Population means all the people or animals living in a particular place, or the total number of people who live somewhere. It is also used in research to describe any group being studied.
What Does Population Mean?
Population comes from the Latin populatio, derived from populus meaning "people". The word entered English in the 16th century and was first used in the sense of "inhabiting" a place. Today it is one of the most common academic nouns in English, appearing in geography, biology, sociology, economics, and everyday news writing.
At its most basic, population simply answers the question "how many people live there?": the population of Tokyo is over 13 million. However, the word extends well beyond headcounts. In biology, population refers to a group of animals of the same species living in one area. In statistics and research, it describes the entire group under study — for example, "the student population of this university" or "the working-age population".
Because population appears so frequently in IELTS Academic Reading and Writing, learning its key collocations — population growth, ageing population, population density — is particularly valuable for exam preparation. Note that population can be used with or without a definite article depending on context: population growth (no article, general) versus the population of France (article, specific).
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & note |
|---|---|
| The population of our town is about 50,000 people. | A2 — simple statement of fact |
| China has the largest population in the world. | B1 — comparative, common IELTS topic |
| She read about population growth to prepare for the IELTS Academic Reading task. | B1 — collocation in context |
| The ageing population is putting pressure on healthcare systems across Europe. | B2 — complex noun phrase, formal register |
| Rapid urbanisation has resulted in a dramatic shift in population density, with rural areas becoming increasingly depopulated. | C1 — academic register, multiple collocations |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| population growth | Rapid population growth puts pressure on food supplies. |
| population decline | The village has seen steady population decline over 30 years. |
| population density | Bangladesh has one of the highest population densities in the world. |
| ageing population | Japan faces the challenges of an ageing population. |
| urban population | The urban population has doubled in the last two decades. |
| rural population | The rural population relies mainly on farming for income. |
| world population | The world population reached eight billion in 2022. |
| local population | The factory provides jobs for the local population. |
| growing population | The city is building new schools to serve its growing population. |
| population explosion | The 20th century saw a population explosion in many developing nations. |
Usage Notes
Key Points for Learners
Countable vs uncountable: Population is uncountable when used in a general sense (population growth, a rise in population). It is countable when referring to distinct communities or groups (the populations of Africa, an ageing population, indigenous populations).
Article use: Use the when referring to a specific group: the population of Brazil. Omit the article in fixed collocations: population growth, population density.
Register: Population is neutral in register and suitable for both formal writing (reports, essays, academic articles) and everyday speech. It is especially common in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 and Task 2.
Related forms: Populate (verb), populated (adjective: a densely populated area), overpopulation (noun: too many people for available resources), underpopulated (adjective: having fewer people than the available space can support).
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
The population of London are very diverse.
The population of London is very diverse. (population takes a singular verb in British English)
London has a big population.
London has a large population. (use large, not big, with population in formal writing)
The populations grew because of immigration.
The population grew because of immigration. (use the singular unless explicitly referring to multiple distinct groups)