1. Growth and distribution of world population

Case Study 1: Population Growth and Urbanization – India

Theories and Perspectives Applied to Population Growth:

• Malthusian Theory (Malthus, 1798) – Population growth outstrips food supply, leading to crises.
• Demographic Transition Model (Notestein, 1945) – Population shifts through stages of development.
• Core-Periphery Theory (Wallerstein, 1974) – Spatial inequalities in population distribution.
• Dependency Theory (Frank, 1967) – Developing regions depend on global economic structures.
• Tobler’s First Law of Geography (Tobler, 1970) – “Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.”

Models/Theories/Laws Applied:

• Population Growth Model – Examines birth rates, death rates, and migration trends.
• Urbanization and Migration Framework – Explores rural-to-urban migration patterns.
• Systems Analysis Approach – Evaluates population dynamics through multiple indicators.

Recent Data:

• India: 1.42 billion people, projected to peak by 2060.
• Urbanization Trends: Over 35% of India’s population now resides in urban areas.
• Migration Patterns: Rural-to-urban migration increasing due to economic opportunities.

Spatial Variation:

• Urban Centers: High population density due to migration influx.
• Rural Areas: Moderate population decline due to outmigration.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Population growth accelerating since 1950s.
• Future Projections: Expected stabilization due to demographic transition.

Source:

• World Population Prospects 2024

Insight:

India’s population growth validates Demographic Transition Model, while urbanization trends align with Core-Periphery Theory.

Case Study 2: Population Decline and Aging – Japan

Theories and Perspectives Applied to Population Decline:

• Demographic Transition Model (Notestein, 1945) – Population shifts through development stages.
• Dependency Theory (Frank, 1967) – Economic structures influence population sustainability.
• Optimum Population Theory (Cannan, 1924) – The ideal population maximizes per capita income.
• Tobler’s First Law of Geography (Tobler, 1970) – “Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.”

Models/Theories/Laws Applied:

• Aging Population Model – Examines declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy.
• Economic Growth and Population Framework – Evaluates labor force and productivity.
• Systems Analysis Approach – Assesses population sustainability through multiple indicators.

Recent Data:

• Japan: Declining population, expected to fall below 120 million by 2050.
• Aging Trends: Over 30% of Japan’s population is above 65 years old.
• Economic Impact: Labor shortages affecting productivity and economic growth.

Spatial Variation:

• Urban Centers: High concentration of elderly populations.
• Rural Areas: Population decline due to youth migration to cities.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Population decline accelerating since 1990s.
• Future Projections: Expected policy shifts to encourage immigration and workforce participation.

Source:

• World Population Prospects 2024

Insight:

Japan’s population decline validates Demographic Transition Model, while aging trends align with Dependency Theory.