Population density is the measure of the number per
unit area. It is commonly represented as people per square mile (or square
kilometer), which is derived simply by dividing
total area population / land area in square miles (or square
kilometers) [For example, population of
a country, divided by the land area in
square miles yields a density of people per square mile.]
The density within the country varies dramatically - a
vast majority lives in the cities of the country. Density is only a raw gauge
to measure a population's disbursement across the land.
The tiny country of Monaco has the world's highest
population density. With an area of 3/4 of a square mile and a total population
of 32,000, Monaco has a density of almost 43,000 people per square mile.
However, Bangladesh is often considered the most
densely populated country, with more than 2,200 people per square mile.
Mongolia is the world's least densely populated
country with only 4.3 people per square mile. Australia is a close second with
6.4 people per square mile. About 90% of
the earth's people live on 10% of the land. Additionally, about 90% of the
people live north of the equator. The
population density of the planet (including all land area) is about 105 people
per square mile.
Geographical distribution of population refers to the
distribution of population to various places in the country The population will
be scattered in different places in a country at different density.
Occupational distribution of population refers to the
distribution of population on the basis of their occupation. It is seen that people at coastal and river
banks are occupationally fisherman or jobs related to water transport and so
on. According to the structural changes in the economy (technology), there will
be some effects and possible changes in Occupational distribution of population
Optimum population is the ideal size of population; it
is neither too small nor too large. Optimum population may be defined as the
size of population that will ensure the maximum per capita output.
The per capita output is the output per person in the
population.
i.e., Per capita output = Total output
Population
This concept may be explained by the following
diagram.
OM is the optimum size of population. Below OM the country is under populated. The
country is over populated when the population in above OM.
As dependents increase the burden on working
population is more to look after them. Therefore as dependency ratio increases
the standard of living decreases. Therefore there is an inverse relationship between
dependency ratio and standard of living.
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