UNIT 3

THE GLOBAL POPULATION

DEMOGRAPHY
Is the statistical study of human populations.
It encompasses the study of the size,
structure, and distribution of these
populations, and spatial and/or temporal
changes in them in response to birth,
migration, aging and death.

2013 Population

2050 Population
(as a Multiple of 2013)
Projected populations
based upon reasonable
assumptions on the
future course of fertility,
mortality, and migration.

PYRAMIDS OF POPULATION:
http://populationpyramid.net/WORLD/2010/

POOREST COUNTRIES / GREATEST

POPULATION INCREASE

FACTORS OF POPULATION GROWTH

POPULATION PYRAMIDS
Are diagrams consisting of bar graphs that
depict the distribution of the population at a
particular time and location according to
groups of gender or age.
Are useful to compare the characteristics of
the populations of several countries, or areas
of the world.

Structure:
Central (left) axis:
which displays the different
age groups along each side
(with each section
representing 5 years).
Horizontal axis:
which displays the population
of each age group
(percentage or absolute
figures), with males on the
right and females on the left.

Description and analysis:

Gender structure: describe and analyze the information
according to gender structure. Explain the underlying causes
and note the relevance of migration or the level of
development.
Age structure: Determine the shape of the pyramid , by
observing the base and the top. Explain the underlying causes
and possible consequences for the future.
Demographic phenomena: Associate the figures with
particular events, phenomena or stages in a countrys history,
such as wars, low birth rates, rising or falling fertility, baby
booms,

1. POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

The term POPULATION refers the

people living in a particular area.

Various scientific fields study population, from different points of view:

DEMOGRAPHY:

GEOGRAPHY:

SOCIOLOGY:

ECONOMICS:

It is the statistical
study of human
populations. It
encompasses the
study of the size,
structure, and
distribution of
these populations

It explores the
relationship
between
population and
the physical area
it occupies

It is the study of
human social
behavior, especially
the study of the
origins, organization,
institutions, and
development of
human society.

It is the
application of
economic
analysis to
demography, the
study of human
populations.

The distribution of the population around the word is

analyzed in terms of
POPULATION DENSITY (people/Km2)
Total population

Population density =

= people / Km2
Surface Km2

HIGH: over 100 people/Km2

MEDIUM: between 50 and 100 people/Km2
LOW: between 25 and 50 people/km2
VERY LOW: under 25 people/Km2

The population density varies greatly in different regions:

Areas of concentration (high
population densities): areas in
which the temperate climate
provide favorable conditions for
human development.
Include: Southest Asia, Western and
Central Europe, East Coast of USA.
Also: River Nile, coast of Brazil,
Mexico or Magreb, and areas rich in
resources.

Areas of depopulation
(low population densities):
areas which do not provide
favorable conditions for human
development.
Include: cold polar regions, high
altitude mountain ranges,
deserts and large equatorial
forests.

Main distribution factors:

Main physical factors: land

Main human factors:

relief, the climate, the soil

historical age of the settlement,

the local economy

2. NATURAL POPULATION MOVEMENTS

The population of an area changes due to the combination of
two main factors: NATURAL INCREASE and MIGRATION

NATURAL INCREASE:
The growth or the decline of a population as a result of
natural causes
BIRTH RATE DEATH RATE = %0 (number of people in every thousand)
HIGH: over 20%0
MEDIUM: between 10 and 20%0
LOW: between 10 and 0%0
NEGATIVE: under 0%0

MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS:
The changes in a population due to the physical movement of
people to and from that population.
Usually calculated as rates and expressed as the number of
people in every thousand (%0).
IMMIGRATION: THE ARRIVAL
OF PEOPLE TO A PARTICULAR
PLACE, WHICH INCREASES
POPULATION

EMIGRATION: THE
DEPARTURE OF PEOPLE FROM
A PARTICULAR PLACE, WHICH
REDUCES POPULATION

Immigrants/emigrants x 1000
= %0
Total population

MIGRATORY BALANCE: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE

IMMIGRATING AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMIGRATING.
IT CAN BE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE

BIRTH RATE: number of life births in a population in one year

Births x 1000
= %0

Total population

HIGH: over 30 %0
MEDIUM: between 20 %0 and 30 %0
LOW: under 10 %0

Other related rates considered:

