Comparing Population Change in Ireland and Tanzania (Junior Cert Geography): Revision Notes

Comparing Population Change in Ireland and Tanzania (Distribution and Density)

Population distribution and population density vary significantly between countries due to factors like geography, economy, and social conditions. Ireland and Tanzania provide an interesting comparison of population changes, illustrating the differences between a developed and a developing country.

Population Distribution

• In both Ireland and Tanzania, population distribution is uneven:
  • Ireland: The population is concentrated in urban areas, especially around Dublin, Cork, and other cities along the eastern and southern coasts. Rural areas, particularly in the west and midlands, have lower population densities.
  • The distribution of population is influenced by the uneven physical landscape. The west has many mountain ranges including the Twelve Pins, Croagh Patrick and the Nephin Beg range. This upland relief hinders people living there as it is difficult to build and farm on.
  • Tanzania: People are concentrated in fertile areas and around urban centres like Dar es Salaam, Dodoma (the capital), and Arusha. Large rural areas, such as the arid central and northern regions, have very low population densities due to less fertile land and fewer resources.
  • Most people live on the northern border or the eastern coast, with much of the remainder of the country being sparsely populated.

Population Density

• Ireland:
  • Has a relatively low population density of around 76 people per square kilometre, with higher densities in urban areas and lower densities in rural parts of the west.
  • Urbanisation and migration from rural areas to cities have led to a growing population density in cities.
• Tanzania:
  • The population density is higher, at around 77 people per square kilometre, but varies significantly between regions. Urban areas like Dar es Salaam have high densities, while rural areas have low densities due to limited infrastructure and services.
  • Density varies from 1 person/$km^2$ in arid regions, to 51 persons/$km^2$ in the well-watered highlands, to 134 person/$km^2$ in Zanzibar. More than 80 percent of the population is rural.
  • The population is growing rapidly, and rural-to-urban migration is also common, contributing to higher densities in cities.

Factors Influencing Population Distribution and Density

1. Economic Opportunities:

• Ireland: People are drawn to urban areas with employment in technology, finance, and services.
• Tanzania: Economic opportunities in urban centres, such as trade, manufacturing, and services, attract people to cities.

2. Natural Resources:

• Ireland: Fertile agricultural land influences population distribution, with many people living in coastal areas.
• Tanzania: Fertile regions like the areas around Lake Victoria and Mount Kilimanjaro have higher populations. Less fertile or arid regions are sparsely populated.

3. Infrastructure and Services:

• Ireland: Well-developed infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals) in urban areas encourages population concentration in cities.
• Tanzania: Infrastructure is more limited in rural areas, leading people to move to cities for better access to services.

4. Social and Environmental Factors:

• Ireland: Low birth rates and longer life expectancy mean a slower population growth rate, though migration into Ireland has increased.
• Tanzania: High birth rates and a young population drive rapid population growth, despite lower life expectancy.

Population Change Over Time

• Ireland: Population growth is steady but slower, largely due to lower birth rates typical of developed countries. Immigration has been a factor in recent population increases.
• Tanzania: Population growth is rapid due to high birth rates, resulting in a very young population. This growth is challenging for the country as it requires more resources, infrastructure, and jobs to support the increasing population.
• Tanzania has the largest population in East Africa and the lowest population density; more than a third of the population is urban. Tanzania's youthful population – over 60% of the population is under 25 as of 2020 – is growing rapidly because of the high total fertility rate of 4.4 children per woman, as of 2022.

Summary of Key Differences

Factor	Ireland	Tanzania
Population Density	Lower, concentrated in cities	Marginally higher overall, concentrated in cities
Urbanisation	High, with rural-to-urban migration	High, significant rural-to-urban migration
Population Growth	Slower, due to lower birth rates	Rapid, due to high birth rates
Economic Drivers	Technology, finance, services	Trade, agriculture, manufacturing