Population patterns
Definition
Population patterns describe how human populations are distributed across the earth and how they change over time through birth rates, death rates, and migration. Demographers study these patterns to understand urbanization, aging, and resource needs.
Examples
- China and India each have over 1 billion people, making South and East Asia the most densely populated regions
- Rural-to-urban migration has made cities like Lagos and Mumbai among the fastest growing in the world
- Japan's aging population and low birth rate are causing its total population to decline
Key Fact
The demographic transition model shows societies moving from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates as they industrialize.
Study This Concept
Practice population patterns with free review games in these units: