Population Studies
Updated 2013
Population Density
Which photograph shows an area with high population density?
Population Density
= Total number of people per unit area of land
Calculation of Population Density
• Total residents in 1997 = 3736700
• Total land area = 647.8 sq km

Pop density = 5768 persons per sq km
Population Density
• Canada – 3 people per sq km
• Bangladesh – 1042 people per sq km
• Singapore – 6000 people per sq km
http://www.photius.com/wfb1999/rankings/population_density_2.html
Top 10 most densely populated countries
and territories (humans/sq km)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Monaco
Macau
Singapore
Hong Kong
Gibraltar
Vatican City
Malta
Maldives
Bermuda
Bahrain
16818
16341
6652
6427
4308
1873
1277
1264
1248
1080
Source: The Straits Times (11 Jul 2008)
Population Distribution
• The way people are spread out over an
area of land
www.countrywatch.com/facts/facts_default.aspx...
Factors Affecting Population Distribution
1. Physical Environment
• Examples can include:
– Relief
– Climate
– Soils
2. Level of technology
• Las Vegas
Population Distribution of
Malaysia
• Population is not evenly distributed
• 80% of the people live on the west
coast; 20% on the east coast.
• Areas of high pop density are the
major cities such as Kuala Lumpur,
Melaka and Johor Bahru
• Areas of low to moderate pop
density are found on the coastal
plain on the east coast
Relief
• Lowland areas/low reliefs are able to
support a dense population
• Development of settlements, transport,
agriculture and industry
• Central northern part is sparsely populated
because it is mountainous
Climate
• West coast more densely populated –
sheltered from SW monsoon by
Sumatra
• Sheltered from heavy rain facilitates
the growth of trade, market towns and
ports
• East coast is exposed to NE monsoon
as it faces South China Sea
• Heavy and prolonged downpour
causes floods and inflict economic
losses
Soil
• Soil on the west coast is generally suitable for
growing cash crops such as rubber and oil palm
• Moist and soft soil also supports wet rice
cultivation
• Hence, west coast able to support dense
population
• East coast – swampy lowland
• Mountains in central northern part – poor, thin,
stony soil. Unsuitable for rice cultivation
Describe and account for the population
distribution and density in Peninsular
Malaysia.
Describe
•High population density – where?
•moderate population density – where?
•Low population density – where?
Account - Factors influencing population distribution
•Physical environment
•Level of technology
High Population Growth in
Developing Countries
Population Pyramid
• Shows the proportion of males and females in
different age groups
• Measured in % or no of total pop
• Shape determined by BR, DR and migration
How to look at a population
pyramid?
• Look at 4 things:
– Overall shape
– Narrow or Broad Base (% of population that is
young)
– Narrow or Broad Top (% of population that is
old)
– Skewness of gender ratio (has migration
caused males/females to move out of the
country?)
A Pyramidal-shaped Population
Pyramid (Progressive)
Describing and interpreting
• Broad base indicates high BR or fertility rate
and an expanding/youthful population
• Large dependent population account 35% or
more of the total population
• Pyramid narrows from age group to age group,
indicating high DR
• The narrow top from the 65 – 69 age group
indicates low life expectancy
• Overall sex ratio is balanced which reflects little
immigration or emigration
• Such a population diagram is typical of
developing countries with increasing population
Reasons for high growth rate:
Developing countries
Low DR
High BR
Better hygiene
Lack of family planning
Better nutrition
Early marriages
Better healthcare
Preference for sons
Need for farm labour
High growth rate:
Developing countries
Consequences: Overpopulation
•Strain on country’s resources (food,
housing, education)
•High unemployment rate
•Environmental problems
Responses for high growth
rate: Developing countries
Solutions
•Education on family planning
•Incentives and penalties through
policies
– China’s one child policy
– Singapore’s “stop at two” policy
Low Population Growth in
Developed Countries
A bee-hived Pyramid
(Regressive)
Describing and Interpreting
• Narrow base indicates low BR and fertility rate
• Young dependent makes up less than 30% of the
total population
• Broader top indicates a long life expectancy and a
relatively low DR
• Aged can account more than 15% of the population –
greying pop
• There is a possibility of the population shrinking as
birth and population growth rates continue to drop
each year
• Such a pyramid typifies the population structure of
developed countries
Reasons for low growth rate:
Developed countries
Low DR
Low BR
Better hygiene
Later marriages
Better nutrition
Fewer marriages
Better medical and
health care
Preference for smaller
families
Consequences of low growth
rate:
•Aging Population
–Lower economic output  lower standard of living
•Higher taxes on the smaller working population
–More $$ is needed for public services like hospitals
and libraries
•Smaller talent pool & less dynamic workforce
–Results in manpower shortages in creative or hightechnology sectors
Measures to overcome low
growth rate:
• Incentives to encourage marriage and child
bearing
• Meeting needs of the elderly
• Raising retirement age
• Increasing population through immigration
Case Study: Sweden
Population Pyramid at 31 Dec 2006
http://www.scb.se/templates/tableOrChart____159280.asp
See Link: Population Pyramid 1850 2050
References
1. Chong, M. (2000) Aspect of Human Geography,
Singapore: Pekoe Books. Chapter 1 (p.1 – 47)
2. Waugh, D. (2000) Geography An Integrated Approach,
UK: Nelson. Chapter 13 (p. 344 – 383)
3. Wikipedia