the world's population and the world population

[shikemoku]

Hello.

I'm not sure about the difference between the world's population and the world population.
To me, they seem the same, but are there any differences in meanings, impressions they give or situations where they are used?

Thank you in advance
shikemoku

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, there's a difference in meaning and use.

The noun phrase world population is normally used as a mere figure (7.9 bn). The head is population, (meant as a figure) and world is a modifier specifying this figure. You might see this phrase used in graphs and charts, or other texts that intend to present data.

The genitive phrase the world's population has world as a head. It says something about what the world (the possessee) possesses. Instead of being used as a figure, it may refer to the people who belong to the world. For example, it could be used to say The median age of the world's population is 31 years.

 

[5jj]

The genitive phrase the world's population has world as a head

I don't agree. The head of this NP is population, with world's functioning as a modifier. Compare:

the world's population
its population
the population of the world

 

[jutfrank]

I don't agree. The head of this NP is population, with world's functioning as a modifier.

Yes, I see. Thank you for the correction.

 

[shikemoku]

I don't agree. The head of this NP is population, with world's functioning as a modifier. Compare:

the world's population
its population
the population of the world

I understand the world's is functioning as a modifier.
What about the other part?
Do you think the world population is about a figure while the world's population could refer to the people in the world, like [SIZE=4]jutfrank[/SIZE] said?
Or isn't there any difference in meaning?

 

[probus]

To me there is little or no difference. You could also use "the population of the world".

 

[jutfrank]

To me there is little or no difference. You could also use "the population of the world".

In the sentence The median age of the world's population is 31 years, you can't understand the world's population as talking about a number, can you? It's talking about the people who live in the world, not the number of people.

 

[shikemoku]

In the sentence The median age of the world's population is 31 years, you can't understand the world's population as talking about a number, can you? It's talking about the people who live in the world, not the number of people.

So you mean the population in the world's populaton is more about people, and that in the world population is about the number.
Do I understand you right?

 

[jutfrank]

So you mean the population in the world's populaton is more about people, and that in the world population is about the number.
Do I understand you right?

Not always, but that may be the case, yes. You'll find lots of cases where both phrases are about the number. If you provide some specific example sentences, we can comment more practically.

 

[shikemoku]

Not always, but that may be the case, yes. You'll find lots of cases where both phrases are about the number. If you provide some specific example sentences, we can comment more practically.

How about this one? It's from the following webpage. (https://asiapacific.unfpa.org/en/populationtrends)
The Asia and the Pacific region is home to 60 per cent of the world’s population.

 

[probus]

Omit the second definite article. I suppose you could also keep the first "the" and omit the second, but don't use both of them.

 

[jutfrank]

How about this one? It's from the following webpage. (https://asiapacific.unfpa.org/en/populationtrends)
The Asia and the Pacific region is home to 60 per cent of the world’s population.

That's another good example of the world's population referring to the people. Of all the people in the world, 60% live in that region.

 

[shikemoku]

That's another good example of the world's population referring to the people. Of all the people in the world, 60% live in that region.

Thank you, jutfrank. Now I think I understand your point. I really appreciate your help.