Factors Affecting Population Distribution

1. FactorsAffecting the Distribution &
Density of Population
PREETI DEVI
M.A. (Silver Medalist)
NET, NFSC
Govt. College For Girls, Sector-14, Gurugram

2. Population
• The number of human beings that live in a particular
geographical area at a particular time .
• An important aspect of human population is its distribution &
density

3. Distribution & Density
• Population Distribution describes how the individuals are
distributed or spread throughout a given area. It is the spatial
pattern of dispersal of population.
• Population Density represents the average number of
individuals per unit of geographical area. In simple terms it is
the ratio between the population and area.

4. Factors
Affecting the
Distribution
& Density of
Population
PHYSICAL
DEMOGRAPHIC
HISTORICAL
CULTURAL

5. Physical Factors
• Relief or terrain – Plain areas encourage a higher
concentration & density of population as compared to
mountainous regions as the steep slope of the mountains
restrict the availability of land for agriculture, development of
transport, industries & other economic activities, while the
plain areas with gentle slope are ideal for the development of
these activities

7. Climate
• Temperature & rainfall play an important role in determining
the population of an area. Climatic extremes discourage the
concentration of population. Such climates include the
extremely cold climate like we have in the Himalayas or
Extremely dry & hot climate like we have in the Thar desert.
• A moderate climate is favourable for population
• The population map of India follows its rainfall map to a large
extent.

9. Fertility of Soil
• Fertile soil supports a higher population concentration &
density while infertile soil decreases both.
• Alluvial soil of Great Central plains & coastal plains & black soil
of Deccan plateau of India support a higher population density

12. Availability of Water
• Water is the basic necessity for irrigation, industries, transport
& domestic purposes. So its availability encourages
concentration & density of population. This is the reason why
river valleys of India are densely populated

14. Availability of Mineral
Resources
• Areas rich in mineral resources tend to have a large
concentration & density of population as such areas have great
possibilities of economic development & employment
opportunities
• The higher density of population in Chhota Nagpur plateau is
one such example

15. Cultural Factors
• Industrialization – Population has a magnetic attraction
towards industrial centres & regions as they provide massive
employment opportunities. Thus, such areas have a high
density of population.
• Industries are capable of supporting more people as compared
to agricultural lands
• Phenomenal growth of industries is one of the major causes for
relatively high population density West Bengal, Maharashtra &
Gujarat

16. Development of Transport
Network
• Areas with good transport network are more accessible and
hence have more population & higher density & vice-versa.
• The northern plains of India have a dense transport network
and is densely populated.
• The peninsular plateau has moderate network of transport &
hence is moderately populated.
• The Himalayan region lacks in transport facilities and is
therefore scarcely populated with a low density of population.

17. Urbanization
• Urban centres act like magnets for migrant population as:
• the offer a wide variety of employment opportunities,
• better educational & health facilities,
• security & promise a better standard of living.
• Thus, they have a high concentration of population & a high to
very high population density
• Urban centres in India like Greater Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata,
etc. have population densities of over 6000 persons /square
km.

18. Safety & Security
• Areas that offer a better sense of security & safety to the
people have a higher concentration of people & a higher
density & vice-versa.
• The urban centres are densely populated while the frontier
areas of any countries are sparsely populated
• War torn areas & areas of political unrest of militant or naxal
activities tend to discourage population concentration

19. Government Policy
• The government policies may encourage or discourage the
growth as well as settlement of population in a region there by
affecting the population concentration & its density.
• The article 370 in J & K which was in force till July 2019 was
a major reason for low population density in J & K.

20. Historical Factors :
• Duration of human settlement is an important determinant of
the magnitude of population concentration in any area.
• Most of the densely populated areas have a very long history
of human habitation, such as the river valleys.
• However, there may be exceptions to this as in the case of
Mesopotamia.

21. Demographic Factors
• Among the demographic factors fertility rate, mortality rate &
migration are considered
• The difference between fertility rate & mortality rate decides
the natural increase in population. If this difference is high
population grows rapidly in an area making it densely
populated as is the case with states like Bihar.
• In-migration increases the concentration & density of
population while out-migartion leads to the opposite, for eg.
Urban centres are exploding with population due to in-
migration

22. Thank you