POPULATION GEOGRAPHY
Introduction
What is Population Geography?

A division of human geography concerned with
spatial variations in distribution, composition,
growth, and movements of population.
We currently have…
7 BILLION PEOPLE
on the planet. :-O
http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/
Ecumene

Portion of the world’s land surface that is
permanently settled by human beings.
 75%
of people live on only 5% of the earth’s surface.
 About 50% of people on the earth live in cities.
Demography


The study of the patterns and rates of population
change, including birth and death rates, migration
trends, and evolving populations distributions.
Demographics= statistical characteristics of a
population
 Gender,
age, race, disabilities, mobility, home
ownership, employment status, location, etc.
Population Geography=
GEODEMOGRAPHY
Linear Versus Exponential Growth
How is our population growing?
Doubling Time



Time period required for a population experiencing
exponential growth to double in size completely.
At a 3% growth rate, the time it will take for a
population to double is less than 25 years.
Growth rates currently exceed 3% in parts of subSaharan and tropical Africa, the Middle East, and
Central America.
Where is the population growing?
Carrying capacity

Maximum number of people a region can
reasonably sustain.
Overpopulation

Occurs when a region exceeds its carrying
capacity. This is difficult to measure because of
changing technology and environmental issues
that continually alter the carrying capacity.
Overcrowded

Simply too many people but the carrying
capacity has not been reached.
Underpopulation

Measure that is difficult to pinpoint; occurs
when a population size is below its carrying
capacity and cannot sustain the economic
development it has reached.
 Trouble
society.
filling jobs and fulfilling responsibilities to
Zero Population Growth


Proposal to end population growth through a
variety of official and nongovernmental family
planning programs.
Many activists in the more-developed countries
believe overpopulation is the root cause of the
world’s social and environmental problems.