Introduction (AQA A Level Geography)
Revision Note
Characteristics of Population Change
Environmental Context
The environmental context refers to aspects of physical geography that affect the size, distribution and growth rate of an area’s population. It includes
Climate
Soils
Availability of resources including water supply
Examiner Tip
In the exam you may be asked about the environmental context for human population. Try to discuss how the physical factors link together. For example, a more temperate climate with an even supply of rainfall is more likely to bring about a reliable water supply to support a large population. In contrast, arid areas are more likely to have thin soils prone to erosion.
Key population parameters
Distribution
Describes the pattern of how population is spread over an area
The world has an uneven population distribution
Density
The number of people living in a certain area
Usually measured in population per km2
Numbers
The total amount of people living in an area
Change
How population increases or decreases over time
Population is never static; the distribution, density and number is constantly evolving due to various processes
Development Processes & Change
Key role of development processes
Population parameters are affected by human factors as well as physical factors
Development processes describe how human societies advance over time due to technological change
Each advance in development changes the population size, density and distribution
Major Global Advances in Development
Development Process | Date | Description |
---|---|---|
Neolithic revolution | 12,000 years ago |
|
Industrial revolution | Approx 1760-1850 |
|
Green revolution | 1960s |
|
Development processes can also reduce population totals
Countries reaching an advanced stage with highly developed social systems mean life expectancy can be very high
increasing proportion of the population is elderly so that death rates increase
Population growth rate slows and in some cases total population falls
Japan’s population is falling (2020 growth rate was -0.30%)
Global patterns of population numbers, densities and change rates
World population grew very slowly until 18th century
From 10,000 BCE to 1700 CE the average growth rate was just 0.04% per year
Exponential growth in population since the mid 18th century
World population reached 8 billion in November 2022
Despite the growth rate falling, world population is projected to continue to grow until approximately 2100 when it could reach more than 11 billion
Population density varies across space and changes over time
Approximately 55% of the world now lives in cities but this figure is projected to reach 65% by 2050 as urbanisation increases
The densest populations are in areas that have the most favourable environmental conditions or where human development processes have occurred
Population change rates vary with time
Global average growth rate has declined since around 1970 (see ‘World population total and growth rate’ graph above)
Population change rates vary over space
Countries that went through Industrial Revolutions in the 18th and 19th centuries experienced rapid population growth. Today those countries are developed and their growth rates have fallen. In some cases they have fallen so much that their total populations are in decline (e.g. Japan)
The fastest population growth today occurs in developing countries that are rapidly industrialising
Examiner Tip
In the exam you may be asked to analyse the data found within maps or graphs of population change, such as the ones on this page. If faced with this type of 6 mark question:
Try and identify a general pattern if any exists
Describe any anomalies (exceptions to the pattern)
Look for links between the data in the graphs or maps
Manipulate the data in some way, rather than just lifting it directly
e.g. “the total population increased by 10 times between the years x and y”
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