The Ministry of Human Resource Development was established by the Government of India in 1985 to enhance the skills of the population. This underscores the significance of people as a valuable asset for the country. Similar to other resources, human resources exhibit disparities in distribution worldwide, varying across factors such as education levels, age, and gender.

Moreover, their numbers and characteristics are subject to constant change. For further insights into Human Resources, students can refer to Chapter 6 of CBSE Class 8 Geography. Additionally, CBSE Notes Class 8 Geography Chapter 6-Human Resources serves as an excellent resource for comprehensive understanding and effective exam preparation.

Chapter 6: Human Resources| CBSE Notes Class 8 Geography Notes

Human Resources

The most valuable asset of a nation is its people. The abundance of natural resources gains significance only when individuals utilize them effectively. It is the demands and capabilities of people that transform these resources into valuable assets, making human resources the ultimate resource.

Distribution of Population

The spatial arrangement of people across the Earth’s surface is referred to as population distribution. Approximately 90% of the global population resides on just 30% of the land area. Population distribution varies significantly, with some regions densely populated and others sparsely inhabited. Dense population clusters are observed in South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and northeastern North America.

Conversely, regions such as high-latitude areas, tropical deserts, high mountain ranges, and equatorial forests are sparsely populated. There is a notable imbalance in population distribution between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with a majority of people residing north of the Equator.

Asia and Africa, comprising nearly three-quarters of the global population, are the most densely populated continents. Moreover, 60% of the world’s population resides in just ten countries, each with over 100 million inhabitants.

Density of Population

Population density refers to the number of individuals residing in a specific unit area of the Earth’s surface, typically measured per square kilometer.

Globally, the average population density stands at 51 persons per square kilometer. South-Central Asia exhibits the highest population density, followed by East and Southeast Asia.

Factors Affecting the Distribution of Population

Geographical Features

Topography: Plains are preferred over mountains and plateaus due to their suitability for agriculture, manufacturing, and service activities. The Ganga plains represent one of the most densely populated regions globally, whereas areas like the Andes, Alps, and Himalayas remain sparsely populated.

Climate: Extreme climates, whether excessively hot or cold, are generally avoided by human settlement. Examples include the Sahara Desert and the polar regions of Russia, Canada, and Antarctica.

Soil: Fertile soils are conducive to agriculture and, thus, tend to support denser populations. Regions like the Ganga and Brahmaputra plains in India, the Hwang-He and Chang Jiang valleys in China, and the Nile delta in Egypt are densely populated due to their fertile soils.

Water: Areas with easy access to freshwater sources, such as river valleys, tend to be densely populated, while deserts typically have sparse populations.

Minerals: Regions rich in mineral deposits often attract settlement. For instance, the discovery of diamond mines in South Africa and oil reserves in the Middle East led to significant population influxes.

Social, Cultural, and Economic Factors

Social: Regions offering better housing, education, and healthcare facilities tend to have higher population densities. For example, Pune in India.

Cultural: Places of religious or cultural significance often draw people, such as Varanasi in India, Jerusalem, and Vatican City.

Economic: Industrial hubs provide employment opportunities, leading to dense populations. Examples include Osaka in Japan and Mumbai in India.

Population Change

Population change refers to fluctuations in the number of individuals within a given area over time. Historically, the world population experienced slow and steady growth until the 1800s, primarily due to high birth rates coupled with high mortality rates attributed to inadequate healthcare and food scarcity. This resulted in minimal population growth.

However, the situation changed drastically with advancements in medicine and agriculture, leading to a significant increase in population known as the population explosion. In 1804, the global population reached 1 billion, which doubled to 3 billion by 1959. Just 40 years later, in 1999, the population doubled again, reaching 6 billion. This rapid growth can be attributed to improved food supplies and medical advancements, which reduced mortality rates while birth rates remained relatively high.

Births and deaths are key components of population dynamics, typically measured by birth and death rates— the number of live births and deaths per 1,000 individuals, respectively.

Migration, the movement of people between areas, also influences population change. Emigrants leave a country, while immigrants arrive in another. Countries like the United States and Australia have experienced population gains through immigration, while nations like Sudan have seen population declines due to emigration.

International migration trends often involve movement from less developed to more developed countries in search of better economic prospects.

Additionally, within countries, rural-to-urban migration is common as individuals seek better employment opportunities, education, and healthcare in urban areas.

Patterns of Population Change

Population growth rates vary globally, with some countries experiencing rapid increases while others witness slower growth or even decline. For instance, Kenya exhibits high population growth due to elevated birth and death rates, despite improvements in healthcare that have lowered mortality rates.

Conversely, countries like the United Kingdom experience slowing population growth due to both low birth and death rates.

Population Composition

Economic development does not necessarily correlate with population density. For instance, Bangladesh and Japan are densely populated, yet Japan is more economically developed. Population composition encompasses various factors such as age, gender, literacy, health status, occupation, and income level, reflecting the demographic makeup of a population.

Population composition provides insights into demographic characteristics, including gender distribution, age demographics, educational attainment, occupational profiles, income levels, and health statuses.

Population Pyramid

Analyzing population pyramids, which depict age and gender distributions across different age groups, offers a visual representation of population composition.

A population pyramid illustrates:

• The segmentation of the total population into different age brackets, such as 5 to 9 years, 10 to 14 years.
• The distribution of males and females within each age group as a percentage of the overall population.

Chapter 6: Human Resources- FAQs

What makes human resources the ultimate asset of a nation?

Human resources are considered the most valuable asset of a nation because they are the ones who effectively utilize natural resources, thereby transforming them into valuable assets for development.

How is population distribution characterized across the Earth’s surface?

Population distribution refers to the spatial arrangement of people, with around 90% of the global population residing on just 30% of the land area. This distribution varies greatly, with dense populations in regions like South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and northeastern North America, while other areas remain sparsely populated.

What factors influence population density?

Population density, measured as the number of individuals per square kilometer, is influenced by geographical features such as topography, climate, soil fertility, availability of water, and mineral resources, as well as social, cultural, and economic factors like housing, education, healthcare, industrialization, and employment opportunities.

How has the global population changed over time?

Historically, the world population experienced slow growth until the 1800s, followed by a significant increase known as the population explosion. Factors contributing to this growth include improved food supplies and medical advancements, resulting in reduced mortality rates while birth rates remained relatively high.

What insights can be gained from analyzing population composition?

Population composition provides valuable insights into various demographic characteristics such as age, gender, literacy, health status, occupation, income level, and educational attainment. Analyzing population pyramids visually represents age and gender distributions across different age groups, offering a comprehensive understanding of population dynamics.