Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The population of Europe has seen a significant increase over the years. In 2018 the total population of Europe was over 751 million. However, Russia remains one of the most populated countries in Europe. They have a population of over 146 million. The growth of the population in Europe is considerably low but the median age is high. However, due to the immigrants coming from outside Europe the population has seen an increase. The European demography includes emigration and economic immigration along with a declining birth rate.
Reasons Why Western Europe Is Densely Populated
Western Europe boasts of fertile lands and a good climate. Many immigrants are coming to these countries to have a better standard of living. There are plenty of job opportunities for people and they can enjoy the necessities of life. This is one of the reasons why France is more populated that other European countries. It is not surprising that agricultural technology is reaching a new peak.
In the 19th century, the industrial revolution gave Western Europe a big boost. The use of industrial fertilizer improved the output. This is how many people could enjoy food. As Western Europe is involved in manufacturing goods instead grain, it attracts a lot of immigrants. However, due to the lot of population, it became difficult for them to feed everyone.
Western European countries saw a temporary boost due to low childbirth and high life expectancy. However, migration is putting a lot of pressure lately. There is no doubt that climate, fertile land, and rivers are one of the reasons why Western Europe is highly populated.
Which Countries in Europe Are Densely Populated?
Italy was the center of West Rome especially when Southern Europe was more populated. After some time Gaul and Rhine’s valley started to grow. In the middle ages, Paris has become a big center of attention for many. Moreover, France has become overpopulated with 20 million people. The development in other countries like Netherlands and Northwest started to increase.
As the growth of potatoes doubled 10 or 20 times in France, it slowly became very popular. Italy started producing tomatoes and focused on industrialization. In this situation, England and Germany left France behind. There are plenty of populated nations in Western Europe.
One of the most populated areas includes Northwest and Central Europe along with the Rhine from England. West Germany and Belgium are densely populated as compared to other nations. Many of these countries are conquering lands and increasing their output in many ways. Europe has been a densely populated nation since Roman times.
Fertility Of Lands In Western Europe
The fertility of the land in Western Europe is one of the reasons why Western Europe is densely populated. They can easily produce more food for the population. All the citizens can focus on recreational activities. There are plenty of job opportunities available for immigrants and citizens alike. Due to urbanization, the population is increasing rapidly. Many Africans and Asians are migrating to Western Europe and bringing in some wealth.
The urbanized environment is well-planned. There are plenty of schools, transportation networks, and electricity available for everyone. People like to live in those countries that are rich in agriculture and other facilities. A lot of amounts is spent on the infrastructure. Another reason for the high population density is the high birth rate in many nations.
Read More: Why is Eastern Europe less developed Than Western Europe?
Why Did Western Europe Become more Densely Populated Than Other Countries?
Western Europe receives a large amount of rainfall as compared to the Middle East. During the Middle Ages, ploughs, and technologies improved drastically. This helped the farmers become more active and productive. They were able to support a large number of families. All the areas under cultivation were improving to a new level. These reasons led to an increase in the population of Western Europe. Therefore an increase in the overall population density.
In the Middle East, a lot of lands is available for cultivation. However, there are some limitations to the growth of this land. During the 13th century, there was serious damage to the irrigation infrastructure. All these reasons lead to lower birth rates.
Even the farmers were not able to produce a lot of food for satisfying the large families. Since the time of the industrial and agricultural revolution, Western Europe has become a big attraction for many.
Europe faced demographic collapse during the old times. However, due to industrial growth countries like France, Germany and UK have seen a rise in population. The fertile valleys and innovation have helped Western Europe grow very well.
