Chapter 8 : Population Distribution and Structure

 

Population Distribution

        On this beautiful island, the population of each place is continually changing because of birth, death, and movement. Some counties and cities are more populous than others, because they have more job opportunities, convenient transportation, or available land and housing. Figure 8-1 shows the population distribution of Taiwan.

▲ Figure 8-1 Population Distribution of Taiwan (1993)         Every Dot Represents Five Thousand People

 

Population Density

        Figure 8-2 shows us the concept of population density. A and B are two living spaces. A is bigger than B, but both A and B are home to five people. Different sized spaces have the same population: A is spacious and has a lower population density, while B is more cramped and has a higher population density. The same principle applies to the population density of a region. Figure 8-3 shows us that different regions have different population densities. In calculating population density, there are two factors we must know: total area and population. For regions, area is measured in square kilometers. Here is the formula:

 

                                   Total Population (persons)

Population Density = —————————————

                                   Total Area (km²)

Figure 8-2 Population Density and Size of House         甲：A         乙：B

 

        For example, in 1996, the total population of Taoyuan County was 1,570,456 persons, and its total area was 1,221 square kilometers. Using the formula above, we can calculate a population density of 1,286 people per square kilometer: 1,570,456 ÷ 1,221 ≒ 1,286/km². In that same year, the population density of the whole of Taiwan was 596 people per km². Thus, the population density of Taoyuan is higher than that of Taiwan overall.

 

Economic Activities

        Figure 8-1 and 8-3 show variations in population distribution and density. Taoyuan County has a relatively high population. Its population density is also high. Numerous factories in Taoyuan create a lot of industrial job opportunities, which attract many people from the rural areas. The housing density is very high in Taoyuan County. There are also environmental pollution and traffic problems.

        By contrast, counties like Yunlin and Nantou have fewer factories and less commercial activity. There are few factories or business job opportunities. A larger percentage of the population engages in farming or fishing. The rate of outward migration of these counties is high. They now have sparse populations and low population densities. Nevertheless, people there can enjoy a pastoral existence in a relaxed environment.

 

▲ Figure 8-3 Population Density Map of Taiwan                 人口數/平方公里：persons/km2                 3000 以上：Above 3,000                 100 以下：Below 100

 

        Figure 8-4 shows different walks of life in Taiwan. Economic activities can be divided into three major types: agriculture (including forestry, fishing, and livestock farming), industry, and service (including commerce). In 1996, the service sector employed just over half the people of Taiwan. The next largest sector by employment was industry, with agriculture last. But no matter what the numbers are, people of different vocations rely on one another.

 

▲ Figure 8-4 Different Forms of Economic Activity                 農業：Agriculture                 工業：Industry                 服務業：The Service Sector

 

 

 

Age and Sex

        The family in Photo 8-1 includes people of different age and sex, grandparents, parents, and children. We can divide the population into three categories based on age: young, working age, and elderly. People below 14 years old are children. People from 15 to 64 are of working age. They form the workforce that keeps the economy going. People above 65 years old are considered elderly.

Photo 8-1 The population composition of a family

 

Population Pyramid

        Figure 8-5 is a population pyramid. The population percentages of different age groups are graphed horizontally.

        Figure 8-5 compares the population pyramids of 1963 and 1993. The percentage of children has declined. The percentage of the elderly has risen. In other words, the population of Taiwan is gradually aging. Taking care of an elderly population requires a lot of effort. There has been a rapid increase in the demand for medical services and rest homes. Figure 8-5 also shows that the people in the working age bracket account for 67% of the total population today. A drop in this percentage means a decrease in available human resources. In the future, there may not be enough working people to support the people in the other two age groups.

        Although modern family planning has alleviated population pressure, it has led to a low birthrate. This will be a problem in the future: the fewer children we have now, the fewer workers we will have in a decade or two. There may be a human resource shortage, and the working age population will have to bear a heavy social burden. Figure 8-68 shows two possible futures depending on the average number of children families have today.

Figure 8-7 The Population Pyramid of Taiwan for 1963 and 1993                 百分比率：Percentage                 52年：1963                 82年：1993

Figure 8-8 Different Birthrates, Different Futures                 甲：A                 每家生育兩個小孩：Every Family Has Two Children                 30年後：30 Years Later                 兩家扶養八個人：Two Families Supporting Eight Family Members                 乙：B Every Family Has One Child                 30年後：30 Years Later                 一家扶養五個人：A Family Supporting Five Family Members