Introduction
Human resources refer to the individuals or workforce within an organization, institution, or society who contribute their skills, knowledge, and labor to the achievement of goals and objectives. Human resources encompass the entire range of human capabilities and talents employed for various functions, including but not limited to work, management, and innovation.
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Distribution of Population
Population distribution refers to the way people are spread across the Earth's surface.
Over 90% of the global population resides in approximately 30% of the land area.
The distribution is highly uneven, with crowded regions in South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and northeastern North America.
Sparse populations are found in high latitudes, tropical deserts, high mountains, and equatorial forests.
The majority live north of the Equator, and Asia and Africa house almost three-quarters of the world's population.
Ten countries, each with over 100 million people, accommodate 60% of the global population.
Density of Population
Population density measures the number of people in a specific unit area, usually per square kilometer.
The global average population density is 51 persons per square kilometer.
South Central Asia has the highest population density, followed by East and SouthEast Asia.
Class 8 Geography |Chapter 5 Chapter Human resources
Factors Affecting Distribution of Population
Topography:
Plains are preferred over mountains and plateaus for living due to suitability for farming, manufacturing, and services.
Ganga plains are the world's most densely populated areas.
Mountains like Andes, Alps, and Himalayas are sparsely populated.
Climate:
Extreme climates, whether very hot (Sahara desert) or very cold (polar regions), are generally avoided.
Soil:
Fertile soils, such as in Ganga and Brahmaputra plains, Hwang-He, Chang Jiang in China, and Nile in Egypt, attract dense populations due to agriculture.
Water:
Areas with easy access to fresh water, particularly river valleys, are densely populated.
Deserts tend to have sparse populations.
Minerals:
Regions with mineral deposits, like the diamond mines in South Africa and oil discoveries in the Middle East, attract higher populations.
Social, Cultural and Economic Factors
Social:
Regions with superior housing, education, and healthcare facilities tend to be more densely populated, such as Pune.
Cultural:
Areas with religious or cultural significance, like Varanasi, Jerusalem, and Vatican City, attract populations.
Economic:
Industrial zones offering employment opportunities draw large populations. Examples include Osaka in Japan and Mumbai in India
Population Change
Population Change:
Refers to variations in the number of people over a specific period.
Historical Growth:
Until the 1800s, the world's population increased slowly due to high birth and death rates, limited healthcare, and insufficient food.
Population Explosion:
In 1959, the world reached 3 billion, and by 1999, it doubled to 6 billion, termed as a population explosion.
Factors for Growth:
Improved food supplies and medicine reduced deaths, while birth rates remained high, contributing to population growth.
Births, Deaths, and Migration:
Births and deaths are natural factors influencing population. Migration, the movement of people, also plays a role.
Natural Growth Rate:
The difference between birth and death rates in a country.
Global Population Increase:
The rapid increase is primarily due to a high natural growth rate.
Migration Impact:
Migration contributes to population changes; emigrants leave, and immigrants arrive.
International Migrations:
Trend is often from less developed nations to more developed ones, seeking better opportunities.
Urbanization:
People move from rural to urban areas within countries for employment, education, and healthcare.
Patterns of Population Change
Global Population Growth:
Worldwide, population growth rates differ.
High Growth Countries (e.g., Kenya):
Experience high growth due to historically high birth and death rates.
Improved healthcare lowers death rates, but high birth rates maintain growth.
Low Growth Countries (e.g., United Kingdom):
Witness slowing growth due to both low death and low birth rates.
Factors Influencing Growth Rates:
Healthcare improvements impact death rates, while birth rates contribute to growth variations globally.
Population Composition
Population Density and Development:
Economic development isn't tied to population density.
Example: Japan and Bangladesh are densely populated, but Japan is economically developed.
People as a Resource:
Diverse characteristics: age, sex, literacy, health, occupation, income.
Population composition reveals structure: gender, age, education, occupation, income, health.
Population Pyramid Analysis:
Visualizes age groups, gender percentages, birth and death rates.
Reflects dependency ratio and workforce composition.
Significance of Population Pyramids:
Broad base, narrow top: high birth and death rates (e.g., Kenya).
Broad base, gradual narrowing: decreasing death rates, more surviving infants (e.g., India).
Narrow base: low birth rates, increased life expectancy (e.g., Japan).
Role of Young Population:
Skilled, optimistic youth contribute to a nation's future.
Education and opportunities empower them for productivity.
India is fortunate to possess such a resource.
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