Urban Expansion and Land Use Change: A Spatial Analysis Using Secondary Geospatial Data
Abstract
Understanding long-term population dynamics is essential for evaluating demographic transformation and regional development across the world. This study examined the spatial patterns of population growth and demographic change using a historical–geographical perspective based on a global dataset comprising 234 countries and territories from 1970 to 2022. A quantitative, retrospective research design was employed using publicly available secondary data. Descriptive statistics, continental comparisons, historical trend analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed in Python to evaluate relationships among population size, population density, growth rate, land area, and world population share. The findings revealed a continuous increase in the global population over the study period, accompanied by substantial geographical variation across continents. Asia recorded the largest population and highest average population density, whereas Africa exhibited the highest average demographic growth rate. Correlation analysis indicated a moderate positive relationship between land area and total population, while population growth rate showed only weak associations with geographical variables. These results demonstrate that demographic change is characterized by distinct spatial patterns influenced by multiple regional factors rather than geographical extent alone. The study contributes to historical geography by integrating temporal demographic trends with comparative spatial analysis and provides valuable evidence for population studies, regional planning, and sustainable development. Future research should incorporate socioeconomic, environmental, and migration-related variables to improve understanding of global demographic dynamics.
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