Fertility rate :

average number of children born per woman

(the minimum value required to ensure the replacement of the population is
2.1 children per woman)
There are great variations between countries (developed and developing
countries). The factors behind this variations are:
Biological : maternal age
Demographic: % of young and old people
Socioeconomic: marital age, cost of children religious beliefs,

DEATH RATE: is the number of deaths in a population over a year

Deaths x 1000
= %0
Total population

HIGH: over 15 %0
MEDIUM: between 10 % and 15 %0
LOW: under 10 %0

Other related rates considered:

Infant mortality rate: deaths of infants less than 1 year old per 1000 of births.
Life expectancy : average age of people in a population when they die
There are great variations between countries (developed and developing
countries). The factors behind this variations are:
Biological : genes, gender (women live longer)
Demographic: % of young or old people
Socioeconomic: income, education, profession, lifestyle,

UN Data (2010)

3. NATURAL INCREASE
According to demographic transition theory a typical
population goes through three stages of growth (or
demographic regimes):
1. First stage (Primitive regime): slow growth due to high
birth and death rates.
2. Second stage (Period of transition): rapid growth
caused by high birth rates and low death rates. Some
developing countries are in this stage.
3. Third stage (Modern regime): growth slow down as
the birth rate decreases. Most developed countries.

Slow growth stage of natural increase:

-Occurred in all countries in the world
-It lasted from Prehistory up until 1750
-High birth rates: contraceptive methods were not effective ; children work.
-High death rates: due to diseases or famine, poor standards of health care and
hygiene, catastrophes (wars, epidemics)
Rapid growth stage of natural increase
-It began around 1750 and still continues today in some countries
-It is divided into several phases:
Between 1750 and 1950: the
population growth began to
accelerate in developed countries
because the death rates decrease.
This was as a result of advances in
agriculture, nutrition, hygiene and
medicine.
This process was followed by a drop
in birth rates due to the
transformation into industrial
societies and the availability of
birth-control methods.

Between 1950 and

1975: a population
explosion (high
increase) occurred in
developing countries
as a consequence of
the falling of death
rates (heath
advances) combined
with high birth rates

Between 1975
onwards: the worlds
population has been
growing at a slower
pace.
Developed countries:
due to an ageing of
population.
Developing countries:
due to birth control
policies.

4. DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE
Demographic structure
It refers the various biographical, cultural and socio-economic
characteristics that define the population.

The gender structure of the population:

Is the relationship between the number of men and the number
of women (males, females).
There are more males in younger age groups because they born
in greater number but the ratio of women increase in older
groups because the life expectancy for women is higher

The age structure of the population:

Is the percentage of young people (0-14), adults (15-64) and
elderly people (65 and older) in a society.
These ratios varied greatly around the world.
-Developing countries:

Developed countries:

There is a high percentage of

young people as these countries
are just beginning to experience
the demographic transition
(or has not begun it yet).
This structure is often
accompanied with social
problems such as: malnutrition
illiteracy, unemployment, which
can lead to emigration and social
unrest.

The countries that have

completed the three stages of
demographic transition have
ageing populations with a slow
population growth. This structure
is often accompanied with social
problems such as: labour
shortages and high costs of the
state (pensions and medical and
social care).

The economic structure of the population:

The economic activity of a country is classified into three main
sectors:
- PRIMARY- agriculture, mining,
- SECONDARY- industry
- TERTIARY- services

The proportion of workers in each sector is used as an

indicator of development:
PRIMARY

SECONDARY

TERTIARY

DEVELOPED

less than 10%

25-30%

More than 60%

DEVELOPING

more than 50%

Low or doesnt exist Low or doesnt exist

5. POPULATION OF SPAIN
Historical evolution of the Spanish population

Today, the total population of

Spain is 46,7 million people. It
is the 5th most populated
country in Europe
The average of density is,
93,51 hab/km (lower than
the majority of countries in
Europe).
The distribution of the
population varies a great deal
between communities.

HIGH POPULATION DENSITY:

Madrid, coastal areas, Balearic Islands and Canary Islands are the most populated
regions.
These areas have attracted population as a result of their industrial and commercial
activities.

LOW POPULATION
DENSITY:
Mountainous regions
and the interior of the
country, which is
traditionally
agricultural and has
experienced a high
emigration levels.
Soria and Teruel are
the most sparsely
populated provinces.

