Geography (UACE 250/2) paper 2 Population distribution, growth, characteristics and problems in selected region in the world

Terminologies

Population is  the number   of people living in a certain area (region) at a given time.  The total number of people is established   by carrying out population   census.

Population census is the physical counting of people in the country after a given period of time. In Uganda, population  census is normally carried out after every 10 years.

The importance   of population   census in the economy

1. It helps to determine the total population   size and its distribution in the country.   This   is important for national planning purposes.
2. It helps to determine the population growth rate of the country over time. This helps to put in place control measures to regulate the rate of population growth.
3. Population figures are used in the calculation per capita income of the country. This gives an indication of standards of living in the country.
4. It helps to determine the sex composition of the population that is, the ratio of men to women.
5. It helps to show the geographical distribution of the population. This is important for regional resource allocation.
6. It helps to determine the rate of internal and external migration. This enables the government to come up with measures to control migration of people.
7. It helps to determine the ethnic and religious composition of the population that is, the ratio of the population which belongs to different tribes and religions.
8. It is used to determine the population density (number of people per unit area of land). This is used as a basis for demarcating districts   for effective   service   delivery   and constituencies     for political purposes.
9. It helps to determine the population structure and composition in terms of age and level of education of the people. The age structure indicates the number of defendants in the country.
10. It is used to determine the occupation composition of the population. This is important for proper manpower planning.

 

Terms used in population.

(a)   Demography.  This is the study of the population   structure   and its composition   in terms of age, sex, education levels etc.

(b)   Population explosion. This refers to the rapid increase in the population   of a given area relative to the available resources.    Population   explosion leads to over population   in the long run.

(c)   Migration.  This refers to the movement   of people from one area (region)   to another   in a given time.

(d)  Immigration.  This refers to the movement   of people which involves   entering   and settling   into the country from another country.

(e)   Emigration.  This refers to the movement   of people which involves moving out of the country to settle in other countries.

Factors which influence migration of people

1. Imbalances in resource distribution   among regions and countries.
2. Differences  in levels of development   between regions and countries.
3. Differences  in incomes and wages between regions.
4. Political instabilities  like wars and change of regimes.
5. Educational requirements    where people   are forced to  go  to other  countries   (regions)   to  acquire education.
6. Differences  in climatic conditions which may be favorable or unfavorable.
7. Diseases which  may  affect  certain  regions  there  by pushing  people  to other  regions

 

(f)  Birth rate (Crude birth rate).   This refers to the number   of children born alive   in a year per thousand of the population.    It is expressed as a percentage.

(g) Death rate (crude death rate]. This refers to the number of deaths in a year per thousand of the population.    It is expressed as a percentage.

(h) Natural population growth rate (NPGR).    This is the difference   between   the number   of live births per thousand   of the population   and the number of deaths per thousand of the population   in a year.

1. It is the difference between the crude birth rate and the crude death  rate.

Example 1

 

In a certain  country,   the  birth  rate  is 35 per  thousand   and  the  death  rate  is  15 per  thousand   of the population.    Calculate the natural population   growth rate.

Solution

(i)    Artificial population growth rate. This is population   growth rate resulting   from net international migration   that is the difference between immigration   and emigration.

Actual population  growth rate = C.B.R –  C.D.R+ net international migration

 

Determinants   of population   growth rate

1. Birth rates
2. Death rates
3. Immigration
4. Emigration

 

(j)   Dependence burden.  This  is  a  situation   where   there  is  a  big  proportion of  the  non-working population   depending   on a smaller  proportion   of working  population

(k)  Dependence   ratio. This refers to the ratio   of the non-working    population    to the   working population.

Young dependents   = people below 18 years;    Old dependents   = people above 65 years

Active group (working  group)  = 18- 65 years

 

(m) Fertility   rate. This  is the  average  number  of  live  children  born  per  a  fertile  woman.  (For Uganda’s case it is six children per woman)

 

Population distribution in the world

Population distribution refers to how a country’s population is spread over the unit land area. The distribution of world’s population is uneven.

The densely populated areas include

• Western and central Europe especially Britain, Germany, France etc
• East and central North America.
• The Indian subcontinent comprising of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
• Eastern monsoon Asia that include China, Japan, Korea
• Nile valley and Delta

The moderately populated areas include

• South and Eastern Europe
• Foothills, intermountain basins, plateau, grasslands

Sparsely populated areas include

• Hot deserts e.g. Sahara Desert
• Cold deserts e.g. Northern Canada
• Hot and wet forests e.g. Amazon, Congo etc.

The population distribution in Africa is shown in the map below

• High population areas in Africa include West Africa, along the coastal region (south of the Sahel), Ethiopian high lands, the highlands of Rwanda and Burundi. the Lake Victoria basin, the South African coastal areas, the Nile valley of Egypt, the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in North Africa, urban areas g. Cairo, Alexandria, Lagos, Nairobi, Kinshasa, Johannesburg etc.
• The moderate population areas in Africa include; Savannah region of Africa, the Mediterranean coast lands in North and South Africa etc.
• The low population areas in Africa include; the Sahel region, the Sahara, the Namibia and Kalahari deserts, the horn of Africa, Northern Kenya, and the Nyika plateau, Central Tanzania etc.

 

The population distribution in selected countries

Egypt.

High Population is concentrated along the Nile valley; along the Nile Delta; urban centres along the Mediterranean coast; some areas on the shores of the red sea; and the Sahara desert Oases.

Low/sparse population are in the rest of the country such as Sahara desert.

Nigeria

High population is located in southern Nigeria; major cities, Yorubaland in southwest; the central Jos Plateau etc.

Moderate population is located in the northern part of Nigeria e.g. around Sokoto, Kano and Kastana.

Area of low population density include middle-belt.

Kenya

High population occurs along Kenya highlands, Lake Victoria basin, coastal plains from Malindi to Mombasa and within Major cities

Moderate population occurs in areas like Elgon region, Nakuru, Kitale etc.

Low populated areas include Turkana region in Northern Kenys, rift valley, Masai steppees

China.

The highest concentration of people is in Eastern China with a density which is over 200 persons per km².

Moderate population is in the Southern areas and Central regions with a population density of 50- 100 persons per km².

Sparse population is found in Northern and Western parts of the Country where the density is below 20 persons per km²

Canada

High population occurs in the southern part of the country; the northern part is sparsely populated due to coldness

India

Dense population occurs Gujarat Plains in the north; the thin Konkan shore in Maharashtra state, New Dheli and Malabar cost in the south etc.

Sparse population occurs along Himalayan mountain system and the north-eastern part of India

Factors that influence population distribution

Physical factors

Climate

• Heavy and evenly distributed rainfall and hot temperature favor high population
• Low rainfall discourage population growth

Vegetation cover:

• the dense tropical rainfall regions discourages settlement;
• the savannah grassland areas encourage moderate settlement because it is suitable for  animal grazing and it is easy to clear and cultivate crops;
• Arid area with no vegetation cover discourage settlement because they do not support growth of plants either.

Altitude / relief

• very high altitude areas of over 3000m above sea level discourages settlement due to steep slopes / rugged terrain with very low temperatures, low oxygen e.g. the tops of the mountains e.g. Kenya , Kilimanjaro, Rwenzori, Drakensberg;
• areas with moderate altitude receive high rainfall which favors crop farming e.g. the slopes of Mount Kenya, Kilimanjaro, Ethiopian high lands and gently sloping areas e.g. the Nile valley of Egypt, the Jos plateau of Nigeria etc.
• Very low altitude areas e.g. the rift valley floor receive low rainfall and low population distribution

Soils

• Areas of high soil production or fertility have large population e.g. the shores of lake Victoria, the volcanic highlands of Adamawa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi,
• Low fertility soils e.g. sandy desert soils, the sandy soils in the Sahel etc. support low populations.

