1. Introduction to Human Resources
People are a nation's greatest resource. Nature's bounty becomes significant only when people find it useful. It is people with their demands and abilities that turn them into ‘resources’. Hence, human resource is the ultimate resource.
2. Distribution of Population
The way in which people are spread across the earth surface is known as the pattern of population distribution. More than 90% of the world's population lives in about 30% of the land surface.
[Image of world population distribution map] Factors Affecting Distribution:- Topography: People prefer living on plains rather than mountains (e.g., Ganga plains).
- Climate: People avoid extreme climates like Sahara Desert or Polar Regions.
- Soil: Fertile soils provide grounds for agriculture.
- Water: People prefer living in areas where fresh water is easily available.
- Minerals: Areas with mineral deposits are more populated (e.g., Diamond mines of South Africa).
3. Density of Population
Population density is the number of people living in a unit area of the earth's surface. It is normally expressed as per square km.
The average density of population in the whole world is 51 persons per square km. South Central Asia has the highest density of population.
4. Population Change
The population change refers to change in the number of people during a specific time. This is due to changes in the number of births, deaths, and migrations.
Key Terms:- Birth Rate: Number of live births per 1,000 people.
- Death Rate: Number of deaths per 1,000 people.
- Migration: Movement of people in and out of an area.
- Natural Growth Rate: The difference between the birth rate and the death rate.
5. Population Composition
Population composition refers to the structure of the population. It helps us know how many are males or females, which age group they belong to, how educated they are, and what type of occupations they are employed in.
A common way to study composition is the Population Pyramid (also called an age-sex pyramid).
| Pyramid Shape | What it indicates | Example Country |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Base | High birth rates; many children. | Kenya |
| Steady Narrowing | Decreasing death rates. | India |
| Narrow Base | Low birth rates; aging population. | Japan |
