The factors affecting the distribution and density of population in the world can be divided into three:

(I) Geographical factor.

(II) Economic factors.

(III) Social and cultural factors.

(I) Geographical Factors: The important geographical factors are:

(a) Availability of water: It is the most important factor for all living beings. Therefore, people prefer to live in areas where water is available especially fresh water. Fresh water plays a major role in the distribution and density of population in space.

(b) Landforms: People prefer to live on flat plains and gentle slopes. Uneven topography has always been a hindrance to all kinds of development. Therefore, these areas tend to have less population.

(c) Climate: Extreme climates like extreme hot or cold deserts are inconvenient for human habitation. Areas with a comfortable climate, where seasonal variation is not much, attract more people i.e., such areas are densely populated.

(d) Soil: Soils are important for agriculture and allied activities. Therefore, the areas where the soil is more fertile, the density of population is more there.

(II) Economic Factors:

(a) Minerals: Minerals are not available all over the world. Some areas are rich in minerals while some areas are devoid of minerals. Therefore, areas with more mineral deposits are densely populated.

(b) Urbanization: Cities provide better opportunities in every way. Therefore, all urbanized areas are densely populated.

(c) Industrialization: Industrialization provides employment opportunities and attracts many people. in other words, like the areas are densely populated.

(III) Social and Cultural Factors: There are many places found on the surface of the earth which attract more people because of their religious or cultural importance. Similarly- people move away from places where there is social and political unrest. Thus, such social and cultural factors are also responsible for high population or low population density of an area.