Drainage: well drained areas e.g. along the Nile valley of Egypt have large population compared to poorly drained areas e.g. around the Nigeria delta have low population

Pests/ diseases and wild animals have special control on population distribution e.g. tsetse flies in the Miombo wood lands in western Tanzanian has led to low population compared to areas with less pests e.g. South East Nigeria, the Nile valley of Egypt

The effect of natural hazards e.g. landslides along the steep slopes of major highlands, Volcanic eruptions, earth quakes, flooding discourages settlements compared to areas -with less natural disasters.

 Human factors

• Historical factors e.g. the effect of slave trade depopulated some areas in central Africa, border areas of conflicting ethnic groups left no man’s lands. The effect of civilization in Egypt helped to increase settlement around the Nile valley of Egypt
• Presence of employment opportunities
• Industries leading large population of the copper belt in Zambia, the Sahara desert, the Witwatersrand in the Republic of South Africa etc. compared to areas without minerals.
• The effect of urbanization / development towns has led to rural urban migration to the major cities e g. Cairo, Lagos, Nairobi, Kinshasa, and Johannesburg etc. as compared to rural areas without towns.
• The government policy can encourage or discourage population distribution through allocation of administrative centers, irrigation schemes e.g. in the Kano plains of Kenya ,the Gezira irrigation scheme in Sudan etc. Government can discourage population settlement by allocation of some areas to national parks e.g. Tzepo in Kenya, Serengeti national park in Tanzania or national forest reserves ·
• The effect of transport and communication facilities. Areas with sound transport facilities e.g. the Witwatersrand in South Africa. The TANZAM railway line etc. have attract large populations compared to areas with poor transport network. .
• Strategic locations e.g. along the coastal areas promotes trade, and have attracted large population densities compared to the interior counter parts.
• Political climate i e. Stability and instability. Politically stable areas have attracted large populations e.g. South East Nigeria as opposed the Northern areas of Nigeria, Somalis etc. which are unstable.
• Cultural factors help to gravitate settlements around the tribal groups. ,
• The effort of trade and commerce. Areas with better opportunities for trade have attracted large populations as opposed to areas with limited trade opportunities.

Causes of population explosion

• Polygamy practices by Muslims in Nigeria who are religiously accepted to marry up to four wives has led to an increase in the population in Nigeria since each woman or wife produces usually on a competition basis of who will give birth to mote children hence the number of children has drastically increased.
• Reduced infant mortality rate rates due to improved medical services such as immunization against killer diseases like measles, diphtheria, polio; tetanus which used to kill many of the infants has led to increase in population Nigeria.
• High fertility rate among Nigerian women and men leading to more births have led to increase in population
• Low levels of education with a high illiteracy rate results into an increase in population because the less educated people tend to produce more children at an early age, have limited knowledge about family
• planning all of which raise the chances of having many children.
• Limited family planning education and facilities both countries has resulted into increase in population rates. The limited use of contraceptives, condoms and other family control procedures has resulted into many pregnancies whenever intercourse is done.
• Reduced maternal mortality rate due to better health care such as antenatal care.
• Government policy that encourages high population growth to develop a strong market base for agricultural and industrial goods.
• Increased life expectancy due to improved medical facilities
• Immigration especially in Nigeria
• Poverty among the rural people because they lack ambitions, ideal and have enough time at their spouse doing nothing
• Political stability

Effects of high population are both positive and negative

Positive effects/contribution of high population

• High population provides local market to agriculture and industrial output.
• The big population is a source of cheap labour necessary development of the agricultural and industrial sectors.
• High population is a source of government revenue through taxes on their labour.
• High population provides security such as in army, police, prison officers
• High population leads to exploitation of resources in agriculture, fishery, industries etc.

