population

• 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
  • Poor soils
  • 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 densely populated country in the EU. There are 1,645 people per km²
• Calculating population density


  Number of people / Available area of land
• Malta's population is currently around 520,000 people. Its land area is 316 km²
• Population density 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 number of people living there
• Migration


  The movement of people from one place to another
• Emigrants


  People who leave their native country to settle permanently 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 better life
• 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 protect refugees world-wide and help them solve their problems