Population

WEEK: 6

TOPIC: POPULATION

SUB-TOPIC: THEORIES OF POPULATION AND POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

FIRST THEORY: MALTHUSIAN THEORY OF POPULATION

The Malthusian Theory was proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus.

Main Ideas of the Theory

1. Population increases in geometric progression (very fast).
2. Food supply increases in arithmetic progression (slowly).
3. Population will eventually be greater than food supply.
4. This leads to poverty, hunger, and starvation.

Checks on Population (According to Malthus)

• Preventive checks: late marriage, moral restraint.
• Positive checks: famine, war, disease.

Criticism of Malthusian Theory

1. It ignores technological development.
2. Food production has increased greatly.
3. Population growth can be controlled.

SECOND THEORY: DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION THEORY

The Demographic Transition Theory explains changes in population growth as a country develops economically.

Stages of Demographic Transition

1. Stage 1: High birth rate and high death rate (slow growth).
2. Stage 2: High birth rate and falling death rate (rapid growth).
3. Stage 3: Falling birth rate and low death rate (slow growth).
4. Stage 4: Low birth rate and low death rate (stable population).

Importance of the Theory

1. Explains population growth patterns.
2. Helps governments plan development.
3. Shows relationship between population and development.

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

Population distribution refers to the way people are spread over a given area or country.

Types of population distribution

1. Dense (or Concentrated) Population – areas where many people live close together, e.g. big cities.
2. Sparse (or Scattered) Population – areas where few people live, e.g. deserts or mountainous regions.
3. Even (or Uniform) Population – areas where people are fairly evenly spread.

Categories of Population Distribution

1. AGE DISTRIBUTION: Age distribution refers to how the population is divided according to age groups.

Common Age Groups

1. Children (0–14 years)
2. Working population (15–64 years)
3. Aged/Old people (65 years and above)

Importance of Age Distribution

1. Helps government plan for schools and hospitals
2. Shows the size of the labour force
3. Helps in economic planning

1. SEX DISTRIBUTION: Sex distribution refers to how the population is divided into males and females.

Importance of Sex Distribution

1. Affects marriage and family life
2. Determines labour force size
3. Helps in population planning

3.OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION: Occupational distribution refers to how the population is grouped according to types of jobs they do.

Main Occupational Groups

1. Primary occupation – farming, fishing, mining
2. Secondary occupation – manufacturing, construction
3. Tertiary occupation – teaching, trading, banking, transport

Importance of Occupational Distribution

1. Shows level of economic development
2. Helps in manpower planning

4.GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Geographical distribution refers to how people are spread over different areas or regions of a country.

Importance of Geographical Distribution

1. Helps government plan development
2. Explains rural and urban population differences
3. Helps in resource allocation