THE RATE, NATURE & DISTRIBUTION OF THE WORLDS POPULATION
population
pɒpjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
The worlds population currently stands at 7.2 billion people - and is increasing at an exponential rate. There are two main events that impact population; the Birth rate (no. of babies born per/1000) and Death rate (no. of deaths per/1000). When the birth rate is higher than the death rate the population begins to grow - this is called natural increase. Currently, Niger has the highest birth rate of the countries, standing at 46.84 births/1,000 population and Monaco has the lowest with 6.72 births/1,000 population (Nation Master, 2014). (See interactive map below for additional information).
pɒpjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
- all the inhabitants of a particular place.
The worlds population currently stands at 7.2 billion people - and is increasing at an exponential rate. There are two main events that impact population; the Birth rate (no. of babies born per/1000) and Death rate (no. of deaths per/1000). When the birth rate is higher than the death rate the population begins to grow - this is called natural increase. Currently, Niger has the highest birth rate of the countries, standing at 46.84 births/1,000 population and Monaco has the lowest with 6.72 births/1,000 population (Nation Master, 2014). (See interactive map below for additional information).
The nature of the world's population is constantly changing as a result of these varying rates and migration. World population growth rates peaked in the late 1960's, then declined sharply in the last four decades affecting the worlds total population as it is still rising due to population momentum stemming from large increases that occurred in developing countries during this time period. But fertility rates are falling as many developing countries pass through the demographic transition [refers to a country moving from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops from a Pre-industrial phase (Phase 1) to the Levelling off phase (Phase 4)] due to factors such as lower infant mortality rates, expanding rights, education and increased family planning services. It is these factors that are having the greatest influence on the changing nature of the Worlds population and define the distribution of the population on their land.
Statistically, more than 60% of the worlds population is located on the continent of Asia making it the most densely populated continent compared to the rest. With so many people living in one place, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle living in rural areas. The year 2000's are regarded as the 'tipping point' or 'urban millennium' of the future predicted trends - more and more people are moving away from rural living into urban areas for a better quality of life. This movement of people ('Urbanisation') is not only found within Asia, but is a worldwide phenomenon. As of 2014, 51% of the world population lived in urban areas and 49% lived in rural areas. This prediction foresees that in 2050, 70% is living in urban spaces and 30% are living in rural. Coinciding with this change in distribution of the human population is migration - the act or process of moving from one place to another with the intention of staying at the destination permanently or for a long period of time. This may take place nationally or internationally due to events reasons such as war, civil unrest, job opportunities, family and/or looking for a better quality of life.
The top ten most populated countries currently are as listed:
1. China 1,349,585,838
2. India 1,220,800,359
3. United States 316,668,567
4. Indonesia 251,160,124
5. Brazil 201,009622
6. Pakistan 193,238,868
7. Nigeria 174,507,539
8. Bangladesh 163,654,860
9. Russia 142,500,482
10. Japan 127,253,075
(infoplease, 2014)
1. China 1,349,585,838
2. India 1,220,800,359
3. United States 316,668,567
4. Indonesia 251,160,124
5. Brazil 201,009622
6. Pakistan 193,238,868
7. Nigeria 174,507,539
8. Bangladesh 163,654,860
9. Russia 142,500,482
10. Japan 127,253,075
(infoplease, 2014)