The current world population stands at 8.06 billion people
In 1900 the World Population numbered 1.5 billion people
Population explosion
The increase in population is now so fast
It is now a major problem to feed, clothe, house, educate, provide jobs and care for 8 billion people
World Population growth
1. 1 billion mark until around 1800
2. Second billion achieved in only 130 years (1930)
3. Third billion in 30 years (1960)
4. Fourth billion in 15 years (1974)
5. Fifth billion in only 13 years (1987)
During the 20th century alone, the population in the world has grown from 1.65 billion to 6 billion
In 1970, there were roughly half as many people in the world as there are now
Because of declining growth rates, it will now take over 200 years to double again
Based on current trends, the United Nations (UN) estimates that: the world population could grow to about 8.5 billion by 2030; 9.7 billion by 2050; and 10.4 billion by the end of the century
Distribution
The way in which people are spread over the Earth's surface
Population distribution map
A map showing how people are spread across the globe
Densely populated areas
Areas containing a very high concentration of people living there
Sparsely populated areas
Areas in which only a few people live
Factors people consider when building settlements
Pleasant climate
Good soils
Water supply
Raw materials
Good communications
Industry and jobs
Gentle slopes (non-mountainous areas)
Factors people avoid when building settlements
Very cold climates
Dense forests
Poorsoils
Very hot climates
Very dry areas with hardly any rainfall
Little or no industry
Lack of jobs
Few or no raw materials
Birth Rate
The number of births to every 1000 population
Death Rate
The number of deaths to every 1000 population
Population Growth Rate
The speed at which population increases
Natural Increase
The difference between birth and death rates
Life expectancy
The number of years that the average person born in a country can expect to live
Social Services
Government services provided for the benefit of the community, such as education, medical care, and housing
Standard of living
The degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community
Overpopulation
When there are too many people living in a country or area
Malta is the most denselypopulated country in the EU. There are 1,645 people per km²
Calculating populationdensity
Numberofpeople / Available area of land
Malta's population is currently around 520,000 people. Its land area is 316 km²
Populationdensity in Malta varies according to locality
Malta's overpopulation is causing great harm to its natural environment
Around 50% of Malta's surface is used by housing and industry. Agriculture uses a substantial portion of the remaining area
Underpopulation
When a country has far more resources than the numberofpeople living there
Migration
The movement of people from one place to another
Emigrants
People who leave their nativecountry to settlepermanently elsewhere
Immigrants
Emigrants who arrive to settle permanently in that country
Types of migration
Temporary or Seasonal
Daily Migration
Internal Migration
External Migration
Reasons people migrate to another country
To find a job
Earn higher salaries
Escape political persecution
Escape Religious persecution
Lack of jobs in their home country
The want of a betterlife
Push Factors
Factors which force or encourage people to leave their town or country and go to live elsewhere
Pull Factors
Factors which attract people to live in another town or country
Refugee
A person who due to reasons of race, religion, nationality or politics was forced to leave his/her home country and go to live elsewhere
Irregular migrants
Refugees who enter a country without the necessary residency permits
UNHCR
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, an organization established in 1950 to protectrefugees world-wide and help them solve their problems