 

Negative effect/contribution of high population

• Dependency burdens due to a high number of young people and the elderly who are not productive.
• High populations have strained social facilities like schools, Hospitals in Mumbai, leading to compromised standard of living.
• It has resulted into high cost of living in terms of accommodation, education, health care, feedings etc.
• It has resulted into poor sanitation in the congested cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi and Calcutta due to abundant domestic waste.
• It has resulted into an increase in the crime rate such as human organ trafficking, drug abuse, theft, etc.
• High population causes unemployment due to many people chasing the few existing jobs.
• High population leads insecurity and unrest due to competition for limited resources.
• High population results into food scarcity and malnutrition.
• High population promotes spreading diseases
• High population has led to land shortage, and environmental degradation.
• Increased government expenditure on social service
• High population in India has led to dependence on foreign aid from the developed countries such as U.S.A. and loans from the World Bank for infrastructural development and sustenance of the government thus slowing down development

Steps being taken to solve the problems of rural-urban migration in tropical Africa

• Provision of social services to the village such as schools and healthy facilities
• Rural electrification to encourage development of industries and employment in the rural area.
• Improvement of water supply in rural area
• Improvement of security to the rural areas
• Political stability
• Extension of affordable credit facilities into rural areas
• Population control
• Decentralization of government department in order to create employment in the rural areas.

Population problems in developing countries   (Uganda)

• There is food shortage to support the increasing Countries   are forced   to import foodstuffs or to seek for foreign aid from other countries.
• Balance of payment problems. This is as a result of increased   government   expenditure   on food imports and other social requirements for the population.
• High levels of unemployment and under-employment. The population   growth rate exceeds the rate at which jobs are being created.    This is due to limited job creating investments as a result of low   savings and capital.
• Diminishing returns in the agriculture sector due to high population pressure on land and other natural resources.  This leads to low levels of productivity   and per capita income.
• Low capital accumulation. This   is due to high   consumption expenditures leaving little or nothing for savings and investment.
• Poor standards of living. This is due to shortage of goods and services and high levels of inflation due to excessive demand for goods and services.
• Over exploitation of natural resources hence environmental   degradation   and pollution.
• Rural urban migration leading to congestion, high crime rates, prostitution, theft etc. in urban centers.
• High dependence burdens. The increasing   population   makes developing   countries   to depend on other developed countries for foreign aid in form of food and other consumer
• High levels of brain drain. The increasing   population   accelerates   brain  drain  as the  young  and highly  educated  individuals   leave  their  countries   in search  of “greener   pastures”    in  developed countries.
• High levels of illiteracy due to low levels of education and poor health services.  The majority of the people are poor and they   cannot   access   the expensive higher   education due to  high dependence
• Political instabilities in form of civil wars and struggle for the limited social services.

 

Possible solutions   to the population problems in developing countries

The solutions aimed at solving the problems of increasing population   are contained   in the population policy.  Therefore   the population   policy is aimed at attaining   optimum   population   by checking   on population    growth   and increasing   resources    and production    capacity.      Such population    policies include the following;

• Family planning. This includes   the use of contraceptive   pills, condoms   and other intra-uterine devices.    However, this method has not been effectively   used due to high levels of illiteracy   and fear of side effects.
• Encouraging higher education. Emphasis   should  be put  on  female  education   so as to check  on the  fertility   rates  and  emphasize   the  quality   of  children   other   than the     In addition, education also helps to postpone marriages   for the future.
• Adopting production policies aimed at increasing food supply to reduce on food shortages.    This helps to reduce on the diseases associated with malnutrition.
• Rural development policies aimed at making rural areas attractive so as to check on rural urban migration. Such policies   include   rural electrification,    security,   water   supply      This   also promotes agricultural production.
• Disease control measures. Health programs   should be set up to educate   the people   on how to control and reduce on the spread of diseases through primary health care.
• Legalizing abortion as a way of controlling unwanted pregnancies   and population

 

Thank you

Dr. Bbosa Science