DISTRIBUTION

Distribution is a more general term than composition. It refers to any statistical classification of population according to a given characteristic. The most commonly used types of population distribution are urban-rural, and spatial distribution of population. They are obtained by calculating percentage of total population living in urban areas and in different geographical regions, respectively. Thus

Percent urban = (Urban population/total population)*100

Percent of population living in Uttar Pradesh State = (Population of the state/total population of India)*100

Changes in spatial distribution of population, i.e., percent of population living in different states or regions may be caused by difference in fertility or mortality or the process of migration – movement of people from one state or region to another for education, employment, marriage or other reasons.

As above, you may study the following:

• Occupational and industrial distribution of population

• Income and wealth distribution of population

• Distribution of population by source of drinking water and possession of household amenities

• Distribution of population by place of birth and place of current residence

• Ageing among the aged by calculating ratio of population aged 80+ to population aged 60+.

Population distribution, as defined above, can be compared between different countries/societies as it makes the numbers in any category of study free from the effect of size of total population.