THE STRUCTURE OF POPULATION GROWTH IN SPAIN

Low natural increase (2.9 %0 , in 2008)
The modern demographic regime started in 1975
Low birth rates ( 11.38 %0 )
Low death rate (8.47 %0 )

Higher levels of growth in areas with higher levels of immigration

such as Madrid, coastal areas, Balearic Islands
Age and gender structure of the population is typical of developed

countries
The economic structure reflects a large tertiary sector (more than
60%)

Emigration / Immigration in Spain

From the 16th century on , Spain suffered a constant
emigration of its people to America, Africa and Europe

After 1950 Europe become the most popular

destination.
After 1992 Spain become a host country for
immigrants. Most of them were from developing
countries (but also retired Europeans).
This change was motivated by:
economic demands, which required workforce
the ageing population

6. MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS
MIGRATION: PHYSICAL MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE
FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER

IMMIGRATION: THE ARRIVAL

OF PEOPLE TO A PARTICULAR
PLACE, WHICH INCREASES
POPULATION

EMIGRATION: THE
DEPARTURE OF PEOPLE FROM
A PARTICULAR PLACE, WHICH
REDUCES POPULATION

CAUSES OF MIGRATION
NATURAL DISASTERS

POLITICAL REASONS

ECONOMIC REASONS

Earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, droughts,
floods, hurricanes

Wars, forced exile and

persecution (religious,
political or racial)

Overpopulation,
unemployment,
inadequate health care,
poor educational
opportunities.

TYPES OF MIGRATION

INTERNAL

EXTERNAL

It takes place within a country's

borders .

It happens when people travel from

their country to another.

The most important example of it is

the rural exodus .

In the past the most important

migration took place in Europe, when
people emigrated to America,
Australia Later , from richer to
poorer countries in Europe itself.

The countries that suffered this

exodus in the past are mainly
developed countries today.
Nowadays developing countries are
the most affected by this migrations
and the most important
consequence is the depopulation of
the countryside and the enlargement
of cities.

Nowadays external migration occurs

as a result of better transportations
and communications. It is very
common for people living in poor
countries who move to Europe or
North America searching a better life

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION
International migration has increased since 1990, affecting
many countries and a huge number of people (214 million
people in 2010).

MAIN CAUSES:
ECONOMIC:

People seeking better job opportunities an a higher standard

of living. Globalization of the economy and cheaper and better transport.

DEMOGRAPHIC: Richer countries provide stability and better living

conditions. Poorer countries are often overpopulated and offer lower standards of
living.

POLITICAL: people fleeing civil conflicts and wars.

TYPES OF MIGRATORY FLOWS:

NORTH-SOUTH
MIGRATION:

TO DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES

Origin: Caribbean and

Andean countries;
Maghreb and subSaharan Africa; Eastern
and Southern Asia;
eastern Europe.

Generally is towards:
-Oil producing
countries: Libya,
Venezuela, Persian Gulf
countries)
- Industrialized
countries: South Korea,
Singapore.
-Dynamic economies:
Malaysia

Destinations: USA,
European Union,
Canada and Japan

MIGRATIONS
BETWEEN DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES
Involve high qualified
people trying to
improve work
conditions.

CONSEQUENCES OF MIGRATORY FLOWS:

COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN:
General positive effects that promote the modernization of their society in
the short term: low population and birth rates; low unemployment; money
sent by migrants.
Some negative effects in the long term: the population decrease can
contribute to an ageing society.

COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION:
Positive effects : larger and younger population; higher birth rates; cheap
workforce; diversity (multiculturalism).
Negative effects: related to cultural issues like integration, xenophobia; and
racism. Also the increase of demand for public services like health care,
transport, education,

7. POPULATION OF EUROPE
Total population (2009): 738 million people, 10.8% of the global population.

Density: it is higher in costal areas with temperate climates (ancient settlements); it is

lower in cold zones in the north and mountainous regions.
Natural increase (2009): it was 0 in most of the countries because had completed the
cycle of demographic transition. Any European growth today is due to immigration .
European demographic structure: ageing population with low birth rates and
increasing life expectancy. However there are some variations.
Economic structure: the service sector (tertiary) employs most of the population .
Migration: During the 19th and first half of the 20th century Europe was a continent of
emigration (to America and Oceania mainly). Since mid-20th century western Europe
countries became destinations for immigrants. Since 1990 immigration to Europe has
grown enormously.