Global Population Trends

If you’ve ever found it challenging to grasp the distribution of the world’s population through raw numbers alone, a visual representation might help you gain a clearer perspective. Enter ThePudding, a fascinating project (accessible at https://pudding.cool/2018/10/city_3d/) that offers a global map allowing you to explore population patterns up close. Here, you can see ‘needles’ of varying heights and quantities that symbolize population concentrations in different regions.

For example, when you focus on the compact nation of Bangladesh, you’ll notice numerous towering needles distributed across the country, illustrating how a relatively small land area can support a larger population than the vast expanse of Russia. The map also highlights densely populated regions in southern China, starkly contrasting with the sparser population densities in Europe, Africa, North and South America. You might be surprised to discover that Kinshasa in the Republic of Congo surpasses Paris, France, in population.

As you examine India on the map, you’ll observe a profusion of population ‘needles’ scattered throughout the country, while nearby nations such as Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Burma appear comparatively less populated.

The website allows you to zoom in and out, enabling you to locate the county you grew up in and observe population changes from 1990 to the present day. Orange bars signify population declines, while green bars denote growth. Notably, certain cities like Cincinnati, OH, and St. Louis, MO, and regions like much of Russia are experiencing significant population declines. A glance at Detroit reveals a prevalence of red bars, indicating a population decrease in and around the city.

Why is this visualization important? A country’s, region’s, or county’s GDP growth relies on the combination of population growth and increased worker productivity. Nations with larger populations are poised to become prominent players in the global economy. However, even beyond economic considerations, this data provides an intriguing and engaging perspective on global demographics