The factors influencing population density distribution in the world are as follows:
1. Physical Factors such as event, availability of water, climate and soil.
2. Social/Cultural Factors such as religion and culture.
3. Economic Factors such as minerals, urbanisation, industrialisation.
Physical Factors :
1. Availability of water: People prefer to live in areas where fresh water is easily available. Water is used for drinking, bathing and cooking – and also for cattle, crops, industries and navigation.
2. Land forms: People prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes because such areas are favourable for the production of crops and to build roads and industries.
3. Climate: An extreme climate such as very hot or cold deserts is uncomfortable for human habitation. Areas with a comfortable climate, where there is not much seasonal variation, attract more people.
4. Soils: Fertile soils are important for agricultural and allied activities. Therefore, areas which have fertile loamy soils have more people living on them.
Economic Factors :
1. Minerals: Areas with rich mineral deposits attract mining and industrial activities, therefore skilled and semi – skilled workers move to these areas for employment and make them densely populated.
2. Urbanisation: People migrate in the cities for better employment opportunities, educational and medical facilities, and better modes of transport and communication and also for good civic amenities. Mega cities of the world continue to attract a large number of migrants every year.
3. Industrialisation: Industrial belts provide job opportunities and attract large numbers of people. These include not just factory workers but also transport operators,
Social and Cultural Factors :
1. Religious factors: Some places attract more people because they have religious or cultural significance.
2. Political unrest and wars: In the same way, people tend to move away from places where there is social and political unrest.
3. Government policies: Many a times, governments offer incentives to people to live in sparsely populated areas or move away from overcrowded places.
