Population and settlement
What the domain tests
Population and settlement questions test population distribution and density, census measures, migration, settlement patterns and urban growth. Namibia is a useful case because its population is small and unevenly distributed, with sharp contrasts between the densely settled north-central areas and the sparsely populated Namib.
Core rules and concepts
- Population distribution is where people live; density is people per square kilometre. Density can hide uneven distribution.
- Natural increase = birth rate − death rate (usually per 1,000). Net migration = immigrants − emigrants. Population change = natural increase + net migration.
- Push factors (drought, unemployment, conflict) drive people away; pull factors (jobs, services, safety) attract them. Migration can be rural–urban, seasonal or international.
- Settlements range from isolated farms and hamlets to villages, towns and cities. Site factors include water, fertile land, defence and transport; situation refers to position relative to routes and resources.
- Urbanisation brings opportunities but also housing shortages, informal settlements, traffic and pressure on water and sanitation.
Worked example
A country has a birth rate of 32 per 1,000, a death rate of 10 per 1,000, 4,000 immigrants and 6,000 emigrants, with a population of 2 million. Calculate natural increase and total population change. Reasoning: natural increase = 32 − 10 = 22 per 1,000 = 2.2%. That is 0.022 × 2,000,000 = 44,000 people. Net migration = 4,000 − 6,000 = −2,000. Total change = 44,000 − 2,000 = 42,000, or 2.1%. Show units and direction.
Traps that cost marks
- Using density alone to describe distribution.
- Adding net migration to natural increase when emigrants outnumber immigrants.
- Confusing push and pull factors.
- Assuming all urban growth is caused by migration; natural increase also matters.