The World Population Distribution, Density and Growth — NCERT Solutions

Distinction between Birth Rate and Death Rate:

Formula:
$$\text{Birth Rate} = \frac{\text{Number of Live Births}}{\text{Total Population}} \times 1000$$
$$\text{Death Rate} = \frac{\text{Number of Deaths}}{\text{Total Population}} \times 1000$$

The difference between birth rate and death rate gives the natural growth rate of population.

Distinction between Push Factors and Pull Factors of Migration:

In summary: Push factors 'push' people out of their homeland due to unfavourable conditions, while pull factors 'pull' people towards a new place due to better prospects and opportunities.

Introduction:
Population is not uniformly distributed across the world. About 90% of the world's population lives on only 10% of the land area. This uneven distribution is influenced by both physical and human factors.

A. Physical/Geographical Factors:

1. Topography: Plains and river valleys are densely populated because they offer flat land for agriculture, easy transport, and construction. For example, the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Nile Valley are very densely populated. Mountainous and hilly regions like the Himalayas and the Alps are sparsely populated.

2. Climate: Regions with moderate temperature and adequate rainfall support large populations. Extreme climates — very cold (polar regions), very hot and dry (deserts like Sahara and Atacama), or very hot and wet (Amazon basin) — are sparsely populated.

3. Soil: Fertile soils attract dense agricultural populations. The alluvial soils of river plains support intensive farming and high population density.

4. Water: Availability of fresh water is critical. Settlements have historically developed along rivers and lakes. Arid regions with scarce water are sparsely populated.

5. Minerals: Areas rich in mineral resources attract industries and workers. The Ruhr Valley in Germany and the Jharkhand region in India are examples.

B. Economic Factors:

1. Industrialisation and Urbanisation: Industrial regions offer employment and attract large populations. North-West Europe, North-East USA, and Japan are densely populated due to industrial development.

2. Agriculture: Regions with fertile land and favourable climate for agriculture support high population density.

3. Transport: Well-connected areas with good road, rail, and port facilities attract more people.

C. Social and Historical Factors:

1. Historical significance: Some regions have been inhabited for thousands of years (e.g., the Nile Valley, Mesopotamia) and have accumulated large populations over time.

2. Social amenities: Areas with better education, healthcare, and infrastructure attract migrants and support higher density.

Conclusion:
Thus, population distribution and density are the result of a complex interplay of physical, economic, social, and historical factors. No single factor alone determines where people live.

Introduction:
Demographic Transition Theory explains the change in population growth over time as a country develops economically and socially. It describes how birth rates and death rates change through three broad stages.

Stage I — High Stationary Stage (Pre-industrial):

• Both birth rate and death rate are high.
• The population remains relatively stable or grows very slowly.
• High birth rates are due to social customs, lack of family planning, and the need for labour.
• High death rates are due to poor sanitation, lack of medical facilities, famines, and epidemics.
• Most pre-industrial societies and some least developed countries today are in this stage.
• Net population growth is low.

Stage II — Early Expanding Stage (Developing):

• Birth rate remains high but death rate begins to fall significantly.
• Improvements in sanitation, healthcare, nutrition, and medical facilities reduce mortality.
• Because of the wide gap between birth rate and death rate, the net addition to population is very high — this is called the population explosion.
• Most developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America are currently in this stage.
• Net population growth is very high.

Stage III — Low Stationary Stage (Developed):

• Both birth rate and death rate decline considerably.
• Population becomes urbanised, literate, and economically prosperous.
• People deliberately control family size through family planning.
• The population is either stable or grows very slowly.
• Some developed countries even experience negative growth rate (deaths exceed births).
• Most developed countries of Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia are in this stage.
• Net population growth is low or negative.

Conclusion:
The demographic transition theory shows that as countries develop economically and socially, their population dynamics change. Different countries are at different stages of this transition today. Human beings are flexible and adjust their fertility according to social and economic conditions.

Note: This is a map-based activity. Students should obtain a blank outline map of the world and mark the following:

Countries in Europe with Negative/Near-Zero Growth Rate:

• Germany
• Russia
• Ukraine
• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Estonia
• Poland
• Czech Republic
• Croatia
• Serbia
• Italy (near-zero/negative)
• Portugal (near-zero/negative)

Countries in Asia with Negative/Near-Zero Growth Rate:

• Japan (negative/near-zero)
• South Korea (near-zero)
• Georgia
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan (some periods)

Instructions for the map:

1. Use a pencil to outline the countries.
2. Shade or colour them distinctly.
3. Write the names of the countries clearly.
4. Provide a legend/key indicating 'Countries with Negative Growth Rate of Population'.
5. Give the map a proper title and include a compass direction.

Note: This is a personal/activity-based question. The answer will vary for each student. A sample response is provided below:

Sample Answer:

Yes, my uncle migrated from our village in Bihar to Mumbai (Maharashtra) about ten years ago.

Place of Destination: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Reasons for Migration (Push and Pull Factors):

Push Factors (from the place of origin):

• Lack of employment opportunities in the village.
• Low agricultural income due to small landholding.
• Inadequate educational and medical facilities.

Pull Factors (towards the destination):

• Better employment opportunities in Mumbai's industries and service sector.
• Higher wages compared to rural areas.
• Better educational facilities for children.
• Improved standard of living.

He now works in a textile factory in Mumbai and sends money home regularly, which has improved our family's economic condition. His migration is an example of rural-to-urban migration driven by economic factors.

Note: This is a project-based activity. The answer will vary depending on the student's state. A sample report for Uttar Pradesh is provided below:

A Brief Report on the Distribution and Density of Population in Uttar Pradesh

Introduction:
Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the most populous state in India. According to the 2011 Census, its population was approximately 19.98 crore, accounting for about 16.5% of India's total population.

Distribution:
Population in UP is unevenly distributed. The western and central plains along the Ganga and Yamuna rivers are the most densely populated areas. Districts like Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, and Allahabad (Prayagraj) have very high population concentrations due to urbanisation and economic activities. The Bundelkhand region in the south is relatively sparsely populated due to rugged terrain and water scarcity.

Density:
The average population density of UP is approximately 828 persons per sq km (2011 Census), which is much higher than the national average of 382 persons per sq km.

Factors Influencing Distribution:

• Fertile alluvial soil of the Indo-Gangetic Plain supports intensive agriculture.
• Availability of water from rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Ghaghra.
• Well-developed transport network.
• Presence of major industrial and commercial centres.

Conclusion:
The distribution of population in UP reflects the influence of physical, economic, and historical factors. The fertile plains and urban centres attract dense populations, while hilly and arid areas remain sparsely populated.

(Students should replace this with data specific to their own state.)