCREASE
Natural increase is the difference between the number of births and the
number of deaths in a population.
Natural increase can be:
 Positive: The number of births is greater than the number deaths. As a
result of this, population rises.
 Negative: The number of deaths is greater than the number of births. As a
result of this, population falls.
The rate of natural increase (RNI) is calculated with the following expression:
RNI= BR-DR
The rate of natural increase is not the same all over the world. In less-
developed countries, the rate of natural increase is high while in developed
countries, it is low or even negative,

15. 4. POPULATION MOVEMENT
People move from one place to another. This movement can be REGULAR or
MIGRATORY.
4.1. REGULAR POPULATION
MOVEMENT
It doesn’t involve a change of job
or place of residence.
a) Commuting: regular
movement between a person’s
place of residence and their
place of work or study (e.g.
university)
b) Leisure: related to free time,
such as weekends away or
holiday.

16. 4.2. MIGRATORY MOVEMENT
a) Change of job and place of residence.
b) Internal (same country), or external
(from one country to another)
c) It includes:
 Emigration: Refers to people leaving a
particuler area.
Reasons:
• To find a job
• Improve their living standards
• Fleeing from wars or political
conflicts (e.g. Syrian refugees)
 Immigration: people arriving to live in a
particular place.
Benefits:
• Rejuvenation of the recipient
population.
• Cultural exchange.
• Work force (active population)

17. 5. POPULATION STRUCTURE
Population can be classified according to different criteria
5.1. BY GENDER
This refers to the ratio of men to women.
More boys are born than girls but life
expectancy is higher for women.
5.2. BY AGE
Usually divided into three age groups:
YOUNG PEOPLE 0-14 years old
ADULTS 15-64 years old
ELDERY 65 and older (retired people)
(Población joven, adulta y envejecida)
Age

18. 5.3. BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
Active population: people of
working age (employed or
unemployed)
Inactive population: people who
cannot work (minors, retired people)
people of working age who are not
looking for a paid job (senior
students)