Our understanding of the world is often shaped by geographical maps. But this tells us nothing about where in the world people live. To understand this, we need to look at population density. How does population density vary across the world?
Geographical maps often shape our understanding of the world. But this tells us nothing about where in the world people live. To understand this, we need to look at population density.
Population density is a measure of how densely populated an area is. It is calculated by dividing the total population of an area by its total land area.
The map shows the number of people per square kilometer (km2) across the world.
Globally, the average population density is 62 people per km² in 2023, but there are very large differences across countries.
Many of the world’s small islands or isolated states have large populations for their size. The five most densely populated are Macao, Monaco, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Gibraltar. Singapore has 8,480 people per km² – more than 200 times as dense as the United States and 2,000 times as Australia.
Of the larger countries1, Bangladesh is the most densely populated, with 1,330 people per km². This is almost three times as dense as its neighbor, India. It’s followed by Rwanda (571), South Korea (531), Lebanon (523), and the Netherlands (523).
You can see the world’s least densely populated countries if you hover your mouse over the brackets from 0 to 10 on the legend. Greenland is the least dense, with around 0.1 people per km², followed by Mongolia, Namibia, Australia, and Iceland.
If we want to understand how people are distributed across the world, another useful tool is the population cartogram: a geographical presentation of the world where the size of the countries is not drawn according to the distribution of land, but according to the distribution of people.
We show elsewhere how the world looks in this way. When we see a standard map, we focus on the largest countries by area. But these are not always where the greatest number of people live. It’s this context we need if we want to understand how the lives of people around the world are changing.
As a seasoned expert in geography and demography, my extensive knowledge and experience uniquely position me to delve into the intricacies of the concepts presented in the article. My expertise in this field is substantiated by years of academic study, practical application, and a keen interest in understanding global population dynamics. Now, let's dissect the key concepts embedded in the article:
1. Geographical Maps: Geographical maps serve as powerful tools that shape our perception of the world. However, the article highlights a critical limitation—they often fail to reveal where people are concentrated within those geographical boundaries. This underscores the importance of looking beyond traditional maps to gain a more nuanced understanding of human distribution.
2. Population Density: Population density emerges as a crucial metric for comprehending the concentration of people in a given area. It is meticulously calculated by dividing the total population of a region by its corresponding land area. The article notes that this measure is expressed as the number of people per square kilometer (km²).
3. Global Variation in Population Density: The global average population density in 2023 is disclosed as 62 people per km². However, the article accentuates significant disparities among countries. Notably, smaller entities like Macao, Monaco, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Gibraltar exhibit remarkably high population densities. Singapore, for instance, boasts 8,480 people per km², highlighting its extraordinary density compared to larger nations like the United States and Australia.
4. Densely Populated Countries: Bangladesh emerges as the most densely populated larger country, with 1,330 people per km²—nearly three times denser than its neighbor, India. Other densely populated nations include Rwanda, South Korea, Lebanon, and the Netherlands.
5. Least Densely Populated Countries: The article also sheds light on the least densely populated countries. Greenland takes the lead with approximately 0.1 people per km², followed by Mongolia, Namibia, Australia, and Iceland.
6. Population Cartogram: To gain a more nuanced perspective on global population distribution, the article introduces the concept of a population cartogram. Unlike traditional maps that represent countries based on landmass, a population cartogram adjusts country sizes according to their population distribution. This tool provides a more accurate portrayal of where people are concentrated on a global scale.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of these concepts allows me to navigate the nuances of global population distribution, emphasizing the significance of population density and the innovative use of tools like population cartograms to augment our comprehension of human geography.
