When it comes to understanding population density or figuring out how to calculate it, you might immediately recall Geography classes from grades 7, 8, 9. The basic Geography knowledge at this level is adequate to help you comprehend what population density entails. So, how do we calculate population density?
Calculating Population Density
Guide to Calculate Population Density
What is Population Density? Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is commonly applied to living organisms in general, and humans in particular.
Therefore, population density is divided into 2 types:
1. Biological Population Density: This measures the biology of various species. If the biological population density of a species is low, it is highly likely that the species is on the verge of extinction.
Understanding Human Population Density: It measures the number of people living per unit area. To calculate population density, divide total population by the area they inhabit.
You can also calculate population density through various methods:
- Arithmetic Density: Divide total population by land area in square kilometers.
- Physiological Density: Divide total population by arable land area.
- Agricultural Density: Divide rural population by total agricultural land area.
- Urban Density: Divide urban population by urban land area.
Illustrative Example
What is Population Density? Calculate the population density in 2001 for the countries listed below and provide comments.
Solution:
- Population density refers to the number of people per unit area (which may or may not include agricultural regions or areas with production potential). Typically, it can be calculated for a region, a city, a country, a territorial unit, or the entire world.
Unit: People/Km2.
- Calculate the density in 2001 for the following countries:
+ Vietnam: 78,700,000 : 329,314 = 239 (people/km2).
+ China: 1,273,300,000 : 9,597,000 = 133 (people/km2) .
+ Indonesia: 206,100,000 : 1,919,000 = 107 (people/km2) .